Industrial machine

Abstract

To properly detect whether or not a board contained in an industrial machine has been replaced.SOLUTION: There are provided an upper-level board, and a plurality of lower-level boards communicatively connected to the upper-level board, the upper-level board acquires identification information that can identify each lower-level board from each of the plurality of lower-level boards at the first timing, and acquires identification information that can identify each lower-level board from each of the plurality of lower-level boards at the second timing after the first timing. If the identification information obtained at the first timing differs from the identification information obtained at the second timing for each lower-level board, the user is notified that the board has been replaced for that lower-level board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to industrial machinery. [Background technology]

[0002] Injection molding machines that mold molded products using plastic resins or the like as a base material are known as industrial machines used in factories and the like. Patent Document 1 (JP 2018-111298 A) discloses an injection molding machine that includes multiple boards and in which a network is formed between the multiple boards. The injection molding machine in Patent Document 1 detects communication anomalies by focusing on packet loss in communication between the multiple boards. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-111298 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In an industrial machine having a plurality of boards as described in Patent Document 1, the boards can be removed from the industrial machine in units of a plurality of boards. However, if the user of the industrial machine freely replaces the boards, problems may arise such as the safety of the industrial machine being compromised or deterioration of the boards being accelerated due to incorrect installation.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to appropriately detect whether or not a board included in an industrial machine has been replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The industrial machine according to the present disclosure includes an upper board and a plurality of lower boards communicatively connected to the upper board. The upper board acquires identification information for identifying each of the lower boards from each of the plurality of lower boards at a first timing, acquires identification information for identifying each of the lower boards from each of the plurality of lower boards at a second timing after the first timing, and notifies a user that a board replacement of the lower board has been performed when the identification information acquired at the first timing differs from the identification information acquired at the second timing for each lower board. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the industrial machine according to the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately detect whether or not a board included in the industrial machine has been replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of an injection molding machine, which is an example of industrial machinery. [Diagram 2] 10 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between a higher-level board and a lower-level board. FIG. [Diagram 3] 4 is a first flowchart showing a procedure for acquiring identification information in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining identification information stored in a storage device. [Diagram 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining information indicating associations of safety standards stored in a storage device; FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a second flowchart showing the procedure for acquiring identification information in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure for acquiring identification information in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart for storing the inspection results of a lower board during shipping inspection. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining inspection data at the time of shipping inspection. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a correction process after shipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] <Industrial machinery configuration> In the following, an injection molding machine will be described as an example of an industrial machine in the first embodiment. The industrial machine in the first embodiment is not limited to an injection molding machine, and may be, for example, another manufacturing machine, an inspection machine, a transport machine, or more specifically, a press machine, an analysis device, or the like. The injection molding machine 100 in the first embodiment molds a molded product using a base material such as plastic resin.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an external view of an injection molding machine 100, which is an example of industrial machinery. The injection molding machine 100 is placed on an XY plane. A direction perpendicular to the XY plane is defined as a Z-axis direction. In the following, the positive direction of the Z axis in FIG. 1 may be referred to as an upper side or upward, and the negative direction as a lower side or downward. Note that the injection molding machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 is shown as a horizontal injection molding machine, but the injection molding machine 100 of this embodiment is not limited to a horizontal type and may be a vertical injection molding machine.

[0012] The injection molding process performed by the injection molding machine 100 includes a mold closing process, an injection process, a pressure holding process, a mold opening process, a cooling process, an ejection process, and a plasticization process. The injection molding machine 100 repeatedly executes the above-mentioned cycle of injection molding processes. The injection molding machine 100 can mold molded products of various shapes and materials. The contents of the injection molding process differ depending on the shape and material of the molded product.

[0013] The injection molding machine 100 includes a clamping unit 10 that clamps a mold, an injection unit 20 that melts and injects an injection material, and an operation panel 30. The clamping unit 10 is disposed on the positive side of the Z axis of a bed 11. The injection unit 20 is disposed on the positive side of the Z axis of a base 21. The clamping unit 10 is disposed on the negative side of the X axis with respect to the injection unit 20.

[0014] <Mold clamping device> The clamping device 10 of this embodiment includes a fixed platen 12, a clamping housing 13, a movable platen 14, tie bars 15, a clamping mechanism 16, molds 17 and 18, a ball screw 19, servo motors 80C and 80D, a bed 11, and a housing Bx1. The bed 11 holds the fixed platen 12, the clamping housing 13, the movable platen 14, etc. Each of the clamping housing 13 and the movable platen 14 is configured to be slidable on the bed 11 in the X-axis direction.

[0015] The tie bars 15 are disposed between the fixed platen 12 and the clamping housing 13, and connect the fixed platen 12 and the clamping housing 13. The injection molding machine 100 in Fig. 1 has four tie bars 15. Note that the number of tie bars 15 included in the injection molding machine 100 is not limited to four, and may be, for example, five or more.

[0016] The movable platen 14 is configured to be slidable in the X-axis direction between the fixed platen 12 and the clamping housing 13. The clamping mechanism 16 is provided between the clamping housing 13 and the movable platen 14. The clamping housing 13 in this embodiment is configured to include a toggle mechanism. The clamping mechanism 16 may be configured to include a direct pressure type clamping mechanism. The direct pressure type clamping mechanism refers to a clamping cylinder.

[0017] The servo motor 80C is provided in the mold clamping housing 13. The servo motor 80C drives the mold clamping mechanism 16 via a ball screw 19. The ball screw 19 converts the rotational motion from the servo motor 80C into linear motion to drive the mold clamping mechanism 16. The molds 17 and 18 are provided between the fixed platen 12 and the movable platen 14. The molds 17 and 18 are opened and closed by driving the mold clamping mechanism 16. That is, the mold 17 is a mold that is movable by the ball screw 19, and the mold 18 is a mold that is fixed by the fixed platen 12.

