Display interface device and its control method

Abstract

It assists in changing (adjusting) the settings required to manufacture bottles that meet the specified specifications. [Solution] A defect phenomenon selection window 22D is used to display a list of multiple defect phenomena occurring in bottle B. One or more defect phenomena occurring in bottle B, which has been blow-molded by a blow molding machine, are selected. Details of the defect phenomenon are then entered using detail input windows 22E and 22F, which accept input of the details. Based on the selected defect phenomenon and its details, one or more setting items that should be changed to resolve or mitigate the defect phenomenon are inferred, and the inferred setting items are displayed in the blow condition input window 22G. Recommended setting values ​​to resolve the defect phenomenon are also inferred and displayed in the recommendation window 22H.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] This invention relates to a display interface device and a control method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Many resin bottles typified by PET bottles are produced by first manufacturing a preform (cold parison) having a shape similar to a test tube and then blow-molding the preform. A blow molding machine for blow molding is used to stretch the preform and form the bottle (see Patent Document 1 for the blow molding machine).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

[0004] For a blow molding machine, set values are given for each of a number of setting items such as the target temperature of the preform after heating, the output of the heater used for heating, the pressure and blow start timing, and the exhaust timing when stretch blow molding.

[0005] The set values for the number of setting items vary depending on the shape and capacity of the bottle to be molded by the blow molding machine. In order to stably manufacture a bottle that meets a predetermined specification (quality), it is generally necessary to adjust the set values of a number of setting items many times.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of this invention is to assist in changing (adjusting) the set values for manufacturing a bottle that meets a predetermined specification.

[0007] The display interface device according to this invention displays setting items and setting values ​​to be changed in a control device that controls the operation of a blow molding machine that blow-moldes bottles from a preform according to setting values ​​set for each of a plurality of setting items, and is characterized by displaying a first window that displays a list of a plurality of defect phenomena occurring in the bottle, a second window that accepts input of details for each of the one or more defect phenomena occurring in the bottle blow-molded by the blow molding machine, which are selected from the list of a plurality of defect phenomena displayed in the first window, and a third window that displays one or more setting items whose setting values ​​should be changed in order to eliminate or mitigate the defect phenomena, determined based on the one or more defect phenomena selected in the first window and the details of the defect phenomena entered in the second window.

[0008] Bottles are formed (manufactured) from preforms by a blow molding machine. The blow molding machine forms a large number of bottles of the same shape at high speed and continuously. Before performing continuous bottle molding, the bottles to be molded are inspected to ensure they meet predetermined specifications (quality). If a defect occurs in a bottle molded by the blow molding machine and it does not meet the predetermined specifications (quality), the control device that controls the blow molding machine is modified to eliminate or mitigate the defect.

[0009] According to this invention, a display interface device separate from the setting panel of the control device that controls the operation of the blow molding machine is used, and one or more setting items that should be changed in order to resolve or mitigate the defect are displayed in a window (third window) on this display interface device. Since it is not necessary to find the setting items that resolve or mitigate the defect occurring in the bottle through trial and error, the time required to achieve stable operation of the blow molding machine can be significantly reduced.

[0010] One or more setting items whose values ​​should be changed in order to resolve or mitigate the defect are interactively identified through windows (the first and second windows) displayed on the display interface device. Specifically, prior to the display of the third window which shows one or more setting items whose values ​​should be changed, the first window which displays a list of multiple defect phenomena occurring in the bottle is displayed. For each of the one or more defect phenomena occurring in the bottle blow-molded by the blow molding machine, selected from the list of multiple defect phenomena displayed in the first window, the details are entered using the second window. Based on the information provided through the first and second windows, one or more setting items whose values ​​should be changed are shown in the third window.

[0011] Based on past experience operating the blow molding machine, it is sometimes possible to know in advance what kinds of defects will occur in the bottles and which settings of the blow molding machine should be changed and how to eliminate or mitigate each defect. In the simplest case, one or more defects occurring in the bottles, and their details, can be associated in advance with one or more setting items that should be changed and displayed in the third window. Alternatively, the relationship between the defects occurring in the bottles (and their details) and the setting items that eliminate or mitigate the defects can be pre-trained using machine learning, and the setting items that eliminate or mitigate the defects can be inferred using the trained model.

