Molding management system

Abstract

To provide a molding management system capable of suppressing the occurrence of a difference between an actual divided lot and a lot on the molding management system.SOLUTION: Provided is a molding management system that includes a server communicably connected to a terminal device and manages production of a product in a production process including an injection molding process of the product by an injection molding device, wherein the server includes: a storage unit that stores one or more pieces of lot information in which lot identification information for identifying a lot of the product and lot-related information including one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product are associated with each other; and a control unit that causes the terminal device to display a lot division image for receiving a lot division operation of dividing a division target lot selected as a target to be divided among the lots indicated by the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit into two or more lots.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to a molding management system. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Research and development is being conducted on techniques for managing the production of products in a production process that includes an injection molding process of products using resin materials such as plastics using an injection molding machine.

[0003] In this regard, a system is known that can update control information for controlling the molding of products for each lot for each molding of a product (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 07-029352 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a system such as that described in Patent Document 1, when work such as dividing a lot occurs at the molding site of a product, a discrepancy may arise between the actual lot and the lot in the system. This is because the lot is managed by master data in the system, but this is not desirable from the perspective of lot management. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present disclosure is a molding management system that includes a server that is communicatively connected to a terminal device and that manages the production of the product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the product using an injection molding device, wherein the server is a molding management system that includes: a memory unit that stores one or more pieces of lot information that correspond to lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product and lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product; and a control unit that displays a lot division image on the terminal device that accepts a lot division operation to divide a division target lot selected as a target for division from among the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the memory unit into two or more of the lots. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a molding management system 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a main menu image P1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal image P2. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a lot search image P3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a lot division image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40 when a selection operation is performed on the button B41 shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the lot division image P4 shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the state around the toggle switch TG when it is selected to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more lots after the lot to be divided is divided. [Figure 8] 7 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the lot division operation reception area RG4 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating other examples of the method for inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10]9 is a diagram illustrating still another example of the method for inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 11] 7 is a diagram showing still another example of the configuration of the lot division operation reception area RG4 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product search image P5 displayed by the server 30 when an attempt is made to enter information into the input field F22. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search result obtained by a user's selection operation on a pull-down menu in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a product search image P5 including a search condition receiving area RG5 for receiving search conditions. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server 30. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server 30. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flow of processing performed by the server 30 to divide a lot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment> Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] <Outline of molding management system> First, an overview of the molding management system according to the embodiment will be described.

[0010] A molding management system according to an embodiment manages the production of products in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the products using an injection molding device. The molding management system includes a server. The server is communicably connected to a terminal device. The server also includes a memory unit and a control unit. The memory unit stores one or more pieces of lot information that correspond to lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product and lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product. The control unit causes the terminal device to display a lot division image that accepts a lot division operation for dividing a division target lot selected as a target for division from among the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the memory unit into two or more lots.

[0011] As a result, the molding management system according to the embodiment can prevent a difference from occurring between the actual lot after division and the lot on the molding management system.

[0012] The configuration of the molding management system according to the embodiment and the processing performed by the server included in the molding management system will be described in detail below.

[0013] Note that actual lot division is performed when, for example, variations in the 4Ms (Man, Machine, Material, Method) occur and cause variations in quality between products in a lot, when a lot on the molding control system is created using a manufacturing lot (described later) and then divided into actual boxes, when only defective products that have occurred are to be packed in separate boxes, etc. In such cases, differences may occur between the actual lot after division and the lot on the molding control system.

[0014] <Configuration of molding management system> The configuration of the molding management system according to the embodiment will be described below by taking the molding management system 1 as an example.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a molding management system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0016] The molding management system 1 is a type of manufacturing execution system (MES). For example, the molding management system 1 includes one or more managed devices 10, an information processing device 20, and a server 30. The molding management system 1 may be configured not to include some or all of the one or more managed devices 10. The molding management system 1 may also be configured not to include the information processing device 20. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the molding management system 1 includes a plurality of managed devices 10 as the one or more managed devices 10.

[0017] Each of the multiple managed devices 10 included in the molding management system 1 is a device managed by the molding management system 1. In FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, the multiple managed devices 10 are each denoted by the same reference numeral. However, some or all of the multiple managed devices 10 may be different types of devices. The multiple managed devices 10 include at least one injection molding device that performs injection molding of a product using a resin such as plastic. The injection molding device 11 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of such an injection molding device. Note that the multiple managed devices 10 may also include an injection molding device that performs metal injection molding (MIM) of a product. In the following, for convenience of explanation, injection molding of a product using a resin such as plastic will be simply referred to as injection molding. In the following, an injection molding device that performs injection molding of a product using a resin such as plastic will be simply referred to as an injection molding device. Furthermore, the multiple managed devices 10 include, in addition to the injection molding device, for example, peripheral equipment of the injection molding device. Examples of peripheral equipment of the injection molding device include, but are not limited to, a material supply device that supplies the injection molding device with material used by the injection molding device to inject mold the product, a transport device that transports the product injection molded by the injection molding device, a cleaning device that cleans the product injection molded by the injection molding device, and a sintering device that sinters the product after being cleaned by the cleaning device. Furthermore, at least one injection molding device included in the multiple managed devices 10 may be a device that performs injection molding using a material other than resin and metal.

[0018] The molding management system 1 manages the production of products in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the products using injection molding devices included in the multiple managed devices 10. Here, the injection molding devices included in the multiple managed devices 10 may have any configuration as long as they are capable of producing products by injection molding. For convenience of explanation, one injection molding of a product using the injection molding device will be referred to as one shot in the following description. In this case, for example, two shots refer to two injection moldings of a product using the injection molding device. Also, for convenience of explanation, each of one or more cavities in a mold that are filled with resin during one shot of molding a product will be referred to as a cavity in the following description. For example, an injection molding device equipped with a mold having two such cavities will mold two products in one shot.

[0019] The information processing device 20 acquires status information indicating the status of each of the multiple managed devices 10 from the managed device 10. For example, the information processing device 20 acquires status information about the injection molding device 11 from the injection molding device 11. Such status information includes a timestamp indicating the date and time when the status information was acquired by the information processing device 20. Some status information also includes device identification information that identifies the managed device 10 in the state indicated by the status information. The status information also includes detection information detected by one or more sensors attached to the managed device 10. The detection information includes, for example, information indicating temperature, information indicating pressure, information indicating current value, information indicating voltage value, etc. That is, the one or more sensors include, but are not limited to, a thermometer, a pressure gauge, an ammeter, a voltmeter, etc. Note that the detection information may include other information detected by the sensors instead of some or all of the above information, or in addition to all of the above information. The status information also includes operating status information indicating the operating status of the managed device 10. The operating status information indicating the operating status of the managed device 10 may be any information as long as it includes information indicating whether the managed device is operating. Furthermore, the information processing device 20 may acquire such status information periodically or non-periodically. As an example, the following describes a case where the information processing device 20 acquires status information each time the above-mentioned one shot is taken. When the information processing device 20 acquires certain status information, it outputs the acquired status information to the server 30. This allows the information processing device 20 to store the acquired status information in the server 30.

[0020] The information processing device 20 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, etc., but is not limited to these. The information processing device 20 is communicably connected to each of the multiple managed devices 10 via wired or wireless communication. The communication network connecting the information processing device 20 and each of the multiple managed devices 10 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) within a facility where the multiple managed devices 10 are installed, but is not limited to this. The communication network may also be another communication network such as the Internet or a mobile communication network.

[0021] The server 30 stores the status information acquired by the information processing device 20. For example, when the server 30 acquires certain status information from the information processing device 20, it stores the acquired status information. Here, if the server 30 has already stored status information including device identification information included in the status information, it replaces the already stored status information with the newly acquired status information. This allows the server 30 to always keep the status information indicating the status of the managed device 10 indicated by the device identification information up to date. Note that the server 30 may be configured to store all acquired status information without performing such replacement. Furthermore, even if the server 30 performs such replacement, it may be configured to newly store the status information before the replacement as history information indicating the status history of the managed device 10.

