Injection molding device

Abstract

To provide an injection molding apparatus that can accurately determine the state of the material while minimizing the possibility of material leakage. [Solution] An injection molding apparatus comprising: an injection unit for injecting material for a molded product into a mold; a mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and for clamping the mold; an optical measuring unit for optically measuring the material; and a control unit for controlling the injection unit, the mold clamping unit, and the optical measuring unit, wherein the injection unit has a material supply unit for supplying the material, a flow path through which the supplied material flows, and a nozzle for injecting the material in the flow path; the optical measuring unit has a light guide unit for guiding light into the flow path, an irradiation unit for irradiating the material with light via the light guide unit, and a Raman spectrometer for receiving scattered light from the material via the light guide unit, and the control unit for determining the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] An injection molding apparatus that forms a molded product by injecting a plasticized material toward a cavity of a mold and curing it is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an injection molding machine including an injection device that melts and injects a resin material, a mold device that molds the molten resin injected from the injection device, an analysis device that analyzes gas generated during injection molding, and a control device that reflects the analysis result in the analysis device in the operation of the injection device. The injection device includes a heating cylinder, a heating heater fitted around the heating cylinder, a plasticizing screw rotatably inserted into the heating cylinder, and a raw material hopper that stores resin pellets as a raw material supplied into the heating cylinder. Gas generated from the molten resin is supplied to the analysis device through a gas pipe connected to a heating cylinder vent of the heating cylinder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the injection molding machine described in Patent Document 1, the heating cylinder vent is composed of pores or a porous material is interposed. Therefore, there are cases where materials flow into the holes of the heating cylinder vent and leak to the outside, resulting in defects in the molded product, such as instability in the weight of the molded product.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the injection molding apparatus according to the present invention is An injection molding apparatus that performs injection molding of molded products using a mold, An injection unit for injecting the material of the molded product into the mold, A mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and which clamps the mold, An optical measuring unit for optically measuring the aforementioned material, The injection unit, the clamping unit, and the control unit for controlling the optical measuring unit, Includes, The injection unit is, A material supply unit that supplies the aforementioned material, A channel through which the supplied material flows, A nozzle for injecting the material in the flow path, It has, The aforementioned optical measuring unit is A light guide unit that guides light into the aforementioned channel, An irradiation unit that irradiates the material with light via the light guide unit, A Raman spectrometer that receives scattered light from the material via the light guide, It has, The control unit determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer.

[0007] One aspect of the injection molding apparatus according to the present invention is: An injection molding apparatus that performs injection molding of molded products using a mold having a cavity, An injection unit for injecting the material of the molded product into the cavity, A mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and which clamps the mold, An optical measuring unit for optically measuring the aforementioned material, The injection unit, the clamping unit, and the control unit for controlling the optical measuring unit, Includes, The aforementioned optical measuring unit is A light guide unit that directs light into the cavity, An irradiation unit that irradiates the material with light via the light guide unit, A Raman spectrometer that receives scattered light from the material via the light guide, has, Based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer, the control unit determines the state of the material.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram schematically showing an injection molding apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram schematically showing the optical measurement unit of the injection molding apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart for explaining the operation of the injection molding apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] A graph showing the Raman spectra of the material retained for 3 hours and the refreshed material. [Figure 5] A diagram schematically showing the optical measurement unit of the injection molding apparatus according to the first modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram schematically showing the optical measurement unit of the injection molding apparatus according to the second modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram schematically showing the optical measurement unit of the injection molding apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] A diagram schematically showing the extrusion unit and the light guiding unit of the injection molding apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described below are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

[0010] 1. First Embodiment 1.1. Injection Molding Apparatus 1.1.1. Configuration First, the injection molding apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the injection molding apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 1, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown as three mutually orthogonal axes. The X-axis and Y-axis directions are, for example, horizontal directions. The Z-axis direction is, for example, vertical directions.

[0011] The injection molding apparatus 100 performs injection molding of a molded product using the mold 2. As shown in Figure 1, the injection molding apparatus 100 includes, for example, a base 10, an injection unit 20, a mold clamping unit 30, an optical measuring unit 40, a display unit 50, and a control unit 60.

