Computer program creation support device, computer program creation method, terminal device, and blow molding device

Abstract

A device for assisting the creation of a computer program (33) for controlling the operation of a blow molding device (20) is provided with a processor (41) and a display (43). A processor (41) causes a display (43) to display: a first screen (431) in which a user interface screen (261c), which is displayed on an interface device (261) for setting control conditions for each of a plurality of control objects in a blow molding device (20), is displayed together with an identifier (431b) for specifying the position of a region for setting the control conditions, and a second screen (432) in which the user interface screen (261c) is displayed on the display (43), said user interface screen (261c) being displayed on an interface device (261) for setting the control conditions for each of the control objects in the blow molding device (20); and a second screen (432) that displays a character string indicating information specifying an address space in accordance with a predetermined platform-independent architecture to be referenced by the blow molding device (20) in order to operate under the control condition, in a state in which the character string is associated with the identifier (431b) and in a state in which the character string can be programmed as a variable into the program code of the computer program (33).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an apparatus for assisting in the creation of a computer program for controlling the operation of a blow molding apparatus. This disclosure also relates to a method for creating the computer program. Furthermore, this disclosure relates to a terminal device for controlling and managing at least one aspect of the operation of the blow molding apparatus based on the computer program, and the blow molding apparatus itself. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a blow molding apparatus for manufacturing hollow containers made of resin. This apparatus includes an interface device for setting control conditions for multiple controlled objects.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7202309 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In manufacturing, the visualization and DX (Digital Transformation) of equipment and production lines (monitoring and effective utilization of operational and production data) are progressing, and the plastics industry is no exception. A common data communication standard (based on OPC-UA's EUROMAP) has been established in the injection molding industry, enabling easy visualization of injection molding equipment, auxiliary equipment, and the production lines built from them by different manufacturers.

[0008] On the other hand, in the blow molding industry, equipment structures and other aspects often vary significantly between manufacturers, and a common data communication specification has not been established. However, visualization is also important in blow molding equipment for proactively addressing production optimization and plastic issues. In particular, hot preform blow molding equipment requires monitoring (managing) or setting multiple control objects (drive mechanisms, molding conditions, etc.), and these monitoring objects sometimes differ depending on the customer and product, requiring flexibility (integration) in visualization. Blow molding equipment has interface devices for setting control conditions for multiple control objects separately. Therefore, improvements are needed to enhance the ease of use of the motion control environment (allowing for flexible visualization of the blow molding equipment) by enabling the interface device to read or write control condition-related data from external sources.

[0009] Furthermore, in the past, the ladder diagram of the gate cutting device needed to be temporarily created by other equipment (such as a PC) and then reinstalled in the controller of the blow molding machine. Therefore, whenever the lifting and lowering conditions of the temperature regulating mold, the molding cycle time, etc., changed, it was necessary to change the timing of the cutting mechanism's intrusion and retraction. Thus, there was room for improvement in the work related to the creation and editing of the ladder diagram in terms of workability.

[0010] Solution for solving the problem

[0011] One of the solutions provided in this disclosure is a computer program manufacturing aid device for controlling the operation of a blow molding apparatus, comprising: Displays; and processor, The processor causes the display to show a first screen and a second screen. The first screen displays the user interface screen of the interface device used to set control conditions for multiple controlled objects in the blow molding apparatus, along with an identifier that determines the location of the area used to set the control conditions. The second screen will display a string representing information about the address space of the blow molding apparatus, which is referenced by the device for operation under the specified platform-independent architecture, in a state associated with the identifier and in a state that can be incorporated as a variable into the program code of the computer program.

[0012] One of the solutions provided in this disclosure is a method for manufacturing a computer program to control the operation of a blow molding apparatus, wherein, The display shows a first screen, which together displays the user interface screen of the interface device used to set control conditions for multiple controlled objects in the blow molding apparatus, and an identifier for determining the location of the area used to set the control conditions. The display shows a second screen, which represents a string indicating information about the address space of a platform-independent architecture referenced by the blow molding apparatus for operation under the control conditions. This string is associated with the identifier and displayed as program code that can be incorporated as a variable into the computer program. Based on the user's instructions, the string is encoded as the variable.

[0013] One of the solutions provided in this disclosure is a blow molding apparatus equipped with a control device, wherein... The control device has an interface for setting control conditions for each of the multiple controlled objects in the blow molding apparatus. The blow molding apparatus is equipped with an information storage device. The information storage device stores a user interface screen corresponding to the first molding machine information and reference information corresponding to the second molding machine information. The first molding machine information includes an identifier that determines the location of the area used to set the control conditions on the user interface screen displayed by the interface device. The second molding machine information includes a string that represents information specifying the address space of a platform-independent architecture referenced by the blow molding device for operation under the control conditions. This string is also a string associated with the identifier and can be incorporated as a variable into the program code of a computer program that controls the operation of the blow molding device. The blow molding apparatus can send and receive reference information associated with the first molding machine information and corresponding to the second molding machine information.