[0018] The process of transitioning from a state where the molds 17 and 18 are separated to a state where they are in close contact with each other is called a "mold closing process." Also, the process of transitioning from a state where the molds 17 and 18 are in close contact with each other to a state where they are separated from each other is called a "mold opening process." The servo motor 80C is a motor used in the mold closing process and the mold opening process.

[0019] After the mold opening process, the injection molding machine 100 performs a process called the "ejection process." The ejection process is a process in which an injection material such as a resin that has been filled in the molds 17, 18 and then solidified is removed from the mold 17. Specifically, a pin (not shown) is ejected by the rotation of the servo motor 80D, and the molded product that is in close contact with the mold 17 is removed. The servo motor 80D provided in the movable platen 14 is the motor used in the ejection process.

[0020] The housing Bx1 houses the mold clamping housing 13, the movable platen 14, and the molds 17 and 18 inside. The housing Bx1 prevents a user from coming into contact with components such as the movable platen 14 driven by the mold clamping mechanism 16 and the molds 17 and 18. A safety door Dr1 is provided in the housing Bx1. A user outside the housing Bx1 can directly touch the molds 17 and 18 inside the housing Bx1 by opening the safety door Dr1.

[0021] That is, when the safety door Dr1 is in an open state, a user can replace a mold, perform maintenance, and the like. The injection molding machine 100 is configured such that the injection molding process cannot be performed when the safety door Dr1 is in an open state. This makes it possible to prevent the user from coming into contact with the molds 17, 18, etc., that are opening and closing in the injection molding machine 100. An opening and closing sensor Sd1 is connected to the safety door Dr1. The opening and closing sensor Sd1 is a sensor that detects whether the safety door Dr1 is in an open state or a closed state. The opening and closing sensor Sd1 outputs a detection result of the open / closed state of the safety door Dr1 to the control device 40.

[0022] <Injection device> The injection device 20 includes a cylinder 22, a screw 23, a drive mechanism 24, a hopper 25, an injection nozzle 26, a nozzle touch device 27, servo motors 80A and 80B, heaters H1, H2, and H3, and temperature sensors Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3.

[0023] The cylinder 22 has a screw 23 therein for kneading the injection material. The cylinder 22 has a cylindrical shape with ends on the nozzle side and the hopper side. The injection molding machine 100 performs a process called a "plasticization process" using the screw 23. The plasticization process is a process in which the resin to be injected is kneaded by heating with the cylinder 22 and rotating the screw 23.

[0024] The servo motor 80B in the drive device 24 rotates the screw 23 with the X-axis direction as the central axis. That is, the servo motor 80B is a motor used in the plasticization process. The injection molding machine 100 performs a process called the "injection process" and a process called the "pressure holding process." The injection process is a process in which the resin plasticized by the plasticization process is injected into the molds 17, 18.

[0025] The pressure holding process is a process of applying pressure to hold the resin injected in the injection process in the molds 17, 18. The screw 23 slides in the negative direction of the X-axis by driving the servo motor 80A. This causes the plasticized resin to be injected into the molds 17, 18. The servo motor 80A is a motor used in the injection process or the pressure holding process.

[0026] The hopper 25 is provided on the positive side of the Z axis of the cylinder 22 and stores the granular injection material before plasticization. The injection material stored in the hopper 25 is transported into the cylinder 22 by the drive of the screw 23.

[0027] The heaters H1, H2, and H3 are band heaters that cover a portion of the cylinder 22. The injection material is heated by the heaters H1, H2, and H3 and kneaded. The temperature sensors Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3 measure the temperatures of the areas heated by the heaters H1, H2, and H3, respectively. The temperature sensors Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3 are, for example, thermocouples. The control device 40 acquires the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors Sr1, Sr2, and Sr3, and controls the heaters H1, H2, and H3, respectively, based on the acquired detected temperatures.

[0028] The kneaded injection material is transported to the injection nozzle 26. The nozzle touch device 27 slides the injection device 20 in the X-axis direction to bring the injection nozzle 26 into contact with the sprue bush of the mold 18. As a result, the injection material is injected into the mold 18.

[0029] The base 21 has therein a control device 40 and a plurality of lower boards including lower boards 50A, 50B, 50C, and 50D. The control device 40 has therein an upper board 55 and a memory device DB1. The upper board 55 is communicatively connected to the plurality of lower boards. Each of the plurality of lower boards is connected to a device having a specific use in the injection molding process, such as a temperature sensor Sr1, a servo motor 80D, and an operation panel 30.

[0030] Upper board 55 controls various devices included in injection molding machine 100 via multiple lower boards. The uses of the lower boards and the more detailed connection relationship between upper board 55 and the multiple lower boards will be described with reference to FIG.

[0031] <Operation panel> The operation panel 30 displays information related to the injection molding process and accepts operations from a user. The operation panel 30 is electrically connected to the control device 40 via a lower board. In the example of FIG. 1, the operation panel 30 is provided on the negative side of the Y axis of the injection molding machine 100. In a certain aspect, the operation panel 30 may be provided separately from the injection molding machine 100, and may be provided in, for example, a room different from the room in which the injection molding machine 100 is provided.

[0032] The operation panel 30 includes a display device 31 and an input device 32. The display device 31 is typically a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The input device 32 may include, for example, a plurality of buttons. In one aspect, the display device 31 and the input device 32 may be integrally provided as a touch panel. The operation panel 30 may also include a microphone and a speaker, and may accept operations from the user by voice.