[0022] In addition, in response to a request from a terminal device communicatively connected to the server 30, the server 30 displays various images based on status information stored in the server 30 on the display unit of the terminal device. Here, the images refer to GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), icons, windows on an OS (Operating System), and the like. Hereinafter, as an example, a case will be described in which the server 30 is communicatively connected to the terminal device 40 as shown in FIG. 1 . Note that in this embodiment, the process of logging in to the server 30 by the terminal device 40 is known, and therefore will not be described here. For ease of explanation, the server 30 receiving an operation from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40 will be simply referred to as the server 30 receiving an operation. In other words, in the following, the server 30 performing a certain process in response to a received operation means that the server 30 performs the process in response to the operation received from the terminal device 40 via an image displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0023] The server 30 also receives various types of information in response to the received operation. For example, the server 30 stores master data including various types of information about products produced by the injection molding device 11 in response to the received operation. The master data includes, for example, product identification information that identifies the various products produced by the injection molding device 11, production quantity plan value information that indicates the planned production quantity of the products identified by each product identification information, and mold identification information that identifies the mold used to produce the products identified by each product identification information. The master data may have any data structure. For example, the various types of information included in the master data are included in the master data as information associated with the product identification information.

[0024] Furthermore, in response to the received operation, the server 30 displays a lot search image on the display unit of the terminal device 40, which accepts a lot search operation for searching for a product lot. The display unit may be, for example, a display of the terminal device 40 or a display device communicably connected to the terminal device 40, but is not limited to these. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the display unit is the display of the terminal device 40. Also, in the following, for convenience of explanation, displaying an image on the display unit will be referred to as "displaying the image." The lot search image is an image that accepts various pieces of information that can be used as a search key through the aforementioned lot search operation. In the following, for convenience of explanation, a product lot will be simply referred to as a lot. A lot is a group of one or more products to which lot identification information is assigned for management purposes. Therefore, in the following, for convenience of explanation, products to which lot identification information identifying a certain lot is assigned will be referred to as products of that lot. The lot identification information may be any information that can identify the lot, for example, an ID (Identifier) ​​that identifies the lot, a character string that identifies the lot, or other information that can identify the lot.

[0025] Here, the server 30 stores lot identification information and lot-related information including one or more pieces of information related to the lot, in association with each other. As a result, when searching for information on a certain lot of products, the server 30 can use not only the lot identification information that identifies the lot, but also each of the one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information associated with the lot identification information as search keys for the lot. In other words, in the lot search image, in addition to the lot identification information, each of the one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information can be used as search keys for searching for the lot. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, information in which lot identification information that identifies a certain lot and lot-related information including one or more pieces of information related to the lot are associated with each other will be referred to as lot information indicating the lot. In other words, when the server 30 receives at least one piece of information from the one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information through a lot search operation via the lot search image, it displays lot information indicating the lot identified by each of the one or more pieces of lot identification information associated with the received at least one piece of information. This allows the server 30 to easily search for information on products in a desired lot. For this reason, the server 30 stores one or more pieces of lot information for each piece of lot identification information.

[0026] For example, the server 30 displays a lot search image by accepting an operation via a main menu image P1 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the main menu image P1.

[0027] When a predetermined main menu image display operation is received, the server 30 displays the main menu image P1. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the main menu image P1 includes six buttons, namely, button B11 to button B16.

[0028] The button B11 is a button that displays a dashboard image. When the server 30 receives a selection operation on the button B11, the server 30 generates a dashboard image and displays the generated dashboard image. Here, the dashboard image is an image that displays information necessary for a user of the terminal device 40 to manage the production of products by the injection molding device designated by the user while the injection molding device is in operation. In this embodiment, the selection operation is a click, a tap, or the like, but is not limited to these.

[0029] Button B12 is a button that displays a master data management image. When the server 30 receives a selection operation on button B12, it generates a master data management image and displays the generated master data management image. Here, the master data management image is an image that receives operations to input, change, delete, etc. the master data described above. The server 30 can generate, change, delete, etc. master data in response to operations on the master data management image. When the server 30 generates master data, it stores the generated master data. Furthermore, when the server 30 changes the master data, it updates the stored master data to the changed master data.

[0030] The button B13 is a button for displaying a manual image. When the server 30 receives a selection operation for the button B13, the server 30 generates a manual image and displays the generated manual image. Here, the manual image is an image that receives an operation for displaying a manual on how to operate the molding management system 1.

[0031] Button B14 is a button that displays terminal image P2. When server 30 receives a selection operation on button B14, it generates terminal image P2 and displays the generated terminal image P2. Here, terminal image P2 is an image that receives operations for executing each of the various update functions possessed by server 30. A certain type of update function is a function for inputting, changing, deleting, etc., information according to that type.

[0032] Button B15 is a button that displays a user management image. When server 30 receives a selection operation on button B15, it generates a user management image and displays the generated user management image. Here, the user management image is an image that receives operations to input, change, delete, display, etc., information about a user among the information stored in server 30.

[0033] The button B16 is a button that accepts an operation to log out the terminal device 40 from the server 30. When the server 30 accepts a selection operation on the button B16, the server 30 logs out the terminal device 40.

[0034] In this embodiment, the dashboard image, the master data management image, the manual image, and the user management image will not be described.

[0035] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the terminal image P2. As shown in Fig. 3, the terminal image P2 includes buttons for accepting operations to execute each of a plurality of update-related functions. One of these buttons is the button B21.

[0036] The button B21 is a button that accepts an operation to display a lot search image P3, which is an example of the lot search image described above. When the server 30 accepts a selection operation on the button B21, the server 30 generates the lot search image P3 and displays the generated lot search image P3.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the lot search image P3. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the lot search image P3 includes a lot search area RG1, a search result display area RG2, and a processing button group area RG3.

[0038] The lot search area RG1 includes, for example, input fields F11 to F18, a button B31, and a button B32. Note that the lot search area RG1 may be configured to include other GUIs that can accept a lot search operation instead of some or all of these GUIs, or in addition to all of these GUIs. Here, the above-mentioned search operation refers to an individual operation accepted by the lot search area RG1. Note that in the molding management system 1, searching for a lot means searching for lot information.

[0039] The input field F11 is a field where lot identification information that identifies a desired lot is entered by the user. In FIG. 4, the character string "Lot No." superimposed on the input field F11 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F11 is lot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, nothing is entered in the input field F11. Note that the lot identification information may be entered in the input field F11 by selecting the lot identification information from a pull-down menu, or by direct entry using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0040] The input field F12 is a field where process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the desired lot by the user, among the various processes included in the production process. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the process information is included in the lot-related information described above, and the lot can be searched for using the process information as a search key. The character string "Process" superimposed on the input field F12 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F12 is process information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F12. Note that the process information can be entered into the input field F12 by selecting the process information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0041] The input field F13 is a field for inputting injection molding machine identification information that identifies the injection molding machine that molded the product lot desired by the user or the injection molding machine that will mold the product lot desired by the user. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes the injection molding machine identification information, and the lot can be searched for using the injection molding machine identification information as a search key. The character string "machine" superimposed on the input field F13 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F13 is injection molding machine identification information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F13. The injection molding machine identification information can be entered into the input field F13 by selecting the injection molding machine identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering it using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0042] The input field F14 is a field where the user inputs product type information indicating the type of product of the desired lot. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes product type information, and the lot can be searched for using the product type information as a search key. The character string "Item" superimposed on the input field F14 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information input into the input field F14 is product type information. In this example, nothing is input into the input field F14. Note that the product type information can be input into the input field F14 by selecting the product type information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0043] The input field F15 is a field where information identifying the higher-level group to which the desired lot belongs is entered. The following description will be given, as an example, of a case where the group is a production lot. For ease of explanation, the information will be referred to as production lot identification information. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes production lot identification information, and a lot can be searched for using the production lot identification information as a search key. The group may also be another group, such as the work shift of a manager who manages the production of the products of the lot. The character string "Job No." superimposed on the input field F15 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F15 is production lot identification information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F15. The production lot identification information may be entered in the input field F15 by selecting the production lot identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering it using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0044] The input field F16 is a field where lot status information indicating the desired lot status is entered by the user. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4 , the lot-related information includes the lot status information, and a lot can be searched for using the lot status information as a search key. The character string "Lot Status" superimposed on the input field F16 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F16 is lot status information. In this example, nothing is entered in the input field F16. The lot status information indicates one of the following states: a lot is stopped, a lot is being prepared, a lot is waiting, or a lot is completed. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a state in which a lot is stopped will be simply referred to as "lot stopped." Also, for convenience of explanation, a state in which a lot is being prepared will be simply referred to as "lot being prepared." Also, for convenience of explanation, a state in which a lot is waiting will be simply referred to as "lot waiting." For ease of explanation, the state in which a lot has been completed will be referred to simply as “lot completion.” Note that the input of lot status information into the input field F16 may be performed by selecting lot status information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0045] Input fields F17 and F18 are fields where the user inputs period information indicating the period including the date when production of the desired lot of products began. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot-related information includes information indicating the date, and the lot can be searched for using this information as a search key. The character string "Start Date of First Process from" superimposed on input field F17 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in input field F17 is start date and time information indicating the start date and time of the period. The character string "Start Date of First Process to" superimposed on input field F18 in FIG. 4 indicates to the user that the information entered in input field F18 is end date and time information indicating the end date and time of the period. In this example, nothing is entered in input fields F17 and F18. The start date and time information can be entered in input field F17 by selecting a date using a calendar or the like and a time using a clock or the like, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The end date and time information may be entered into the input field F18 by selecting the date using a calendar or the like, selecting the time using a clock or the like, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The start date and time information may be information indicating only the date and time. The end date and time information may be information indicating only the date and time.

