Molding machine

Abstract

To provide a molding machine that allows for easy tracking of the warranty period for each of its multiple components. [Solution] The molding machine comprises a mold clamping device for opening and closing and clamping the mold, an injection device for injecting molding material into the cavity of the clamped mold, a display device for displaying information, and a control device for controlling the mold clamping device, the injection device, and the display device. The control device causes the display device to display a warranty list screen, which lists the identifiers of each of the multiple components constituting the molding machine for each warranty period.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a molding machine that injects a molding material into a mold.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a molding machine including a mold clamping device that opens and closes a mold and clamps it, and an injection device that injects a molding material (for example, molten resin, molten metal) into the cavity of the clamped mold is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The molding machine having the above configuration is composed of a combination of a very large number of components.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Warranty periods are defined for each of the components of the molding machine. Also, the warranty periods are generally individually described in the operation manuals and warranty certificates for each component. Therefore, there is a problem that it is very difficult for the user of the molding machine to grasp the warranty periods of each of the plurality of components.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a molding machine capable of easily grasping the warranty periods of each of a plurality of components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a molding machine comprising a mold clamping device for opening and closing a mold and clamping it, an injection device for injecting a molding material into the cavity of the clamped mold, a display device for displaying information, and a control device for controlling the mold clamping device, the injection device, and the display device, wherein the control device causes the display device to display a warranty list screen that lists the identifiers of each of the plurality of components constituting the molding machine for each warranty period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the warranty period for each of the multiple components can be easily determined. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the injection molding machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a hardware configuration diagram of an injection molding machine. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the initial setup process. [Figure 4] This figure shows the initial setup screen (A), an example of initial setup information (B), and another example of initial setup information (C). [Figure 5] This is a flowchart for the warranty list display process. [Figure 6] This figure shows the trend in the number of shots. [Figure 7] This figure shows examples of maintenance records (A) and related parts lists (B). [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a screen that may be displayed during the warranty list display process. [Figure 9] This is an example of a replacement parts list screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The 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 plasticizer resin (molding material) into a mold to form a molded product (hereinafter referred to as "injection molding"). However, the specific example of a molding machine is not limited to the injection molding machine 10, and may also be a die-casting machine that injects molten metal (molding material) into a mold to form a molded product.

[0010] [Configuration of injection molding machine 10] Figure 1 is a side view of the injection molding machine 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the injection molding machine 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the injection molding machine 10 mainly comprises a mold clamping device 20, an injection device 30, and a control device 60.

[0011] The mold clamping device 20 opens and closes the mold 21 and clamps it. Specifically, the mold clamping device 20 mainly comprises a fixed die plate 23 that supports the fixed side mold 22 and a movable die plate 25 that supports the 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.

[0012] The movable die plate 25 moves left and right along the tie bar 27, which is screwed onto a tie bar nut (not shown), as the driving force of the mold opening / closing motor 28 is transmitted through the toggle link mechanism 26. When the movable die plate 25 moves to the left, the fixed mold 22 and the movable mold 24 separate. On the other hand, when the movable die plate 25 moves to the right, the fixed mold 22 and the movable mold 24 come into contact, forming a cavity (internal space) inside the mold 21. When further pressure is applied in the direction that moves the movable die plate 25 to the right, the fixed mold 22 and the movable mold 24 are clamped together.

[0013] The injection device 30 plasticizes, measures, and injects the molding material. In this embodiment, the injection device 30 is positioned opposite the clamping device 20 in the horizontal direction (to the right of the clamping device 20). The injection device 30 mainly comprises a heating cylinder 31, a screw 32, a hopper 33, and a hopper block 34.

[0014] 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. Further, a band heater (not shown) for heating the heating cylinder 31 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the heating cylinder 31.

[0015] 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 (the cavity 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 along the axial direction from the nozzle 36.

