INJECTION MOLDING MACHINE

Abstract

Injection molding machine (10), comprising: a screw (330) to which a label (500) is attached, which contains identification information that is readable by a reading unit (501); a drive unit (370) which performs rotation and forward and backward movement of the screw (330); and a control device (700) which controls the drive unit (370), wherein the control device (700) controls the movement of the label (500) to a reading position in which the identification information is read by the reading unit (501), and the reading unit (501) is movable to allow a position of the reading unit (501) to be adjusted.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine. Description of the state of the art

[0002] JP 2018-8424 A discloses an injection molding machine including a cylinder, a nozzle provided at a front end of the cylinder, and a screw provided inside the cylinder. As the screw rotates, a resin having a pellet shape is conveyed forward along a spiral groove of the screw. The resin is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder while being conveyed forward. When the molten resin accumulates in front of the screw, the screw is moved backward. Thereafter, as the screw is moved forward, the liquid resin accumulated in front of the screw is ejected from the nozzle. A label containing identification information of the screw is attached to the screw. US 2015 / 0037447 A1 and WO 2021 / 255010 A1 show an extruder with a reading unit arranged on the extruder frame.DE 10 202 110 535 A1 and AT 007 3031 U1 show an injection molding machine with a reading unit fixed to the plasticizing cylinder. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The prior art discloses that a label containing identification information of a screw is attached to the screw. However, a configuration (a configuration in which powder dust of a resin discharges backward from the inside of a plasticizing cylinder), which is not used by those skilled in the art, is illustrated in drawings, and a specific configuration is unclear.

[0004] One aspect of the present invention provides a technique for identifying a snail.

[0005] An injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes a screw to which a label containing identification information readable by a reading unit is attached, a drive unit that performs rotation and forward and backward movement of the screw, and a control device that controls the drive unit. The control device controls the label to be directed toward the reading unit when the identification information is read by the reading unit.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the snail can be identified. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a state of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment at a completion time of mold opening. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment at a time of mold closing / clamping. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a first example of an injection unit, and is a cross-sectional view showing a state in a case where a screw is in a front limit position. Fig. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a state in which the screw of Fig. 3 is moved backwards. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a movable member and a connecting member. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a second example of the injection unit. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a third example of the injection unit. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth example of the injection unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted. (injection molding machine)

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a state of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment at a completion time of mold opening. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment at a time of mold closing / clamping. In this description, an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction are mutually perpendicular directions. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction indicate horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction indicates a vertical direction. In a case where a mold closing / clamping unit 100 is of a horizontal type, the X-axis direction is a mold opening / closing direction, and the Y-axis direction is a width direction of an injection molding machine 10. A negative side in the Y-axis direction is referred to as an operation side, and a positive side in the Y-axis direction is referred to as a counter-operation side.

[0009] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 2, the injection molding machine 10 includes a mold closing / clamping unit 100 that opens and closes a mold unit 800, an ejector unit 200 that ejects molded products molded by the mold unit 800, an injection unit 300 that injects a molding material into the mold unit 800, a moving unit 400 that causes the injection unit 300 to move back and forth with respect to the mold unit 800, a controller 700 that controls the respective components of the injection molding machine 10, and a frame 900 that supports the respective components of the injection molding machine 10. The frame 900 includes a mold closing / clamping unit frame 910 that supports the mold closing / clamping unit 100, and an injection unit frame 920 that supports the injection unit 300. The mold closing / clamping unit frame 910 and the injection unit frame 920 are each installed on a floor 2 via height adjusters 930.The control device 700 is arranged in an interior space of the injection unit frame 920. The respective components of the injection molding machine 10 are described below. (Mold closing / clamping unit)

[0010] In describing the mold closing / clamping unit 100, a moving direction of a movable platen 120 in a case where a mold is to be closed (for example, a positive X-axis direction) corresponds to a front side, and a moving direction of the movable platen 120 in a case where the mold is to be opened (for example, a negative X-axis direction) corresponds to a back side.

[0011] The mold closing / clamping unit 100 performs mold closing, pressurization, mold closing / clamping, pressure release, and mold opening of the mold unit 800. The mold unit 800 includes a stationary mold 810 and a movable mold 820.

[0012] For example, the mold closing / clamping unit 100 is of a horizontal type, and the mold opening / closing direction of the mold closing / clamping unit 100 is a horizontal direction. The mold closing / clamping unit 100 includes a stationary platen 110 to which the stationary mold 810 is attached, a movable platen 120 to which the movable mold 820 is attached, and a moving mechanism 102 that moves the movable platen 120 relative to the stationary platen 110 in the mold opening / closing direction.

[0013] The stationary platen 110 is fixed to the mold closing / clamping unit frame 910. The stationary mold 810 is fixed to a surface of the stationary platen 110 facing the movable platen 120.

[0014] The movable platen 120 is arranged to be movable relative to the mold closing / clamping unit frame 910 in the mold opening / closing direction. Guides 101 that guide the movable platen 120 are placed on the mold closing / clamping unit frame 910. The movable mold 820 is attached to a surface of the movable platen 120 facing the stationary platen 110.

[0015] The moving mechanism 102 causes the movable platen 120 to move back and forth with respect to the stationary platen 110 to perform mold closing, pressurization, mold closing / clamping, pressure release, and mold opening of the molding unit 800. The moving mechanism 102 includes a toggle bracket 130 arranged with a distance between the stationary platen 110 and itself, columns 140 connecting the stationary platen 110 to the toggle bracket 130, a toggle mechanism 150 moving the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle bracket 130 in the mold opening / closing direction, a mold closing / clamping motor 160 operating the toggle mechanism 150, a motion converting mechanism 170 converting a rotational motion of the mold closing / clamping motor 160 into a linear motion, and a mold space adjusting mechanism 180 adjusting a distance between the stationary platen 110 and the toggle bracket 130.

[0016] The toggle lever support 130 is arranged with a gap between the stationary platen 110 and itself and is placed on the mold closing / clamping unit frame 910 so that it is movable in the mold opening / closing direction. The toggle lever support 130 can be arranged so that it is movable along guides laid on the mold closing / clamping unit frame 910. The guides for the toggle lever support 130 can be common to the guides 101 for the movable platen 120.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the stationary platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping / clamping unit frame 910, and the toggle bracket 130 is arranged to be movable relative to the mold clamping / clamping unit frame 910 in the mold opening / closing direction. However, the toggle bracket 130 may be fixed to the mold clamping / clamping unit frame 910, and the stationary platen 110 may be arranged to be movable relative to the mold clamping / clamping unit frame 910 in the mold opening / closing direction.