[0046] The button B31 is a button that accepts an operation to delete the information entered in some or all of the input fields F11 to F18. In other words, the button B31 is a button that accepts an operation to clear the information entered in some or all of the input fields F11 to F18. When the button B31 is selected, the server 30 deletes the information entered in some or all of the input fields F11 to F18.

[0047] Button B32 is a button that accepts an operation to execute a search for a lot based on the information entered in some or all of input fields F11 to F18. When button B32 is selected, server 30 extracts one or more pieces of lot information that include the information entered in some or all of input fields F11 to F18 from one or more pieces of lot information stored in advance. After extracting one or more pieces of lot information, server 30 displays a list of the one or more pieces of extracted lot information in search result display area RG2. For ease of explanation, this list will be referred to below simply as a lot information list.

[0048] Here, the lot information is generated or updated based on information received from a user via, for example, one of the update functions executable on the terminal image P2, and is stored on the server 30. Some lot information includes, for example, lot identification information identifying the lot indicated by the lot information and lot-related information about the lot. The lot-related information specifically includes: production quantity information indicating the number of products in the lot; product type information indicating the type of products in the lot; process information indicating the process currently being performed on the products in the lot; lot status information indicating the status of the lot; start date and time information indicating the date and time when production of the products in the lot began; quality information indicating the results of quality inspections performed on the products in the lot; injection molding device-related information regarding the injection molding device used to mold the products in the lot; mold identification information identifying the mold attached to the injection molding device; and cavity number information indicating the number of cavities in the mold. If a quality inspection has not been performed on the products in the lot, the quality information indicates that the quality inspection has not been performed on the products. The injection molding apparatus-related information is information that includes, for example, injection molding apparatus identification information that identifies the injection molding apparatus, operating status information that indicates the operating status of the injection molding apparatus, detection information about the injection molding apparatus, etc. Note that the lot-related information may be configured to include other information about the lot instead of some or all of the above information, or in addition to all of the above information.

[0049] The search result display area RG2 is an area where a list of lot information is displayed as a result of a selection operation on the button B32. If no selection operation is performed on the button B32, the search result display area RG2 may display a list of all lot information stored in the server 30, or may display nothing. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the list is displayed in the search result display area RG2. The number of lot information items to be displayed in the search result display area RG2 may be determined in advance. In this case, the search result display area RG2 includes a button for displaying lot information that could not be displayed in the search result display area RG2.

[0050] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2 includes lot identification information as well as some of the lot-related information. Specifically, the lot information includes lot identification information, production quantity information, production type information, process information, lot status information, and start date and time information. Note that the lot information may include all of the lot-related information along with the lot identification information. For example, the lot information displayed at the top of the search result display area RG2 shown in FIG. 4 includes lot identification information "1234567890," production quantity information "10," production type information "Part 1," process information "Shipping Inspection SB1," lot status information indicating lot completion, and start date and time information "2022-06-08 08:00." Here, "10" represents the production quantity information indicating 10 pieces. "2022-06-08 08:00" represents the start date and time information indicating 8:00 AM on June 8, 2022.

[0051] A detailed display button (not shown) is displayed in association with each piece of lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2. The detailed display button displayed in association with certain lot information is a button that accepts an operation to display a detailed information display image in which detailed information about the lot indicated by the lot information is displayed. The detailed information displayed in the detailed information display image includes at least a portion of the information contained in the lot information that is displayed in the search result display area RG2, and at least a portion of the information contained in the lot information that is not displayed in the search result display area RG2.

[0052] As described above, one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information of a certain lot information are associated with the lot identification information included in the lot information. Therefore, the server 30 can extract the lot information from the storage area of ​​the server 30 using the lot identification information. This is useful because it not only simplifies the data structure of the lot information but also reduces the load on the server 30 in searching for lots.

[0053] Furthermore, when one or more pieces of lot information are displayed in the search result display area RG2, check boxes are displayed for accepting an operation to select each of the one or more pieces of lot information. For example, the check box C1 shown in FIG. 4 is a check box for accepting an operation to select the lot information displayed in the top row of the search result display area RG2. Note that the search result display area RG2 may also be configured to display check boxes for accepting an operation to select all of the lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2. This allows the server 30 to reduce the effort required for the user to select lot information. For convenience of explanation, the operation of selecting lot information via such check boxes will be referred to as a lot information selection operation below. Note that the selection of certain lot information may also be referred to as the selection of the lot indicated by that lot information.

[0054] The processing button group area RG3 is an area where a GUI is displayed that accepts a processing execution operation that causes the server 30 to start executing a predetermined process on each of the lots indicated by one or more pieces of lot information selected in response to a received lot information selection operation from among the one or more pieces of lot information displayed in the search result display area RG2. In the example shown in FIG. 4, 11 buttons are displayed as such a GUI in the processing button group area RG3. In this example, these 11 buttons include a button B41. In this embodiment, a description of the 11 buttons other than the button B41 will be omitted.

[0055] The button B41 is a button that accepts a division process execution operation that causes the server 30 to start executing a process to divide the division target lot into two or more lots, with the division target lot being the lot selected by the user in the search result display area RG2. If predetermined gray-out conditions are met, the server 30 grays out the button B41 and does not accept any selection operation on the button B41. On the other hand, if the gray-out conditions are not met, the server 30 cancels the gray-out of the button B41 and accepts any selection operation on the button B41. By graying out the button in this manner, the server 30 can prevent erroneous operations by the user. The gray-out conditions include, for example, the following two conditions, Condition 1A and Condition 1B.

[0056] Condition 1A: Multiple lots are selected by the user in the search result display area RG2 Condition 1B: No lot has been selected by the user in the search result display area RG2

[0057] The server 30 determines that the gray-out condition is met when either condition 1A or condition 1B is met. On the other hand, the server 30 determines that the gray-out condition is not met when both condition 1A and condition 1B are not met.

[0058] 4, the user has selected the topmost lot among the multiple lots displayed in the search result display area RG2, and no other lots have been selected, so in this example, button B41 is not grayed out.

[0059] When a selection operation is performed on button B41, the server 30 identifies the lot selected by the user in the search result display area RG2 as the lot to be divided, and displays a lot division image that accepts a lot division operation to divide the lot to be divided into two or more lots.

[0060] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a lot division image P4 that is displayed when the button B41 shown in FIG. 4 is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the server 30 superimposes the lot division image P4 on the lot search image P3. That is, in this example, the server 30 displays the lot division image P4 in a pop-up. However, the server 30 may be configured to display the lot division image P4 as one of the images included in the lot search image P3, or may be configured to display the lot division image P4 in a separate window, or may be configured to display the lot division image P4 by some other method.

[0061] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the lot division image P4 shown in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 6, the lot division image P4 includes, for example, input fields F21 to F23, display fields F24 to F26, a lot division operation reception area RG4, a toggle switch TG, a display field F31, a display field F32, and a button B51. Note that the lot division image P4 may be configured to include another GUI that receives a lot division operation instead of some or all of these.

