Control device of injection molding machine

Abstract

To provide a technology for improving usability of an injection molding machine.SOLUTION: A control device 160 of an injection molding machine is a control device for an injection molding machine configured to: sequentially move a mold device mounted on a mounting section to an injection position and an ejection position by intermittently rotating a rotary table having a plurality of n pieces (n≥3) of mounting sections; perform an injection of a molding material by clamping the mold device at an injection position; and at a removal position, open the mold device to remove a molded product from the mold device. Regardless of which mounting section satisfies a predetermined condition, an instruction is accepted and continuous molding of molded products is started when a command for continuous molding of molded products is received in a case where a predetermined condition regarding a mold device is satisfied in at least one of the n pieces of mounting sections.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an injection molding machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an injection molding machine that sequentially arranges a mold device mounted on a mounting portion at an injection position, a cooling position, and a take-out position by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of mounting portions. According to this injection molding machine, mold clamping of the mold device at the injection position, injection of a molding material into the mold device, cooling of the mold device at the cooling position, mold opening and removal of the molded product at the take-out position can be performed simultaneously, and the molding cycle can be shortened.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional injection molding machine as described in Patent Document 1, unless a mold device is mounted on all of n mounting portions from the first mounting portion to the nth mounting portion (n ≧ 3), or when a mold device is mounted on (n - 1) mounting portions, it is mounted starting from the reference first mounting portion, that is, unless the mounting portions with younger numbers are filled in order from the first mounting portion, continuous molding of the molded product is not started. Therefore, for example, when there are three mounting portions, the first, second, and third mounting portions, and the mold device mounted on the second mounting portion is removed for maintenance or the like, it is necessary to transfer the mold device mounted on the third mounting portion to the second mounting portion, and in some cases, it is also necessary to change the molding conditions of the second mounting portion, which is complicated.

[0005] The present invention has been made in such circumstances, and an exemplary object of one aspect thereof is to provide a technique for improving the usability of an injection molding machine.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a control device for an injection molding machine according to an aspect of the present invention sequentially moves a mold device mounted on a mounting portion by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of n (n ≧ 3) mounting portions to an injection position and a take-out position. At the injection position, the mold device is clamped to inject a molding material, and at the take-out position, the mold device is opened to take out a molded product from the mold device. When an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in at least one of the n mounting portions, regardless of which mounting portion the predetermined condition is satisfied in, the instruction is allowed and continuous molding of the molded product is started.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is also a control device for an injection molding machine. This device sequentially moves a mold device mounted on a mounting portion by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of n (n ≧ 3) mounting portions to an injection position and a take-out position. At the injection position, the mold device is clamped to inject a molding material, and at the take-out position, the mold device is opened to take out a molded product from the mold device. When an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in the mounting portion designated by the user among the n mounting portions, the instruction is allowed and continuous molding of the molded product is started.

[0008] In addition, any combination of the above components, or those obtained by mutually replacing the components and expressions of the present invention among methods, devices, systems, etc., are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for improving the usability of an injection molding machine.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the same or equivalent components, members, and steps shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. Also, some of the members that are not important for explaining the embodiment in each drawing are omitted from the display.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an injection molding machine 100 according to an embodiment. The injection molding machine 100 includes a clamping device 110 that clamps mold devices 10A, 10B, 10C (hereinafter referred to as "mold device 10" when not particularly distinguished or collectively), an injection device 120 that injects a molding material into the mold device 10, an opening / closing device 130 that opens the mold device 10, an ejector device 140 that extrudes a molded product from the mold device 10, a take-out machine 150 that takes out the molded product from the mold device 10, and a control device 160 that integrally controls the entire injection molding machine 100. The control device 160 can be configured by a general-purpose computer.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the injection molding machine 100. In FIG. 2, the display of the take-out machine 150 and the control device 160 is omitted. FIG. 3 is a view of the clamping device 110 seen in the clamping direction. In the present embodiment, 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 clamping device 110 is a vertical type, the Z-axis direction is the clamping direction.

