Molding management system

Abstract

Provided is a molding management system capable of causing an injection molding device to mold a high-quality product even in a case where a correlation between management items and injection molding conditions is unknown and complex. The molding management system includes an information processing device that, in a case where a trigger condition is satisfied, excludes, from one or more output data acquired from the injection molding device, output data that satisfies an exclusion condition, calculates, based on the output data that remains after the one or more output data is excluded, a response surface that takes one or more measured values of one or more management items as a target variable and takes an injection molding condition as an explanatory variable, and changes the injection molding condition set in the injection molding device based on the calculated response surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a molding management system. Background Technology

[0002] Research and development have been conducted on technologies for managing the production of products in production processes that include the injection molding process of products performed by injection molding equipment.

[0003] In response to this, a known technique involves updating the adjustment gain of the injection molding apparatus to control the management parameters when changes occur in the mold, the material used for injection molding of the product, or the surrounding environment of the injection molding apparatus. This adjustment is based on the known correlation between the management parameters and injection molding conditions—parameters related to product quality that are measurable in the injection molding apparatus and its peripheral devices—so that the measured value of the management parameters approaches the target value (see Patent Document 1). However, in Patent Document 1, the adjustment gain does not necessarily have to be the gain that directly controls the management parameters themselves; it can also be the gain of a parameter highly correlated with the management parameters among the parameters controlled in the injection molding apparatus.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-104268

[0005] Here, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is known to be applicable only when the correlation between management items and injection molding conditions is a simple one, except that prior knowledge of the relationship between these two conditions is required. To address this problem, a method is known that calculates a response surface using a machine learning model or similar method, based on continuously acquired cyclical data from the injection molding apparatus, with management items as the target variable and injection molding conditions as the explanatory variable, and updates the injection molding conditions based on the calculated response surface. However, in such methods, it is not uncommon for the response surface to be calculated based on data such as outliers obtained when injection molding is unstable in the injection molding apparatus, or measured values ​​that deviate from the actual correlation between management items and injection molding conditions. The response surface calculated in this way sometimes fails to accurately represent the correlation between management items and injection molding conditions. This makes obtaining the desired injection molding conditions difficult and is not preferred. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one aspect of this disclosure is a molding management system, including an information processing device communicatively connected to a terminal device, for managing the production of the product in a production process including an injection molding process performed by an injection molding apparatus. In the molding management system, the information processing device acquires output data from the injection molding apparatus for each cycle of injection molding performed by the injection molding apparatus. The output data is data obtained by establishing a correspondence between cycle data and injection molding condition data. The cycle data includes measurement value information representing one or more measurement values ​​measured in the injection molding apparatus according to the execution of the cycle. The injection molding condition data includes information representing... The injection molding condition information set in the injection molding apparatus includes the injection molding condition information of one or more measured values, which include the measured values ​​of one or more management items related to the quality of the product. When a predetermined trigger condition is met, the information processing device excludes the output data that meets the exclusion condition from one or more output data obtained from the injection molding apparatus. Based on the remaining output data that has not been excluded, the device calculates a response surface with the measured values ​​of one or more management items as the target variable and the injection molding condition as the explanatory variable. Based on the calculated response surface, the injection molding condition set in the injection molding apparatus is changed. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the molding management system 1.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the quality of a product injection-molded by an injection molding device changes when injection molding conditions are altered.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process from the response surface to the generation of injection molding conditions.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 20.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 sets the injection molding conditions for the injection molding device.

[0013] Figure 7This is a diagram illustrating an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 causes the injection molding device to perform injection molding.

[0014] Figure 8 It is shown in Figure 7 A diagram illustrating an example of the injection molding condition change process performed in step S240.

[0015] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a received image where one or more output data exclusion conditions are specified by the user.

[0016] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing performed by the information processing device 20 during the continuous execution of a cycle of a number of cycles performed in the injection molding apparatus.

[0017] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 generates the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding device.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0019] 1… Molding management system, 10… Managed device, 11… Injection molding device, 20… Information processing device, 21… Processor, 22… Storage unit, 23… Communication unit, 24… Control unit, 30… Server, 40… Terminal device, 241… Loop data acquisition unit, 242… Injection molding condition data acquisition unit, 243… Exclusion unit, 244… Response surface calculation unit, 245… Device control unit, 246… Molding condition generation unit, 247… Display control unit, 248… Output control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0020] <Implementation Method>

[0021] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] <Overview of Molding Management System>

[0023] First, an overview of the molding management system involved in the implementation method will be given.

[0024] The molding management system described in this embodiment manages the production of products in a production process including an injection molding process performed by an injection molding apparatus. This molding management system includes an information processing unit. The information processing unit is communicatively connected to a terminal device. Here, the information processing unit acquires output data corresponding to each cycle of injection molding performed by the injection molding apparatus. The output data is data obtained by establishing a correspondence between cycle data and injection molding condition data. The cycle data includes measurement value information representing one or more measurement values ​​measured in the injection molding apparatus according to the execution of the cycle, and the injection molding condition data includes injection molding condition information representing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, the one or more measurement values ​​include measurement values ​​for one or more management items related to product quality. Additionally, when a predetermined trigger condition is met, the information processing unit excludes output data that meets the predetermined exclusion condition from the one or more output data acquired from the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, based on the remaining output data from one or more sets of output data that have not been excluded, the information processing device calculates a response surface using the measured values ​​of one or more management items as target variables and injection molding conditions as explanatory variables. Based on the calculated response surface, the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus are modified. Therefore, this molding management system enables the injection molding apparatus to produce high-quality products even when the relationship between management items and injection molding conditions is unknown and complex.

[0025] The following will describe in detail the configuration of the molding management system according to such an implementation method, and the processing performed by the server of the molding management system.

[0026] <Composition of Molding Management System>

[0027] The following describes the structure of the molding management system involved in the implementation method, taking molding management system 1 as an example.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the molding management system 1.

[0029] Molding management system 1 is a type of Manufacturing Execution System (MES). For example, molding management system 1 includes one or more managed devices 10, an information processing device 20, and a server 30. It should be noted that molding management system 1 may also be configured without including part or all of the one or more managed devices 10. Furthermore, molding management system 1 may be configured without the information processing device 20 but including the server 30. Additionally, molding management system 1 may be configured with the information processing device 20 but without the server 30. Furthermore, in molding management system 1, the information processing device 20 may be integrated with the server 30. Below, as an example, the case where molding management system 1 includes multiple managed devices 10 (one or more managed devices 10) will be described. Furthermore, below, as an example, the case where molding management system 1 includes both the information processing device 20 and the server 30, which is separate from the information processing device 20, will be described. It should be noted that the information processing device 20 is just one example of an information processing device.

[0030] The molding management system 1 includes multiple managed devices 10, each managed by the molding management system 1. Figure 1 For ease of explanation, these multiple managed devices 10 are each represented by the same reference numerals. However, some or all of these multiple managed devices 10 may be devices of different kinds. Among these multiple managed devices 10, at least one is an injection molding device for injection molding products using resins such as plastics. Figure 1The injection molding apparatus 11 shown is an example of such an injection molding apparatus. It should be noted that these multiple managed apparatuses 10 may also include an injection molding apparatus that performs metal injection molding (MIM) of the product. For ease of explanation, injection molding of products using resins such as plastics will be described simply as injection molding. Furthermore, injection molding apparatuses that perform injection molding of products using resins such as plastics will be described simply as injection molding apparatuses. In addition, at least one injection molding apparatus included in the multiple managed apparatuses 10 may also be an apparatus that performs injection molding using materials other than resin and metal. Furthermore, in addition to the injection molding apparatus, the multiple managed apparatuses 10 may include, for example, peripheral equipment of the injection molding apparatus. Peripheral equipment of the injection molding apparatus includes, for example, a material supply device, a conveying device, a cleaning device, a sintering device, etc., but is not limited to these. Here, the material supply device is a device that supplies the material used by the injection molding apparatus for product injection molding to the injection molding apparatus. The conveying device is a device that conveys the product injection-molded by the injection molding apparatus. The cleaning device is a device that cleans the product injection-molded by the injection molding apparatus. A sintering apparatus is a device for sintering products that have been cleaned by a cleaning apparatus.

