Injection molding machine

Abstract

To provide an injection molding machine capable of more reliably cleaning a mold device.SOLUTION: A injection molding machine comprises a cleaning device that cleans the mold device by blowing gas. The cleaning device includes a plurality of nozzles 314. The plurality of nozzles 314 blow gas to the mold device 10 from the same side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine. [Background technology]

[0002] In an injection molding machine, if a mold unit is clamped with foreign matter remaining on the parting surface, the foreign matter may scratch the mold unit, and in some cases, the mold unit may even be damaged. For this reason, a technique has been proposed for removing, i.e., cleaning, foreign matter adhering to the mold unit by blowing gas onto the mold unit (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-081588 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The inventors have come up with a technology for cleaning a mold device by blowing gas from multiple nozzles, which reduces the amount of foreign matter blown away by the blown gas remaining on the mold device, compared to a case in which multiple nozzles blow gas onto the mold device from different sides.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one exemplary purpose of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an injection molding machine capable of more reliably cleaning a mold unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention is an injection molding machine equipped with a cleaning device that cleans a mold assembly by blowing gas thereon, the cleaning device including a plurality of nozzles that blow gas onto the mold assembly from the same side as each other.

[0007] In another embodiment of the injection molding machine of the present invention, a rotary table having a plurality of mold assemblies mounted thereon is rotated intermittently to sequentially position each of the plurality of mold assemblies at an injection position and an ejection position, and at the injection position, the mold assemblies are clamped to perform injection, and at the ejection position, the mold assemblies are opened and a molded product is ejected from the mold assemblies, and the injection molding machine is equipped with a cleaning device including a first and a second cleaning head that do not rotate with the rotary table. The first cleaning head blows gas onto the mold assemblies positioned at the injection position, and the second cleaning head blows gas onto the mold assemblies positioned at the ejection position.

[0008] Any combination of the above components, or mutual substitution of the components or expressions of the present invention between methods, devices, systems, etc. are also valid aspects of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an injection molding machine that can more reliably clean the mold device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a mold clamping device of the injection molding machine of FIG. 1 and its surroundings. [Diagram 3] 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the mold assembly disposed at the third position in FIG. 1 is opened by the opening and closing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the cleaning head of FIG. 1; [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cleaning head and its periphery in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the first cleaning head cleaning the mold device at the first position. [Figure 8]8(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the second cleaning head cleaning the mold device at the third position. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cleaning head and die assembly of FIG. 1; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a control device. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing a setting screen displayed on the display unit by the display control unit in FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 12] 12(a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining the basic operation of an injection molding machine in chronological order. [Figure 13] 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating a cleaning operation performed by the first cleaning head of FIG. 1. [Figure 14] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the cleaning operation by the second cleaning head in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the surrounding area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, parts, and steps shown in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Also, the dimensions of the parts in each drawing will be enlarged or reduced as appropriate to facilitate understanding. Also, some of the parts that are not important for explaining the embodiment will be omitted in each drawing.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an injection molding machine 100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a mold clamping device 110 of the injection molding machine 100 of Fig. 1 and its surroundings. In this specification, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction represent the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis direction represents the vertical direction. When the mold clamping device 110 is a vertical type, the Z-axis direction is the mold clamping direction.

[0013] The injection molding machine 100 includes a clamping device 110 that clamps the mold assemblies 10A, 10B, and 10C, an injection device 120 that injects molding material into the mold assemblies 10A, 10B, and 10C, an opening / closing device 130 that opens the mold assemblies, an ejector device 140 that pushes out molded products from the mold assemblies 10A, 10B, and 10C, cleaning devices 300A and 300B that clean the mold assemblies 10A, 10B, and 10C, and a control device (not shown in Figures 1 and 2). These devices are supported by a frame 102. The frame 102 is installed on, for example, the floor surface.

[0014] The mold clamping unit 110 is a vertical type in which the mold clamping direction is vertical. The mold clamping unit 110 includes an upper platen 112, a rotating table 114 provided below the upper platen 112 with a gap therebetween, and a lower platen 118 that supports the rotating table 114 from below.

[0015] The lower platen 118 is fixed to the frame 102. A rotating table 114 is rotatably supported on an opposing surface (upper surface) 118a of the lower platen 118 that faces the upper platen 112 in the vertical direction. A first mold assembly 10A, a second mold assembly 10B, and a third mold assembly 10C (hereinafter, referred to as "mold assembly 10" when no distinction is made or when they are collectively referred to) are mounted on the upper surface of the rotating table 114.

[0016] The first mold assembly 10A includes an upper mold 12A and a lower mold 14A. The second mold assembly 10B includes an upper mold 12B and a lower mold 14B. The third mold assembly 10C includes an upper mold 12C and a lower mold 14C. When the upper molds 12A, 12B, and 12C are not differentiated from one another or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the "upper mold 12." When the lower molds 14A, 14B, and 14C are not differentiated from one another or are referred to collectively, they are referred to as the "lower mold 14." The upper mold 12 is a movable mold, and the lower mold 14 is a fixed mold.