[0014] The clamping device 110 is a vertical type in which the clamping direction is the vertical direction, and includes an upper platen 112, a rotary table 114 provided at a distance below the upper platen 112, and a lower platen 118 that supports the rotary table 114 from below. Note that the clamping device 110 may be a horizontal type in which the clamping direction is the horizontal direction.

[0015] The lower platen 118 is fixed to the frame 102. A rotary table 114 is rotatably supported on the opposing surface (upper surface) 118a of the lower platen 118 that faces the upper platen 112 in the vertical direction. The rotary table 114 has, on its upper surface, first mounting portions 115_1, second mounting portions 115_2, and third mounting portions 115_3 (hereinafter referred to as "mounting portions 115" when not particularly distinguished or collectively) on which the mold devices 10 can be mounted respectively. The three mounting portions 115 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, that is, at intervals of 120°.

[0016] In FIGS. 2 and 3, a mold device 10A, a mold device 10B, and a mold device 10C are mounted on a first mounting portion 115_1, a second mounting portion 115_2, and a third mounting portion 115_3, respectively. Note that it is not necessary for the mold device 10 to be mounted on all three mounting portions 115. It is sufficient if the mold device 10 is mounted on at least one mounting portion 115. That is, the mold device 10 does not have to be mounted on any two or fewer arbitrary mounting portions 115.

[0017] The mold device 10A includes an upper mold 12A and a lower mold 14A. The mold device 10B includes an upper mold 12B and a lower mold 14B. The mold device 10C includes an upper mold 12C and a lower mold 14C. When not distinguishing or collectively referring to the upper molds 12A, 12B, and 12C, they are referred to as "upper mold 12". When not distinguishing or collectively referring to the lower molds 14A, 14B, and 14C, they are referred to as "lower mold 14". The upper mold 12 is a movable mold, and the lower mold 14 is a fixed mold.

[0018] By intermittently rotating the rotary table 114 by 120° each time by a rotary motor (not shown), the mounting portion 115 and thus the mold device 10 move sequentially to a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3. In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first mounting portion 115_1 and thus the mold device 10A is located at the first position P1, the second mounting portion 115_2 and thus the mold device 10B is located at the second position P2, and the third mounting portion 115_3 and thus the mold device 10C is located at the third position P3.

[0019] The first position P1 is an injection position where the mold device 10 is clamped and a molding material is injected into the mold device 10. The second position P2 is a cooling position where the molding material injected into the mold device 10 is cooled. The third position P3 is a take-out position where the mold device 10 is opened and a molded product is taken out.

[0020] Note that the number of stop positions of the mold device 10 is the same as the number of mounting portions 115. Therefore, when the number of mounting portions 115 is four or more, the number of stop positions is also four or more.

[0021] The upper platen 112 is moved up and down relative to the rotary table 114 by a drive unit (not shown). When the upper platen 112 descends and the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1 is sandwiched vertically between the upper platen 112 and the rotary table 114, the mold device 10 is clamped.

[0022] The injection device 120 is a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 122 is the vertical direction, and is disposed above the upper platen 112. Note that the injection device 120 may be a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 122 is the horizontal direction. Also, the clamping device 110 combined with the vertical injection device 120 may be either vertical or horizontal. Similarly, the clamping device 110 combined with the horizontal injection device 120 may be either horizontal or vertical.

[0023] The injection device 120 has a cylinder 122 provided with a nozzle 122a at its tip. The injection device 120 is moved up and down relative to the upper platen 112 and thus the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1 by a drive unit (not shown). By descending, the injection device 120 touches the nozzle 122a to the mold device 10 disposed at the first position P1, and injects a molding material into the cavity space of the mold device 10. A molded product is obtained by solidifying the molding material filled in the cavity space. The number of cavity spaces is, for example, plural, and a plurality of molded products can be obtained simultaneously. The number of cavity spaces may also be one.

