Molding management system

Abstract

To provide a molding management system capable of suppressing occurrence of a difference between an actual lot in which a nonconforming article occurs 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 an unsuitable product information addition image for receiving an unsuitable product information addition operation of adding unsuitable product information including unsuitable product number information indicating the number of unsuitable products to the lot information indicating a target lot selected from the lots indicated by the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 19

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 non-conforming products are generated at the production molding site, the lot may be divided to separate conforming products from non-conforming products, which may result in a discrepancy 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 problem, 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 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 non-conforming product information addition image that accepts a non-conforming product information addition operation that adds non-conforming product information including non-conforming product number information that indicates the number of non-conforming products to the lot information that indicates a selected target lot from the lots indicated by each of the one or more lot information stored in the memory unit. [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 nonconforming product information addition image P3. [Figure 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a nonconforming product information display image P5 displayed by selecting the button B31 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a nonconforming product information input image P6. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how a pull-down menu of an input field F42 is displayed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of non-conformance reason information being entered in an input field F42. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing an example of nonconforming product information displayed in the nonconforming product information display area RG1 as a result of a selection operation on the button B41 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing the nonconforming product information display image P5 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a nonconforming product information input image P6 on which a message MS indicating that the addition of nonconforming product information to lot information indicating the target lot has been completed is displayed. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a table showing the number of products produced in each of five lots. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example showing the number of products in each of five lots. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another example showing the number of products in each of five lots. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence relationship reception image P7. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining another example of a method for inputting shot identification information into the column to the right of lot identification information in the correspondence relationship table TB1 shown in FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a table showing an example of a list of lot information displayed using shot identification information as a primary key. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server 30. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server 30. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flow in which the server 30 adds nonconforming product information to lot information. 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 in which lot identification information that identifies the lot of the products is associated with lot-related information that includes one or more pieces of information related to the lot of the products. The control unit causes the terminal device to display a nonconforming product information addition image that accepts a nonconforming product information addition operation that adds nonconforming product information, including nonconforming product number information indicating the number of nonconforming products, to lot information indicating a target lot selected from the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the memory unit.

[0011] As a result, the molding management system according to the embodiment can prevent discrepancies from occurring between the actual lot in which the non-conforming product occurred 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] The addition of nonconforming product information to lot information is necessary, for example, when nonconforming products occur in the molding process of a product from a lot, or when nonconforming products occur in a downstream process, such as an assembly process or a sampling inspection process for the product. For example, nonconforming product information added to lot information representing a certain lot enables the condition for the completion of a box containing the products from that lot to be a predetermined number of conforming products, instead of a predetermined number of produced products. For example, when nonconforming products are removed from a box containing the products from that lot, the nonconforming product information added to lot information representing a certain lot can be used to determine whether to pack the same number of conforming products in the box as the number of removed nonconforming products. In this way, adding nonconforming product information to lot information is useful because it leads to more detailed lot management.

[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 accepts 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 apparatus 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 apparatus 11, product type information that indicates the type of product identified by each product identification information, planned production quantity information that indicates the planned production quantity of the product identified by each product identification information, and mold identification information that identifies the mold used to produce the product 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. Note that the various types of information included in the master data may be information associated with product type information instead of information associated with the product identification information, information associated with both the product identification information and the product type information, or information associated with other 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. Here, the lot information is, for example, information that is generated or updated based on information received from a user via one of the update functions that can be executed by the server 30, and is information that is stored in the server 30. Certain lot information includes, for example, lot identification information that identifies the lot indicated by the lot information, and lot-related information about the lot.More specifically, the lot-related information includes: production quantity information indicating the number of products produced in the lot; product type information indicating the type of products produced in the lot; process information indicating the work process currently being performed on the products produced 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 produced in the lot began; quality information indicating the results of quality inspections performed on the products produced in the lot; injection molding device-related information regarding the injection molding device used to mold the products produced in the lot; mold identification information identifying the mold attached to the injection molding device; cavity number information indicating the number of cavities in the mold. The quality information indicates that quality inspections have not been performed on the products produced in the lot if they have not been performed. The injection molding device-related information includes, for example, injection molding device identification information identifying the injection molding device, operating status information indicating the operating status of the injection molding device, and detection information about the injection molding device. The lot-related information may include other information related to the lot instead of, or in addition to, some or all of the above information.

[0026] In addition, in response to the received operation, the server 30 displays a nonconforming product information addition image that receives a nonconforming product information addition operation for adding nonconforming product information including nonconforming product number information indicating the number of nonconforming products to lot information indicating a target lot selected from one or more pieces of lot information stored in the server 30. Here, the nonconforming products in this embodiment refer to products that do not conform to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). Nonconforming products may also be referred to as defective products, NG (No Good) products, etc. Furthermore, the conforming products in this embodiment refer to JIS-conforming products. Conforming products may also be referred to as non-defective products, OK products, etc.