[0012] The base 10 supports the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30. The shape of the base 10 is not particularly limited.

[0013] The injection unit 20 injects the material that will become the raw material for the molded product into the mold 2. Specifically, the injection unit 20 injects the material into the cavity 8 of the mold 2. The injection unit 20, for example, It includes a material supply unit 21, a heating cylinder 22, a screw 25, a drive unit 26, and a reciprocating actuator 27.

[0014] The material supply unit 21 stores the material. The material supply unit 21 supplies the stored material to the heating cylinder 22 from the material discharge port 21a. The material supply unit 21 is, for example, a hopper. In the illustrated example, the material discharge port 21a is located at the -Z axis end of the material supply unit 21. The material stored in the material supply unit 21 is, for example, polyester (PES) such as fluorene-based polyester (OKP).

[0015] Material is supplied to the heating cylinder 22 from the material supply unit 21. In the illustrated example, the heating cylinder 22 has a cylindrical shape extending in the X-axis direction. The heating cylinder 22 has a flow path 23 through which the material supplied from the material supply unit 21 flows. The flow path 23 communicates with the material discharge port 21a of the material supply unit 21. The heating cylinder 22 has a nozzle 24 at its tip. In the illustrated example, the nozzle 24 is provided at the end of the heating cylinder 22 in the X-axis direction. At the nozzle 24, the flow path 23 is narrowed. The heating cylinder 22 injects material from the nozzle 24. A heating section (not shown) is provided on the outer wall of the heating cylinder 22. The heating section is, for example, a heater. The heating section heats the material in the flow path 23. The heating section is controlled by the control unit 60.

[0016] The screw 25 is provided in the flow path 23. A helical groove is formed on the surface of the screw 25. In the illustrated example, the screw 25 has a shape that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0017] The drive unit 26 is connected to the screw 25. In the illustrated example, the drive unit 26 is located in the +X axis direction of the heating cylinder 22. The drive unit 26 rotates the screw 25 about an axis parallel to the X axis. The drive unit 26 is comprised of, for example, a motor. The drive unit 26 is controlled by the control unit 60.

[0018] The reciprocating actuator 27 is located between the base 10 and the heating cylinder 22. The reciprocating actuator 27 moves the screw 25 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the reciprocating actuator 27 advances the screw 25 in the -X-axis direction and then retracts the screw 25 in the +X-axis direction. The reciprocating actuator 27 includes a ball screw 28 and a drive unit 29 that operates the ball screw 28. The drive unit 29 is configured to include, for example, a motor. The drive unit 29 is controlled by a control unit 60.

[0019] In the injection unit 20, a heating element provided on the outer wall of the heating cylinder 22 and a screw 25 heat the solid material while conveying it toward the nozzle 24, plasticizing it into a fluid paste-like material. The injection unit 20 then injects the plasticized material from the nozzle 24 toward the mold 2. The injection unit 20 has an in-line plasticizing device.

[0020] Plasticization is a concept that includes melting, and refers to the process of changing a solid state to a fluid state. Specifically, for materials that undergo a glass transition, plasticization means raising the material's temperature above its glass transition point. For materials that do not undergo a glass transition, plasticization means raising the material's temperature above its melting point.

[0021] The clamping unit 30 is located in the -X axis direction of the injection unit 20. The mold 2 is attached to the clamping unit 30. The clamping unit 30 is configured to allow the mold 2 to be attached and detached. The clamping unit 30 clamps the mold 2. The mold 2 has a fixed mold 4 and a movable mold 6. A cavity 8 is provided between the fixed mold 4 and the movable mold 6. The material of the mold 2 is, for example, metal, ceramic, or resin. The clamping unit 30 includes, for example, a fixed mold mounting section. It has a 31, a movable mounting part 32, a tie bar 33, a drive unit 34, and an extrusion unit 35.

[0022] The fixed mounting section 31 is provided between the movable mounting section 32 and the injection unit 20. The fixed mold 4 is attached to the fixed mounting section 31. The fixed mounting section 31 is configured to allow the fixed mold 4 to be attached and detached.