[0024] The opening / closing device 130 opens and closes the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3. That is, the opening / closing device 130 moves the upper mold 12 of the mold device 10 disposed at the third position P3 in the vertical direction. The opening / closing device 130 may be configured using a known or future applicable technology.

[0025] The ejector device 140 ejects a predetermined rod into the cavity space of the lower mold 14 of the mold device 10 opened by the opening / closing device 130, thereby peeling the molded product from the lower mold 14. The molded product peeled from the lower mold 14 is taken out by the take-out machine 150.

[0026] The opening / closing device 130 and the ejector device 140 may be configured as one device.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the control device 160. The control device 160 includes a communication unit 162, a display unit 164, an input unit 166, a data processing unit 168, and a data storage unit 170.

[0028] The communication unit 162 controls communication with other devices. The communication unit 162 communicates by any communication method, wired or wireless.

[0029] The display unit 164 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit 164 displays a screen provided by the data processing unit 168. The input unit 166 is a user interface such as a physical key or a touch panel. The input unit 166 receives a user operation and inputs the operation content to the data processing unit 168. The display unit 164 and the input unit 166 may be configured as an integrated touch panel display.

[0030] The data processing unit 168 executes various data processes. The data processing unit 168 can be realized by the cooperation of hardware resources and software resources, or by hardware resources only. As hardware resources, a processor, ROM, RAM, and other LSIs can be used. As the processor, a CPU, GPU, etc. can be used. As software resources, programs such as an operating system and an application can be used.

[0031] The data storage unit 170 stores data that is referred to and / or updated by the data processing unit 168. The data storage unit 170 may be a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, etc.

[0032] The data storage unit 170 includes a molding condition storage unit 182 and a mounting unit information storage unit 184.

[0033] The molding condition storage unit 182 stores the molding conditions for each mold device 10. The molding condition storage unit 182 may store the molding conditions for all mold devices 10 that may be used. The molding conditions are, for example, injection speed, cylinder temperature, injection pressure of the molding material, temperature of the mold device 10, and injection amount of the molding material. Note that the molding conditions for the mold device 10 may vary depending on the mounting portion 115 on which the mold device 10 is mounted. In this case, the molding condition storage unit 182 stores the molding conditions for each mold device 10 and each mounting portion 115.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the molding condition storage unit 182. The molding condition storage unit 182 stores in association with each other a mold device ID that uniquely identifies the mold device 10, a mounting portion ID that uniquely identifies the mounting portion 115, and the molding conditions when the mold device 10 is used on the mounting portion 115. That is, the molding condition storage unit 182 in this example stores the molding conditions for each mold device 10 and each mounting portion 115.

[0035] As a modification, the molding condition storage unit 182 may store a molded product ID that uniquely identifies the molded product instead of the mold device ID. That is, the molding condition storage unit 182 may store in association with each other the molded product ID, the mounting portion ID, and the molding conditions when the molded product is molded on the mounting portion 115. Alternatively, the molding condition storage unit 182 may store the molded product ID in addition to the mold device ID. That is, the molding condition storage unit 182 may store in association with each other a mold device ID that uniquely identifies the mold device 10, a molded product ID that uniquely identifies the molded product molded by the mold device 10, the mounting portion ID, and the molding conditions when the mold device 10 is used on the mounting portion 115 to mold the molded product.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram showing an example of the mounting unit information storage unit 184. The mounting unit information storage unit 184 stores in association a mounting unit ID that uniquely identifies the mounting unit 115, a die device ID that uniquely identifies the die device 10 mounted on the mounting unit 115, the stop position of the mounting unit 115, and usage information indicating whether or not the die device 10 mounted on the mounting unit 115 is used. When the die device 10 mounted on the mounting unit 115 is used, that is, when a molded product is molded by the die device 10 mounted on the mounting unit 115, "used" is stored in the usage information column. When the die device 10 mounted on the mounting unit 115 is not used, that is, when a molded product is not molded by the die device 10 mounted on the mounting unit 115, "not used" is stored in the usage information column. In this example, no die device 10 is mounted on the first mounting unit 115_1, and die devices 10C and 10E are mounted on the second mounting unit 115_2 and the third mounting unit 115_3, respectively. The first mounting unit 115_1, the second mounting unit 115_2, and the third mounting unit 115_3 are located at the third position P3, the first position P1, and the second position P2, respectively. "Not used" is selected for the first mounting unit 115_1, and "used" is selected for the second mounting unit 115_2 and the third mounting unit 115_3, respectively.