[0031] The molding management system 1 manages the production of products in the production process, which includes injection molding processes performed by multiple injection molding machines included in the managed device 10. Here, the injection molding machines included in the managed device 10 can be of any configuration capable of producing injection-molded products. For ease of explanation, the process of injection molding a product once by an injection molding machine will be described as a cycle. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the cavity within the mold installed in the injection molding machine will be described as a cavity. That is, the injection molding machine injects material into the cavity within the mold installed in the injection molding machine and applies pressure to the material within the cavity, thereby performing injection molding of the product.

[0032] Here, one or more injection molding machines included in the managed device 10 are equipped with an ejector section, which ejects the material for injection molding the product into a cavity within the mold installed in the injection molding machine during the injection molding process. The ejector section is, for example, a screw that rotates within a cylinder, causing its position to move back and forth. It should be noted that the ejector section may also replace the screw, and instead be a component whose position is moved back and forth within the cylinder by hydraulic pressure, a direct-acting actuator, or the like. The material is ejected from the injection port of the cylinder into the cavity within the mold in response to the forward movement of the ejector section within the cylinder. For ease of explanation, the ejector section of the injection molding machine will be referred to as a screw in the following description.

[0033] Furthermore, one or more measuring units are installed in one or more injection molding machines included in the multiple managed devices 10. These measuring units measure various measurable parameters that can be measured in the injection molding machine during each cycle. Measurable parameters include, but are not limited to, some or all of the following: screw position, the speed at which material is injected into the cavity of the mold via the screw (i.e., injection speed), screw rotation speed, the pressure held in the mold by the screw (i.e., injection holding pressure), and mold temperature. Among the measurable parameters are parameters whose target values ​​can be set in the injection molding machine. In other words, among the measurable parameters are parameters that can be controlled by the injection molding machine. Therefore, for ease of explanation, the parameters among the measurable parameters whose target values ​​can be set in the injection molding machine will be referred to as settable parameters. Here, when a target value is set for a certain settable parameter in the injection molding machine, the injection molding machine controls the settable parameter during cycle execution in a manner that the measured value of the settable parameter is close to the target value. Therefore, for ease of explanation, the settable parameters that have one or more target values ​​in the injection molding apparatus will be referred to as control parameters in the following explanation. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the one or more target values ​​for each control parameter will be collectively referred to as injection molding conditions in the following explanation. This is because the injection molding apparatus is used to perform injection molding by controlling the control parameters, and when the target value of the control parameter changes, the quality of the product injected by the injection molding apparatus changes. It should be noted that the measured value by a certain measuring unit is sometimes also referred to as the actual value.

[0034] Here, the measuring unit that measures a certain value in one or more measuring units installed in an injection molding apparatus is, for example, a sensor that measures that value, but it is not limited to this. It should be noted that the one or more measuring units may also include a measuring unit that measures the quality of the product. This is because the quality of the product is also controlled by the injection molding apparatus in each cycle. In this case, the measuring unit may, for example, include a camera unit that can photograph the product and measure its quality, but it is not limited to this. Furthermore, in this case, for example, the quantity representing the quality of the product measured by the measuring unit may be any one of a predetermined plurality of values ​​arranged in descending order of quality, but it is not limited to this. Additionally, the one or more measuring units may also include an input unit that inputs a measurement value measured manually. This measurement value may be, for example, a dimension measured by a user using calipers, micrometers, etc., but it is not limited to this. Furthermore, the input unit can be a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on a multi-functional portable telephone terminal (smartphone), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc., or it can be part of the injection molding apparatus, or it can be another device that can output the input measurement value to the injection molding apparatus. Additionally, the input unit can also be a measuring device such as a digital caliper or digital micrometer that can output the measured length to the injection molding apparatus.

[0035] The information processing device 20 selects one or more settable parameters as management items from a settable parameter list based on the received operation. Management items are settable parameters selected by the user as settable parameters related to the quality of the product injection-molded by the injection molding apparatus. In other words, management items are settable parameters that the user wishes to manage in order to maintain the quality of the product. Therefore, the settable parameters for which a measurable value can be measured in the injection molding apparatus include settable parameters for which a target value can be set. Furthermore, the settable parameters include control parameters for which a target value is actually set as an injection molding condition, and management items managed by the user. It should be noted that, when represented by a Venn diagram, a portion of the set of control parameters may overlap with a portion of the set of management items. That is, a portion of the control parameters may also be selected as management items. It should be noted that management items are sometimes also referred to as management parameters. Furthermore, a target value is assigned to management items that are not control parameters; this target value is the goal of indirectly bringing the measured value closer to the target value through the control of the control parameters. However, this target value is not the target value in the control of the management item, i.e., it is not a value set in the injection molding apparatus as an injection molding condition. The target value of a management project is not a control parameter; it is merely a value used in the management of the management project.

[0036] The information processing device 20 acquires cycle data from one or more injection molding machines included in the managed device 10 for each cycle. More specifically, the information processing device 20 acquires cycle data from each of the one or more injection molding machines at the end of each cycle. For ease of explanation, the cycle data acquired at the end of a certain cycle will be referred to as the cycle data of that cycle. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the cycle that ends when a certain cycle data is acquired will be referred to as the cycle of that cycle data.

[0037] The loop data of a certain cycle includes one or more loop association information obtained from the execution of the cycle based on the injection molding apparatus, which is the source of the loop data; device identification information identifying the injection molding apparatus; and first date and time information indicating the date and time from which the information processing device 20 was obtained from the injection molding apparatus. However, the device identification information may be, for example, an ID (Identifier) ​​identifying the injection molding apparatus, but it could also be other information that identifies the injection molding apparatus, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, the first date and time information may be a timestamp or other information indicating the date and time. It should be noted that the loop data may also include other information besides the one or more loop association information, the device identification information, and the first date and time information. Furthermore, the device identification information may be included in the loop data as any one of the one or more loop association information. Below, as an example, the case where the device identification information is included in the loop data as any one of the one or more loop association information will be explained.

[0038] In the cycle data of a certain cycle, the cycle association information includes one or more cycle-related information, which, in addition to the device identification information of the injection molding apparatus that identifies the source of the cycle data acquisition, also includes one or more measurement value information. These one or more measurement value information represent measurement values ​​measured by one or more measurement parts within the injection molding apparatus. That is, the cycle association information includes measurement value information representing control parameters, measurement value information representing management items, and other measurement value information. Furthermore, the cycle association information includes one or more measurement value information, which, in addition to measurement value information representing the result of a measurement performed only once during the execution of the cycle by the injection molding apparatus, also includes measurement value information representing measurement values ​​continuously measured during the execution of the cycle by the injection molding apparatus. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, this measurement value will be referred to as a time-series measurement value. The measurement value information representing the time-series measurement value includes time-series information representing the time sequence of the time-series measurement value, and feature value information representing one or more feature values ​​related to the time-series measurement value. Here, one or more characteristic values ​​for a certain time-series measurement value are, for example, at least one of the following: minimum value, maximum value, average value, variance, standard deviation, start value of the period during which the time-series measurement value is measured, and end value of the period. That is, the one or more characteristic values ​​are values ​​representing the characteristics of a waveform that represents the temporal change of the time-series measurement value. It should be noted that the configuration may also be as follows: among the one or more characteristic values, other values ​​after statistical processing of the time-series measurement value are included, replacing some or all of these, or in addition to all of these. It should be noted that the feature value information can be included in the measurement value information by the injection molding apparatus or by the information processing apparatus 20. This is because the information processing apparatus 20 can calculate the one or more characteristic values ​​based on the time-series information. Furthermore, if the measurement value information includes the feature value information, the time-series information may not be included. Below, as an example, the case where the measurement value information includes both the time-series information and the feature value information will be described. It should be noted that the feature value information may also be the time-series information. This is because the information processing device 20 can calculate one or more feature values ​​based on the timing information.

[0039] It should be noted that the cycle data of a certain cycle may include more than one cycle-related information, which may consist of other information besides the device identification information of the injection molding apparatus that identifies the source of the cycle data and more than one measured value. This other information may be part or all of the cycle identification information, operating status information, product quantity information, etc., but is not limited to these. Here, the operating status information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information indicates the operating status of the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, the product quantity information included in the cycle data as cycle-related information indicates the number of products injected by the injection molding apparatus in that cycle. Additionally, the cycle identification information may, for example, indicate the order in which the cycle is executed in multiple consecutive cycles. This is because the cycle can be uniquely identified by combining the first date and time information with this information. It should be noted that the cycle identification information may be information that uniquely identifies the cycle on its own, or it may be other information that identifies the cycle.