[0012] In one embodiment, the third window accepts input of the current setting value for one or more setting items that should be changed to resolve or mitigate the defect. Based on the one or more defect items selected in the first window, the details of the defect items entered in the second window, and the current setting value entered in the third window, the fourth window displays the recommended setting value for one or more setting items that should be changed to resolve or mitigate the defect. In addition to the setting items that should be changed, the operator can be informed of what specific value to set for those setting items to resolve or mitigate the defect. Even an inexperienced operator can operate the blow molding machine so that bottles with few or no defects are formed.

[0013] Preferably, the fourth window displays the recommended setting value for setting items where the recommended setting value differs from the current setting value. For setting items where the recommended setting value is the same as the current setting value, it may also display a message indicating this.

[0014] In one embodiment, the third window and the fourth window are displayed side by side on a single screen. For each of the one or more setting items whose settings should be changed in order to resolve or mitigate the malfunction, the current setting and the recommended setting can be clearly shown to the operator.

[0015] This invention also provides an invention for a method of controlling the operation of the display interface device described above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This shows a blow molding system. [Figure 2] This shows the setting panel for the blow molding machine control system. [Figure 3] This shows the work terminal. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram of the learning device. [Figure 5]It is a block diagram showing the flow of setting item inference processing executed in the defect elimination support device. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing the flow of setting recommended value inference processing executed in the defect elimination support device. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the business terminal and the defect elimination support device. [Figure 8] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the bottle variety selection window and the preform variety selection window are displayed. [Figure 9] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the defect content selection window, the detailed input window for the full filling volume, and the detailed input window for the whitening occurrence location and level selection are displayed. [Figure 10] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the blow condition input window and the recommended window are displayed. [Figure 11] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the result input window is displayed. [Figure 12] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the confirmation window is displayed. [Figure 13] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the defect content selection window and the detailed input window for core deviation are displayed. [Figure 14] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the blow condition window and the recommended window are displayed. [Figure 15] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the result input window is displayed. [Figure 16] It shows the display screen of the business terminal, showing the state where the confirmation window is displayed.

Example

[0017] Figure 1 schematically shows a blow molding system. The blow molding system includes a blow molding machine that molds a bottle B from a preform P, a blow molding machine control device 10 that controls the operation of the blow molding machine, a work terminal 20 that presents various setting items and set values ​​to be set in the blow molding machine control device 10 to the operator, and a defect phenomenon resolution support device 30 that determines (infers) the setting items and set values ​​presented to the work terminal 20.

[0018] A preform supply station 1 of the blow molding machine is equipped with numerous resin preforms P, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The preforms P are supplied from the preform supply station 1 to the oven 2 along a transport path. The oven 2 is equipped with multiple heater zones 5 (six heater zones 5 are shown in Figure 1), and the preforms P are heated to a blow molding temperature as they pass through the heater zones 5. The number of heater zones 5 can be designed arbitrarily.

[0019] The preform P, heated in oven 2, proceeds to molding station 3. Molding station 3 includes a rotating wheel 6 and multiple molds 7 arranged along the rotating wheel 6, which rotate around molding station 3 at a constant speed in accordance with the rotational movement of the rotating wheel 6. The preform P supplied to molding station 3 is set into each of the molds 7. Molding station 3 does not necessarily need to have a rotating wheel 6; the molds 7 may be transported in a straight line. The number of molds 7 provided in molding station 3 is also arbitrary.

[0020] A stretching rod is inserted into the preform P through its opening in the mold 7, thereby stretching the preform P axially (longitudinal direction). A fluid, typically compressed air, is blown into the preform P through its opening (air blow) after it has been stretched axially. The air blow stretches the preform P outward (axial and circumferential (diameter) directions), thereby creating a bottle B that conforms to the shape of the mold 7. Generally, the air blow is performed in two stages. First, a pre-blow (P1 blow) at a relatively low pressure stretches the preform P so that the wall thickness is uniform. Next, a main blow (P2 blow) at a relatively high pressure is performed, which presses the preform P against the inner surface of the mold, shaping the bottle B.

[0021] After the compressed air inside bottle B is exhausted and the stretching rod is removed, bottle B is removed from the mold 7. Bottle B, having left the molding station 3, proceeds to subsequent processes (not shown), such as sterilization, beverage filling, and capping, thereby completing the beverage-filled bottle.