[0016] The screw 32 is a cylindrical member. On the outer peripheral surface of the screw 32, a groove extending spirally along the longitudinal direction of the screw 32 (hereinafter, referred to as "spiral groove") is formed. The screw 32 is accommodated in the internal space of the heating cylinder 31 in a state where it can move in the left - right direction (hereinafter, referred to as "forward and backward") and rotate of the injection molding machine 10. Further, the screw 32 in the heating cylinder 31 is configured to be replaceable. In other words, screws 32 with different specifications (for example, material, shape of the spiral groove, volume of the spiral groove) can be inserted into the heating cylinder 31.

[0017] The driving force of the injection motor 37 is transmitted to the screw 32 to make it move forward and backward, and the driving force of the metering motor 38 is transmitted to the screw 32 to make it rotate. More specifically, when the injection motor 37 rotates forward, the screw 32 moves (advances) toward the tip (that is, the nozzle 36) of the heating cylinder31. On the other hand, when the injection motor 37 rotates reversely, the screw 32 moves (retreats) toward the base end (that is, the side opposite to the nozzle 36) of the heating cylinder 31.

[0018] Hereinafter, among the range that the tip position of the screw 32 can reach within the heating cylinder 31, the position closest to the nozzle 36 is denoted as the "forward limit", and the position farthest from the nozzle 36 is denoted as the "retreat limit". Also, the terms "forward rotation" and "reverse rotation" of the injection motor 37 do not specify the absolute rotation direction, but only specify the relative relationship (that is, forward rotation and reverse rotation are rotations in opposite directions).

[0019] 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 communicates with the resin passage 35 on the base end side from the tip of the heating cylinder 31 through the hopper block 34. 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 lower end. The granular resin used in this injection molding machine 10 is, for example, a so-called "pellet (granular resin)" formed into a columnar (granular) shape.

[0020] An internal space for passing pellets is formed in the hopper 33. The internal space of the hopper 33 has a frustum shape with a gradually decreasing cross-sectional area downward. The hopper 33 has an upper end opening and a lower end opening. Then, the pellets (or recycled resin) supplied from a raw material supply device (not shown) enter the internal space of the hopper 33 through the upper end opening and are supplied to the hopper block 34 (heating cylinder 31) through the lower end opening.

[0021] The injection device 30 rotates the injection motor 37 in the reverse direction and rotates the metering motor 38, so that the screw 32 retreats while rotating. As a result, the pellets supplied through the hopper 33 are filled (metered) into the resin passage 35 in front of the screw 32 while being plasticized. Also, the injection device 30 rotates the injection motor 37 in the forward direction, so that the screw 32 advances. As a result, the plasticized resin in front of the screw 32 is injected into the cavity of the mold 21 through the nozzle 36.

[0022] [Configuration of the control device 60] As shown in Figure 2, the control device 60 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61 and memory 62. The memory 62 is composed of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or a combination thereof. The control device 60 performs the processing described later by having the CPU 61 read and execute program code stored in the ROM or HDD. RAM is used as a work area when the CPU 61 executes the program.

[0023] However, the specific configuration of the control device 60 is not limited to this and may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0024] The control device 60 controls the operation of the entire injection molding machine 10. More specifically, the control device 60 controls the mold opening / closing motor 28, injection motor 37, metering motor 38, and display input device 67 based on various signals output from the rotary encoder 64, load cell 65 (pressure sensor), and display input device 67.

[0025] The mold opening / closing motor 28, the injection motor 37, and the metering motor 38 are servo motors that generate driving force to open and close the mold 21, driving force to move the screw 32 forward and backward, and driving force to rotate the screw 32, respectively, according to the control of a servo amplifier (not shown).

[0026] 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 to the control device 60 corresponding to the rotation of the injection motor 37. 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.

[0027] The load cell 65 is a pressure sensor that detects the pressure (back pressure) applied to the screw 32. More specifically, the load cell 65 outputs a pressure signal (voltage value) corresponding to the pressure applied to the screw 32 to the control device 60. The control device 60 then identifies the pressure applied to the screw 32 based on the pressure signal output from the load cell 65.