[0040] As described above, the cyclic data can be identified using the aforementioned cyclic identification information. However, it can also be identified using a combination of device identification information and the first date and time information. Therefore, the cyclic data can also be configured without cyclic identification information. Furthermore, if only one injection molding device is connected to the information processing device 20, the cyclic data can also be configured without device identification information. This is because, in this case, each cyclic data can be identified solely using the first date and time information.

[0041] Upon acquiring certain cyclic data, the information processing device 20 stores the acquired cyclic data and outputs it to the server 30. Thus, the information processing device 20 can also store the acquired cyclic data in the server 30.

[0042] In addition, the information processing device 20 obtains injection molding condition data from one or more injection molding devices included in the multiple managed devices 10, respectively, for each time the injection molding conditions are set in the injection molding device.

[0043] Here, the injection molding condition data obtained from an injection molding apparatus includes information representing one or more injection molding condition settings set on the injection molding apparatus, device identification information identifying the injection molding apparatus, and second date and time information representing the date and time from which the information processing device 20 was obtained from the injection molding apparatus. It should be noted that the date and time represented by the second date and time information can also be other date and time corresponding to the injection molding condition, such as the date and time from which the injection molding condition is set on the injection molding apparatus, instead of the date and time from which the information processing device 20 is obtained. However, the device identification information can be, for example, an ID identifying the injection molding apparatus, but it can also be other information that can identify the injection molding apparatus, such as an IP address assigned to the injection molding apparatus. Furthermore, the second date and time information can be a timestamp or other information representing that date and time. It should be noted that the injection molding condition data can also include other information besides the one or more injection molding condition settings, the device identification information, and the second date and time information. Furthermore, the device identification information can also be included in the injection molding condition data as any one of the more than one injection molding condition information. Below, as an example, we will explain the case where the device identification information is included in the injection molding condition data as any one of the more than one injection molding condition information.

[0044] The injection molding condition data obtained from an injection molding apparatus includes one or more injection molding condition information pieces, which, in addition to the apparatus identification information identifying the injection molding apparatus, also include one or more target value information pieces. These target value information pieces represent one or more target values ​​for each control parameter. Therefore, the target value information representing one or more target values ​​for a control parameter can be information representing the injection molding condition, and a correspondence is established with that control parameter. The method for establishing a correspondence between the control parameter and the target value information can be a known method or a method developed in the future. The reason for including one or more target value information pieces as injection molding condition information representing the injection molding condition in the injection molding condition data is that, in each cycle, the injection molding apparatus controls each control parameter in a manner that the value of the control parameter is consistent with the target value of the control parameter. Here, the reason for having one or more target values ​​for each control parameter is that, in the control performed by the injection molding apparatus in each cycle, there may sometimes be multiple target values ​​that serve as the goal of bringing each control parameter close to its target. For example, the injection speed, i.e., the speed at which material is injected into the cavity of the mold by the screw, varies in multiple stages in each cycle of the injection molding process. In this case, there are multiple target values ​​for the control parameter. Furthermore, the target value information for a certain control parameter represents each of the target values ​​for one or more target values ​​of that control parameter. Therefore, the same number of target value information points as the number of measuring units that measure the control parameter in one or more measuring units installed in the injection molding apparatus are included as injection molding condition information in the injection molding condition data. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, each of the one or more target values ​​for a certain control parameter will be referred to as the target value corresponding to that control parameter. Therefore, hereafter, for ease of explanation, the control parameter will be referred to as the control parameter corresponding to the one or more target values.

[0045] It should be noted that the injection molding condition data obtained from an injection molding apparatus includes more than one injection molding condition information, which, in addition to the apparatus identification information and more than one target value information, also includes anomaly judgment condition information corresponding to each target value set as an injection molding condition for the injection molding apparatus. The anomaly judgment condition information corresponding to a target value is information indicating that the measured value of the control parameter satisfies an anomaly judgment condition when the measured value of the control parameter does not produce an anomaly in the control process of the injection molding apparatus that makes the measured value of the control parameter consistent with the target value. It should be noted that the method for establishing the correspondence between the target value and the anomaly judgment condition information can be a known method or a method developed in the future. Furthermore, the anomaly judgment condition can be any condition as long as it is a condition satisfied by the value of the control parameter in the control process when the value of the control parameter does not produce an anomaly.

[0046] In addition, the injection molding condition data obtained from an injection molding device may include one or more injection molding condition information as described below: in addition to the device identification information that identifies the injection molding device, one or more target value information, and the abnormal judgment condition information that is set as an injection molding condition for each target value of the injection molding device to establish a corresponding abnormality judgment condition, other information is also included.

[0047] The injection molding condition data described above can be identified using a combination of device identification information and second date and time information. It should be noted that if only one injection molding device is connected to the information processing device 20, the injection molding condition data may also be composed without device identification information. This is because, in this case, each injection molding condition data can be identified solely using the second date and time information.

[0048] When certain injection molding condition data is acquired, the information processing device 20 stores the acquired injection molding condition data and outputs it to the server 30. Thus, the information processing device 20 can also store the acquired injection molding condition data in the server 30. Here, the information processing device 20 establishes a correspondence in its storage area or the server 30 as described below. That is, the information processing device 20 establishes a correspondence between the injection molding condition data representing the injection molding conditions set in a certain injection molding device in a certain cycle and the cycle data acquired from the injection molding device in that cycle. This correspondence establishment method can be a known method or a method developed in the future. Through this correspondence establishment, each cycle data establishment correspondence has at least one injection molding condition data. Below, as an example, the case where each cycle data establishment correspondence has only one injection molding condition data will be explained.

[0049] Here, for example, in the information processing device 20 and the server 30, respectively, a certain loop data can be associated with injection molding condition data including second date and time information, where the second date and time information represents the date and time most recent to the date and time represented by the first date and time information included in the loop data. This is because injection molding condition information is included in the injection molding condition data, which represents the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus during the loop in which the loop data is acquired by the information processing device 20. Therefore, the information processing device 20 and the server 30 can respectively determine the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus during the loop. Therefore, the combination of a certain loop data and the injection molding condition data associated with it will be described below as output data. That is, the information processing device 20 and the server 30 store this combination as output data. Therefore, the information processing device 20 acquiring loop data and injection molding data can also be interpreted as the information processing device 20 acquiring loop data and injection molding data as output data. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 could also be configured as follows: when acquiring loop data, a combination of the acquired loop data and injection molding condition data including injection molding condition information is acquired from the injection molding device as output data, whereby the injection molding condition information indicates the injection molding conditions of the injection molding device set at the time point of acquiring the loop data. It should be noted that the storage format of the output data in either or both of the information processing device 20 and the server 30 can be any form. That is, either or both of the information processing device 20 and the server 30 can be configured to actually store the combination as output data, or they can be configured to store a combination that determines the correspondence with one or more loop data and one or more injection molding condition data, or the combination can be configured as needed. However, in this embodiment, even if any of these methods are implemented, it will be described as either or both of the information processing device 20 and the server 30 storing output data, meaning that either or both of the information processing device 20 and the server 30 can determine the combination.

[0050] Furthermore, based on requests from terminal devices communicatively connected to the information processing device 20, the information processing device 20 displays various images based on data stored in the information processing device 20 on the display section of the terminal device. Here, these images include GUIs, icons, windows on the OS (Operating System), etc. Below, as an example, such as... Figure 1As shown, the case where the information processing device 20 and the terminal device 40 are communicatively connected will be described. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the processing involved in the login of the terminal device 40 to the information processing device 20 is a known process and therefore will not be described. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the act of the information processing device 20 receiving an operation from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40 will be described simply as "the information processing device 20 receiving an operation." That is, below, "the information processing device 20 performing a certain process based on the received operation" means that the information processing device 20 performs this process based on the operation received from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0051] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a node PC, etc., but is not limited to these. The information processing device 20 is communicatively connected to multiple managed devices 10 via wired or wireless communication. The communication network connecting the information processing device 20 and each of the managed devices 10 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) within a facility housing multiple managed devices 10, but is not limited to this. This communication network can also be the Internet, a mobile communication network, or other communication networks.

[0052] Server 30 stores the loop data acquired by information processing device 20. For example, when server 30 acquires certain loop data from information processing device 20, it stores the acquired loop data.

