Display device and display method of injection molding machine

Abstract

To display a core operation setting screen capable of easily setting an operation of a core by enabling an operator intuitively grasp an overall operation image including an operation sequence of a plurality of cores.SOLUTION: A display device utilized for setting related to operations of a plurality of cores taken in / out to / from a metal mold of an injecting molding machine, comprises a display part and a control part which makes the display part display a core operation setting screen related to the operations of the plurality of cores. The core operation setting screen is a screen in which the plurality of cores are arranged in matrix while their operation sequence is selectable and visible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and a display method for an injection molding machine. [Background technology]

[0002] A display device used for operating an injection molding machine (for example, see Patent Document 1 below) is known. In this display device, an operator selects an action object that specifies the action of the injection molding machine from a selection area displayed on a setting screen, and sets the action by arranging the selected action object in an arrangement space in an arrangement area. This allows the operator to easily visually grasp a series of actions of the injection molding machine by displaying the action objects arranged in the arrangement area in the order of the flow of the molding process, making it possible to set the actions.

[0003] In this display device, when placing an action object, the relationship between the action object that is to be placed and the action object that has already been placed in the arrangement space of the array area is taken into consideration. As a result, a display indicating whether or not the action object can be placed is also performed, so it is possible to easily set a series of actions that avoid actions that may damage or break down the injection molding machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-171818 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the mold in the injection molding machine may be provided with a core (hereinafter referred to as a "core") that is inserted into and removed from the mold when molding a product that includes an undercut portion. When the undercut portion has a complex shape, multiple cores are provided and each core is inserted and removed individually.

[0006] In a mold having such multiple cores, the core operations need to be set in a complex manner in which the inserting and ejecting operations are intertwined, but the problem is that the display device of the prior art disclosed in Reference 1 cannot accommodate the setting of the individual inserting and ejecting operations of such multiple cores.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a display device and display method for an injection molding machine that is capable of displaying a core operation setting screen that allows an operator to intuitively grasp the overall operation image, including the operating sequence of multiple cores, and easily set the operations of the cores. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The display device of the present invention is a display device used for setting the operation of multiple cores that enter and exit a mold of an injection molding machine, and is equipped with a display unit and a control unit that causes the display unit to display a core operation setting screen related to the operation of the multiple cores, and the core operation setting screen is a screen in which the multiple cores are arranged in a matrix so that the operation order of the multiple cores is selectable and visible.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the core operation setting screen includes a process display area that displays, in a matrix form, the operation sequence in at least one process, an entry process indicating the entry operation of the multiple cores, and a removal process indicating the removal operation of the multiple cores.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the process display area includes a core selection area in which display buttons respectively associated with the multiple cores are selectably arranged in one of the row and column elements, a sequence area representing the chronological order of operation of the multiple cores, which is provided in the other of the row and column elements, and a button arrangement area partitioned according to the core selection area and the sequence area so that sequence buttons indicating the order of the operation sequence of the cores represented by the display buttons can be arranged.

[0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes an input unit that accepts operation input regarding the selection and arrangement of the display button and the order button in relation to an operator's designation of the operation of the multiple cores, and the control unit determines the operation order of the multiple cores and the arrangement position of the order button corresponding to the operation order based on information based on the operation input accepted by the input unit and standard information that defines a principle of a predetermined operation order corresponding to the multiple cores, and when a selection operation on the order button is accepted as the operation input by the input unit, causes the display unit to display order numbers that are compatible with the determined operation order in a selectable manner.

[0012] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit causes the display unit to display numbers of an order incompatible with the operation order at the determined arrangement position in an unselectable manner, or to make the numbers invisible.

[0013] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the core operation setting screen is a screen in which the process display area for the entry process and the process display area for the exit process are displayed side by side.

[0014] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the core operation setting screen is a screen in which the process display area for the entry process and the process display area for the exit process are displayed side by side along the extension direction of the sequence area, and the sequence areas are arranged in mirror image relative to each of the button arrangement areas.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit changes a display corresponding to the display in either the process display area of ​​the entry process or the process display area of ​​the removal process in conjunction with a display accompanying the operation input in the other one of the process display areas.

[0016] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the core operation setting screen displays, between the core provided on the movable mold side of the mold and the core provided on the fixed mold side of the mold, the order of the operation sequence of starting and completing mold closing of the mold during the insertion process, and displays the order of the operation sequence of starting and completing mold opening of the mold during the removal process.

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the core operation setting screen displays the operation sequence of mold touch between the sequence of mold closing start and mold closing completion, and between the sequence of mold opening start and mold opening completion. Note that "mold touch" is an omission of the word "position" from the mold touch position, as with the mold opening start and mold opening completion, and refers to the mold clamping position (crosshead position) where the movable mold and fixed mold are in close contact with each other when the mold is closed. This position is the same as the position where the movable mold and fixed mold are separated when the mold is opened.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit further includes a setting unit that sets the operation of the multiple cores based on information displayed on the core operation setting screen, and the control unit includes a display control unit that displays the core operation setting screen on the display unit, and an operation control unit that controls the operation of the multiple cores based on the setting information set by the setting unit.

[0019] The display method of the present invention is a display method performed using a display device used for setting the operation of multiple cores that enter and exit a mold of an injection molding machine, and includes a display step of displaying a core operation setting screen related to the operation of the multiple cores on a display unit of the display device, the core operation setting screen being a screen in which the multiple cores are arranged in a matrix so that the operation order of the multiple cores is selectable and visible. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to display a core operation setting screen that allows an operator to intuitively grasp the overall operational image including the operating sequence of multiple cores and easily set the operations of the cores. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an injection molding machine equipped with a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the display device. [Diagram 3] 13 is a diagram roughly illustrating an example of a core operation setting screen displayed by the display device. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram for explaining the effect of a matrix-like arrangement of operation orders on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of opening and closing the mold and the operation of the core of the injection molding machine. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the overall flow and screen display. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of the procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of the procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 13]13 is a diagram for explaining another example of the procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for changing whether a core is used or not on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a change in the operation order accompanying switching between using and not using a core on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of the procedure for changing the switching between use / non-use of a core on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram for explaining another example of a change in the operation sequence accompanying switching between use / non-use of a core on the same core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation order from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 19] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation order from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation order from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 21] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation order from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 22] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation order from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 23] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation order from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a batch change procedure for changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 25] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a batch change procedure for changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 26]13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a batch change procedure for changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 27] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a batch change procedure for changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 28] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a batch change procedure for changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 29] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a batch change procedure for changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 30] 13 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation sequence when setting operation timings of an insert operation during pressure increase during mold closing and an eject operation during pressure decrease during mold opening on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 31] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation completion confirmation display on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 32] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of another core operation setting screen displayed by the display device. FIG. [Diagram 33] 13 is a diagram showing roughly an example of another core action setting area of ​​the other core action setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 34] 13 is a diagram roughly illustrating an example of still another core operation setting screen displayed by the display device. FIG. [Diagram 35] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of the display of the process display area when a core operation is freely set using the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 36] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 37] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 38] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 39]13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 40] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 41] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 42] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 43] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 44] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Diagram 45] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 46] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. [Figure 47] 13 is a diagram roughly showing an example of display of an order selection area and order buttons when changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, a display device and a display method for an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0023] In the following embodiments, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant explanations are omitted. In the embodiments, the arrangement, scale, dimensions, etc. of each component may be exaggerated or minimized, and may not match the actual ones, and some components may be omitted.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of an injection molding machine equipped with a display device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1, the injection molding machine 100 of this embodiment is configured to include, for example, a mold clamping unit 10, an injection unit 20, and a control device 30 including a display device 31. The control device 30 of the injection molding machine 100 controls the operations of the mold clamping unit 10 and the injection unit 20 to perform overall control of the injection molding machine 100. Note that the injection molding machine 100 of this embodiment can be configured by a so-called general injection molding machine, and therefore, the following description will be limited to an outline without describing in detail the known configuration.

[0025] The mold clamping device 10 of the injection molding machine 100 may be configured, for example, as a general toggle type mold clamping device, but is not limited to this and may be a direct pressure type or a mold clamping device having another form. The mold clamping device 10 includes a rectangular fixed platen 11, a movable platen 12, a link housing 13, and a toggle link mechanism 14.

[0026] The fixed platen 11, the movable platen 12, and the link housing 13 are arranged parallel to each other and in a row in the mold opening / closing direction indicated by the arrow D in the figure (hereinafter referred to as the "mold opening / closing direction D"). The toggle link mechanism 14 is provided between the movable platen 12 and the link housing 13.

[0027] The mold clamping device 10 also includes a plurality of (for example, four) tie bars 19 and an ejector device 15. The tie bars 19 are installed, for example, penetrating from the four corners of the fixed platen 11 to the four corners of the movable platen 12 and the link housing 13. The ejector device 15 is attached to the movable platen 12 as a device for pushing out a molded product (molded item).

[0028] The mold clamping device 10 further includes a drive device (not shown). The drive device, for example, moves the link housing 13 in the mold opening / closing direction D relative to the fixed platen 11. The mold clamping device 10 configured in this manner is installed on a device base (not shown) that is installed on the floor surface of the manufacturing site of the molded product, for example.

[0029] Here, the above-mentioned "mold opening / closing direction D" refers to the direction in which the movable platen 12 and the link housing 13 approach and move away from the fixed platen 11 in this embodiment, and refers to the direction in which the movable mold 3 opens and closes with respect to the fixed mold 2 in a mold 4 having a fixed mold (fixed mold) 2 of the fixed platen 11 and a movable mold (movable mold) 3 of the movable platen 12, which will be described later.

[0030] The mold clamping device 10 drives the movable platen 12 in a mold opening / closing direction D, which is the axial direction of a plurality of tie bars 19, by bending and extending the toggle link mechanism 14, to perform mold opening / closing operations and mold clamping operations between the fixed mold 2 and the movable mold 3. Note that in Fig. 1, the tie bars 19 on the front side of the page, which are originally disposed between the movable platen 12 and the link housing 13, are not shown.

[0031] The fixed platen 11 is fixed onto a base by fastening means such as bolts. An injection hole 11a is formed in the center of the fixed platen 11. For example, an injection nozzle 21 of an injection device 20 can be inserted into the injection hole 11a. Furthermore, the opposed surfaces of the fixed platen 11 and the movable platen 12 constitute mold mounting surfaces. As a result, the fixed platen 11 and the movable platen 12 are configured to be able to hold, between them, a mold 4 that forms a cavity 5 with a fixed mold 2 and a movable mold 3.

[0032] Further, the mold 4 is provided with, for example, a plurality of core devices 39a on the fixed mold 2 side and a plurality of core devices 39b on the movable mold 3 side. The core device 39a on the fixed mold 2 side is provided with a core (hereinafter referred to as a "fixed core") 38a which moves to enter and remove from the cavity 5 in the fixed mold 2. Further, the core device 39b on the movable mold 3 side is provided with a core (hereinafter referred to as a "movable core") 38b which moves to enter and remove from the cavity 5 in the movable mold 3. Note that, although only one core device 39b is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of core devices 39b may be provided, for example, from the front side to the back side of the paper.

[0033] The fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b have a structure different from a slide core that is slidably driven by an angular pin, and are cores that are directly driven by core devices 39a, 39b. That is, each of the core devices 39a, 39b is mounted, for example, on the outer periphery side of the mold 4, and the fixed cores 38a and the movable cores 38b are provided at predetermined positions in the cavity 5 so that they can be independently inserted and removed.

[0034] The fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b are directly attached to each core device 39a, 39b via a piston rod 37 inserted into the fixed die 2 and the movable die 3. Each core device 39a, 39b includes a drive mechanism (not shown) that drives the fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b via the piston rod 37 by, for example, hydraulic or pneumatic drive.

[0035] Here, when multiple fixed cores 38a and multiple movable cores 38b (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "each core 38a, 38b") are provided as described above, settings related to the operation of each core 38a, 38b, such as which core to use for each type of mold 4 (having different shapes of cavities 5) and the timing at which each core should be inserted and removed, become very important factors.

[0036] For example, the operation timing of the insertion and removal operations of each of the cores 38a, 38b is basically set based on the position (mold opening limit position, mold closing position, mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) position, mold opening position) of the movable mold 3 (movable platen 12) during mold opening and closing by the mold clamping device 10. The operation timing of each of the cores 38a, 38b is generally set, for example, at the following three mold opening and closing positions, and each of the cores 38a, 38b may be referred to by the following core types.