[0022] The blow molding machine is equipped with numerous drive mechanisms, including actuators for transporting the preform P, actuators for rotating the rotating wheel 6, actuators for opening and closing the mold 7, and actuators for moving the stretching rod forward and backward. The blow molding machine also includes control mechanisms for controlling the temperature (heater output) of the heater zone 5 that heats the preform P, the pressure and introduction timing of the compressed air blown into the preform P, the exhaust timing of the compressed air, and other related functions. Furthermore, it is equipped with various sensors (speed sensors, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) for measuring (monitoring) the operation of the aforementioned drive mechanisms, control mechanisms, etc.

[0023] Signal lines for control signals that control the operation of various drive mechanisms, control mechanisms, etc., of the blow molding machine, and signal lines for receiving sensor signals from various sensors are connected to the blow molding machine control device 10. The blow molding machine control device 10 controls the operation of the blow molding machine according to various set values ​​(set items and numerical values ​​set for each set item) (parameters), and the overall operation of the blow molding machine is comprehensively controlled by the blow molding machine control device 10.

[0024] The settings for multiple settings configured in the blow molding machine control device 10 are input (changed, adjusted) using the setting panel (display device) provided by the blow molding machine control device 10.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the setting panel 11 of the blow molding machine control device 10. The setting panel 11 is a display device that displays images and characters, and also serves as an input device for entering characters, numbers, etc.

[0026] Figure 2 shows the setting panel 11 displaying the screen for setting the blow pressure in detail (blow pressure setting screen). In addition to the blow pressure setting screen shown in Figure 2, the setting panel 11 also displays a heater setting screen for setting the output of each heater zone 5 in the oven 2, the output of multiple heaters in each heater zone 5, a fan setting screen for setting the operation of the fan in the oven 2, a temperature setting screen for setting the temperature of the oven 2 at which blow molding is possible, a blow process setting screen for setting details of the blow process such as adjusting the start timing of the P2 main blow and the timing of removing the stretching rod, and other screens.

[0027] The blow pressure setting screen shown in Figure 2 has illustrations of a stretching rod, preform, and bottle in the center. To the left of the illustration is the P1 pressure setting unit 11A, which sets the set value, measured value, positive tolerance, and negative tolerance for the P1 pre-blow pressure, and the P2 pressure setting unit 11B, which sets the set value, measured value, positive tolerance, and negative tolerance for the P2 main blow pressure. To the right of the illustration is the switch point setting unit 11C, which sets the speed at which the stretching rod stretches the preform, the duration of the P1 pre-blow, the start timing of the P1 pre-blow (defined by the insertion length of the stretching rod), the switch point for the P2 main blow (defined by the rotation angle of the rotating wheel 6), and the degassing switch point (defined by the rotation angle of the rotating wheel 6). At the bottom of the illustration is the gap setting unit 11D, which sets the gap. The current set values ​​for various setting items (measured values ​​for the P1 pressure setting unit 11A and the P2 pressure setting unit 11B are measured values ​​by sensors) are displayed in these setting units 11A to 11D. The current setting is stored in the memory (not shown) of the blow molding machine control device 10, and when this is read, it is displayed in the setting sections 11A to 11D of the blow pressure setting screen.

[0028] Except for the measured values ​​obtained by sensors, the settings for other settings can be changed (adjusted, corrected) by the operator. For example, by touching the number indicating the "setting value" on the P1 pressure setting unit 11A, a numeric keypad screen (not shown) appears on the setting panel 11, and by tapping the numbers on the numeric keypad screen, the setting value of the P1 pre-blow pressure can be changed (adjusted, corrected) to another value. When the setting value of the P1 pre-blow pressure is changed, the blow molding machine is controlled so that compressed air with the changed pressure is blown into the preform P. The memory of the blow molding machine control device 10 is overwritten with the changed value. The same applies to other setting items.

[0029] Returning to Figure 1, the operator who adjusts the operation of the blow molding machine via the blow molding machine control device 10 carries a portable work terminal 20 (the work terminal 20 may be installed near the blow molding machine control device 10). As will be described later, the work terminal 20 carried by the operator displays recommended setting values ​​(recommended setting values) for various setting items to be set in the blow molding machine control device 10, and the operator can set the blow molding machine control device 10 using the setting panel 11 via the work terminal 20. Details of the operation of the work terminal 20 that displays the recommended setting values ​​for various setting items will be described later.