[0053] In addition, server 30 stores injection molding condition data acquired by information processing device 20. For example, when server 30 acquires certain injection molding condition data from information processing device 20, it stores the acquired injection molding condition data.

[0054] Furthermore, server 30, upon request from a terminal device communicatively connected to server 30, displays various images based on data stored on server 30 on the display of the terminal device. These images may include GUI elements, icons, windows on the operating system, etc. Below, as an example, [example would be inserted here]. Figure 1As shown, the case where server 30 and terminal device 40 are communicatively connected will be described. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the processing involved in the login from terminal device 40 to server 30 is a known process and therefore will not be described. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the operation received by server 30 from terminal device 40 via an image displayed on terminal device 40 will be described simply as "server 30 receiving operation." That is, below, "server 30 performing a certain process based on the received operation" means that server 30 performs this process based on the operation received from terminal device 40 via an image displayed on terminal device 40.

[0055] As described above, in the molding management system 1, the information processing device 20 and the server 30, based on received operations, display various images based on stored data on the display unit of the terminal device 40. It should be noted that this display unit may be, for example, the monitor of the terminal device 40, a display device communicatively connected to the terminal device 40, etc., but is not limited to these. Hereinafter, as an example, the case where the display unit is the monitor of the terminal device 40 will be described. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, displaying an image on this display unit will be referred to as displaying that image.

[0056] Here, in injection molding performed by an injection molding machine, the quality of the product varies depending on changes in the mold, the material used for injection molding, and the surrounding environment of the injection molding machine. This is because the optimal injection molding conditions for producing high-quality products differ depending on the mold, the material used for injection molding, and the surrounding environment of the injection molding machine. Figure 2 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating how the quality of a product injection-molded by an injection molding device changes when injection molding conditions are altered. (Example:) Figure 2As shown, during injection molding in an injection molding apparatus, changes in injection molding conditions alter the measured values ​​of management items. As previously mentioned, management items are correlated with product quality. Therefore, changes in the measured values ​​of management items also affect product quality. Furthermore, such changes in product quality are not limited to changes in the direction of quality improvement. Therefore, techniques for updating injection molding conditions based on known correlations between management items and injection molding conditions are known. However, this technique requires prior knowledge of the correlation between management items and injection molding conditions and can only be applied when the correlation is simple. To address this problem, methods are known that utilize machine learning models, etc., to calculate a response surface with management items as the target variable and injection molding conditions as the explanatory variable based on continuously acquired cyclic data from the injection molding apparatus, and update the injection molding conditions based on the calculated response surface. However, in such methods, it is not uncommon to calculate the response surface based on measured values ​​that deviate from the actual correlation between management items and injection molding conditions, such as outliers obtained under unstable injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus. The response surface calculated in this way sometimes fails to accurately represent the relationship between the management project and injection molding conditions. This makes it difficult to obtain the desired injection molding conditions, and is therefore not the preferred method.

[0057] Therefore, when predetermined triggering conditions are met, the information processing device 20 reads one or more output data points and excludes output data points that meet predetermined exclusion conditions from the read output data points. Furthermore, based on the remaining output data points that were not excluded from the one or more output data points, the information processing device 20 calculates a response surface with the measured values ​​of one or more management items from the one or more measured values ​​as the target variable and the injection molding conditions as the explanatory variable. For example... Figure 3 As shown, after calculating the response surface, the information processing device 20 derives an acquisition function based on the calculated response surface, calculates the minimum or maximum solution of the derived acquisition function, and generates the calculated solution as the injection molding condition. Figure 3This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process up to generating injection molding conditions based on the response surface. The information processing device 20 calculates such a response surface, for example, using a machine learning model. It should be noted that the information processing device 20 may also calculate the composition of the response surface using other methods capable of calculating it. After calculating the response surface, the information processing device 20 generates injection molding conditions based on the calculated response surface. Thus, even when the relationship between the management project and the injection molding conditions is unknown and complex, the molding management system 1 can generate injection molding conditions that enable the injection molding device to mold high-quality products. It should be noted that, for simplicity, the following explanation will focus on the case where only one injection molding device is connected to the information processing device 20.

[0058] <Hardware Composition of Information Processing Device>

[0059] Below, refer to Figure 4 The hardware configuration of the information processing device 20 will be described. Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 20.

[0060] The information processing device 20 includes, for example, a processor 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. These components are communicatively connected to each other via a bus. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 communicates with other devices via the communication unit 23. These other devices include, for example, an injection molding apparatus, a server 30, and a terminal device 40.

[0061] Processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). It should be noted that processor 21 can also replace a CPU, and can be other processors such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Processor 21 executes various programs stored in storage unit 22.

[0062] Storage unit 22 may be a storage device including, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. It should be noted that storage unit 22 may also be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), replacing the storage device built into information processing device 20. Storage unit 22 stores various information, images, and programs processed by information processing device 20. That is, various information stored by information processing device 20 is stored in storage unit 22. For example, the aforementioned output data is stored in storage unit 22.

[0063] The communication unit 23 is, for example, a communication device comprising a digital input / output port such as a USB port, an Ethernet port (registered trademark), an antenna for wireless communication, etc.

[0064] <Functional Composition of Information Processing Device>

[0065] Below, refer to Figure 5 The functional configuration of the information processing device 20 will be explained. Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 20.

[0066] The information processing device 20 includes a storage unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a control unit 24.

[0067] The control unit 24 controls the entire information processing device 20. The control unit 24 includes at least a loop data acquisition unit 241, an injection molding condition data acquisition unit 242, an exclusion unit 243, a response surface calculation unit 244, a device control unit 245, a molding condition generation unit 246, a display control unit 247, and an output control unit 248. These functional units of the control unit 24 are implemented, for example, by the processor 21 executing various programs stored in the storage unit 22. Furthermore, some or all of these functional units may be hardware functional units such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0068] The cycle data acquisition unit 241 acquires cycle data from the injection molding apparatus, which is communicatively connected to the information processing device 20, corresponding to each cycle of the injection molding apparatus.

[0069] The injection molding condition data acquisition unit 242 acquires injection molding condition data from the injection molding apparatus, which is communicatively connected to the information processing device 20, each time the injection molding conditions are set in the injection molding apparatus.

[0070] The exclusion unit 243 excludes output data that meets predetermined exclusion conditions from one or more output data read from the storage unit 22 or the server 30. The exclusion conditions will be described later. For ease of explanation, the one or more output data remaining from the one or more output data read from the storage unit 22 or the server 30 that are not excluded by the exclusion unit 243 will be referred to as object data. Furthermore, for ease of explanation, the output data excluded by the exclusion unit 243 from the one or more output data read from the storage unit 22 or the server 30 to meet the exclusion conditions will be referred to as excluded data.

[0071] The response surface calculation unit 244 calculates a response surface based on the data of one or more objects that were not excluded by the exclusion unit 243, taking the measurement value of one or more management items as the target variable and the injection molding condition as the explanatory variable. For example, the response surface calculation unit 244 may be configured as a model that includes machine learning, but it is not limited to this.

[0072] The device control unit 245 controls the injection molding apparatus connected to the information processing device 20 based on the received operation.

[0073] The molding condition generation unit 246 generates injection molding conditions based on the response surface calculated by the response surface calculation unit 244.

[0074] The display control unit 247 generates various images based on the received operations. The display control unit 247 sends the generated images to the terminal device 40 and displays the images on the terminal device 40.

[0075] The output control unit 248 outputs various data to other devices based on the received operations.

[0076] <Processing of setting injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus by the information processing device>

[0077] Reference Figure 6 The process by which the information processing device 20 sets the injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus will be explained. Figure 6This diagram illustrates an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 sets injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus. Below, as an example, an example is given regarding the process of... Figure 6 The timing prior to the processing in step S110 will be explained in the case of receiving and displaying the injection molding condition setting image. The injection molding condition setting image includes an image of receiving various injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus connected to the information processing device 20, and also includes an image of receiving the operation of setting the various injection molding conditions received through the image to the injection molding apparatus.

[0078] After receiving an operation to display the injection molding condition setting image, the display control unit 247 displays the injection molding condition setting image (step S110).

