Information processor and program

Abstract

To provide a user interface capable of mitigating a burden of a user in an input operation of information related to a quality of a molding.SOLUTION: An information processor includes: display control means configured to display, at a display device, an input screen 310 for inputting information related to a quality of a molding manufactured by an injection molder; acceptance means configured to accept an operation to the input screen 310; and generation means configured to generate information related to the quality of the molding according to the operation accepted at the acceptance means. The input screen 310 is a screen displaying, by a graph 311, a content by each item of the information related to the quality of the molding having prescribed items. A display content of the graph 311 changes according to the operation accepted at the acceptance means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An injection molding machine manufactures molded products by injection molding according to set molding conditions. There are various conventional techniques for optimizing the molding conditions of an injection molding machine. One example is a technique that inputs information about the quality of a manufactured molded product and uses machine learning to estimate the molding conditions required to obtain the input molding quality.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an injection molding system including a reward calculation unit that calculates a reward based on physical quantity data obtained by performing injection molding and preset reward conditions, an operation condition adjustment learning unit that performs machine learning to adjust operation conditions including molding conditions based on the reward calculated by the reward calculation unit, operation condition adjustments, and the physical quantity data, and an operation condition adjustment amount output unit that determines and outputs targets and adjustment amounts for operation condition adjustment based on the machine learning performed by the operation condition adjustment learning unit.

[0004] Patent document 2 discloses an operation quantity determination device that determines an operation quantity related to a molding machine, which generates a state expression map that represents the state of the molding machine based on observation data obtained by observing physical quantities related to molding when molding is performed by the molding machine, and outputs the operation quantity based on this state expression map. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-30152 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-59045 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] When estimating molding conditions using data obtained by performing injection molding, it is costly to install an inspection device to acquire data accompanying the execution of injection molding and to perform data analysis and processing. In addition, it is possible for the user to manually input the results of visual sensory evaluation of the molded product or the measured values ​​obtained using measuring tools such as calipers. However, such a method requires a lot of time and effort for inputting data, which is a burden on the user.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a user interface that reduces the burden on a user in inputting information related to the quality of a molded product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device comprising: a display control means for causing a display device to display an input screen for inputting information relating to the quality of molded products manufactured by an injection molding machine; a receiving means for receiving operations on the input screen; and a generating means for generating information relating to the quality of the molded products in response to the operations received by the receiving means, wherein the input screen is information relating to the quality of the molded products, has predetermined items, and displays the contents of each item in a graph, and the display contents of the graph are changed in response to the operations received by the receiving means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a user interface that reduces the burden on a user in inputting information regarding the quality of a molded product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an injection molding machine to which the present embodiment is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a data processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device and a data processing device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an input screen used when specifying molding quality. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the input screen using a radar chart. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another modified example of the input screen using a radar chart. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of an input screen used when specifying molding quality. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the input screen using a bar graph. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another modified example of the input screen using a bar graph. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an input screen that accepts character input. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the input screen that accepts character input. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Device configuration> 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an injection molding machine to which this embodiment is applied. The injection molding machine 10 includes an injection unit 20, a clamping unit 30, a control unit 100, a data processing unit 200, and a display unit 300.

[0012] The injection device 20 is configured to include a cylinder for heating the molding material, a screw that is rotatable in the cylinder and axially movable, a rotary motor for driving the screw in the rotational direction, and a motor for driving the screw in the axial direction. The molding material is, for example, a resin. The injection device 20 rotates the screw while advancing it in a direction (forward) from the injection device 20 toward the mold clamping device 30, thereby injecting the molding material that has been heated and turned into a liquid in the cylinder, and filling it into the mold of the mold clamping device 30 disposed in front of the injection device 20. The injection device 20 performs, for example, a metering process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, and the like in the manufacturing process of the molded product. The filling process and the pressure holding process are collectively referred to as the injection process.

[0013] The clamping device 30 is configured to include a mold, a clamping mechanism for clamping the mold, a motor for driving the clamping mechanism, and the like. The clamping device 30 closes the mold and receives the molding material injected from the injection device 20 into the inside of the mold. At this time, the clamping device 30 clamps the mold using the clamping mechanism so that the mold does not open when the molding material is filled (mold clamping). A molded product is produced when the molding material filled in the mold solidifies. Thereafter, the clamping device 30 opens the mold and sends out the produced molded product. In the manufacturing process of the molded product, the clamping device 30 performs, for example, a mold closing process, a pressure increase process, a mold clamping process, a pressure release process, a mold opening process, and the like.

[0014] The control device 100 is a device that controls the operations of the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30. The data processing device 200 is a device that processes data obtained as the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30 operate. The data processing device 200 also generates an input screen for receiving information input by a user, and processes the data received by the input screen. The display device 300 displays information related to the control of the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30 by the control device 100, data acquired by the data processing device 200, processing results of the data processing device 200, etc. The display device 300 also displays an input screen for performing an operation to input commands and data to the control device 100 and the data processing device 200, other operation screens, a screen for presenting information to the user, etc.