[0062] The input field F21 is a field for inputting user identification information that identifies the user who will split the lot selected by the user as the lot to be split. In FIG. 6, the character string "Worker ID" superimposed on the input field F21 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F21 is user identification information. By default, the input field F21 is input with, for example, the user identification information of the user currently logged in to the server 30. The method by which the server 30 identifies the user identification information may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "1234567" is input as the user identification information to be entered by default in the input field F21. Note that input of user identification information other than the default user identification information into the input field F21 may be performed by selecting the user identification information from a pull-down menu or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0063] The input field F22 is a field for inputting user name information indicating the name of the user who will split the lot selected by the user as the lot to be split. In FIG. 6, the character string "Worker Name" superimposed on the input field F22 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F22 is user name information. By default, the input field F22 is input with the user name information of, for example, the user currently logged in to the server 30. The method by which the server 30 identifies the user name information may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "First User" is input as the user name information to be entered by default in the input field F22. Note that input of user name information into the input field F22 other than the default user name information may be performed by selecting user name information from a pull-down menu or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0064] The input field F23 is a field where lot identification information identifying a lot selected by the user as a lot to be divided is entered. The character string "Lot No." superimposed on the input field F23 in FIG. 6 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F23 is lot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "1234567890" is entered in the input field F23 as the lot identification information identifying the lot selected by the user as a lot to be divided. Note that the lot identification information entered in the input field F23 may be changeable. In this case, the user can change the lot selected as a lot to be divided to another lot by changing the lot identification information entered in the input field F23. In such a case, the lot identification information may be entered in the input field F23 by selecting the lot identification information from a pull-down menu or by directly entering the information using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0065] Display field F24 is a field that displays production quantity information, which indicates the number of products in the lot to be divided, identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F23. In Fig. 6, the character string "Current Quantity" superimposed on display field F24 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F24 is production quantity information. In the example shown in Fig. 6, "10," indicating 10 items, is displayed in display field F24 as the production quantity information.

[0066] Display field F25 is a field that displays product type information that indicates the type of product of the lot to be divided, which is identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F23. In Fig. 6, the character string "Item" superimposed on display field F25 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F25 is product type information. In the example shown in Fig. 6, "Part 1" is displayed in display field F25 as the product type information.

[0067] Display field F26 is a field that displays process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the products of the lot to be divided, which is identified by the lot identification information entered in input field F23. In Fig. 6, the character string "Current Process" superimposed on display field F26 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information displayed in display field F26 is process information. In the example shown in Fig. 6, display field F26 displays "Shipping Inspection SB1" as the process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the products of the lot selected by the user as the lot to be divided.

[0068] The lot division operation reception area RG4 includes a GUI for accepting a lot division operation. In the lot division operation reception area RG4, the user can specify the number of divisions into which the division target lot will be divided. The lot division operation reception area RG4 displays the same number of input fields as the number of divisions into which the division target lot will be divided. Therefore, each of the input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 corresponds to one of the multiple lots resulting from the division of the division target lot, without overlapping. In this embodiment, the multiple lots resulting from the division of the division target lot are, in other words, the multiple lots divided from the division target lot. For convenience of explanation, each of the multiple lots resulting from the division of the division target lot will be referred to as a "post-division lot." By default, the number of divisions into which the division target lot will be divided is two. This is because, when a user divides a division target lot, the user divides the division target lot into at least two post-division lots. For convenience of explanation, the divided lot associated with the topmost input field displayed by default in the lot division operation reception area RG4 will be referred to as the first divided lot, and the divided lot associated with the second-highest input field displayed by default in the lot division operation reception area RG4 will be referred to as the second divided lot. In the example shown in FIG. 6, unlike the example shown in FIG. 5, the lot division operation reception area RG4 displays three input fields, input fields F41 to F43. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the user is attempting to divide the lot to be divided into three lots. The number of input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4, i.e., the number of divisions of the lot to be divided, can be increased by selecting a button PL included in the lot division operation reception area RG4.

[0069] The button PL is a button that accepts an operation to increase the number of divisions of the division target lot by 1. When the button PL is selected, the server 30 increases the number of divisions of the division target lot by 1 and also increases the number of input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 by 1.

[0070] The input field F41 is the first of two input fields displayed by default in the lot division operation reception area RG4 and is associated with the first divided lot. The input field F41 is also displayed with the lot identification information of the lot to be divided. This is because the server 30 assigns the lot identification information of the lot to be divided to the first divided lot as the lot identification information of the first divided lot. Note that the server 30 may be configured to assign newly generated lot identification information to the first divided lot. Production quantity information indicating the number of products in the first divided lot is entered in the input field F41. The input field F41 cannot be deleted from the lot division operation reception area RG4. By default, the input field F41 contains production quantity information indicating the number of products in the lot to be divided as the production quantity information indicating the number of products in the first divided lot. The production quantity information is entered into the input field F41 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard, but may also be entered by other methods.

[0071] The input field F42 is the second of two input fields displayed by default in the lot split operation reception area RG4 and is the input field associated with the second split lot. The input field F42 does not display any accompanying lot identification information. This is because, at the stage when the lot split operation is being accepted, the splitting of the lot to be split has not been confirmed, and therefore new lot identification information to be assigned to the second split lot has not been generated. The input field F42 is used to input production quantity information indicating the number of products in the second split lot. By default, the input field F42 is set to "0" indicating 0 as the production quantity information indicating the number of products in the second split lot. The production quantity information is input into the input field F42 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard, but may alternatively be input by other methods.

[0072] The input field F43 is an input field displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 as a result of a user's selection of the button PL. It is an input field associated with the three lots remaining after the division of the division target lot, other than the first divided lot and the second divided lot. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, this lot will be referred to as the third divided lot. The input field F43 does not display any accompanying lot identification information. This is for the same reason that the input field F42 does not display any accompanying lot identification information. The input field F43 is used to input production quantity information indicating the number of products in the third divided lot. By default, the input field F43 displays "0" as the production quantity information indicating the number of products in the third divided lot. The production quantity information in the input field F43 is entered directly using an input device such as a keyboard, but may also be entered using other methods.

[0073] Here, the server 30 displays in the input field F41 the production quantity information indicating the number obtained by subtracting the number indicated by the production quantity information entered in the input field F42 and the input field F43 from the number of products of the lot to be divided. Therefore, the server 30 updates the production quantity information displayed in the input field F41 every time the production quantity information entered in the input field F42 and the input field F43 is changed. In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the number of products of the lot to be divided is 10, as indicated by the production quantity information displayed in the display field F24. Meanwhile, in this example, the production quantity information "5" indicating 5 products is entered in the input field F42, and the production quantity information "2" indicating 2 products is entered in the input field F43. Therefore, in this example, the server 30 enters the production quantity information "3" indicating 3 products into the input field F41.

[0074] In addition, a button D1 is displayed in association with the input field F42. The button D1 is a button that accepts an operation to delete the input field F42. However, if there are two input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4, the button D1 is grayed out. In addition, if there are three or more input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 and an operation to select the button D1 is performed, the server 30 deletes the input field F42.

[0075] In addition, a button D2 is displayed in association with the input field F43. The button D2 is a button that accepts an operation to delete the input field F43. However, if there are two input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4, the button D2 is grayed out. In addition, if there are three or more input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 and an operation to select the button D2 is performed, the server 30 deletes the input field F43.

[0076] In this way, in the lot division operation reception area RG4, the user can set the desired number of lots after dividing the lot to be divided by selecting either a button that accepts an operation to delete an input field, such as button D1 or button D2, or a button PL that accepts an operation to increase an input field. Also, the user can set the desired number of products in each lot after dividing the lot to be divided by inputting information about the number of products in the input field displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4.

[0077] The toggle switch TG is a toggle switch that accepts an operation to select whether to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots. When the server 30 accepts an operation to select whether to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots via the toggle switch TG, the server 30 changes the display mode of the toggle switch TG to a display mode indicating that it has been selected to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots. On the other hand, when the server 30 accepts an operation to select not to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots via the toggle switch TG, the server 30 changes the display mode of the toggle switch TG to a display mode indicating that it has been selected not to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots. The display mode of these toggle switches TG may be any display mode that allows the user to distinguish whether the selection made by the toggle switch TG is to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots. Here, the toggle switch TG shown in FIG. 6 indicates that it has been selected by the toggle switch TG to not stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots.

[0078] Furthermore, when the toggle switch TG is selected to not stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of the two or more divided lots, the server 30 displays information indicating that the toggle switch TG has selected not to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of the two or more divided lots, in association with the toggle switch TG. In the example shown in Figure 6, the information is the character string "Lot not stopped."

[0079] Furthermore, when the toggle switch TG is selected to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots, the server 30 displays information indicating that the toggle switch TG has selected to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots, in association with the toggle switch TG, as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the surroundings of the toggle switch TG when the selection has been made to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the information is the character string "Lot Stopped After Splitting."

[0080] The display field F31 is a display field in which the number of divisions of the division target lot is displayed. For this reason, the server 30 displays information indicating the number of input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 in the display field F31. In the example shown in FIG. 6, "3" indicating three is displayed as this information.

[0081] The display field F32 is a display field that displays information indicating the total number of items indicated by the information on the number of produced items entered in each of the input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4. Therefore, the server 30 calculates the total number of items indicated by the information on the number of produced items entered in each of the input fields displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4, and displays information indicating the calculated total in the display field F32. In the example shown in Fig. 6, "10" indicating 10 items is displayed as this information.