[0037] First, there is a "mold opening limit core" that operates at the mold opening limit. That is, the mold opening limit core means a core that operates before the start of mold closing during the insertion operation and after the completion of mold opening during the ejection operation in each of the cores 38a and 38b. Second, there is a "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" that operates at the mold closing limit (mold clamping limit). The mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core means a core that operates after the completion of mold closing (mold clamping) during the insertion operation and before the start of mold opening during the ejection operation in each of the cores 38a and 38b. Third, there is a "mold opening / closing in progress core" that operates during mold opening / closing. The mold opening / closing in progress core means a core that operates during mold closing (from the mold opening limit position to the mold touch position) and a core that performs the ejection operation during mold opening (from the mold touch position to the mold opening limit position) in each of the cores 38a and 38b, as a core that shortens the cycle by performing a combined operation of the mold opening limit core with the mold opening / closing. Regarding "mold touch", for example, during mold closing, the movable mold 3 may be controlled to move at high speed from the mold open limit position to the mold touch position, and the mold clamping force may be applied from the mold touch position to the mold clamping limit position. Since these controls are significantly different on either side of the mold touch position, the mold touch position may be used as a term to mean the position where control is switched, such as "high pressure switching position" or "pressure increase start position". In addition, the core during mold opening / closing can operate only when the mold 4 is open, similar to the mold open limit core, and cannot operate when the mold 4 is closed. Therefore, for example, during mold closing, it is necessary to complete the operation from the mold open limit position to the mold touch position (the position where the movable mold 3 and the fixed mold 2 are in close contact), and during mold opening, it is necessary to complete the operation from the mold touch position to the mold open limit position. In particular, during mold closing, in consideration of the movable mold 3 reaching the mold touch position before the completion of the entering operation and damaging the mold 4, if the operation is not completed by the separately set mold closing position, it may be determined that there is a "core abnormality" or the like, and the mold clamping device 10 may be immediately stopped. On the other hand, while the mold is being opened, it is not a major problem if the removal operation is not completed when the mold open limit position is reached, but it may be judged as an abnormality such as a "core operation failure" and the corresponding processing may be performed.

[0038] The following four basic principles are established for the operation sequence that determines the operation timing of each of the cores 38a, 38b, which can be classified as "mold opening limit cores," "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) cores," and "mold opening / closing cores." The first principle is the "first in, last out" operation principle. That is, in a mold 4 having multiple cores (for example, core 1, core 2, core 3, core 4, and core 5), if the insertion operation is performed in the order of core 1, core 2, core 3, core 4, and core 5, then the ejection operation is performed in the order of core 5, core 4, core 3, core 2, and core 1.

[0039] The second principle is the operating principle of "entering and ejecting at the same mold opening / closing position." In other words, the entrance and ejection operations of the same core are performed at the same mold opening / closing position. The third principle is the operating principle of "entering operation is in the order of movable core → fixed core." In other words, in the entrance process, the entrance operation is performed in the order of movable core → fixed core.

[0040] The fourth principle is the principle of operation that "the ejection operation is performed in the order of fixed core → movable core". In other words, in the ejection process, the ejection operation is performed in the order of fixed core → movable core, which is the opposite of the insertion process. In this way, the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b is set on the premise that they will be inserted into and ejected from the cavity 5 according to the above-mentioned operation timing and basic principles.

[0041] Here, when the mold is clamped by the mold clamping device 10 configured as described above, for example, first, before the mold closing starts, a core set as the "mold opening limit core" among the cores 38a, 38b enters and operates, and then the mold closing starts. After the mold closing starts, for example, a core set as the "mold opening / closing core" among the cores 38a, 38b enters and operates, and then the fixed mold 2 and the movable mold 3 are mated (touched) at the mating surface PL, and the mold closing is completed. When the mold is closed, for example, the mold clamping motor 14c that imparts a rotational driving force to the screw shaft 14b connected to the crosshead 14a of the toggle link mechanism 14 via a nut body (not shown) is driven to move the crosshead 14a in the mold closing direction (mold clamping direction).

[0042] This causes the toggle link mechanism 14 to extend and move the movable platen 12 in the mold closing direction, so that the movable mold 3 fixed to the movable platen 12 comes into close contact with the fixed mold 2 fixed to the fixed platen 11, thereby closing the mold (mold alignment (mold touch)).

[0043] In order to apply a mold clamping force to the touched fixed mold 2 and movable mold 3, the crosshead 14a is further moved in the mold clamping direction to fully extend the toggle link mechanism 14, completing mold closing. Until the toggle link mechanism 14 is fully extended, the tie bar 19, both ends of which are fixed to the fixed platen 11 and the link housing 13, is extended within its elastic range.

[0044] Therefore, the stress generated in the tie bars 19 according to the amount of extension of the tie bars 19 acts as a clamping force of the mold 4 between the fixed platen 11 and the movable platen 12. After the mold closing is completed, for example, one of the cores 38a, 38b that is set as the "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" enters and operates. Furthermore, by performing the mold closing in this manner, the cavity 5 is formed inside the mold 4.

[0045] In this way, since the structure is such that the mold clamping force is determined according to the amount of extension of the tie bars 19, the mold clamping force can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the link housing 13 in the mold opening / closing direction D relative to the fixed platen 11 in the above-mentioned mold mating state. The position of the link housing 13 in the mold opening / closing direction D can be adjusted as follows, taking advantage of the fact that the tie bars 19 are fixed to the fixed platen 11 by the fixing nuts 18 so as not to rotate.

[0046] That is, the drive nuts 17, which are rotatably supported by the link housing 13 and arranged for each tie bar 19 and screwed into the threaded portions 19a at the ends of the tie bars 19, are simultaneously rotated and driven by the motor 16 fixed to the link housing 13 via a rotation transmission mechanism such as a die height gear and a belt. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the link housing 13 in the mold opening and closing direction D.

[0047] After the clamping force is applied in this manner, injection molding is performed. In injection molding, molten resin is injected and filled into a cavity 5 of a mold 4 formed by a fixed mold 2 and a movable mold 3 by an injection device 20. Here, the injection device 20 is configured to include, for example, a hopper 23, a screw 24, an injection mechanism 25, and a rotation mechanism 26.

[0048] The hopper 23 has a function of storing molding material 22, for example, in the form of pellets, and introducing it into the screw 24. The screw 24 heats, melts, and compresses the molding material 22 introduced from the hopper 23, and injects and fills it through the nozzle 21 connected to an injection flow path provided in the fixed mold 2 via the injection hole 11a of the fixed platen 11.

[0049] The injection mechanism 25 includes an injection motor 25a combined with a rotary / linear motion conversion means 25b such as a ball screw mechanism, for example, to move the screw 24 in the injection direction (mold opening / closing direction D). The rotation mechanism 26 includes a rotation motor 26a to rotate the screw 24.

[0050] In the injection filling, the molding material 22 introduced from the hopper 23 into the screw 24 is transported toward the injection port of the nozzle 21 by the rotation of the screw 24 while being heated by a heater (not shown) on the outer periphery of the screw 24. In the transport process, the molding material 22 is melted (plasticized) and compressed by the heat of the heater and shear heat caused by contact with the spiral blade of the screw 24.

[0051] In the metering, the molten molding material 22 is stored in a storage section 27 formed in a front portion of the screw 24 on the fixed mold 2 side. At the same time, the screw 24 retreats due to an increase in the amount of material stored in the storage section 27. At this time, the injection motor 25a of the injection mechanism 25 generates a predetermined retreat resistance (back pressure) in the screw 24, so that the molten molding material 22 can be stored in the storage section 27 at a predetermined pressure.

[0052] When the amount of molding material 22 required for injection filling is thus stored in the storage section 27 of the screw 24, the rotation of the screw 24 is stopped, and then the injection motor 25a of the injection mechanism 25 is driven to move the screw 24 forward in the injection direction. This forward injection motion of the screw 24 pushes the molten molding material 22 in the storage section 27 through the nozzle 21 into the injection flow path of the fixed mold 2, and fills the cavity 5 of the mold 4.

[0053] Then, when injection filling by the injection unit 20 is completed, the mold 4 is cooled to solidify the product in the cavity 5, and then the mold is opened by the mold clamping unit 10. When the mold is opened by the mold clamping unit 10, for example, first, before the start of mold opening, a core set as a "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" among the cores 38a, 38b performs a removal operation, and then mold opening is started.

[0054] After mold opening starts, for example, one of the cores 38a, 38b set as the "mold opening / closing core" performs a removal operation, and then the fixed mold 2 and the movable mold 3 move away from the mold mating surface PL, completing mold opening. When opening the mold, the mold clamping motor 14c is driven to move the crosshead 14a in the mold opening direction. This causes the toggle link mechanism 14 to bend and move the movable platen 12 in the mold opening direction, so that the movable mold 3 fixed to the movable platen 12 moves away from the fixed mold 2 fixed to the fixed platen 11, and the mold is opened. By opening the mold in this manner, the cavity 5 formed inside the mold 4 is opened.

[0055] After the mold opening is completed, for example, one of the cores 38a, 38b set as the "mold opening limit core" performs an ejection operation, and then the ejector unit 15 pushes out the molded product, the product is removed, and the injection molding is completed. In conjunction with the series of mold closing / opening operations by the mold clamping unit 10, the settings related to the operations of the cores 38a, 38b operating as the "mold opening limit core", the "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" and the "mold opening / closing core" can be set by the display unit 31 included in the control device 30.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic functional configuration of the display device. As shown in FIG. 2, the display device 31 functionally includes, for example, a display unit 31a, a setting unit 32, a control unit 33, and an input unit .

[0057] The display unit 31a is configured to include a display means such as a display. The display unit 31a displays necessary information regarding the operation of the fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b of the core devices 39a, 39b, and also displays a setting screen (hereinafter, also referred to as a "core operation setting screen") 40 (see FIG. 3, etc.; the same applies below) that can be used for setting the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b. The setting unit 32 sets the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b based on various information displayed on the core operation setting screen 40 displayed by the display unit 31a.

[0058] The control unit 33 includes a display control unit 33a that causes the display unit 31a to display a core operation setting screen 40 in the display step, and an operation control unit 33b that controls the core devices 39a, 39b to control the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b based on the setting information for the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b set by the setting unit 32. The control unit 33 also controls the display unit 31a to display various information other than the core operation setting screen 40. The control unit 33 includes a storage means (not shown) that readably and writably stores various information including, for example, reference information that defines a basic rule for the operation sequence corresponding to each of the above-mentioned cores 38a, 38b that has been set in advance.

[0059] The input unit 34 may be configured with input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., a communication module, etc. The input unit 34 uses these input devices to accept input of various information input by an operator (user) to the display device 31, or input of various information transmitted from an external device via the communication module.

[0060] Specifically, the input unit 34 is configured to accept various information associated with the operator's operation input, such as the selection and arrangement of various menus and buttons displayed on the core operation setting screen 40, as well as input of information such as letters and alphanumeric characters, and also to accept input of various information via communication to the control device 30. The control device 30 including the display device 31 may be provided integrally with the injection molding machine 100, or may be provided at a location separate from the clamping device 10 and the injection device 20 of the injection molding machine 100 so as to be remotely controllable via wired or wireless communication means.

[0061] Here, a basic configuration of the core operation setting screen 40 displayed on the display section 31a of the display device 31 configured as above will be described. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a core operation setting screen displayed by a display device. In the following description including FIG. 3, the words used to express "up, down, left, right" mean up, down, left, right, and the directions thereof as viewed from the surface of the paper.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the core operation setting screen 40 displayed on the display unit 31a of the display device 31 is configured with, for example, a setting button display area 41 configured as a rectangular strip extending left and right on the upward side, and a rectangular process display area 42 provided below this setting button display area 41.

[0063] The setting button display area 41 is provided as an area capable of displaying setting buttons such as "clamping", "clamping assistance", "core" and "individual operation" for displaying various setting screens. This setting button display area 41 includes and displays, for example, a screen switching button 41a and a clamping position display field 41b provided to the right of this screen switching button 41a for displaying the distance of the clamping position from the origin (the position of the fixed platen 11) in a predetermined unit (for example, mm).

[0064] The screen switching button 41a is a button that is pressed when switching between the screen display of the core operation setting screen 40 and the screen display of another core operation setting screen, which will be described later. Note that the setting buttons displayed in the setting button display area 41 can be provided and arranged arbitrarily, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0065] The step display area 42 is provided as an area in which the fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b can be arranged in a matrix shape to display the order of their entry and exit operations in a selectable and visible manner. Specifically, the step display area 42 is provided with an entry step display area 50 showing the entry operations of the cores 38a and 38b, and a punching step display area 60 showing the punching operations of the cores 38a and 38b, which are arranged side by side, for example. In the illustrated example, the entry step display area 50 is provided on the left side of the step display area 42, and the punching step display area 60 is provided on the right side of the step display area 42.

[0066] In addition, the process display area 42 displays, for example, a management menu button display area 43 located below the entry process display area 50, an undo button 44 located on the lower right side of the exit process display area 60, and an entry / exit linkage switch button 45 located above the exit process display area 60.

[0067] The management menu button display area 43 is provided as an area capable of displaying buttons such as "Menu", "Injection", "Clamping", "Temperature", "Setup", and "Maintenance" for transitioning to various management menu screens. Note that the buttons displayed in the management menu button display area 43 can be arbitrarily set, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0068] The undo button 44 is provided as a button to be pressed when undoing changes, etc., made by operation input such as various selections operated by the operator once or multiple times. The in / out link switch button 45 is provided as a button to be pressed when specifying whether or not to change the display corresponding to the above display in either the in-step display area 50 or the out-step display area 60 in linkage with the display accompanying the operation input in either one of them, as will be described later.

[0069] That is, as described above, the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b is based on the insertion and removal operation at the same mold opening and closing position, but there are also molds 4 that do not follow such a basic order. Therefore, if the insertion and removal interlocking switch button 45 is set to "ON", the above-mentioned basic insertion and removal operation is performed, and in conjunction with the display accompanying the operation input in either the insertion process display area 50 or the removal process display area 60, the display corresponding to this display in either the other is automatically changed. Since the operation setting of each core 38a, 38b can be performed based on this, it becomes possible to perform the operation setting semi-automatically.

[0070] On the other hand, if the inlet / outlet interlocking switch button 45 is set to "OFF", the same core can perform inlet / outlet operations at different mold opening / closing positions, and the display corresponding to the inlet process display area 50 or the outlet process display area 60 can be changed without being linked to the display accompanying the operation input in either one of them. In such a case, it becomes necessary to set the operation settings of each core 38a, 38b separately for the inlet process and the outlet process.