[0017] The number of mold devices 10 that can be mounted on the rotary table 114 is not particularly limited, and the rotary table 114 may be capable of mounting two or more mold devices 10, that is, a plurality of mold devices 10.

[0018] A rotary motor (not shown) intermittently rotates the rotary table 114 by 120°, so that the three mold devices 10 are sequentially positioned at the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. In Figs. 1 and 2, the first mold device 10A is positioned at the first position P1, the second mold device 10B is positioned at the second position P2, and the third mold device 10C is positioned at the third position P3.

[0019] The first position P1 is an injection position where the mold apparatus 10 is clamped and the molding material is injected into the mold apparatus 10. The second position P2 is a cooling position where the molding material injected into the mold apparatus 10 is cooled. The third position P3 is a removal position where the mold apparatus 10 is opened and the molded product is removed.

[0020] The number of stopping positions of the mold apparatus 10 may be the same as the number of the mold apparatuses 10, and is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more.

[0021] The upper platen 112 is raised and lowered by a drive unit (not shown) relative to the rotary table 114. When the upper platen 112 is lowered and the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 is sandwiched between the upper platen 112 and the rotary table 114 from above and below, the mold device 10 is clamped.

[0022] The injection device 120 is disposed above the upper platen 112. The injection device 120 has a cylinder 122 with a nozzle 122a at its tip. The injection device 120 is raised and lowered by a drive unit (not shown) relative to the upper platen 112 and thus the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1. The injection device 120 lowers to bring the nozzle 122a into contact with the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1, and injects molding material into the cavity space of the mold device 10. The molding material filled in the cavity space is solidified to obtain a molded product. The number of cavity spaces is, for example, multiple, and multiple molded products are obtained simultaneously. The number of cavity spaces may be one.

[0023] The opening and closing device 130 opens the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3. The opening and closing device 130 is provided below the rotary table 114 at a position corresponding to the third position P3. As will be described in detail later, the opening and closing device 130 opens the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3 by pushing up the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3 with a mold opening and closing rod.

[0024] The ejector unit 140 ejects a predetermined rod into the cavity space of the lower die 14 of the die assembly 10 opened by the opening / closing unit 130, thereby ejecting the molded product from the lower die 14. The molded product ejected from the lower die 14 is removed by a remover (not shown) or the like.

[0025] The opening and closing device 130 and the ejector device 140 may be configured as one device.

[0026] The cleaning device 300 is a device that cleans the mold device 10 by blowing gas, for example, air, onto the mold device 10. The cleaning device 300 includes two, i.e., multiple cleaning heads 310A, 310B (hereinafter, when no particular distinction is made or when they are collectively referred to, they are referred to as "cleaning heads 310") and at least one gas supplying means 360 that supplies gas to the multiple cleaning heads 310A, 310B. The number of cleaning heads 310 is not particularly limited, and may be one or three or more. The cleaning heads 310A, 310B blow off foreign matter attached to the mold device 10 by blowing gas supplied from the gas supplying means 360 onto the mold device 10, i.e., clean the mold device 10.

[0027] The cleaning heads 310A, 310B are fixedly supported on the frame 102 via head support parts 330. In other words, the cleaning heads 310A, 310B are not supported by the turntable 114 and therefore do not rotate as the turntable 114 rotates.

[0028] The first cleaning head 310A is disposed at a position corresponding to the first position P1, for example, outside the first position P1, and cleans the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1. As will be described in detail later, the first cleaning head 310A mainly blows gas between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12 to clean the upper platen 112, particularly its lower surface 112a, and the upper mold 12, particularly its upper surface 12c. This removes foreign matter between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12. If the upper platen 112 is lowered and clamped with foreign matter remaining between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12, the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12 may be damaged, and in some cases, may be broken, but this can be avoided by removing the foreign matter.

[0029] In addition, the cleaning device 300 may be equipped with a plurality of first cleaning heads 310A, and the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 may be cleaned by the plurality of first cleaning heads 310A at the first position P1.

[0030] The second cleaning head 310B is disposed at a position corresponding to the third position P3, for example, outside the third position P3, and cleans the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3. As will be described in detail later, the second cleaning head 310B mainly blows gas between the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 opened by the opening / closing device 130, and cleans the parting surfaces 12p, 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14. This removes foreign matter from the parting surfaces 12p, 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14. If the mold is closed or clamped with foreign matter remaining on the parting surfaces 12p, 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14, the parting surfaces 12p, 14p of the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 may be scratched and, in some cases, may be damaged, but this can be avoided by removing the foreign matter.

[0031] In addition, the cleaning device 300 may be provided with a plurality of second cleaning heads 310B, and the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3 may be cleaned by the plurality of second cleaning heads 310B at the third position P3.