[0015] <Configuration of the control device 100> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the control device 100. The control device 100 controls the operations of the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30. The control device 100 is realized by, for example, a computer. The control device 100 includes a control unit 110, a molding condition setting unit 120, and a storage unit 130. The control device 100 controls the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30 to repeatedly perform the processes related to the manufacture of the molded product, thereby repeatedly manufacturing the molded product. The processes related to the manufacture of the molded product include a metering process, a mold closing process, a pressure increase process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, a cooling process, a depressurization process, a mold opening process, and an ejection process. Hereinafter, these manufacturing processes may be collectively referred to as a "manufacturing process". In addition, a series of operations for obtaining a molded product, for example, an operation from the start of a metering process in the above manufacturing process to the start of the next metering process, is called a "shot", a "molding cycle", etc. Note that the above-mentioned processes for manufacturing a molded product are merely examples. For example, the processes executed in one shot may include other processes not included in the above.

[0016] The control unit 110 controls the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 based on the control information. The control information is a condition set by the user, and is generated based on information input by the user using an input device (not shown). The control information includes molding conditions such as resin temperature, mold temperature (cylinder temperature), injection pressure hold time, measurement value, VP switching position, pressure hold pressure, injection speed (filling speed), screw rotation speed, screw back pressure, and clamping force. A plurality of combinations of these molding conditions are determined according to the molded product and the mold. The combination data of the molding conditions is also referred to as a molding condition data set hereinafter. The molding condition data set is prepared according to the type of molded product and the mold, and is stored in the storage unit 130.

[0017] The control unit 110 controls the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 using the above molding condition data set, and executes the process related to the production (shot) of a molded product, including each of the above processes. The control unit 110 reads out the molding condition data set corresponding to the molded product to be produced from the storage unit 130, for example, at the start of production of the molded product. Then, the control unit 110 controls the operation of the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 based on the control information including the read molding condition data set. Specifically, the control unit 110 controls the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 so that the data obtained from the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 in the production process coincides with the set values ​​of the molding condition data set. The control unit 110 may also display the molding condition data set read out from the storage unit 130 on the display unit 300. The user may refer to the molding condition data displayed on the display unit 300 and perform operations such as modifying values ​​as necessary.

[0018] The molding condition setting unit 120 sets molding conditions used in the control of the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 by the control unit 110. The molding conditions are set by the molding condition setting unit 120 writing a molding condition data set into the control information held in the storage unit 130. The molding conditions are also set based on information input by the user using an input screen to be described later. When the manufacturing process of the molded product is repeated, the state of the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 changes, and this change in state of the units 20, 30 affects the quality of the molded product (hereinafter referred to as "molding quality"). Therefore, in order to maintain the molding quality during the operation of mass-producing the molded product, the molding condition setting unit 120 may automatically adjust the molding conditions.

[0019] The storage unit 130 holds control information 131 used for the control of the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 30 by the control unit 110. The control information 131 includes a molding condition data set set by the molding condition setting unit 120. The molding condition data set is prepared in association with the molded product and the mold to be manufactured. The storage unit 130 holds a molding condition data set for each molded product and mold to be manufactured. The storage unit 130 also holds information on molding conditions (hereinafter referred to as "setting information") 132 generated by user input. The molding condition setting unit 120 writes the molding condition data set into the control information 131 based on the setting information 132.

[0020] In addition, although not shown, the storage unit 130 holds a program for the control unit 110 to control the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 30, and a program for the molding condition setting unit 120 to set molding conditions. As will be described in detail later, the functions of the control unit 110 and the molding condition setting unit 120 are realized by the processor in the control device 100 reading and executing the programs held in the storage unit 130.

[0021] <Configuration of data processing device 200> 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data processing device 200. The data processing device 200 acquires and processes data obtained as the injection device 20 and the mold clamping device 30 execute the operations in the process related to the manufacturing of the above-mentioned molded product. The data processing device 200 also generates information (setting information 132) used by the molding condition setting unit 120 of the control device 100 to set molding conditions in response to a user's operation, and sends the information to the control device 100. The data processing device 200 is realized by, for example, a computer. The data processing device 200 includes a data acquisition unit 210, a processing unit 220, a molding quality generation unit 230, a molding condition estimation unit 240, a storage unit 250, a display control unit 260, and a reception unit 270.

[0022] The data processing device 200 of this embodiment receives user operations performed on an input screen, generates data of a target molding quality, and estimates molding conditions required to obtain the target molding quality based on the molding quality data. The data processing device 200 then transmits the estimated molding conditions to the control device 100, which stores the received molding conditions in the storage unit 130 as setting information 132. The target molding quality is a molding quality that makes a molded product a non-defective product.

[0023] The data acquisition unit 210 acquires data to be processed from the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30. Various sensors, detectors, and the like are attached to the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30. In addition, various measuring instruments may be connected to the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30. The data acquired using these sensors, detectors, measuring instruments, and the like (hereinafter referred to as "acquired data") is information that represents the molding results by the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30, and is used for quality control of molded products. Specifically, for example, the weight of the molded product, the dimensions of the molded product, the mold pressure, the minimum cushion position, and the characteristic amount of the waveform of the filling pressure are included. These acquired data are actual values ​​obtained in the manufacturing process of the molded product. The data acquisition unit 210 receives the acquired data transmitted from the sensors, detectors, and measuring instruments, and stores them in the storage unit 250. The data acquisition unit 210 is an example of a receiving means.