[0071] The entry step display area 50 includes a core selection area 51 in which display buttons 53a, 53b linked to a plurality of fixed cores 38a and movable cores 38b (four each in this case) are arranged in a selectable manner, for example, as row elements. In the center of the core selection area 51, there are also displayed display buttons 53c relating to mold closing, which are linked from the top to "mold closing start" and "mold closing completion" (hereinafter, these may also be referred to as "mold closing"), respectively.

[0072] The display buttons 53b are respectively associated with four movable cores (1) to (4) (in the illustrated example, displayed as "OK 1" to "OK 4", the same applies below) provided as the plurality of movable cores 38b. The display buttons 53a are respectively associated with four fixed cores (1) to (4) (in the illustrated example, displayed as "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4", the same applies below) provided as the plurality of fixed cores 38a.

[0073] The entry step display area 50 also includes a sequence area 52 that indicates, for example, the time sequence of the multiple fixed cores 38a and movable cores 38b provided in the row elements and the operation sequence of mold closing. The sequence area 52 indicates the time sequence of the operation sequence of "1" to "10" from left to right. Furthermore, the entry step display area 50 includes a button arrangement area 55 that is partitioned according to the core selection area 51 and the sequence area 52 so that each core "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4" and "OK 1" to "OK 4" represented by display buttons 53a, 53b, and an order button 54 indicating the order of the operation sequence of mold closing can be arranged.

[0074] In the initiation step display area 50, a core selection area 51 extending vertically is disposed on the left side of the button arrangement area 55, and a sequence area 52 extending horizontally is disposed above the button arrangement area 55. In the core selection area 51, display buttons 53b of multiple movable cores 38b, labeled "OK 1" to "OK 4" indicating the movable cores (1) to (4), are displayed from the mold closing display button 53c upwards. In addition, display buttons 53a of multiple fixed cores 38a, labeled "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4" indicating the fixed cores (1) to (4), are displayed from the display button 53c downwards.

[0075] On the other hand, the punching process display area 60 includes a core selection area 61 in which display buttons 63a, 63b linked to a plurality of fixed cores 38a and movable cores 38b (four each in this case) are arranged in a selectable manner, for example, in row elements. In the center of the core selection area 61, display buttons 63c relating to mold opening are also displayed, which are linked to "mold opening start" and "mold opening completion" (hereinafter, these may also be referred to as "mold opening"), respectively, in order from the bottom.

[0076] The display buttons 63b are linked to the four movable cores (1)-(4) provided as the multiple movable cores 38b, respectively, and are displayed as "OK 1"-"OK 4" similarly to the display buttons 53b. The display buttons 63a are linked to the four fixed cores (1)-(4) provided as the multiple fixed cores 38a, respectively, and are displayed as "FIXED 1"-"FIXED 4" similarly to the display buttons 53a.

[0077] The punching process display area 60 also includes a sequence area 62 that indicates the time sequence of the operation sequence of, for example, a plurality of fixed cores 38a and movable cores 38b provided in the elements of a row, and the mold opening. The sequence area 62 indicates the time sequence of the operation sequence of "1" to "10" from right to left. Furthermore, the punching process display area 60 includes a button arrangement area 65 that is partitioned according to the core selection area 61 and the sequence area 62 so that each core, "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4" and "OK 1" to "OK 4", represented by display buttons 63a, 63b, and an order button 64 indicating the order of the operation sequence of the mold opening can be arranged.

[0078] In this punching process display area 60, a core selection area 61 extending vertically is arranged on the right side of the button arrangement area 65, and a sequence area 62 extending horizontally is arranged above the button arrangement area 65. In the core selection area 61, display buttons 63b of multiple movable cores 38b with "OK 1" to "OK 4" indicating the movable cores (1) to (4) are displayed from the mold opening display button 63c upward, similar to the core selection area 51. Display buttons 63a of multiple fixed cores 38a with "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4" indicating the fixed cores (1) to (4) are displayed from the display button 63c downward, similar to the core selection area 51.

[0079] In the core operation setting screen 40 configured in this manner, for example, the entry process display area 50 and the exit process display area 60 are displayed side by side in the extension direction of the sequence areas 52, 62 in the process display area 42, and the sequence areas 52, 62 relative to their respective button arrangement areas 55, 65 are displayed in a so-called mirror image arrangement.

[0080] By adopting such a display mode in the core operation setting screen 40, it is possible to display the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b in the entrance process and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b in the removal process in the same display mode in the entrance process display area 50 and the removal process display area 60, for example, by displaying the order buttons 54, 64 as shown in the button arrangement areas 55, 65. Therefore, it is expected that the operator will be able to intuitively grasp the overall operation image including mold opening and closing and the operation sequence of the multiple fixed cores 38a and the movable cores 38b.

[0081] Also, in this core operation setting screen 40, the entry / exit linkage switch button 45 is set to "ON", so that, as will be described in detail later, in conjunction with the display accompanying an operational input in either the entry process display area 50 or the exit process display area 60, the corresponding display in the other area is changed, and the operation sequence is set.

[0082] That is, for example, when an operator designates the display button 53b for "OK ​​1" in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50 as "Use (ON)" by operational input, the corresponding display button 63b for "OK ​​1" in the core selection area 61 of the removal process display area 60 is automatically changed to "Use (ON)" and displayed.

[0083] Also, when the operation sequence of "OK 1" is displayed in the button arrangement area 55 by arranging the order button 54 numbered "1", the corresponding operation sequence of "OK 1" in the button arrangement area 65 is automatically changed to the arrangement of the order button 64 numbered "10". In this way, since the display and operation sequence settings are linked with the start and end operations, it is possible to shorten the tact time required for setting, reduce the hassle of operation, and prevent setting errors.

[0084] In addition, only one of the entering step display area 50 and the leaving step display area 60 may be displayed in the step display area 42. In addition, in the entering step display area 50 and the leaving step display area 60, for example, the core selection areas 51, 61 may be aligned to the left (or right) of the button arrangement area 55, 65, and the time axis direction of the time series of the sequence areas 52, 62 may be aligned in the same direction (for example, from left to right or from right to left). In other words, the arrangement positions of the core selection areas 51, 61 and the sequence areas 52, 62 relative to the button arrangement areas 55, 65 can be freely combined and configured.

[0085] In addition, the entry step display area 50 and the exit step display area 60 may be displayed side by side as described above, or may be displayed side by side up and down. Even in this case, the positions of the core selection areas 51, 61 and the sequence areas 52, 62 relative to the button arrangement areas 55, 65 can be freely combined as described above.

[0086] Also, in the core selection area 51, 61, only one of the fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b may be displayed according to the installation state of the core device 39a, 39b (for example, when only one of them is provided). Also, the display of the above-mentioned display buttons 53a to 53c, 63a to 63c and the display of the order buttons 54, 64 can be displayed by appropriately changing the color, size, movement, shape, style, and combinations thereof so that each can be distinguished. By adopting these display methods, it is possible to more easily and simply distinguish the fixed core 38a, the movable core 38b, and the operation image including the operation sequence of opening and closing the mold.

[0087] For example, the colors of the order buttons 54, 64 corresponding to the group of the display buttons 53a, 63a linked to the fixed core 38a and the order buttons 54, 64 corresponding to the group of the display buttons 53b, 63b linked to the movable core 38b may be changed in the button arrangement areas 55, 65. In this way, for example, by making the display mode similar for each group in the on-stroke and off-stroke, the types of the fixed core 38a and the movable core 38b may be displayed so as to be more clearly identifiable. In the illustrated core operation setting screen 40 (hereinafter the same), for example, the parts drawn by highlighting with a thick line (or a thick frame) indicate that they are selected, confirmed, used, etc., but this is not limited thereto.

[0088] Here, the operation sequence of the cores 38a, 38b in the operation setting example shown in Fig. 3 will be described. First, as shown in the entry process display area 50, in the entry process indicating the entry process of the cores 38a, 38b, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 1" display button 53b in the core selection area 51 operates first, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "1" at a position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order of "1" in the order area 52.

[0089] Next, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 1" display button 53a in the core selection area 51 operates second, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "2" in the position corresponding to the order "2" in the order area 52 in the button arrangement area 55. Then, mold closing starts third, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "3" in the position corresponding to the order "3" in the order area 52 in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the "START MOLD CLOSE" display button 53c in the core selection area 51. Therefore, in this case, the "MOVABLE 1" movable core 38b and the "FIXED 1" fixed core 38a operate as "mold opening limit cores".

[0090] When mold closing starts, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 2" display button 53b in the core selection area 51 operates fourth, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "4" in the position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order "4" in the order area 52. Next, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIX 2" display button 53a in the core selection area 51 operates fifth, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "5" in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order "5" in the order area 52.

[0091] Next, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 3" display button 53b in the core selection area 51 operates sixth, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "6" in the position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order "6" in the order area 52. Next, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 3" display button 53a in the core selection area 51 operates seventh, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "7" in the position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order "7" in the order area 52.

[0092] Then, the mold closing is completed eighth, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "8" in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the order of "8" in the order area 52, which corresponds to the display button 53c of "mold closing completed" in the core selection area 51. Therefore, in this case, the movable cores 38b of "OK 2" and "OK 3" and the fixed cores 38a of "FIX 2" and "FIX 3" operate as "cores in mold opening / closing".

[0093] When mold closing is completed, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 4" display button 53b in the core selection area 51 operates as the ninth, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "9" in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the order "9" in the order area 52. Finally, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 4" display button 53a in the core selection area 51 operates as the tenth, as indicated by the order button 54 displayed with the number "10" in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the order "10" in the order area 52. In this case, the "OK 4" movable core 38b and the "FIXED 4" fixed core 38a operate as "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) cores."

[0094] On the other hand, as shown in the removal process display area 60, in the removal process showing the removal operation of each core 38a, 38b, the removal operation is basically performed in the reverse order of the insertion process. First, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "Fixed 4" display button 63a in the core selection area 61 operates first, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "1" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the order "1" in the order area 62.

[0095] Next, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 4" display button 63b in the core selection area 61 operates second, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "2" in the position corresponding to the order "2" in the order area 62 in the button arrangement area 65. Then, mold opening starts third, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "3" in the position corresponding to the order "3" in the order area 62 in the button arrangement area 65 corresponding to the "start mold opening" display button 63c in the core selection area 61. Therefore, in this case, the "FIXED 4" fixed core 38a and the "OK 4" movable core 38b operate as "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) cores."

[0096] When mold opening begins, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 3" display button 63a in the core selection area 61 operates fourth, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "4" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the order "4" in the order area 62. Next, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 3" display button 63b in the core selection area 61 operates fifth, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "5" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the order "5" in the order area 62.

[0097] Next, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 2" display button 63a in the core selection area 61 operates sixth, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "6" in a position in the button arrangement area 65 corresponding to the order "6" in the order area 62. Next, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OPTIMIZED 2" display button 63b in the core selection area 61 operates seventh, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "7" in a position in the button arrangement area 65 corresponding to the order "7" in the order area 62.

[0098] Then, mold opening is completed eighth, as indicated by the sequence button 64 displayed with the number "8" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the sequence of "8" in the sequence area 62, which corresponds to the display button 63c of "mold opening completed" in the core selection area 61. Therefore, in this case, the fixed cores 38a of "FIXED 3" and "FIXED 2" and the movable cores 38b of "OPEN 3" and "OPEN 2" operate as "cores in mold opening / closing".

[0099] When the mold opening is completed, the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 1" display button 63a in the core selection area 61 operates as the ninth, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "9" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the order "9" in the order area 62. Finally, the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 1" display button 63b in the core selection area 61 operates as the tenth, as indicated by the order button 64 displayed with the number "10" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the order "10" in the order area 62. In this case, the "FIXED 1" fixed core 38a and the "OK 1" movable core 38b operate as "mold opening limit cores."

[0100] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the effect of the matrix-like arrangement of action sequences on the core action setting screen. As shown in Figure 4, when the operation sequence set as described above on the core operation setting screen 40 is organized, it can be easily understood that in the input operation of each core 38a, 38b, as shown by the numbers of each sequence button 54 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the sequence area 52 in which the order is chronological from left to right, each core 38a, 38b operates in the following order: "OK 1" → "FIX 1" → "Mold closing start" → "OK 2" → "FIX 2" → "OK 3" → "FIX 3" → "Mold closing completed" → "OK 4" → "FIX 4".

[0101] With this matrix-like arrangement of sequence buttons 54 representing the numbers "1" to "10," it is immediately apparent that each core 38a, 38b operates in accordance with the operating principle of the third principle described above, which is that "the starting operation is in the order of movable core → fixed core," as indicated by the hollow arrows pointing downward in the figure.

[0102] In addition, in the removal operation of each core 38a, 38b, it can be seen that each core 38a, 38b operates in the order of "FIXED 4" → "OK 4" → "Mold opening start" → "FIXED 3" → "OK 3" → "FIXED 2" → "OK 2" → "Mold opening completed" → "FIXED 1" → "OK 1", as shown by the numbers of each sequence button 64 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 65 corresponding to the sequence area 62 in which the order is chronological from right to left.

[0103] With this matrix-like arrangement of sequence buttons 64 representing the numbers "1" to "10," it is immediately apparent that each core 38a, 38b operates in accordance with the operating principle of the fourth principle described above, which is that "the pulling operation is performed in the order of fixed core → movable core," as indicated by the white arrows pointing upward in the figure.