[0014] Based on the aforementioned case studies, by simply visually determining the location of the area displaying the control conditions of interest within the user interface screen, the user can identify a string representing the address space referenced by the blow molding apparatus specifying those control conditions via an identifier assigned to that location in the first screen. This string is displayed on the second screen as program code that can be programmed into a computer, thus enabling the creation of the program code containing this string in a single step. Therefore, the efficiency of creating computer programs to make the blow molding apparatus perform desired actions and changing control conditions managed by the computer program can be significantly improved. Consequently, the management (monitoring) of the blow molding apparatus and its production line, including whether the apparatus is operating normally and maintaining correct molding conditions, can be performed flexibly and easily. Furthermore, the control conditions of the blow molding apparatus can be easily changed from a remote location (outside the blow molding apparatus).

[0015] Compared to injection molding equipment, blow molding equipment (especially hot preform type blow molding equipment) handles hundreds to thousands of control conditions. Therefore, it can significantly benefit from the address mapping function provided by the aforementioned auxiliary devices. Consequently, the ease of operation control environment for blow molding equipment equipped with interface devices for setting control conditions for multiple controlled objects is improved.

[0016] Therefore, a terminal device having a controller that executes a computer program produced by the above method and a communication interface that outputs commands for controlling and managing at least one party to perform the operation of the blow molding apparatus based on the computer program is also one of the embodiments provided in this disclosure.

[0017] In addition, a blow molding apparatus that can communicate with the aforementioned terminal device is also one of the embodiments provided in this disclosure. This blow molding apparatus includes: a communication interface for receiving the aforementioned commands; and a controller for causing the blow molding apparatus to perform actions based on the aforementioned commands. Furthermore, another example of a blow molding apparatus includes an information storage device that stores a user interface screen corresponding to first molding machine information and reference information corresponding to second molding machine information. Moreover, this blow molding apparatus can send and receive reference information corresponding to second molding machine information associated with the first molding machine information. Therefore, for example, the blow molding apparatus can send the reference information corresponding to second molding machine information associated with the acquired first molding machine information to the terminal device. Therefore, in such a blow molding apparatus, the efficiency of creating computer programs for causing the blow molding apparatus to perform desired actions can be significantly improved.

[0018] Furthermore, one of the solutions provided in this disclosure is a blow molding apparatus equipped with a control device, wherein, The control device includes a display and a controller. The controller stores a computer program capable of editing and / or creating ladder diagrams for controlling the movement of auxiliary equipment electrically connected to the blow molding apparatus. When the computer program is executed by the controller, the controller causes the display to show a screen for editing and / or creating the ladder diagram.

[0019] According to the above configuration, a computer program capable of editing and / or creating ladder diagrams for controlling the operation of auxiliary equipment electrically connected to the blow molding apparatus is stored in the controller of the blow molding apparatus. Furthermore, when the computer program is executed by the controller, a screen for editing and / or creating the ladder diagrams is displayed on the display of the blow molding apparatus. Therefore, with the blow molding apparatus configured as described above, the user can edit and create ladder diagrams using the screen displayed on the display, thus improving workability related to the creation and editing of ladder diagrams. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 An example of a control system for a blow molding apparatus is shown.

[0021] Figure 2 For example Figure 1 The screen displayed by the interface device.

[0022] Figure 3 For example Figure 1 The functional composition of auxiliary devices.

[0023] Figure 4 For example Figure 3The first image displayed on the monitor.

[0024] Figure 5 For example Figure 3 The second screen displayed on the monitor.

[0025] Figure 6 Show Figure 3 An example of a display scheme for a monitor.

[0026] Figure 7 Show Figure 3 Another example of a display scheme for a monitor.

[0027] Figure 8 For example Figure 1 The screen displayed by the interface device.

[0028] Figure 9 An example of a sequence of images is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings used for explanation, the scale has been appropriately changed to make the referenced elements recognizable.

[0030] Figure 1 An example of a control management system 10 is shown. The control management system 10 includes at least a blow molding apparatus 20 and a terminal device 30. The blow molding apparatus 20 and the terminal device 30 are connected via a communication network N in a manner capable of bidirectional data communication. The terminal device 30 is configured to transmit data for controlling the operation of the blow molding apparatus 20, or to receive (acquire) data related to various controlled parameters in the blow molding apparatus 20.

[0031] In this implementation example, bidirectional data communication is based on OPC-UA (Open Platform Communication-Unified Architecture). OPC-UA is an international standard specification developed in the field of industrial automation for highly reliable data exchange, and is an example of a platform-independent architecture.