[0033] <Connections of various boards in the injection molding machine> FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship between the upper board 55 and the lower board. The upper board 55 in the control device 40 is connected to the lower boards 50A, 50B, and 50C via a ring-type network NW1. Furthermore, the lower board 50A is connected to the lower boards 50D, 50E, 50F, and 50G via a bus-type network NW2. Moreover, the lower board 50B is connected to the lower boards 50H, 50I, 50J, and 50K via a bus-type network NW3. In one aspect, the connection form of the network NW1 may be a bus type, and the connection form of the networks NW2 and NW3 may be a ring type. Moreover, the connection form of the networks NW1 to NW3 may be a connection form other than the ring type or bus type, and may be, for example, a star type or a mesh type. That is, as long as there are boards that function as upper boards and boards that function as lower boards in the networks NW1 to NW3, the networks NW1 to NW3 may be connected in any form.

[0034] Each of the lower boards 50A-50K may be housed in an independent housing. In some aspects, some of the lower boards 50A-50K may be housed in the same housing. For example, the lower boards 50E, 50F, and 50G are all related to the servo motor 80D, and therefore may be housed in the same housing.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the base 21 of the injection molding machine 100 includes one upper board 55 and eleven lower boards 50A-50K. Each of the upper board 55 and the lower boards 50A-50K includes a CPU. The CPU loads a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) into a random access memory (RAM) and executes the program. The upper board 55 and the lower boards 50A-50K may include a dedicated hardware circuit. That is, the upper board 55 and the lower boards 50A-50K may be configured with an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The upper board 55 and the lower boards 50A-50K may be configured with a circuit that appropriately combines a processor and a memory, an ASIC, an FPGA, or the like.

[0036] The storage device DB1 may be configured, for example, as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash solid state drive (SSD). The storage device DB1 does not have to be disposed within the injection molding machine 100. In one aspect, the storage device DB1 may be a cloud server managed by the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100.

[0037] The lower board 50C is connected to the operation panel 30. The upper board 55 outputs data to be displayed on the display device 31 to the operation panel 30 via the lower board 50C. The operation panel 30 outputs data input to the input device 32 to the upper board 55 via the lower board 50C.

[0038] The lower board 50D is connected to the temperature sensor Sr1. The lower board 50D converts the analog detection value received from the temperature sensor Sr1 into a digital detection value. That is, the lower board 50D is used for A / D conversion of the detection value of the temperature sensor. The lower board 50D transmits the converted digital detection value to the lower board 50A.

[0039] The lower substrate 50E is connected to the open / close sensor Sd1. The lower substrate 50E receives a detection value indicating the open / close state of the safety door Dr1 (see FIG. 1) from the open / close sensor Sd1. The lower substrate 50E outputs the detection value indicating the open / close state of the safety door Dr1 to the lower substrate 50F. The lower substrate 50E is used to detect the open / close state of the safety door Dr1. The lower substrate 50E may correspond to the "second lower substrate" in this disclosure.

[0040] The lower board 50F is a board that controls the servo motor 80D. The lower board 50F is used to control the servo motor. The lower board 50F controls the operation of the servo motor by controlling the servo amplifier. The lower board 50F may correspond to the "first lower board" in this disclosure.

[0041] The lower board 50F generates a command to control the servo motor 80D in response to a command from the upper board 55. When the lower board 50F receives a detection value indicating that the safety door Dr1 is in an open state from the lower board 50E, the lower board 50F stops the servo motor 80D. This makes it possible to prevent the user from coming into contact with the molds 17, 18 through the open safety door Dr1 in the injection molding machine 100.

[0042] The lower board 50G is a board that performs abnormality determination of the output of the lower board 50F. Like the lower board 50F, the lower board 50F generates commands to control the servo motor 80D in response to commands from the upper board 55. The lower board 50G transmits the generated commands to the lower board 50E. The lower board 50G is used to determine abnormalities in the output of other boards. The lower board 50G may correspond to the "third lower board" in this disclosure.

[0043] The lower board 50E determines whether the command generated by the lower board 50E itself to control the servo motor 80D matches the command generated by the lower board 50G. If the commands match, the lower board 50E determines that no problem has occurred and controls the servo motor 80D according to the command generated. On the other hand, if the command generated by the lower board 50E itself to control the servo motor 80D does not match the command generated by the lower board 50G, the lower board 50E determines that a problem has occurred and stops the servo motor 80D.

[0044] In the injection molding machine 100 in the first embodiment, the lower board 50F judges whether or not to drive the servo motor 80D based on the information received from the lower boards 50E and 50G. In this way, the conditions of the servo motor 80D that ensure the normal operation of the servo motor 80D and protect the safety of the user are called safety standards. The safety standards are determined for each type of industrial machine by, for example, an organization established by the government.

[0045] Products that do not meet the safety standards may not be permitted to be sold. Among the lower boards 50A-50K, some are related to safety standards and some are not. Whether the lower boards 50A-50K are related to safety standards is determined according to the application of the board. The lower boards 50E, 50F, and 50G are related to safety standards. When shipping the injection molding machine 100, the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 checks whether the lower boards 50E, 50F, and 50G meet the safety standards before shipping the injection molding machine 100.

[0046] Lower board 50A is a board that relays information between upper board 55 and lower board 50D. The purpose of lower board 50A is to relay information between boards. Networks NW1 and NW2 have different communication standards. Lower board 50A converts information to match the communication standards of networks NW1 and NW2, and transmits and receives information between upper board 55 and lower board 50D. The purpose of lower boards 50B and 50C is to relay information between boards, similar to lower board 50A.

[0047] The lower boards 50H, 50I, and 50J are boards that control the servo motors 80A, 80B, and 80C, respectively. That is, the lower boards 50H, 50I, and 50J are used to control the servo motors, similar to the lower board 50F.