[0028] The display input device 67 is a user interface that includes a display (display device) for displaying various information to be notified to the operator, and buttons, switches, dials, etc. (input devices) for receiving information from the operator. The display input device 67 may also include a touch panel superimposed on the display. The display input device 67 receives input operations from the operator and outputs an input signal corresponding to the received input operation to the control device 60.

[0029] [Injection control processing] The control device 60 controls the clamping device 20 and the injection device 30 to perform the injection control process described below, thereby forming a molded product. The control device 60 also counts the number of times the injection control process has been performed since the injection molding machine 10 was installed (hereinafter referred to as "shot count") and stores the counted shot count in the memory 62. The shot count can also be rephrased as the number of times a molded product has been formed, or the number of times the injection device 30 has injected molding material into the cavity.

[0030] First, the control device 60 closes and clamps the mold 21 by rotating the mold opening / closing motor 28. This creates a cavity inside the mold 21. Next, the control device 60 advances the screw 32 by rotating the injection motor 37 in the forward direction. This causes the plasticizing resin metered in the area in front of the screw 32 within the heating cylinder 31 to be injected into the cavity of the mold 21.

[0031] Next, the control device 60 rotates and retracts the screw 32 to plasticize the granular resin supplied to the heating cylinder 31 through the hopper 33, and measures the plasticized resin into the space in front of the screw 32 in the heating cylinder 31. Next, the control device 60 rotates the mold opening / closing motor 28 to open the mold 21, and causes the robot arm to remove the molded product from the opened mold 21.

[0032] [Initial setup process] Figure 3 is a flowchart of the initial setup process. Figure 4 shows the initial setup screen (A), an example of initial setup information (B), and another example of initial setup information (C). The initial setup process is performed when the injection molding machine 10 is installed at a designated location (for example, a user's factory). The control device 60 performs the initial setup process, for example, according to the instructions of a service technician from the manufacturer of the injection molding machine 10.

[0033] First, the control device 60 displays a password input screen (not shown) on the display input device 67 (S11). The password input screen is for the service technician to enter the administrator password. If the control device 60 successfully authenticates the administrator password entered on the password input screen (for example, if it matches an administrator password previously stored in memory 62) (S12: Yes), it displays the initial setup screen shown in Figure 4(A) on the display input device 67 (S13). On the other hand, if the control device 60 fails to authenticate the administrator password (S12: No), it prompts the user to enter the correct administrator password through the password input screen (S11).

[0034] The initial setup screen is a screen in which the user inputs the date and time when the injection molding machine 10 was installed at the designated location (in other words, the date and time when the injection control process became executable, hereinafter referred to as the "installation date"), and the warranty period for each of the multiple components that make up the injection molding machine 10. The installation date and warranty period are examples of initial setup information. The control device 60 then waits to execute the processes from step S14 onward until the initial setup information is entered through the initial setup screen and the [Initial Setup] icon is tapped.

[0035] The components that make up the injection molding machine 10 refer to parts such as the fixed die plate 23, movable die plate 25, toggle link mechanism 26, tie bar 27, tie bar nut, mold opening / closing motor 28, injection motor 37, metering motor 38, rotary encoder 64, load cell 65, etc., as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. However, the components of the injection molding machine 10 are not limited to the examples given above. Furthermore, the injection molding machine 10 may include components for which a warranty period is set and components for which a warranty period is not set.

[0036] The warranty period is the period during which the quality of a component is guaranteed. It is also the period during which a component will be replaced or repaired (hereinafter referred to as "recovery") free of charge if a defect occurs. However, defects within the warranty period may be recovered unconditionally, or only if certain conditions are met (for example, if regular maintenance has been performed). The warranty period varies for each component. Furthermore, if a component is replaced, the warranty period for that component ends. The warranty period may also include a standard warranty period and an extended warranty period.

[0037] The standard warranty period is a warranty period that is unconditionally set for all injection molding machines 10. The extended warranty period is a warranty period longer than the standard warranty period. Users of the injection molding machine 10 may, for example, choose to have the standard warranty period or pay an additional fee for the extended warranty period. In this embodiment, the fixed die plate 23, movable die plate 25, toggle link mechanism 26, tie bar 27, and tie bar nut are set to have a standard warranty period of 3 years and an extended warranty period of 5 years. In addition, the mold opening / closing motor 28, injection motor 37, metering motor 38, rotary encoder 64, and load cell 65 are set to have a standard warranty period of 1 year and an extended warranty period of 5 years. However, the method of selecting the standard warranty period and extended warranty period, the components covered, and the length of each period are not limited to the examples described above.