[0024] The processing unit 220 processes the acquired data stored in the storage unit 250. Specifically, the processing unit 220 performs processes such as extracting a representative value of the acquired data in each process and generating time-series data by chronologically serializing the acquired data in each process. In extracting the representative value, the processing unit 220 performs statistical processes on the acquired data such as calculating an average value, identifying a possible range of values, and identifying maximum and minimum values.

[0025] The molding quality generating unit 230 generates molding quality data in response to a user's operation on an input screen. The user operates an image representing molding quality information on an input screen, which is a GUI (Graphical User Interface). In response to this, the molding quality generating unit 230 generates molding quality data reflecting the operation content on the input screen. More specifically, data representing the difference between the molding quality of the manufactured molded product and the target molding quality is calculated. The generated molding quality data is data of items displayed as operation targets on the input screen among data representing molding quality such as the weight of the molded product, dimensions of the molded product, mold internal pressure, minimum cushion position, and feature value of the waveform of the filling pressure. The input screen, its operation method, and molding quality generation method will be described in detail later. The molding quality generating unit 230 is an example of a generating means.

[0026] The molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates molding conditions necessary to obtain the molding quality based on the molding quality data generated by the molding quality generation unit 230. That is, the molding condition estimation unit 240 fills in the difference between the molding quality input on the input screen and the target molding quality, and calculates the molding conditions necessary to obtain the target molding quality. The molding conditions are estimated using a known estimation method corresponding to multivariate input and output. For example, the molding conditions can be estimated from the molding quality by a mathematical model that represents the relationship between the molding quality and the molding conditions, which is learned in advance by machine learning or the like using the molding conditions used in past actual production and the actual values ​​of the molding quality of the molded product manufactured under those molding conditions. The molding condition estimation unit 240 is an example of an estimation means.

[0027] The storage unit 250 holds the acquired data acquired by the data acquisition unit 210. The data format of the acquired data held in the storage unit 250 may be, for example, binary, text, CSV (Comma Separated Values), INI, YAML ("YAML Ain't Markup Language), JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), etc. By storing the data in a data file in such a general-purpose data format, it becomes possible to exchange data stored in the storage unit 250 with other information processing devices, or to edit data files acquired from external devices. In addition, the storage unit 250 may hold data on the molding quality generated by the molding quality generation unit 230 and data on the molding conditions estimated by the molding condition estimation unit 240.

[0028] Although not shown, the storage unit 250 holds programs for the processing unit 220, the molding quality generation unit 230, and the molding condition estimation unit 240 to execute data processing, a program for the display control unit 260 to display a screen on the display device 300, and a program for the reception unit 270 to receive user operations performed on the operation screen. As will be described in detail later, the processor in the data processing device 200 reads and executes the programs held in the storage unit 250, thereby realizing the functions of the processing unit 220, the molding quality generation unit 230, the molding condition estimation unit 240, the display control unit 260, and the reception unit 270.

[0029] The display control unit 260 generates an operation screen for the user to perform various operations, and displays it on the display device 300. As an example, the display control unit 260 displays an input screen for the user to input molding conditions. The reception unit 270 receives operations performed by the user on the operation screen displayed on the display device 300. Specifically, for example, the reception unit 270 receives data input performed in an input field on the input screen, screen switching operations, etc.

[0030] <Hardware configuration of the control device 100 and the data processing device 200> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 400 that realizes the control device 100 and the data processing device 200. The computer 400 shown in FIG. 4 includes a processor 401 as a calculation means, and a main memory 402 and an auxiliary memory 403 as storage means. As the processor 401, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other various calculation circuits can be used. The processor 401 reads a program stored in the auxiliary memory 403 into the main memory 402 and executes it. As the main memory 402, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used. As the auxiliary memory 403, for example, a magnetic disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive) is used. In addition, the computer 400 includes a display mechanism 404 for displaying an image on the display device 300, and an input device 405 as an input means for performing an input operation by a user of the computer. Examples of the input device 405 include a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel. Note that the configuration of the computer 400 shown in Fig. 4 is merely an example, and the computer 400 used in this embodiment is not limited to the configuration example shown in Fig. 4. For example, the computer 400 may be configured to include a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a ROM (Read Only Memory) as a storage device.

[0031] When the control device 100 is realized by the computer shown in Fig. 4, the functions of the control unit 110 and the molding condition setting unit 120 are realized, for example, by the processor 401 reading and executing a program. The storage unit 130 is realized, for example, by the auxiliary storage device 403.

[0032] When the data processing device 200 is realized by the computer shown in Fig. 4, the functions of the data acquisition unit 210, the processing unit 220, the molding quality generation unit 230 and the molding condition estimation unit 240 are realized, for example, by the processor 401 reading and executing a program. The storage unit 250 is realized, for example, by the auxiliary storage device 403. The display control unit 260 is realized, for example, by the processor 401 reading and executing a program and the display mechanism 404. The reception unit 270 is realized, for example, by the processor 401 reading and executing a program and the input device 405.