[0048] The lower board 50K is a board that detects the voltage value supplied to the servo motor 80C. That is, the use of the lower board 50K is to detect the voltage value. In FIG. 2, an example is shown in which the target of the voltage value detection of the lower board 50K is only the servo motor 80C, but the voltage values ​​supplied to the servo motors 80A, 80B, and 80D may also be detected. In addition, in FIG. 2, an example is described in which the injection molding machine 100 has eleven lower boards 50A to 50K, but in some aspects, the injection molding machine 100 may have more than eleven lower boards.

[0049] Based on input from the user, upper substrate 55 outputs commands to each of lower substrates 50A-50K and controls devices such as servo motors 80A-80D to execute the injection molding process. During the injection molding process, upper substrate 55 may store information related to the injection molding process acquired from each of lower substrates 50A-50K in storage device DB1. In injection molding machine 100 in the first embodiment, in addition to information related to the injection molding process, identification information of lower substrates 50A-50K is acquired and the identification information is stored in storage device DB1.

[0050] The identification information for identifying the lower boards 50A-50K will be described below. Each of the lower boards 50A-50K has a memory. The memory of the lower board stores information indicating the board's use and a serial number. The serial number is a unique number given to each lower board by the manufacturer of the lower board to identify each lower board.

[0051] In the first embodiment, serial numbers are assigned consecutively for each use of the board. There are no boards with the same serial number among multiple lower boards having the same use. On the other hand, there may be boards with the same serial number among multiple lower boards having different uses. For example, the injection molding machine 100 may include a board whose use is to detect voltage values ​​and whose serial number is "01", and a board whose use is to relay information between boards and whose serial number is "01".

[0052] In the injection molding machine 100, if the information indicating the use of the board and the serial number can be acquired, one board can be uniquely identified from among the multiple lower boards 50A-50K. In the first embodiment, the identification information for identifying the multiple lower boards 50A-50K is composed of the information indicating the use of the board and the serial number.

[0053] Upper board 55 can obtain information indicating the use of the board and the serial number from each of lower boards 50A-50K by accessing lower boards 50A-50K via networks NW1-NW3. Injection molding machine 100 of embodiment 1 manages lower boards 50A-50K by obtaining identification information of each of lower boards 50A-50K. In addition to information indicating the use of the board and the serial number, memory of lower boards 50A-50K of embodiment 1 stores information indicating the software version, information indicating the hardware version, and information indicating the manufacturing date of the lower board.

[0054] Fig. 3 is a first flowchart showing a procedure for acquiring identification information in the first embodiment. In the injection molding machine 100, the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 is executed when the injection molding machine 100 is shipped. More specifically, an operator of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 inspects whether the injection molding machine 100 operates normally when the injection molding machine 100 is shipped. Hereinafter, this inspection at the time of shipping is simply referred to as "shipment inspection". The operator of the manufacturer causes the upper board 55 to execute a program for executing the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 at the time of the shipping inspection.

[0055] The upper board 55 of the control device 40 acquires identification information from each of the multiple lower boards 50A-50K connected via the networks NW1-NW3 (step S110). That is, in step S110, the upper board 55 acquires information capable of identifying the lower boards 50A-50K stored inside the injection molding machine 100 from each of the lower boards 50A-50K, and stores the identification information in the memory device DB1. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the identification information stored in the memory device DB1. The board type is information indicating the use of the lower board described above.

[0056] Here, the types and serial numbers of the lower boards 50A-50K will be specifically described with reference to Figs. 2 and 4. Board type "A" indicates that the lower board is used to control a servo motor. The board identified by serial number "01" of board type "A" is lower board 50F. The board identified by serial number "02" of board type "A" is lower board 50H. The board identified by serial number "03" of board type "A" is lower board 50I. The board identified by serial number "04" of board type "A" is lower board 50J.

[0057] Board type "B" indicates that the use of the lower board is to detect abnormalities in the output of other boards. The board identified by serial number "01" of board type "B" is lower board 50G. Board type "C" indicates that the use of the lower board is to detect the open / closed state of safety door Dr1. The board identified by serial number "01" of board type "C" is lower board 50E. Board type "D" indicates that the use of the lower board is A / D conversion of the detection value of the temperature sensor. The board identified by serial number "01" of board type "D" is lower board 50D.

[0058] Board type "E" indicates that the use of the lower board is to detect voltage values. A board of board type "E" identified by serial number "01" is lower board 50K. Board type "F" indicates that the use of the lower board is to relay information between boards. A board of board type "F" identified by serial number "01" is lower board 50A. A board of board type "F" identified by serial number "02" is lower board 50B. A board of board type "F" identified by serial number "03" is lower board 50C.

[0059] In this way, the upper board 55 can uniquely identify one lower board from among the multiple lower boards 50A-50K using identification information including the board type and serial number. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage device DB1 stores information indicating the software and hardware versions of each of the lower boards 50A-50K, and information indicating the manufacturing date. In the first embodiment, the manufacturing date of each board is stored in the storage device DB1. This allows the injection molding machine 100 shown in FIG. 1 to easily know whether a board with a specific manufacturing date has been used in the injection molding machine 100. For example, when a manufacturer of boards requests the collection of boards with a specific manufacturing date, the manufacturer and user of the injection molding machine 100 can easily know whether a board with a specific manufacturing date has been used in the injection molding machine 100. In this way, information regarding the lower boards 50A-50K is written by the upper board 55 to the storage device DB1 when the injection molding machine 100 is inspected for shipment.

[0060] When the upper board 55 acquires the identification information of the lower board, if it is the identification information that it recognizes for the first time, it may store the date and time of first recognition as the start date of use in the storage device DB1. This allows the upper board 55 to manage the date and time when each lower board started to be used by the injection molding machine 100.