[0038] Furthermore, if the number of shots counted by the control device 60 reaches a threshold number of shots (for example, 10 million shots), the warranty period for all components ends regardless of whether the warranty period has expired or not. In other words, the warranty period for a component ends when either the predetermined warranty period expires or the number of shots reaches the threshold number of shots, whichever comes first. Moreover, if periodic maintenance of the injection molding machine 10 is not performed for a predetermined period (the second interval described later), the warranty period for all components ends prematurely, regardless of whether the aforementioned criteria have been met or not.

[0039] Next, when the [Initial Setup] icon is tapped via the display input device 67, the control device 60 compares the elapsed time from the shipment date of the injection molding machine 10 to the installation date entered on the initial setup screen with a predetermined threshold period (for example, 2 months) (S14). The shipment date is the date and time when the injection molding machine 10 was shipped from the manufacturing plant and is stored in the memory 62 in advance. The threshold period is set to be sufficiently longer than the period required from the shipment of the injection molding machine 10 until it is installed.

[0040] Next, if the elapsed time is greater than or equal to the threshold period (S14: Yes), the control device 60 displays a warning screen (not shown) on the display input device 67 (S15). The warning screen warns that too much time has passed between the shipping date and the installation date. The installation date is the start date of the warranty period, so if an incorrect date is set, it will be impossible to accurately determine when the warranty period has ended. Therefore, the control device 60 redisplays the initial setting screen on the display input device 67 (S13) and requests the input of the correct installation date.

[0041] On the other hand, if the elapsed time is less than the threshold (S14: No), the control device 60 stores the initial setting information (installation date and warranty period for each component) entered on the initial setting screen in the memory 62, as shown in Figures 4(B) and 4(C) (S16). In other words, the control device 60 stores the identifier (typically the name) of each of the multiple components in memory for each warranty period. Figure 4(B) shows the initial setting information when "standard warranty period" is selected, and Figure 4(C) shows the initial setting information when "extended warranty period" is selected. The warranty list display process will be explained below assuming that the installation date "October 1, 2024" is entered and "extended warranty period" is selected.

[0042] [Warranty list display process] Figure 5 is a flowchart of the warranty list display process. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the change in the number of shots. Figure 7 is a diagram showing examples of maintenance records (A) and related parts lists (B). Figure 8 is a diagram showing examples of screens that may be displayed in the warranty list display process. The warranty list display process is the process of displaying the screen shown in Figure 8 on the display input device 67. The control device 60 executes the warranty list display process, for example, according to user instructions through the display input device 67.

[0043] First, the control device 60 determines whether the warranty period for all components has expired (S21). That is, the control device 60 determines whether the longest selected warranty period (for example, 5 years) has elapsed, or whether the number of shots has reached a threshold number of shots. Then, if the control device 60 determines that the warranty period for all components has expired (S21: Yes), it displays a warranty expiration screen (not shown) indicating that the warranty period for all components has expired on the display input device 67 (S22), and terminates the warranty list display process without executing the processes from step S23 onward.

[0044] On the other hand, if the control device 60 determines that the warranty period for some or all of the components has not yet expired (S21: No), it estimates the date and time when the number of shots is expected to reach a threshold number of shots (hereinafter referred to as the "warranty expiration date") (S23). The warranty expiration date is a future date when the warranty period for all components is expected to expire. The method for estimating the warranty expiration date is not particularly limited, but for example, it can be estimated based on the trend in the number of shots shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 is a graph plotting the cumulative number of shots on a monthly basis, with the date and time from the installation date on the horizontal axis and the cumulative number of shots on the vertical axis. However, the method for aggregating the trend in the number of shots is not limited to the example in Figure 6. The control device 60 then estimates the warranty expiration date (February 1, 2027 in the example in Figure 6) from the past trend in the number of shots.