[0027] For example, the server 30 displays the nonconforming product information addition image by accepting an operation via the main menu image P1 as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the main menu image P1.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] In this embodiment, the dashboard image, the master data management image, the manual image, and the user management image will not be described.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The button B21 is a button that accepts an operation to display the nonconforming product information addition image P3, which is an example of the nonconforming product information addition image described above. When the server 30 accepts a selection operation on the button B21, the server 30 generates the nonconforming product information addition image P3 and displays the generated nonconforming product information addition image P3.

[0038] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the nonconforming product information addition image P3. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the nonconforming product information addition image P3, which is displayed when the button B21 is selected, includes a target lot designation image P4 that accepts an operation to designate a desired lot as the target lot for which the nonconforming product information addition operation is to be performed. Note that the nonconforming product information addition image P3 may be configured to include other GUIs.

[0039] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the target lot designation image P4 includes, for example, an input field F11 and a button B31. Note that the target lot designation image P4 may include another GUI instead of one or both of these, or in addition to both. Also, the following describes, as an example, a case where the target lot designation image P4 is one of the images included in the nonconforming product information addition image P3. In this case, the functions, GUI, etc. of the target lot designation image P4 are also the functions, GUI, etc. of the nonconforming product information addition image P3.

[0040] The input field F11 is a field where lot identification information that identifies a lot designated by the user as the target lot is entered. 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 into the input field F11 is the lot identification information. In the example shown in FIG. 4, "1234567890" has been entered into the input field F11 as the lot identification information. Note that the lot identification information may be entered into 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.

[0041] The button B31 accepts an operation to confirm the lot identification information entered in the input field F11 as the lot identification information identifying the target lot and to display a nonconforming product information display image P5 displaying a list of nonconforming product information included in the lot information indicating the target lot. When a selection operation is performed on the button B31, the server 30 confirms the lot identification information entered in the input field F11 as the lot identification information identifying the target lot. Then, the server 30 deletes the display of the target lot designation image P4 on the nonconforming product information addition image P3 and displays the nonconforming product information display image P5 on the nonconforming product information addition image P3. Here, if a predetermined first gray-out condition is met, the server 30 grays out the button B31 and does not accept a selection operation on the button B31. On the other hand, if the first gray-out condition is not met, the server 30 cancels the gray-out of the button B31 and accepts a selection operation on the button B31. By graying out the button B31 in this manner, the server 30 can prevent users from making erroneous operations. The first gray-out condition is, for example, a condition that includes the following condition 1A.

[0042] Condition 1A: Lot identification information is not entered in input field F11

[0043] If condition 1A is satisfied, the server 30 determines that the first gray-out condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if condition 1A is not satisfied, the server 30 determines that the first gray-out condition is not satisfied.

[0044] 4, the lot identification information has been entered in the input field F11 as described above, and therefore the button B31 is not grayed out in this example.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the nonconforming product information display image P5 displayed by selecting button B31 shown in FIG. The server 30 may be configured to display the nonconforming product information display image P5 in a pop-up window, within the nonconforming product information addition image P3, in a separate window, or by some other method. However, the following description will be given as an example of a case where the nonconforming product information display image P5 is one of the images included in the nonconforming product information addition image P3, regardless of which of these methods is used to display the nonconforming product information display image P5. In this case, the functions, GUI, etc. of the nonconforming product information display image P5 are also the functions, GUI, etc. of the nonconforming product information addition image P3.

[0046] The nonconforming product information display image P5 includes a GUI for inputting information about the user who adds the nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the nonconforming product information display image P5 includes, as the GUI, an input field F21 and an input field F22. In addition to the GUI, the nonconforming product information display image P5 also includes, in this example, a nonconforming product information display area RG1, a button B41, a display field F31, and a button B42. Note that the nonconforming product information display image P5 may be configured to include other GUIs instead of some or all of these, or in addition to all of these.

[0047] The input field F21 is a field for inputting user identification information that identifies the user who adds nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot. In FIG. 5 , 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 example shown in FIG. 5 , "1234567" is input as the default user identification information 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.

[0048] The input field F22 is a field for inputting user name information indicating the name of the user who adds the nonconforming product information. In FIG. 5, 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. 5, "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 other than the default user name information into the input field F22 may be performed by selecting the user name information from a pull-down menu or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0049] The nonconforming product information display area RG1 is an area where a list of nonconforming product information included in the lot information indicating the target lot is displayed. In the example shown in Figure 5, nothing is displayed in the nonconforming product information display area RG1. This is because, in this example, the lot information does not include nonconforming product information.