[0030] A business terminal 20, which displays recommended settings for various configuration items, is connected to a defect resolution support device 30 via a wireless or wired network. The configuration items and their recommended settings displayed on the business terminal 20 are calculated (inferred) by the defect resolution support device 30 and transmitted to the business terminal 20. The defect resolution support device 30 calculates (infers) configuration items and recommended settings to resolve or mitigate defects occurring in bottle B formed by a blow molding machine, and the details of this process will also be described.

[0031] Figure 3 shows the external appearance of the business terminal 20.

[0032] As described above, the business terminal 20 is a portable terminal carried by the operator, and a tablet terminal, smartphone terminal, etc., can be used as the business terminal 20. Instead of a portable terminal, a personal computer may be used as the business terminal 20. The business terminal 20 is a computer device equipped with a CPU, memory, storage device, input device, display device, communication device, etc., and its storage device stores a program for sending and receiving data to and from the malfunction resolution support device 30, receiving setting items and their setting values ​​(recommended setting values) calculated (inferred) by the malfunction resolution support device 30, and displaying them on the business terminal 20. Characters, numbers, etc. can also be entered into the business terminal 20 using the software keyboard 21A displayed on its screen.

[0033] The malfunction resolution support device 30 connected to the business terminal 20 is also a computer device equipped with a CPU, memory, storage device, input device, display device, communication device, etc., and a learned model is stored in its storage device, as will be described later. As will be explained below, the malfunction resolution support device 30, through a learning process, infers one or more setting items that should be set (changed) in order to resolve the malfunction occurring in bottle B, and also infers recommended setting values.

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a learning device 40 that generates a trained model 43 used to infer setting items (parameter types) for resolving or mitigating defects occurring in bottle B formed by a blow molding machine, and to infer setting values ​​(recommended setting values, parameter values) that should be set for the setting items. The learning device 40 performs learning processing related to the blow molding machine and includes a learning data acquisition unit 41 that acquires learning data which is data used for learning, a model generation unit 42 that generates a trained model used to infer setting items (for example, preform temperature, P1 start timing, P1 pre-blow pressure setting value, P2 main blow pressure setting value, degassing switch point, etc.) and recommended setting values ​​that should be changed (adjusted, corrected) using the learning data, and the generated trained model 43. It is also possible to generate two models: a learning model for setting item inference to infer setting items for resolving or mitigating malfunction phenomena, and a learning model for recommended setting value inference to infer recommended setting values. In the following explanation, we will describe an example using two learning models: a pre-trained model 43A for setting item inference and a pre-trained model 43B for recommended setting value inference.

[0035] The learning device 40 is implemented, for example, by a computer and operates according to a program that enables the computer to implement the functions of the learning device 40. The learning algorithm used by the model generation unit 42 can be any known algorithm such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, or reinforcement learning.

[0036] Figure 5 shows the setting item inference process performed in the malfunction resolution support device 30, which infers setting items. Figure 6 shows the setting recommended value inference process performed in the malfunction resolution support device 30, which infers recommended setting values.

[0037] The malfunction resolution support device 30 includes an inference data acquisition unit 32 and an inference unit 33.

[0038] Referring to Figure 5, in the inference process for setting items, the inference data acquisition unit 32 is provided with data 51a relating to the type of bottle B in which the molding defect occurs and the type of preform P used to mold the bottle B, as well as data 51b representing the details of the molding defect phenomenon of bottle B.

[0039] The inference unit 33 uses the pre-trained model 43A for setting item inference to infer setting items that are effective in resolving or mitigating the malfunction phenomenon.

[0040] The pre-trained model 43A for setting item inference is, in general terms, a model in which the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B is the explanatory variable, and the setting item that should be changed (adjusted) in order to eliminate or mitigate the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B is the dependent variable. Through machine learning by the learning device 40, the neural network learns the relationship between the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B and the setting item that caused the defect phenomenon using deep learning, and the pre-trained model 43A for setting item inference is formed by updating the weight coefficients between each layer of the neural network.

[0041] Referring to Figure 6, in the inference process for recommended settings, the inference data acquisition unit 32 is provided with data 51a relating to the type of bottle B in which molding defects occur and the type of preform P used to mold bottle B, data 51b representing the details of the defect phenomenon of bottle B, setting items 51c for resolving the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B inferred using the aforementioned pre-trained model 43A for setting item inference, and the current setting value 51d for the above setting item. The current setting value is the value entered by the operator into the work terminal 20, as will be described later. However, since the current setting value is stored in the memory of the blow molding machine control device 10 as described above, it is also possible to read the data representing the current setting value from the blow molding machine control device 10 and provide it to the defect phenomenon resolution support device 30.