[0104] The operation image of each core 38a, 38b performing entry and exit operations according to the above-mentioned operating sequence is visually represented on the core operation setting screen 40 by each sequence button 54, 64 arranged in a matrix and numbered in the button arrangement areas 55, 65 of the entry process display area 50 and the exit process display area 60.

[0105] 3, the sequence areas 52, 62 are arranged in a so-called mirror image manner so that the time series flow is symmetrical in the incoming step display area 50 and the outgoing step display area 60 with respect to the button arrangement areas 55, 65. Therefore, the arrangement of each order button 54, 64 in the button arrangement areas 55, 65 can be displayed in the same manner in the incoming step display area 50 and the outgoing step display area 60, except for the sequence number.

[0106] This allows the operator to intuitively grasp in what order the cores operate as "mold opening limit core", "mold opening / closing core" and "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" just by glancing at the entire process display area 42 of the core operation setting screen 40, and also makes it possible to easily grasp the overall operation image including the operation sequence of each of the cores 38a, 38b in the insertion process and ejection process. That is, as an overall operation image, the injection molding machine 100 operates, for example, as follows.

[0107] Fig. 5 is a flow chart showing the overall flow of opening and closing the mold and the operation of the core of the injection molding machine, and Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the overall flow and screen displays. 5, when the injection molding machine 100 performs an injection molding process, the mold opening / closing and core operations are as follows: (1) the mold opening limit core enters (step S1), and mold closing is started (step S1'). In addition, (2) the mold opening / closing core enters (step S2), and mold closing is completed (step S2'). Furthermore, (3) the mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core enters (step S3), and injection molding is performed by the injection unit 20.

[0108] Then, (4) the mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core performs the ejection operation (step S4), and mold opening is started (step S4'). Also, (5) the mold opening / closing core performs the ejection operation (step S5), and mold opening is completed (step S5'). Furthermore, (6) the mold opening limit core performs the ejection operation (step S6), and the process loops back to step S1.

[0109] Regarding the mold opening / closing and core operations that are performed in this overall flow, for example, the chronological direction of steps S1 to S3 and the chronological direction of steps S4 to S6 for the insertion process and removal process are reversed to match the sequence areas 52, 62, and the operation sequences of each core 38a, 38b are arranged in a matrix using each order button 54, 64 to correspond to the screen displays of the insertion process display area 50 and the removal process display area 60, which display the sequence of operations of each core 38a, 38b in a matrix, and are simply displayed below the process display area 42, as shown in Figure 6.

[0110] That is, in Figure 6, it can be seen that the order of operation of each core 38a, 38b classified into "mold opening limit core", "mold opening / closing core" and "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" surrounded by dashed lines in the button arrangement areas 55, 65 can be clearly shown by the process display area 42 in terms of the order of operations in the insertion process and the removal process, relative to the order of each operation in the flow of Figure 5, "mold closing start", "mold closing completion", "mold opening start" and "mold opening completion" (hereinafter these may be collectively referred to as "mold opening and closing").

[0111] In this way, it will be understood that by using the core operation setting screen 40 including the process display area 42 in which the sequence buttons 54, 64 are arranged in a matrix, it is possible to easily grasp at a glance the overall operation image of the injection molding machine 100, particularly the operation image of the mold opening / closing and core operation. This can be achieved by appropriately numbering the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b, for example, for the entry process and the ejection process, in the process display area 42 of the core operation setting screen 40, and then arranging and displaying them in a matrix in accordance with the above-mentioned basic principle.

[0112] Next, a procedure for changing the action order on the core action setting screen 40 will be described. 7 to 10 are diagrams for explaining an example of a procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. In the following, except for parts that are particularly mentioned, parts that overlap with parts already explained are given the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted.

[0113] In the core operation setting screen 40, the operator can change the timing of the entry operation and the timing of the exit operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b by, for example, appropriately selecting and pressing the order buttons 54, 64 arranged in the button arrangement areas 55, 65. In addition, the control unit 33 can automatically re-set the order of the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b by calculation processing in accordance with the changed operation timing.

[0114] Here, the input unit 34 accepts operational input by the operator regarding the selection and arrangement of the display buttons 53a-53c and the order button 54 in relation to the operation designation of each of the cores 38a, 38b. Furthermore, the control unit 33 determines the operation order of each of the cores 38a, 38b and the arrangement position of the order button 54 according to this operation order, based on information based on the operational input accepted by the input unit 34 and the above-mentioned reference information.

[0115] Then, when the input unit 34 accepts a selection operation on the order button 54 as an operation input, the display control unit 33a of the control unit 33 controls the display unit 31a to display order numbers that are compatible with the determined operation sequence in a selectable manner (for example, as a radio button display).

[0116] The operating sequence of the cores 38a, 38b and the positions of the sequence buttons 54, 64 in the button arrangement areas 55, 65 are determined in advance by the control unit 33 as shown in Fig. 3. In the following description, the on / off interlocking switch button 45 is set to "ON" unless otherwise specified.

[0117] 7, as an example of a procedure for changing the operation sequence, for example, when the operator wishes to change the order of the operation sequence of "start mold closing" indicated by the display button 53c in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50 from "3" indicated by the order button 54 at a position corresponding to the order of "3" in the order area 52 in the button arrangement area 55, the operator selects and presses the order button 54 indicated by the dashed frame 54a using the pointer 34b of the input unit 34. At this time, the order that can be applied as the operation sequence of "start mold closing" is determined to be, for example, "1," "2," "4" to "7."

[0118] 8, an order selection area 56 is displayed, as indicated by a dashed double-dashed line, in which the numbers "1" and "2" are displayed in a row to the left of the number "3" of the pressed order button 54, and the numbers "4," "5," "6," and "7" are displayed in a row to the right of the number "3." In this order selection area 56, only one of the order numbers that can be changed can be selected, and the order selection area 56 can be displayed in a radio button-like display mode in which multiple options can be selected.

[0119] Therefore, in the order selection area 56, the order numbers incompatible with the operation order are displayed as unselectable or hidden at the arrangement position of the order button 54 displayed with the predetermined number "3." This makes it possible to avoid unintentional damage or failure of the cores 38a, 38b or the core devices 39a, 39b due to an incorrect setting of the operation order.

[0120] Then, the operator can select any number from among the numbers displayed in the order selection area 56. Here, for example, as shown in Fig. 9, it is assumed that the number "6" displayed in the order selection area 56, as shown in a dashed frame 56a, is selected and pressed using the pointer 34b of the input unit 34, as shown in a dashed frame 54a.

[0121] 10, the order of the operation sequence for "Start mold closing" indicated by display button 53c in core selection area 51 is changed from the third position indicated by dashed frame 54a to the sixth, as displayed by sequence button 54 numbered "6" indicated by dashed frame 54b in a position in button placement area 55 corresponding to the order of "6" in sequence area 52, as shown by the white arrow in the figure.

[0122] Accordingly, the control unit 33 recalculates each operation before and after "start of mold closing," which has been changed to the sixth order, and the order is redetermined. That is, the order of mold opening and closing and the operation of each of the cores 38a, 38b is automatically recalculated, and the number display and arrangement position of each order button 54 based on this are also automatically redetermined. Then, the number display and arrangement position of each order button 54 are automatically changed and displayed on the display unit 31a.

[0123] Specifically, in the entry process display area 50, as shown by the white arrows in the figure, the order of the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 2" display button 53b is changed from "4" to "3", and in the button arrangement area 55, the order button 54 displayed at the position corresponding to the order "4" in the order area 52 disappears, and the order button 54 numbered "3" is arranged and displayed in the position corresponding to the order "3".

[0124] Similarly, the order of the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a for "Fixed 2" is changed from "5" to "4", and a numbered order button 54 for "4" is arranged and displayed. Similarly, the order of "OK 3" is changed from "6" to "5", and a numbered order button 54 for "5" is arranged and displayed.

[0125] Furthermore, in the punching process display area 60 which is displayed in conjunction with the filling process, the order of the operation sequence for "mold opening completed" indicated by the display button 63c in the core selection area 61 is changed from "8" to "5", and in the button arrangement area 65 indicated by the dashed frame 64a, the order button 64 which was displayed at a position corresponding to the order of "8" in the order area 62 disappears and is changed to the fifth order, as indicated by the white arrow in the figure, by the order button 64 numbered "5" in a position corresponding to the order of "5".

[0126] Also, as shown by the outlined arrows in the figure, the order of the movable cores 38b indicated by the "OK 2" display button 63b is changed from "7" to "8", and a numbered order button 64 with the number "8" is arranged and displayed. Similarly, the order of the fixed cores 38a indicated by the "FIXED 2" display button 63a is changed from "6" to "7", and a numbered order button 64 with the number "7" is arranged and displayed. Similarly, the order of "OK 3" is changed from "5" to "6", and a numbered order button 64 with the number "6" is arranged and displayed.

[0127] Although not shown in the figure, when the order of operations is changed by selecting the order button 64 in the removal process display area 60, the number display and arrangement position of each order button 54 in the button arrangement area 55 of the entry process display area 50 are similarly automatically changed and displayed by the display unit 31a.

[0128] In this way, by using the order selection area 56 in which the changeable order numbers, including the operation order number of the selected order button 54, 64, are displayed in a multiple-choice manner on the core operation setting screen 40, the operator can select and change the operation order with a single touch, and can easily change the operation order of each of the cores 38a, 38b. This makes it possible to intuitively and easily set operations, including changing the operation order.

[0129] 11 to 13 are diagrams for explaining another example of the procedure for changing the operation order on the core operation setting screen. In addition, in Fig. 11 to Fig. 13, among the above-mentioned cores 38a, 38b, the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a, 63a of "Fixed 4" is set to "Not in use". In this case, the corresponding display button 53a, 63a may be displayed in gray, for example.

[0130] As shown in Figure 11, the mold opening and closing and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b set on the core operation setting screen 40 here are set so that, during the entry process, the entry operations are performed in the order of "OK 1" → "FIX 1" → "OK 2" → "FIX 2" → "Mold closing start" → "OK 3" → "FIX 3" → "Mold closing completed" → "OK 4", as indicated by the numbers of each sequence button 54 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 55.

[0131] On the other hand, in the ejection process, as shown by the numbers of each sequence button 64 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 65, the ejection operation is set to occur in the opposite order to the insertion process: "OK 4" → "Mold opening start" → "FIXED 3" → "OK 3" → "Mold opening completed" → "FIXED 2" → "OK 2" → "FIXED 1" → "OK 1".

[0132] Here, for example, if the operator wishes to change the order of the movable cores 38b indicated by the "OK 3" display button 53b in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50 from the "6th" displayed by the order button 54 at a position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order of "6" in the order area 52, the operator selects and presses that order button 54 using the pointer 34b of the input unit 34.

[0133] 12, for example, an order selection area 56 is displayed that displays numbers "1" to "5" to the left of the number "6" of the pressed order button 54, and numbers "7" to "9" to the right of the number "6." The number of selections displayed here is, for example, the total number of each of the cores 38a, 38b plus 2.

[0134] From this state, it is assumed that the operator selects and presses the number "8" from among the numbers displayed in the order selection area 56 using the pointer 34b of the input unit 34. Then, as shown in Fig. 13, the order of the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 3" display button 53b is changed to the 8th order as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "8" at the position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the order of "8" in the order area 52.

[0135] Accordingly, the mold opening / closing and the operating sequence of each core 38a, 38b are recalculated as described above, and as shown by the outline arrows in the figure and the dashed frame 54a in the same manner as in the above example, the "mold closing completion" sequence is changed from "8" to "7" and a sequence button 54 with the number "7" is arranged and displayed. Also, the sequence of "fix 3" is changed from "7" to "6" and a sequence button 54 with the number "6" is arranged and displayed.

[0136] In the removal process display area 60 displayed in conjunction with the entry process, due to a change in the arrangement and display of the sequence button 54 numbered "8" for the movable core 38b indicated by the above-mentioned "OK 3" display button 53b, the order of the "OK 3" movable core 38b indicated by the display button 63b in the core selection area 61 is changed to the second order so that it is displayed by the sequence button 64 numbered "2" at a position in the button arrangement area 65 corresponding to the order of "2" in the order area 62.

[0137] As in the above example, as indicated by the outline arrows and dashed-line frame 64a in the figure, the order of "mold opening start" is changed from "2" to "3" and a order button 64 with the number "3" is arranged and displayed. Also, the order of "fix 3" is changed from "3" to "4" and a order button 64 with the number "4" is arranged and displayed. Even if the order of operations is changed in this way, by using the core operation setting screen 40, the order of operations can be easily changed and the operation settings can be intuitively and easily executed.

[0138] Next, a description will be given of switching between use and non-use of the cores 38a, 38b on the core operation setting screen 40. Note that hereinafter, recalculation of the operation sequence and the like as described above will be performed automatically. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for changing whether to use or not use a core on the core operation setting screen. Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of a change in the operation order accompanying the switching between use and not use of a core on the core operation setting screen.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 14, the operator can switch between use and non-use of each of the cores 38a, 38b by, for example, using the pointer 34b of the input unit 34 to select and press the display buttons 53a, 53b in the core selection area 51. Here, as shown in the extracted and enlarged display area indicated by the arrow in FIG. 14, among the cores 38a, 38b set in the operation sequence shown in FIG. 3 described above, in the entry step display area 50, the movable core 38b indicated by the display button 53b of "OK 4" in the core selection area 51 set to "USE" and the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a of "FIXED 4" set to "USE" are selected and pressed by the pointer 34b as indicated by the white arrow in the figure, and changed to "non-use". Note that the "use" state is indicated by a thick frame compared to the "non-use" state.