[0032] The cleaning heads 310A, 310B may blow gas onto the mold device 10 while the turntable 114 is stopped, i.e., while the mold device 10 is moving, or may blow gas onto the mold device 10 while the turntable 114 is rotating, i.e., while the mold device 10 is moving.

[0033] 1 and 2 comprehensively controls the entire injection molding machine 100. The control device can be configured with a general-purpose computer.

[0034] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3 is opened by the opening and closing device 130. In Fig. 3, the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1 and the second position P2 are omitted from illustration.

[0035] The upper mold 12 includes an upper mold body 12a that forms a cavity space together with the lower mold 14, and a guide rod 12b that extends downward from the lower surface of the upper mold body 12a. In the illustrated example, the upper mold 12 has two guide rods 12b, but the number of guide rods 12b is not particularly limited.

[0036] The lower die 14 has through holes 14a that penetrate vertically. The guide rods 12b are inserted into the corresponding through holes 14a. This prevents the upper die 12 from falling off. In the illustrated example, the lower die 14 has the same number of through holes 14a as the guide rods 12b, but the number of through holes 14a is not particularly limited as long as the lower die 14 has through holes 14a equal to or greater than the number of guide rods 12b.

[0037] The opening and closing device 130 includes mold opening and closing rods 132 and a drive mechanism 134 that moves the mold opening and closing rods 132 up and down. In the illustrated example, the opening and closing device 130 includes the same number of mold opening and closing rods 132 as the guide rods 12b, but the number of mold opening and closing rods 132 is not particularly limited.

[0038] The opening and closing device 130 raises the mold opening and closing rod 132 by the drive mechanism 134, inserts the mold opening and closing rod 132 into the through hole 114a of the rotary table 114, and causes the mold opening and closing rod 132 to enter the through hole 14a of the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3, and pushes up the guide rod 12b and thus the upper mold 12 with the mold opening and closing rod 132. As a result, the upper mold body 12a moves away from the lower mold 14, i.e., the mold device 10 opens.

[0039] In the example of Figure 3, the mold device 10 is configured to open when the mold opening / closing rod 132 of the opening / closing device 130 pushes up the guide rod 12b, but this is not limited to this, and the mold device 10 may be configured to open when the mold opening / closing rod 132 pushes up a part other than the guide rod 12b, for example the upper mold body 12a.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cleaning head 310 as seen from the front side. Fig. 5 is a side view of the cleaning head 310. The cleaning head 310 includes a chamber 312 and three, i.e., a plurality of, nozzles 314. The chamber 312 has a rectangular box shape. Gas is supplied to the chamber 312 from gas supply means 360 (see Fig. 1) via two hoses 316.

[0041] The multiple nozzles 314 are provided on one surface 312a of the chamber 312 (surface facing the center of rotation of the turntable 114). The multiple nozzles 314 are provided in a horizontal row at equal intervals. However, the arrangement of the multiple nozzles 314 is not particularly limited. The multiple nozzles 314 are cylindrical with a circular cross section, but may be rectangular with a polygonal cross section or may have other shapes.

[0042] The orientation, i.e., the gas blowing direction, of the multiple nozzles 314 can be adjusted independently of one another. Here, when the bolts 318 are loosened, the orientation of the nozzles 314 can be changed to any direction, up, down, left, or right, and when the bolts 318 are tightened, the orientation of the nozzles 314 is fixed.

[0043] The injection molding machine 100 may be equipped with various sensors, for example, a sensor for detecting whether the mold device 10 is closed or not, but if gas from the cleaning head 310 is blown onto the sensor, the sensor may make a false detection. In response to this, since the direction of the nozzle 314 of the cleaning head 310 is adjustable, it is possible to prevent the gas from being blown onto the sensor.

[0044] The cleaning head 310 may be capable of turning on and off the blowing of gas from the multiple nozzles independently of each other. For example, the cleaning head 310 may include multiple shutters 320 in the chamber 312, each of which opens and closes a corresponding nozzle 314. In this case, the multiple shutters 320 open and close the corresponding nozzle 314 independently of each other according to an instruction from the control device. This causes the blowing of gas from the multiple nozzles 314 to be turned on and off independently of each other. The multiple shutters 320 may be capable of adjusting the opening degree of the corresponding nozzle 314 independently of each other according to an instruction from the control device. In other words, the amount of gas blown from the multiple nozzles 314 may be independently adjustable.

[0045] For example, it may be desirable to avoid cooling the portion of the upper mold 12 that the nozzle 122a of the injection device 120 touches (hereinafter, referred to as the nozzle touch portion). In this case, the operation time (i.e., the gas blowing time) of the nozzle 314 that blows gas onto the nozzle touch portion may be shorter than the operation time of the other nozzles 314. In other words, the time during which the shutter 320 corresponding to the nozzle 314 that blows gas onto the nozzle touch portion is open may be shorter than the time during which the shutter 320 corresponding to the other nozzles 314 is open. The operation time of the nozzle 314 that blows gas onto the nozzle touch portion may be set to zero. In these cases, the user may input the operation time and on / off of each nozzle 314, and the control device may control the shutter 320 of each nozzle 314 according to the input. Alternatively, the control device may automatically determine the operation time and on / off of each nozzle 314 based on the molding conditions. For example, in the case of molding conditions that are unlikely to cause stringiness, the operation time of the nozzle 314 that blows gas onto the nozzle touch portion may be shortened or set to zero.