[0061] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining information indicating the association of safety standards stored in storage device DB1. As shown in Fig. 5, storage device DB1 stores information indicating whether each board type is associated with a safety standard. Board types "A", "B", and "C" are associated with safety standards, and board types "D", "E", and "F" are not associated with safety standards. The information shown in Fig. 5 is input in advance by the manufacturer of injection molding machine 100 shown in Fig. 1 at the time of shipping inspection of injection molding machine 100.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a second flowchart showing the procedure for acquiring the identification information in the embodiment 1. In the explanation of the second flow showing the procedure for acquiring the identification information, Fig. 2 will also be referred to as appropriate. The flowchart in Fig. 6 is executed by upper board 55 every time injection molding machine 100 shown in Fig. 1 is supplied with power and started up after injection molding machine 100 is shipped to a user.

[0063] The upper board 55 acquires identification information from each of the multiple lower boards 50A-50K connected via the networks NW1, NW2, and NW3 (step S210). That is, the upper board 55 acquires information capable of identifying the lower boards 50A-50K stored inside the injection molding machine 100 from each of the lower boards 50A-50K, similar to the process of step S110 in Fig. 3, and stores the information in the storage device DB1. Specifically, the upper board 55 accesses the memory of each lower board to acquire information indicating the board's purpose and its serial number.

[0064] The upper board 55 checks whether or not there is a lower board that has been replaced from the state at the time of shipping inspection (step S220). Specifically, the upper board 55 compares the identification information acquired in step S110 in Fig. 3 with the identification information acquired in step S210 in Fig. 6. If the identification information acquired in step S110 matches the identification information acquired in step S210, the upper board 55 determines that there is no replaced board (NO in step S220) and ends the process.

[0065] If the identification information acquired in step S110 does not match the identification information acquired in step S210, the upper board 55 determines that a replaced lower board exists (YES in step S220), notifies the user that the board has been replaced, and saves information about the board replacement (step S230). Specifically, the upper board 55 displays on the display device 31 that the board replacement has been performed. This allows the user of the injection molding machine 100 to recognize that the lower board has been replaced between the time when the power supply is stopped and the time when the power supply is resumed. The upper board 55 writes identification information of the board before the replacement and the board after the replacement in the storage device DB1. This allows the injection molding machine 100 to leave a history of the board replacement in the storage device DB1.

[0066] The upper board 55 judges whether the use of the replaced board is related to a safety standard (step S240). The upper board 55 judges whether the board type of the replaced board is related to a safety standard using the information shown in FIG. 5. If the replaced board is related to a safety standard (YES in step S240), the upper board 55 notifies the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 that the board has been replaced (step S250). For example, the upper board 55 accesses a server or the like managed by the manufacturer via the Internet and writes information about the board replacement to the server. After that, the upper board 55 stops the operation of the injection molding machine 100 (step S260). This makes it possible to prevent the injection molding machine 100 from operating in a state where the safety standard is not satisfied. The stopped operation of the injection molding machine 100 can be resumed by an operator of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100. As a result, in the injection molding machine 100 of embodiment 1, when a circuit board is replaced for repair purposes by an employee of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100, the employee who performed the repair can quickly restore the operation of the injection molding machine 100 by releasing the stopped state of the injection molding machine 100.

[0067] If the replaced board is not related to the safety standard (NO in step S240), the upper board 55 displays a warning about the warranty on the display device 31 (step S270). The manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 guarantees that the injection molding machine 100 operates normally in the state at the time of the shipping inspection. If any of the lower boards 50A to 50K is replaced, the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 cannot guarantee that the injection molding machine 100 operates normally because a board different from the board at the time of the shipping inspection is used. Therefore, the upper board 55 notifies the user in step S240 that the warranty by the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 will be invalid. The user who receives the warning in step S270 can inquire of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 about a method to make the warranty valid again. Note that the upper board 55 may warn in step S270 that the injection molding machine 100 may not operate normally because a different board is used, rather than a warning about the warranty.

[0068] In this way, in the injection molding machine 100 of the first embodiment, when any of the multiple lower boards 50A-50K is replaced, the user is notified that the board has been replaced, and the operation of the injection molding machine 100 is stopped or a warning regarding the warranty is issued. In this way, the injection molding machine 100 of the first embodiment can appropriately detect whether or not a board included in the industrial machine has been replaced. That is, the injection molding machine 100 of the first embodiment can prevent the inconvenience of the injection molding machine 100 operating in a state that does not satisfy the safety standards and the inconvenience of the injection molding machine 100 being used in a state where the warranty is invalid.

[0069] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, an example of detecting board replacement based on the board configuration at the time of shipping inspection is described. In the second embodiment, a configuration is described in which the board configuration is stored in the storage device DB1 at each startup and whether or not the board has been replaced is detected by comparing it with the latest board configuration stored in the storage device DB1. In the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment is not repeated.

[0070] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure for acquiring identification information in embodiment 2. The flowchart in Fig. 7 is executed by upper board 55 every time injection molding machine 100 is started up after power is supplied to injection molding machine 100. In the flowchart in Fig. 7, step S300 is added between step S210 and step S220 in the flowchart in Fig. 6.

[0071] The following describes the process at the first startup of the injection molding machine 100 in the second embodiment after it is shipped to the user. At the first startup of the injection molding machine 100 after it is shipped to the user, the upper board 55 acquires identification information from each of the multiple lower boards 50A-50K connected via the networks NW1, NW2, and NW3 (step S210). In FIG. 7, the upper board 55 also acquires information capable of identifying the lower boards 50A-50K stored inside the injection molding machine 100 from each of the lower boards 50A-50K, and stores the identification information in the storage device DB1. The upper board determines whether or not the storage device DB1 stores identification information acquired in the past (step S300).

[0072] At the time of the initial startup, the storage device DB1 may not store the identification information of the lower board acquired before the initial startup. Or, past data in the storage device DB1 may be lost due to a malfunction, human error, etc. There is no identification information to compare with to determine whether the lower board has been replaced, and the upper board 55 ends the process (NO in step S300).