[0045] As an example, the control device 60 identifies a straight line L connecting the origin (date and time = October 1, 2024, number of shots = 0) and the latest plot (date and time = December 1, 2026, number of shots = 8,824,717), and estimates the date and time when this straight line L reaches a threshold number of shots as the warranty expiration date. As another example, the control device 60 identifies an approximation function of the data (plot) shown in Figure 6 using the least squares method, and estimates the date and time when the identified approximation function reaches a threshold number of shots as the warranty expiration date. As yet another example, the control device 60 may input the data shown in Figure 6 into an AI (Artificial Intelligence) server to estimate the warranty expiration date.

[0046] Next, the control device 60 analyzes the maintenance record shown in Figure 7(A) to identify the replaced components and the interval from the most recent periodic maintenance to the present (hereinafter referred to as the "maintenance interval"). Periodic maintenance refers to maintenance that the user of the injection molding machine 10 should perform periodically (for example, every month), and the necessary information is described in the instruction manual for the injection molding machine 10.

[0047] A maintenance record is data stored in memory 62, associated with any string entered by the user through the display input device 67 and the date and time the string was entered. The user can add to the maintenance record at any time through the display input device 67. In other words, the maintenance record can be used as a memo (for example, a work log) in which any information can be written, making it more versatile and user-friendly compared to checklists, such as the one shown in Figure 9. Furthermore, the maintenance record may be displayed chronologically on the display input device 67, for example, as shown in Figure 7(A).

[0048] The control device 60 extracts the strings "replaced metering motor" and "replaced tie bar" from the maintenance record shown in Figure 7(A), for example, and identifies the metering motor 38 and tie bar 27 as replaced components (hereinafter referred to as "replaced components"). As an example, the control device 60 determines that a component identified by an identifier has been replaced if the identifier and a specific string (for example, "replace," "exchange," or "re-attach") are included within a predetermined number of characters. As another example, the control device 60 may input the maintenance record shown in Figure 7(A) into an AI server to identify the replaced components.

[0049] The control device 60 extracts the latest date and time (September 15, 2026 in this embodiment) associated with the string "Periodic maintenance performed" from the maintenance record shown in Figure 7(A), and identifies the interval between the extracted date and time and the current date and time as the maintenance interval. As an example, the control device 60 can extract a predetermined string indicating that periodic maintenance has been performed (for example, "maintenance", "mainte"), and use the latest date and time among the dates and times associated with the extracted string as the date and time of the most recent periodic maintenance. As another example, the control device 60 can input the maintenance record shown in Figure 7(A) into the AI ​​server and use that as the date and time of the most recent periodic maintenance.

[0050] The control device 60 may store the location (latest date and time) of the maintenance record analyzed in a previous warranty list display process in memory 62, and then analyze only the difference in the next warranty list display process.

[0051] Next, if the control device 60 has identified the replacement part in step S24 (S25: Yes), it identifies the related part from the related parts list shown in Figure 7(B) (S26). The related parts list is a list that groups together components that are replaced at the same time. The related parts list is assumed to be already stored in memory 62 at the time of shipment of the injection molding machine 10, for example. In the example in Figure 7(B), the tie bar 27 and tie bar nut are grouped together, and the injection motor 37 and rotary encoder 64 are grouped together.

[0052] Then, the control device 60 identifies all components (hereinafter referred to as "related parts") that belong to the same group as the replacement part identified in step S24 (S26). For example, if the control device 60 identifies the metering motor 38 and tie bar 27 as replacement parts (S24), it identifies the tie bar nut as a related part of the tie bar 27 (S26). On the other hand, if no replacement part is identified in step S24 (S25: No), the control device 60 does not execute the process in step S26.

[0053] Next, the control device 60 compares the maintenance interval identified in step S24 with the first and second intervals (S27, S28). The first interval (for example, 2 months) is set to be longer than the regular maintenance interval specified in the instruction manual (for example, 1 month). The second interval (for example, 3 months) is set to be even longer than the first interval. The first and second intervals are stored in memory 62 beforehand.