[0050] The button B41 is a button that accepts an operation to display the nonconforming product information input image P6. The nonconforming product information input image P6 is an image that accepts an operation to input nonconforming product information to be added to the lot information indicating the target lot. When the button B41 is selected, the server 30 displays the nonconforming product information input image P6 on the nonconforming product information display image P5, for example.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the nonconforming product information input image P6. The server 30 may be configured to display the nonconforming product information input image P6 in a pop-up window, within the nonconforming product information display image P5, within the nonconforming product information addition image P3, in a separate window, or by some other method. However, the following description will be given as an example of a case in which the nonconforming product information input image P6 is one of the images included in the nonconforming product information addition image P3, regardless of which of these methods is used to display the nonconforming product information input image P6. In this case, the functions, GUI, etc. of the nonconforming product information input image P6 are also the functions, GUI, etc. of the nonconforming product information addition image P3.

[0052] 6, the nonconforming product information input image P6 is displayed as a pop-up on the nonconforming product information display image P5. Also, in this example, the nonconforming product information input image P6 includes an input field F41, an input field F42, and a button B51. Note that the nonconforming product information input image P6 may be configured to include other GUIs instead of some or all of these, or in addition to all of these.

[0053] The input field F41 is a field where nonconforming item quantity information indicating the number of nonconforming items specified by the user is entered. In FIG. 6, the character string "Defective Quantity" superimposed on the input field F41 is a character string that indicates to the user that the information entered into the input field F41 is nonconforming item quantity information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, nothing is entered into the input field F41. Note that the nonconforming item quantity information may be entered into the input field F41 by selecting the nonconforming item quantity information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The input field F41 is an example of an image for inputting nonconforming item quantity information.

[0054] The input field F42 is a field for inputting nonconformance reason information indicating the reason why the number of produced products indicated by the nonconformance item quantity information input in the input field F42 is nonconforming. In FIG. 6, the character string "Bad" superimposed on the input field F42 indicates to the user that the information input in the input field F42 is nonconformance reason information. In the example shown in FIG. 6, no input is made in the input field F42. Note that nonconformance reason information may be input into the input field F42 by selecting nonconformance reason information from a pull-down menu or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard. The input field F42 is an example of a nonconformance reason input image. The following describes, as an example, a case in which nonconformance reason information is input into the input field F42 by selecting nonconformance reason information from a pull-down menu. For example, when a "▼" mark in the input field F42 is selected, the server 30 displays a pull-down menu displaying a list of one or more nonconformance reason information included in the master data. The one or more pieces of non-conformance reason information may be registered in the master data by any method, and therefore, a description of the method for registering the one or more pieces of non-conformance reason information in the master data will be omitted.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a pull-down menu displayed in the input field F42. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the pull-down menu displays a list of seven nonconformance reason information. Specifically, in this example, these seven nonconformance reason information are "Reason 1: Insufficient Filling," "Reason 2: Chipped," "Reason 3: Scratched," "Reason 4: Silver," "Reason 5: Burr," "Reason 6: Air Bubbles," and "Reason 7: Black Spots." The user can select a desired nonconformance reason information from these seven nonconformance reason information. When the server 30 receives an operation to select a desired nonconformance reason information from these seven nonconformance reason information, the server 30 removes the display of the pull-down menu and inputs the nonconformance reason information selected by the received operation into the input field F42.

[0056] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of how nonconforming reason information is entered in input field F42. In the example shown in Fig. 8, "Reason 1: Insufficient filling" is entered as nonconforming product information in input field F42. Also, in this example, "5" is entered in input field F41 as nonconforming product quantity information indicating that the number of nonconforming products is five.

[0057] Button B51 is a button that accepts an operation to confirm the information input in the nonconforming product information input image P6. When button B51 is selected, server 30 generates nonconforming product information including the nonconforming product quantity information input in input field F41, the nonconforming reason information input in input field F42, and newly generated nonconforming product identification information as information for identifying the nonconforming product information. Then, server 30 adds the generated nonconforming product information to lot information indicating the target lot. Specifically, server 30 adds the nonconforming product information to the lot information by associating the nonconforming product information with the lot identification information included in the lot information. Note that server 30 may also be configured to add the nonconforming product information to the lot information by associating the nonconforming product information with information other than the lot identification information included in the lot information. After adding the nonconforming product information to the lot information, server 30 displays the nonconforming product information added to the lot information in nonconforming product information display area RG1. However, even in this case, the server 30 does not delete the display of the nonconforming product information input image P6 but retains it.