[0082] Button B51 is a button that accepts an operation to confirm the division of the lot to be divided. When button B51 is selected, server 30 generates three copies of lot information indicating the lot to be divided. After generating these three copies of lot information, server 30 identifies one of these three copies of lot information as lot information indicating the first divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the first divided lot, server 30 changes the production quantity information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot to the production quantity information entered in input field F41. Furthermore, server 30 retains the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot without changing it. In other words, server 30 assigns lot identification information identifying the lot to be divided to the first divided lot. Furthermore, server 30 identifies one of the two copies of lot information other than the lot information indicating the first divided lot as lot information indicating the second divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the second divided lot, the server 30 generates new lot identification information identifying the second divided lot and changes the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot to the generated lot identification information. That is, the server 30 assigns new lot identification information to the second divided lot. For example, the server 30 adds 1 to the end of the lot identification information identifying the first divided lot, and generates the lot identification information after the addition of 1 as the lot identification information identifying the second divided lot. Note that the server 30 may be configured to generate lot identification information identifying the second divided lot by other methods. The server 30 also changes the production item count information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot to the production item count information entered in input field F42. The server 30 also identifies the remaining one of the three duplicated lot information as the lot information indicating the third divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the lot after the third division, the server 30 generates new lot identification information that identifies the lot after the third division, and changes the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the lot after the third division to the generated lot identification information.That is, the server 30 assigns new lot identification information to the third-divided lot. For example, the server 30 adds 2 to the end of the lot identification information that identifies the first-divided lot, and generates the lot identification information after the 2 is added as the lot identification information that identifies the third-divided lot. Note that the server 30 may be configured to generate lot identification information that identifies the second-divided lot by another method. The server 30 also changes the production item quantity information included in the lot information that identifies the third-divided lot to the production item quantity information entered in input field F43.

[0083] Furthermore, after identifying the lot information indicating each of the first to third divided lots, the server 30 adds division history information indicating the division history of the lot to be divided, confirmed by the selection operation of button B51, to the lot information indicating each of the first to third divided lots. Specifically, the server 30 associates the division history information with the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot. The server 30 also associates the division history information with the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot. The server 30 also associates the division history information with the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the third divided lot. The server 30 then stores the lot information indicating each of the first to third divided lots together with the division history information. This allows the server 30 to identify the lot to be divided from each of the multiple divided lots. In other words, the server 30 can ensure traceability in the division of such lots. In addition, in order to utilize such traceability, the server 30 may be configured to be able to display division history information showing the lot division history for each of one or more lots selected by the user in the search result display area RG2.

[0084] Here, when the button B51 is selected and the toggle switch TG is selected to not stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of the two or more divided lots, the server 30 deletes the lot division image P4 from the lot search image P3 and ends the acceptance of the operation to divide the lot to be divided. In other words, the server 30 completes the division of the lot to be divided.

[0085] On the other hand, when button B51 is selected and the toggle switch TG is selected to stop the execution of one or more work processes on each of two or more divided lots, the server 30 changes the lot status information included in the lot information indicating each of the first to third divided lots to lot status information indicating that the lot is stopped. The server 30 then deletes the lot division image P4 from the lot search image P3 and stops accepting the operation to divide the lot to be divided. In other words, the server 30 completes the division of the lot to be divided. This function is used, for example, when a 4M variation or the like has occurred and it is desired to stop the execution of work processes on the divided lot until quality confirmation, quality assurance, or the like is completed. The server 30 may also be able to select the divided lot to be stopped using the toggle switch TG. In other words, the server 30 may be configured to accept an operation to stop the execution of one or more work processes on some of two or more divided lots. This function is used, for example, when a lot to be split is split into a split lot containing only good products and a split lot containing only defective products, and it is desired to stop the execution of work processes on the split lot containing only defective products.

[0086] Furthermore, if the number indicated by the information on the number of produced items displayed in the display field F32 does not match the total number indicated by the information on the number of produced items entered in each input field displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4, the server 30 grays out the button B51. This is a function to prevent the user from erroneously generating a divided lot with zero produced items. Note that the server 30 may be configured without such a function.

[0087] Note that the molding management system 1 may be configured so that each product in one or more lots managed by the molding management system 1 is associated with product-related information related to the product. In this case, a certain product is associated with product-related information related to the product. Specifically, in this case, the product-related information is associated with the product by being associated with lot identification information included in lot information indicating the lot of the product. Therefore, lot information indicating a certain lot includes product-related information related to each product in the lot. In other words, the product-related information is associated with the lot identification information included in the lot information.

[0088] Here, the product-related information associated with a certain product is information that includes product identification information that identifies the product, as well as at least one of shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product was molded and cavity identification information that identifies the cavity in which the product was molded. Therefore, the product-related information may be configured to include other information related to the product in addition to at least one of the shot identification information and the product identification information.

[0089] For example, if lot information indicating a certain lot includes product-related information and the product-related information includes shot identification information, each input field displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 of the lot division image P4 is accompanied by an input field that receives shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product of the lot associated with the input field was molded.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the lot division operation reception area RG4 shown in FIG. 6. However, unlike FIG. 6, in FIG. 8, "5" indicating five items is entered in the input field F41 as the production quantity information, rather than "3" indicating three items. Also, unlike FIG. 6, in FIG. 8, the input field F43 is not displayed. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the lot to be divided is divided into two divided lots, a first divided lot and a second divided lot. For this reason, in FIG. 8, the button D1 is grayed out. Also, in this example, in the lot division operation reception area RG4, an input field F411 is displayed in association with the input field F41, and an input field F421 is displayed in association with the input field F42.

[0091] The input field F411 is a field where shot identification information identifying the shot that molded each product of the first divided lot is entered. The character string "Shot No." superimposed on the input field F411 in FIG. 8 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F411 is shot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the input field F411 has the following inputs as shot identification information: "1," "3," "5," "7," and "9." The "1" indicates the first shot. The "3" indicates the third shot. The "5" indicates the fifth shot. The "7" indicates the seventh shot. The "9" indicates the ninth shot. In other words, in this example, the shot identification information entered in the input field F411, together with the product quantity information entered in the input field F41, indicates that each of the five products of the first divided lot was molded using the first, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth shots, respectively. In this example, shot identification information for identifying one or more shots is entered into the input field F411, separated by commas. Note that in this case, the shot identification information is entered into the input field F411 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0092] The input field F421 is a field where shot identification information identifying the shots used to mold each of the products in the second divided lot is entered. The character string "Shot No." superimposed on the input field F421 in FIG. 8 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F421 is shot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the shot identification information "2," "4," "6," "8," and "10" are entered in the input field F421. The "2" indicates the second shot. The "4" indicates the fourth shot. The "6" indicates the sixth shot. The "8" indicates the eighth shot. The "10" indicates the tenth shot. In other words, in this example, the shot identification information entered in the input field F421, together with the product quantity information entered in the input field F42, indicates that each of the five products in the second divided lot was molded using the second, fourth, sixth, eighth, and tenth shots, respectively. In this example, shot identification information for identifying one or more shots is entered into the input field F421, separated by commas. Note that in this case, the shot identification information is entered into the input field F421 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0093] In the example shown in FIG. 8 , when a button B51 (not shown in FIG. 8 ) is selected, the server 30 generates two copies of the lot information indicating the lot to be divided. After generating these two copies of the lot information, the server 30 identifies one of the two copies of the lot information as the lot information indicating the first divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the first divided lot, the server 30 changes the production quantity information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot to the production quantity information entered in the input field F41. The server 30 also retains the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot without changing it. The server 30 also identifies the other of the two copies of the lot information as the lot information indicating the second divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the second divided lot, the server 30 generates new lot identification information identifying the second divided lot and changes the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot to the generated lot identification information. Furthermore, the server 30 changes the production quantity information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot to the production quantity information input in the input field F42.

[0094] Furthermore, after identifying the lot information indicating each of the first and second divided lots, the server 30 adds division history information indicating the division history of the division target lot confirmed by selecting button B51 and shot identification information to the lot information indicating each of the first and second divided lots. Specifically, the server 30 associates the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot with the shot identification information entered in input field F411 together with the division history information. The server 30 also associates the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot with the shot identification information entered in input field F421 together with the division history information. The server 30 then stores the lot information indicating each of the first and second divided lots together with the division history information. This allows the server 30 to identify the division target lot from each of the multiple divided lots. Furthermore, the server 30 can identify which shot was used to form each product in each of the multiple divided lots. That is, the server 30 can improve traceability in dividing such lots.