[0140] That is, when switching to "unused", the operator selects and presses the "OK 4" display button 53b and the "FIXED 4" display button 53a in the core selection area 51 using the pointer 34b of the input unit 34 as shown in Fig. 14. By this operation input, the display of the corresponding display buttons 53a, 53b changes, for example, from a thick frame display to a thin frame display or is grayed out (changed to gray color), as shown in Fig. 15, and the "OK 4" movable core 38b and the "FIXED 4" fixed core 38a in the core selection area 51, which are in the "used (ON)" state, are each switched to the "unused (OFF)" state.

[0141] Therefore, the display button 53b for "OK ​​4" is changed to a display indicating "unused", and the order button 54 that was displayed with the number "9" in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the order of "9" in the order area 52, corresponding to this display button 53b, is hidden. Also, the display button 53a for "FIXED 4" is changed to a display indicating "unused", and the order button 54 that was displayed with the number "10" in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the order of "10" in the order area 52, corresponding to this display button 53a, is hidden. As a result, the actions in the order of the 9th and 10th actions in the entry process are canceled. In addition, the displays indicating the orders of "9" and "10" that were displayed in the order area 52 are hidden. Then, the action order is recalculated and re-determined by the control unit 33.

[0142] In conjunction with this, the display of the "OK 4" display button 63b and the "FIXED 4" display button 63a in the core selection area 61 of the punching process display area 60 is similarly changed to a display indicating "unused" (for example, a display changed from a thick frame to a thin frame, etc.), and in the punching process, the "OK 4" movable core 38b and the "FIXED 4" fixed core 38a are automatically changed to "unused (OFF)", respectively. Also, the displays indicating the orders of "9" and "10" that were displayed in the order area 62 are hidden.

[0143] Then, with the switching to the above-mentioned "unused" state, the order of the "start mold opening" operation sequence indicated by display button 63c in core selection area 61 is changed from "3" to "1", as indicated by the white arrows in the figure and the dashed frame 64a, so that it is changed to the first order, as displayed by sequence button 64 numbered "1".

[0144] Also, the order of the fixed core 38a indicated by the "FIXED 3" display button 63a is changed from "4" to "2", and a numbered order button 64 with the number "2" is arranged and displayed. Also, the order of the movable core 38b indicated by the "OPTIMIZED 3" display button 63b is changed from "5" to "3", and a numbered order button 64 with the number "3" is arranged and displayed.

[0145] Similarly, the order of "Fixed 2" is changed from "6" to "4" and a sequence button 64 with the number "4" is arranged and displayed. Also, the order of "Possible 2" is changed from "7" to "5" and a sequence button 64 with the number "5" is arranged and displayed.

[0146] Furthermore, the order of "Mold Open Completed" is changed from "8" to "6" and is changed to the sixth place as displayed by the "6" numbered order button 64. The orders of "Fixed 1" and "OK 1" are also changed from "9" to "7" and from "10" to "8", respectively, and are displayed by the "7" numbered order button 64 and the "8" numbered order button 64, respectively.

[0147] In this way, when the use / non-use of a core is switched by the selected display button 53a, 53b, 63a, 63b on the core operation setting screen 40, the operation order of other cores that are affected by the order is automatically recalculated and then re-determined. Then, the number display and arrangement position in the button arrangement area 55, 65 of each order button 54, 64 are automatically changed as described above and displayed by the display unit 31a.

[0148] This eliminates the need for the operator to reset the operation sequence when switching between using and not using a core, reducing the cumbersome work of opening and closing the mold and setting the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b, and allows the operator to intuitively and easily set the operations in the same manner as described above.

[0149] Fig. 16 is a diagram for explaining another example of a procedure for changing the use / non-use of a core on the core operation setting screen. Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining another example of a change in the operation sequence accompanying the use / non-use of a core on the core operation setting screen. In Fig. 16, the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a, 63a of "Fixed 4" among the above-mentioned cores 38a, 38b is set to "unused". In this case, the corresponding display button 53a, 63a may be displayed in gray, for example.

[0150] As shown in FIG. 16, the operating sequence of each core 38a, 38b set on the core operation setting screen 40 here is set so that, during the entry process, they enter in the order of "OK 1" → "FIX 1" → "OK 2" → "FIX 2" → "Mold closing start" → "OK 3" → "FIX 3" → "Mold closing completed" → "OK 4", as indicated by the numbers of each sequence button 54 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 55.

[0151] On the other hand, in the ejection process, as shown by the numbers of each sequence button 64 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 65, the ejection operation is set to occur in the opposite order to the insertion process: "OK 4" → "Mold opening start" → "FIXED 3" → "OK 3" → "Mold opening completed" → "FIXED 2" → "OK 2" → "FIXED 1" → "OK 1".

[0152] Here, for example, in order to switch the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a for "Fixed 3" set to the "Used" state in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50 to the "Unused" state, the operator uses the pointer 34b of the input unit 34 to select and press the display button 53a.

[0153] 17, the display button 53a for "Fixed 3" is changed to a display indicating "Not in use", and the order button 54 corresponding to this display button 53a and displayed with the number "7" in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the order of "7" in the order area 52 is made invisible. As a result, the last step (here, the "9th" step) is reduced by one in the order of the operation in the entry process, so the order area 52 is displayed to indicate the order of "1" to "8", and the operation order is recalculated and redetermined.

[0154] Accordingly, as shown by the outline arrows and the dashed frame 54a in the figure, the order of the operation sequence of "mold closing completed" indicated by the display buttons 53c in the core selection area 51 is changed from "8" to "7", and it is changed to the seventh place as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "7". Also, the order of the movable core 38b indicated by the display button 53b for "OK ​​4" is changed to "8", which is the last position, and it is changed to the eighth place as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "8".

[0155] In conjunction with this, the display button 63a for "Fixed 3" in the core selection area 61 of the punching process display area 60 is changed to a display indicating "Not in use", and the order button 64 that corresponds to this display button 63a and that was displayed with the number "3" in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the order of "3" in the order area 62 is made invisible. As a result, the order of the operations in the punching process is reduced by one to the final step, and the order area 62 is now displayed to indicate the order of "1" to "8".

[0156] Then, as shown by the outline arrows and dashed box 64a in the figure, the order of the operation sequence of "mold opening completed" shown by the display buttons 63c in the core selection area 61 is changed from "5" to "4", and is changed to the fourth place as displayed by the order button 64 numbered "4". Also, the orders of "fix 1" and "fix 2" are changed from "8" to "7" and from "6" to "5", respectively, and are displayed by arranging the order buttons 64 numbered "7" and "5", respectively.

[0157] Also, the order of "OK 1", "OK 2" and "OK 3" are changed from "9" to "8", "7" to "6" and "4" to "3", respectively, and order buttons 64 with the numbers "8", "6" and "3" are arranged and displayed. Even when switching between use / non-use in this way, it is possible to intuitively and easily set the operations by reducing the complicated work of setting the operation order of the mold opening / closing and each of the cores 38a, 38b.

[0158] Next, a procedure for setting an operation sequence on the core operation setting screen 40 from a state in which the cores to be used have not yet been set will be described. 18 to 23 are diagrams for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation sequence from a state in which a core to be used has not been set on the core operation setting screen. Note that the explanation starts from a transition from a state in which the operation sequences of the cores 38a, 38b as shown in FIG. 3 have been set to a state in which a core to be used has not been set.

[0159] Since the above-mentioned entry / exit linkage switch button 45 is set to “ON,” the operator can input operations in either the entry process display area 50 or the exit process display area 60, as described above. However, here, the explanation will be given assuming that operation input is performed in the entry process display area 50.

[0160] First, the operator selects and presses all of the display buttons 53a, 53b of "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4" and "OK 1" to "OK 4" in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50, for example, using the pointer 34b or the like, to set them to the "unused (OFF)" state. As a result, the display buttons 53a, 53b are changed to a display indicating "unused", and all of the display buttons 63a, 63b of "FIXED 1" to "FIXED 4" and "OK 1" to "OK 4" in the core selection area 61 of the removal process display area 60 are also linked and set to the "unused (OFF)" state, changing to a display indicating "unused".

[0161] Then, the display unit 31a may display a core operation setting screen 40 in a state where a core to be used has not been set, as shown in Fig. 18. In this core operation setting screen 40, all of the display buttons 53a, 63a and 53b, 63b of "Fixed 1" to "Fixed 4" and "OK 1" to "OK 4" in the core selection areas 51, 61 of the entry step display area 50 and the exit step display area 60 are set to the "unused (OFF)" state, and are displayed as "unused".

[0162] In this case, the sequence of mold opening and closing operations indicated by display buttons 53c, 63c in the entry process display area 50 and the removal process display area 60 can always be set and displayed as first and second, as indicated by sequence buttons 54, 64 displayed with numbers "1" and "2" respectively in positions in the button arrangement areas 55, 65 corresponding to the sequences "1" and "2" in the sequence areas 52, 62.

[0163] Next, from the state shown in Fig. 18, for example, among all the display buttons 53a, 53b of "Fixed 1" to "Fixed 4" and "OK 1" to "OK 4" in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50, the display button 53a, 53b associated with the core to be used is selected, and the selected core is set to the "Use (ON)" state. Here, as shown in Fig. 19, it is assumed that the operator uses the pointer 34b to select and press the display button 53b of "OK 1" in the core selection area 51, for example, to set it to "Use".

[0164] 20, the display of the "OK 1" display button 53b is changed to a display indicating "Used". Also, a sequence button 54 numbered "1" is arranged and displayed in the button arrangement area 55 at a position corresponding to the sequence of "1" in the sequence area 52, which corresponds to the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 1" display button 53b in the core selection area 51. In this way, the order of the operation sequence when the display button 53b is selected and specified is automatically selected from the core type and sequence (die opening limit core, 1st) at the time of the previous operation sequence setting (the setting shown in FIG. 3), and the sequence button 54 is arranged and displayed in the button arrangement area 55.

[0165] Accordingly, as indicated by the outline arrows and dashed-line frames 54a in the drawing, the orders of "mold closing start" and "mold closing completion" are changed from "1" to "2" and from "2" to "3", respectively, to become the second and third, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "2" and "3". Then, the order area 52 is displayed showing the order from "1" to "3".

[0166] In conjunction with this, the sequence area 62 of the punching process display area 60 is displayed to show the sequence of "1" to "3", and the display of the "OK 1" display button 63b in the core selection area 61 is changed to a display indicating "Use". Also, a sequence button 64 numbered "3" is arranged and displayed in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the sequence of "3" in the sequence area 62, which corresponds to the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 1" display button 63b in the core selection area 61.

[0167] Here, in the button arrangement area 55 of the entry process display area 50, if the operator wishes to change the operation sequence of the movable core 38b marked "OK 1" by the sequence button 54 numbered "1" at a position corresponding to the sequence "1" in the sequence area 52 from "1", the operator uses the pointer 34b to select and press that sequence button 54.

[0168] 21, for example, a sequence selection area 56 is displayed in which the numbers "2" and "3" are displayed in sequence to the right of the number "1" of the pressed sequence button 54, allowing multiple choices to be made. The operator can select any number from among the numbers displayed in the sequence selection area 56, but here it is assumed that the operator has selected and pressed the number "3" using the pointer 34b.

[0169] 22, the order of "OK 1" in the core selection area 51 is changed to the third, as displayed by the order button 54 numbered "3." Accordingly, as shown by the outlined arrows and dashed-line frame 54a in the figure, the orders of "mold closing start" and "mold closing completion" are changed from "2" to "1" and from "3" to "2," respectively, to the first and second, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "1" and "2."

[0170] Also, as indicated by the hollow arrows and dashed-line frames 64a in the figure, the order of "OK 1" in the core selection area 61 of the punching process display area 60 is changed from "3" to "1," so that it is changed to the first place as displayed by the order button 64 numbered "1." Also, the orders of "mold opening start" and "mold opening completion" are changed from "1" to "2" and "2" to "3," so that they are changed to the second and third places, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 64 numbered "2" and "3."

[0171] 23, when the operator uses the pointer 34b to select and press the display button 53a of "Fixed 1" in the core selection area 51, for example, and sets it to "Used", the display of the display button 53a of "Fixed 1" is changed to a display indicating "Used". Also, the order button 54 with the number "1" automatically selected as described above is arranged and displayed at a position in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a of "Fixed 1" in the core selection area 51 and corresponding to the order of "1" in the order area 52.

[0172] Accordingly, as indicated by the hollow arrows and dashed-line frames 54a in the figure, the orders of "mold closing start" and "mold closing completion" are changed from "1" to "2" and "2" to "3", respectively, so that they are changed to the second and third places, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "2" and "3". The order area 52 then displays the order from "1" to "4". In addition, the order of "OK 1" is changed from "3" to "4", so that it is changed to the fourth place, as displayed by the order button 54 numbered "4".

[0173] The sequence area 62 of the punching process display area 60 also displays the sequence from "1" to "4," and the display of the "Fixed 1" display button 63a in the core selection area 61 is changed to a display indicating "Use." Then, a sequence button 64 numbered "4" is arranged and displayed in the button arrangement area 65 at a position corresponding to the sequence of "4" in the sequence area 62, which corresponds to the fixed core 38a indicated by the "Fixed 1" display button 63a in the core selection area 61.