[0032] The blow molding apparatus 20 is an apparatus for manufacturing hollow containers made of resin. The blow molding apparatus 20 of this embodiment has a configuration known as a hot preform system. Specifically, the blow molding apparatus 20 includes: an injection molding station 21, a temperature control station 22, a blow molding station 23, a take-out station 24, and a conveying mechanism 25. The blow molding apparatus 20 has the same number of transfer plates as the number of stations. Each transfer plate is initially positioned at each station.

[0033] Injection molding station 21 is configured to mold a preform using molten resin injected from injection device 211. Conveying mechanism 25 conveys the molded preform to temperature control station 22 via a transfer plate disposed in injection molding station 21. Simultaneously, a transfer plate disposed in take-off station 24 is conveyed to injection molding station 21 to await receiving a preform to be molded subsequently.

[0034] The temperature adjustment station 22 is configured to bring the temperature of the conveyed preform to a specified value. The conveying mechanism 25 conveys the temperature-adjusted preform to the blow molding station 23 by transferring it to the blow molding station 23 via a transfer plate disposed in the temperature adjustment station 22. Simultaneously, the transfer plate disposed in the injection molding station 21 is disposed in the temperature adjustment station 22, and the conveyed preform is supplied for temperature adjustment.

[0035] The blow molding station 23 is configured to perform blow molding on the conveyed preform to form a container of a specified shape. The conveying mechanism 25 conveys the blow-molded container to the take-out station 24 by transporting it to the take-out station 24 via a transfer plate disposed in the blow molding station 23. Simultaneously, the transfer plate disposed in the temperature adjustment station 22 is disposed in the blow molding station 23, and the conveyed preform is supplied for blow molding.

[0036] In the take-out station 24, the blow-molded container is removed. The conveyor mechanism 25 transports the removed container to the injection molding station 21 via a transfer plate. Simultaneously, the transfer plate located in the blow molding station 23 is located in the take-out station 24, where the blow-molded container is taken out.

[0037] The blow molding apparatus 20 includes a control device 26. The control device 26 is configured to control not only the operation of the aforementioned apparatus but also the values ​​of the controlled parameters at each station. Furthermore, the control device 26 is configured to communicate bidirectionally with the terminal device 30 and the like to control the values ​​of control conditions (measured data, set data, operating data), production data, etc.

[0038] The control device 26 includes an interface device 261. The interface device 261 provides a user interface that handles operations for controlling the motion of various drive mechanisms (actuators) included in the blow molding apparatus 20, and for setting values ​​for various controlled parameters of the blow molding apparatus 20. The interface device 261 may include buttons, switches 261a, etc. These buttons and switches 261a may also be implemented via a touch panel device. The interface device 261 may include a display 261b. The display 261b is configured to display... Figure 2 The example shown is user interface screen 261c.

[0039] User interface screen 261c displays the operating status of various drive mechanisms and the values ​​of various controlled parameters in the blow molding apparatus 20. In this example, user interface screen 261c includes multiple display areas 261d. Each display area 261d is configured to display the values ​​of various controlled parameters, showing the operating status of the injection molding station 21, the temperature adjustment station 22, and the blow molding station 23. The operating status and the values ​​of the controlled parameters are examples of control conditions. Furthermore, the control device 26 includes an information storage device (not shown) that stores the values ​​of various controlled parameters and the values ​​of the operating status in the blow molding apparatus 20.

[0040] Specifically, the values ​​of the controlled parameters displayed in the multiple display areas 261d include measured values ​​and set values. Values ​​displayed in white text on a black background in the display area 261d are values ​​actually measured in the blow molding apparatus 20. Values ​​displayed in black text on a white background in the display area 261d are values ​​input by the user through the interface device 261 or the terminal device 30.

[0041] like Figure 1 As illustrated in the example, the control device 26 includes a controller 262. The controller 262 is communicatively connected to the interface device 261 via a data bus. The controller 262 may be a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) that causes the blow molding apparatus 20 to perform the aforementioned actions based on the operations received by the interface device 261 and the computer program 263. The controller 262 (PLC) may also include an information storage device.

[0042] The control device 26 has a communication interface 264. The communication interface 264 is a hardware interface for sending and receiving data with the terminal device 30 via the communication network N. The communication interface 264 is connected to the controller 262 in a communicative manner via a data bus.

[0043] The terminal device 30 includes a communication interface 31 and a controller 32. The communication interface 31 is connected to the controller 32 via a data bus in a communicative manner. The communication interface 31 is a hardware interface for transmitting and receiving data with the blow molding apparatus 20 via the communication network N.