[0058] Here, for example, when button B51 is selected on the nonconforming product information input image P6 shown in FIG. 8, the server 30 generates nonconforming product information including the nonconforming product quantity information "5" entered in input field F41, the nonconforming reason information "Reason 1: Insufficient filling" entered in input field F42, and newly generated nonconforming product identification information used to identify the nonconforming product information. After generating the nonconforming product information, the server 30 adds the generated nonconforming product information to lot information indicating the target lot. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the server 30 displays the nonconforming product information added to the lot information in the nonconforming product information display area RG1 of the nonconforming product information display image P5 while maintaining the display of the nonconforming product information input image P6.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of how nonconforming product information is displayed in the nonconforming product information display area RG1 as a result of selecting button B51 shown in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the server 30 adds the nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot as a result, and then displays the nonconforming product information added to the lot information in the nonconforming product information display area RG1 located behind the nonconforming product information input image P6. In FIG. 9, all information displayed in the nonconforming product information display area RG1 other than the nonconforming product information identification information is hidden behind the nonconforming product information input image P6 and is therefore not visible. Note that in the example shown in FIG. 9, when button B51 is selected, the information entered in input fields F41 and F42 is deleted. This is because, after selecting button B51, the user may subsequently enter information about other nonconforming product information into input fields F41 and F42. That is, the nonconforming product information input image P6 is an image that can repeatedly accept the addition of nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot without transitioning to another image. Therefore, the server 30 can repeatedly accept, in the nonconforming product information input image P6, the operation to add nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot. This eliminates the need for the server 30 to require the user to repeatedly perform the operation to display the nonconforming product information input image P6, thereby improving user convenience. However, if there is no need to improve user convenience when repeatedly adding nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot, the server 30 may be configured not to delete the information entered in each of the input fields F41 and F42, even when the button B51 is selected.

[0060] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the nonconforming product information display image P5 shown in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the nonconforming product information input image P6 has been omitted to clearly show the information displayed on the nonconforming product information display image P5. When a selection operation is performed on button B51 shown in FIG. 8, the server 30 displays the nonconforming product information in the nonconforming product information display area RG1, as shown in FIG. 10. The nonconforming product information display area RG1 shown in FIG. 10 displays nonconforming product information that includes "1001" as the nonconforming product information identification information, "Reason 1: Insufficient filling" as the nonconforming reason information, and "5" as the nonconforming product quantity information. That is, the nonconforming product information display area RG1 shown in FIG. 10 displays nonconforming product information that includes the information that was entered in the input fields F41 and F42 in FIG. 8.

[0061] The display field F31 is a field that displays the total number of nonconforming items indicated by the nonconforming item number information included in all of the nonconforming item information displayed in the nonconforming item information display area RG1. Each time nonconforming item information is displayed in the nonconforming item information display area RG1, the server 30 calculates the total and displays the calculated total number of nonconforming items in the display field F31. Therefore, the display field F31 shown in Figure 10 displays the total number of nonconforming items indicated by the nonconforming item number information included in the nonconforming item information displayed in the nonconforming item information display area RG1 shown in Figure 10, i.e., the total number of nonconforming items indicating 5.

[0062] Button B42 is a button that accepts an operation to complete the addition of nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot. When button B42 is selected, the server 30 displays a message MS indicating that the addition of nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot has been completed, as shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the nonconforming product information input image P6 displaying a message MS indicating that the addition of nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot has been completed. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the message MS is the string "Registered," but it may be another string indicating that the addition of nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot has been completed. In this case, the server 30 also changes button B42 to button B43.

[0063] Button B43 is a button that accepts an operation to delete the display of the nonconforming product information input image P6, delete the display of the nonconforming product information addition image P3, and display the main menu image P1. When a selection operation is performed on button B43, the server 30 deletes the display of the nonconforming product information input image P6, deletes the display of the nonconforming product information addition image P3, and displays the main menu image P1. Note that in this case, the server 30 may be configured to delete the display of the nonconforming product information input image P6, delete the display of the nonconforming product information addition image P3, and display an image different from the main menu image P1.

[0064] Here, with conventional lot information, it is possible to create a table such as that shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a table showing the number of products produced in each of five lots. However, conventional lot information does not include information on nonconforming products. For this reason, even if conventional lot information is used, it is not possible to create a table that allows confirmation of whether or not nonconforming products are included in the products of the lot indicated by the lot information.

