Molding machine

Abstract

To provide a molding machine having enhanced visibility of graphs that show time-dependent variations of multiple operation parameters.SOLUTION: A molding machine comprises: a mold clamping device for opening / closing and clamping a mold; an injection device for injecting a molding material into a cavity of the clamped mold; a display device for displaying information; and a control device for controlling the mold clamping device and the injection device. The control device displays on the display device multiple graphs that show time-dependent variations of respective multiple operation parameters of the clamping device or the injection device with a first axis representing an operation parameter and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis representing time, translates at least one of the multiple graphs in an extending direction of the first axis so that an overlap of the multiple graphs is reduced, and displays zero-positions of the respective operation parameters of the multiple graphs along the first axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a molding machine capable of displaying changes in operating parameters over time. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, molding machines have been known that include a mold clamping device that opens, closes, and clamps a mold, and an injection device that injects molding material into a cavity of the clamped mold.

[0003] In such molding machines, in order to evaluate the quality of molded products, there is a technology that displays a graph of the time changes in operating parameters (e.g., injection speed, injection pressure) during injection molding, allowing the operator to monitor them in real time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-151551 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To evaluate the quality of a molded product, it is necessary to understand the relationships between multiple operating parameters. However, as shown in Figure 1 of Patent Document 1, when multiple graphs are displayed simultaneously, the graphs overlap, making them difficult to see.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a molding machine that improves the visibility of graphs showing the time-dependent changes in a plurality of operating parameters. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a molding machine comprising a clamping device that opens and closes a mold and clamps it, an injection device that injects molding material into the cavity of the clamped mold, a display device that displays information, and a control device that controls the clamping device and the injection device, wherein the control device displays on the display device a plurality of graphs showing the time changes of a plurality of operating parameters of the clamping device or the injection device, with a first axis representing the operating parameter and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis representing time, and moves at least one of the plurality of graphs parallel to the extension direction of the first axis so as to reduce overlap of the plurality of graphs, and displays the zero position of the operating parameter of each of the plurality of graphs along the first axis. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the visibility of a graph showing the time-dependent changes in a plurality of operating parameters is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an injection molding machine. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the ejector device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an injection molding machine. [Figure 4] 10 is a screen example of an operation parameter selection screen. [Figure 5] 10 is an example of a graph screen. [Figure 6] 10 is another example of a graph screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An injection molding machine 10 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The injection molding machine 10 is a device that injects a measured amount of plasticized resin (molding material) into a mold to form a molded product M (hereinafter referred to as "injection molding"). However, a specific example of the molding machine is not limited to the injection molding machine 10, and may be a die-casting machine that injects molten metal (molding material) into a mold to form the molded product M.

[0011] [Configuration of injection molding machine 10] Fig. 1 is a side view of the injection molding machine 10. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the ejector device 40. Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the injection molding machine 10. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the injection molding machine 10 mainly includes a mold clamping device 20, an injection device 30, an ejector device 40, and a control device 60.

[0012] The mold clamping device 20 opens, closes, and clamps the mold 21. Specifically, the mold clamping device 20 mainly includes a fixed die plate 23 that supports a fixed-side mold 22, and a movable die plate 25 that supports a movable-side mold 24. The fixed-side mold 22 and the movable-side mold 24 are supported so as to face each other in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the injection molding machine 10.

[0013] The movable die plate 25 moves left and right along the tie bars 27 as the driving force of the die opening / closing motor 28 is transmitted through the toggle link mechanism 26. When the movable die plate 25 moves leftward, the fixed-side die 22 and the movable-side die 24 move apart. On the other hand, when the movable die plate 25 moves rightward, the fixed-side die 22 and the movable-side die 24 come into contact with each other, forming a cavity C (internal space) inside the die 21. Then, when pressure is further applied in a direction that moves the movable die plate 25 rightward, the fixed-side die 22 and the movable-side die 24 are clamped together.

[0014] The injection unit 30 plasticizes, measures, and injects the molding material. The injection unit 30 according to this embodiment is disposed facing the mold clamping unit 20 in the horizontal direction (to the right of the mold clamping unit 20). The injection unit 30 mainly includes a heating cylinder 31, a screw 32, a hopper 33, and a hopper block 34.

[0015] The heating cylinder 31 is a cylindrical member extending in the left-right direction of the injection molding machine 10. The heating cylinder 31 mainly includes a resin passage 35 and a nozzle 36. A band heater (not shown) for heating the heating cylinder 31 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heating cylinder 31.