[0174] In this way, on the core operation setting screen 40 in which the core to be used has not been set, the operator can change the core to be used one by one from the "unused (OFF)" state to the "used (ON)" state or vice versa, thereby freely and reliably setting the mold opening / closing and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b, etc.

[0175] Next, a procedure for collectively changing the operation sequence of the cores 38a, 38b in response to a change in the mold opening and closing operation sequence on the core operation setting screen 40 will be described. 24 to 29 are diagrams for explaining an example of a collective change procedure by changing the operation sequence of opening and closing the mold on the core operation setting screen. In Fig. 24 to 29, among the above-mentioned cores 38a, 38b, the fixed core 38a indicated by the display buttons 53a, 63a of "FIXED 3" and "FIXED 4", and the movable core 38b indicated by the display buttons 53b, 63b of "OPEN 4" are set to "unused" by displaying in gray color or the like.

[0176] 24, the operation sequence of the mold opening / closing and each core 38a, 38b set on the core operation setting screen 40 is set so that, in the entering process, the entering operation is performed in the order of "OK 1" → "FIX 1" → "OK 2" → "FIX 2" → "OK 3" → "mold closing start" → "mold closing complete", as shown by the numbers of each sequence button 54 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 55. That is, in the initial state, the core type of all the cores 38a, 38b is "mold opening limit core".

[0177] Therefore, in the ejection process, the ejection operation is set to proceed in the opposite order to the insertion process, "mold opening start" → "mold opening complete" → "OK 3" → "FIX 2" → "OK 2" → "FIX 1" → "OK 1", as shown by the numbers on the sequence buttons 64 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 65. The sequence areas 52 and 62 are displayed in a mirror image arrangement, showing the order "1" to "7".

[0178] Here, first, for example, in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50, the order of the operation sequence of "start mold closing" indicated by the display button 53c is changed from the "6th" displayed by the order button 54 at the position in the button arrangement area 55 that corresponds to the order of "6" in the order area 52. To do this, the operator selects and presses the order button 54 using the pointer 34b.

[0179] 25, for example, an order selection area 56 displaying numbers "1" to "5" is displayed to the left of the number "6" of the pressed order button 54. Note that since "start of mold closing" cannot be set to an order after "completion of mold closing," the number of selectable numbers displayed here is, for example, the total number of each core 38a, 38b plus 1.

[0180] 26, it is assumed that the operator selects and presses the number "1" using the pointer 34b from among the numbers displayed in the order selection area 56. Then, the order of "start mold closing" is changed to the first order as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "1" in the button arrangement area 55 at the position corresponding to the order "1" in the order area 52.

[0181] Accordingly, the opening and closing of the mold and the operating sequence of each core 38a, 38b are recalculated, and the order of "Fix 1" and "Fix 2" is changed from "2" to "3" and from "4" to "5" as indicated by the white arrows in the figure and the dashed frame 54a, and they are changed to the third and fifth positions, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "3" and "5".

[0182] In addition, the order of "OK 1", "OK 2" and "OK 3" are changed from "1" to "2", "3" to "4" and "5" to "6", and they are changed to the second, fourth and sixth positions, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 54 for the numbers "2", "4" and "6".

[0183] In conjunction with this, in the core selection area 61 of the punching process display area 60, the order of the operation sequence for "mold opening completed" indicated by the display button 63c is changed from "2" to "7", as shown by the white arrow in the figure and the dashed frame 64a, and is changed to the seventh place, as displayed by the order button 64 numbered "7".

[0184] In addition, as indicated by the hollow arrows in the figure and the dashed box 64a, the order of "Fix 1" and "Fix 2" are changed from "6" to "5" and from "4" to "3", so that they are changed to the fifth and third positions, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 64 numbered "5" and "3".

[0185] Also, the order of "OK 1", "OK 2" and "OK 3" are changed from "7" to "6", "5" to "4" and "3" to "2", so that they are changed to the 6th, 4th and 2nd, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 64 for the numbers "6", "4" and "2". That is, in this state, the core types of all the cores 38a, 38b are "mold opening / closing in progress".

[0186] 27, for example, in the core selection area 51 of the entry process display area 50, the order of the operation sequence of "mold closing completion" indicated by the display button 53c is changed from the "7th" displayed by the order button 54 at the position corresponding to the order of "7" in the order area 52 in the button arrangement area 55. To do this, the operator selects and presses the order button 54 using the pointer 34b.

[0187] 28, for example, an order selection area 56 displaying numbers "2" to "6" is displayed to the left of the number "7" of the pressed order button 54. Note that since "mold closing completed" cannot be set to an order before "mold closing started", the number of selectable numbers displayed here is, for example, the total number of each core 38a, 38b plus 1.

[0188] From this state, assume that the operator uses the pointer 34b to select and press the number "2" from among the numbers displayed in the order selection area 56. Then, as shown in Fig. 29, the order of "mold closing completed" is changed to second, as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "2."

[0189] Accordingly, the opening and closing of the mold and the operating sequence of each core 38a, 38b are recalculated, and as indicated by the hollow arrows in the figure and the dashed frame 54a, the orders of "Fix 1" and "Fix 2" are changed from "3" to "4" and from "5" to "6", so that they become the fourth and sixth, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "4" and "6".

[0190] In addition, the order of "OK 1", "OK 2" and "OK 3" are changed from "2" to "3", "4" to "5" and "6" to "7", and they are changed to the third, fifth and seventh positions, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 54 for the numbers "3", "5" and "7".

[0191] In conjunction with this, in the core selection area 61 of the punching process display area 60, as shown by the hollow arrow in the figure and the dashed frame 64a, the order of "Mold opening start" is changed from "1" to "6", and it is changed to the sixth place, as displayed by the order button 64 numbered "6".

[0192] Also, as shown by the outline arrows and the dashed frame 64a in the figure, the order of "FIXED 1" and "FIXED 2" is changed from "5" to "4" and from "3" to "2", and they are changed to the fourth and second places, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 64 with the numbers "4" and "2". Also, the order of "OK 1", "OK 2", and "OK 3" is changed from "6" to "5", "4" to "3", and "2" to "1", and they are changed to the fifth, third, and first places, respectively, as displayed by the order buttons 64 with the numbers "5", "3", and "1". Therefore, in this state, the core type of all the cores 38a and 38b becomes "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core".

[0193] In this way, the order of the operation sequences of the cores 38a, 38b can be changed all at once by the operator simply changing the operation sequence of mold opening and closing on the core operation setting screen 40. This reduces the complicated work involved in setting the operation sequences of mold opening and closing and the cores 38a, 38b, shortening the time required, and allows the operation to be set intuitively and easily.

[0194] Next, the procedure for setting the operation sequence when setting the operation timing of the core insertion operation during mold closing pressure increase (from mold touch to completion of mold closing) and the operation timing of the core removal operation during mold opening pressure decrease (from the start of mold opening to mold touch) will be described, assuming that the cycle can be shortened by performing a combined operation of the mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core on the core operation setting screen 40. Fig. 30 is a diagram for explaining an example of a procedure for setting an operation sequence when setting the operation timing of the entry operation during mold closing pressure increase and the ejection operation during mold opening pressure decrease on the core operation setting screen. In Fig. 30, the fixed core 38a indicated by the display button 53a, 63a of "Fixed 4" among the above-mentioned cores 38a, 38b is set to "unused" by displaying in gray color or the like, and the process display area 42 of the core operation setting screen 40 is simply illustrated.

[0195] As shown in Figure 30, in the core selection areas 51, 61 of the entry process display area 50 and the removal process display area 60, display buttons 53c, 63c indicating "mold touch" have been added between "mold closing start" and "mold closing completed" indicated by display button 53c, and between "mold opening start" and "mold opening completed" indicated by display button 63c.

[0196] The "touch type" display buttons 53c, 63c may be added in advance to the core selection areas 51, 61 of the core operation setting screen 40, or may be set so that they can be freely added / deleted later, for example, by an operator according to the operation setting environment and operation setting conditions. By adding the "touch type" display buttons 53c, 63c, the order area 52 is arranged from left to right, and the order area 62 is arranged from right to left, respectively, to show the chronological order of operation from "1" to "11", and one row of areas is added to each of the button arrangement areas 55, 65.

[0197] This allows more detailed settings by combining the setting of the operation timing of the cores 38a, 38b during the mold closing pressure increase and the mold opening pressure decrease, and the selection of whether to stop the mold closing pressure increase operation during the insertion operation and the mold opening pressure decrease operation during the removal operation. That is, in mold closing, the operation timing of the core's insertion operation during the pressure increase from the mold touch position to the mold clamping limit (mold closing completion) can be set, and in mold opening, the operation timing of the core's removal operation during the pressure decrease from the mold clamping limit to the mold touch position can be set. These operation timings can be set by, for example, triggering by "mold clamping force", triggering by "timer", triggering by "crosshead position (toggle type limited)", and combinations of these, as well as further combinations of the selection of "whether to stop".

[0198] The sequence of mold opening and closing and the operation of each core 38a, 38b shown in Figure 30 is set so that, in the entering process shown in the entering process display area 50, the entering operations are set in the order of "OK 1" → "OK 2" → "Mold closing start" → "Fix 1" → "Mold touch" → "OK 3" → "Mold closing completed" → "Fix 2" → "Fix 3" → "OK 4", as indicated by the numbers of each sequence button 54 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 55.

[0199] In addition, in the ejection process shown in the ejection process display area 60, the ejection operation is set to proceed in the order of "OK 4" → "FIX 3" → "FIX 2" → "Mold opening start" → "OK 3" → "Mold touch" → "FIX 1" → "Mold opening completed" → "OK 2" → "OK 1", which is the opposite of the entry process, as shown by the numbers of the sequence buttons 64 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 65. Therefore, here, for the movable core 38b indicated by the "OK 3" display buttons 53b, 63b, the operation timing of the entry operation during the mold closing pressure increase and the ejection operation during the mold opening pressure decrease can be set.

[0200] First, when setting the operation timing triggered by the "clamping force" in case (1), a predetermined clamping force is set in advance, and the set clamping force (set clamping force) and the actual clamping force (actual clamping force) of the clamping device 10, which is constantly measured, are monitored. For the "OK 3" closing operation of the movable core 38b, the closing operation is started when the actual clamping force becomes equal to or greater than the set clamping force during pressure increase (actual clamping force (measured value) ≧ set clamping force (set value)). Then, if the closing operation is not completed by the clamping limit, the closing operation of the corresponding movable core 38b is continued.

[0201] On the other hand, for the ejection operation of the movable core 38b in "Possible 3", the ejection operation is started when the actual mold clamping force becomes equal to or less than the set mold clamping force during pressure reduction (actual mold clamping force (measured value) ≦ set mold clamping force (set value)). If the ejection operation is not completed by the time the mold touch position is reached, the mold opening is stopped at the mold touch position, and the ejection operation of the corresponding movable core 38b is allowed to continue, or an abnormal stop is made.

[0202] Next, when setting the operation timing triggered by the "timer" in case (2), for the "OK 3" closing operation of the movable core 38b, a timer is set for a predetermined elapsed time from the mold touch position, and the closing operation is started when the timer is up during pressure increase. If the closing operation is not completed by the mold clamping limit, the closing operation of the corresponding movable core 38b is continued.

[0203] On the other hand, for the removal operation of the movable core 38b in "OK 3", the removal operation is started when the timer is up during the voltage reduction based on the above timer setting. If the removal operation is not completed by the time of the die touch position, it is possible to select whether to continue or to stop due to an abnormality, as in the case (1).

[0204] Next, when setting the operation timing of the trigger by the "crosshead position (toggle type only)" in case (3), the mold clamping limit of the mold clamping device 10 is taken as the origin, and the crosshead position at this mold clamping limit is 0 mm, whereas the crosshead position at the mold touch position is several tens of mm or more.

[0205] The crosshead position is set in advance, and the set crosshead position (set crosshead position) and the actual crosshead position (actual crosshead position) of the mold clamping device 10, which is constantly measured, are monitored. Regarding the "OK 3" opening operation of the movable core 38b, the opening operation is started when the actual crosshead position becomes equal to or lower than the set crosshead position during pressure rise (actual crosshead position (measured value) ≦ set crosshead position (set value)). If the opening operation is not completed by the mold clamping limit, the opening operation is continued as in case (1).

[0206] On the other hand, for the punching operation of the movable core 38b in "Possible 3", the punching operation is started when the actual crosshead position becomes equal to or greater than the set crosshead position during pressure reduction (actual crosshead position (measured value) ≧ set crosshead position (set value)). If the punching operation is not completed by the time the die touch position is reached, it is possible to select whether to continue or to stop due to an abnormality, as in the cases (1) and (2).

[0207] It is also possible to set the operation timing by appropriately combining the above cases (1) to (3) with different triggers. It is also possible to set the operation timing for each of the on-operation and the off-operation by combining the above cases (1) to (3) with different triggers. For example, it is possible to adopt case (1) for the on-operation and case (2) for the off-operation, including the selection of "whether to stop" during voltage increase and voltage decrease.

[0208] In this way, the operation sequence of the cores 38a, 38b during mold closing pressure increase and mold opening pressure decrease can be set in more detail and changed on the core operation setting screen 40. This makes it possible to intuitively and easily set the mold opening / closing and the operation sequence of the cores 38a, 38b in more detail.