[0018] The columns 140 connect the stationary platen 110 to the toggle bracket 130 with a distance L between the stationary platen 110 and the toggle bracket 130 in the mold opening / closing direction. A plurality of columns 140 (for example, four) may be used. The plurality of columns 140 are arranged parallel to the mold opening / closing direction and stretch depending on a mold closing / clamping force. At least one column 140 may be provided with a column strain detector 141 that measures a strain of the column 140. The column strain detector 141 sends a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device 700. The detection result of the column strain detector 141 is used for measuring a mold closing / clamping force and the like.

[0019] The column strain detector 141 is used in the present embodiment as a mold clamping / clamping force detector for detecting a mold clamping / clamping force, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The mold clamping / clamping force detector is not limited to any one type of strain gauge and may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type, or the like. A position where the mold clamping / clamping force detector is mounted is also not limited to the column 140.

[0020] The toggle mechanism 150 is arranged between the movable platen 120 and the toggle bracket 130 and moves the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle bracket 130 in the mold opening / closing direction. The toggle mechanism 150 includes a crosshead 151 that moves in the mold opening / closing direction and a pair of link groups that flex and extend in response to the movement of the crosshead 151. Each of the pair of link groups includes a first link 152 and a second link 153 that are flexibly and extendably connected to each other by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is oscillatively attached to the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like. The second link 153 is oscillatively attached to the toggle bracket 130 by a pin or the like. The second link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via a third link 154.In a case where the crosshead 151 is caused to move forward and backward with respect to the toggle bracket 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 are flexed and extended, and the movable plate 120 moves forward and backward with respect to the toggle bracket 130.

[0021] The configuration of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is shown. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the number of nodes in each link group is, for example, five, but may be four. An end portion of the third link 154 may be connected to the node between the first and second links 152 and 153.

[0022] The mold closing / clamping motor 160 is mounted on the toggle beam 130 and actuates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold closing / clamping motor 160 causes the crosshead 151 to move forward and backward with respect to the toggle beam 130, thereby flexing and extending the first and second link members 152 and 153 to cause the movable platen 120 to move forward and backward with respect to the toggle beam 130. The mold closing / clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, pulleys, and the like.

[0023] The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotary motion of the mold closing / clamping motor 160 into the linear motion of the crosshead 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. Balls or rollers may be inserted between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

[0024] The mold closing / clamping unit 100 performs a mold closing process, a pressurizing process, a mold closing / clamping process, a pressure releasing process, a mold opening process, and the like under the control of the control device 700.

[0025] During the mold closing process, the mold clamping / clamping motor 160 is driven to cause the crosshead 151 to move forward at a set movement speed to a mold clamping completion position, causing the movable platen 120 to move forward and the movable mold 820 to contact the stationary mold 810. The position and movement speed of the crosshead 151 are measured using, for example, a mold clamping / clamping motor encoder 161 or the like. The mold clamping / clamping motor encoder 161 measures rotation of the mold clamping / clamping motor 160 and sends a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device 700.

[0026] A crosshead position detector for measuring the position of the crosshead 151 and a crosshead movement speed detector for measuring the movement speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the mold clamping / clamping motor encoder 161, and general detectors can be used. Furthermore, a movable platen position detector for measuring the position of the movable platen 120 and a movable platen movement speed detector for measuring the movement speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the mold clamping / clamping motor encoder 161, and general detectors can be used.

[0027] In the pressurizing process, the mold closing / clamping motor 160 is further driven to cause the crosshead 151 to further move forward from the mold closing completion position to a mold closing / clamping position and generate a mold closing / clamping force.

[0028] During the mold closing / clamping process, the mold closing / clamping motor 160 is driven to maintain the position of the crosshead 151 in the mold closing / clamping position. During the mold closing / clamping process, the mold closing / clamping force generated during the pressurization process is maintained. During the mold closing / clamping process, cavity spaces 801 (see Fig. 2), and the injection unit 300 fills the cavity spaces 801 with liquid molding material. Molded products are obtained in a case where the molding material filling the cavity spaces is solidified.

[0029] One cavity 801 may be provided, or multiple cavity spaces 801 may be provided. In the latter case, multiple molded products are obtained simultaneously. A feed material may be arranged in one part of each cavity 801, and the other part of each cavity 801 may be filled with a molding material. Molded products in which the feed material and the molding material are integrated with each other are obtained.

[0030] During the pressure release process, the mold clamping / clamping motor 160 is driven to cause the crosshead 151 to move backward from the mold clamping / clamping position to a mold opening start position, causing the movable platen 120 to move backward to reduce the mold clamping / clamping force. The mold opening start position and the mold clamping completion position may be the same position.

[0031] In the mold opening process, the mold closing / clamping motor 160 is driven to cause the crosshead 151 to move backward at a set movement speed from the mold opening start position to a mold opening completion position, so that the movable platen 120 is caused to move backward and causes the movable mold 820 to separate from the stationary mold 810. Thereafter, the ejector unit 200 ejects the molded products from the movable mold 820.

[0032] Setting conditions in the mold clamping process, the pressurizing process, and the mold clamping / clamping process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, movement speeds and positions (including a mold clamping start position, a movement speed switching position, a mold clamping completion position, and a mold clamping / clamping position) of the crosshead 151 and mold clamping / clamping forces in the mold clamping process and the pressurizing process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The mold clamping start position, the movement speed switching position, the mold clamping completion position, and the mold clamping / clamping position are arranged in this order from a back side to the front side and indicate start points and end points of sections in which the movement speeds are set. The movement speed is set for each section.One movement speed switching position may be set, or multiple movement speed switching positions may be set. The movement speed switching position may not be set. Only the mold closing / clamping position or the mold closing / clamping force may be set.