[0065] On the other hand, Figure 13 is a diagram showing another example of the number of products produced in each of five lots. The table shown in Figure 13 displays the number of conforming products in each of the five lots, as well as the number of nonconforming products in each of the five lots and the reasons for the nonconforming products. However, in Figure 13, the number of conforming products in a given lot is represented by the number of products produced in that lot. Using lot information generated by server 30, i.e., lot information including nonconforming product information, a user can generate a table like the one shown in Figure 13. Looking at the table shown in Figure 13, a user can easily identify, for example, that nonconforming products have occurred in LOT3 and LOT4. This means that adding nonconforming product information to lot information can facilitate the extraction of lots containing nonconforming products. Furthermore, in the table shown in Figure 13, the number of conforming products in LOT3 is 10, while the number of nonconforming products in LOT3 is 5. This means that five non-conforming products were found in LOT3, but five conforming products were added from other lots, bringing the total number of conforming products to 10. Similarly, in the table, the number of conforming products in LOT4 is 10, while the number of non-conforming products in LOT4 is 2. This means that two non-conforming products were found in LOT4, but two conforming products were added from other lots, bringing the total number of conforming products to 10. Adding non-conforming product information to lot information via server 30 improves the time-series resolution of the products produced by the lot. Figure 14 shows another example of the number of products produced in each of five lots. However, even in Figure 14, the number of conforming products in a given lot is represented by the number of products produced in that lot. The table shown in Figure 14 also displays the number of products produced in each of the five lots, as well as the number of non-conforming products in each of the five lots and the reasons for the non-conforming products. When using the lot information generated by the server 30, that is, the lot information including non-conforming product information, the user can also generate a table such as that shown in FIG.In the table shown in FIG. 14, the number of conforming products in LOT3 is 5, while the number of nonconforming products in LOT3 is 5. This means that five nonconforming products occurred in LOT3, but were not compensated with conforming products from other lots, etc. Similarly, in the table, the number of conforming products in LOT4 is 8, while the number of nonconforming products in LOT4 is 2. This means that two nonconforming products occurred in LOT4, but were not compensated with conforming products from other lots, etc. In this way, adding nonconforming product information to lot information via server 30 leads to improved time series resolution of the products produced in the lot, even when conforming products are not compensated for in the lot.

[0066] Furthermore, each product in one or more lots managed by the molding management system 1 may be configured to be 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.

[0067] The product-related information associated with a certain product 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. Therefore, the product-related information may also include other information related to the product. Below, as an example, a case will be described in which the product-related information includes shot identification information but does not include cavity identification information. The shot identification information may be information that identifies a shot within a lot, information that identifies a shot in an injection molding machine, or information that identifies a shot in a way that allows the user to reset it at will.

[0068] For example, when a predetermined operation is received, the server 30 displays a correspondence relationship reception image P7 as shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence relationship reception image P7.

[0069] The correspondence relationship receiving image P7 includes, for example, a correspondence relationship table TB1 showing the correspondence relationship between lot identification information and shot identification information, an input field F51, a button B61, a display field F52, and a display field F53. Note that the correspondence relationship receiving image P7 may be configured to include other GUIs instead of some or all of these, or in addition to all of these.

[0070] The correspondence relationship table TB1 is a table showing the correspondence relationship between one or more lot identification information selected by the user and one or more shot identification information. Note that any method may be used to select the one or more lot identification information. In the correspondence relationship table TB1, lot identification information is indicated by "LOT No.". In addition, in the correspondence relationship table TB1, shot identification information is indicated by "Shot No.". In addition, in the correspondence relationship table TB1, shot number information indicating the number of shot identification information is indicated by "Shot quantity." That is, in the correspondence relationship table TB1, lot identification information, one or more shot identification information, and the number of the one or more shot identification information are associated with each other. In the example shown in FIG. 15, for example, the lot identification information "4561237890" is associated with the shot identification information "1-10, 16-20." Here, "1-10, 16-20" are shot identification information indicating the first to tenth shots and the sixteenth to twentieth shots, respectively. The number of such shot identification information is 15. For this reason, in this example, "15" indicating 15 is associated as shot number information with the lot identification information "4561237890." Also, in the example shown in FIG. 15, for example, shot identification information "11-15, 21-30" is associated with the lot identification information "4561237891." Here, "11-15, 21-30" are shot identification information indicating the 11th to 15th shots and the 21st to 30th shots, respectively. The number of such shot identification information is 15. For this reason, in this example, "15" indicating 15 is associated as shot number information with the lot identification information "4561237891."

[0071] In this case, if no shot identification information is associated with the lot identification information "4561237890" in the correspondence relationship table TB1, the column displaying "1-10, 16-20" and the column displaying "15" are both blank. In this case, the GUI used to associate shot identification information with the lot identification information "4561237890" is the input column F51 and button B61.

[0072] The input field F51 is a field where shot identification information is input. One or more pieces of shot identification information may be input in the input field F51, separated by commas, or a range of shot identification information may be input, or shot identification information may be input by a combination of these, as shown in Fig. 15. Furthermore, shot identification information may be input into the input field F51 by selecting shot identification information from a pull-down menu, or by direct input using an input device such as a keyboard.