[0054] Then, if the maintenance interval is less than the first interval (S27:Yes), the control device 60 displays, for example, the warranty list screen shown in Figure 8(A) on the display input device 67 (S29). Also, if the maintenance interval is greater than or equal to the first interval but less than the second interval (S27:No & S28:Yes), the control device 60 displays, for example, the warranty list screen shown in Figure 8(B) on the display input device 67 (S30). Furthermore, if the maintenance interval is greater than or equal to the second interval (S27:No & S28:No), the control device 60 displays, for example, the warranty completion screen shown in Figure 8(C) on the display input device 67 (S31).

[0055] The control device 60 displays a list of identifiers for each of the multiple components, "fixed die plate," "movable die plate," "toggle link mechanism," "mold opening / closing motor," "injection motor," "rotary encoder," and "load cell," for each warranty period (3 years, 5 years), on the warranty list screen shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B). The control device 60 also deletes the identifiers of the replacement parts identified in step S24, "tie bar" and "metering motor," and the identifier of the related part identified in step S26, "tie bar nut," on the warranty list screen shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B). "Deletion of identifiers" means that the identifiers are hidden, or that a strikethrough is added to the identifiers as shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B), as long as it is in a manner that makes it clear that they have been deleted. Furthermore, the control device 60 displays the "remaining number of shots," which is obtained by subtracting the number of shots stored in memory 62 from the threshold number of shots, and the warranty end date "February 1, 2027," which was estimated in step S23, on the warranty list screen shown in Figures 8(A) and 8(B).

[0056] Furthermore, the control device 60 displays a special note on the warranty list screen shown in Figure 8(B) stating, "Perform regular maintenance and record it in the maintenance log. If you do not, the warranty period will end prematurely." This special note is an example of a warning that the warranty period will end prematurely.

[0057] Furthermore, the control device 60 displays the message "The warranty has expired due to failure to perform scheduled maintenance" on the warranty expiration screen shown in Figure 8(C). This message is an example of notification that the warranty period for all components has ended prematurely.

[0058] [Effects of the Embodiment] According to the above embodiment, by displaying a list of identifiers for each of the multiple components constituting the injection molding machine 10 according to their warranty periods, the user can easily understand the warranty period for each component. Furthermore, the warranty list screens in Figures 8(A) and 8(B) may be used not only by the user of the injection molding machine 10 but also by service personnel to check the warranty period.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when a replaced component is identified, the user can easily understand that the warranty period for the replaced component has already expired by removing the component identifier from the warranty list screen.

[0060] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by analyzing the maintenance record to identify the replaced parts, it is possible to appropriately identify the replaced components while maintaining the versatility of the maintenance record, which allows for the input of arbitrary strings.

[0061] On the other hand, a user may only record the main component (e.g., tie bar) among multiple replacement parts in the maintenance record, and may not record other accessory parts (e.g., tie bar nut). Therefore, as in the embodiment described above, multiple components that are replaced simultaneously are pre-grouped, and when one of these components is identified as a replacement part, it is determined that all components belonging to the same group have been replaced. This allows for more appropriate identification of the replaced components.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if the maintenance interval is greater than or equal to the first interval but less than the second interval, the user can be encouraged to perform regular maintenance by being warned that the warranty period will end prematurely in the near future.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if the maintenance interval is two or more intervals, the user can easily understand that the warranty period has ended by being notified that the warranty period has ended prematurely.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by estimating and displaying the warranty expiration date on which the counted number of shots is expected to reach a threshold number of shots, the user can easily understand the expiration date of the warranty period.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by setting the installation date as the start date and time of the warranty period, an appropriate warranty period can be set even if, for example, the transportation of the injection molding machine 10 takes a long time. On the other hand, if the installation date is entered incorrectly, the warranty period may become too long. Therefore, an appropriate warranty period can be set by requiring re-entry of the installation date when the elapsed period exceeds a threshold period.