[0016] The resin passage 35 is a cylindrical space extending in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) inside the heating cylinder 31. The resin passage 35 communicates with the outside of the heating cylinder 31 (cavity C of the mold 21) through a nozzle 36 provided at the tip (front end) of the heating cylinder 31. In other words, the resin passage 35 is a space extending from the nozzle 36 along the axial direction.

[0017] The screw 32 is a cylindrical member. A groove extending spirally along the longitudinal direction of the screw 32 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the screw 32. The screw 32 is housed in the internal space of the heating cylinder 31 in a state in which it can move in the left-right direction of the injection molding machine 10 (hereinafter referred to as "forward and backward") and rotate. Furthermore, the screw 32 in the heating cylinder 31 is configured to be replaceable.

[0018] The screw 32 advances and retreats when the driving force of the injection motor 37 is transmitted thereto, and rotates when the driving force of the metering motor 38 is transmitted thereto. More specifically, when the injection motor 37 is rotated forward, the screw 32 moves (advances) toward the tip end of the heating cylinder 31 (i.e., the nozzle 36). On the other hand, when the injection motor 37 is rotated reversely, the screw 32 moves (retreats) toward the base end of the heating cylinder 31 (i.e., the side opposite the nozzle 36).

[0019] Hereinafter, within the range that the tip position of the screw 32 can reach within the heating cylinder 31, the position closest to the nozzle 36 will be referred to as the "forward limit," and the position farthest from the nozzle 36 will be referred to as the "rear limit." Furthermore, the terms "forward rotation" and "reverse rotation" of the injection motor 37 do not specify an absolute direction of rotation, but merely specify a relative relationship (i.e., forward rotation and reverse rotation are rotations in opposite directions).

[0020] The hopper 33 is a funnel-shaped member that stores granular resin as a raw material. The hopper block 34 is a member that supports the heating cylinder 31 and the hopper 33. The hopper 33 is connected to a resin passage 35 through the hopper block 34 on the base end side of the tip of the heating cylinder 31. The granular resin stored in the hopper 33 is supplied to the resin passage 35 of the heating cylinder 31 through an opening provided at the bottom end. The granular resin used in this injection molding machine 10 is, for example, so-called "pellets (granular resin)" molded into a cylindrical (granular) shape.

[0021] In the injection device 30, the screw 32 moves backward while rotating by rotating the injection motor 37 in the reverse direction and rotating the metering motor 38. As a result, pellets supplied through the hopper 33 are plasticized and filled (metered) into the resin passage 35 ahead of the screw 32. In addition, in the injection device 30, the injection motor 37 rotates forward to move the screw 32 forward. As a result, the plasticized resin ahead of the screw 32 is injected into the cavity C of the mold 21 through the nozzle 36.

[0022] The ejector device 40 is a device that separates the molded product M from the open mold 21. The ejector device 40 is supported by, for example, the movable die plate 25 and moves together with the movable die plate 25. The ejector device 40 mainly includes an ejector pin 41 and an ejector motor 42. Although only one ejector pin 41 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there may be multiple ejector pins 41.

[0023] The ejector pins 41 separate the molded article M from the inner surface of the movable mold 24 by appearing and disappearing from the inner surface (surface defining the cavity C) of the movable mold 24. The ejector pins 41 move back and forth between a retraction limit shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) and an advance limit shown in FIG. 2(C). The retraction limit is the position of the ejector pin 41 where the tip (the end that can come into contact with the molded article M) is retracted into the movable mold 24. The advance limit is the position of the ejector pin 41 where the tip protrudes from the inner surface of the movable mold 24 and separates the molded article M from the movable mold 24.

[0024] The ejector motor 42 generates a driving force that moves the ejector pins 41 forward and backward. When the ejector motor 42 is rotated forward, the ejector pins 41 move from the backward limit side to the forward limit side (hereinafter referred to as "forward"). On the other hand, when the ejector motor 42 is rotated backward, the ejector pins 41 move from the forward limit side to the backward limit side (hereinafter referred to as "rearward"). Note that the "forward rotation" and "reverse rotation" of the ejector motor 42 merely specify a relative relationship, similar to the injection motor 37.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2(A), when the mold 21 is closed and clamped, the ejector pins 41 are positioned at their rearmost position. This causes the cavity C to assume a shape corresponding to the molded article M. On the other hand, when the molded article M is molded in the cavity C and the mold 21 is opened, the ejector pins 41 become able to advance, as shown in Fig. 2(B). Then, when the ejector pins 41 advance, the molded article M separates from the inner surface of the movable mold 24 (i.e., the cavity C), as shown in Fig. 2(C).