[0046] As a modified example, gas may be supplied to the multiple nozzles 314 from different gas supply means 360. In this case, by making the flow rates of gas supplied by each of the multiple gas supply means 360 to the corresponding nozzles 314 different from each other, it is possible to make the volumes of gas blown out by each of the multiple nozzles 314 different from each other. In addition, by making the temperatures of gas supplied by each of the multiple gas supply means 360 to the corresponding nozzles 314 different from each other, it is possible to make the temperatures of gas blown out by each of the multiple nozzles 314 different from each other.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second cleaning head 310B and its surroundings. The cleaning head 310 is supported by a head support part 330. The head support part 330 supports the cleaning head 310 so that its height position can be adjusted. As will be described in detail later, the first cleaning head 310A may be adjusted to a height position suitable for cleaning at the first position P1, and the second cleaning head 310B may be adjusted to a height position suitable for cleaning at the third position P3. The height position of the cleaning head 310 may be adjusted according to the thickness of the mold device 10 to be mounted. The second cleaning head 310B cleans the parting surfaces 12p and 14p of the mold device 10, whereas the first cleaning head 310A cleans the space between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12, so that the first cleaning head 310A is supported at a higher position than the second cleaning head 310B.

[0048] Furthermore, the head support portion 330 supports the cleaning head 310 so that the position of the cleaning head 310 in the radial direction of the rotary table 114 can be adjusted.

[0049] Specifically, the head support part 330 includes a first bracket 340 and a second bracket 350. The first bracket 340 and the second bracket 350 are L-shaped plates. One flat plate part 342 of the two flat plate parts 342, 344 of the first bracket 340 is fixed to the frame 102, and the other flat plate part 344 stands upright in the vertical direction. One flat plate part 352 of the two flat plate parts 352, 354 of the second bracket 350 is fixed to the flat plate part 344 standing upright in the vertical direction of the first bracket 340, and the cleaning head 310 is fixed to the other flat plate part 354.

[0050] Two insertion holes 344a are formed at the upper end of the flat plate portion 344 of the first bracket 340, spaced apart from each other on the left and right, penetrating the flat plate portion 344 in the horizontal direction (only the right insertion hole 344a is visible in FIG. 6). The two insertion holes 344a are elongated holes that are long in the vertical direction. Two screw holes (not shown) are formed at the lower end of the flat plate portion 352 of the second bracket 350, spaced apart from each other on the left and right. The second bracket 350 is fixed to the first bracket 340 by passing the screw 332 through the insertion hole 344a of the flat plate portion 344 of the first bracket 340 and fastening it to the screw hole of the flat plate portion 352 of the second bracket 350. Because the insertion hole 344a is a long hole that is long in the vertical direction, the vertical position of the second bracket 350 relative to the first bracket 340, and therefore the height position of the cleaning head 310 fixed to the second bracket 350, can be adjusted within the range of its length.

[0051] Two insertion holes 342a are formed in the flat plate portion 342 of the first bracket 340, spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction of the flat plate portion 342. The two insertion holes 342a are elongated holes that are long in the radial direction of the rotating table 114. The first bracket 340 is fixed to the frame 102 by passing the screw 332 through the insertion hole 342a in the flat plate portion 342 of the first bracket 340 and fastening it to a screw hole in the frame 102 (not shown). Since the insertion hole 342a is an elongated hole that is long in the radial direction of the rotating table 114, the radial position of the first bracket 340 and therefore the cleaning head 310 can be adjusted within the range of its length.

[0052] 7(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the first cleaning head 310A cleaning the mold device 10 at the first position P1. In FIG. 7(a), the first cleaning head 310A is viewed obliquely. In FIG. 7(b), the first cleaning head 310A is viewed from the side. At the timing of FIG. 7(a) and (b), the upper platen 112 is not in contact with the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10. FIG. 7(a) and (b) can be regarded as a state before the mold device 10 is clamped and before the upper platen 112 is lowered, or as a state after the molding material is injected into the mold device 10 and after the upper platen 112 is raised. In other words, cleaning by the first cleaning head 310A may be performed only before mold clamping, only after injection, or both before mold clamping and after injection.

[0053] The first cleaning head 310A is adjusted to a height suitable for cleaning at the first position P1. Specifically, the first cleaning head 310A is adjusted so that the multiple nozzles 314 are positioned between the upper platen 112 and the upper mold 12 in the height direction (see FIG. 7(b)).

[0054] The first cleaning head 310A blows gas from a plurality of nozzles 314 into between the upper platen 112 and the mold apparatus 10.