[0033] <Input molding quality to set molding conditions> Next, a method for setting molding conditions according to this embodiment will be described. Consider a case where a user sets new molding conditions. For example, molding conditions are set to improve molding quality, or molding conditions are set to manufacture a new molded product. In such a case, if the user has little experience in manufacturing molded products using an injection molding machine, it may be difficult to determine which items of the molding conditions to set and how to set them. On the other hand, even such a user with little experience may be able to identify the required molding quality. Therefore, in this embodiment, the input of molding quality information by the user is accepted, and the necessary molding conditions are estimated from the input molding quality information, and the estimated molding conditions are used to control the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 30 in the control device 100.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, a graphical user interface is provided for inputting molding quality information. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, an image showing the details of the molding quality is displayed on the input screen displayed on the display device 300, and operations on this image are accepted. The user specifies the desired molding quality by operating the image. By employing such an interface, the burden on the user when inputting molding quality information can be reduced.

[0035] <Example of input screen configuration> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an input screen used when specifying molding quality. The input screen 310 is displayed on the display device 300 under the control of the display control unit 260 of the data processing device 200. The input screen 310 displays a graph 311 representing molding quality together with shot identification information. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a radar chart is used as the graph 311. In the following, the same reference numeral 311 is used to denote the radar chart as an example of the graph 311. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the shot identification information is displayed as "Shot ID: 123" in the upper right corner of the input screen 310.

[0036] The radar chart 311 shown in FIG. 5 is a pentagonal chart having five items representing molding quality: "burr," "sink mark," "short," "inner diameter," and "weight." "Burr," "sink mark," and "short" are types of defects in a molded product and are qualitative indicators. "Inner diameter" and "weight" are elements indicating the state of a molded product and are quantitative indicators. Note that the items in the radar chart 311 shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and the information representing molding quality is not limited to the items shown. As items in the radar chart 311, in addition to the items shown, information representing various molding qualities such as dimensions of a molded product, internal pressure, minimum cushion position, and feature values ​​of the waveform of the filling pressure can be used depending on the type of molded product and mold to be manufactured, the specifications of the injection molding machine 10, and the like.

[0037] The radar chart 311 displays a reference line 312 and a quality image 313. The reference line 312 is an image showing the standard (hereinafter referred to as the "good quality standard") for a molded product to be considered a good product for each item of molding quality. The content of the standard is set individually for each item. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the good quality standard for each item is set at an equal distance from the center of the radar chart 311, and a dashed pentagonal reference line 312 connecting the good quality standards for each item is displayed. The molding quality shown by this reference line 312 is the molding quality that is targeted for the molded product to be manufactured. The user can input the molding quality of the obtained molded product based on this reference line 312.

[0038] The quality image 313 is an image that represents the molding quality to be input. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a pentagonal quality image 313 is displayed, which represents the content of the molding quality for each item by the distance from the center of the radar chart 311. For example, when a mouse is used as the input device 405, the user can change the content of the molding quality to be input by selecting and dragging a vertex corresponding to a desired item of the quality image 313 using the mouse. Also, when a touch panel is used as the input device 405, the user can change the content of the molding quality to be input by touching and sliding a finger to a vertex corresponding to a desired item of the quality image 313.

[0039] The radar chart 311 is created based on performance data obtained by actually manufacturing a molded product. Information on the molding quality of each item is input by the user. The user evaluates the molding quality of each item of the molded product by observing the manufactured molded product or measuring it with a measuring device. Then, based on the evaluation result, the user operates the input device 405 to create a quality image 313. Depending on the type of item shown by the radar chart 311, the quality image 313 may be created based on information obtained from sensors and detectors provided in the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 30 without user operation.

[0040] When a quality image 313 is specified by a user's operation using an input screen 310 as shown in Fig. 5, the molding quality generation unit 230 of the data processing device 200 generates data representing the difference between the molding quality shown by the quality image 313 and the target molding quality shown by the reference line 312. Then, the molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates molding conditions required to obtain the target molding quality based on the generated data of the difference in molding quality. The data processing device 200 transmits the molding conditions estimated by the molding condition estimation unit 240 to the control device 100. The control device 100 holds the received molding conditions in the storage unit 130 as setting information 132, and sets them as molding conditions to be used for control of the control unit 110 by the molding condition setting unit 120.

[0041] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of an input screen 310 using a radar chart 311. In the radar chart 311 shown in Fig. 6, suggestion images 314 (314a, 314b) are displayed that suggest a molding quality at which a molded product will be judged to be a non-defective product when the user operates the radar chart 311. The reference line 312 and suggestion image 314 shown in the radar chart 311 are an example of a reference image.

[0042] The items representing molding quality include items that specify the boundary between a good and a bad molded product, and items that specify the range in which the molded product is judged to be good. For the former items, a suggestion image 314a showing the boundary between a good and a bad product is displayed, and for the latter items, a suggestion image 314b showing the range in which the molded product is judged to be good is displayed.

[0043] In the example shown in Fig. 6, of the five items representing molding quality, "burrs," "sink marks," and "shorts" are items for which the boundary between good and defective products is identified, and a suggestion image 314a showing the boundary between good and defective products is displayed. The suggestion image 314a is an image consisting of a line segment showing the boundary and an arrow showing the side that is judged to be good. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the suggestion image 314a has line segments arranged at the positions of the vertices corresponding to each item of the reference line 312, and an arrow pointing inward from the line segments (towards the center of the radar chart 311) is displayed.