[0026] [Configuration of control device 60] As shown in Fig. 3, the control device 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 and a memory 62. The memory 62 is configured, for example, with a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a combination of these. The control device 60 realizes the processing described below by having the CPU 61 read and execute program code stored in the ROM or HDD. The RAM is used as a work area when the CPU 61 executes the program.

[0027] However, the specific configuration of the control device 60 is not limited to this, and may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0028] The control device 60 controls the overall operation of the injection molding machine 10. More specifically, the control device 60 controls the mold opening / closing motor 28, the injection motor 37, the metering motor 38, and the ejector motor 42 based on various signals output from rotary encoders 64, 65, a load cell 66 (pressure sensor), and a display / input device 67.

[0029] The mold opening / closing motor 28, injection motor 37, metering motor 38, and ejector motor 42 are servo motors (actuators) that generate driving forces to open and close the mold 21, driving forces to move the screw 32 back and forth, driving forces to rotate the screw 32, and driving forces to move the ejector pin 41 back and forth, for example, under the control of a servo amplifier (not shown).

[0030] The rotary encoder 64 is a sensor that detects the speed and tip position of the screw 32. More specifically, the rotary encoder 64 outputs pulse signals corresponding to the rotation of the injection motor 37 to the control device 60. The control device 60 then determines the speed of the screw 32 based on the number of pulse signals output per unit time. The control device 60 also determines the tip position of the screw 32 based on the cumulative value of the pulse signals.

[0031] The rotary encoder 65 is a sensor that detects the rotation speed of the screw 32. More specifically, the rotary encoder 65 outputs pulse signals corresponding to the rotation of the metering motor 38 to the control device 60. Then, the control device 60 specifies the rotation speed of the screw 32 based on the number of pulse signals output per unit time.

[0032] The load cell 66 is a pressure sensor that detects the pressure (back pressure) applied to the screw 32. More specifically, the load cell 66 outputs a pressure signal (voltage value) corresponding to the pressure applied to the screw 32 to the control device 60. Then, the control device 60 identifies the pressure applied to the screw 32 based on the pressure signal output from the load cell 66.

[0033] The display input device 67 is a user interface that includes a display (display device, notification device) that displays various information to be notified to the operator, and buttons, switches, dials, etc. (input devices) that accept input operations by the operator. The display input device 67 may include a touch panel superimposed on the display. The display input device 67 accepts input operations by the operator and outputs an input signal corresponding to the accepted input operation to the control device 60.

[0034] [Molding cycle] The molding cycle refers to a series of processes in which plasticized resin filled in the heating cylinder 31 is injected into the cavity of the clamped mold 21 to form the molded product M. Because the molding cycle is executed repeatedly, the first process of the molding cycle is not particularly limited, but below, the mold clamping process, injection process, pressure holding process, metering process, cooling process, mold opening process, forward process, and backward process will be described in this order. In other words, at the start of the following processes, the mold 21 is opened, the plasticized resin to be next injected is metered into the space ahead of the screw 32 of the heating cylinder 31, and the ejector pin 41 is positioned at the backward limit.

[0035] First, the control device 60 closes and clamps the mold 21 by rotating the mold opening / closing motor 28. As a result, a cavity is formed in the mold 21. This process is an example of a mold clamping process.

[0036] Next, after the mold clamping process is completed, the control device 60 rotates the injection motor 37 in the forward direction to move the screw 32 forward. As a result, the plasticized resin measured in the region in front of the screw 32 in the heating cylinder 31 is injected into the cavity of the mold 21. This process is an example of an injection process.

[0037] Next, after the injection process is completed, the control device 60 supplies power to the injection motor 37 so that the screw 32 presses the molding material at a predetermined target pressure. This applies pressure to the molded product M in the cavity C. As a result, the plasticized resin is filled into the cavity C without any gaps, preventing molding defects. This process is an example of a pressure holding process.

[0038] Next, after the pressure-holding process is completed, the control device 60 rotates and moves the screw 32 backward, thereby plasticizing the granular resin supplied to the heating cylinder 31 through the hopper 33, and measuring the plasticized resin to be injected next into the space ahead of the screw 32 of the heating cylinder 31. This process is an example of a measuring process.