[0055] The first cleaning head 310A may blow gas horizontally onto the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 and the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 by pointing multiple nozzles 314 horizontally to blow away foreign matter adhering to the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 and the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12.

[0056] The first cleaning head 310A may blow gas onto the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 by directing a plurality of nozzles 314 in a diagonal downward direction to blow off foreign matter adhering to the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12, and may blow off foreign matter adhering to the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 by directing the same number or a smaller number of nozzles 314 in a diagonal upward direction to blow off gas onto the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112. This is because foreign matter adhering to the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 is likely to fall due to gravity. When the first cleaning head 310A has three nozzles 314 as shown in the figure, two nozzles 314 may blow gas onto the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 by directing the nozzles 314 in a diagonal downward direction to blow off gas, and one nozzle 314 may blow gas onto the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 by directing the nozzles 314 in a diagonal upward direction to blow off gas.

[0057] The first cleaning head 310A blows gas obliquely downward from multiple nozzles 314, thereby blowing gas obliquely downward onto the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10, and does not need to blow gas onto the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112. This is because foreign matter does not adhere to the lower surface 112a of the upper platen 112 because it falls due to gravity, or even if foreign matter adheres, it may fall off during movement due to rotation of the turntable 114.

[0058] The first cleaning head 310A may blow gas onto the mold device 10 while the turntable 114 is rotating, i.e., while the mold device 10 is moving, in addition to while the turntable 114 is stopped. For example, the first cleaning head 310A may blow gas onto the mold device 10 while it is moving from the third position P3 to the first position P1 or while it is moving from the first position P1 to the second position P2. This allows the gas to be blown onto parts of the mold device 10 that were not hit by the gas while the turntable 114 was stopped.

[0059] 8(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the state in which the second cleaning head 310B cleans the mold device 10 at the third position P3. In FIG. 8(a), the second cleaning head 310B is seen from an angle. In FIG. 8(b), the second cleaning head 310B is seen from the side. In FIG. 8(a) and (b), the state in which the mold device 10 is opened is shown.

[0060] The second cleaning head 310B is adjusted to a height suitable for cleaning at the third position P3. Specifically, the second cleaning head 310B is adjusted so that its multiple nozzles 314 are positioned between the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 in the mold open state in the height direction (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0061] The second cleaning head 310B blows gas from a plurality of nozzles 314 into the space between the upper mold 12 and the lower mold 14 .

[0062] The second cleaning head 310B may blow gas from a plurality of nozzles 314 in a horizontal or diagonally downward direction to blow gas onto the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, and blow off foreign matter adhering to the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, and may blow gas onto the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12 by blowing gas diagonally upward from the same number or a smaller number of nozzles 314, and blow off foreign matter adhering to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12. This is because foreign matter adhering to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12 is likely to fall due to gravity. When the second cleaning head 310B has three nozzles 314 as shown in the figure, gas may be blown onto the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14 from two nozzles 314, and gas may be blown onto the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12 from one nozzle 314.

[0063] The second cleaning head 310B blows gas from multiple nozzles 314 onto the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, but does not need to blow gas onto the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12. This is because foreign matter does not adhere to the parting surface 12p of the upper mold 12 because it falls due to gravity, or even if foreign matter adheres, it may fall during mold opening.

[0064] In addition, the second cleaning head 310B can blow gas onto the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14 to blow away and remove any molded product that has not been removed for some reason and remains behind.

[0065] 7 describes a case where gas is blown from multiple nozzles 314 onto the upper surface 12c of the upper mold 12, and FIG. 8 describes a case where gas is blown from multiple nozzles 314 onto the parting surface 14p of the lower mold 14, but even if gas is blown from multiple nozzles 314, if they are facing in opposite directions in a plan view, there is a risk that foreign matter will not be blown away and will gather and remain around the center of the mold device 10. Therefore, the multiple nozzles 314 of the cleaning head 310 blow gas onto the mold device 10 from the same side.

[0066] Here, "multiple nozzles 314 blow gas onto the mold apparatus 10 from the same side" means that, macroscopically or overall, the multiple nozzles 314 blow gas onto the mold apparatus 10 from one side to the other.

[0067] A more detailed description will be given with reference to FIG. 9. "The plurality of nozzles 314 blow gas onto the mold device 10 from the same side" means that when a virtual vertical plane S perpendicular to the horizontal component of the direction of one of the plurality of nozzles 314 is considered to divide the stopped mold device 10 into two, the plurality of nozzles 314 blow gas from the same side of the virtual vertical plane S, more specifically, the plurality of nozzles 314 blow gas from one side Sa of the virtual vertical plane S toward the other side Sb. Although not particularly limited, in the example of FIG. 9, the middle nozzle 314 of the three nozzles 314 is the above-mentioned "certain one nozzle 314". The virtual vertical plane S passes through, for example, the center or center of gravity of the mold device 10, or the center or center of gravity of the cavity space of the mold device 10. In this embodiment, the plurality of nozzles 314 of the cleaning head are arranged to satisfy this relationship, and are configured to be able to adjust the direction without changing the arrangement. In this way, the gas blowing direction of the multiple nozzles 314 can be adjusted, but the adjustable range is limited so that the gas is blown from the same side with respect to the above-mentioned virtual vertical plane S.