[0066] [Differentiation] Figure 9 shows an example of a replacement parts list screen. The control device 60 may display the replacement parts list shown in Figure 9 on the display input device 67. The control device 60 may also identify the components corresponding to the checkboxes checked by the user via the display input device 67 as replacement parts. This makes it easy to identify replacement parts. Furthermore, the method of identifying replacement parts is not limited to these methods; for example, the control device 60 may communicate with each component using IoT (Internet of Things) technology to identify replacement parts.

[0067] Furthermore, initial setup information is not limited to being entered through the initial setup screen. As another example, the control device 60 may obtain the warranty period stored in each component using IoT technology. Alternatively, the control device 60 may use the date and time of the system clock when the power is first turned on as the installation date. In this case, steps S14-S15 can be omitted. In addition, some of the processes in Figure 5 (more specifically, some or all of steps S23-S28 and S30-S31) can be omitted.

[0068] The embodiments described above are illustrative for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to those embodiments only. Those skilled in the art can implement the present invention in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 10…Injection molding machine, 20…Clamping device, 21…Mold, 22…Fixed mold, 23…Fixed die plate, 24…Movable mold, 25…Movable die plate, 26…Toggle link mechanism, 27…Tie bar, 28…Mold opening / closing motor, 30…Injection device, 31…Heating cylinder, 32…Screw, 33…Hopper, 34…Hopper block, 35…Resin passage, 36…Nozzle, 37…Injection motor, 38…Measuring motor, 60…Control device, 61…CPU, 62…Memory, 64…Rotary encoder, 65…Load cell, 67…Display input device

Claims

1. A mold clamping device that opens and closes the mold and clamps it, An injection device for injecting molding material into the cavity of the clamped mold, A display device that shows information, A molding machine comprising the clamping device, the injection device, and a control device for controlling the display device, The molding machine is characterized in that the control device causes the display device to show a warranty list screen, which lists the identifiers of each of the multiple components constituting the molding machine for each warranty period.

2. In the molding machine according to claim 1, The molding machine is characterized in that, when the control device identifies a replaced component, it deletes the identifier of that component from the warranty list screen.

3. In the molding machine according to claim 2, It is further equipped with an input device that accepts information input from the operator, The control device is The system includes a memory for storing the string of characters entered through the input device, A molding machine characterized by identifying the replaced component by analyzing a string stored in the memory.

4. In the molding machine according to claim 3, The memory stores the components that are replaced simultaneously in groups. The molding machine is characterized in that, when the control device identifies a replaced component, it removes the identifiers of all components belonging to the same group as the replaced component from the warranty list screen.

5. In the molding machine according to claim 3, The control device is The string stored in the aforementioned memory is analyzed to identify the maintenance interval from the most recent scheduled maintenance to the present. A molding machine characterized in that, when the maintenance interval is equal to or greater than the first interval, the display device displays the warranty list screen, which includes a warning that the warranty period will end prematurely.

6. In the molding machine described in claim 5, The molding machine is characterized in that, when the maintenance interval is a second interval or longer than the first interval, the control device displays the warranty list screen on the display device, which includes a notification that the warranty period for all of the components has ended prematurely.

7. In the molding machine according to claim 1, The control device is The number of shots injecting the molding material from the injection device is counted. A molding machine characterized in that, when the counted number of shots reaches a threshold number of shots, a warranty termination screen is displayed on the display device indicating that the warranty for all of the components has ended, regardless of whether the warranty period has expired or not.

8. In the molding machine according to claim 7, The guarantee end date is estimated when the counted number of shots reaches the threshold number of shots. A molding machine characterized by displaying the warranty list screen, which includes the estimated warranty expiration date, on the display device.

9. In the molding machine according to claim 1, It is further equipped with an input device that accepts information input from the operator, The control device is The date on which the molding machine was installed is received via the input device. If the period elapsed from the shipping date of the molding machine to the installation date is greater than or equal to a threshold period, the system requests re-entry of the installation date. A molding machine characterized in that, if the elapsed period is less than the threshold period, the installation date is set as the start date and time of the warranty period.

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