[0039] Furthermore, after the dwelling process is completed, the control device 60 cools the plasticized resin in the cavity C in parallel with the weighing process. As a result, the plasticized resin is cooled in the mold 21, and the molded product M is formed. At this time, the control device 60 may circulate cooling water through a cooling water channel provided in the mold 21. This process is an example of a cooling process. The weighing process and the cooling process may be completed simultaneously, or one may be completed first.

[0040] Next, after both the measurement process and the cooling process are completed, the control device 60 rotates the mold opening / closing motor 28 to open the mold 21. This allows the ejector pins 41 to move forward, as shown in FIG. 2(B). At this point, the molded product is assumed to be supported by the movable mold 24. This process is an example of a mold opening process.

[0041] Next, after the mold opening process is completed, the control device 60 rotates the ejector motor 42 in the forward direction to advance the ejector pin 41. As a result, as shown in Fig. 2(C), the molded product M pushed out at the tip of the ejector pin 41 is separated from the inner surface of the movable mold 24. This process is an example of an advance process (EJ advance).

[0042] Next, after the forward movement process is completed, the control device 60 reversely rotates the ejector motor 42 to move the ejector pins 41 backward. This makes it possible to close and clamp the mold 21. This process is an example of a backward movement process (EJ backward movement).

[0043] [Graph display processing] In order to determine whether a molded product is good or bad, it is necessary to monitor the operating parameters during the execution of the above molding cycle. The operating parameters are parameters related to the operation of the mold clamping unit 20 and the injection unit 30. The operating parameters include, for example, one or both of control signals (i.e., command values) output by the control device 60 to operate the mold clamping unit 20 and the injection unit 30, and detection signals (i.e., actual measured values) output from various sensors (e.g., rotary encoders 64, 65, load cell 66) as a result of the operation of the mold clamping unit 20 and the injection unit 30.

[0044] The operating parameters as control signals include, for example, a signal (injection speed command) that indicates the rotation speed and rotation direction of the injection motor 37, and a signal (EJ speed command) that indicates the rotation speed and rotation direction of the ejector motor 42. However, specific examples of operating parameters as control signals are not limited to the above examples, and may also be signals that indicate the rotation speed and rotation direction of the mold opening / closing motor 28 and the metering motor 38, etc.

[0045] The operational parameters as detection signals include, for example, the rotational speed (injection speed monitor) of the injection motor 37 detected by the rotary encoder 64, the speed (injection speed) and position (injection position) of the screw 32, the rotational speed (plasticizing rotational speed) of the screw 32 detected by the rotary encoder 65, and the pressure (injection pressure) applied to the screw detected by the load cell 66. However, specific examples of the operational parameters as detection signals are not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and may include the movement speed (mold opening / closing speed) of the movable mold 24, the movement speed (EJ speed) and position (EJ position) of the ejector pin 41, the mold clamping force of the mold 21 (mold clamping force), the rotational speed (EJ speed monitor) of the ejector motor 42, the position (nozzle position) and movement speed (nozzle speed) of the nozzle 36, etc.

[0046] Fig. 4 is an example of an operation parameter selection screen. The operation parameter selection screen is a screen that allows the operator to select one or more operation parameters (1 to 5 in the example of Fig. 4). The control device 60 causes the display input device 67 to display the operation parameter selection screen shown in Fig. 4. Then, the control device 60 adds the operation parameters selected by the operator from the candidate list on the right to the selection list on the left. Then, in response to the [Graph display] icon being selected via the display input device 67, the control device 60 causes the display input device 67 to display the graph screen shown in Fig. 5 or 6.

[0047] The number and types of operation parameters displayed in the candidate list are not limited to the example in Fig. 4, and other operation parameters may be displayed in the candidate list by sliding the slide bar on the right edge up or down. Also, the maximum number of operation parameters that can be added to the selection list is not limited to five, and may be two or more.

[0048] The graph screen displays a graph (e.g., a line graph) showing the change over time of an operating parameter. More specifically, the graph screen displays a graph of an operating parameter selected by an operator. Even more specifically, the graph screen displays a graph of each of a plurality of operating parameters. As shown in, for example, FIGS. 5 and 6, the graph screen includes an operating parameter display area 71, a graph display area 72, an upper limit value setting area 73, and a lower limit value setting area 74.