[0068] When the cleaning device 300 includes multiple first cleaning heads 310A and cleans the mold device 10 with the multiple first cleaning heads 310A at the first position P1, the orientation of the multiple nozzles 314 of the multiple first cleaning heads 310A only needs to satisfy this relationship. When the cleaning device 300 includes multiple second cleaning heads 310B and cleans the mold device 10 with the multiple second cleaning heads 310B at the third position P3, the orientation of the multiple nozzles 314 of the multiple second cleaning heads 310B only needs to satisfy this relationship.

[0069] 10 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the control device 200. The control device 200 includes a communication unit 202, an input unit 204, a display unit 206, a control unit 210, and a storage unit 230.

[0070] The communication unit 202 controls communication with other devices and performs communication using any wired or wireless communication method.

[0071] The control unit 210 executes various types of data processing. The control unit 210 can be realized by a combination of hardware resources and software resources, or by hardware resources alone. A processor, ROM, RAM, and other LSIs can be used as hardware resources. A CPU, GPU, etc. can be used as processors. An operating system, applications, and other programs can be used as software resources.

[0072] The storage unit 230 stores data that is referred to and / or updated by the control unit 210. The storage unit 230 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, or the like.

[0073] The display unit 206 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 206 displays a screen provided by the control unit 210. The input unit 204 is a user interface such as a physical key or a touch panel. The input unit 204 accepts a user operation and inputs the operation content to the control unit 210. The display unit 206 and the input unit 204 may be configured as an integrated touch panel display.

[0074] The control unit 210 includes an opening / closing control unit 212 , a cleaning control unit 214 , and a display control unit 216 .

[0075] The opening / closing control unit 212 controls the operation of the mold opening / closing rod 132 by controlling the drive mechanism 134 of the opening / closing device 130, and opens and closes the mold device 10. In particular, the opening / closing control unit 212 controls the operation of the mold opening / closing rod 132 according to predetermined operation setting information.

[0076] The operation setting information includes a mold opening / closing stroke, a mold opening force, a mold opening speed, and a mold closing speed. The mold opening / closing stroke is a distance that the mold opening / closing rod 132 pushes up the upper mold 12 to remove the molded product. The mold opening / closing stroke may be set according to the size of the molded product. The mold opening force is a force for opening the mold device 10, specifically, a force with which the mold opening / closing rod 132 pushes up the upper mold 12. The mold opening speed is a speed at which the mold device 10 is opened, specifically, a speed at which the mold opening / closing rod 132 pushes up the upper mold 12. The mold opening force and the mold opening speed may be set according to the difficulty of opening the mold device 10, which is caused by, for example, the shape of the molded product. The mold closing speed is a speed at which the mold device 10 is closed, specifically, a speed at which the mold opening / closing rod 132 and thus the upper mold 12 are lowered.

[0077] In other words, the opening / closing control unit 212 pushes up the upper mold 12 by the set mold opening stroke with the set mold opening force and mold opening speed, and once the molded product is removed, it lowers the upper mold 12 at the set mold closing speed.

[0078] The cleaning control unit 214 controls the gas supplying means 360 to supply gas from the gas supplying means 360 to the cleaning head 310 and to blow out the gas from the cleaning head 310.

[0079] The cleaning control unit 214 starts blowing gas from the first cleaning head 310A at a predetermined timing before clamping the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 and before lowering the upper platen 112. The cleaning control unit 214 may start blowing gas from the first cleaning head 310A, for example, when the intermittent rotation of the turntable 114 is started or stopped, or when the mold device 10 is detected to have arrived at the first position P1 by an appropriate sensor. The cleaning control unit 214 may start blowing gas from the first cleaning head 310A at a predetermined timing after the molding material is injected into the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1 and after the upper platen 112 is raised.

[0080] The cleaning control unit 214 starts blowing gas from the second cleaning head 310B at a predetermined timing after the mold device 10 arranged at the third position P3 is opened. The cleaning control unit 214 may start blowing gas from the second cleaning head 310B, for example, when the mold device 10 is opened (for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the mold opening is completed) or when an appropriate sensor detects that the molded product has been removed after the mold device 10 is opened.

[0081] The storage unit 230 includes a cleaning setting information storage unit 232. The cleaning setting information storage unit 232 stores setting information related to cleaning by the first cleaning head 310A and the second cleaning head 310B. The cleaning setting information storage unit 232 stores, for example, each information item set on a setting screen 400 described below.

[0082] The display control unit 216 displays various screens on the display unit 206 .