[0033] Setting conditions in the pressure release process and the mold opening process are also set in the same way. For example, movement speeds and positions (including the mold opening start position, the movement speed switching position, and the mold opening completion position) of the crosshead 151 in the pressure release process and the mold opening process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, the movement speed switching position, and the mold opening completion position are arranged in this order from a front side to the back side and indicate start points and end points of sections in which the movement speeds are set. The movement speed is set for each section. One movement speed switching position may be set, or multiple movement speed switching positions may be set.The movement speed switching position may not be set. The mold opening start position and the mold closing completion position may be the same position. Furthermore, the mold opening completion position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

[0034] The moving speeds, positions, and the like of the movable platen 120 may be set instead of the moving speeds, positions, and the like of the crosshead 151. Furthermore, a mold closing / clamping force may be set instead of the position (e.g., the mold closing / clamping position) of the crosshead or the position of the movable platen.

[0035] The toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the mold closing / clamping motor 160 and transmits the amplified driving force to the movable platen 120. The amplification factor of the toggle mechanism 150 is also referred to as a toggle factor. The toggle factor changes depending on an angle θ between the first and second links 152 and 153 (hereinafter also referred to as a "link angle θ"). The link angle θ is obtained from the position of the crosshead 151. In a case where the link angle θ is 180°, the toggle factor is maximum.

[0036] In a case where a thickness of the mold unit 800 is changed due to replacement of the mold unit 800, a change in a temperature of the mold unit 800, or the like, a mold space is adjusted so that a predetermined mold closing / clamping force is obtained during mold closing / clamping. In adjusting a mold space, the distance L between the stationary platen 110 and the toggle bracket 130 is adjusted so that the link angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 at a time of mold contact, for example, when the movable mold 820 contacts the stationary mold 810, is a predetermined angle.

[0037] The mold closing / clamping unit 100 includes a mold space adjusting mechanism 180. The mold space adjusting mechanism 180 adjusts the distance L between the stationary platen 110 and the toggle beam 130 to adjust a mold space. A time at which a mold space is adjusted is, for example, between the end of one molding cycle and the start of the next molding cycle. The mold space adjusting mechanism 180 includes, for example, screw shafts 181 formed at rear end portions of the columns 140, screw nuts 182 rotatably supported by the toggle beam 130 so as to be unable to move back and forth, and a mold space adjusting motor 183 that rotates the screw nuts 182 screwed onto the screw shafts 181.

[0038] The spindle shaft 181 and the spindle nut 182 are provided for each column 140. A rotational drive force of the mold space adjustment motor 183 can be transmitted to a plurality of spindle nuts 182 via a rotational drive force transmission unit 185. The plurality of spindle nuts 182 can be rotated synchronously. It is also possible to rotate the plurality of spindle nuts 182 individually by changing a transmission channel of the rotational drive force transmission unit 185.

[0039] The rotary drive force transmission unit 185 includes, for example, gears and the like. In this case, a driven gear is formed on an outer periphery of each spindle nut 182, a driving gear is mounted on an output shaft of the mold space adjustment motor 183, and an intermediate gear that meshes with a plurality of driven gears and the driving gear is rotatably supported at a central portion of the toggle bracket 130. The rotary drive force transmission unit 185 may include a belt, pulleys, and the like instead of the gears.

[0040] The operation of the mold space adjustment mechanism 180 is controlled by the control device 700. The control device 700 drives the mold space adjustment motor 183 to rotate the spindle nuts 182. As a result, the position of the toggle bracket 130 relative to the columns 140 is adjusted, so that the distance L between the stationary platen 110 and the toggle bracket 130 is adjusted. Multiple mold space adjustment mechanisms can be used in combination.

[0041] The distance L is measured using a mold space adjustment motor encoder 184. The mold space adjustment motor encoder 184 measures a rotation amount and a rotation direction of the mold space adjustment motor 183 and sends signals indicating detection results thereof to the controller 700. The detection results of the mold space adjustment motor encoder 184 are used to monitor and control the position of the toggle beam 130 and the distance L. A toggle beam position detector for measuring the position of the toggle beam 130 and a distance detector for measuring the distance L are not limited to the mold space adjustment motor encoder 184, and general detectors can be used.

[0042] The mold closing / clamping unit 100 may include a mold temperature controller that adjusts the temperature of the mold unit 800. The mold unit 800 includes a flow channel for a temperature control medium therein. The mold temperature controller adjusts a temperature of a temperature control medium supplied to the flow channel of the mold unit 800 to adjust the temperature of the mold unit 800.

[0043] The mold closing / clamping unit 100 of the present embodiment is of a horizontal type in which a mold opening / closing direction is a horizontal direction, but may be of a vertical type in which a mold opening / closing direction is a vertical direction.

[0044] The mold closing / clamping unit 100 of the present embodiment includes the mold closing / clamping motor 160 as a drive unit, but may include a hydraulic cylinder instead of the mold closing / clamping motor 160. Furthermore, the mold closing / clamping unit 100 may include a linear motor for opening and closing the mold, and it may include an electromagnet for closing / clamping the mold. (ejector unit)

[0045] In the description of the ejector unit 200, as in the description of the mold closing / clamping unit 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 in a case where the mold is to be closed (for example, the positive X-axis direction) corresponds to a front side, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 in a case where the mold is to be opened (for example, the negative X-axis direction) corresponds to a back side.

[0046] The ejector unit 200 is attached to the movable platen 120 and moves back and forth along with the movable platen 120. The ejector unit 200 includes ejector rods 210 that eject the molded products from the molding unit 800, and a drive mechanism 220 that moves the ejector rods 210 in the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 (X-axis direction).

[0047] The ejector rods 210 are arranged in through holes of the movable platen 120 so that they are capable of moving forward and backward. Front end portions of the ejector rods 210 contact an ejector plate 826 of the movable mold 820. The front end portions of the ejector rods 210 may or may not be connected to the ejector plate 826.

[0048] The drive mechanism 220 includes, for example, an ejector motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the ejector motor into the linear motion of the ejector rods 210. The motion conversion mechanism includes a spindle shaft and a spindle nut screwed to the spindle shaft. Balls or rollers may be inserted between the spindle shaft and the spindle nut.

[0049] The ejector unit 200 performs an ejection process under the control of the controller 700. During the ejection process, the ejector rods 210 are caused to move forward at a set movement speed from a standby position to an ejection position, so that the ejector plate 826 is caused to move forward to eject the molded products. Thereafter, the ejector motor is driven to cause the ejector rods 210 to move backward at a set movement speed and cause the ejector plate 826 to move backward to the original standby position.