[0044] The controller 32 is configured to transmit data, based on a computer program 33, via a communication interface 31 to cause the blow molding apparatus 20 to perform desired actions (such as sending various data to the terminal device 30 and changing molding conditions). In addition, the controller 32 is configured to receive data transmitted from the blow molding apparatus 20 via the communication interface 31, also based on the computer program 33. It should be noted that the terminal device 30 may also have a database for storing the data received from the blow molding apparatus 20.

[0045] The terminal device 30 includes a display 34. The display 34 is connected to the controller 32 via a data bus. The display 34 is configured to display a screen (chart, etc.) that can confirm the operating status of the blow molding apparatus 20, the status of the production line, etc., based on the received data. It should be noted that the same screen as the user interface screen 261c of the blow molding apparatus 20 can also be displayed on the display 34.

[0046] like Figure 1 As illustrated in the example, the control and management system 10 includes an auxiliary device 40. A computer program 33 installed on the terminal device 30 can be created and provided using the program development environment of the auxiliary device 40. The program development environment can be implemented using a suitable program editor application.

[0047] like Figure 3 As illustrated in the example, the auxiliary device 40 includes at least a processor 41, an output interface 42, and a display 43. The processor 41 is configured to execute a program editor application. Furthermore, the processor 41 is configured to output data from the output interface 42 to the display 43. Figure 4 The example shown is the first frame 431 and Figure 5 The second screen 432 shown in the example displays the control signal DC. The first screen 431 can be renamed as a first reference information group (first molding machine information) for receiving and sending control conditions of the blow molding apparatus. The second screen 432 can be renamed as a second reference information group (second molding machine information) for receiving and sending control conditions of the blow molding apparatus. Figure 6 An example of a scheme in which a first screen 431 and a second screen 432 are displayed on a monitor 43 is shown. It should be noted that the first screen 431 (first reference information group, first molding machine information) and the second screen 432 (second reference information group, second molding machine information) can be stored in the auxiliary device 40, or they can be configured to be read by the auxiliary device 40 and stored in an information storage medium (USB memory, disk media, etc.) independent of the auxiliary device 40.

[0048] Output interface 42 is configured as a hardware interface capable of outputting display control signal DC. The display control signal DC can be an analog signal or a digital signal, depending on the specifications of the display 43.

[0049] As by and Figure 2 As can be seen from the comparison, Figure 4The first screen 431 shown in the example is screen 431a, which imitates the user interface screen 261c of the blow molding apparatus 20, and at least displays the reference area 431c of the control condition and the identifier 431b that determines its position. In this example, the position of each reference area 431c is determined by an identifier (refer to the reference numerals) 431b assigned any one of the letters or numbers from A to N. It should be noted that in Figure 4 In this context, prioritizing observability, identifier 431b is only appended to a portion of the reference area 431c. It should be noted that the first screen 431 consists of multiple screens, each corresponding one-to-one with a plurality of user interface screens 261c in the blow molding apparatus 20. Furthermore, the plurality of reference areas 431c in each first screen 431 correspond one-to-one with the plurality of display areas 261d in each user interface screen 261c.

[0050] Figure 5 The illustrated second screen 432 includes table 432a. In table 432a, node IDs 432b of the OPC-UA are displayed in a one-to-one correspondence with identifiers 431b displayed on the first screen 431. Node ID 432b is a string representing information specifying the address space of the OPC-UA referenced by the terminal device 30 and the blow molding device 20. The address space represented by node ID 432b stores the value corresponding to the reference area 431c in the first screen 431 assigned identifier 431b, i.e., the value displayed in the display area 261d in the user interface screen 261c of the blow molding device 20 (data of control conditions). Node ID 432b is programmed as a variable into a computer program 33 that causes the blow molding device 20 to perform the desired action.

[0051] For example, in Figure 2 In the user interface screen 261c shown, the measured value of the injection time of the molten resin is displayed in the display area 261d. When a computer program 33 is to be created that references the value displayed in the display area 261d, the user of the auxiliary device 40 focuses on the position in the first screen 431 displayed on the monitor 43 that corresponds to the corresponding reference area 431c. For example... Figure 4 As illustrated in the example, the identifier 431b, which is assigned the letter “A”, is displayed at that location.

[0052] Next, the user focuses on the row in the table of the second screen 432 displayed on monitor 43 that contains the identifier 431b assigned the letter "A". For example... Figure 5 As illustrated in the example, in the same row, as the node ID, is recorded as...

[0053] ns=6; s=::AsGlobalPV:gInjectCtrl.Status.Timer_Injection (this value (string)).

[0054] That is, the first screen 431 and the second screen 432 displayed by the display 43 of the auxiliary device 40 function as an address mapping that establishes an association between the location of the display area 261d that displays the control conditions of the user interface screen 261c and the location in the address space that stores the data related to the control conditions.