[0079] Next, the display control unit 247 enters standby mode until the input of various injection molding conditions for the injection molding condition setting image is completed (step S120). Figure 6 In this context, the processing of step S120 is indicated by "Input Complete?". Here, the display control unit 247 determines that the input of various injection molding conditions to the injection molding condition setting image is complete, for example, if it receives an operation via the injection molding condition setting image to set various injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus connected to the information processing device 20, such as setting various injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus. On the other hand, for example, if such an operation is not received via the injection molding condition setting image, it determines that the input of various injection molding conditions to the injection molding condition setting image is not complete.

[0080] When the display control unit 247 determines that the input of various injection molding conditions for the injection molding condition setting image has been completed (step S120 - Yes), it receives the injection molding conditions input to the injection molding condition setting image as injection molding conditions to be set on the injection molding apparatus, and sets the received injection molding conditions on the injection molding apparatus (step S230). The method by which the information processing device 20 sets the injection molding conditions on the injection molding apparatus can be a known method or a method developed in the future. After processing in step S230, the information processing device 20 ends. Figure 6 The process shown is as follows.

[0081] Here, through Figure 6 The injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus for the process shown can be injection molding conditions generated based on the response surface calculated by the information processing device 20, or injection molding conditions determined for any other reason.

[0082] As described above, the information processing device 20 can set the injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus based on the received operation.

[0083] <The information processing device enables the injection molding device to perform injection molding processing>

[0084] Reference Figure 7 The process by which the information processing device 20 causes the injection molding device to perform injection molding will be explained. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 causes the injection molding device to perform injection molding. Below, as an example, we will explain the following situation: During the process... Figure 7 Prior to the processing in step S210, the injection molding apparatus is made to perform injection molding, and thus a cycle execution operation is received, which causes the injection molding apparatus to perform a cycle of the number of cycles received in advance as the number of execution cycles.

[0085] Upon receiving the cycle execution operation, the device control unit 245 causes the injection molding apparatus to begin executing the cycle execution number of times (step S210). Figure 7 In the text, "Injection Molding Start" indicates the processing of step S210.

[0086] Next, the device control unit 245 determines whether the predetermined triggering conditions have been met (step S220). Figure 7 In this document, the process of step S220 is indicated by "Is the trigger condition met?". Here, the trigger condition is explained. A trigger condition is a condition that, when met, initiates the injection molding condition change process performed in step S240 (described later). For example, a trigger condition refers to any deviation of the measured value of one or more management items from a predetermined allowable range for each measured value. However, the predetermined allowable range for the measured values ​​of each management item can be defined as a range where a defective product is immediately generated when the measured value begins to deviate from the allowable range. However, generally, it is not defined as a range where a defective product is immediately generated when the measured value begins to deviate from the allowable range. That is, typically, the predetermined allowable range for the measured values ​​of each management item is defined as a range where a defective product will not be immediately generated even if the measured value begins to deviate from the allowable range. This means that whenever the trigger condition is met, by changing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus, it is useful to suppress the generation of defective products and to continue setting optimal injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus. It should be noted that any condition that is met can be used to trigger the execution of the injection molding condition change process, or it can be any other condition.

[0087] If the device control unit 245 determines that the triggering condition has not been met (step S220 - No), it determines whether the cycle of the number of times the injection molding device was started in step S210 has ended (step S230). Figure 7 In this context, the process of step S230 is indicated by "Injection molding complete?". It should be noted that the method by which the device control unit 245 performs the process of step S230 can be a known method or a method developed in the future.

[0088] If the device control unit 245 determines that the cycle of the number of cycles that the injection molding device started executing in step S210 has not ended (step S230 - No), it proceeds to step S220 and determines again whether the triggering condition is met.

[0089] On the other hand, if the device control unit 245 determines that the cycle of the number of times the injection molding device was started in step S210 has ended (step S230-Yes), it ends the process. Figure 7 The process shown is as follows.

[0090] On the other hand, when the device control unit 245 determines that the triggering condition has been met (step S220 - Yes), it executes the injection molding condition change process (step S240). Here, the injection molding condition change process is a process that generates the injection molding conditions that have been reset in the injection molding apparatus and begins setting the generated injection molding conditions in the condition setting process of the injection molding apparatus. Details about the injection molding condition change process will be described later.

[0091] After processing in step S240, the device control unit 245 remains in standby mode until the change of the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus is completed (step S250). Here, if condition setting processing has started in the injection molding condition change processing, that is, if the injection molding conditions generated in the injection molding condition change processing are set in the injection molding apparatus, and if the state of the injection molding apparatus is a preset settable state that allows setting injection molding conditions, then the device control unit 245 sets the injection molding conditions generated in the injection molding condition change processing to the injection molding apparatus. On the other hand, if condition setting processing has started in the injection molding condition change processing, and the state of the injection molding apparatus is not settable, then the device control unit 245 remains in standby mode until the state of the injection molding apparatus becomes settable. Furthermore, if the state of the injection molding apparatus then becomes settable, the device control unit 245 sets the injection molding conditions generated in the injection molding condition change processing to the injection molding apparatus. Here, a settable state refers to a state in which the injection molding apparatus is not executing a cycle. More specifically, a settable state refers to a state in which no actions for the injection molding apparatus to execute each cycle are performed. In other words, the settable state refers to the state where the power mechanism used for injection molding in the injection molding apparatus is not used, i.e., the idling state of the injection molding apparatus. For example, this can be achieved during continuous execution in multiple cycles, from the start of execution of a cycle ending in the injection molding apparatus until the start of the next cycle. Because of this, the information processing device 20 can suppress inconsistencies in product quality caused by changes in the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus. It should be noted that the device control unit 245 can also be configured such that, when condition setting processing begins in the injection molding condition change processing, the power mechanism used for injection molding in the injection molding apparatus stops, and during this stoppage, the injection molding conditions generated in the injection molding condition change processing are set in the injection molding apparatus. In this case, the information processing device 20 can also suppress inconsistencies in product quality caused by changes in the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus.

[0092] If it is determined that the change of the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus has been completed (step S250 - Yes), the apparatus control unit 245 moves to step S230 and determines again whether the cycle of the number of times the injection molding apparatus was started in step S210 has ended.

[0093] Here, refer to Figure 8 right Figure 7 The injection molding condition change process performed in step S240 will be explained. Figure 8 It is shown Figure 7 A diagram illustrating an example of the injection molding condition change process performed in step S240.

[0094] The device control unit 245 reads all output data pre-stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (step S310). Figure 8 In the text, "output data read out" indicates the processing of step S310.

[0095] Next, the exclusion unit 243 performs the exclusion process (step S320). In Figure 8 In this context, the process in step S320 is referred to as "exclusion processing." Exclusion processing is the process by which the exclusion unit 243 excludes exclusion data that meets the exclusion conditions from the output data read from the storage unit 22 by the device control unit 245 in step S310. Here, the exclusion conditions will be explained. Exclusion conditions are one or more conditions received by the information processing device 20 from the user as conditions for specifying exclusion data. Exclusion conditions are, for example, conditions that include at least one of the conditions shown below.

[0096] Output data including first date and time information or second date and time information, which represents the date and time included in the exclusion period specified by the user.

[0097] Establish corresponding output data with the flags indicating that the data meets the exclusion criteria.

[0098] The output data is created based on information that excludes data specified by the user.

[0099] Output data includes injection molding condition information, which indicates injection molding conditions that can be determined to be significantly different from the currently set injection molding conditions in the injection molding apparatus.

[0100] Output data includes mold information, which indicates a mold that is different from the mold currently installed in the injection molding unit.

[0101] Output data includes material information, which represents a material different from the material currently used for injection molding by the injection molding apparatus.

[0102] This includes output data about the loop data executed as a test run.

[0103] Output data is specified as output data that is excluded by the user.

[0104] Thus, the exclusion conditions include conditions for excluding output data from the injection molding apparatus that includes cyclic data acquired from the injection molding apparatus during cycles performed under unstable injection molding conditions, and output data from the injection molding apparatus that includes cyclic data acquired from the injection molding apparatus during cycles performed under injection molding conditions significantly different from the current injection molding conditions. The measured values ​​included in the output data that satisfy the exclusion conditions are mostly values ​​that must be treated as outliers. Therefore, the information processing device 20 excludes exclusion data from the output data according to the exclusion conditions. It should be noted that the exclusion conditions may also be a configuration that replaces some or all of these conditions, or includes other conditions for specifying the exclusion data in addition to all of these conditions. Here, for example, when the information processing device 20 receives a predetermined operation, it displays an exclusion condition receiving image that receives the exclusion conditions. It should be noted that when the information processing device 20 can receive multiple conditions as exclusion conditions, the information processing device 20 may also be configured to display an exclusion condition receiving image that is different for each condition received as an exclusion condition. Therefore, the information processing device 20 receives at least one of the conditions that may be included in the exclusion conditions via one or more exclusion condition receiving images.