[0050] The position and movement speed of each ejector rod 210 are measured, for example, using an ejector motor encoder. The ejector motor encoder measures the rotation of the ejector motor and sends a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the controller 700. An ejector rod position detector for measuring the position of each ejector rod 210 and an ejector rod movement speed detector for measuring the movement speed of each ejector rod 210 are not limited to the ejector motor encoder, and general detectors can be used. (injection unit)

[0051] In the description of the injection unit 300, different from the description of the mold closing / clamping unit 100 and the description of the ejector unit 200, a moving direction of a screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) corresponds to a front side, and a moving direction of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positive X-axis direction) corresponds to a back side.

[0052] The injection unit 300 is installed on a slide base 301, and the slide base 301 is arranged to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the injection unit frame 920. The injection unit 300 is arranged to be able to move forward and backward with respect to the mold unit 800. The injection unit 300 contacts the mold unit 800 and fills the cavity spaces 801 formed in the mold unit 800 with a molding material.The injection unit 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310 that heats the molding material, a nozzle 320 provided at a front end portion of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 that is arranged in the cylinder 310 so as to be capable of moving back and forth and is rotatable, a plasticizing motor 340 that rotates the screw 330, an injection motor 350 that causes the screw 330 to move back and forth, and a load detector 360 that measures a load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330.

[0053] The cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied to the interior from a supply port 311. The molding material contains, for example, a resin and the like. The molding material is formed, for example, in the form of pellets and is supplied to the supply port 311 in a solid state. The supply port 311 is formed at a rear portion of the cylinder 310. A cooler 312, such as a water-cooling cylinder, is provided on an outer periphery of the rear portion of the cylinder 310. First heating units 313, such as band heaters, and first temperature measuring devices 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 310 in front of the cooler 312.

[0054] The cylinder 310 is divided into a plurality of zones in an axial direction of the cylinder 310 (for example, the X-axis direction). The first heating unit 313 and the first temperature measuring device 314 are provided in each of the plurality of zones. A set temperature is set in each of the plurality of zones, and the control device 700 controls the first heating units 313 so that the temperatures measured by the first temperature measuring devices 314 reach the set temperatures.

[0055] The nozzle 320 is provided at the front end portion of the cylinder 310 and is pressed against the molding unit 800. Second heating units 323 and second temperature measuring devices 324 are provided on an outer periphery of the nozzle 320. The control device 700 controls the second heating units 323 so that the measuring temperature of the nozzle 320 reaches a set temperature.

[0056] The screw 330 is arranged in the cylinder 310 so that it is capable of moving back and forth and is rotatable. In a case where the screw 330 is rotated, a molding material is conveyed forward along a spiral groove of the screw 330. The molding material is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder 310 while being conveyed forward. When the liquid molding material is conveyed to the front of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front portion of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is caused to move backward. Thereafter, in a case where the screw 330 is caused to move forward, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is injected from the nozzle 320, and the molding unit 800 is filled with the molding material.

[0057] At a front portion of the screw 330, a backflow prevention ring 331 is mounted so as to be able to move back and forth as a backflow prevention valve that prevents backflow of the molding material flowing backward from the front of the screw 330 in a case where the screw 330 is pushed forward.

[0058] In a case where the screw 330 is caused to move forward, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed backward by the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 and moves backward relative to the screw 330 to a closing position (see Fig. 2), where the flow channel for a molding material is closed. Accordingly, the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is prevented from flowing to the rear.

[0059] On the other hand, in a case where the screw 330 is rotated, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material conveyed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330 and moves forward relative to the screw 330 to an opening position (see Fig. 1), where the flow channel for a molding material is opened. Accordingly, the molding material is conveyed to the front of the screw 330.

[0060] The backflow prevention ring 331 may be either a co-rotating type that rotates together with the screw 330 or a non-rotating type that does not rotate together with the screw 330.

[0061] The injection unit 300 may include a drive source that causes the backflow prevention ring 331 to move back and forth with respect to the screw 330 between the open position and the close position.

[0062] The plasticizing motor 340 rotates the screw 330. A drive source that rotates the screw 330 is not limited to the plasticizing motor 340 and may be, for example, a hydraulic pump or the like.

[0063] The injection motor 350 causes the screw 330 to move back and forth. A motion conversion mechanism that converts a rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into a linear motion of the screw 330, and the like, are provided between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The motion conversion mechanism includes, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. Balls, rollers, or the like may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. A drive source that causes the screw 330 to move back and forth is not limited to the injection motor 350 and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or the like.

[0064] The load detector 360 measures a load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The measured load is converted into a pressure by the control device 700. The load detector 360 is provided in a load transmission channel between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330 and measures a load acting on the load detector 360.

[0065] The load detector 360 sends a signal of the measured load to the control device 700. The load measured by the load detector 360 is converted into a pressure acting between the screw 330 and the molding material, and is used to control and monitor a pressure received by the screw 330 from the molding material, a back pressure acting on the screw 330, a pressure acting from the screw 330 on the molding material, and the like.

[0066] A pressure detector that measures the pressure of the molding material is not limited to the load detector 360, and a general detector can be used. For example, a nozzle pressure sensor or a mold cavity pressure sensor can be used. The nozzle pressure sensor is installed in the nozzle 320. The mold cavity pressure sensor is installed in the molding unit 800.

[0067] The injection unit 300 performs a plasticizing process, a filling process, a pressure-holding process, and the like under the control of the control device 700. The filling process and the pressure-holding process may also be collectively referred to as an injection process.

[0068] During the plasticizing process, the plasticizing motor 340 is driven so that the screw 330 rotates at a set speed to feed the molding material forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. Accordingly, the molding material is gradually melted. When the liquid molding material is fed to the front of the screw 330 and accumulates in the front portion of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is caused to move backward. The rotational speed of the screw 330 is measured, for example, using a plasticizing motor encoder 341. The plasticizing motor encoder 341 measures rotation of the plasticizing motor 340 and sends a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the controller 700. A screw speed detector that measures the rotation speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the plasticizing motor encoder 341, and a general detector may be used.

[0069] During the plasticizing process, the injection motor 350 can be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330 to limit the sudden backward movement of the screw 330. The back pressure applied to the screw 330 is measured, for example, using the load detector 360. In a case where the screw 330 moves backward to a metering completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material is accumulated in front of the screw 330, the plasticizing process is completed.