[0023] The movable mounting section 32 is provided between the fixed mounting section 31 and the drive section 34. The movable mounting section 32 is movable relative to the fixed mounting section 31. In the illustrated example, the movable mounting section 32 is movable in the X-axis direction along the tie bar 33. A movable mold 6 is attached to the movable mounting section 32. The movable mounting section 32 is configured to allow the movable mold 6 to be attached and detached. As the movable mounting section 32 moves, the movable mold 6 moves as well.

[0024] The drive unit 34 moves the movable mold 6 in the X-axis direction. Specifically, the drive unit 34 moves the movable mold mounting part 32 in the +X-axis direction, and further moves the movable mold mounting part 32 in the -X-axis direction. The drive unit 34 includes a motor. The drive unit 34 is controlled by the control unit 60.

[0025] The drive unit 34 moves the movable mold mounting part 32 in the +X direction, thereby clamping the fixed mold 4 and the movable mold 6 together and forming a cavity 8. Plasticized material is injected into the cavity 8 from the injection unit 20. The material injected into the cavity 8 is cooled and solidified. This forms a molded product that corresponds to the shape of the cavity 8.

[0026] The extrusion unit 35 is provided between the fixed mold mounting unit 31 and the movable mold mounting unit 32. The extrusion unit 35 pushes the molded product out of the mold 2 as the movable mold 6 moves. Specifically, the extrusion unit 35 pushes the molded product out of the movable mold 6 as the movable mold 6 moves in the -X axis direction. This separates the molded product from the mold 2. The extrusion unit 35 is a rod-shaped ejector pin. In the illustrated example, the extrusion unit 35 has a shape that extends in the X axis direction. For example, multiple extrusion units 35 are provided.

[0027] The optical measuring unit 40 optically measures the material. Specifically, the optical measuring unit 40 optically measures the material in the flow channel 23. The optical measuring unit 40 may measure the material before it is plasticized or after it has been plasticized. Here, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the optical measuring unit 40.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, the optical measurement unit 40 includes, for example, an irradiation unit 41, a mirror 42, a dichroic filter 43, a notch filter 44, a focusing lens 45, a Raman spectrometer 46, a housing 47, and a light guide unit 48.

[0029] The irradiation unit 41 irradiates the material in the channel 23 with light L via the light guide unit 48. The irradiation unit 41 is, for example, a laser light source that emits laser light with a wavelength of 532 nm. The light L emitted from the irradiation unit 41 is reflected by the mirror 42 and the dichroic filter 43, then passes through the light guide unit 48 and irradiates the material in the channel 23. Irradiation with light L generates scattered light LL from the material. The scattered light LL from the material passes through the light guide unit 48, through the dichroic filter 43, the notch filter 44, and the focusing lens 45, and is received by the Raman spectrometer 46. In this way, the Raman spectrometer 46 receives the scattered light LL from the material via the light guide unit 48, the dichroic filter 43, the notch filter 44, and the focusing lens 45.

[0030] The housing 47 consists of an irradiation unit 41, a mirror 42, a dichroic filter 43, and a notch filter. It houses a 44, a 45 focusing lens, and a Raman spectrometer 46. The housing 47 is light-shielding.

[0031] The light guide 48 guides the light L from the irradiation unit 41 into the channel 23. Specifically, the light guide 48 guides the light L from the irradiation light emission surface 48a into the material in the channel 23. The irradiation light emission surface 48a is one end of the light guide 48, as shown in Figure 1. In the illustrated example, the irradiation light emission surface 48a is located in the channel 23. Furthermore, the light guide 48 guides the scattered light LL of the material generated by the light L to the Raman spectrometer 46. In the example shown in Figure 2, the other end of the light guide 48 is located inside the housing 47. The light guide 48 is, for example, an optical fiber. The light guide 48 may also be a glass fiber such as a quartz fiber. The light guide 48 is not hollow inside.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the light guide portion 48 is fitted into, for example, a through hole 49 formed in the heating cylinder 22. The light guide portion 48 is in contact with the inner surface of the through hole 49. The inner surface of the through hole 49 is formed by the heating cylinder 22. For example, there is no gap between the light guide portion 48 and the inner surface of the through hole 49. The through hole 49 is sealed, for example, by the light guide portion 48. The through hole 49 is formed in the side wall of the heating cylinder 22. In the illustrated example, the through hole 49 is formed in a part other than the nozzle 24 and in a position that does not overlap with the screw 25. Although not shown, the through hole 49 may also be formed in the nozzle 24.