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 6, referring to the quality image 313, "sink" is determined to be a good product because it is on the side (inside) of the arrow with respect to the boundary shown in the suggestion image 314a. On the other hand, "burr" and "short" are determined to be defective products because they are on the opposite side (outside) of the arrow with respect to the boundary shown in the suggestion image 314a. Therefore, the molding quality generation unit 230 generates data representing the difference between the quality image 313 and the reference line 312 for at least "burr" and "short". Then, the molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates conditions that can obtain better quality than the difference indicated by the data generated by the molding quality generation unit 230 for at least the molding condition items that cause "burr" and "short". This means that in the radar chart 311 shown in FIG. 6, molding conditions are estimated such that the items of "burr", "sink", and "short" which are qualitative indicators are on the inside of the reference line 312 and closer to the center as shown in the suggestion image 314a.

[0045] Among the five items representing molding quality in the radar chart 311 shown in Fig. 6, "inner diameter" and "weight" are items for which the range for which they are judged to be good products is specified, and a suggestion image 314b showing the range for which they are judged to be good products is displayed. The suggestion image 314b is an image consisting of two parallel lines indicating the range and two-way arrows pointing to each line between the two lines. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the suggestion image 314b is displayed so that it straddles the vertices corresponding to each item of the reference line 312, and the two-way arrows run along the direction from each vertex to the center of the radar chart 311.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 6, referring to the quality image 313, the "weight" is within the range shown in the suggestion image 314b, and therefore is determined to be a non-defective product. On the other hand, the "inner diameter" is outside the range shown in the suggestion image 314b, and therefore is determined to be a defective product. Therefore, the molding quality generation unit 230 generates data representing the difference between the quality image 313 and the reference line 312, at least with respect to the "inner diameter". Then, the molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates conditions for eliminating the difference shown by the data generated by the molding quality generation unit 230, at least with respect to the molding condition items that affect the "inner diameter". This means that in FIG. 6, molding conditions are estimated such that the items of "weight" and "inner diameter", which are quantitative indicators, are within the ranges shown in the suggestion image 314b.

[0047] 6, the radar chart 311 does not distinguish between items determined to be good and items determined to be defective, but these may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. Specifically, for example, the display of items determined to be good (in the illustrated example, the display of "sink mark" and "weight") and the display of items determined to be defective (in the illustrated example, the display of "burr", "short", and "inner diameter") may be displayed in different display modes such as display color and display font. In this way, the user can visually and easily distinguish items in the radar chart 311 that require changes in molding quality.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another modified example of the input screen 310 using a radar chart 311. In the radar chart 311 shown in FIG. 7, of the five items representing the molding quality, the items in which the boundary between a good product and a defective product is specified ("burr", "sink mark", "short") and the items in which the range in which the product is judged to be a good product is specified ("inner diameter", "weight") are displayed in a distinguishable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in the quality image 313, the area including the items in which the boundary between a good product and a defective product is specified is displayed in white, and the area including the items in which the range in which the product is judged to be a good product is displayed in shaded. In this way, the user can visually easily distinguish the items in which the boundary between a good product and a defective product is specified and the items in which the range in which the product is judged to be a good product is specified in the radar chart 311.

[0049] <Other examples of input screen configuration> Fig. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of an input screen used when specifying molding quality. The input screen 320 is displayed on the display device 300 under the control of the display control unit 260 of the data processing device 200. The input screen 320 displays a graph 321 representing molding quality together with shot identification information. In the example shown in Fig. 8, a bar graph is used as the graph 321. Hereinafter, the same reference symbol 321 will be used to denote the bar graph as an example of the graph 321. In the example shown in Fig. 8, the shot identification information is displayed as "Shot ID: 123" in the upper right corner of the input screen 320.

[0050] Bar graph 321 shown in FIG. 8 is a graph having five items representing molding quality, namely, "burr," "sink mark," "short," "inner diameter," and "weight." "Burr," "sink mark," and "short" are types of defects in a molded product. "Inner diameter" and "weight" are elements indicating the condition of a molded product. Note that the items in bar graph 321 shown in FIG. 8 are merely examples, and information representing molding quality is not limited to the items shown. As items in bar graph 321, in addition to the items shown, various information representing molding quality such as dimensions of a molded product, internal pressure, minimum cushion position, and feature values ​​of the waveform of filling pressure can be used depending on the type of molded product or mold to be manufactured, the specifications of injection molding machine 10, etc.

[0051] A reference line 322 is displayed on the bar graph 321. The reference line 322 is an image showing the standard (hereinafter referred to as the "good quality standard") for each item of molding quality at which a molded product is deemed to be good quality. The content of the standard is set individually for each item. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the good quality standard for each item is set at an equal distance from the origin (left end) of the bar graph 321, and a reference line 322 is displayed as a dashed straight line connecting the good quality standards for each item. The user can input the molding quality of the obtained molded product based on this reference line 322.

[0052] The bar graph 321 is created based on performance data obtained by actually manufacturing a molded product. Information on the molding quality of each item is input by the user. The user evaluates the molding quality of each item in the molded product and creates a graph by operating the input device 405. Depending on the type of item shown by the bar graph 321, the graph may be created based on information obtained from sensors and detectors provided in the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 30 without user operation.