[0049] The operation parameter display area 71 displays a list of operation parameters selected by the operator (in other words, the graphs of which are displayed in the graph display area 72). When the operator selects one of the operation parameters displayed in the list of operation parameter display area 71 via the display input device 67, the control device 60 displays a symbol "*" indicating that the operation parameter has been selected, as shown in Fig. 5(A).

[0050] The graph display area 72 displays a graph showing the change over time of the selected operation parameter. The vertical axis (first axis) of the graph display area 72 corresponds to the value of the operation parameter. The horizontal axis (second axis) of the graph display area 72 corresponds to time. That is, the units of the vertical axis differ for each operation parameter (graph). On the other hand, the units of the horizontal axis are common to all operation parameters (graphs). Note that the first and second axes are not limited to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6 as long as they are orthogonal to each other. In the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the multiple graphs are distinguished by line type (for example, solid line, dashed line, or dashed dot line), but they may also be distinguished by color, by line thickness, or a combination of these.

[0051] The upper limit setting area 73 is an area for setting the upper limit value of each of the multiple operating parameters. The lower limit setting area 74 is an area for setting the lower limit value of each of the multiple operating parameters. The upper limit is the value of the operating parameter at the upper end of the graph display area 72. The lower limit is the value of the operating parameter at the lower end of the graph display area 72. In other words, the upper limit does not necessarily coincide with the maximum value of the operating parameter (at the upper end of the graph). Similarly, the lower limit does not necessarily coincide with the minimum value of the operating parameter (at the lower end of the graph). The upper and lower limit values ​​may be set automatically by the control device 60, or may be set by the operator via the display / input device 67.

[0052] The control device 60 then draws each graph so that the upper limit value set in the upper limit value setting area 73 is positioned at the upper end of the graph display area 72, and the lower limit value set in the lower limit value setting area 74 is positioned at the lower end of the graph display area 72. That is, in the example of FIG. 5, the graphs of injection speed and injection pressure have one division on the vertical axis of 10 (mm / s, MPa). On the other hand, the graph of plasticizing rotation speed has one division on the vertical axis of 20 (mm / s). On the other hand, the horizontal axis of all three graphs has one division in common, 6 (sec). In this way, the multiple graphs displayed in the graph display area 72 may have different values ​​at the same position on the vertical axis.

[0053] Fig. 5 is an example of a graph screen. When the [Graph display] icon is selected on the operation parameter selection screen shown in Fig. 4(A), the control device 60 causes the display input device 67 to display the graph screen shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, the injection speed graph is shown by a solid line, the injection pressure graph is shown by a dashed line, and the plasticizing rotation speed graph is shown by a dashed line.

[0054] In Fig. 5(A), the injection speed, injection pressure, and plasticizing rotation speed have upper and lower limit values ​​that are symmetrical with respect to zero (0) (different signs, same absolute value). Therefore, the zero positions of the three graphs are the same (center of the vertical axis). In this way, when the zero positions of multiple graphs (more specifically, the symbol "0-" indicating zero, which will be described later) overlap, the control device 60 displays the zero position of the graph selected by the operator via the display input device 67 (injection speed in the example of Fig. 5(A)) along the vertical axis.

[0055] More specifically, the control device 60 displays a line segment "-" extending horizontally (perpendicular to the vertical axis) toward the outside (left side) of the graph display area 72, and a symbol "0" indicating zero at the tip (left end) of the line segment (hereinafter, these symbols may be combined and referred to as "symbol "0-""). Furthermore, when another operation parameter is selected in the operation parameter display area 71, the control device 60 displays the symbol "0-" at the zero position of the newly selected operation parameter. In the example of FIG. 5(A), the zero positions of the three graphs are completely aligned, so the position of the symbol "0-" does not change even when the operation parameter is switched. However, when the symbols "0" are close enough to overlap, the position of the symbol "0-" moves slightly in response to the switching of the operation parameter.

[0056] In the example of Fig. 5(A), the graphs during the measurement process and the injection process overlap, making it difficult to grasp the relationship between multiple operating parameters. Therefore, the operator can reduce (or more preferably eliminate) the overlap of multiple graphs by changing the upper and lower limit values ​​of each graph through the display input device 67, as shown in Fig. 5(B).