[0037] The data processing unit 168 includes a molding control unit 172 and a display control unit 174.

[0038] The molding control unit 172 controls the molding of the molded product. When the molding control unit 172 receives an instruction for continuous molding of the molded product (hereinafter referred to as "continuous molding instruction") when a predetermined condition regarding the die device 10 is satisfied in at least one of the three mounting units 115, regardless of which mounting unit 115 the predetermined condition is satisfied in, the molding control unit 172 permits the continuous molding instruction and starts the continuous molding of the molded product.

[0039] Specifically, when the molding control unit 172 receives a continuous molding instruction in any of the following cases (a) to (g), the molding control unit 172 permits the continuous molding instruction and starts the continuous molding of the molded product. (a) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1 and not satisfied in the second mounting part 115_2 and the third mounting part 115_3 (b) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the second mounting part 115_2 and not satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1 and the third mounting part 115_3 (c) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the third mounting part 115_3 and not satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1 and the second mounting part 115_2 (d) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1 and the second mounting part 115_2 and not satisfied in the third mounting part 115_3 (e) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1 and the third mounting part 115_3 and not satisfied in the second mounting part 115_2 (f) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the second mounting part 115_2 and the third mounting part 115_3 and not satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1 (g) When predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the first mounting part 115_1, the second mounting part 115_2, and the third mounting part 115_3, that is, when predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in all three (i.e., all) mounting parts 115

[0040] On the other hand, when the continuous molding instruction is received in a case where the predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are not satisfied in all three, i.e., all, mounting parts 115, the molding control unit 172 ignores the continuous molding instruction and does not start molding.

[0041] (1) The predetermined condition may be that the mold device 10 is mounted. In this case, the mold device 10 mounted on the mounting part 115 is always used.

[0042] (2) The predetermined condition may be that the mold device 10 is mounted and the selection to use the mold device 10 is made. In this case, the mold device 10 mounted on the mounting portion 115 is not necessarily used.

[0043] (3) The predetermined condition may be that the mold device 10 is mounted and the mounting portion 115 is at a specific position among the three positions P1, P2, and P3.

[0044] The user may be able to specify the specific position.

[0045] Alternatively, the specific position may be the third position P3, that is, the take-out position. In this case, the user can manually operate the opening / closing device 130 to open the mold device 10 located at the third position P3 and check whether there is a molded product remaining in the mold device 10.

[0046] Here, if continuous molding is started in a state where the mold device 10 is not mounted on the mounting portion 115 located at the third position P3 or the selection not to use the mounting portion 115 located at the third position P3 is made, it is also conceivable to skip the first cycle immediately after the start of continuous molding of the molded product and start from the second cycle, that is, rotate 240° in the clockwise direction in the first intermittent rotation of the rotary table 114. In this case, there is a possibility that the mold device 10 with the molded product remaining is arranged at the first position P1 and the injection of the molding material is performed on the mold device 10 with the molded product remaining. When the specific position is the third position P3, that is, the take-out position, it is possible to avoid such a problem from occurring.

[0047] In the cases of (1), (2), and (3) above, the means for determining whether or not the mold device 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 115 is not particularly limited. For example, the mold clamping device 110 may include one or a plurality of appropriate sensors, and the molding control unit 172 may determine whether or not the mold device 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 115 based on information acquired by the one or more appropriate sensors. The appropriate sensor may be, for example, a camera that photographs the periphery of the mounting portion 115, or a distance sensor that detects the distance to the mold device 10 mounted on the mounting portion 115. Further, for example, the user may input whether or not the mold device 10 is mounted on the mounting portion 115.