[0042] The inference unit 33 uses the trained model 43B for inferring recommended setting values ​​to infer effective recommended setting values ​​for resolving or mitigating malfunctions.

[0043] The pre-trained model 43B for inferring recommended settings is, in general terms, a model in which the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B and the current setting value are explanatory variables, and the setting value that should be changed (adjusted) to resolve or mitigate the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B (recommended setting value) is the objective variable. Through machine learning by the learning device 40, the neural network learns the relationship between the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B, the current setting value, and the setting value to resolve that defect phenomenon using deep learning, and the pre-trained model 43B for inferring recommended settings is formed by updating the weighting coefficients between each layer of the neural network.

[0044] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the business terminal 20 and the malfunction resolution support device 30. Figures 8 to 16 show examples of screens (windows) displayed on the display screen 21 of the business terminal 20.

[0045] Figure 8 shows the bottle variety selection window 22A and the preform variety selection window 22B displayed on the display screen 21 of the business terminal 20.

[0046] First, the bottle B variety name to be processed (the bottle B that has been molded by the blow molding machine and is exhibiting defects) is selected from among the multiple bottle B variety names displayed in the bottle variety selection window 22A (step 61). Once the bottle B variety is selected, the preform variety names used to mold the selected bottle variety are displayed in the preform variety selection window 22B, and the preform P variety name used to mold the bottle B to be processed is selected (step 62). The bottle variety selection identifies the capacity and shape of bottle B. The preform variety selection identifies the weight and shape of preform P.

[0047] When the "Next" icon 22C displayed on the display screen 21 is touched, the defect phenomenon selection window 22D is displayed on the display screen 21 instead of the bottle variety selection window 22A and the preform variety selection window 22B (left side of Figure 9).

[0048] A list of options for identifying the defect occurring in bottle B, which was formed by the blow molding machine, is displayed in the defect selection window 22D. The options include full volume, misalignment, section weight, whitening (overstretching), whitening (crystallization), total height, wall thickness, and buckling strength. The defect occurring in bottle B is selected from the list of options displayed (step 63).

[0049] Figure 9 also shows the full-fill capacity input window 22E and the whitening location and level selection window 22F, which are displayed when "full-fill capacity" and "whitening (overstretching)" are selected as the defect phenomena.

[0050] In the defect phenomenon selection window 22D, if "Full Capacity" is selected, the full capacity input window 22E is displayed and the current (molded bottle B) full capacity and the target full capacity are entered. In the defect phenomenon selection window 22D, if "Whitening (Overstretching)" is selected, the whitening location and level selection window 22F is displayed and the whitening location (shoulder, torso, and heel) and its level (levels 1-3) are selected. Instead of selecting a numerical value to represent the level, an option to express the degree of whitening in words ("slightly white", "very white", etc.) may be provided. In any case, the details of the defect phenomenon selected in the defect phenomenon selection window 22D are entered (or selected) through the full capacity input window 22E and the whitening location and level selection window 22F (step 64).

[0051] If any of the other defect descriptions are selected, a detailed input window will appear for entering the details. For example, if "Misalignment" is selected, a detailed input window will appear for entering the magnitude and occurrence rate of the misalignment. If "Section Weight" is selected, a detailed input window will appear for entering the current and target values ​​of the section weight for each of the division areas corresponding to the bottle (for example, three division areas: "Top surface ~190mm", "~50mm", and "~Ground surface").

[0052] If the defect description "whitening (crystallization)" is selected, a detailed input window similar to the whitening location and level selection window 22F will appear.

[0053] When "Total Height" is selected as the defect type, a detailed input window appears where you can enter the current height and target height. When "Wall Thickness" is selected as the defect type, a detailed input window appears where you can enter the current and target wall thickness values ​​for multiple locations. When "Buckling Strength" is selected as the defect type, a detailed input window appears where you can enter the current buckling strength and target buckling strength.

[0054] When one or more defects occurring in bottle B are selected in the defect content selection window 22D, and the details of the defect content are entered through the details input window, and the "Next" icon 22C is tapped, the business terminal 20 transmits to the defect resolution support device 30 the data representing the bottle type and preform type, as well as the data representing the defect content (including details) that was entered into the business terminal 20.