[0070] Positions and rotational speeds of the screw 330 in the plasticizing process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, a metering start position, a speed switching position, and a metering completion position are set. These positions are arranged in this order from the front to the rear and indicate start points and end points of sections in which the rotational speeds are set. The rotational speed is set for each section. One speed switching position may be set, or multiple speed switching positions may be set. The speed switching position may not be set. Furthermore, a back pressure is set for each section.

[0071] During the filling process, the injection motor 350 is driven to cause the screw 330 to advance at a set movement speed and fill the cavity spaces 801 formed in the molding unit 800 with the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330. The position and movement speed of the screw 330 are measured using, for example, an injection motor encoder 351. The injection motor encoder 351 measures rotation of the injection motor 350 and sends a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the controller 700. When the position of the screw 330 reaches a set position, switching of the filling process to the pressure-holding process (so-called V / P switching) is performed. A position at which V / P switching is performed is also referred to as a V / P switching position.The set moving speed of the screw 330 can be changed depending on the position of the screw 330, a time or the like.

[0072] The positions and movement speeds of the screw 330 during the filling process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, a filling start position (also referred to as an "injection start position"), a movement speed switching position, and a V / P switching position are set. These positions are arranged in this order from the back to the front and indicate the start points and end points of sections in which the movement speeds are set. The movement speed is set for each section. One movement speed switching position may be set, or multiple movement speed switching positions may be set. The movement speed switching position may not be set.

[0073] For each section where the movement speed of the screw 330 is set, an upper limit of the pressure of the screw 330 is set. The pressure of the screw 330 is measured by the load detector 360. In a case where the pressure of the screw 330 is equal to or lower than a set pressure, the screw 330 moves forward at a set movement speed. On the other hand, in a case where the pressure of the screw 330 exceeds the set pressure, the screw 330 moves forward at a movement speed lower than the set movement speed for the purpose of protecting the mold, so that the pressure of the screw 330 is equal to or lower than the set pressure.

[0074] After the position of the screw 330 reaches the V / P switching position in the filling process, the screw 330 may be caused to temporarily stop at the V / P switching position, and the V / P switching may then be performed. Immediately before the V / P switching, instead of the screw 330 being stopped, the screw 330 may move forward at a very low speed or move backward at a very low speed. Furthermore, a screw position detector for measuring the position of the screw 330 and a screw movement speed detector for measuring the movement speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351, and general detectors can be used.

[0075] In the pressure-holding process, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward to maintain the pressure of the molding material at a front end portion of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as a "holding pressure") at a set pressure, and to push a molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 toward the molding unit 800. An insufficient amount of the molding material due to cooling shrinkage inside the molding unit 800 can be replenished. The holding pressure is measured, for example, using the load detector 360. A set value of the holding pressure can be changed depending on an elapsed time since the start of the pressure-holding process, or the like. A plurality of holding pressures and a plurality of holding times at which the holding pressure is held in the pressure-holding process can be set, and can be collectively set as a set of setting conditions.

[0076] The molding material filled in the cavity spaces 801 formed in the molding unit 800 is gradually cooled during the pressure-holding process, and an inlet of the cavity spaces 801 is closed by the solidified molding material at the completion of the pressure-holding process. This state is called a gate seal, and the backflow of the molding material from the cavity spaces 801 is prevented. A cooling process is started after the pressure-holding process. The molding material in the cavity spaces 801 is solidified during the cooling process. The plasticizing process may be performed during the cooling process for the purpose of shortening a molding cycle time.

[0077] The injection unit 300 of the present embodiment is of an in-line screw type, but may be of a pre-plasticizing type or the like. A pre-plasticizing type injection unit supplies a molding material melted in a plasticizing cylinder to an injection cylinder and injects the molding material from the injection cylinder into a molding unit. A screw is arranged in the plasticizing cylinder so that it is rotatable and unable to move back and forth, or a screw is arranged in the plasticizing cylinder so that it is rotatable and capable of moving back and forth. Meanwhile, a plunger is arranged in the injection cylinder so that it is capable of moving back and forth.

[0078] Furthermore, the injection unit 300 of the present embodiment is of a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is a horizontal direction, but may be of a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is a vertical direction. A mold closing / clamping unit to be combined with a vertical-type injection unit 300 may be of a vertical type or a horizontal type. Similarly, a mold closing / clamping unit to be combined with a horizontal-type injection unit 300 may be of a horizontal type or a vertical type. (movement unit)

[0079] In the description of the moving unit 400, as in the description of the injection unit 300, the moving direction of the screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) corresponds to a front side, and the moving direction of the screw 330 during dosing (for example, the positive X-axis direction) corresponds to a back side.

[0080] The moving unit 400 causes the injection unit 300 to move back and forth with respect to the molding unit 800. Furthermore, the moving unit 400 presses the nozzle 320 against the molding unit 800 to generate a nozzle contact pressure. The moving unit 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a drive source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, and the like.

[0081] The hydraulic pump 410 includes a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a bidirectional pump that draws hydraulic fluid (e.g., oil) from one of the first port 411 and the second port 412 and discharges the hydraulic fluid from the other to generate hydraulic pressure when a rotation direction of the motor 420 is changed. The hydraulic pump 410 can also draw hydraulic fluid from a tank and discharge the hydraulic fluid from the first port 411 or the second port 412.

[0082] The motor 420 causes the hydraulic pump 410 to operate. The motor 420 drives the hydraulic pump 410 in a rotational direction corresponding to a control signal sent by the controller 700, with a torque corresponding to the control signal. The motor 420 may be an electric motor or an electric servomotor.

[0083] The hydraulic cylinder 430 includes a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and a piston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is attached to the injection unit 300. The piston 432 divides the interior of the cylinder body 431 into a front chamber 435 as a first chamber and a rear chamber 436 as a second chamber. The piston rod 433 is attached to the stationary plate 110.

[0084] The front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the first port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 via a first flow channel 401. When hydraulic fluid discharged from the first port 411 is supplied to the front chamber 435 via the first flow channel 401, the injection unit 300 is pushed forward. The injection unit 300 moves forward, so that the nozzle 320 is pressed against the stationary mold 810. The front chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates the nozzle contact pressure of the nozzle 320 with the pressure of the hydraulic fluid discharged from the hydraulic pump 410.