[0083] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a setting screen 400 displayed on the display unit 206 by the display control unit 216. The setting screen 400 includes a first cleaning head setting area 402 and a second cleaning head setting area 404. The on / off button 410 is a button for switching whether or not the cleaning head 310 automatically blows out gas. Each time the on / off button 410 is selected, it switches between "on" and "off." When "on" is set, the cleaning head 310 automatically blows out gas at a predetermined timing. When "off" is selected, the cleaning head 310 blows out gas according to the on / off of the manual button 412. Each time the manual button is selected, it switches between "on" and "off." While "on" is set, the cleaning head 310 blows out gas, and while "off" is selected, the cleaning head 310 does not blow out gas.

[0084] The delay time 414 is set to a delay time until the start of blowing out of gas when "ON" is selected by the ON / OFF button 410. The delay time 414 in the first cleaning head setting area 402 is set to a delay time from the start of rotation of the turntable 114. For example, the delay time 414 may be set to the time it takes to move the mold device 10 from the third position P3 to the first position P1. The delay time 414 in the second cleaning head setting area 404 is set to a delay time from the completion of mold opening. For example, the delay time 414 may be set to the time it takes to remove the molded product.

[0085] The operation time 416 sets the time (length) for which gas is blown out from the cleaning head 310. The setting screen 400 may be configured so that the operation time for each nozzle 314 can be set.

[0086] The mold clamping delay time 418 of the first cleaning head setting area 402 is set to a delay time from the completion of rotation of the turntable 114. For example, the mold clamping delay time 418 may be set to the time it takes to clean the mold device 10 at the first position P1.

[0087] The basic configuration of the injection molding machine 100 has been described above.

[0088] Next, a basic operation of the injection molding machine 100 will be described. Figures 12(a) to (c) are diagrams for explaining the basic operation of the injection molding machine 100 in chronological order. In each of Figures 12(a) to (c), the upper diagram is a plan view showing three mold assemblies 10 and their surroundings, and the lower diagram is a side view of the mold assembly 10 located at the third position P3.

[0089] In FIG. 12(a), the first mold device 10A is disposed at the first position P1, the second mold device 10B is disposed at the second position P2, and the third mold device 10C is disposed at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the first mold device 10A is cleaned by the first cleaning head 310A, the first mold device 10A is clamped, and molding material is injected into the first mold device 10A. At the second position P2, the second mold device 10B is cooled. At the third position P3, the third mold device 10C is opened, the molded product is removed from the third mold device 10C, the third mold device 10C is cleaned by the second cleaning head 310B, and the third mold device 10C is clamped.

[0090] FIG. 12(b) shows a state in which the turntable is rotated 120° clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 12(a). In FIG. 12(b), the third mold device 10C is located at the first position P1, the first mold device 10A is located at the second position P2, and the second mold device 10B is located at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the third mold device 10C is cleaned by the first cleaning head 310A, the third mold device 10C is clamped, and molding material is injected into the third mold device 10C. At the second position P2, the first mold device 10A is cooled. At the third position P3, the second mold device 10B is opened, the molded product is removed from the second mold device 10B, the second cleaning head 310B is cleaned, and the second mold device 10B is closed.

[0091] FIG. 12(c) shows a state in which the turntable is rotated 120° clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 12(b). In FIG. 12(c), the second mold device 10B is located at the first position P1, the third mold device 10C is located at the second position P2, and the first mold device 10A is located at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the second mold device 10B is cleaned by the first cleaning head 310A, the second mold device 10B is clamped, and molding material is injected into the second mold device 10B. At the second position P2, the third mold device 10C is cooled. At the third position P3, the first mold device 10A is opened, the molded product is removed from the first mold device 10A, the first mold device 10A is cleaned by the second cleaning head 310B, and the first mold device 10A is clamped. The molded product taken out here is the solidified molding material injected into the first mold device 10A in FIG. 12(a).

[0092] Next, a description will be given of the operation relating to cleaning of the mold device 10. Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation relating to cleaning by the first cleaning head 310A.

[0093] At time t0, the turntable 114 is stopped, the upper platen 112 is at its upper limit, and the first cleaning head 310A stops blowing gas.

[0094] The rotary table 114 starts rotating at time t1 and stops rotating at time t2 after rotating 120°. In other words, the three mold devices 10 start moving at time t1 and stop when they reach the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, respectively, at time t2.

[0095] The first cleaning head 310A starts blowing gas when the blowing delay time has elapsed from time t1 when the turntable 114 starts rotating. In this example, the blowing delay time is set so that the first cleaning head 310A starts blowing gas at time t2. The first cleaning head 310A stops blowing gas at time t3, when the operating time has elapsed since it started blowing gas.

[0096] The upper platen 112 starts to descend when the mold clamping delay time has elapsed from time t2 when the turntable 114 stops rotating. In this example, the mold clamping delay time is set so that the upper platen 112 starts to descend at time t3. The upper platen 112 reaches its lower limit at time t4, that is, the mold apparatus 10 is clamped.

[0097] Depending on the settings of the blowing delay time, the mold clamping delay time, and the operating time, the first cleaning head 310A may continue blowing gas even after the upper platen 112 starts to descend. In this case, the first cleaning head 310A may stop blowing gas so that the gas blowing does not continue beyond time t4.