[0053] When a graph representing the molding quality is specified by a user's operation using an input screen 320 as shown in Fig. 8, the molding quality generation unit 230 of the data processing device 200 generates data representing the difference between the molding quality represented by the bar graph 321 and the target molding quality represented by the reference line 322. Then, the molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates the molding conditions required to obtain the target molding quality based on the generated data of the difference in molding quality. The data processing device 200 transmits the molding conditions estimated by the molding condition estimation unit 240 to the control device 100. The control device 100 stores the received molding conditions in the storage unit 130 as setting information 132, and sets them as molding conditions to be used for control of the control unit 110 by the molding condition setting unit 120.

[0054] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of an input screen 320 using a bar graph 321. In the bar graph 321 shown in Fig. 9, suggestion images 323 (323a, 323b) are displayed that suggest a molding quality at which the molded product will be judged to be a non-defective product when the user operates the bar graph 321. The reference line 322 and suggestion image 323 shown in the bar graph 321 are an example of a reference image.

[0055] The items representing molding quality include items that specify the boundary between a good and a bad molded product, and items that specify the range in which the molded product is judged to be good. For the former items, a suggestion image 323a showing the boundary between a good and a bad product is displayed, and for the latter items, a suggestion image 323b showing the range in which the molded product is judged to be good is displayed.

[0056] In the example shown in Fig. 9, of the five items representing molding quality, "burrs," "sink marks," and "shorts" are items for which the boundary between good and defective products is identified, and a suggestion image 323a showing the boundary between good and defective products is displayed. The suggestion image 323a is an image consisting of a line segment showing the boundary and an arrow showing the side that is judged to be good. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the suggestion image 323a has a line segment placed at the position of the reference line 322 of each item, and an arrow pointing from this line segment to the origin (left end) side of the bar graph 321 is displayed.

[0057] In the example shown in FIG. 9, referring to the bar graph 321, "sink" is determined to be a non-defective product because it is on the side (left side) of the arrow relative to the boundary indicated by the suggestion image 323a. On the other hand, "burr" and "short" are determined to be defective products because they are on the opposite side (right side) of the arrow relative to the boundary indicated by the suggestion image 323a. Therefore, the molding quality generation unit 230 generates data indicating the difference between the bar graph 321 and the reference line 322 for at least "burr" and "short". Then, the molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates conditions for eliminating the difference indicated by the data generated by the molding quality generation unit 230 for at least the molding condition items causing "burr" and "short".

[0058] Among the five items showing molding quality in bar graph 321 shown in Fig. 9, "inner diameter" and "weight" are items for which a range for which they are judged to be good products is specified, and suggestion image 323b showing the range for which they are judged to be good products is displayed. Suggestion image 323b is an image consisting of two parallel line segments showing the range and two-way arrows pointing to each line segment between the two line segments. In the example shown in Fig. 9, suggestion image 323b is displayed so that it straddles the position of reference line 322 for each item, and the two-way arrows run along the direction in which bar graph 321 extends from each vertex.

[0059] In the example shown in Fig. 9, referring to the bar graph 321, "weight" is within the range indicated by the suggestion image 323b, and therefore is determined to be a non-defective product. On the other hand, "inner diameter" is outside the range indicated by the suggestion image 323b, and therefore is determined to be a defective product. Therefore, the molding quality generation unit 230 generates data representing the difference between the bar graph 321 and the reference line 322, at least with respect to the "inner diameter". Then, the molding condition estimation unit 240 estimates conditions for eliminating the difference indicated by the data generated by the molding quality generation unit 230, at least with respect to the molding condition items that affect the "inner diameter".

[0060] 9, the bar graph 321 does not distinguish between items judged as good and items judged as bad, but these may be displayed in a distinguishable manner. Specifically, for example, the display of items judged as good (in the illustrated example, the display of "sink mark" and "weight") and the display of items judged as bad (in the illustrated example, the display of "burr", "short", and "inner diameter") may be displayed in different display modes such as display color and display font. In this way, the user can visually and easily distinguish the items in the bar graph 321 whose molding quality should be changed.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another modified example of the input screen 320 using a bar graph 321. In the bar graph 321 shown in FIG. 10, among five items representing molding quality, items for which the boundary between a good product and a defective product is specified ("burr", "sink mark", "short") and items for which the range for which the product is judged to be a good product is specified ("inner diameter", "weight") are displayed in a distinguishable manner. In the example shown in FIG. 10, in the bar graph 321, a graph 324a including items for which the boundary between a good product and a defective product is specified is displayed in white, and a graph 324b including items for which the range for which the product is judged to be a good product is displayed in shaded form. In this way, the user can visually easily distinguish items for which the boundary between a good product and a defective product is specified and items for which the range for which the product is judged to be a good product is specified in the bar graph 321.

[0062] <Combination of other input methods> Two types of input screens 310 and 320 have been described above with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 10. In this embodiment, in addition to the above-mentioned input screens 310 and 320, input of molding quality information using a different input means may be accepted. For example, the data processing device 200 may accept details and values ​​of molding quality input using a keyboard as the input device 405. In addition, the data processing device 200 may be provided with a voice input means and may accept input of commands and values ​​by voice from the user.

[0063] Although the input by the GUI using the input screens 310 and 320 shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 10 allows the user to intuitively operate, when inputting specific numerical values, etc., it may be easier to input characters using a keyboard. Therefore, instead of the input screens 310 and 320, an input screen that accepts character input from a keyboard may be displayed.