[0048] In the case of (2) above, whether or not to use the mold device 10 is input by the user via a predetermined setting screen 300.

[0049] Subsequently, control by the molding control unit 172 in continuous molding of molded products will be described.

[0050] The molding control unit 172 intermittently rotates the rotary table 114 of the mold clamping device 110 by controlling the drive of a rotation motor (not shown). Each time the molding control unit 172 intermittently rotates the rotary table 114, that is, each time the mounting portion 115 moves, the molding control unit 172 updates the stop position of the mounting portion 115 stored in the mounting portion information storage unit 184.

[0051] With respect to the first position P1, the molding control unit 172 controls the mold clamping device 110 to clamp the mold device 10, and controls the injection device 120 to inject a molding material into the mold device 10. The molding control unit 172 reads out the molding conditions of the mold device 10 located at the first position P1 from the molding condition storage unit 182, and controls the injection device 120 using the read molding conditions.

[0052] With respect to the third position P3, the molding control unit 172 controls the opening / closing device 130 to open the mold device 10, controls the ejector device 140 to peel the molded product from the lower mold 14 of the opened mold device 10, and controls the take-out machine 30 to take out the molded product from the mold device 10.

[0053] Further, when the molding control unit 172 allows a continuous molding instruction and starts molding because predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in two or fewer mounting units 115, if a mounting unit 115 in which the predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are not satisfied is located at the first position P1, the injection of the molding material is skipped. For example, in the case of (f) above, when the first mounting unit 115_1 is located at the first position P1, the molding control unit 172 skips the injection of the molding material.

[0054] When a mounting unit 115 in which the predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are not satisfied is located at the first position P1, the molding control unit 172 may further skip the mold clamping of the mold device 10. In this case, by skipping unnecessary processes, unnecessary power consumption can be avoided.

[0055] When a mounting unit 115 in which the predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are not satisfied is located at the third position P3, the molding control unit 172 may skip the mold opening of the mold device 10 and the operation of taking out the molded product. In this case, by skipping unnecessary processes, unnecessary power consumption can be avoided.

[0056] The display control unit 174 displays various screens on the display unit 164.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen 300 that the display control unit 174 displays on the display unit 164. The setting screen 300 is a screen for performing various settings related to molding. The setting screen 300 includes a mold setting area 302. The first button 310, the second button 312, and the third button 314 in the mold setting area 302 are buttons for switching whether to use the mold device 10 mounted on each of the three mounting portions 115, respectively. "Use" and "Do not use" are switched to select the buttons 310, 312, and 314. When "Use" is set, the mold device 10 mounted on the mounting portion 115 is used. When "Do not use" is set, the mold device 10 mounted on the mounting portion 115 is not used. Note that for a mounting portion 115 on which the mold device 10 is not mounted, "Do not use" may be automatically selected and "Use" may not be selectable.

[0058] Next, the operation of the injection molding machine 100 will be described.

[0059] FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the injection molding machine 100 at the start of continuous molding of a molded product in time series. FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d) are views of the mold clamping device 110 in the mold clamping direction. In FIGS. 8(a) to 8(d), the hatching attached to the mounting portion 115 indicates that a predetermined condition regarding the mold device 10 is satisfied in the mounting portion 115.

[0060] FIG. 8(a) shows a state before the start of continuous molding of a molded product. The user manually operates the opening / closing device 130 to open the mold device 10 located at the third position P3 and checks whether there is a molded product remaining in the mold device 10. If there is no remaining molded product, the user manually operates the opening / closing device 130 to close the mold device 10. If there is a remaining molded product, the user manually operates the ejector device 140 and the take-out machine 150 to take out the molded product, and then manually operates the opening / closing device 130 to close the mold device 10.