[0055] When the defect resolution support device 30 receives data representing the bottle variety, data representing the preform variety, and data representing the defect phenomenon, it uses the pre-trained model 43A for setting item inference to infer the setting items that should be changed to resolve the defect (Step 71, Figure 5). The inferred setting items are transmitted from the defect resolution support device 30 to the business terminal 20.

[0056] Referring to Figure 10, the display screen 21 on the business terminal 20 shows a window (blow condition input window 22G) for inputting the setting items that should be changed in order to resolve the defect occurring in bottle B, as well as their current setting values.

[0057] The blow condition input window 22G shown in Figure 10 displays three setting items (blow conditions) that should be changed to resolve the defect occurring in bottle B: "preform temperature," "P2 pressure setting value," and "degassing switch point." These three setting items are those that the defect resolution support device 30 has inferred, using the learning model 43A for setting item inference, to be changed in order to resolve the defect occurring in bottle B. The operator inputs the current value for each of the setting items displayed in the blow condition input window 22G (step 65).

[0058] When the "Next" icon 22C is clicked, data representing the current value of each setting item is transmitted from the business terminal 20 to the defect resolution support device 30. The defect resolution support device 30 infers effective recommended setting values ​​to resolve the defect. Specifically, the defect resolution support device 30 is given the previously received data representing the bottle variety, data representing the preform variety, data representing the defect content, data representing the inferred setting items, and data representing the current value of each setting item. Using the trained model 43B for recommended setting value inference, recommended values ​​for resolving the defect are inferred for each setting item (step 72). The inferred recommended setting values ​​are transmitted from the defect resolution support device 30 to the business terminal 20 and displayed on the display screen 21 (step 66).

[0059] The recommendation window 22H shown on the right side of Figure 10 is the window that shows the recommended settings inferred by the malfunction resolution support device 30. In the recommendation window 22H shown in Figure 10, it is recommended to change the setting item "Preform Temperature" from the current value of 112°C to 116°C. It is recommended to maintain the current settings for the setting items "P2 Pressure Setting Value" and "Degassing Switch Point" ("Same settings as current"). This means that the recommended values ​​for the P2 pressure setting value and degassing switch point inferred by the malfunction resolution support device 30 were the same as the current settings.

[0060] The blow molding machine operator changes the settings according to the recommended window 22H displayed on the display screen 21 of the work terminal 20 by operating the setting panel 11 of the blow molding machine control device 10. If the recommended window 22H is as shown in Figure 10, the operator will operate the setting panel 11 to display the temperature setting screen and change the preform temperature set on the temperature setting screen to the recommended temperature.

[0061] The blow molding machine is operated under the modified settings to form a new bottle B.

[0062] When the "Next" icon 22C in the recommended window 22H is tapped, result input windows 22I and 22J corresponding to each defect are displayed on the display screen 21 (Figure 11). The operator checks the condition of bottle B formed by the blow molding machine after changing the setting value and enters the result (OK or NG, and numerical value (full capacity)) into the result input windows 22I and 22J (step 67).

[0063] The modified settings and the state of bottle B formed using the modified settings (presence or absence of defects, etc.) are used in the learning process of the learning device 40.

[0064] When the "Next" icon 22C is tapped, a confirmation window 22K appears to check for the occurrence of other malfunctions (Figures 12 and 16).

[0065] If no defects occur in the blow-molded bottle B under the changed settings, "No defects" is checked and the "Next" icon 22C is tapped. Referring to Figure 16, the message "Thank you for your hard work" and the "Return to Home" icon 22M are displayed on the display screen 21. The defect resolution process using the business terminal 20 and the defect resolution support device 30 is completed (NO in step 68).

[0066] If the blow-molded bottle B still exhibits defects under the changed settings, "Occurred" is checked in the confirmation window 22K, and the "Next" icon 22C is tapped (Figure 12). The defect description selection window 22D is displayed again on the display screen 21 (YES in step 68, step 63).

[0067] Figure 13 shows the process of selecting "misalignment" as the defect phenomenon in the defect phenomenon selection window 22D, and then inputting (selecting) the degree and occurrence rate of the misalignment in the detailed input window 22L that appears as a result of selecting "misalignment" (step 64).

[0068] Figure 14 shows an example of the blow condition input window 22G and recommendation window 22H that are displayed when "misalignment" is selected as the defect phenomenon.