[0064] 11 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an input screen that accepts character input. The input screen 330 is displayed on the display device 300 under the control of the display control unit 260 of the data processing device 200. The input screen 330 displays an input field 331 that accepts input by the user and displays the entered molding quality information. In addition, the shot identification information "Shot ID: 123" is displayed in the upper right corner of the input screen 330.

[0065] 6 and 9, it has been described that the items representing molding quality include items that specify the boundary between a good and a bad molded product, and items that specify the range in which a molded product is judged to be good. In the former items, whether a product is good or bad is determined based on the presence or absence and the degree of the corresponding event. In the latter items, whether a product is good or bad is determined based on a numerical value that indicates the state of the corresponding item. In the input screen 330 shown in FIG. 11, check boxes are provided for the former items, and character input fields for inputting numerical values ​​are provided for the latter items.

[0066] 5 to 10, the input field 331 shown in Fig. 11 shows five items representing molding quality: "burr," "sink mark," "short," "inner diameter," and "weight." Here, the three items "burr," "sink mark," and "short" are items that specify the boundary between a good product and a defective product with respect to the molded product, and the two items "inner diameter" and "weight" are items that specify the range in which the molded product is judged to be a good product. Therefore, in the input field 331 in Fig. 11, check boxes are provided for the three items "burr," "sink mark," and "short," and a text input field is provided for the two items "inner diameter" and "weight."

[0067] In the input screen 330 shown in FIG. 11, the check box for the "burr" item is checked, indicating that burrs exist in the molded product. In addition, the number "10" is entered in the character input field for the "inner diameter" item, and the number "3" is entered in the character input field for the "weight" item. Although only numerical values ​​are shown in the figure, appropriate units (mm, g, etc.) are set for each as the size of the molded product. Note that the items in the input field 331 shown in FIG. 11 are merely examples. As items in the input field 331, in addition to the items shown in the figure, information representing various molding qualities such as the dimensions of the molded product, the mold pressure, the minimum cushion position, and the characteristic quantities of the waveform of the filling pressure can be used depending on the type of molded product and mold to be manufactured, the specifications of the injection molding machine 10, etc.

[0068] 12 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the input screen for accepting character input. The input screen 340 is displayed on the display device 300 under the control of the display control unit 260 of the data processing device 200. The input screen 340 displays an item selection field 341 for specifying the molding quality item to be input, and a character input field 342 for accepting character input via a keyboard. In addition, the shot identification information "Shot ID: 123" is displayed in the upper right corner of the input screen 340.

[0069] In the item selection field 341 shown in FIG. 12, "sink mark" and "burr" are shown as items representing molding quality. The user selects which item to input by checking a checkbox. In the illustrated example, the checkbox for "sink mark" is checked, and the item "sink mark" is selected. Note that the items in the item selection field 341 shown in FIG. 12 are merely examples. As the items in the item selection field 341, in addition to the items shown in the drawing, items suitable for inputting characters among various pieces of information representing molding quality such as dimensions of a molded product, in-mold pressure, minimum cushion position, and feature values ​​of the waveform of the filling pressure may be appropriately used depending on the type of molded product or mold to be manufactured, the specifications of the injection molding machine 10, and the like.

[0070] The content entered in the character input field 342 may vary depending on the type of molding quality item selected in the item selection field 341. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a value of "1.5" is entered, which indicates the size of "sink marks" that have occurred in the molded product. In the example shown in FIG. 12, a value of "0.1" is also displayed, which indicates the size of "burrs" that have already been entered. These values ​​may be values ​​previously set by a user or the like as relative values ​​indicating the degree of an event corresponding to each item. A threshold value indicating the boundary between a good product and a defective product may be set for these values. For example, the threshold value for "sink marks" may be set to "1.0", and the molded product may be determined to be defective when the value entered in the character input field 342 as shown in FIG. 12 is "1.5", which is greater than the threshold value "1.0".

[0071] 11 and 12 are configured separately from the input screens 310 and 320 described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 10. The display of the input screens 330 and 340 is performed under the control of the display control unit 260 of the data processing device 200, on the condition that, for example, a screen switching operation is performed on the input screens 310 and 320. The switching operation is performed, for example, by operating a mouse as the input device 405 on the input screens 310 and 320, hovering the mouse pointer over an item for character input, and clicking the mouse button.

[0072] In the above example, the input screens 330 and 340 for accepting character input are configured separately from the input screens 310 and 320 described with reference to Figs. 5 to 10, but the input screens 310 and 320 may be configured to accept character input. In this case, for example, on the condition that a selection operation for an item for character input has been performed, a text box for character input can be displayed near the selected item. The item selection operation can be, for example, an operation of operating a mouse as the input device 405, hovering the mouse pointer over the item for character input and clicking the mouse button.

[0073] The input of commands and values ​​by the user's voice is realized, for example, by providing the data processing device 200 with a function for accepting voice input and connecting a microphone as a means for acquiring voice. The acceptance of voice input is realized, for example, by executing voice analysis by program control in the processing unit 220. When inputting commands and values ​​by voice, the information and commands may be pronounced according to a predetermined format, or may be input by free speech. In the latter case, the information and commands can be extracted from the spoken voice by natural language analysis. If it is possible to accept the input of commands and values ​​by voice, the user can input information on the molding quality obtained by the measuring instrument while operating the measuring instrument to obtain the molding quality of the molded product, without taking his / her hands off the measuring instrument.