[0209] Next, the operation completion confirmation display on the core operation setting screen 40 will be described. Fig. 31 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation completion confirmation display on the core operation setting screen. Note that the mold opening and closing, the usage state and operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b in Fig. 31 are the same as those shown in Fig. 30.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 31, in the entry process display area 50, the display buttons 53b "OK 1" and "OK 2" in the core selection area 51 and the sequence buttons 54 numbered "1" and "2" arranged in positions in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the orders "1" and "2" in the sequence area 52, respectively, are each displayed with an entry limit lamp 71.

[0211] In addition, in the punching process display area 60, the display buttons 63b for "OK ​​1" and "OK 2" in the core selection area 61 and the sequence buttons 64 for the numbers "10" and "9" arranged in the button arrangement area 65 at positions corresponding to the orders of "10" and "9" in the sequence area 62 also display the entry limit lamps 71. The entry limit lamps 71 indicate that the core has advanced to reach the entry limit.

[0212] In addition, the display buttons 53a for "Fixed 1," "Fixed 2," and "Fixed 3," as well as the display buttons 53b for "OK ​​3" and "OK 4" in the core selection area 51, and the sequence buttons 54 for these numbers, which are arranged in positions in the button arrangement area 55 corresponding to the orders of "4," "8," "9," "6," and "10" in the order area 52, respectively, are each displayed with a limit lamp 72.

[0213] Similarly, the display buttons 63a for "Fixed 1", "Fixed 2", and "Fixed 3", as well as the display buttons 63b for "OK ​​3" and "OK 4" in the core selection area 61, and the sequence buttons 64 for these numbers arranged in positions in the button arrangement area 65 corresponding to the orders of "7", "3", "2", "5", and "1" in the sequence area 62, respectively, also display a removal limit lamp 72. This removal limit lamp 72 indicates that the core has retreated to reach the removal limit.

[0214] In this way, by displaying each lamp 71, 72 together with the sequence buttons 54, 64 on the core operation setting screen 40, it is possible to intuitively and easily monitor the LS check (operation check) of each core 38a, 38b during manual setting and the on / off operation check of each core 38a, 38b during automatic operation.

[0215] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of another core action setting screen displayed by the display device. As shown in FIG. 32, the other core operation setting screen 40A is similar to the previous core operation setting screen 40 in that it has a setting buttons display area 41 and a management menu buttons display area 43. However, instead of the process display area 42 in which the mold opening and closing and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b can be displayed in a matrix form, the other core operation setting screen 40A has a core operation setting area 42A equipped with operation setting sections 50A, 60A in which the multiple movable cores 38b and fixed cores 38a are divided into movable and fixed sides and displayed, for example, side by side in descending (or ascending) order along with their respective setting items, and a mold opening / closing operation display area 75 in which detailed information about the core operations during mold opening and closing can be displayed in a configurable manner.

[0216] The core operation setting screens 40 and 40A can be switched between each other by, for example, selecting and pressing a screen switching button 41a. In this case, various information displayed on each of the core operation setting screens 40 and 40A can be linked to each other (setting changes and the like can be reflected) on both screens. When, for example, an operation selection button 73 of the operation setting section 60A is selected and pressed in this core operation setting area 42A, selectable setting items 74a such as "mold opening limit," "mold opening / closing in progress," and "mold clamping limit" can be displayed in a drop-down display mode in the core operation selection area 74, as shown by the outlined arrows in the figure, allowing multiple selections.

[0217] FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of an alternative core action setting area on the alternative core action setting screen. As shown in Fig. 33, another core operation setting area 42Aa that can be displayed on the core operation setting screen 40A is different from the previous core operation setting area 42A in that it has a core operation free setting section 76 and a mold opening / closing setting section 77. For example, the operator can freely set the mold opening / closing and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b by inputting numbers or the like that determine the order of the operation sequence into these core operation free setting section 76 and mold opening / closing setting section 77 via the input section 34. Note that the input numbers are, for example, numbers that indicate the order of the operation sequence, and for example, "0" is input for an unused core, and "0" cannot be input for mold opening / closing. This free setting of core operations will be described later.

[0218] FIG. 34 is a diagram roughly showing an example of still another core action setting screen displayed by the display device. As shown in FIG. 34, another core operation setting screen 40B is similar to the previous core operation setting screen 40 in that it has a setting buttons display area 41 and a management menu buttons display area 43. However, instead of the process display area 42 in which the mold opening and closing and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b can be displayed in a matrix form, it has a core operation setting area 42B which displays the mold opening and closing and the operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b in descending (or ascending) order along with their respective setting items in the operation order of the movable core 38b and the fixed core 38a, for example, and a mold opening and closing operation display area 75 which displays and configurably displays detailed information about the core operations during mold opening and closing.

[0219] The core operation setting region 42B is provided with a core operation free setting field 76a having the same functions as the above-mentioned core operation free setting section 76 and mold opening / closing setting section 77. For example, the operator can freely set the operation sequence by inputting numbers or the like that determine the order of the operations into this core operation free setting field 76a via the input unit 34.

[0220] Moreover, the screen display of the core operation setting screens 40, 40B can be switched between by, for example, selecting and pressing another screen switching button 41c displayed in the setting buttons display area 41. In this case, various pieces of information displayed on the core operation setting screens 40, 40B can be linked to each other on both screens. In this way, the above-mentioned core operation setting screens 40, 40A, 40B are configured so that the screen display can be switched by pressing the screen switching buttons 41a, 41c in the setting buttons display area 41.

[0221] Next, the free setting of the core action on the core action setting screen will be described. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a display of the process display area when a core action is freely set using the core action setting screen.

[0222] When freely setting the operation sequence of the mold opening / closing and the insertion / removal operations of the cores 38a, 38b, it is possible to set an operation sequence that does not follow the above basic rule. That is, when the operation sequence of the mold opening / closing and the operation sequence of the cores 38a, 38b are set as shown in the core operation setting area 42Aa shown in Fig. 33 or the core operation setting area 42B shown in Fig. 34, the display in the process display area 42 of the core operation setting screen 40 will be as follows.

[0223] In addition, here, among the above-mentioned cores 38a, 38b, the fixed core 38a indicated by the display buttons 53a, 63a of "Fixed 3" and "Fixed 4", and the movable core 38b indicated by the display buttons 53b, 63b of "Available 4" are set to "unused" by being displayed in gray color, etc.

[0224] As shown in Figure 35, in the entering process shown in the entering process display area 50, the entering operations are set to occur in the order of "OK 1" → "OK 2" → "OK 3" → "Mold closing start" → "Mold closing complete" → "FIX 1" → "FIX 2", as indicated by the numbers of each sequence button 54 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 55.

[0225] In addition, in the punching process shown in the punching process display area 60, the punching operation is set to occur in the order of "mold opening start" → "OK 1" → "OK 2" → "OK 3" → "mold opening completed" → "Fix 1" → "Fix 2", as indicated by the numbers of each sequence button 64 arranged in a matrix in the button arrangement area 65.

[0226] Therefore, it can be seen that during the entering process, the movable core 38b indicated by the display buttons 53b, 63b "OK 1" to "OK 3" operates as a "mold opening limit core" in relation to the mold opening and closing sequence buttons 54 numbered "4" and "5" surrounded by dashed lines in the button arrangement area 55 in the figure, as shown by the sequence buttons 54 numbered "1" to "3" surrounded by dashed lines in the figure.

[0227] Also, in the punching process, it can be seen that the punching operation is performed as a "core during mold opening / closing" as shown by the sequence buttons 64 numbered "2" to "4" surrounded by a dashed line in the figure, in contrast to the mold opening / closing sequence buttons 64 numbered "1" and "5" surrounded by a dashed line in the button arrangement area 65. In this way, by freely setting the core operation, it is possible to set the insertion and removal operation of the movable core 38b indicated by the display buttons 53b, 63b of "OK 1" to "OK 3" in an operation sequence that does not follow the basic principle of "first in, first out."

[0228] In addition, when freely setting the core operations, the operator can use, for example, the pointer 34b or the like to freely select each display button 53a to 53c, 63a to 63c in the process display area 42, and select and arrange each order button 54, 64 in the button arrangement area 55, 65 on the core operation setting screen 40, and set the mold opening / closing and operation sequence of each core 38a, 38b, excluding predetermined prohibited patterns (which may lead to damage to the mold 4 and equipment failure, etc.).

[0229] The setting prohibition pattern corresponds to, for example, the following cases in the core operation setting area 42Aa, 42B, the core operation free setting section 76, the mold opening and closing setting section 77, and the core operation free setting field 76a. First, for example, the case where "0" is entered in either the insertion order or removal order of the same core. Second, the case where a number greater than the total number of used cores plus 1 is entered. There are various other cases that can be assumed, but when these inputs are made, it becomes a setting prohibition pattern, so that the setting of the mold opening and closing and the operation order of each core 38a, 38b is not established even in the free setting of the core operation. The free setting of the core operation can be freely switched ON / OFF by selecting and pressing a switching button not shown on the screen.

[0230] Next, a display example of the order selection area 56 and the order buttons 54 when changing the action order on the core action setting screen 40 will be described. 36 to 47 are diagrams that show an example of the display of the order selection area and the order buttons when changing the order of the operations on the core operation setting screen. In the following, the total number of cores used is three, the fixed core 38a of "fixed 1" and the movable cores 38b of "movable 1" and "movable 2". In addition, only the display example of the order selection area 56 and the order buttons 54 in the button arrangement area 55 of the entry step will be described. In addition, the reference numerals of the display buttons 53a to 53c and the button arrangement area 55 are omitted from the illustration, and the transition of the display state is indicated by the outlined arrows in the figures.

[0231] First, a display example when changing the operation order of the cores will be described. When changing the operation order of the cores, regardless of whether the order button 54 of the movable core 38b, "Fixed 1", "Can 1", or "Can 2", is selected, the number of selections of numbers displayed in the order selection area 56 ranges from 1 to the number of the final stage (total number of cores + 2), and in this case, is 5.

[0232] As shown in Fig. 36, when the operation sequence of the mold opening / closing and each core 38a, 38b is set to enter and operate in the order of "OK 1" → "Mold closing start" → "Mold closing completion" → "FIX 1" → "OK 2", for example, the order button 54 with the number "1" of "OK 1" is pressed using the pointer 34b. Then, an order selection area 56 displaying the numbers "2" to "5" is displayed to the right of the number "1".

[0233] Also, as shown in Fig. 37, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in Fig. 36, for example, pressing the order button 54 numbered "5" of "OK 2" using the pointer 34b displays an order selection area 56 displaying numbers "1" to "4" to the left of the number "5". In this way, the number of selectable numbers displayed in the order selection area 56 is five, and this is the same when pressing the order button 54 numbered "4" of "FIXED 1".

[0234] As shown in FIG. 38, the sequence of operation for opening and closing the mold and for each core 38a, 38b is "OK 1" → "FIX 1" → "OK 2" → "Mold closing start" → "Mold closing complete", and when all cores are set as "mold opening limit cores", for example, the sequence button 54 numbered "2" for "FIX 1" is pressed using the pointer 34b.

[0235] Then, a sequence selection area 56 is displayed, displaying the number "1" to the left of the number "2" and the numbers "3" to "5" to the right. In this sequence selection area 56, even if any of the numbers "1" to "3" (the numbers "1" or "3" in the figure) is selected using the pointer 34b, the "fix 1" sequence button 54 returns to its original state of displaying the number "2". In other words, in this case, the numbers "1" to "3" are in the sequence before the "mold closing start" number "4", so all of the cores 38a, 38b become "mold opening limit cores".

[0236] In addition, even in the case of the "mold opening limit core," as shown in FIG. 39, if the sequence button 54 numbered "2" for "Fix 1" is pressed using the pointer 34b and the sequence selection area 56 is similarly displayed, and then the number "4," for example, is selected using the pointer 34b, this is taken to mean that the fixed core 38a of "Fix 1" is intended to enter and operate after "mold closing start," and the order of operation of "Fix 1" is changed to the fourth, as displayed by the sequence button 54 numbered "4."

[0237] At the same time, as shown by the outlined arrows in the figure (same below), the order of the operation sequence of "mold closing start" and "OK 2" is moved up by one, respectively, to the third and second, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "3" and "2". As a result, the fixed core 38a of "FIXED 1" is changed from the "mold opening limit core" to the "mold opening / closing in progress core".

[0238] Also, even in the case of the "mold opening limit core," as shown in FIG. 40, if the sequence button 54 numbered "2" for "Fix 1" is pressed using the pointer 34b and the sequence selection area 56 is similarly displayed, and then, for example, the number "5" is selected using the pointer 34b, this is taken to mean that the fixed core 38a of "Fix 1" is intended to enter and operate after "mold closing completed," and the order of operation of "Fix 1" is changed to the fifth, as displayed by the sequence button 54 numbered "5."

[0239] At the same time, the order of the operation sequence of "mold closing start", "mold closing complete" and "OK 2" are each moved up by one to the third, fourth and second positions, as displayed by the sequence buttons 54 numbered "3", "4" and "2". As a result, the fixed core 38a of "FIXED 1" is changed from a "mold opening limit core" to a "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core".

[0240] Next, a display example when changing the mold opening / closing operation sequence will be described. When changing the mold opening / closing operation sequence, if the "Start" order button 54 is selected, the selected number displayed in the order selection area 56 will be the numbers from 1 to (Completion order -1), and will not be displayed in the final row. Also, if the "Completion" order button 54 is selected, the selected number displayed in the order selection area 56 will be the numbers from (Start order -1) to the final row, and will not be displayed in the first row.