[0085] On the other hand, the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the second port 412 of the hydraulic pump 410 via a second flow channel 402. When hydraulic fluid discharged from the second port 412 is supplied to the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 via the second flow channel 402, the injection unit 300 is pushed backward. The injection unit 300 moves backward, so that the nozzle 320 is separated from the stationary mold 810.

[0086] The movement unit 400 includes the hydraulic cylinder 430 in the present embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts a rotational movement of the electric motor into a linear movement of the injection unit 300 may be used instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430. (control device)

[0087] The control device 700 is formed of, for example, a computer and includes a central processing unit (CPU) 701, a storage medium 702 such as a memory, an input interface 703 and an output interface 704, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The control device 700 causes the CPU 701 to execute a program stored in the storage medium 702 to perform various types of control. Furthermore, the control device 700 receives a signal from the outside via the input interface 703 and transmits a signal to the outside via the output interface 704.

[0088] The control device 700 repeatedly performs the plasticizing process, the mold closing process, the pressurizing process, the mold closing / clamping process, the filling process, the pressure holding process, the cooling process, the pressure releasing process, the mold opening process, the ejection process, and the like to repeatedly produce molded products. A series of operations for obtaining molded products, for example, operations from the start of one plasticizing process to the start of the next plasticizing process, is also referred to as a "shot" or a "molding cycle." Further, a time required for one shot is also referred to as a "molding cycle time" or a "cycle time."

[0089] For example, a molding cycle includes the plasticizing process, the mold closing process, the pressurizing process, the mold closing / clamping process, the filling process, the pressure holding process, the cooling process, the pressure releasing process, the mold opening process, and the ejection process in this order. The order mentioned here is the order in which the respective processes are started. The filling process, the pressure holding process, and the cooling process are performed during the mold closing / clamping process. The start of the mold closing / clamping process may coincide with the start of the filling process. The completion of the pressure releasing process may coincide with the start of the mold opening process.

[0090] Multiple processes may be performed simultaneously for the purpose of shortening a molding cycle time. For example, a plasticizing process may be performed during a cooling process of a previous molding cycle, or it may be performed during a mold closing / clamping process. In this case, the mold closing process may be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. Furthermore, the filling process may be started during the mold closing process. Furthermore, the ejection process may be started during the mold opening process. In a case where an on-off valve is provided for opening and closing a flow channel of the nozzle 320, the mold opening process may be started during the plasticizing process.The reason for this is that a molding material does not leak from the nozzle 320 as long as the on-off valve closes the flow channel of the nozzle 320 even if the mold opening process is started during the plasticizing process.

[0091] A molding cycle may include processes other than the plasticizing process, the mold closing process, the pressurizing process, the mold closing / clamping process, the filling process, the pressure holding process, the cooling process, the pressure releasing process, the mold opening process, and the ejection process.

[0092] For example, after the pressure-holding process is completed, a pre-dosing suction process can be performed to cause the screw 330 to move backward to a preset dosing start position before the start of the plasticizing process. Since the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 can be reduced before the start of the plasticizing process, the sudden backward movement of the screw 330 at the start of the plasticizing process can be prevented.

[0093] Furthermore, after the completion of the plasticizing process, a post-dosage suck-back process may be performed to cause the screw 330 to move backward to a preset filling start position (also referred to as an "injection start position") before the start of the filling process. Since the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 can be reduced before the start of the filling process, leakage of the molding material from the nozzle 320 before the start of the filling process can be prevented.

[0094] The control device 700 is connected to an operation unit 750 that receives an input operation performed by a user, and to a display unit 760 that displays a screen. The operation unit 750 and the display unit 760 may be formed, for example, from a touch panel 770 and may be integrated with each other. The touch panel 770 as the display unit 760 displays a screen under the control of the control device 700. On the screen of the touch panel 770, for example, information such as the settings of the injection molding machine 10 and the current state of the injection molding machine 10 may be displayed. Further, on the screen of the touch panel 770, for example, operation sections such as buttons or input fields used to receive an input operation performed by a user may be displayed.The touch panel 770 as the operation unit 750 detects an input operation performed by a user on the screen and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to the control device 700. Accordingly, a user can, for example, operate the operation section provided on the screen to adjust the injection molding machine 10 (including inputting a setting value) while checking information displayed on the screen. Further, a user can operate the operation section provided on the screen to cause the operation of the injection molding machine 10 corresponding to the operation section to be performed. The operation of the injection molding machine 10 can be, for example, the operation (including stopping) of the mold closing / clamping unit 100, the ejector unit 200, the injection unit 300, the moving unit 400, or the like.Further, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 may be switching the screen displayed on the touch panel 770 as the display unit 760, or the like.

[0095] The operation unit 750 and the display unit 760 of the present embodiment were described as being integrated with the touch panel 770, but they may be provided independently of each other. Furthermore, a plurality of operation units 750 may be provided. The operation unit 750 and the display unit 760 are arranged on an operation side (negative Y-axis direction) of the mold closing / clamping unit 100 (more specifically, the stationary platen 110). (Identification of snail)

[0096] Next, a first example of the injection unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to 5. As described in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the injection unit 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310, a nozzle 320, a screw 330, and a drive unit 370. The drive unit 370 performs rotation and forward and backward movement of the screw 330. For example, the drive unit 370 includes the plasticizing motor 340 and the injection motor 350, which are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are shown.

[0097] The screw 330 has a screw thread 332 disposed within the cylinder 310 and a piston 333 protruding rearward from the interior of the cylinder 310. The screw thread 332 forms a spiral groove. As the screw 330 rotates, the resin is conveyed forward along the spiral groove. The piston 333 is formed, for example, in a columnar shape and closes an opening at a rear end of the cylinder 310 to suppress the outflow of resin powder dust.

[0098] The injection unit 300 includes a movable member 371 that transmits a driving force of the drive unit 370 to the screw 330, and a connecting member 372 that connects the movable member 371 and the screw 330. The drive unit 370 performs rotation and forward and backward movement of the movable member 371, thereby performing rotation and forward and backward movement of the screw 330.

[0099] The injection unit 300 includes a box 390 that internally forms a space in which connecting work is performed between the movable member 371 and the screw 330. A cylinder 310 is attached to a front surface of the box 390 via a cooler 312. The rear end of the cylinder 310 is housed within the box 390, and the piston 333 of the screw 330 protrudes from the rear end of the cylinder 310. The box 390 includes an opening 391 through which a worker performing the connecting work has access. The opening 391 is provided on a side surface (for example, a side surface on the operator side) of the box 390.