[0057] As an example, the operator changes the upper limit value of the injection speed graph from 50 to 70 and the lower limit value from -50 to -30. As a result, the control device 60 translates the injection speed graph in the vertical direction (extension direction of the vertical axis) according to the new upper limit value (50) and lower limit value (-30).

[0058] That is, the control device 60 translates the graph up and down by changing the amplitude from zero to the upper limit and the lower limit. More specifically, the control device 60 translates the graph downward when the amplitude from zero to the upper limit increases (or the amplitude from zero to the lower limit decreases), and translates the graph upward when the amplitude from zero to the upper limit decreases (or the amplitude from zero to the lower limit increases). On the other hand, if the difference between the upper limit and the lower limit does not change, the shape of the graph (more specifically, the vertical height) does not change.

[0059] As another example, the operator changes the lower limit of the graph of the plasticization rotation speed from -100 to -300. This causes the control device 60 to vertically expand or contract the graph of the plasticization rotation speed in accordance with the new upper limit (100) and lower limit (-300), and also to translate the graph vertically. That is, the control device 60 expands or contracts the graph vertically by changing the difference between the upper and lower limit values. More specifically, when the difference between the upper and lower limit values ​​increases, the graph is contracted vertically, and when the difference between the upper and lower limit values ​​decreases, the graph is expanded vertically. The specific method of translation is the same as that for the injection speed.

[0060] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the three graphs are spaced apart in the vertical direction, reducing overlap. As a result, the zero positions of the three operation parameters are also spaced apart in the vertical direction. Therefore, the control device 60 displays the zero positions of the operation parameters of each of the multiple graphs along the vertical axis on the graph screen shown in FIG. 5(B). More specifically, the control device 60 displays the aforementioned symbol "0-" at the zero position of each of the multiple operation parameters.

[0061] Note that the graph screen may be implemented with various functions to assist the operator in analyzing the relationship between multiple operation parameters. As one example, when the control device 60 receives an operator's operation to specify a point on the graph through the display input device 67, the control device 60 may further display the X coordinate (i.e., time) and Y coordinate (i.e., operation parameter) of the specified point on the graph screen. As another example, when the control device 60 receives an operator's operation to specify two points on the graph through the display input device 67, the control device 60 may further display the difference between the X coordinates and the Y coordinates of the two specified points on the graph screen. As yet another example, when the control device 60 receives an operator's operation to specify a portion of the graph through the display input device 67, the control device 60 may extract and enlarge the specified portion.

[0062] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, by shifting a portion of the graph displayed in the graph display area 72 in the vertical direction, overlapping of multiple graphs is reduced, improving visibility. Meanwhile, shifting the graphs in the vertical direction also shifts the zero positions of multiple operation parameters up and down. The "zero positions" are important positions for identifying, for example, a stopped state or a neutral state. Therefore, by displaying the zero positions of each graph, it becomes easier to understand the relationship between multiple operation parameters, allowing for appropriate quality assessment of molded products.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the graphs are translated in accordance with the upper and lower limit values ​​input by the operator, so that multiple graphs can be arranged in a layout that is easy for the operator to see. Similarly, the graphs are enlarged or reduced in accordance with the upper and lower limit values ​​input by the operator, so that the characteristics of each graph can be set to a size that is easy to understand.

[0064] However, the setting (changing) of the upper and lower limit values ​​is not limited to manual operation by an operator, but may be performed automatically by the control device 60. That is, the control device 60 may translate or scale at least one of the multiple graphs in the vertical direction (i.e., change the upper and lower limit values) so that overlap between the multiple graphs is reduced (more preferably, minimized).

[0065] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the position of zero is indicated by combining a horizontally extending line segment "-" with a symbol "0" indicating zero, which makes it easier to identify the position of zero in each graph. However, the symbol indicating the position of zero is not limited to the above example.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the zero positions of multiple graphs overlap, the zero position of the graph selected by the operator is displayed, so that the zero positions of each graph can be properly understood even when the zero positions of multiple graphs are close to each other.

[0067] In the above embodiment, an example of displaying a list of graphs of injection speed (mm / s), injection pressure (MPa), and plasticizing rotation speed (mm / s) has been described. That is, FIG. 5 displays a list of graphs of operation parameters with different units. Also, FIG. 5 displays a list of graphs of operation parameters with different amplitudes from zero to the maximum and minimum values. When displaying a list of graphs of operation parameters having such a relationship, the above-mentioned effects become more pronounced by translating at least one of the graphs and displaying the zero position of each graph.