[0073] Button B61 is a button for confirming that the shot identification information entered in input field F51 is associated with the lot identification information selected by the user in correspondence table TB1. When button B61 is selected while shot identification information has been entered in input field F51, server 30 displays the shot identification information entered in input field F51 in the column to the right of the lot identification information in correspondence table TB1 and associates the shot identification information with the lot identification information. Server 30 also displays shot number information indicating the number of shot identification information entered in input field F51 in the column to the right of the shot identification information in correspondence table TB1.

[0074] In this way, the user can associate shot identification information with lot identification information by using the input field F51 and button B61. The display field F52 is a field that displays the total number of products of the lots identified by each lot identification information displayed in the correspondence table TB1. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the display field F52 displays "30," indicating 30 items. The display field F53 is a field that displays the total number of shot identification information associated with each lot identification information displayed in the correspondence table TB1. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the display field F53 displays "30," indicating 30 items.

[0075] Here, when shot identification information is associated with certain lot identification information, the server 30 treats the shot identification information as one of the pieces of information included in the lot information indicating the lot identified by the lot identification information. In this case, instead of associating nonconforming product information with lot identification information included in the lot information indicating a certain lot, the server 30 may be configured to associate nonconforming product information with each shot identification information included in the lot information. In this case, for example, the nonconforming product information input image P6 includes an input field into which the user can enter the shot identification information desired by the user. In addition, in this case, the nonconforming product information display area RG1 also displays the shot identification information entered in the input field. This allows the server 30 to easily identify which shots are prone to nonconforming products. As a result, the server 30 can track the flow of nonconforming products in each lot. In other words, the server 30 can improve the traceability of nonconforming products. Furthermore, the server 30 can realize, for example, packaging of conforming products and non-conforming products by using a conveying device such as a robot in the production of products using a production device that combines an injection molding device and an image inspection device. Also, the server 30 can easily allow the user to identify in which process of each process performed on the products of a lot a non-conforming product has occurred.

[0076] Note that the method of inputting shot identification information into the column to the right of the lot identification information in the correspondence relationship table TB1 may be other methods. Figure 16 is a diagram for explaining another example of the method of inputting shot identification information into the column to the right of the lot identification information in the correspondence relationship table TB1 shown in Figure 15. For convenience of explanation, this column will be referred to as the shot identification information input column below.

[0077] In the example shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of images indicating different shot identification information and capable of being dragged and dropped are displayed above the correspondence relationship table TB1. Images BK1 to BK10 shown in FIG. 16 are examples of the plurality of images. Specifically, where n is an integer between 1 and 10, image BKn indicates shot identification information identifying the nth shot. In the example shown in FIG. 16, images BK1 and BK3 are input by drag-and-drop into the upper of the two shot identification information input fields. This means that shot identification information identifying the first and third shots, respectively, has been input into the shot identification information input field. Also, the example shows image BK4 being dragged into the shot identification information input field. Also, the example shows image BK2 being input by drag-and-drop into the lower of the two shot identification information input fields. This means that shot identification information identifying the second shot has been input into the shot identification information input field. Here, when image BKn is dragged, server 30 displays an image indicating that image BKn was located at the location where image BKn was located before being dragged. Image VBKn is an example of an image indicating that image BKn was located. Specifically, image VBK1 is an image indicating that image BK1 was located. This allows a user to drag and drop an image BKn that was mistakenly entered into a shot identification information input field back to its original position and easily cancel the input to that shot identification information input field. Note that the movement of image BKn to a shot identification information input field may be performed by another method, such as a method via a GUI that accepts an operation to have server 30 perform the movement, instead of drag and drop.

[0078] FIG. 17 is a table showing an example of a list of lot information displayed using shot identification information as a primary key. Note that in FIG. 17, some of the lot information is omitted to avoid the complexity of displaying all of the lot information. In the example shown in FIG. 17, shot identification information is indicated by "Shot." Also, in this example, lot identification information is indicated by "LOT." Furthermore, "Setting Value 1" and "Setting Value 2" in the table shown in FIG. 17 each indicate information indicating parameters set in the injection molding apparatus that molds the product. Examples of "Setting Value 1" and "Setting Value 2" include, but are not limited to, a measurement value and a VP (Pressure Velocity) switching position. Furthermore, "Molding Performance Value 1" and "Molding Performance Value 2" in the table each indicate information indicating various performance values ​​of the injection molding apparatus that molds the product. Examples of "Molding Performance Value 1" and "Molding Performance Value 2" include, but are not limited to, a maximum injection forward position, a maximum injection pressure, and a cycle time. Furthermore, "Inspection Result 1" and "Inspection Result 2" in the table each indicate information indicating the inspection results of the product. "Inspection Result 1" and "Inspection Result 2" may be, for example, image inspection results, human measurement results, AI (Artificial Intelligence), etc., but are not limited to these. "Inspection Result 1" and "Inspection Result 2" may be information indicating a binary judgment result of OK or NG, or may be information indicating a numerical value. "Measurement Value 1" and "Measurement Value 2" in the table each indicate information indicating values ​​detected by various sensors attached to an injection molding machine or the like. "Measurement Value 1" and "Measurement Value 2" may be, for example, information indicating a value detected by a sensor attached to an injection molding machine, information indicating a value detected by a sensor attached to a mold, etc., but are not limited to these.