[0073] Next, the second and subsequent startup processes after the injection molding machine 100 in the second embodiment is shipped to a user will be described. At the second and subsequent startups, the upper board 55 acquires identification information from each of the multiple lower boards 50A-50K connected via the networks NW1, NW2, and NW3 (step S210). The upper board determines whether or not the previously acquired identification information is stored in the storage device DB1 (step S300).

[0074] At the second or subsequent startup, the storage device DB1 stores identification information to be compared to determine whether the lower board has been replaced. The upper board 55 determines that the previous identification information is stored in the storage device DB1 (YES in step S300). The upper board 55 compares the identification information of the lower board acquired in step S210 at the previous startup with the identification information of the lower board acquired in step S210 at the current startup to determine whether a board replacement has been performed (step S220). The processing from step S220 onwards is similar to steps S230 to S270 in FIG. 6, and therefore will not be described repeatedly.

[0075] In this way, in the second embodiment, the identification information of the lower board at the timing when the injection molding machine 100 is started is compared with the identification information of the lower board at the time of start-up prior to that timing. In order to replace the lower board of the injection molding machine 100, the user of the injection molding machine 100 needs to temporarily stop the power supply to the injection molding machine 100.

[0076] In the injection molding machine 100 of the second embodiment, by determining whether or not the board has been replaced at the timing when the power supply is started, it is possible to quickly detect that the board has been replaced. In the injection molding machine 100 of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to appropriately detect whether or not the board included in the industrial machine has been replaced. That is, in the injection molding machine 100 of the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience of the injection molding machine 100 operating in a state that does not satisfy the safety standards and the injection molding machine 100 being used in a state where the warranty is invalid.

[0077] In this way, in the injection molding machine 100 of the second embodiment, the board configuration at the time of shipping inspection and the board configuration at each startup are sequentially stored in the storage device DB1. This allows the user of the injection molding machine 100 of the second embodiment to easily track the replacement history of each board. That is, the traceability of the boards used in the injection molding machine 100 is improved. Furthermore, in the injection molding machine 100 of the second embodiment, by allowing the user to grasp the replacement history of each board, maintenance work for each board, such as life prediction for each board and management of the timing of ordering parts, can be supported.

[0078] However, storing the board configuration in the storage device DB1 at each startup may increase the amount of data used in the storage device DB1. For this reason, an upper limit may be set on the number of board configurations stored in the storage device DB1. For example, if the upper limit on the number of board configurations that can be stored is two, only the latest board configuration and the board configuration stored immediately before the latest board configuration are saved in the storage device DB1.

[0079] That is, the control device 40 deletes data indicating the oldest board configuration each time the injection molding machine 100 is started, and stores data indicating the latest board configuration newly acquired in the storage device DB1. In other words, the control device 40 updates the board configuration stored in the storage device DB1. In this case, the control device 80 detects whether or not a board replacement has been performed by comparing the latest board configuration with the board configuration stored immediately before the latest board configuration. In this way, the injection molding machine 100 can suppress an increase in the data usage capacity in the storage device DB1.

[0080] [Embodiment 3] In the first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which it is detected whether or not a board has been replaced at the timing when power is supplied to the injection molding machine 100. In the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the operating state of a lower board is corrected during maintenance of the injection molding machine 100. In the third embodiment, the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0081] Fig. 8 is a flowchart for storing the inspection results of the lower board at the time of the shipping inspection. An operator of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 causes the upper board 55 of the control device 40 to execute a program for executing the flowchart shown in Fig. 8 at the time of the shipping inspection of the injection molding machine 100.

[0082] The upper board 55 of the control device 40 requests the worker of the manufacturer to input the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection of the lower board (step S410). The inspection data is data that indicates the inspection result as to whether the lower board operates normally or not. The upper board 55 causes the display device 31 to display a message or the like that prompts the input of the inspection data for the lower board. The worker of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 inspects the lower board in response to the request to input the inspection data. The worker of the manufacturer inputs the inspection results into the injection molding machine 100 as the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection.

[0083] The upper board 55 determines whether or not the inspection data at the time of shipping inspection has been received (step S420). If the inspection data at the time of shipping inspection has not been received (NO in step S420), the upper board 55 returns the process to step S410. If the inspection data at the time of shipping inspection has been received (YES in step S420), the upper board 55 writes the received inspection data in the storage device DB1 as the inspection data at the time of shipping inspection (step S430).

[0084] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection. In Fig. 9, in order to explain an example of the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection, data in the memory device DB1 related to the lower board 50K whose purpose is to detect a voltage value is shown. The inspection of the lower board 50K will be explained below.

[0085] An operator at the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 applies, for example, a voltage of 100V to a test power line and has the lower board 50K detect the value of the voltage flowing through the power line. When the lower board 50K detects a voltage within a predetermined range from 100V, the operator determines that the lower board 50K is operating normally. When the detection result of the lower board 50K detects a voltage value outside the predetermined range from 100V, the operator determines that the lower board 50K is defective. FIG. 9 shows inspection data for a non-defective lower board 50K, indicating that the detection result for a voltage of 100V was 100V.

[0086] The detection result of the lower board 50K may gradually deviate from the actual voltage value due to deterioration of the lower board 50K. An operator of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 or a user of the injection molding machine 100 inspects the lower board 50K after the shipment of the injection molding machine 100. As in the inspection at the time of shipment inspection, the lower board 50K is connected to a test power line, a voltage of 100V is applied to the power line, and the lower board 50K is made to detect the value of the voltage flowing through the power line. An operator of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 or a user of the injection molding machine 100 inputs the detection result to the injection molding machine 100. If the detection result is 80V, a value equivalent to 80% of the actual voltage value is detected as the detection result due to deterioration of the lower board 50K.

