Method for providing information to a forming machine, as well as a forming machine and an arrangement consisting of a forming machine

Abstract

Method for providing information to a forming machine (1) having at least one replaceable component (2), wherein - a visualization program is executed on a computing unit (3) arranged on the forming machine (1), - representations are displayed using the visualization program, - Component data containing visualization information, relating to at least one replaceable component (2) and located in a memory (4) arranged on the at least one component (2), from which the at least one component (2) is transferred to the computing unit (3) in a manner that meets a data transmission standard, - the visualizations are generated by the visualization program from the component data transmitted according to the data transmission standard, in accordance with the visualization information, - the representations are displayed on a visualization device (5) of the forming machine (1), and - the OPC UA is used as the data transmission standard.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for providing information to a forming machine having at least one replaceable component, as well as to a forming machine and an arrangement consisting of a forming machine.

[0002] Forming machines include injection molding machines, injection presses, presses and the like, as disclosed, for example, in DE 2017 003 384 B4.

[0003] It is known to use peripheral devices with such forming machines. An example of such a peripheral device would be a temperature control unit.

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve the presentation of information relating to the peripheral device.

[0005] This is achieved methodically with the features of claim 1. That is, a method is proposed in which a visualization program is executed on a computing unit arranged on the forming machine, representations are displayed by means of the visualization program, component data containing visualization information, which relates to the at least one replaceable component and is located in a memory arranged on the at least one component, is transmitted from the at least one component to the computing unit in a manner that complies with a data transmission standard, the representations are generated by the visualization program from the component data transmitted according to the data transmission standard in accordance with the visualization information, and the representations are displayed on a visualization device of the forming machine.

[0006] With regard to the forming machine, the problem is solved by the features of claim 9. That is, it is proposed that the computing unit is configured to receive component data received via the interface, which includes visualization information, relates to at least one interchangeable component, and has been transmitted in a manner compliant with a data transmission standard, and to generate the representations from the component data according to the visualization information and transmit them to the visualization device.

[0007] A key aspect of the invention is the transfer of two types of information from at least one component to the processing unit of the forming machine. These are, firstly, the data to be displayed on a visualization device – which is often already present on the forming machine. Secondly, they are the data specifying how this display should be achieved. Therefore, the forming machine manufacturer does not need to program a display for each of the numerous peripheral devices available on the market. Instead, the peripheral device provides its own information display.

[0008] Another aspect of the invention is that the representations for the visualization of a forming machine are generated according to the visualization information. The information is therefore displayed on the forming machine as codified in the visualization information, although the visual language of a visualization typically present on the forming machine can be used.

[0009] The invention can be used not only in connection with peripheral devices of a forming machine, but also, for example, with machine components of the forming machine.

[0010] Generally, for the purposes of this document, reference is made to at least one component.

[0011] Protection is also sought for an arrangement comprising a forming machine and at least one interchangeable component, wherein the forming machine and the at least one component are connected to each other via the data transmission link and the at least one component is configured to send component data containing visualization information, which relates to the at least one interchangeable component and is located in a memory arranged on the at least one component, to the forming machine.

[0012] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0013] The so-called OPC UA (OPC Unified Architecture) can be used as a data transmission standard. This standard is widely used in the market, meaning that an implementation of OPC UA already exists in many cases.

[0014] Visualization information can be implicitly provided by the data transmission standard. For example, with OPC UA, data types can be defined, and the processing unit can be configured to represent certain data types in specific ways. Of course, visualization information can also be explicit.

[0015] Examples of machine components or peripheral devices with which the invention can be used include temperature control devices, dryers, conveying devices - in particular conveyor belts, a dosing device, a hot runner controller, a coloring device, a mixing device and the like.

[0016] It can also be provided that the component data can be modified by an operator. With regard to visualization data, this could involve, for example, selecting parameters to be displayed or positioning a representation on the screen. Modifying this visualization information can be effective either locally on the forming machine or, alternatively or additionally, by generating new (modified) visualization information and sending it back to the memory of at least one component via the data transmission connection. This has the advantage that changes to the visualization are persistent; that is, if the at least one component is connected to a different forming machine, for example, the modified visualization can be retained.

[0017] Technical data can also be changed both directly on the component and by sending data back from the computing unit to the memory of at least one component.

[0018] The technical data of at least one component encompasses all data relevant from a technical perspective. Examples include setting parameters, performance data, dimensions, status data, and the like.

[0019] An example of data fed back from the processing unit to the memory of at least one component would be, for example, changed setting data or historical measurement data that allow conclusions to be drawn about the past and future performance of at least one component.

[0020] Data transmission between the storage and the processing unit can occur via Ethernet, for example. Other examples include wireless data transmission standards such as WLAN or mobile communication standards. Fieldbus systems or similar technologies can also be used.

[0021] An additional data transmission link may also be provided, which is preferably at least partially designed for real-time data transmission. For example, such a separate data link can be advantageous for the synchronous transmission of data relating to the joint control of drives of the forming machine and at least one component.

[0022] Protection is also sought for an arrangement consisting of a forming machine according to the invention with at least one replaceable component.

[0023] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the figures and the accompanying figure description. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement consisting of a forming machine 1 according to the invention and an interchangeable component 2. Fig. Figures 2a to 2d show an example of transmitted component data and the definition of a data type (screenshots). Fig. 3a and Fig. Section 3b shows how data types can be modified and a representation generated from a data type and corresponding technical information (screenshots).

[0024] To Fig. 1: The forming machine 1 has a visualization device 5, which in this case is implemented as a screen. The images to be displayed on the visualization device 5 are provided by the computing unit 3 and the visualization program it executes. For this purpose, the computing unit 3 is connected to devices 11 that supply data for the images. The devices 11 can include, for example, controls for drives, measuring instruments, and the like. The forming machine 1 is also equipped with an interface 6 that is connected to the computing unit 3.