[0105] For example, the information processing device 20 receives the aforementioned exclusion period via an image receiving device with certain exclusion conditions. Thus, the information processing device 20 determines that the condition including output data containing first date and time information or second date and time information represents the date and time included in the exclusion period specified by the user.

[0106] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 20 receives an image of the exclusion conditions for one or more cycles desired by the user in a cycle that is executed by the injection molding apparatus a certain number of times. In this case, when the information processing device 20 stores the cycle data acquired in the one or more cycles in the storage unit 22 and the server 30 respectively, it stores a flag indicating that the exclusion conditions are met in a corresponding manner with the cycle data. Furthermore, in this case, when the information processing device 20 stores the cycle data acquired in cycles other than the one or more cycles in the storage unit 22 and the server 30 respectively, it stores a flag indicating that the exclusion conditions are not met in a corresponding manner with the cycle data. Additionally, in this case, the information processing device 20, for example, uses the establishment of the correspondence between the flag indicating that the exclusion conditions are met and the cycle data as a trigger, and includes the output data corresponding to the establishment of the flag indicating that the exclusion conditions are met in the exclusion conditions in the exclusion conditions. It should be noted that the information processing device 20 may also omit the configuration of establishing the correspondence between the flag indicating that the exclusion conditions are not met and the cycle data.

[0107] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 20 receives an image via an exclusion condition that receives information indicating one or more cycles executed as test injections within a cycle that represents the number of cycles executed by the injection molding apparatus. In this case, if the loop data of the one or more cycles indicated by the information is stored in the storage unit 22 and the server 30 respectively, the information processing device 20 establishes a correspondence between the loop data and the information indicating the loop data of the cycles executed as test injections. Additionally, in this case, for example, if storing the loop data of the one or more cycles in the storage unit 22 is used as a trigger, the information processing device 20 includes output data including the loop data of the cycles executed as test injections in the exclusion condition. It should be noted that the information indicating one or more cycles executed as test injections within a cycle that represents the number of cycles executed by the injection molding apparatus can also be the number of test injections. In this case, the information processing device 20 sequentially establishes a correspondence between the information indicating the loop data of the cycles executed as test injections and the loop data of the cycles corresponding to the received number of test injections, starting from the first executed cycle within the cycle of the number of cycles executed.

[0108] Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 20 receives an image via exclusion conditions specifying one or more output data excluded by the user, and receives the one or more output data. Here, Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a received image where one or more output data exclusion conditions are specified by the user. Figure 9Image P1 shown is an example of an image received under this exclusion condition. Image P1 includes, for example, regions R1 and R2. It should be noted that image P1 may also include other GUI components besides these two regions.

[0109] Region R1 is a region that displays output data information representing output data that is excluded by the user and not specified, among the output data information of one or more output data stored in storage unit 22 or server 30. Here, in Figure 9 In the example shown, certain output data information includes information that identifies the cycle of the cyclic data included in the output data represented by the output data information, and information representing the output data by the first date and time information included in the cyclic data. Furthermore, in this example, the information that identifies the cycle of the cyclic data included in the output data represented by the output data information is the aforementioned cycle identification information, but it is not limited to this. Figure 9 In this example, the information is represented by "actual production results". Furthermore, the number of output data items stored in storage unit 22 or server 30 is eleven in total. Additionally, output data information representing five of these eleven output data items is displayed in area R1. Figure 9 The output data information D11 to D15 shown are examples of output data information representing output data that is excluded by the user and not specified, representing output data that is stored in the storage unit 22 or the server 30. Each of the output data information D11 to D15 is accompanied by a button B1. Button B1 is a button displayed with each output data information in area R1, and is a button that receives the operation of designating the output data represented by the accompanying output data information as excluded output data. For example, when a selection operation is performed on the button B1 displayed with output data information D11, the information processing device 20 determines the output data represented by output data information D11 as the output data excluded by the user. In addition, the information processing device 20 moves output data information D11 from area R1 to area R2, which will be described later. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the selection operation is a click, tap, etc., but it is not limited to these.

[0110] Region R2 is a region that displays output data information for each of the output data stored in storage unit 22 or server 30, specifically the output data that is designated as output data excluded by the user. Region R2 displays output data information for each of the six output data specified as output data excluded by the user. Figure 9 In this diagram, the six output data are represented as output data information D21 to D26. That is, these six output data information D21 to D26 are output data information displayed in area R2 as a result of selecting the button B1 displayed in area R1. Therefore, the output data represented by each of these six output data information is an example of output data designated as excluded output data by the user. Each of output data information D21 to D26 is accompanied by a button B2. Button B2 is a button displayed alongside each output data information in area R2, and it is a button that receives the operation to deselect the output data represented by the accompanying output data information as excluded output data. For example, when a selection operation is performed on button B2 displayed alongside output data information D21, the information processing device 20 re-determines the output data represented by output data information D21 as output data not excluded by the user. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 moves output data information D21 from area R2 back to the aforementioned area R1.

[0111] The information processing device 20 determines the output data designated as one or more output data excluded by the user via the image P1 configured as described above. Therefore, the information processing device 20 can easily classify the stored output data into either object data or excluded data. Furthermore, when one or more output data are designated as excluded output data, the information processing device 20 includes the output data designated as excluded by the user in the exclusion conditions.

[0112] The various configurations of the excluded condition received images described above are merely examples, and other configurations are also possible. That is, the excluded condition received image can be any image as long as it can receive the conditions included in the excluded conditions. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, receiving a certain condition as a condition included in the excluded conditions also includes receiving a trigger for performing a process that includes including that condition in the excluded conditions.

[0113] It should be noted that the processing in step S310 and step S320 can also be combined. That is, the information processing device 20 can also be configured to read output data other than excluded data that meets the exclusion conditions as object data from the storage unit 22 in a step that combines steps S310 and S320. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 can also be configured to not store output data that meets the exclusion conditions in the storage unit 22 and server 30 during the stage of storing output data in the storage unit 22 and server 30. In this case, the information processing device 20 can also omit step S320. Furthermore, in this case, it can also be configured as follows: in order to retain a historical record of unstored output data, output data that meets the exclusion conditions is not stored in the storage unit 22; on the other hand, regardless of whether the exclusion conditions are met, all output data is stored in the server 30.

[0114] After the processing in step S320, the response surface calculation unit 244 calculates the response surface based on the object data remaining after the excluded data in step S320 from the output data read in step S310 (step S330). Here, the processing in step S330 will be described in detail.

[0115] In step S330, the response surface calculation unit 244 calculates a response surface. This response surface uses the measurement values ​​of one or more management items from the measurement information of the cyclic data included in the object data as target variables, and the injection molding conditions from the injection molding condition information of the injection molding condition data included in the object data as explanatory variables. At this time, the response surface calculation unit 244 calculates the response surface using a machine learning model with a pre-determined optimized algorithm. Such a machine learning model, for example, has injection molding conditions as explanatory variables and the difference between the measurement value of the management item and the target value as the objective function. The objective function can be the least squares error or the absolute value of the difference. Alternatively, the explanatory variables can include parameters related to the management item. Furthermore, the algorithm is, for example, a Bayesian optimization algorithm, but is not limited to this. Here, machine learning models using Bayesian optimization algorithms are often non-parametric probabilistic models. As is well known, nonparametric probabilistic models do not require pre-determining the shape of the fitted function. As a result, modeling of the injection molding apparatus as the controlled object, and control modeling of the management items given the injection molding conditions, are unnecessary before the injection molding apparatus executes a cycle. This significantly reduces the preparation required for calculating the response surface, which is useful. Furthermore, if a nonparametric probabilistic model is used as the machine learning model, the information processing device 20 can easily calculate the response surface even when the measured values ​​of the management items return complex responses according to changes in injection molding conditions. Previously, when the measured values ​​of the management items return complex responses according to changes in injection molding conditions, the optimal injection molding conditions were manually adjusted through trial and error. The information processing device 20 can suppress such trial and error, reducing the user's burden. It should be noted that complex responses to the measured values ​​of the management items due to changes in injection molding conditions often occur under complex phenomena such as multi-purpose, multi-variable, and nonlinear conditions. In other words, the information processing device 20 can easily calculate the response surface that yields the optimal injection molding conditions even in injection molding processes accompanied by complex phenomena such as multi-purpose, multi-variable, and nonlinear conditions. It should be noted that the aforementioned control modeling includes, for example, gain design in PID control and the derivation of state equations in model predictive control.