[0087] The upper board 55 compares the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection with the inspection data after shipment to determine a correction value for correcting the decrease in the detection value due to deterioration. The upper board 55 determines 1.25 times as the correction value, and in the future, obtains the same detection value as at the time of the shipping inspection by multiplying the value detected by the lower board 50K by the correction value. Hereinafter, determining the correction value for correcting the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection is referred to as a "correction process." As a result, in the injection molding machine 100 of the third embodiment, even if the lower board 50K has deteriorated, the occurrence of erroneous detection due to deterioration of the lower board 50K can be suppressed by performing the inspection after shipment.

[0088] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the correction process after shipment. The upper board 55 executes the flowchart of Fig. 10 based on the supply of power to the injection molding machine 100. The upper board 55 judges whether or not the inspection data has been received (step S510). That is, the upper board 55 judges whether or not the lower board has been inspected by an operator of the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 100 or a user of the injection molding machine 100. If the inspection data has not been received (NO in step S510), the upper board 55 judges whether or not a command to turn off the power of the injection molding machine 100 has been received (step S540).

[0089] If a command to turn off the power of the injection molding machine 100 has been received (YES in step S540), the upper board 55 ends the process. If a command to turn off the power of the injection molding machine 100 has not been received (NO in step S540), the upper board 55 returns the process to step S510.

[0090] If the inspection data is received in step S510 (YES in step S510), the upper board 55 judges whether or not there has been a change from the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection (step S520). That is, the upper board 55 compares the inspection data received in the process of step S420 in Fig. 8 with the inspection data received in the process of step S510 in Fig. 10. If there has been no change from the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection (NO in step S520), the upper board 55 advances the process to step S540 since no correction process is required.

[0091] If there is a change from the inspection data at the time of the shipping inspection (YES in step S520), the upper board 55 executes a correction process (step S530). As a result, in the injection molding machine 100 of the third embodiment, if deterioration occurs in the lower board, it is possible to correct it so that a value similar to that at the time of the shipping inspection can be detected. Note that, although the third embodiment has been described with respect to the lower board whose purpose is to detect voltage values, the correction process can also be applied to lower boards for other purposes described above, so long as they are boards that receive input and perform output. For example, in a board that performs A / D conversion of the detection value of a temperature sensor, the digital value output for the input analog value can be corrected.

[0092] In the third embodiment, as in the injection molding machine 100 of the first embodiment, the presence or absence of replacement of a board included in an industrial machine is appropriately detected. That is, in the injection molding machine 100 of the third embodiment, by detecting whether or not the board has been replaced at the timing when the injection molding machine 100 is started, it is possible to prevent the injection molding machine 100 from operating in a state that does not satisfy the safety standards and the injection molding machine 100 from being used in a state where the warranty is invalid.

[0093] [Note] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0094] (1) The industrial machine includes an upper board and a plurality of lower boards communicatively connected to the upper board. The upper board acquires identification information for identifying each of the lower boards from each of the plurality of lower boards at a first timing, acquires identification information for identifying each of the lower boards from each of the plurality of lower boards at a second timing after the first timing, and, when the identification information acquired at the first timing differs from the identification information acquired at the second timing for each lower board, notifies a user that board replacement of the lower board has been performed.

[0095] According to the industrial machine of paragraph 1, it is possible to appropriately detect whether or not a circuit board included in the industrial machine has been replaced.

[0096] (2) The industrial machine according to claim 1 further includes a storage device. When the upper board determines that the board has been replaced, the upper board stores information about the board replacement in the storage device.

[0097] According to the industrial machine of paragraph 2, by storing information about the board replacement in the storage device, it is possible to make the user aware that the board has been replaced after the board replacement has been performed.

[0098] (Clause 3) In clause 2, the industrial machine further includes a display device. Safety standards for protecting users are predefined for the industrial machine. The storage device stores information indicating whether each of a plurality of lower boards is related to a safety standard. When the upper board determines that a board has been replaced, it causes the display device to display a warning if the replaced board is not related to the safety standard, and stops operation of the industrial machine if the replaced board is related to the safety standard.

[0099] According to the industrial machinery of paragraph 3, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of inconveniences caused by replacing the board, depending on whether or not it is related to safety standards.

[0100] (Clause 4) In paragraph 3, if the upper board determines that a board replacement has taken place and the replaced board is related to a safety standard, it shall notify the industrial machinery manufacturer of information indicating that a board replacement has taken place.

[0101] According to the industrial machinery of paragraph 4, even after the industrial machinery is shipped, the manufacturer of the industrial machinery can be made aware of the replacement of the board.

[0102] (Clause 5) In any one of clauses 1 to 4, the first timing is a timing at the time of shipment of the industrial machine, and the second timing is a timing at the time of start-up of the industrial machine based on the supply of power to the industrial machine.

[0103] According to the industrial machine of paragraph 5, the board configuration at the time of shipment is used as a reference, and it is possible to detect whether or not the board has been replaced based on the state of the board configuration at the time of shipment.

[0104] (Clause 6) In any one of clauses 1 to 4, the first timing is a timing at the start-up of the industrial machine based on power being supplied to the industrial machine, and the second timing is a timing at the start-up of the industrial machine based on power being supplied to the industrial machine after the first timing.

[0105] According to the industrial machine of paragraph 6, each time the industrial machine is started, it is possible to detect whether or not the board has been replaced based on the configuration before the power supply was cut off.

[0106] (Clause 7) In any one of clauses 1 to 6, the upper board receives inspection data regarding board operation from one of the multiple lower boards at a first timing and a second timing, and if the inspection data differs between the first timing and the second timing, performs a correction process to correct the board operation.