[0100] As in Fig. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the worm gear 330 includes a relay shaft 334, a straight shaft 335, and a spline shaft 336 in this order from the front to the rear behind the piston 333, to be connected to the movable member 371 through the connecting member 372. The relay shaft 334 has a diameter smaller than that of the piston 333 and the straight shaft 335, and forms an annular groove 337 between the piston 333 and the straight shaft 335.

[0101] The connecting member 372 includes a coupling 373 that rotates the screw 330 together with the movable member 371, and a suction-back flange 380 that moves the screw 330 backward together with the movable member 371. The movable member 371 is provided at the rear of the screw 330. Therefore, when the drive unit 370 moves the movable member 371 forward, the screw 330 is moved forward together with the movable member 371.

[0102] The coupling 373 includes a first tube 374, an annular groove 375 formed on an outer peripheral surface of the first tube 374, and an outer flange 376 formed at a rear end of the outer peripheral surface of the first tube 374. The outer flange 376 is connected to the movable member 371 by a screw 377 or the like.

[0103] The first tube 374 includes a straight hole into which the straight shaft 335 is inserted, and a spline hole into which the spline shaft 336 is inserted, from the front to the back. The spline shaft 336 is splined to the first tube 374 and rotates together with the first tube 374. As a result, the worm 330 rotates together with the movable member 371.

[0104] The suction-back flange 380 includes a second tube 381, a first inner flange 382, ​​and a second inner flange 383. The first inner flange 382 is formed at a front end of an inner peripheral surface of the second tube 381. The second inner flange 383 is formed at a rear end of the inner peripheral surface of the second tube 381.

[0105] The suction-back flange 380 is divided into two parts in a circumferential direction of the second pipe 381. The two parts are connected by a screw (not shown). The first inner flange 382 is fitted into the annular groove 337 of the screw 330. The second inner flange 383 is fitted into the annular groove 375 of the coupling 373. As a result, the screw 330 is moved backward together with the movable member 371.

[0106] The screw 330 is connected to the movable element 371 by the connecting element 372 and is suitably replaced. A label 500 is attached to the screw 330. The label 500 contains identification information which is Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The identification information is information for identifying multiple worms 330. By identifying the worm 330, control can be performed according to the worm 330. The label 500 contains, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a one-dimensional code. The reading unit 501 includes a camera and the like.

[0107] The label 500 is attached to an outer peripheral surface of the screw 330, for example, by printing or cutting. The label 500 may be provided in a recessed portion (not shown) on the outer peripheral surface of the screw 330 so that it does not rub against an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 310. The label 500 may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, i.e., a wireless IC chip, or may be embedded within the screw 330. In a case where the label 500 is a wireless IC chip, the reading unit 501 includes a wireless communication device.

[0108] The control device 700 controls movement of the label 500 to a reading position in which the identification information of the label 500 is read by the reading unit 501. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the control device 700 controls the label 500 to align it with the reading unit 501. As a result, an error in reading the identification information of the screw 330 can be suppressed, and the screw 330 can be identified. The control device 700 preferably performs control to stop the screw 330 in the reading position. However, the screw 330 may be rotated at a low speed, or the screw 330 may be moved back and forth at a low speed.

[0109] The control device 700 detects a position in a rotational direction of the screw 330, for example, by using an encoder 341 of the plasticizing motor 340. Furthermore, the control device 700 detects a position in a front-to-back direction of the screw 330, for example, by using an encoder 351 of the injection motor 350. In this way, the control device 700 can control the position in the rotational direction and the position in the front-to-back direction of the screw 330, and can control a position in a rotational direction and a position in a front-to-back direction of the label 500. The reading position (the position in the rotational direction and the position in the front-to-back direction) of the label 500 is stored in advance and read for reference.

[0110] For example, the label 500 is attached to the piston 333 of the screw 330. As in Fig. 3, the label 500 is accommodated within the cylinder 310 in a case where the screw 330 is in the limit position (front limit position) in which the screw 330 can be mechanically moved forward. By moving the screw 330 backward, the position of the label 500 moves backward with respect to the rear end of the cylinder 310. As shown in Fig. 4, the reading position of the label 500 is a position backward with respect to the rear end of the cylinder 310.

[0111] The label 500 accommodated inside the cylinder 310 is pulled out backward relative to the rear end of the cylinder 310, and then the identification information of the label 500 is read. In this way, the screw 330 can be identified without increasing the overall length of the screw 330 and without forming a through hole, cutout, or the like that may cause leakage of the resin powder dust in the cylinder 310.

[0112] For example, the reading position of the label 500 is a position where the label 500 faces the opening 391 of the box 390. For example, the reading unit 501 is provided outside the box 390 and is provided to face the opening 391 of the box 390. The reading unit 501 may be provided detachably so as not to interfere with the connection work between the movable member 371 and the screw 330. The reading unit 501 may be provided in the injection molding machine 10, or it may be provided separately from the injection molding machine 10.

[0113] It should be noted that in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the reading unit 501 is provided outside the box 390, but can be provided inside the box 390. In the second example, the third example, and the fourth example below, the reading unit 501 is provided outside the box 390, but can be provided inside the box 390.

[0114] Next, the second example of the injection unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The following are mainly differences to the first example of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. For example, the label 500 is attached to the piston 333 of the screw 330. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, in a case where the screw 330 is in the mechanical forward limit position, the label 500 is housed within the cylinder 310. The cylinder 310 has a cutout 315 at its rear end. The cutout 315 is formed to penetrate the cylinder 310 in a radial direction of the screw 330.

[0115] As in Fig. 6, the reading position of the label 500 is, for example, a position where the label 500 faces the cutout 315 of the cylinder 310. By providing the cutout 315 in the cylinder 310, the screw 330 can be identified without increasing the overall length of the screw 330. Instead of the cutout 315, a through hole may be provided in the cylinder 310.

[0116] Whether the cutout 315 or the through-hole is to be provided is selected according to a distance between the label 500 and the rear end of the cylinder 310 in a case where the identification information of the label 500 is read by the reading unit 501. In a case where the distance is short, the cutout 315 is used from the viewpoint of improving process efficiency. On the other hand, in a case where the distance is long, the through-hole is used from the viewpoint of improving process efficiency and suppressing leakage of the resin powder dust.