[0055] In the second screen 432, the string of node ID 432b is displayed in a state where it can be written as a variable into the created computer program 33. Specifically, it is possible to copy the string and paste it into the program code created by the program editor application executed by the processor 41.

[0056] like Figure 3 As illustrated in the example, the auxiliary device 40 includes a user interface 44. The user interface 44 is configured to accept operations for creating computer programs 33 and output instruction data IS corresponding to those operations. The user interface 44 can be implemented using a mouse, keyboard, touch panel device, etc.

[0057] In the example above, where a computer program 33 is to create a value that is displayed in the display area 261d of the user interface screen 261c, the user only needs to copy the corresponding node ID 432b displayed on the second screen 432 and paste it into the program code being edited through the user interface 44.

[0058] The auxiliary device 40 has an input interface 45. The input interface 45 is configured as a hardware interface capable of receiving instruction data IS.

[0059] The processor 41 is configured to create a computer program 33 based on instruction data IS received through the input interface 45 and output it from the output interface 42. When the auxiliary device 40 can communicate with the terminal device 30 via a communication network N, the computer program 33 output from the output interface 42 can be installed on the controller 32 of the terminal device 30 via this communication. Alternatively, the computer program 33 output from the output interface 42 can be stored on a suitable information storage medium. In this case, the installation of the computer program 33 to the terminal device 30 is performed via this information storage medium.

[0060] According to the auxiliary device 40 of this embodiment, the user only needs to visually determine the location of the area displaying the control conditions of interest in the user interface screen 261c, and can determine the node ID 432b of the address space that stores data related to the control conditions by means of the identifier 431b assigned to that location in the first screen 431. The node ID 432b is displayed on the second screen 432 as program code that can be programmed into the computer program 33, so the creation of the program code programmed into the node ID 432b can be performed in one stop. Therefore, by creating the computer program 33 for making the blow molding apparatus 20 perform the desired operation, and by correcting the computer program 33 when the control conditions managed (monitored) by the terminal device 30 are changed, efficiency can be significantly improved. In addition, by displaying the control conditions on the display 34 by the computer program 33 created by the auxiliary device 40, it is easy to monitor whether the blow molding apparatus 20 is operating normally from a remote location. Furthermore, by means of the computer program 33 created by the auxiliary device 40, changes to the control conditions of the blow molding apparatus 20 (the number of containers produced per hour) can be easily made from a remote location.

[0061] Figure 2 The user interface screen 261c shown is only a small fraction of the many screens displayed on the interface device 261 for setting various control conditions. Compared to injection molding apparatuses, the number of control conditions processed in the blow molding apparatus 20 reaches hundreds to thousands. Therefore, the address mapping function provided by the auxiliary device 40 can be significantly utilized. Thus, the convenience of the motion control environment of the blow molding apparatus 20, which has an interface device 261 for setting control conditions for multiple controlled objects, can be improved.

[0062] The node ID is based on UPC-UA, a platform-independent architecture that is increasingly popular in the field of industrial automation. Therefore, it can provide a highly versatile program development environment that reduces the constraints on the suppliers and models of the blow molding device 20 and the terminal device 30 that constitute the control and management system 10.

[0063] Furthermore, if the auxiliary device 40 can communicate with the blow molding device 20, such as Figure 3 As illustrated in the example, the input interface 45 can also be configured to receive image data IM corresponding to the user interface screen 261c displayed by the interface device 261 of the blow molding apparatus 20.

[0064] In this case, the processor 41 is configured to be based on image data IM, such as Figure 7As illustrated in the example, a display control signal DC is output from the output interface 42, causing the display 43 to display a third screen 433 in addition to the first screen 431 and the second screen 432. The third screen 433 corresponds to the actual user interface screen 261c displayed by the interface device 261 of the blow molding apparatus 20. The third screen 433 can be a screen that reflects the status of the user interface screen 261c in real time, or it can be a screenshot at a specific point in time.

[0065] Based on this configuration, the user of the auxiliary device 40 can simultaneously check the status and values ​​related to various control conditions on the third screen 433 of the operating blow molding device 20, and compare them with the first screen 431 and the second screen 432 to select variables for inclusion in the computer program 33. This provides a highly convenient program development environment. It should be noted that the terminal device 30 can also have the same functions as the auxiliary device 40. That is, the computer program 33 can also be created on the terminal device 30 by referring to the first screen 431 (first reference information group, first molding machine information) and the second screen 432 (second reference information group, second molding machine information).

[0066] The controller 262 of the blow molding apparatus 20, the controller 32 of the terminal device 30, and the processor 41 of the auxiliary device 40, which have the various functions described so far, can each be implemented by a general-purpose microprocessor that operates in cooperation with a general-purpose memory. Examples of general-purpose microprocessors include CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processor Unit), and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Examples of general-purpose memory include ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). In this case, the ROM can store a computer program for implementing the function. The general-purpose microprocessor specifies at least a portion of the computer program stored on the ROM and expands it on the RAM, performing the above-described processing in cooperation with the RAM.