[0025] The interchangeable component 2 also has a computer 10, which includes a memory 4. Component 2 also has an interface 6, which is connected to the computer 10. By appropriately connecting the interfaces 6 on the forming machine 1 and the component 2, the data transmission connection 7 is created. The interfaces 6 do not have to be identical. In the present embodiment, the data transmission connection 7 is an Ethernet connection.

[0026] Component 2's memory 4 contains component data consisting of visualization data and technical data. In this embodiment, an OPC UA server is running on computer 10, which transfers the component data from memory 4 to processing unit 3 via data transmission link 7. Using the visualization information, processing unit 3 creates representations of component 2's technical data. These representations are then displayed on the visualization device 5.

[0027] Component 2 can also have further devices 12, such as drives and controls or regulators for them, as well as measuring instruments and the like. These devices can be connected to the corresponding devices 11 of the forming machine via a further data transmission connection 8. For this purpose, both the forming machine 1 and component 2 have further interfaces 9 (these do not have to be identical). In this embodiment, the further data transmission connection 8 is at least partially configured for the transmission of data in real time.

[0028] The data from devices 12 do not necessarily have to be routed via devices 11. They can also be fed directly to the computing unit 3. Likewise, it is not absolutely necessary to use a further data transmission connection 8. Of course, this data can also be transmitted via data transmission connection 7.

[0029] The invention makes it possible to display representations of component 2 on the visualization device 5 of the forming machine 1 without having to previously store data about component 2 in the forming machine 1. Each component 2 can therefore be easily connected independently to the forming machine 1 and provides its own visualization.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2a shows an example of data transferred from an interchangeable component 2 – in this case, a temperature control unit – to the processing unit 3. These data structures each contain one or more values ​​for the respective parameter as well as additional attributes. These additional attributes allow the processing unit 3, for example, to identify which parameters are setpoints and which are actual values. This division is shown in the Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c indicated, whereby Fig. 2b the target values ​​and Fig. 2c lists the actual values.

[0031] Fig. 2d represents the definition of such a data structure, in which the in Fig. The parameters shown in section 2a are transmitted. In this case, the visualization information is therefore implicit, namely as the type of data structure used for the respective parameter (in this case, "EnhancedAnalogLtemType").

[0032] However, the visualization information can also be provided explicitly (additionally or exclusively). In Fig. Figure 3a shows how a special data type can be defined (in the box “Definition of additional attributes with visualization information”), which allows the display to be customized.

[0033] For example, when using the unmodified data type, the following can be achieved: Fig. The representation shown in 3b is output by the processing unit 3. (Actual value bars with target temperature 30 °C, actual temperature (ActualValueAdvance) 22.6 °C and values ​​for the monitoring tolerance of + and - 10 °C each)

[0034] By modifying the attributes, as in Fig. 3a, the display can be modified - for example in the marked area ("Display of ActualValueAdvance as actual value bars").

Claims

[1] Method for providing information to a forming machine (1) having at least one replaceable component (2), wherein - a visualization program is executed on a computing unit (3) arranged on the forming machine (1), - representations are displayed using the visualization program, - Component data containing visualization information, relating to at least one replaceable component (2) and located in a memory (4) arranged on the at least one component (2), from which the at least one component (2) is transferred to the computing unit (3) in a manner that meets a data transmission standard, - the visualizations are generated by the visualization program from the component data transmitted according to the data transmission standard, in accordance with the visualization information, - the representations are displayed on a visualization device (5) of the forming machine (1), and - the OPC UA is used as the data transmission standard. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one replaceable component (2) is a machine component and / or a peripheral device. [3] Method according to claim 2, characterized by , that a temperature control unit, a dryer, a conveying unit - in particular a conveyor belt, a dosing unit, a hot runner controller, a coloring unit and / or a mixing unit is used as a machine component and / or as a peripheral device. [4] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the visualization information is changed by an operator and that representations are generated from the transmitted component data according to the changed visualization information, which are displayed on the visualization device (5). [5] Method according to claim 4, characterized by , that the visualization information is changed at the forming machine (1) and transferred to the memory (4) of the at least one replaceable component (2). [6] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that component data includes not only visualization data but also technical data of at least one replaceable component (2). [7] Method according to claim 6, characterized by , that the technical data on the forming machine (1) are changed and the changed technical data are transferred to the memory (4) of the replaceable component (2). [8] Method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the visualization information and / or the technical data on the replaceable component (2) are changed. [9] Forming machine, in particular for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising - a visualization device (5) which is designed to display representations, - a computing unit (3) connected to the visualization device (5) and - an interface (6) for a data transmission connection (7) for transferring data from at least one replaceable component (2) to the computing unit (3) of the forming machine (1), characterized by , that the computing unit (3) is designed to process component data received via the interface (6), which - Visualization information includes, - affect at least one replaceable component and - to receive the data transmitted in a manner compliant with a data transmission standard and to generate the representations from the component data according to the visualization information and to transmit them to the visualization device (5), using OPC UA as the data transmission standard. [10] Forming machine according to claim 9, characterized by , that the interface is an Ethernet interface (6). [11] Forming machine according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by , that a further data transmission link (8) is provided for transmitting data between the at least one component (2) and the forming machine (1), wherein the further data transmission link (8) is preferably capable of transmitting data in real time. [12] Arrangement comprising a forming machine according to one of claims 9 to 11 and at least one replaceable component, wherein the forming machine (1) and the at least one component (2) are connected to each other via the data transmission link (7) and the at least one component (2) is configured to send component data containing visualization information, which relates to the at least one replaceable component (2) and is located in a memory (4) arranged on the at least one component (2), to the forming machine (2).

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