[0117] Next, the third example of the injection unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The following are mainly differences to the first example of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. For example, the label 500 is attached to the straight shaft 335 of the screw 330. The label 500 may be attached to the splined shaft 336, but is preferably attached to the straight shaft 335, which has a small friction force. As shown in Fig. 7, the connecting element 372 has a through hole 384. The through hole 384 is formed to connect the first tube 374 and the second tube 381, which are shown in Fig. 5, in the radial direction of the screw 330.

[0118] As in Fig. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, the reading position of the label 500 is a position where the label 500 faces the through-hole 384 of the connecting member 372. By providing the through-hole 384 on the connecting member 372, the screw 330 can be identified without increasing the overall length of the screw 330 and without forming a through-hole or cutout that may cause leakage of the resin powder dust in the cylinder 310. Furthermore, a cutout may be provided on the connecting member 372 instead of the through-hole 384.

[0119] Next, the fourth example of the injection unit 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The following are mainly differences to the first example of the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. For example, the label 500 is attached to the piston 333 of the screw 330. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, in a case where the screw 330 is in the mechanical forward limit position, the label 500 protrudes backward relative to the rear end of the cylinder 310. Accordingly, the label 500 is always located behind the cylinder 310 and always outside the cylinder 310.

[0120] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 8, the reading position of the label 500 is a position backward with respect to the rear end of the cylinder 310. The screw 330 can be identified without forming a through hole or cutout that may cause leakage of the powder dust of the resin in the cylinder 310. Furthermore, since the label 500 is always located outside the cylinder 310, a degree of freedom of an installation position of the reading unit 501 is high.

[0121] The injection molding machine according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and the like. Various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, omissions, and combinations can be made within the scope of the appended claims. Of course, these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0122] For example, in the embodiment described above, the reading unit 501 is arranged outside the box 390 of the injection unit 300 and reads the identification information of the label 500 through the opening 391 of the box 390. However, the reading unit 501 may be arranged inside the injection unit 300 and may read the identification information of the label 500 inside the injection unit 300.

[0123] Furthermore, depending on the combination of the injection unit 300 and the screw 330, the position of the label 500 may be slightly shifted. Furthermore, the opening 391 is used not only for the purpose of reading the identification information of the label 500, but also for the purpose of checking the connection between the screw 330 and the movable member 371. Therefore, the reading unit 501 can be configured so that the reading unit 501 can move in the axial direction, the circumferential direction, or the radial direction of the screw 330.

[0124] For example, a portable reading device (e.g., a handheld scanner or a smartphone with a camera) separate from the injection molding machine 10 can be used as the reading unit 501. In this case, for example, the user can read the identification information of the label 500 located in the position facing the opening 391 with the reading unit 501 and can transmit the read information from the reading unit 501 to the injection molding machine 10 in a wired or wireless manner.

[0125] When the reading unit 501 is movable, the following effects (A) to (B) can be obtained compared with the case where the reading unit 501 is fixed. (A) The user can manually finely adjust the position of the reading unit 501 even if the position of the label 500 is slightly shifted. (B) The reading unit 501 can be moved backward from the vicinity of the opening 391 except when reading the identification information of the label 500, and the opening 391 can be easily used for other purposes.

[0126] In a case where the position of the reading unit 501 is finely adjusted, the user can change the setting of the reading position of the label 500 in accordance with the position of the reading unit 501. In a case where the reading unit 501 is movable, the label 500 can be moved to a reading position (for example, a position facing the opening 391) before the reading unit 501 is arranged in a position facing the reading position of the label 500. Brief description of the reference symbols 10 injection molding machine 330 snail 370 drive unit 500 labels 501 reading unit 700 control device

Claims

[1] Injection molding machine (10), comprising: a screw (330) to which a label (500) is attached, which contains identification information that is readable by a reading unit (501); a drive unit (370) which performs rotation and forward and backward movement of the screw (330); and a control device (700) which controls the drive unit (370), wherein the control device (700) controls the movement of the label (500) to a reading position in which the identification information is read by the reading unit (501), and the reading unit (501) is movable to allow a position of the reading unit (501) to be adjusted. [2] Injection molding machine (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a cylinder (310) provided with the screw (330) inside, wherein the screw (330) includes a piston (333) projecting rearward from the interior of the cylinder (310), the label (500) is attached to the piston (333), the label (500) is received within the cylinder (310) in a case where the screw (330) is in a front limit position, and the reading position is a position backward with respect to a rear end of the cylinder (310). [3] Injection molding machine (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a cylinder (310) provided with the screw (330) inside, wherein the screw (330) includes a piston (333) projecting rearward from the interior of the cylinder (310), the label (500) is attached to the piston (333), the label (500) is received within the cylinder (310) in a case where the screw (330) is in a front limit position, the cylinder (310) contains a through hole (384) or a cutout (315) which penetrates the screw (330) in a radial direction, and the reading position is a position in which the label (500) faces the through-hole (384) or the cutout (315) of the cylinder (310). [4] Injection molding machine (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a movable element (371) which transmits a driving force of the drive unit (370) to the screw (330); and a connecting element (372) connecting the movable element (371) and the screw (330), wherein the connecting element (372) includes a through hole (384) or a cutout (315) penetrating the screw (330) in a radial direction, and the reading position is a position in which the label (500) faces the through-hole (384) or the cutout (315) of the connecting element (372). [5] Injection molding machine (10) according to claim 1, further comprising: a cylinder (310) provided with the screw (330) inside, wherein the screw (330) includes a piston (333) projecting rearward from the interior of the cylinder (310), the label (500) is attached to the piston (333), the label (500) projects rearwardly with respect to a rear end of the cylinder (310) in a case where the screw (330) is in a front limit position, and the reading position is a position backward with respect to the rear end of the cylinder (310). [6] Injection molding machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a movable member (371) which transmits a driving force of the drive unit (370) to the screw (330); a connecting element (372) connecting the movable element (371) and the screw (330); and a box (390) which internally forms a space in which connecting work is carried out between the movable element (371) and the screw (330), wherein the box (390) contains an opening (391) through which a worker carrying out the connection work has access, and the reading position is a position in which the label (500) faces the opening (391) of the box (390).

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