[0095] Here, the number of shot identification information entered in input field F411 may be configured to indicate the production quantity information entered in input field F41. In this case, input field F411 is configured integrally with input field F41. However, this is applicable when the injection molding apparatus molds one product per shot. In this case, server 30 identifies the number of shot identification information entered in input field F411 as the number of products in the first post-division lot, and generates production quantity information indicating the identified number. The same applies to the combination of input field F421 and input field F41.

[0096] Furthermore, the method of inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 may be other methods. For example, the method of inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 may be the method shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining another example of the method of inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 shown in Fig. 8.

[0097] In the example shown in FIG. 9, the input field F41 is integrated with the input field F411. That is, in this example, the number of shot identification information input into the input field F411 indicates the production quantity information input into the input field F41. In this example, "[1] to [5]" is input as shot identification information into the input field F41. "[1] to [5]" means the first shot to the fifth shot. That is, in this example, the range of shots identified by the shot identification information is input into the input field F41. However, in this case, it is desirable that the shot identification information be a number indicating the order of the shots, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This enables the server 30 to reduce the effort required for the user to input shot identification information.

[0098] 9, the input field F42 is integrated with the input field F421. That is, in this example, the number of shot identification information input into the input field F421 indicates the production quantity information input into the input field F42. And, in this example, "[1] to [5]" is input as shot identification information into the input field F42. The ""[6] to

[10] " means the sixth shot to the tenth shot. That is, in this example, the range of shots identified by the shot identification information is input into the input field F42. However, in this case, it is desirable that the shot identification information be a number indicating the order of the shots, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This enables the server 30 to reduce the effort required for the user to input shot identification information.

[0099] Furthermore, the method of inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 may be another method. For example, the method of inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 may be the method shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining yet another example of the method of inputting shot identification information into each of the input fields F411 and F421 shown in Fig. 8.

[0100] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the input field F41 is integrated with the input field F411. That is, in this example, the number of shot identification information entered in the input field F411 indicates the number of products entered in the input field F41. In this example, the lot division operation reception area RG4 displays multiple images that indicate shot identification information indicating the shots in which each of the products in the division target lot was molded and that can be dragged and dropped. Each of images BK1 to BK10 shown in FIG. 10 is an example of the multiple images. Specifically, if n is an integer between 1 and 10, image BKn indicates shot identification information identifying the nth shot. In the example shown in FIG. 10, images BK2 and BK4 have been entered into the input field F41 by drag and drop. This means that shot identification information identifying the second shot and the fourth shot, respectively, has been entered into the input field F41. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 10, image BK5 has been entered into the input field F42 by drag and drop. This means that shot identification information for identifying the fifth shot has been entered in the input field F42.

[0101] 10, a button B61 is displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 in association with the input field F41. The button B61 is a button that accepts an operation to input an image selected by the user from among the images BK1 to BK10 displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 into the input field F41. When the user performs a selection operation on one or more images from among the images BK1 to BK10 displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 and then performs a selection operation on the button B61, the server 30 inputs the one or more images into the input field F41. This also enables the server 30 to reduce the effort required by the user to input shot identification information.

[0102] 10, a button B62 is displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 in association with the input field F42. The button B62 is a button that accepts an operation to input an image selected by the user from among the images BK1 to BK10 displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 into the input field F42. When the user performs a selection operation on one or more images from among the images BK1 to BK10 displayed in the lot division operation reception area RG4 and then performs a selection operation on the button B62, the server 30 inputs the one or more images into the input field F42. This also enables the server 30 to reduce the effort required by the user to input shot identification information.

[0103] 8 to 10 may be replaced with the above-mentioned cavity identification information. In this case, the product-related information includes the cavity identification information instead of the shot identification information.

[0104] Furthermore, the product-related information may include cavity identification information in addition to shot identification information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing yet another example of the configuration of the lot division operation reception area RG4 shown in FIG. 6. However, unlike FIG. 6, in FIG. 11, the number of products is entered in the input field F41 as "5" indicating five products, rather than "3" indicating three products. Also, unlike FIG. 6, the input field F43 is not displayed in FIG. 11. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 11, the lot to be divided is divided into two divided lots, a first divided lot and a second divided lot. Also, in this example, the lot division operation reception area RG4 displays an input field F412 adjacent to the input field F41, and an input field F422 adjacent to the input field F42.

[0105] The input field F412 is a field where product identification information identifying each product in the first divided lot is entered. The character string "Shot-CAV" superimposed on the input field F412 in FIG. 11 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F412 is a combination of shot identification information and cavity identification information. For ease of explanation, this combination will be referred to as product identification information below. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the product identification information "1-1," "2-1," "3-1," "4-1," and "5-1" have been entered in the input field F412. The "1-1" indicates the combination of shot identification information identifying the first shot and cavity identification information identifying the first cavity, and also indicates the product molded by the first cavity in the first shot. The "2-1" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the second shot and cavity identification information identifying the first cavity, and indicates a product molded by the first cavity in the second shot. The "3-1" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the third shot and cavity identification information identifying the first cavity, and indicates a product molded by the first cavity in the third shot. The "4-1" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the fourth shot and cavity identification information identifying the first cavity, and indicates a product molded by the first cavity in the fourth shot. The "5-1" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the fifth shot and cavity identification information identifying the first cavity, and indicates a product molded by the first cavity in the fifth shot. That is, in this example, the product identification information entered in input field F412, together with the product quantity information entered in input field F41, indicates that each of the five products in the first divided lot is a product molded by the first cavity in the first shot, second shot, third shot, fourth shot, and fifth shot, respectively.Therefore, the product identification information functions as information for identifying individual products. In this example, in the input field F412, product identification information that identifies which cavity in each of one or more shots formed the product, i.e., that identifies each product, is entered, separated by commas. In this case, the product identification information is entered into the input field F412 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. Alternatively, the product identification information may be entered into the input field F412 by a method similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0106] The input field F422 is a field where product identification information identifying each product in the second divided lot is entered. The character string "Shot-CAV" superimposed on the input field F422 in FIG. 11 indicates to the user that the information entered in the input field F422 is product identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the product identification information "1-2," "2-2," "3-2," "4-2," and "5-2" are entered in the input field F422. "1-2" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the first shot and cavity identification information identifying the second cavity, and indicates a product molded by the second cavity in the first shot. "2-2" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the second shot and cavity identification information identifying the second cavity, and indicates a product molded by the second cavity in the second shot. The "3-2" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the third shot and cavity identification information identifying the second cavity, and indicates a product molded by the second cavity in the third shot. The "4-2" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the fourth shot and cavity identification information identifying the second cavity, and indicates a product molded by the second cavity in the fourth shot. The "5-2" indicates a combination of shot identification information identifying the fifth shot and cavity identification information identifying the second cavity, and indicates a product molded by the second cavity in the fifth shot. That is, in this example, the product identification information entered in input field F422, together with the product quantity information entered in input field F42, indicates that each of the five products in the second divided lot is a product molded by the second cavity in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth shots, respectively.In this example, in the input field F422, product identification information that identifies which cavity in one or more shots formed the product, i.e., that identifies each product, is entered, separated by commas. In this case, the product identification information is entered into the input field F422 by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. Alternatively, the product identification information may be entered into the input field F422 by a method similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0107] 8 to 10 may be replaced with the above-mentioned product identification information. In this case, the server 30 can more reliably improve traceability in dividing a lot.

[0108] Here, in FIG. 11 , the lot division operation reception area RG4 may be configured to allow a search to narrow down the product identification information to be entered in the input field F422. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product search image P5 displayed by the server 30 when an attempt is made to enter information into the input field F22. In the example shown in FIG. 12 , the product search image P5 displays a list of multiple product-related information included in the lot information indicating the lot to be divided. The product-related information displayed in the product search image P5 shown in FIG. 12 includes molding sequence number information indicating molding sequence numbers assigned to each of the products of the division lot in the order in which they were molded, shot identification information identifying the shots in which each of the products of the division lot was molded, cavity identification information indicating the cavities in which each of the products of the division lot was molded, and molding date and time information indicating the date and time each of the products of the division lot was molded. Note that, although the combination of shot identification information and cavity identification information functions as the product identification information in this example, molding sequence number information may also function as the product identification information.