[0061] Assume that a continuous molding instruction is received in the state of Fig. 8(a). Here, predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in the second mounting portion 115_2 and the third mounting portion 115_3 among the three mounting portions 115. That is, predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10 are satisfied in at least one of the three mounting portions 115. Therefore, the molding control unit 172 permits the continuous molding instruction and starts molding.

[0062] Fig. 8(b) shows a state in which the rotary table 114 is rotated 120° clockwise from the state of Fig. 8(a). In Fig. 8(b), the second mounting portion 115_2 is located at the first position P1, the third mounting portion 115_3 is located at the second position P2, and the first mounting portion 115_1 is located at the first position P1. At the first position P1, the mold device 10 is clamped and a molding material is injected into the mold device 10. At the third position P3, the mold opening of the mold device 10 and the operation of taking out the molded product are skipped.

[0063] As a modification, in the first cycle immediately after the start of continuous molding of the molded product, even if the mounting portion 115 located at the first position P1 satisfies the predetermined conditions regarding the mold device 10, the mold clamping and the injection of the molding material may be skipped. In this case, it becomes unnecessary for the user to manually confirm whether there is a molded product remaining in the mold device 10 located at the third position P3 in Fig. 8(a).

[0064] Fig. 8(c) shows a state in which the rotary table is rotated 120° clockwise from the state of Fig. 8(b). In Fig. 8(c), the first mounting portion 115_1 is located at the first position P1, the second mounting portion 115_2 is located at the second position P2, and the third mounting portion 115_3 is located at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the mold clamping and the injection of the molding material of the mold device 10 are skipped. At the second position P2, the mold device 10 is cooled. At the third position, the mold device 10 is opened and the operation of taking out the molded product from the mold device 10 is performed. Thereby, if there is a molded product remaining in the mold device 10, the molded product is taken out.

[0065] FIG. 8(d) shows a state where the rotary table is rotated 120° clockwise from the state of FIG. 8(c). In FIG. 8(d), the third mounting part 115_3 is located at the first position P1, the first mounting part 115_1 is located at the second position P2, and the second mounting part 115_2 is located at the third position P3. At the first position P1, the mold device 10 is clamped, and a molding material is injected into the mold device 10. At the third position, the mold device 10 is opened, and the molded product is taken out from the mold device 10. The molded product taken out here is the one in which the molding material injected into the mold device 10 in FIG. 8(b) has solidified.

[0066] According to the embodiment described above, when an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device 10 is satisfied in at least one of the three mounting parts 115, regardless of which mounting part 115 the predetermined condition is satisfied in, the instruction is permitted and the continuous molding of the molded product is started. That is, even if the predetermined condition regarding the mold device 10 is not satisfied in the mounting parts 115 with younger numbers in order from the first mounting part 115_1, the continuous molding of the molded product is started. In this case, for example, even when the mold device 10 mounted on the first mounting part 115_1 or the second mounting part 115_2 is removed or the non-use is selected when the mold device 10 is mounted on the three mounting parts 115, it is not necessary to replace the mold device 10, and therefore it is not necessary to change the setting of the molding conditions. As described above, according to the present embodiment, an injection molding machine with good usability can be realized.

[0067] As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. It is understood by those skilled in the art that this embodiment is an example, and various modifications are possible for the combination of each of these constituent elements and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, modifications will be described.

[0068] (Modification 1) In the embodiment, the case where the rotary table 114 has three mounting parts 115 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the rotary table 114 may have four or more mounting parts 115. That is, the number of the mounting parts 115 may be n (n≥3). In this case, the number of the stop positions of the mold apparatus 10 is also n. In this case, the number of the cooling positions may be (n−2). In this case, when the continuous molding instruction is received in at least one of the n mounting parts where the predetermined condition regarding the mold apparatus 10 is satisfied, the molding control unit 172 allows the continuous molding instruction and starts the continuous molding of the molded product regardless of which mounting part 115 satisfies the predetermined condition. Further, when the continuous molding instruction is allowed and the continuous molding of the molded product is started because the predetermined condition regarding the mold apparatus 10 is satisfied in (n−1) or less mounting parts 115, when the mounting part 115 where the predetermined condition regarding the mold apparatus 10 is not satisfied is located at the first position P1, the injection of the molding material is skipped, and preferably, the mold clamping of the mold apparatus 10 is also skipped. Further, preferably, when the mounting part 115 where the predetermined condition regarding the mold apparatus 10 is not satisfied is located at the third position P3, the mold opening of the mold apparatus 10 and the operation of taking out the molded product are skipped.