[0069] Comparing the blow condition input window 22G shown in Figure 14 with the blow condition input window 22G shown in Figure 10, it can be seen that there are differences in the setting items. This is because the content of the defect phenomenon occurring in bottle B, which is input or selected using the defect phenomenon content selection window 22D and the detailed input window 22L, is different from each other, and as a result, the defect phenomenon resolution support device 30 infers different setting items as setting items to resolve the defect phenomenon (step 71).

[0070] Data representing the current setting value for each setting item is transmitted from the business terminal 20 to the defect resolution support device 30, and effective recommended setting values ​​for resolving the defect are inferred (steps 65 and 72). The inferred recommended setting values ​​are displayed in the recommendation window 22H (step 66). The blow molding machine operator changes the setting values ​​according to the recommendation window 22H and operates the blow molding machine with the changed setting values. The result input window 22N is displayed (Figure 15). The operator checks the status of bottle B and inputs the result (step 67). If no other defects occur, the defect resolution process is completed (Figure 16, NO in step 68).

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the business terminal 20 and the defect resolution support device 30 are described as separate devices connected to a network. However, the business terminal 20 and the defect resolution support device 30 may be a single integrated device. Alternatively, one defect resolution support device 30 may be used for all blow molding machines installed in multiple factories. In this case, multiple business terminals 20, each held by an operator in one of the factories, are connected to a single defect resolution support device 30 installed in a remote location via a network (such as the Internet).

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operator inputs the recommended setting values ​​of the recommended window 22H displayed on the display screen 21 of the business terminal 20 into the setting panel 11 of the blow molding machine control device 10. However, by connecting the business terminal 20 and the blow molding machine control device 10 to a network, the recommended setting values ​​sent to the business terminal 20 may be transmitted to the blow molding machine control device 10 via the network, thereby eliminating the need for the operator to operate the setting panel 11. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1. Preform supply station 2 Oven 3. Molding Station 5 Heater Zones 6-rotation wheel 7 molds 10. Blow molding machine control device 11. Settings Panel 20 Business terminals 21 Display screen 22A Bottle Variety Selection Window 22B Preform Variety Selection Window 22D Malfunction Phenomenon Selection Window 22E Full Capacity Input Window 22F Level Selection Window 22G Blow Condition Input Window 22H Recommended Window 22I, 22J, 22N Result Input Window 22K confirmation window 22L Detailed Input Window 30. Malfunction Phenomenon Resolution Support Device 40 Learning device 43A Pre-trained model for configuration item inference 43B Recommended settings Pre-trained model for inference B Bottle P Preform

Claims

1. A display interface device for a control device that controls the operation of a blow molding machine that blow-moldes bottles from a preform according to setting values ​​set for each of multiple setting items, which displays the setting items and setting values ​​to be changed, A first window is displayed that lists the various defects occurring in the above bottle. A second window is displayed to accept input of details for each of the one or more defects occurring in the bottle blow-molded by the blow molding machine, selected from the list of multiple defect phenomena displayed in the first window above. Based on the one or more defect descriptions selected in the first window and the details of the defect descriptions entered in the second window, the third window displays one or more setting items whose values ​​should be changed in order to resolve or mitigate the defect. Display interface device.

2. The third window described above accepts input of the current setting values ​​for one or more setting items whose setting values ​​should be changed in order to resolve or mitigate the above-mentioned malfunction. Based on the one or more defect descriptions selected in the first window, the details of the defect descriptions entered in the second window, and the current settings entered in the third window, the fourth window displays the recommended setting values ​​for one or more setting items that should be changed to resolve or mitigate the defect. The display interface device according to claim 1.

3. The fourth window mentioned above is, This displays recommended settings for settings where the current setting differs from the recommended setting. The display interface device according to claim 2.

4. The third window and the fourth window are displayed side by side on a single screen. The display interface device according to claim 2.

5. A method for controlling a display interface device that displays setting items and setting values ​​to be changed in a control device that controls the operation of a blow molding machine that blow-moldes bottles from a preform according to setting values ​​set for each of multiple setting items, The first window displays a list of the various defects that occur in the above-mentioned bottle. A second window is displayed to accept input of details for each of the one or more defects occurring in the bottle blow-molded by the blow molding machine, selected from the list of multiple defect phenomena displayed in the first window above. The display interface device is controlled to display in the third window one or more setting items whose settings should be changed in order to resolve or mitigate the malfunction, determined based on one or more malfunctions selected in the first window and the details of the malfunction entered in the second window. method.

6. A program for causing a computer to perform the method described in claim 5.

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