[0109] Above the list of product-related information displayed in the product search image P5, a pull-down menu showing each piece of information included in the product-related information is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 12, four pull-down menus are displayed at the top: "Molded Product No. ▼," "Shot No. ▼," "Cav No. ▼," and "Acquisition Date and Time ▼." Here, "Molded Product No. ▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting molding sequence number information indicating molding sequence numbers assigned to each of the products in the division lot in the order in which they were molded. When "Molded Product No. ▼" is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the molding sequence number information. Furthermore, "Shot No. ▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting shot identification information identifying the shot in which each of the products in the division lot was molded. When "Shot No. ▼" is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the shot identification information. Furthermore, "Cav No. ▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting cavity identification information identifying the cavity in which each of the products in the division lot was molded. When "Cav No.▼" is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the cavity identification information. Also, "Acquisition Date▼" is a pull-down menu for selecting molding date and time information indicating the date and time when each of the products in the lot to be divided was molded. When "Acquisition Date▼" is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu containing a list of the molding date and time information.

[0110] The user can select information from one of four pull-down menus located above the list of product-related information displayed in the product search image P5, thereby displaying a location column of product-related information obtained as a result of searching for product-related information related to the desired product on the product search image P5. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the user selects "Cav No. ▼" to select the cavity identification information identifying the third cavity. This allows the user to obtain the search results shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search result performed by a user selecting the pull-down menu in FIG. 12. In the example shown in FIG. 13, a list of product-related information related to the products molded by the third cavity in each of the first to fourth shots is displayed. The pull-down menu at the top of the list of product-related information displayed in the product search image P5 may be replaced with another GUI that displays multiple pieces of information and allows the user to select one piece of information from the multiple pieces of information.

[0111] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the product search image P5 includes a button B71.

[0112] The button B71 is a button that accepts an operation to cause the server 30 to start executing a process to divide the lot to be divided into two divided lots. When a search is not being performed in the product search image P5, the server 30 grays out the button B71 and does not accept any selection operation for the button B71. On the other hand, when a search is being performed in the product search image P5 as shown in FIG. 13, the server 30 cancels the graying out of the button B71 and accepts any selection operation for the button B71. By graying out the button in this manner, the server 30 can prevent erroneous operations by the user.

[0113] When button B71 is selected on the product search image P5 shown in FIG. 13, the server 30 generates two copies of the lot information indicating the lot to be divided. After generating these two copies of the lot information, the server 30 identifies one of the two copies of the lot information as lot information indicating the second-divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the second-divided lot, the server 30 generates new lot identification information for identifying the second-divided lot and changes the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the second-divided lot to the generated lot identification information. The server 30 also identifies the number of product-related information displayed on the product search image P5 as the number of products of the second-divided lot and generates production number information indicating the identified number. After generating the production number information, the server 30 changes the production number information included in the lot information indicating the second-divided lot to the generated production number information. The server 30 also identifies the other of the two copies of the lot information as lot information indicating the first-divided lot. After identifying the lot information indicating the first divided lot, the server 30 identifies the number of products of the first divided lot as the number of products of the lot to be divided minus the number of products of the second divided lot, and generates production number information indicating the identified number. After generating the production number information, the server 30 changes the production number information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot to the generated production number information. The server 30 also retains the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot without changing it.

[0114] Furthermore, after identifying the lot information indicating each of the first divided lot and the second divided lot, the server 30 adds, to the lot information indicating the second divided lot, the division history information indicating the division history of the division-target lot confirmed by the selection operation of button B71 and the product-related information included in the list of product-related information shown in FIG. 13. Specifically, the server 30 associates all of the product-related information with the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the second divided lot, along with the division history information. The server 30 also associates all of the product-related information included in the lot information indicating the division-target lot, other than the product-related information included in the list of product-related information shown in FIG. 13, with the lot identification information included in the lot information indicating the first divided lot, along with the division history information. The server 30 then stores the lot information indicating each of the first divided lot and the second divided lot, along with the division history information. This allows the server 30 to identify the division-target lot from each of the multiple divided lots. Furthermore, the server 30 can identify which shot and which cavity formed each product in each of the multiple divided lots. In other words, the server 30 can more reliably improve traceability in dividing such lots.

[0115] In addition, a search based on search criteria may be performed in the product search image P5. FIG. 14 shows an example of the product search image P5 including a search criteria receiving area RG5 for receiving search criteria. In the example shown in FIG. 14, the search criteria receiving area RG5 is displayed above a list of product-related information. In this example, the search criteria receiving area RG5 includes an input field for specifying a range for molding sequence number information, an input field for specifying a range for shot identification information, an input field for specifying a range for cavity identification information, and an input field for specifying a range for molding date and time information. Note that the input fields included in the search criteria receiving area RG5 may include input fields for entering other search criteria for searching product-related information, instead of some or all of these input fields, or in addition to all of these input fields. In this example, an input is made into the input field for specifying a range for molding date and time information. The server 30 extracts product-related information that satisfies the search criteria entered into the input fields included in the search criteria receiving area RG5 from multiple pieces of product-related information included in the lot information indicating the lot to be divided. Thereafter, the server 30 displays a list of the extracted product-related information below the search condition receiving area RG5, thereby enabling the server 30 to improve the accuracy of the user's search for product-related information.

[0116] The server 30 that can display the above-described lot division image P4 on the terminal device 40 is, for example, a workstation, a desktop PC (Personal Computer), a notebook PC, etc., but is not limited to these. The server 30 may be configured integrally with the information processing device 20.

[0117] The server 30 is communicably connected to the information processing device 20 via wired or wireless communication. The communication network connecting the server 30 and the information processing device 20 may be, for example, a LAN within a facility where multiple managed devices 10 are installed, the Internet, a mobile communication network, or another communication network. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the communication network connecting the server 30 and the information processing device 20 is the Internet. In this case, the server 30 is a cloud server.

[0118] Furthermore, the server 30 is communicably connected to the terminal device 40 via wired or wireless communication. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 30 is communicably connected to the terminal device 40 via wireless communication. The communication network connecting the server 30 and the terminal device 40 may be, for example, a LAN within the facility where the server 30 is installed, the Internet, a mobile communication network, or another communication network. In the following, as an example, a case will be described in which the communication network connecting the server 30 and the terminal device 40 is the Internet.

[0119] <Server hardware configuration> The hardware configuration of the server 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30.

[0120] The server 30 includes, for example, a processor 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. These components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. The server 30 also communicates with the information processing device 20 and the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 33.

[0121] The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Note that instead of a CPU, the processor 31 may be another processor such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processor 31 executes various programs stored in the storage unit 32.

[0122] The storage unit 32 is a storage device including, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random access memory (RAM). Note that instead of being built into the server 30, the storage unit 32 may be an external storage device connected via a digital input / output port such as a universal serial bus (USB). The storage unit 32 stores various types of information, images, and programs processed by the server 30. In other words, the various types of information stored by the server 30 are stored in the storage unit 32.

[0123] The communication unit 33 is a communication device that includes, for example, a digital input / output port such as a USB, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port, an antenna for wireless communication, and the like.

[0124] <Server functional configuration> The functional configuration of the server 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 30.

[0125] The server 30 includes a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a control unit .

[0126] The control unit 34 controls the entire server 30. The control unit 34 includes a reception unit 341, an acquisition unit 342, and a display control unit 343. These functional units included in the control unit 34 are realized, for example, by the processor 31 executing various programs stored in the storage unit 32. Some or all of these functional units may be hardware functional units such as LSI (Large Scale Integration) or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0127] The reception unit 341 receives various information and various operations from devices connected to the server 30 so as to be able to communicate with the server 30 .

[0128] The acquiring unit 342 acquires, for each of the multiple managed devices 10, status information about the managed device 10 from the managed device 10 via the information processing device 20. The acquiring unit 342 may be configured to acquire the status information directly from the managed device 10 without going through the information processing device 20.

[0129] The display control unit 343 generates various images in response to operations received via the receiving unit 341. The display control unit 343 transmits the generated images to the terminal device 40 and causes the terminal device 40 to display the images.

[0130] <The process by which the server divides the lot> The process by which the server 30 divides a lot will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process by which the server 30 divides a lot. Below, as an example, a case will be described in which the lot search image P3 is displayed on the terminal device 40 at a timing before the process of step S110 shown in Fig. 17 is performed. Also, below, as an example, a case will be described in which the master data and the lot information have already been stored in the server 30 at that timing.

[0131] The control unit 34 waits until it receives an operation to display the lot division image P4 via the terminal device 40, that is, a selection operation on the button B41 (step S110). In Fig. 17, the processing of step S110 is indicated by "Display lot division image?"