[0067] Controller 262, controller 32, and processor 41 can be implemented using application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), such as microcontrollers, ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits), and FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), which can execute computer programs to implement this function. In this case, the computer program is pre-installed in the storage element included in the ASIC. Controller 262, controller 32, and processor 41 can also be implemented using a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and an ASIC.

[0068] (A variation of the user interface screen)

[0069] Next, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 For the blow molding apparatus 120 of the modified example (refer to) Figure 1 The following explanation will be provided. In this modified example, the user interface screen 1261c, which is displayed on the display 261b of the control device 26 instead of the user interface screen 261c, differs from that of the blow molding apparatus 20. It should be noted that in other respects, the blow molding apparatus 120 is substantially the same as the blow molding apparatus 20, so repeated descriptions are omitted. It should be noted that in the blow molding apparatus 120 of this modified example, a computer program can be created and / or edited. This computer program can edit and / or create ladder diagrams (ladder diagram programs) for controlling the operation of auxiliary equipment that can be electrically connected to the blow molding apparatus 120. Furthermore, this computer program is stored in the blow molding apparatus 120 and is executed by the control device 26.

[0070] Such auxiliary equipment is, for example, a gate cutting device equipped with a cutting mechanism to remove the gate portion (the trace of the resin path protruding from the bottom) formed on the bottom of the preform. The gate cutting device is electrically connected to the blow molding apparatus 120 at the temperature adjustment station 22. It should be noted that the gate portion removal using the gate cutting device is performed as follows: when the two temperature adjustment molds (the temperature adjustment kettle mold containing the preform and the temperature adjustment core mold inserted into the preform) of the temperature adjustment station 22 are in the open state, the cutting mechanism penetrates to the bottom side of the preform supported by the neck mold, and after the gate portion removal is completed, the cutting mechanism retracts. It should be noted that the gate portion removal using the gate cutting device can also be performed as follows: when the temperature adjustment mold is closed (during the temperature adjustment of the preform), the cutting mechanism penetrates and retracts to directly below the temperature adjustment kettle mold in the rising position, and removes the gate portion protruding from the lower part of the temperature adjustment kettle mold.

[0071] In this modified example, the case where a gate cutting device (an example of an auxiliary device) at temperature control station 22 is electrically connected to blow molding apparatus 120 and a ladder diagram of the gate cutting device is edited and / or created is illustrated. Figure 8 As illustrated in the example, among the multiple labels displayed on the user interface screen 1261c is a label T1 (displayed as "Sequence") for displaying sequence screens. These sequence screens are used to edit and / or create computer programs that can edit and / or create ladder diagrams for the motion control of the gate cutting device. It should be noted that each label is used to display screens showing the operating conditions of various drive devices and various molding conditions in each molding process of the blow molding apparatus 120.

[0072] When label T1 is selected, control device 26 causes display 261b to show... Figure 9 The example sequence screen includes: a first area R1, which displays the overall ladder diagram in a way that allows for display, creation, and editing; a second area R2, which displays the desired ladder diagram logic symbols in a selectable manner; and a third area R3, which displays a toggle button for confirming the ladder diagram's actions. However, the sequence screen only needs to include at least the first area R1 and the second area R2, and may not include the third area R3.

[0073] (Creating and editing trapezoidal diagrams)

[0074] When creating a ladder diagram, the user selects a ladder logic symbol located in the second region R2 via touch operation and moves it to the appropriate position in the first region R1 via a sliding operation. Furthermore, when deleting unwanted ladder logic symbols located in the first region R1, the user slides the unwanted ladder logic symbol outside the first region R1. Moreover, when editing a ladder diagram, the user loads the ladder diagram program already saved in the controller 262 and partially modifies the ladder logic symbols located in the first region R1.

[0075] Previously, the ladder diagram of the gate cutting device needed to be temporarily fabricated by other equipment (e.g., PC) and then reinstalled in the controller 262 of the blow molding apparatus 120. Therefore, whenever the lifting and lowering conditions of the temperature regulating mold, molding cycle time, etc., change, it is necessary to modify the timing of the cutting mechanism's entry and exit. Thus, there is room for improvement in the work related to the fabrication and editing of the ladder diagram, particularly in terms of workability. In the blow molding apparatus 120 of this modified example, as... Figure 8 As illustrated in the example, the user interface screen 1261c is provided with a label T1 for displaying a sequence of screens that can create and / or edit ladder diagrams for auxiliary devices. Furthermore, if the user selects label T1, the following is displayed: Figure 9The illustrated sequence of images thus significantly improves the workability related to the creation and / or editing of ladder diagrams using the blow molding apparatus 120.