[0079] When the lot information is configured as shown in FIG. 17, a user can manage lots on a shot-by-shot basis. In the example shown in FIG. 17, the shot identification information identifying each of the first to third shots is associated with "A," which is the lot identification information identifying lot A. That is, in this example, the shot identification information identifying each of the first to third shots is included in the lot information indicating lot A. On the other hand, in this example, the shot identification information identifying each of the fourth to sixth shots is associated with "B," which is the lot identification information identifying lot B. That is, in this example, the shot identification information identifying each of the fourth to sixth shots is included in the lot information indicating lot B. These lot information items also include nonconforming product information, which is omitted in FIG. 17. This allows the server 30 to prevent discrepancies between the actual lot in which a nonconforming product occurs and the lot in the molding management system. Furthermore, the server 30 can improve the traceability of each of the conforming and nonconforming products in a lot. Furthermore, the server 30 can also add other information to the lot information that can further improve the traceability by including non-conforming product information in the lot information.

[0080] The server 30 capable of displaying images such as the nonconforming product information addition image P3 on the terminal device 40 as described above 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] <Server hardware configuration> The hardware configuration of the server 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server 30.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] <Server functional configuration> The functional configuration of the server 30 will be described below with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server 30.

[0089] The server 30 includes a storage unit 32, a communication unit 33, and a control unit .

[0090] 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).

[0091] 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 .

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] <Processing by the server to add non-conforming product information to lot information> The process in which the server 30 adds nonconforming product information to lot information will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of the process in which the server 30 adds nonconforming product information to lot information. The following describes, as an example, a case in which the terminal image P2 is displayed on the terminal device 40 at a timing before the process of step S110 shown in Fig. 20 is performed. The following also describes, as an example, a case in which the master data and lot information have already been stored in the server 30 at that timing.

[0095] The control unit 34 waits until it receives an operation to display the nonconforming product information addition image P3 via the terminal device 40, i.e., a selection operation on the button B21 (step S110). In Fig. 20, the processing of step S110 is indicated by "Display nonconforming product information addition image?"

[0096] When the control unit 34 determines that an operation to display the nonconforming product information addition image P3 has been received via the terminal device 40 (step S110-YES), the control unit 34 generates the nonconforming product information addition image P3 (step S120). The method for generating the nonconforming product information addition image P3 in step S120 may be a known method or a method to be developed in the future.

[0097] Next, the control unit 34 transmits the nonconforming product information addition image P3 generated in step S120 to the terminal device 40, and causes the terminal device 40 to display the nonconforming product information addition image P3 (step S130).

[0098] Next, the control unit 34 waits until an operation is accepted via the nonconforming product information addition image P3 displayed on the terminal device 40 (step S140). In Fig. 20, the process of step S140 is indicated by "Accept operation?"

[0099] When the control unit 34 determines that an operation has been received via the nonconforming product information addition image P3 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. 20 (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. 20, the processing of step S150 is indicated by "End?"

[0100] If the control unit 34 determines that the operation received in step S140 is an operation that will terminate the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 20 (step S150-YES), it will, for example, delete the display of the non-conforming product information addition image P3 from the terminal device 40 and terminate the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 20.

[0101] 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. 20 (step S150-NO), it performs processing according to the received operation (step S160). Here, the processing performed by the control unit 34 in step S160 has already been explained in the explanation of Figs. 4 to 11, and therefore detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0102] 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 nonconforming product information addition image P3 displayed on the terminal device 40.

[0103] Through the above-described processing, the server 30 displays a nonconforming product information addition image P3 that accepts a nonconforming product information addition operation for adding nonconforming product information including nonconforming product number information indicating the number of nonconforming products to lot information indicating a target lot selected from among the lots indicated by each of one or more pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit 32. This enables the server 30 to prevent discrepancies from occurring between the actual lot in which the nonconforming products occurred and the lot on the molding management system 1.