[0098] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the cleaning operation by the second cleaning head 310B.

[0099] At time t0, the rotary table 114 is stopped, the mold opening / closing rod 132 is at the lower limit, and the second cleaning head 310B stops blowing gas.

[0100] The rotary table 114 starts rotating at time t1 and stops rotating at time t2 after rotating 120°. In other words, the three mold devices 10 start moving at time t1 and stop when they reach the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3, respectively, at time t2.

[0101] The mold opening / closing rod 132 starts to rise at time t2 when the rotation table 114 stops rotating. That is, at time t2, mold opening of the mold device 10 starts. The mold opening / closing rod 132 reaches the upper limit at time t3. That is, at time t3, mold opening of the mold device 10 is completed.

[0102] The second cleaning head 310B starts blowing gas at time t4 when the blowing delay time has elapsed since the mold opening of the mold device 10 is completed, that is, at time t4 when the removal of the molded product is likely to be completed. This makes it possible to prevent the gas from being blown onto the molded product during removal, thereby reducing the occurrence of mistakes in removing the molded product. The second cleaning head 310B stops blowing gas at time t5 when the operation time has elapsed since the start of blowing gas.

[0103] The mold opening / closing rod 132 starts to descend at time t5 when the blowing of gas from the second cleaning head 310B stops. That is, at time t5, the mold closing of the mold device 10 starts. The mold opening / closing rod 132 reaches the lower limit at time t6. That is, at time t6, the mold closing of the mold device 10 is completed.

[0104] Next, the effects of the embodiment will be described. Even if gas is blown from multiple nozzles 314, if they are directed in opposite directions in a plan view, foreign matter may not be blown away and may gather and remain in the center of the mold apparatus 10. In contrast, according to the embodiment, multiple nozzles 314 blow gas onto the mold apparatus 10 from the same side. This makes it possible to more reliably clean the mold apparatus 10.

[0105] According to the present embodiment, the cleaning device 300 includes cleaning heads 310A and 310B that do not rotate with the rotation of the rotary table 114, the first cleaning head 310A for cleaning the mold device 10 arranged at the first position P1, and the second cleaning head 310B for cleaning the mold device 10 arranged at the second position P2. In this case, the height of the first cleaning head 310A and the orientation of its nozzle 314 can be adjusted to a height and orientation suitable for cleaning at the first position P1, and the height of the second cleaning head 310B and the orientation of its nozzle 314 can be adjusted to a height and orientation suitable for cleaning at the third position P3, so that the mold device 10 can be cleaned more reliably. In addition, since it is not necessary to prepare a cleaning head 310 for each mold device 10, the injection molding machine 100 can be realized at a lower cost.

[0106] The present invention has been described above based on an embodiment. This embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of each component and each treatment process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0107] Any combination of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. A new embodiment resulting from the combination has the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be performed by each component recited in the claims can be realized by each component shown in the embodiments and modifications alone or in cooperation with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 mold device, 12 upper mold, 14 lower mold, 100 injection molding machine, 114 rotary table, 132 mold opening / closing rod, 200 control device, 300 cleaning device, 310A first cleaning head, 310B second cleaning head.

Claims

1. An injection molding machine equipped with a cleaning device that cleans a mold device by blowing gas thereon, The cleaning device includes a plurality of nozzles; The multiple nozzles blow gas into the mold device from the same side.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of nozzles is configured so that a direction in which the gas is blown out is adjustable.

3. The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is capable of blowing gas from each of the plurality of nozzles, the gas differing from the others in at least one of blowing direction, air volume, and temperature.

4. In this injection molding machine, a rotary table on which a plurality of mold assemblies are mounted is rotated intermittently to sequentially position each of the plurality of mold assemblies at an injection position and an ejection position. At the injection position, the mold assemblies are clamped to perform injection, and at the ejection position, the mold assemblies are opened and the molded product is ejected from the mold assemblies.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning device blows gas onto the mold device mounted on the rotary table.

5. The injection molding machine according to claim 4 , wherein the mold unit blows gas onto the mold unit at the injection position or the ejection position.

6. 5. The injection molding machine according to claim 4, wherein the cleaning device blows gas onto the mold device while the rotary table is stopped or rotating.

7. The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is capable of turning on and off the blowing of gas from the plurality of nozzles independently of one another.

8. An injection molding machine which sequentially positions each of a plurality of mold assemblies at an injection position and an ejection position by intermittent rotation of a rotary table on which the plurality of mold assemblies are mounted, closes the mold assemblies at the injection position to perform injection, and opens the mold assemblies at the ejection position to eject a molded product from the mold assemblies, a cleaning device including first and second cleaning heads that do not rotate with the rotary table; The first cleaning head blows gas onto a mold unit disposed at an injection position, An injection molding machine, wherein the second cleaning head blows gas onto a mold unit disposed at an ejection position.

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