[0076] (Action confirmation of the trapezoidal diagram)

[0077] When the gate cutting device is connected to a four-station one-step machine, since the operation of the gate cutting device is roughly the same, its operation control is also roughly the same, and in many cases only the timing of the intrusion and retraction of the cutting mechanism needs to be changed. In this modified example, it is also possible to simply read the ladder diagram already created on the user interface screen 1261c of the blow molding apparatus 120 and adjust (edit) the symbols related to the timer (an example of ladder diagram logic symbols) according to molding conditions, etc., thus providing high convenience.

[0078] In addition, such as Figure 9 As illustrated in the example, the sequence screen of this variant includes a third area R3 containing a switch button for confirming the action of the ladder diagram. The user activates the action confirmation switch button (displayed as "Power Flow Start") by touching it, allowing them to observe the actual machine and confirm which part of the ladder diagram the control is currently in, whether the gate shut-off device is operating appropriately, etc. Then, after this confirmation, the user stops the function by touching the action confirmation switch button (displayed as "Power Flow Stop"). In this way, the user can confirm the action of the ladder diagram.

[0079] If the gate cut-off device fails to operate at the proper timing, it may come into contact with the temperature regulating mold, causing the mold to break. However, currently there is no one-step machine (hot preform blow molding machine) capable of directly creating and / or editing the ladder diagram for auxiliary equipment on the blow molding apparatus 120. In this modified example, as Figure 8 As illustrated in the example, the user interface screen 1261c displayed on the display 261b of the control device 26 included in the blow molding apparatus 120 includes a label T1. Then, when the user selects label T1, the following is displayed: Figure 9 The illustrated sequence of images allows for the direct creation and editing of ladder diagrams for auxiliary equipment on the blow molding apparatus 120. Therefore, the blow molding apparatus 120 of this modified example is useful for improving the efficiency of industrial equipment and advancing IT integration.

[0080] The configurations described so far are merely examples intended to facilitate understanding of this disclosure. Each configuration can be appropriately modified and combined with other configurations as long as it does not depart from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0081] In the above-described embodiments, the auxiliary device 40 is provided as a device independent of the terminal device 30. However, the auxiliary device 40 may also be part of the functionality provided by the terminal device 30. In this case, the first screen 431, the second screen 432, and the third screen 433 may be displayed on the display 34. Furthermore, the computer program 33 may be created by the terminal device 30.

[0082] In the above-described embodiments, a hot parison blow molding apparatus 20 is shown as an example. Because the number of controlled parameters is particularly large in hot parison blow molding apparatuses (1-step method), the address mapping function provided by the auxiliary device 40 is especially beneficial. However, the control management system 10 may also include blow molding apparatuses referred to as cold parison (2-step method) or cool parison (1.5-step method).

[0083] Furthermore, the blow molding apparatus 20 may also include an information storage device that stores a user interface screen 261c corresponding to the first molding machine information and reference information corresponding to the second molding machine information. It should be noted that this information storage device may be part of a PLC. The first molding machine information refers to information containing an identifier that determines the location of the area used to set control conditions for the user interface screen 261c displayed on the interface device 261. The second molding machine information refers to information containing a string (node ​​ID) that indicates information about the address space of a platform-independent architecture referenced by the blow molding apparatus 20 for operation under the specified control conditions, and is a string associated with the identifier and can be incorporated as a variable into the program code of a computer program that controls the operation of the blow molding apparatus 20. Furthermore, the first and second molding machine information may be stored, for example, in an information storage medium, an auxiliary device 40, or a terminal device 30. In this case, the blow molding apparatus 20 can send and receive reference information corresponding to the second molding machine information associated with the first molding machine information. Such reference information includes, for example, the values ​​of control conditions (measured data, setting data, operating data) and production data stored in the area corresponding to the node ID (ns=6; s=::AsGlobalPV:gInjectCtrl.Status.Timer_Injection) recorded in the line containing the identifier "A". Furthermore, the blow molding apparatus 20 can be communicatively connected to the terminal device 30, which outputs commands to the blow molding apparatus 20 based on the computer program 33 that controls the operation of the blow molding apparatus 20, specifying at least one aspect of the control and management of the operation of the blow molding apparatus 20. In this case, for example, the user of the auxiliary device 40 or the terminal device 30 uses reference information corresponding to the second molding machine information associated with the first molding machine information to perform a modification operation on the computer program 33. When the computer program 33 is modified, the terminal device 30 sends commands based on the modified computer program 33 to the blow molding apparatus 20. Then, the communication interface 264 of the control device 26 receives the command from the terminal device 30. When the command is received, the controller 262 of the control device 26 causes the blow molding apparatus 20 to perform an action based on the command. Therefore, such a blow molding apparatus 20 can also provide a highly convenient program development environment.