[0116] The response surface calculation unit 244, for example, establishes a correspondence between the target variable, which is the measured value of one or more management items, and the explanatory variable, which is the injection molding condition, and inputs it into the aforementioned machine learning model to obtain the response surface output from the machine learning model. Here, the machine learning model can be a non-parametric probabilistic model, such as the Gaussian process regression model mostly used in Bayesian optimization, or it can be a decision model that is not a probabilistic model.

[0117] After the processing in step S330, the molding condition generation unit 246 generates injection molding conditions based on the response surface calculated in step S330 (step S340). Here, the molding condition generation unit 246 derives an acquisition function from the response surface, and generates a new injection molding condition set for the injection molding apparatus by finding a solution that minimizes or maximizes the derived acquisition function. It should be noted that the acquisition function is often used in Bayesian optimization, such as EI (Expected Improvement), UCB (Upper Confidence Bounds), PI (Probability of Improvement), etc., but it is not limited to these. In addition, the molding condition generation unit 246 may also generate the composition of the injection molding conditions based on the response surface using other methods.

[0118] Next, the display control unit 247 generates a use-option image that includes information representing the injection molding conditions generated in step S340 and an operation receiving image of the receiving operation, and displays the generated use-option image. This operation indicates whether to use the injection molding conditions as newly set injection molding conditions for the injection molding apparatus (step S350). Here, the use-option image can be any image as long as it includes the information and the operation receiving image.

[0119] The device control unit 245 remains in standby mode until it receives an operation to receive the image displayed in step S350 (step S360). Figure 8 In the text, the process of step S360 is indicated by the question "Can I operate after receiving this?".

[0120] If the device control unit 245 determines that it has received an operation receiving image for the operation receiving image displayed in step S350 (step S360 - Yes), it performs the processing corresponding to the operation received via the operation receiving image (step S370) and ends the process. Figure 8 The process shown is as follows. For example, if the device control unit 245 receives an operation receiving image in step S370 indicating that the injection molding conditions generated in step S340 will not be used as newly set injection molding conditions for the injection molding device, it discards the injection molding conditions generated in step S344 and ends the process. Figure 8 The process shown is as follows. In this case, the injection molding unit continues to execute the cycle according to the originally set injection molding conditions. Figure 7In the illustrated process, step S250 is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S260. On the other hand, for example, if the device control unit 245 receives an operation in step S370 via the operation receiving image indicating that the injection molding conditions generated in step S340 will be used as newly set injection molding conditions for the injection molding apparatus, it begins the condition setting process for setting the injection molding conditions generated in step S340 to the injection molding apparatus and ends the process. Figure 8 The process shown is as follows.

[0121] Through the processing described above, even when the relationship between the management project and the injection molding conditions is unknown and complex, the information processing device 20 can generate injection molding conditions that enable the injection molding apparatus to produce high-quality products. As a result, the information processing device 20 can update the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus while performing injection molding according to the situation.

[0122] It should be noted that the information processing device 20 can also be in Figure 8 The process shown omits steps S350 and S360. In this case, the information processing device 20 begins setting the injection molding conditions generated in step S340 to the injection molding apparatus in step S370. Therefore, the information processing device 20 can automatically maintain the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus at the optimal level without requiring manual intervention.

[0123] In addition, the information processing device 20 through Figure 7 and Figure 8 The process shown is executed continuously in a series of cycles within the injection molding apparatus, such as... Figure 10 As shown, the process of acquiring output data from the injection molding device, updating the response surface calculated by the information processing device 20, and updating the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device are carried out automatically and cyclically in sequence. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing performed by the information processing unit 20 during the continuous execution of a cycle of the injection molding apparatus. Figure 10 The illustrated cycle of injection molding conditions updates allows for continuous execution of the cycle without interrupting the injection molding apparatus, while simultaneously adjusting multiple management items received before the injection molding apparatus begins product injection molding based on multiple injection molding conditions. This improves the efficiency of the injection molding process, and as a result, it is useful for, for example, suppressing increases in the number of trial parts produced and decreases in production efficiency.

[0124] <The information processing device generates the processing of the injection molding conditions initially set by the injection molding apparatus>

[0125] Information processing device 20 connects to an injection molding apparatus that has been configured with injection molding conditions received via an injection molding condition setting image. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The process shown updates the injection molding conditions. That is, the information processing unit 20 does not generate the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus through this process. The injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus are obtained through methods such as simulation or based on past experience. However, it can be assumed that, for example, if the type and shape of the product to be injection molded in the future are the same as or similar to the type and shape of the product to be injection molded in the past, and the environment in which the injection molding apparatus performs injection molding is the same as or similar to the environment in which the injection molding apparatus performed injection molding in the past, the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus will be close to the injection molding conditions previously set for the injection molding apparatus. Therefore, in this case, the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus by the information processing unit 20 can also be generated based on the response surface.

[0126] Below, refer to Figure 11 The process by which the information processing device 20 generates the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding device will be explained. Figure 11 This diagram illustrates an example of the process by which the information processing device 20 generates the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus. It should be noted that the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus are those set in standby mode before the start of continuous execution of a cycle for injection molding a certain product. In other words, the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus are those set in standby mode before the start of mass production of a certain product.

[0127] The device control unit 245 reads all output data pre-stored in the storage unit 22 from the storage unit 22 (step S410). Figure 11 In the text, "output data read out" indicates the processing of step S410.

[0128] Next, the exclusion unit 243 performs the exclusion process (step S420). In Figure 11In this context, "exclusion processing" refers to the processing in step S420. Here, the exclusion conditions used by the exclusion unit 243 in step S420 sometimes need to be exclusion conditions as described below: exclusion conditions received in advance by the information processing device 20, and exclusion conditions that exclude output data other than output data related to the injection molding cycle data of products that are consistent with or similar to the type, shape, etc., of the products to be injection molded by the injection molding device in the future. Furthermore, the exclusion conditions used by the exclusion unit 243 in step S420 sometimes also need to be exclusion conditions as described below: exclusion conditions received in advance by the information processing device 20, and exclusion conditions that exclude output data other than output data obtained in the cycle executed in an environment consistent with or similar to the environment in which the current injection molding device is performing injection molding. Therefore, the information processing device 20 needs to receive exclusion conditions from the user in advance that satisfy these conditions. It should be noted that the exclusion unit 243 may, for example, be configured to exclude output data other than those satisfying these conditions from the output data read in step S310 using machine learning models, generated AI (Artificial Intelligence), etc. In this case, the information processing device 20 receives, for example, information indicating the type and shape of the product to be injection molded by the injection molding device in the future, and information indicating the environment in which the injection molding device is currently performing injection molding, instead of receiving exclusion conditions.

[0129] It should be noted that the processing in step S410 and the processing in step S420 can also be combined. That is, the information processing device 20 can also be configured as follows: in the step that combines steps S410 and S420, output data other than exclusion data that meets the exclusion conditions is read from the storage unit 22 as object data.

[0130] Next, the response surface calculation unit 244 calculates the response surface based on the object data remaining after excluding the excluded data in the output data read in step S410 (step S420).

[0131] Next, the molding condition generation unit 246 generates injection molding conditions based on the response surface calculated in step S430 (step S440).

[0132] Next, the device control unit 245 begins the condition setting process of setting the injection molding conditions generated in step S440 to the injection molding device, and then ends the process. Figure 11 The process shown is as follows.

[0133] As described above, the information processing device 20 can generate the injection molding conditions initially set for the injection molding apparatus based on the response surface. Therefore, even when the relationship between the management project and the injection molding conditions is unknown and complex, the information processing device 20 can generate injection molding conditions that enable the injection molding apparatus to mold high-quality products from the outset.

[0134] It should be noted that the molding management system 1 described above may also include a terminal device 40. Furthermore, the molding management system 1 described above may also include an injection molding apparatus such as an injection molding apparatus 11.