[0241] As shown in Fig. 41, when the operation sequence of mold opening / closing and each core 38a, 38b is set to be "mold closing start" -> "OK 1" -> "mold closing complete" -> "FIX 1" -> "OK 2", for example, the order button 54 with the number "1" for "mold closing start" is pressed using the pointer 34b. Then, an order selection area 56 displaying the number "2" to the right of the number "1" is displayed. When the number "1" is selected using the pointer 34b in this order selection area 56, the order button 54 for "mold closing start" returns to the original state of displaying the number "1".

[0242] Also, as shown in Fig. 42, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in Fig. 41, for example, if the order button 54 with the number "1" for "mold closing start" is pressed using the pointer 34b, and the order selection area 56 is similarly displayed, and then, for example, the number "2" is selected using the pointer 34b, it is interpreted as an intention to enter and operate the movable core 38b of "OK 1" before "mold closing start", and the order of the operation order of "mold closing start" is changed to the second order as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "2". At the same time, the order of the operation order of "OK 1" is changed to the first order by moving it up by one as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "1". As a result, the movable core 38b of "OK 1" is changed from "mold opening / closing in progress core" to "mold opening limit core".

[0243] Also, as shown in Fig. 43, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in Fig. 41, for example, the order button 54 with the number "3" for "mold closing completed" is pressed using the pointer 34b. Then, an order selection area 56 is displayed showing the number "2" to the left of the number "3" and the numbers "4" and "5" to the right.

[0244] When the number "2" is selected in this sequence selection area 56 using the pointer 34b, the operation sequence order of "mold closing completed" is changed to second as displayed by the sequence button 54 numbered "2". Also, in this case, it is assumed that the intention is to have the movable core 38b of "OK 1" enter and operate after "mold closing completed", so the operation sequence order order of "OK 1" is moved down one place and changed to third as displayed by the sequence button 54 numbered "3". As a result, the movable core 38b of "OK 1" is changed from a "core during mold opening / closing" to a "core at mold closing limit (mold clamping limit)".

[0245] As shown in Figure 44, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in Figure 41, if the sequence button 54 numbered "3" for "mold closing completed" is pressed using the pointer 34b and the sequence selection area 56 is similarly displayed, and then the number "3" is selected using the pointer 34b, the sequence button 54 for "mold closing completed" returns to its original state of displaying the number "3."

[0246] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 45, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in FIG. 41, if, for example, the order button 54 numbered "3" for "mold closing completed" is pressed using the pointer 34b and the order selection area 56 is similarly displayed, and then, for example, the number "4" is selected using the pointer 34b, the order of the operation sequence for "mold closing completed" is changed to the fourth, as displayed by the order button 54 numbered "4."

[0247] In this case, it is assumed that the "fixed 1" fixed core 38a is intended to enter and operate before "mold closing completion", so the order of operation of "fixed 1" is changed by one to third as displayed by the order button 54 numbered "3". As a result, the "fixed 1" fixed core 38a is changed from a "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) core" to a "mold opening / closing in progress core".

[0248] Also, as shown in FIG. 46, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in FIG. 41, if, for example, the order button 54 numbered "3" for "mold closing completed" is pressed using the pointer 34b and the order selection area 56 is similarly displayed, and then, for example, the number "5" is selected using the pointer 34b, the order of the operation sequence for "mold closing completed" is changed to the fifth, as displayed by the order button 54 numbered "5."

[0249] In this case, the fixed core 38a of "FIXED 1" and the movable core 38b of "OK 2" are considered to be intended to enter and operate before "mold closing completion", so the order of the operation sequence of "FIXED 1" and "OK 2" is moved up by one, respectively, to the third and fourth positions, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "3" and "4". As a result, the fixed core 38a of "FIXED 1" and the movable core 38b of "OK 2" are changed from "mold closing limit (mold clamping limit) cores" to "mold opening / closing in progress cores".

[0250] Also, as shown in Fig. 47, when the settings are made to enter and operate in the same order as in Fig. 41, if you want to change all of the "FIXED 1" fixed core 38a and the "OPEN 1" and "OPEN 2" movable cores 38b to "mold open limit cores", for example, press the order button 54 with the number "3" for "mold closing completion" using the pointer 34b, and after the order selection area 56 is similarly displayed, select the number "5" using the pointer 34b. This changes the order of the operation sequence for "mold closing completion" to the fifth, as displayed by the order button 54 with the number "5".

[0251] Accordingly, the order of the operation sequence of "FIXED 1" and "OPEN 2" are increased by one, and are changed to the third and fourth positions, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "3" and "4." As a result, all the cores 38a, 38b are temporarily changed to "cores in mold opening / closing".

[0252] Next, for example, the order button 54 numbered "1" for "start mold closing" is pressed using the pointer 34b. Then, an order selection area 56 displaying numbers "2" to "4" is displayed to the right of the number "1". In this order selection area 56, for example, if the number "4" is selected using the pointer 34b, the order of the operation sequence for "start mold closing" is changed to the fourth, as displayed by the order button 54 numbered "4".

[0253] Accordingly, the order of the operation sequence of "FIXED 1" and "OPEN 2" are each increased by one, and are changed to the second and third positions, as displayed by the order buttons 54 numbered "2" and "3." As a result, all the cores 38a, 38b are changed from "cores in mold opening / closing" to "cores at mold opening limit."

[0254] In the process display area 42 of the core operation setting screen 40, the order selection area 56 and order buttons 54 can be displayed in this manner, allowing the user to intuitively grasp the overall operation image including the operation sequence of each of the multiple cores 38a, 38b, and making it easy to set the core operations.

[0255] The setting of the mold opening / closing and the operation sequence of each of the cores 38a, 38b by the display example of the order selection area 56 and the order button 54 described above is not limited to this, and it is possible to set the operation sequence based on various other display states of the mold opening / closing and each of the cores 38a, 38b by using the core operation setting screens 40 to 40B. Also, the setting of the operation sequence using the core operation setting screens 40 to 40B described above can be set so as not to be performed during the mold opening / closing operation of the mold clamping unit 10 by an interlock function provided in the display device 31.

[0256] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0257] For example, in the above embodiment, a case has been described where the operation timing of the inlet operation during mold closing pressure increase and the outlet operation during mold opening pressure decrease is set on the core operation setting screen 40. However, by using the core operation setting screen 40, it is also possible to set the operation timing of each core 38a, 38b during mold opening and closing of the mold clamping device 10.

[0258] That is, although not shown in the figure, the operation timing in this case can be set by triggering based on the "mold opening / closing position (mold clamping position)", triggering based on a "timer", triggering based on the "mold opening / closing speed setting switch position", or a combination of these, as well as by further combining the selection of "whether to stop or not".

[0259] For example, when setting the operation timing triggered by the "mold opening / closing position (mold clamping position)", the mold opening / closing position (mold clamping position) is set in advance, and the set mold opening / closing position (set mold clamping position) and the actual mold opening / closing position (actual mold clamping position) of the mold clamping device 10 are monitored. The entry operation of each core 38a, 38b is started when the actual mold clamping position becomes equal to or lower than the set mold clamping position during mold closing (actual mold clamping position (measured value) ≦ set mold clamping position (set value)). Then, for example, if the entry operation is not completed by the separately set low-pressure mold protection start position, an abnormal stop is made.

[0260] On the other hand, the ejection operation of each core 38a, 38b is started when the actual clamping position during mold opening becomes equal to or higher than the set clamping position (actual clamping position (measured value) ≧ set clamping position (set value)). If the ejection operation is not completed by the time the mold opening limit position is reached, it is possible to select whether to continue the ejection operation of the corresponding core or to perform an abnormal stop.

[0261] Next, when setting the operation timing triggered by a "timer," a timer is set for the entry operation of each core 38a, 38b, and the entry operation is started when the timer expires during the closing of the mold. If the entry operation is not completed by the low pressure mold protection start position, an abnormal stop is performed.

[0262] On the other hand, for the ejection operation of each core 38a, 38b, a timer is set for a predetermined time elapsed from the start of mold opening, and the ejection operation is started when the timer expires during mold opening. If the ejection operation is not completed by the time the mold opening limit position is reached, the ejection operation can be continued or stopped due to an abnormality.

[0263] Next, when setting the operation timing triggered by the "mold opening / closing speed setting switching position," the switching positions for the mold opening / closing speeds (1st speed, 2nd speed, 3rd speed, etc.) during mold closing and opening are set in advance, and the opening operation is started according to the setting switching position during mold closing from the start of mold closing. If the opening operation is not completed by the low pressure mold protection start position, an abnormal stop is performed.

[0264] On the other hand, the ejection operation of each core 38a, 38b is started according to the setting switch position during the mold opening from the start of the mold opening. If the ejection operation is not completed by the mold opening limit position, it is possible to select whether to continue the ejection operation or to stop it due to an abnormality.

[0265] It is also possible to set the operation timing by appropriately combining the above-mentioned triggers. For example, the trigger by the "mold opening / closing speed setting switching position" can be combined with the trigger by the "timer" to set the operation timing. Also, for each of the inserting operation and the removing operation, the operation timing can be set by combining the above-mentioned triggers, and the selection of "whether to stop" can also be set in combination with these.

[0266] In the above embodiment, the operation sequence of the mold opening / closing and the inserting / removing operations of the cores 38a, 38b can be set by the core operation setting screen 40, but the operation sequence may include the same order (for example, a specific fixed core 38a and a specific movable core 38b operate simultaneously). This is because such an operation may be assumed depending on the operating conditions of the core devices 39a, 39b in injection molding. [Explanation of symbols]

[0267] 2 Fixed mold (fixed mold) 3 Movable mold (movable mold) 4. Mold 5 Cavity 10 Mold clamping device 11 Fixed Platen 12 Movable platen 14 Toggle link mechanism 20 Injection device 30 Control device 31 Display device 31a Display section 32 Setting section 33 Control Unit 33a Display control unit 33b Motion control section 34 Input section 40 Core operation setting screen 42 Process display area 50 Step display area 51,61 Core Selection Areas 52,62 Ordinal area 53a~53c Display buttons 54,64 Order button 55,65 Button layout area 56 Order Selection Area 60 Punching process display area 63a~63c Display buttons 100 injection molding machine

Claims

1. A display device used for setting operations of a plurality of cores that are inserted into and removed from a mold of an injection molding machine, A display unit; a control unit that causes the display unit to display a core operation setting screen related to operations of the plurality of cores; Equipped with The core operation setting screen is a screen in which the plurality of cores are arranged in a matrix so that the operation order of the cores can be selected and visually confirmed. Display device.

2. The core operation setting screen includes a process display area that displays, in a matrix form, the operation sequence in at least one process of an entry process indicating entry operations of the plurality of cores and a removal process indicating removal operations of the plurality of cores. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. The process display area includes: a core selection area in which display buttons associated with the plurality of cores are arranged in a selectable manner in either a row or a column; a sequence area indicating a time sequence of an operation sequence of the plurality of cores provided in the other of the row and column elements; a button arrangement area partitioned according to the core selection area and the order area, in which an order button indicating an order of operation of the cores represented by the display buttons can be arranged; Includes The display device according to claim 2 .

4. an input unit configured to receive an operation input regarding selection and arrangement of the display button and the order button in relation to operation designation of the plurality of cores by an operator; The control unit is determining an operation sequence of the plurality of cores and a position of the sequence button according to the operation sequence based on information based on the operation input received by the input unit and reference information defining a rule of an operation sequence according to the plurality of cores that is set in advance; When a selection operation on the order button is accepted as the operation input by the input unit, order numbers that can be adapted to the determined operation order are displayed on the display unit in a selectable manner. The display device according to claim 3 .

5. The control unit causes the display unit to display numbers of sequences incompatible with the operation sequence at the determined arrangement position in an unselectable manner, or to hide the numbers. The display device according to claim 4.

6. The core operation setting screen is a screen in which the process display area of ​​the entry process and the process display area of ​​the exit process are displayed side by side. The display device according to claim 3 .

7. The core operation setting screen is a screen in which the process display area of ​​the entry process and the process display area of ​​the exit process are displayed side by side along an extending direction of the sequence area, and the sequence areas are arranged in a mirror image with respect to each of the button arrangement areas. The display device according to claim 6.

8. The control unit changes a display corresponding to the display in either one of the process display area of ​​the entry process and the process display area of ​​the removal process in conjunction with the display associated with the operation input in the other process display area. The display device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The core operation setting screen includes: Between the core provided on the movable die side of the mold and the core provided on the fixed die side of the mold, In the entering step, the order of the operation sequence of the start and end of the mold closing of the mold is displayed, In the removal process, the order of the operation from the start of mold opening to the completion of mold opening is displayed. The display device according to claim 8.

10. The core operation setting screen displays the order of the operation sequence of mold touch between the order of mold closing start and mold closing completion, and between the order of mold opening start and mold opening completion. The display device according to claim 9.

11. a setting unit that sets operations of the plurality of cores based on information displayed on the core operation setting screen, The control unit is a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the core operation setting screen; an operation control unit that controls operations of the plurality of cores based on the setting information set by the setting unit; Equipped The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

12. A display method using a display device used for setting operations of a plurality of cores that are inserted into and removed from a mold of an injection molding machine, comprising: a display step of displaying a core operation setting screen relating to operations of the plurality of cores on a display unit of the display device, The core operation setting screen is a screen in which the plurality of cores are arranged in a matrix so that the operation order of the cores can be selected and visually confirmed. Display method.

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