[0033] The distance between the light emission surface 48a of the light guide unit 48 and the nozzle 24 is, for example, smaller than the distance between the light emission surface 48a and the material discharge port 21a of the material supply unit 21. In the illustrated example, light L from the irradiation unit 41 is irradiated onto the plasticized material.

[0034] Although not shown in the figures, the through-hole 49 may be sealed with a light-transmitting member. The light guide 48 may then guide light L into the material in the flow path 23 via the light-transmitting member that seals the through-hole 49.

[0035] The display unit 50 displays the result of the material state determination when the control unit 60 determines the state of the material. The display unit 50 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, an EPD (Electrophoretic Display), or a touch panel display.

[0036] The control unit 60 is composed of, for example, a computer having a processor, main memory, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. The control unit 60 performs various functions, for example, by having the processor execute a program loaded into the main memory. The control unit 60 controls the injection unit 20, the clamping unit 30, and the optical measuring unit 40. Note that the control unit 60 may be composed of a combination of multiple circuits instead of a computer.

[0037] 1.1.2. Operation Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the injection molding apparatus 100. Specifically, Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the control unit 60 of the injection molding apparatus 100.

[0038] In the following section, as an example, we will describe a case where, starting from a state where material used in the previous injection molding remains in the flow path 23 of the heating cylinder 22, a new injection molding process is initiated using the same type of material as the material used in the previous injection molding.

[0039] The user, for example, operates an operating unit (not shown) to instruct the control unit 60 to start processing. It outputs a processing start signal. The operation unit consists of, for example, a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel. When the control unit 60 receives the processing start signal, it starts processing.

[0040] First, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 60 performs Raman spectroscopy on the material used in the previous injection molding that remains in the flow path 23 of the heating cylinder 22 as step S1. Specifically, the control unit 60 controls the optical measurement unit 40 to irradiate the irradiation unit 41 with light L, and the scattered light LL from the material in the flow path 23 is received by the Raman spectrometer 46.

[0041] Next, in step S2, the control unit 60 determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer 46.

[0042] Figure 4 shows the Raman spectra of a material that was left in the flow path of a heating cylinder for 3 hours, and a material that was refreshed by draining the material from the flow path and replasticizing it. Figure 4 shows the results of the second derivative. The material left in the flow path for 3 hours is shown by a solid line, and the refreshed material is shown by a dashed line. OKP was used as the material. As shown in Figure 4, the peak intensity of the material left in the flow path for 3 hours was lower than that of the refreshed material. It is thought that the peak intensity of the material left in the flow path for 3 hours was lower because the length of the molecular chains of the material changed due to the heat. From the above, it was found that the state of the material can be determined from the peak intensity of the Raman spectrum.

[0043] In step S2, the control unit 60 determines, for example, whether the intensity of a predetermined peak is less than a reference value. The reference value is set in advance. For example, when OKP is used as the material, the reference value is set based on the Raman spectrum of the "refreshed material" in Figure 4. The control unit 60 determines the state of the material as "OK" if the intensity of the predetermined peak is equal to or greater than the reference value, and determines the state of the material as "NG" if the intensity of the predetermined peak is less than the reference value. The control unit 60 displays the result of the determination of the state of the material on the display unit 50.

[0044] If the result in step S2 is "NG" (in Figure 3, step S2 is "NO"), the control unit 60 determines that the material has deteriorated and, in step S3, instructs the injection unit 20 to purge the material remaining in the flow path 23. Specifically, the control unit 60 drives the drive units 26, 29 and a heating unit (not shown) to purge the material from the nozzle 24 to the outside. The purged material is carried out in a manner that prevents it from entering the cavity 8.