[0068] Here, the maximum and minimum values ​​of the operating parameters are values ​​that are predetermined for each operating parameter depending on the function, settings, and specifications of the injection molding machine 10, and do not necessarily coincide with the upper and lower limit values ​​described above. As an example, the maximum injection speed (forward movement) is set to 300 (mm / s) and the minimum injection speed (rear movement) is set to 50 (mm / s). As another example, the maximum injection pressure is set to 200 (MPa) and the minimum injection pressure is set to 0 (MPa). As yet another example, the maximum plasticizing rotation speed is set to 300 (mm / s) and the minimum plasticizing rotation speed is set to 0 (mm / s).

[0069] However, the combination of operation parameters for displaying a list of graphs is not limited to the example in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows another example of a graph screen. When the [Graph Display] icon is selected on the operation parameter selection screen shown in FIG. 4(B), the control device 60 causes the display input device 67 to display the graph screen shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the graph of the injection speed command is shown by a solid line, and the graph of the injection speed monitor is shown by a dashed line. Note that the basic configuration of the graph screen is the same as in FIG. 5, so a repeated description will be omitted.

[0070] The injection speed command is a command value that indicates the rotation speed and rotation direction of the injection motor 37. On the other hand, the injection speed monitor is the actual measurement value of the rotation speed and rotation direction of the injection motor 37 detected by the rotary encoder 64. In this way, graphs of command values ​​and actual measurement values ​​for the same actuator tend to have the same tendency, but often have a slight deviation.

[0071] Therefore, even when displaying these graphs in a list, the above-mentioned effects become more pronounced by translating at least one of the graphs and displaying the zero position of each graph. Note that the combination of command value and actual measurement value for the same actuator is not limited to the example in Figure 6, and may be an EJ speed command and EJ speed monitor, etc.

[0072] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10...injection molding machine, 20...mold clamping device, 21...mold, 22...fixed side mold, 23...fixed die plate, 24...movable side mold, 25...movable die plate, 26...toggle link mechanism, 27...tie bar, 28...mold opening / closing motor, 30...injection unit, 31...heating cylinder, 32...screw, 33...hopper, 34...hopper block, 35...resin passage, 36...nozzle, 37...injection motor, 38...metering motor, 39...connecting pipe, 40...ejector unit, 41...ejector pin, 42...ejector motor, 60...control unit, 61...CPU, 62...memory, 64, 65...rotary encoder, 66...load cell, 67...display / input device, 71...operation parameter display area, 72...graph display area, 73...upper limit value setting area, 74...lower limit value setting area

Claims

1. a mold clamping device that opens, closes, and clamps the mold; an injection device that injects a molding material into the cavity of the clamped mold; a display device for displaying information; a control device for controlling the mold clamping device and the injection device, The control device displaying, on the display device, a plurality of graphs each showing a time variation of a plurality of operation parameters of the mold clamping unit or the injection unit, with the operation parameters as a first axis and time as a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; translating at least one of the plurality of graphs in the extension direction of the first axis so as to reduce overlapping of the plurality of graphs; a position of zero of the operating parameter for each of the plurality of graphs displayed along the first axis;

2. The molding machine according to claim 1, an input device into which an operation by an operator is input; The control device translates the graph in the direction of extension of the first axis in accordance with the upper and lower limit values ​​of the operating parameter input through the input device.

3. The molding machine according to claim 1, an input device into which an operation by an operator is input; The control device expands or contracts the graph in the direction of extension of the first axis in accordance with the upper and lower limit values ​​of the operating parameter input through the input device.

4. The molding machine according to claim 1, The control device, at the zero position of the first axis, a line segment extending perpendicular to the first axis toward the outside of a display area of ​​the graph; A molding machine characterized in that a symbol indicating zero is displayed at the tip of the line segment.

5. The molding machine according to claim 1, an input device into which an operation by an operator is input; The molding machine is characterized in that, when the zero positions of multiple operating parameters overlap, the control device displays the zero position of the operating parameter selected by the operator through the input device.

6. The molding machine according to claim 1, A molding machine characterized in that the plurality of operating parameters have mutually different fluctuation ranges from zero to a maximum value and a minimum value.

7. The molding machine according to claim 1, A molding machine characterized in that the plurality of operating parameters have a relationship between a command value for an actuator and an actual measurement value of the actuator that operates in accordance with the command value.

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