[0135] Furthermore, the content described above can be combined arbitrarily.

[0136] <Note> [1]

[0138] A molding management system includes an information processing device communicatively connected to a terminal device, which manages the production of the product in a production process including an injection molding process performed by an injection molding device. In the molding management system, the information processing device acquires output data from the injection molding device for each cycle of injection molding performed by the injection molding device. The output data is data obtained by establishing a correspondence between cycle data and injection molding condition data. The cycle data includes measurement value information representing one or more measurement values ​​measured in the injection molding device according to the cycle. The injection molding condition data includes information representing the injection molding conditions set by the injection molding device. The injection molding condition information includes one or more measured values, each of which is a measure value of one or more management items related to the quality of the product. When a predetermined trigger condition is met, the information processing device excludes the output data that meets the exclusion condition from one or more output data obtained from the injection molding device. Based on the remaining output data that was not excluded from the one or more output data, the device calculates a response surface with the measure values ​​of one or more management items as the target variable and the injection molding condition as the explanatory variable. Based on the calculated response surface, the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device are changed. [2]

[0140] In the molding management system described in [1], the information processing device causes the display unit to display the rejection condition receiving image of the rejection condition according to the received operation. [3]

[0142] In the molding management system described in [1] or [2], the output data is associated with a flag indicating whether the data meets the exclusion condition. The exclusion condition is the output data that is data that meets the exclusion condition, indicated by the flag. The information processing device, corresponding to each change of the injection molding condition set in the injection molding device, obtains injection molding condition data from the injection molding device, including injection molding condition information indicating the changed injection molding condition. The obtained injection molding condition data is stored in a storage unit. The loop data is obtained from the injection molding device for each loop. Based on a pre-received judgment condition, the obtained loop data is associated with either the flag indicating that the data meets the exclusion condition or the flag indicating that the data does not meet the exclusion condition and stored in the storage unit. The loop data stored in the storage unit is associated with the injection molding condition data as the output data. According to the received operation, the display unit displays a judgment condition receiving image of receiving the judgment condition and receives the judgment condition via the judgment condition receiving image. [4]

[0144] In the molding management system described in [3], the determination condition includes the cycle data output from the injection molding device in the cycle executed as a test in multiple consecutive cycles, and the determination condition receiving image includes an image receiving information representing the cycle executed as a test in multiple consecutive cycles. [5]

[0146] In the molding management system described in [4], the information indicating the number of times the loop is performed as a trial run in multiple consecutive loops is the number of trial runs. [6]

[0148] In any one of the molding management systems [1] to [5], the information processing device generates the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus based on the calculated response surface, displays the generated injection molding conditions on the display unit, and displays a usage availability image on the display unit indicating whether to use the injection molding conditions displayed on the display unit. When an operation indicating whether to use the injection molding conditions displayed on the display unit is received via the usage availability image, the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus are changed by setting the injection molding conditions displayed on the display unit in the injection molding apparatus. [7]

[0150] In the molding management system described in [6], when the injection molding conditions to be displayed on the display are set on the injection molding device, if the state of the injection molding device is a preset settable state where the injection molding conditions are settable, the information processing device sets the injection molding conditions to be displayed on the display on the injection molding device. If the state of the injection molding device is not the settable state, the information processing device stands by until the state of the injection molding device becomes the settable state. Then, when the state of the injection molding device becomes the settable state, the injection molding conditions to be displayed on the display are set on the injection molding device. [8]

[0152] In any one of the molding management systems [1] to [7], the information processing device calculates the response surface using a predetermined optimized algorithm. [9]

[0154] In the molding management system described in [8], the algorithm is a Bayesian optimization algorithm.

[10]

[0156] The molding management system described in any one of [1] to [9] includes the terminal device.

[11]

[0158] The molding management system described in any one of [1] to

[10] includes the injection molding apparatus.

[0159] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment. As long as it does not depart from the spirit of this disclosure, changes, substitutions, deletions, etc., can be made.

[0160] Furthermore, a program for implementing the functions of any component in the apparatus described above can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the computer system can read and execute the program. Here, such an apparatus may be, for example, an injection molding apparatus 11, an information processing apparatus 20, a server 30, or a terminal device 40. It should be noted that the term "computer system" here includes hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to removable media such as floppy disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory within a computer system that retains a program for a certain period of time, such as a server or client computer system that transmits programs via networks such as the Internet or communication lines such as telephone lines.

[0161] Furthermore, the aforementioned program can also be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or other similar device to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium capable of transmitting information, such as a network like the Internet or a communication line like a telephone line.

[0162] Furthermore, the aforementioned program can also be a part of a program used to implement the aforementioned functions. Moreover, the aforementioned program can also be a program that can implement the aforementioned functions by combining with programs already recorded in the computer system, i.e., a so-called differential file or differential program.

Claims

1. A molding management system, characterized in that, The molding management system includes an information processing device communicatively connected to a terminal device, which manages the production of the product in a production process including an injection molding process performed by an injection molding apparatus. The information processing device acquires output data from the injection molding device for each cycle of injection molding performed by the injection molding device. The output data is obtained by establishing a correspondence between loop data and injection molding condition data. The loop data includes measurement value information representing one or more measurement values ​​measured in the injection molding apparatus according to the execution of the loop. The injection molding condition data includes injection molding condition information representing the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus. The more than one measured value includes the measured value of each of the more than one management item related to the quality of the product. When a predetermined triggering condition is met, the information processing device excludes output data that meets the exclusion condition from one or more output data obtained from the injection molding device. Based on the remaining output data that was not excluded from the one or more output data, it calculates a response surface with the measured values ​​of each of the one or more management items in the one or more measured values ​​as the target variable and the injection molding conditions as the explanatory variable. Based on the calculated response surface, it changes the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device.

2. The molding management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information processing device, based on the received operation, causes the display unit to display the image received by the exclusion condition.

3. The molding management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A flag indicating whether the data meets the exclusion criteria is associated with the output data. The exclusion criteria are defined by the flag indicating the output data that satisfies the exclusion criteria. The information processing device, corresponding to each change in the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus, acquires injection molding condition data from the injection molding apparatus, including injection molding condition information representing the changed injection molding conditions, and stores the acquired injection molding condition data in the storage unit. The information processing device acquires cycle data from the injection molding device for each cycle, and based on pre-received judgment conditions, stores the acquired cycle data in the storage unit in a corresponding manner with either a flag indicating that the data meets the exclusion conditions or a flag indicating that the data does not meet the exclusion conditions. The information processing device establishes a correspondence between the cycle data stored in the storage unit and the injection molding condition data as the output data. The information processing device, based on the received operation, causes the display unit to display a determination condition receiving image, and receives the determination condition via the determination condition receiving image.

4. The molding management system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The determination criteria include the cycle data output from the injection molding device in the cycles executed as trial injections in multiple consecutively executed cycles. The determination condition receiving image includes an image that receives information representing the loop executed as a trial run in multiple consecutive executions of the loop.

5. The molding management system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The information indicating the number of times the loop is executed as a trial stroke in multiple consecutive executions of the loop is the number of trials.

6. The molding management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information processing device generates the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding apparatus based on the calculated response surface, displays the generated injection molding conditions on the display unit, and displays a usage availability image on the display unit indicating whether to use the injection molding conditions displayed on the display unit. When the information processing device receives an operation indicating the use of the injection molding conditions displayed on the display via the use-feasibility image, it changes the injection molding conditions set in the injection molding device by setting the injection molding conditions displayed on the display in the injection molding device.

7. The molding management system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the injection molding conditions to be displayed on the display are set on the injection molding apparatus, if the state of the injection molding apparatus is a settable state that has been predetermined as a settable state, then the injection molding conditions to be displayed on the display are set on the injection molding apparatus. If the state of the injection molding apparatus is not the settable state, then the apparatus enters standby mode until the state of the injection molding apparatus becomes the settable state. After that, if the state of the injection molding apparatus becomes the settable state, then the injection molding conditions to be displayed on the display are set on the injection molding apparatus.

8. The molding management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The information processing device uses a pre-determined optimized algorithm to calculate the response surface.

9. The molding management system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The algorithm described is a Bayesian optimization algorithm.

10. The molding management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The molding management system includes the terminal device.

11. The molding management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The molding management system includes the injection molding device.

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