[0132] When the control unit 34 determines that an operation to display the lot division image P4 has been received via the terminal device 40 (step S110-YES), the control unit 34 generates the lot division image P4 (step S120). The method for generating the lot division image P4 in step S120 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0133] Next, the control unit 34 transmits the lot divided image P4 generated in step S120 to the terminal device 40, and causes the terminal device 40 to display the lot divided image P4 (step S130).

[0134] Next, the control unit 34 waits until an operation is received via the lot division image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S140). In Fig. 17, the processing of step S140 is indicated by "operation received?".

[0135] When the control unit 34 determines that an operation has been received via the lot division image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S140-YES), it determines whether the received operation is an operation to end the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 17 (step S150). The determination processing of step S150 by the control unit 34 may be performed by a known method or a method to be developed in the future. In Fig. 17, the processing of step S150 is indicated by "End?"

[0136] If the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S140 is an operation to terminate the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 (step S150-YES), it, for example, deletes the display of the lot division image P4 from the terminal device 40 and terminates the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 17.

[0137] On the other hand, if the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S140 is not an operation that ends the processing of the flowchart shown in Fig. 17 (step S150-NO), the control unit 34 performs processing according to the received operation (step S160). Here, the processing performed by the control unit 34 in step S160 has already been described in the description of Figs. 5 to 14, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] After the process of step S160 is performed, the control unit 34 transitions to step S140 and waits again until an operation is received via the lot division image P4 displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0139] Through the above-described processing, the server 30 causes the terminal device 40 to display a lot division image P4 that accepts a lot division operation for dividing a division target lot selected as a target for division among the lots indicated by each of one or more pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit 32 into two or more divided lots. This allows the server 30 to prevent differences from occurring between the actual lot that has been divided and the lot on the molding management system.

[0140] The molding management system 1 described above may be configured to include a terminal device 40.

[0141] Furthermore, the search for a lot described above may be performed using a time period during which the lot was not operating normally as a search key. In this case, the lot-related information includes information indicating that time period.

[0142] Furthermore, the search for a lot described above may be performed using one or more pieces of information included in the injection molding apparatus-related information as a search key. In this case, the lot-related information includes injection molding apparatus-related information. The injection molding apparatus-related information included in the lot-related information for a certain lot is information about the injection molding apparatus that molds the products of that lot, and as described above, this information includes, for example, operating status information indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus, detection information about the injection molding apparatus, etc. This allows server 30 to more reliably improve the traceability of the products.

[0143] Furthermore, the lot search described above may be performed using an arbitrary character string as a search key. In this case, the lot search image P3 includes an input field for the user to input a character string. When the server 30 receives a character string via the input field, it identifies information containing the received character string from one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information, and displays lot information indicating lots identified by each piece of lot identification information associated with the identified information in the search result display area RG2. This allows the server 30 to more easily search for lots.

[0144] Furthermore, the quality information described above may be included in the lot information for each shot identification information, each cavity identification information, and each product identification information, thereby enabling the server 30 to improve traceability regarding the quality of each product.

[0145] Furthermore, the above-described contents may be combined in any manner.

[0146] <Additional Notes> [1] A molding management system includes a server communicably connected to a terminal device, and manages the production of the product in a production process including an injection molding process of the product using an injection molding device, wherein the server is equipped with a memory unit that stores one or more pieces of lot information in which lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product, and a control unit that displays on the terminal device a lot division image that accepts a lot division operation to divide a division target lot selected as a target for division from among the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the memory unit into two or more of the lots. [2] The molding management system described in [1], wherein, after receiving the lot splitting operation, the control unit generates the lot information for each of the two or more lots split from the lot to be split, and stores the generated lot information in the memory unit. [3] The molding management system described in [2], wherein when generating the lot information for each of the two or more lots split from the lot to be split, the control unit assigns the lot identification information that identifies the lot to be split as the lot identification information that identifies a first split lot, which is one of the two or more lots split from the lot to be split, and assigns new lot identification information as the lot identification information that identifies each of the two or more lots split from the lot to be split other than the first split lot. [4] The control unit displays a lot search image on the terminal device that accepts a search operation to search for the lot of the product from the terminal device, and the lot search image includes an image that accepts an operation to display the lot division image. A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [3]. [5] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the lot division image includes an image that accepts an operation to stop the execution of one or more work processes on some or all of the two or more lots after the lot to be divided is divided. [6] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the lot division image includes an image for accepting an operation to input production quantity information indicating the number of products in each of the two or more lots after the lot to be divided is divided. [7] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [6], wherein the lot division image includes an image that accepts an operation to input product-related information regarding the products of each of the two or more lots after the lot to be divided is divided. [8] The molding management system described in [7], wherein the product-related information includes at least one of shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product was molded and cavity identification information that identifies the cavity in which the product was molded. [9] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the lot-related information includes, as the one or more pieces of information, injection molding apparatus-related information relating to an injection molding apparatus that molds the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information, and the injection molding apparatus-related information includes at least one of operating status information indicating the operating status of the injection molding apparatus and detection information detected by each of one or more sensors attached to the injection molding apparatus. Note that the injection molding apparatus described in [9] may be the same injection molding apparatus as the injection molding apparatus described in [1], or may be a different injection molding apparatus from the injection molding apparatus described in [1]. For this reason, in [9], the term "injection molding apparatus" is not attached.

[10] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [9], wherein the lot-related information includes quality information about the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information.

[11] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the lot-related information includes process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information.

[12] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to

[11] , including the terminal device.

[13] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to

[12] , including the injection molding device.

[0147] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and may be changed, substituted, deleted, etc. as long as it does not deviate from the gist of this disclosure.

[0148] A program for implementing the functions of any of the components of the above-described apparatus may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and loaded into a computer system for execution. Here, the apparatus may be, for example, the injection molding apparatus 11, the information processing apparatus 20, the server 30, or the terminal device 40. The term "computer system" herein includes hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and compact disks (CDs)-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also includes devices that retain a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0149] The above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. The program may also be a program for realizing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file or differential program that can realize the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1... molding management system, 10... managed device, 11... injection molding device, 20... information processing device, 30... server, 31... processor, 32... memory unit, 33... communication unit, 34... control unit, 40... terminal device, 341... reception unit, 342... acquisition unit, 343... display control unit

Claims

1. A molding management system that includes a server communicably connected to a terminal device and manages production of a product in a production process that includes an injection molding process of the product by an injection molding device, The server a storage unit that stores one or more pieces of lot information in which lot identification information that identifies the lot of the product is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the product; a control unit that causes the terminal device to display a lot division image that accepts a lot division operation for dividing a division target lot selected as a division target among the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit into two or more of the lots; A molding management system comprising:

2. the control unit, after receiving the lot division operation, generates lot information for each of the two or more lots divided from the division target lot, and stores the generated lot information in the storage unit. The molding management system according to claim 1 .

3. When generating the lot information for each of the two or more lots divided from the division-target lot, the control unit assigns the lot identification information identifying the division-target lot as the lot identification information identifying a first divided lot that is one of the two or more lots divided from the division-target lot, and assigns new lot identification information as the lot identification information identifying each of the two or more lots divided from the division-target lot other than the first divided lot. The molding management system according to claim 2 .

4. the control unit displays, on the terminal device, a lot search image that accepts a search operation to search for the lot of the product from the terminal device; an image for accepting an operation to display the lot division image is included on the lot search image; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

5. the lot division image includes an image for accepting an operation to stop execution of one or more work processes on a part or all of the two or more lots after the division target lot has been divided, The molding management system according to claim 1 .

6. the lot division image includes an image for accepting an operation to input information on the number of products, which indicates the number of products in each of the two or more lots after the division target lot is divided; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

7. the lot division image includes an image for accepting an operation to input product-related information regarding the products of each of the two or more lots after the division target lot is divided; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

8. The product-related information includes at least one of shot identification information for identifying a shot in which the product was molded and cavity identification information for identifying a cavity in which the product was molded. The molding management system according to claim 7.

9. the lot-related information includes, as the one or more pieces of information, injection molding device-related information relating to an injection molding device that molds the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information; The injection molding device-related information includes at least one of operating status information indicating an operating status of the injection molding device and detection information detected by each of one or more sensors attached to the injection molding device. The molding management system according to claim 1 .

10. the lot-related information includes quality information about the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

11. the lot-related information includes process information indicating a work process currently being performed on the product of the lot identified by the lot identification information associated with the lot-related information; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

12. Including the terminal device, The molding management system according to claim 1 .

13. the injection molding apparatus, The molding management system according to claim 1 .

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