[0107] According to the industrial machine of item 7, even after being shipped, the board can be operated in the same manner as at the time of shipment.

[0108] (Clause 8) In any one of clauses 1 to 7, the industrial machine is an injection molding machine, and further includes a servo motor used for clamping a mold. The plurality of lower boards include a first lower board that controls the servo motor, and the first lower board generates a first command for controlling the servo motor in response to a command from the higher board.

[0109] According to the industrial machine of item 8, replacement of a board in an injection molding machine having a servo motor can be appropriately detected.

[0110] (Item 9) In item 8, further comprising a safety door attached to a housing covering the mold and an opening / closing sensor for detecting an opening / closing state of the safety door. The plurality of lower substrates includes a second lower substrate for receiving a detection value of the opening / closing sensor, and the first lower substrate controls a servo motor based on information indicating the opening / closing state of the safety door received from the second lower substrate.

[0111] According to the industrial machine of item 9, it is possible to appropriately detect board replacement in an injection molding machine having a plurality of lower boards for controlling servo motors.

[0112] (Clause 10) In clause 8, the multiple lower-level boards include a third lower-level board that generates instructions for controlling a servo motor in response to instructions from the upper board, and the third lower-level board transmits the instructions generated by the third lower-level board to the first lower-level board, and the first lower-level board stops the servo motor if the instructions generated by the first lower-level board do not match the instructions generated by the third lower-level board.

[0113] According to the industrial machine of the tenth aspect, board replacement in an injection molding machine having a plurality of lower boards for controlling servo motors can be appropriately detected.

[0114] (Clause 11) In any one of clauses 1 to 10, the upper substrate acquires, at a first timing and a second timing, from each of the plurality of lower substrates, information indicating the manufacturing date of each lower substrate in addition to identification information capable of identifying each lower substrate.

[0115] According to the industrial machine of item 11, it is possible to allow a user to recognize the manufacturing date of a lower-level board included in the industrial machine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 10 mold clamping unit, 11 bed, 12 fixed platen, 13 mold clamping housing, 14 movable platen, 15 tie bar, 16 mold clamping mechanism, 17, 18 mold, 19 ball screw, 20 injection unit, 21 base, 22 cylinder, 23 screw, 24 drive mechanism, 25 hopper, 26 injection nozzle, 27 nozzle touch device, 30 operation panel, 31 display device, 32 input device, 40 control device, 50A to 50K lower board, 55 upper board, 80A to 80D servo motor, 100 injection molding machine, Bx1 housing, DB1 storage device, Dr1 safety door, H1 to H3 heater, NW1 to NW3 network, Sd1 opening / closing sensor, Sr1, ~ Sr3 temperature sensor.

Claims

1. The upper board, a plurality of lower boards communicably connected to the upper board; The upper board includes: acquiring, at a first timing, identification information capable of identifying each of the plurality of lower boards from each of the plurality of lower boards; acquiring, from each of the plurality of lower substrates, identification information capable of identifying each lower substrate at a second timing subsequent to the first timing; When the identification information acquired at the first timing differs from the identification information acquired at the second timing for each lower-level board, the industrial machine notifies the user that a board replacement has been performed for the lower-level board.

2. Further comprising a storage device; 2 . The industrial machine according to claim 1 , wherein the upper board stores information about the board replacement in the storage device when it is determined that the board replacement has been performed.

3. The industrial machine further includes a display device, The industrial machine is subject to predetermined safety standards to protect users, the storage device stores information indicating whether each of the plurality of lower-level boards is related to the safety standard, When the upper board determines that a board replacement has been performed, displaying a warning on the display device when the replaced board does not comply with the safety standard; The industrial machine according to claim 2 , wherein when the replaced board is related to the safety standard, the operation of the industrial machine is stopped.

4. 4. The industrial machine according to claim 3, wherein when the upper board determines that a board replacement has been performed and the replaced board is related to the safety standard, the upper board notifies a manufacturer of the industrial machine of information indicating that a board replacement has been performed.

5. the first timing is a timing at the time of shipment of the industrial machine, The industrial machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second timing is a timing at a start-up of the industrial machine based on a supply of electric power to the industrial machine.

6. the first timing is a timing at a start of the industrial machine based on a supply of electric power to the industrial machine, The industrial machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second timing is a timing at the time of startup of the industrial machine based on power being supplied to the industrial machine after the first timing.

7. The upper board includes: receiving inspection data relating to a substrate operation from one of the plurality of lower substrates at the first timing and the second timing; 5. The industrial machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a correction process for correcting a substrate operation when the inspection data differs between the first timing and the second timing.

8. the industrial machine is an injection molding machine, The industrial machine includes: Further, a servo motor is provided for clamping the mold. the plurality of lower boards includes a first lower board that controls the servo motor; The industrial machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first lower board generates a first command for controlling the servo motor in response to a command from the higher board.

9. A safety door attached to a housing covering the mold; An opening / closing sensor for detecting an opening / closing state of the safety door is further provided, the plurality of lower boards includes a second lower board that receives a detection value of the open / close sensor, 9. The industrial machine according to claim 8, wherein the first lower-level board controls the servo motor based on information indicating an open / closed state of the safety door received from the second lower-level board.

10. the plurality of lower boards include a third lower board that generates a command for controlling the servo motor in response to a command from the upper board; the third lower-substrate transmits the command generated by the third lower-substrate to the first lower-substrate; 9. The industrial machine of claim 8, wherein the first lower-level board stops the servo motor if the command generated by the first lower-level board does not match the command generated by the third lower-level board.

11. The industrial machinery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper board acquires, at the first timing and the second timing, from each of the plurality of lower boards, in addition to identification information capable of identifying each lower board, information indicating the manufacturing date of each lower board.

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