[0084] Moreover, such as Figure 1As illustrated in the example, the control and management system 10 may include other blow molding apparatus 20A and auxiliary equipment capable of communicating with the terminal device 30 according to OPC-UA. The blow molding apparatus 20A may be the same model as the blow molding apparatus 20 or a different model. In the case where the blow molding apparatus 20A is a different model from the blow molding apparatus 20, an appropriate computer program different from the computer program 33 can be created using the auxiliary device 40 based on the aforementioned method.

[0085] The node ID 432b of OPC-UA displayed in the second screen 432 can be replaced with an appropriate string specifying the address space referenced by the blow molding device 20 in a platform-independent architecture.

[0086] This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 2023-128500 filed on August 7, 2023 and Japanese patent application No. 2023-178357 filed on October 16, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0087] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0088] 20, 120: Blow molding device; 261: Interface device; 261a: Switch; 261b: Display; 261c, 1261c: User interface screen; 261d: Display area; 30: Terminal device; 32: Controller; 33: Computer program; 40: Auxiliary device; 41: Processor; 43: Display; 431: First screen; 431b: Identifier; 431c: Reference area; 432: Second screen; 432b: Node ID; 433: Third screen; R1: First area; R2: Second area; R3: Third area; T1: Label.

Claims

1. A computer program creation aid device, wherein the computer program creation aid device is a computer program creation aid device for controlling the operation of a blow molding device, comprising: Displays; and processor, The processor causes the display to show a first screen and a second screen. The first screen displays the user interface screen of the interface device used to set control conditions for multiple controlled objects in the blow molding apparatus, along with an identifier that determines the location of the area used to set the control conditions. The second screen will display a string representing information about the address space of the blow molding apparatus, which is referenced by the device for operation under the specified platform-independent architecture, in a state associated with the identifier and in a state that can be incorporated as a variable into the program code of the computer program.

2. The computer program creation aid according to claim 1, wherein, The information is based on the node ID of the Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture (OPC-UA).

3. The computer program creation aid according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The processor causes the display to show a third screen, which displays the user interface screen shown by the interface device.

4. A method for creating a computer program, wherein the method for creating a computer program for controlling the operation of a blow molding device, wherein, The display shows a first screen, which together displays the user interface screen of the interface device used to set control conditions for multiple controlled objects in the blow molding apparatus, and an identifier for determining the location of the area used to set the control conditions. The display shows a second screen, which represents a string indicating information about the address space of a platform-independent architecture referenced by the blow molding apparatus for operation under the control conditions. This string is associated with the identifier and displayed as program code that can be incorporated as a variable into the computer program. Based on the user's instructions, the string is encoded as the variable.

5. The method for creating a computer program according to claim 4, wherein, The information is based on the node ID of the Open Platform Communication Unified Architecture (OPC-UA).

6. A terminal device, the terminal device comprising: The controller executes a computer program manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 4 or 5; and A communication interface, based on the computer program, outputs commands for at least one party in the control and management of the blow molding apparatus.

7. A blow molding apparatus, wherein the blow molding apparatus is a blow molding apparatus communicatively connected to the terminal device according to claim 6, comprising: The communication interface accepts the commands; and The controller causes the blow molding apparatus to perform actions based on the command.

8. A blow molding apparatus, wherein the blow molding apparatus is a blow molding apparatus equipped with a control device, wherein, The control device has an interface for setting control conditions for each of the multiple controlled objects in the blow molding apparatus. The blow molding apparatus is equipped with an information storage device. The information storage device stores a user interface screen corresponding to the first molding machine information and reference information corresponding to the second molding machine information. The first molding machine information includes an identifier that determines the location of the area used to set the control conditions on the user interface screen displayed by the interface device. The second molding machine information includes a string that represents information specifying the address space of a platform-independent architecture referenced by the blow molding device for operation under the control conditions. This string is also a string associated with the identifier and can be incorporated as a variable into the program code of a computer program that controls the operation of the blow molding device. The blow molding apparatus can send and receive reference information associated with the first molding machine information and corresponding to the second molding machine information.

9. The blow molding apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, The blow molding apparatus and the terminal device are connected in a communicable manner. The terminal device outputs commands to the blow molding apparatus, based on a computer program that controls the operation of the blow molding apparatus, for controlling and managing the operation of the blow molding apparatus.

10. A blow molding apparatus, wherein the blow molding apparatus is a blow molding apparatus equipped with a control device, wherein, The control device includes a display and a controller. The controller stores a computer program capable of editing and / or creating ladder diagrams for controlling the movement of auxiliary equipment electrically connected to the blow molding apparatus. When the computer program is executed by the controller, the controller causes the display to show a screen for editing and / or creating the ladder diagram.

Images