[0104] The molding management system 1 described above may be configured to include a terminal device 40.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] Furthermore, the above-described lot search may be performed using an arbitrary character string as a search key. In this case, when the server 30 receives an arbitrary character string, it identifies information containing the received character string from one or more pieces of information included in the lot-related information, and displays a list of lot information indicating the lots identified by each piece of lot identification information associated with the identified information. This allows the server 30 to more easily search for lots by the user.

[0108] Furthermore, the above-described contents may be combined in any manner.

[0109] <Additional Notes> [1] 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 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 non-conforming product information addition image that accepts a non-conforming product information addition operation that adds non-conforming product information including non-conforming product number information that indicates the number of non-conforming products to the lot information that indicates a selected target lot from the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the memory unit. [2] The molding management system described in [1], wherein the nonconforming product information addition image includes a nonconforming product number information input image that accepts an operation to input the nonconforming product number information, and the control unit accepts the nonconforming product information addition operation in the nonconforming product information addition image that adds the nonconforming product information including the nonconforming product number information input via the nonconforming product number information input image to the lot information indicating the target lot. [3] The molding management system described in [2], wherein the non-conforming product information addition image includes a non-conforming product reason information input image that accepts an operation to input non-conforming product reason information indicating the reason why the number of produced products indicated by the non-conforming product number information input via the non-conforming product number information input image is the non-conforming product, and the control unit accepts the non-conforming product information addition operation in the non-conforming product information addition image that adds the non-conforming product information including the non-conforming product number information input via the non-conforming product number information input image and the non-conforming reason information input via the non-conforming product reason information input image to the lot information indicating the target lot. [4] The molding management system described in [3], wherein the non-conforming product information addition image is an image that accepts an operation to select the desired non-conforming reason information from one or more of the non-conforming reason information, the memory unit stores master data, and the one or more of the non-conforming reason information is information included in the master data stored in the memory unit. [5] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [4], wherein the nonconforming product information addition image is an image that can repeatedly accept the addition of the nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot without transitioning to another image, and the control unit repeatedly accepts the nonconforming product information addition operation that adds the nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot in the nonconforming product information addition image. [6] The control unit displays, on the terminal device, a correspondence relationship reception image that associates the target lot with shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product was molded. [7] The molding management system according to any one of [1] to [6], 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. The injection molding apparatus according to [7] may be the same injection molding apparatus as the injection molding apparatus according to [1], or may be a different injection molding apparatus from the injection molding apparatus according to [1]. For this reason, the injection molding apparatus in [7] is not labeled "injection molding apparatus." [8] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [7], 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. [9] A molding management system described in any one of [1] to [8], 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.

[10] A molding management system according to any one of [1] to [9], including the terminal device.

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

[10] , including the injection molding device.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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]

[0113] 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 displays, on the terminal device, a nonconforming product information addition image that accepts a nonconforming product information addition operation that adds nonconforming product information including nonconforming product number information indicating the number of nonconforming products to the lot information that indicates a target lot selected from the lots indicated by each of the one or more pieces of lot information stored in the storage unit; A molding management system comprising:

2. The nonconforming product information addition image includes a nonconforming product number information input image that accepts an operation to input the nonconforming product number information, the control unit accepts, in the nonconforming product information addition image, the operation of adding the nonconforming product information including the nonconforming product number information input via the nonconforming product number information input image to the lot information indicating the target lot. The molding management system according to claim 1 .

3. the nonconforming product information addition image includes a nonconforming product reason information input image that accepts an operation to input nonconforming product reason information indicating the reason why the number of the products indicated by the nonconforming product number information input via the nonconforming product number information input image is the nonconforming product, the control unit accepts, in the nonconforming product information addition image, the operation of adding the nonconforming product information including the nonconforming product number information input via the nonconforming product number information input image and the nonconforming reason information input via the nonconforming reason information input image to the lot information indicating the target lot. The molding management system according to claim 2 .

4. the nonconforming product information addition image is an image that accepts an operation of selecting desired nonconforming reason information from one or more of the nonconforming reason information, the storage unit stores master data, the one or more pieces of non-conformity reason information are information included in the master data stored in the storage unit, The molding management system according to claim 3.

5. the nonconforming product information addition image is an image that can repeatedly accept addition of the nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot without transitioning to another image, the control unit repeatedly accepts, in the nonconforming product information addition image, the nonconforming product information addition operation for adding the nonconforming product information to the lot information indicating the target lot; The molding management system according to claim 1 .

6. the control unit causes the terminal device to display a correspondence relationship reception image that associates the target lot with shot identification information that identifies the shot in which the product was formed. The molding management system according to claim 1 .

7. 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 .

8. 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 .

9. 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 .

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

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

Images