[0069] (Modification Example 2) Unlike the embodiment and the above-described modification example, when the continuous molding instruction is received in the mounting part 115 designated by the user among the plurality of n mounting parts 115 and the predetermined condition regarding the mold apparatus 10 is satisfied, the molding control unit 172 may allow the continuous molding instruction and start the continuous molding of the molded product. The predetermined condition may be the above (1), (2), or (3). According to this modification example, even when any one of the mold apparatuses 10 is removed or the non-use is selected, the user can cope by appropriately changing the designation. That is, an injection molding machine with good usability can be realized.

[0070] Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiment resulting from the combination has the effects of the embodiments and modifications combined. It is also understood by those skilled in the art that the functions to be fulfilled by each constituent element described in the claims are realized by a single one of the constituent elements shown in the embodiments and modifications or by their cooperation.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0071] 10 Mold device, 100 Injection molding machine, 114 Rotary table, 115 Mounting part, 160 Control device.

Claims

1. A control device for an injection molding machine that sequentially moves a mold device mounted on a mounting part to an injection position and a take-out position by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of n (n≥3) mounting parts. At the injection position, the mold device is clamped to inject a molding material, and at the take-out position, the mold device is opened to take out a molded product from the mold device. When an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in at least one of the n mounting parts, regardless of which mounting part the predetermined condition is satisfied in, the instruction is allowed and continuous molding of the molded product is started. A control device for an injection molding machine that sequentially moves a mold device mounted on a mounting part to an injection position and a take-out position by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of n (n≥3) mounting parts. At the injection position, the mold device is clamped to inject a molding material, and at the take-out position, the mold device is opened to take out a molded product from the mold device. When an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in a mounting part designated by a user among the n mounting parts, the instruction is allowed and continuous molding of the molded product is started.

2. A control device for an injection molding machine that sequentially moves a mold device mounted on a mounting part to an injection position and a take-out position by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of n (n≥3) mounting parts. At the injection position, the mold device is clamped to inject a molding material, and at the take-out position, the mold device is opened to take out a molded product from the mold device. When an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in a mounting part designated by a user among the n mounting parts, the instruction is allowed and continuous molding of the molded product is started. A control device for an injection molding machine that sequentially moves a mold device mounted on a mounting part to an injection position and a take-out position by intermittent rotation of a rotary table having a plurality of n (n≥3) mounting parts. At the injection position, the mold device is clamped to inject a molding material, and at the take-out position, the mold device is opened to take out a molded product from the mold device. When an instruction for continuous molding of a molded product is received when a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in a mounting part designated by a user among the n mounting parts, the instruction is allowed and continuous molding of the molded product is started.

3. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the mold device is mounted.

4. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the mold device is mounted and a selection to use the mold device is made.

5. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined condition is that the mold device is mounted and the mounting part is in a specific position.

6. The control device for an injection molding machine according to claim 5, wherein the specific position is the take-out position.

7. When the control device allows the instruction and starts continuous molding of a molded product because a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is satisfied in (n - 1) or fewer mounting parts, and when a mounting part where the predetermined condition regarding the mold device is not satisfied is located at the injection position, the control device according to claim 1 skips the injection of the molding material.

8. The control device according to claim 7 of the injection molding machine, further skips the mold clamping when a mounting portion where a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is not satisfied is located at the injection position.

9. The control device according to claim 8 of the injection molding machine skips the mold opening and the operation of taking out the molded product when a mounting portion where a predetermined condition regarding the mold device is not satisfied is located at the take-out position.

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