[0074] In this embodiment, the input means including the input screens 310 and 320 are described assuming that they are used to input information on molding quality to obtain molding conditions. However, these input means can be used as means for inputting information on molding quality as a processing target in various processes in the control device 100 and the data processing device 200. For example, they may be used to input information on molding quality as learning data in order to generate a mathematical model that represents the relationship between the performance data for predicting molding quality from the performance data related to the manufacture of molded products and the molding quality. This performance data includes molding conditions set in the control device 100 and observation data such as pressure waveforms obtained from the injection unit 20 and the mold clamping unit 30 in the manufacturing process. In this case, when a user inputs information on the molding quality of a manufactured molded product using the input screens 310 and 320, the input information on molding quality is associated with the performance data obtained during the manufacture of the molded product and is held as learning data. With this configuration, it is possible to input information on molding quality and obtain learning data immediately after the molded product is obtained. Therefore, unlike the case where the log data for each shot obtained during molding is associated with the quality information of the molded product of the corresponding shot to generate learning data after the molding work is completed, there is no need to manage the shots in order to generate learning data, and the time until the learning data is generated after the molding is completed is shortened. Furthermore, each input means including the input screens 310 and 320 may be used to input information on the molding quality as learning data in order to generate a mathematical model representing the relationship between the molding quality and the molding conditions used to estimate the molding conditions in the molding condition estimation unit 240.

[0075] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the data processing device 200 generates the input screens 310, 320, 330, and 340 by the display control unit 260 and displays them on the display device 300 connected to the data processing device 200. However, an information processing device provided separately from the data processing device 200 may control the display of the input screens 310, 320, 330, and 340 and accept input. Specifically, a personal computer, a tablet information terminal, a smartphone, or other information device equipped with a display means may be provided with the functions of the display device 300 and the display control unit 260 to realize the display of the input screens 310, 320, 330, and 340 and the acceptance of input. In addition, various modifications and alternative configurations that do not deviate from the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10... injection molding machine, 20... injection unit, 30... mold clamping unit, 100... control device, 110... control unit, 120... molding condition setting unit, 130... storage unit, 131... control information, 132... setting information, 200... data processing device, 210... data acquisition unit, 220... processing unit, 230... molding quality generation unit, 240... molding condition estimation unit, 250... storage unit, 260... display control unit, 270... reception unit, 300... display device, 310... input screen, 311... radar chart (graph), 312... reference line, 313... quality image, 314a, 314b... suggestion image, 320... input screen, 321... bar graph (graph), 322... reference line, 323a, 323b... suggestion image, 330... input screen, 331... character input field, 332... item selection field

Claims

1. a display control means for displaying on a display device an input screen for inputting information regarding the quality of a molded product manufactured by the injection molding machine; A receiving means for receiving an operation on the input screen; a generating unit that generates information regarding the quality of the molded product in response to the operation received by the receiving unit, The input screen is The screen has predetermined items related to the quality of the molded product, and displays the contents of each item in a graph, The display content of the graph is changed in response to the operation accepted by the accepting means. An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the items shown in the graph on the input screen are predetermined items as input information to be input to an estimation means that estimates molding conditions required to obtain quality from information related to the quality of the molded product.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays, on the graph on the input screen, a reference image which indicates a standard for judging a molded product as non-defective in each of the items.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reference image displayed on the graph on the input screen includes an image showing a range for the item that specifies a range in which a molded product is judged to be a non-defective product.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the display control means displays, among the items for which the range displayed on the graph on the input screen is specified, items whose values ​​specified by the operation accepted by the accepting means are included in the range for which a product is judged to be good, in a distinguishable manner from other items.

6. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the reference image displayed on the graph on the input screen includes an image showing a boundary between a good product and a defective product for the item in which the boundary is identified.

7. 7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the display control means displays, for the item for which the boundary displayed on the graph on the input screen is identified, a region on the side where the molded product is judged to be a good product and a region on the side where the molded product is judged to be a defective product in a distinguishable manner with respect to the boundary.

8. The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the display control means displays, as the reference image, an image showing a range for the item in which the range in which the molded product is judged to be a pass / fail product is specified, and displays an image showing the boundary for the item in which the boundary between a pass / fail molded product is specified.

9. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means displays character input fields for inputting values ​​for at least some of the items on the input screen displaying the graph or on an input screen other than the input screen.

10. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display control means displays, in response to an operation of designating the item displayed in the graph on the input screen, the character input field for the designated item on the input screen.

11. 10. The information processing device according to claim 9, wherein the display control means switches the display to the other input screen having the character input field for the specified item in response to an operation of specifying the item displayed in the graph on the input screen.

12. 12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display control means changes the display content of the graph in accordance with a value input in the character input field.

13. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voice input unit for accepting voice input regarding at least some of the items displayed in the graph on the input screen.

14. On the computer, a function of displaying on a display device an input screen for inputting information regarding the quality of a molded product manufactured by the injection molding machine; A function of accepting an operation on the input screen; a function of generating information regarding the quality of the molded product in response to the operation received by the receiving function; In the function of displaying the input screen on a display device, displaying a screen showing information about the quality of the molded product, the information having predetermined items and a graph showing the contents of each item; Changing the display content of the graph in response to an operation performed on the input screen A program characterized by.

Images