[0045] In step S3, the material may be purged multiple times. For example, the reference values ​​in step S2 may be set in stages to determine the number of purges. For example, if the peak intensity is between the first reference value and the second reference value, the control unit 60 may cause the injection unit 20 to perform one purge, and if it is less than the first reference value, the control unit 60 may cause the injection unit 20 to perform two purges.

[0046] Next, in step S4, the control unit 60 controls the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 to perform injection molding. If "NG" is determined in step S2, injection molding is performed using the material newly supplied to the flow path 23 from the material supply unit 21.

[0047] On the other hand, if "OK" is determined in step S2 (in Figure 3, "YES" is shown in step S2), the control unit 60 skips the processing in step S3 and proceeds to the processing in step S4. If "OK" is determined in step S2, purging is not performed, and injection molding is carried out using the material remaining in the flow path 23.

[0048] Then, the control unit 60 terminates the process.

[0049] While the above example describes determining the state of a material based on its stagnation, the fluidity of the material can also be estimated from the change in peak intensity and peak shape compared to the previous actual values, such as when the manufacturing lot of the material changes. When the manufacturing lot changes, the molecular weight of the material may differ slightly. When the molecular weight of the material differs, the peak intensity and peak shape in the Raman spectrum change.

[0050] Furthermore, while the above describes an example of determining the state of the material before performing injection molding, the state of the material can also be determined while performing injection molding. For example, the temperature of the plasticized material can be measured in real time from the peak intensity ratio of the Stokes and anti-Stokes scattered light of the material.

[0051] Furthermore, for example, in the Raman spectrum obtained by the Raman spectrometer 46, the polarization of the material being measured, and the degree of fiber orientation if the material contains fibers, can be determined from the peak intensity. The composition of the material can also be determined from the wavenumber information. The strain, stress, and temperature of the material can be determined from the peak shift. The crystallinity and defects of the material can be determined from the full width at half maximum of the peaks. In addition, if the material is composed of multiple substances, the relative ratio of each substance can be determined from the peak ratio.

[0052] 1.1.3. Effects The injection molding apparatus 100 includes an injection unit 20 for injecting the material for the molded product into a mold 2, a mold clamping unit 30 to which the mold 2 is attached and for clamping the mold 2, an optical measuring unit 40 for optically measuring the material, and a control unit 60 for controlling the injection unit 20, the mold clamping unit 30, and the optical measuring unit 40. The injection unit 20 has a material supply unit 21 for supplying material, a flow path 23 through which the supplied material flows, and a nozzle 24 for injecting the material in the flow path 23. The optical measuring unit 40 has a light guide unit 48 for guiding light into the flow path 23, an irradiation unit 41 for irradiating the material with light L via the light guide unit 48, and a Raman spectrometer 46 for receiving scattered light LL from the material via the light guide unit 48. The control unit 60 determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer 46.

[0053] Therefore, in the injection molding apparatus 100, there is no need to guide the gas generated from the material outside the flow path 23 in order to determine the state of the material. This reduces the possibility of material leakage outside the flow path 23 while allowing for accurate determination of the state of the material. As a result, the impact on the quality of the molded product can be determined with accuracy. Furthermore, the weight of the molded product can be stabilized.

[0054] In the injection molding apparatus 100, the distance between the light emission surface 48a of the light guide unit 48 and the nozzle 24 is smaller than the distance between the light emission surface 48a and the material discharge port 21a of the material supply unit 21. Therefore, the injection molding apparatus 100 can determine the state of the material immediately before injection into the mold 2, and can determine the impact on quality based on the state of the material with greater accuracy.

[0055] In the injection molding apparatus 100, the control unit 60 purges the material from the injection unit 20 when it determines that the material's condition has deteriorated. Therefore, the injection molding apparatus 100 can reduce the possibility of molded product defects caused by deteriorated material. When material deteriorates due to heat, the length of the molecular chain changes, which alters the molecular weight. When the molecular weight changes, the viscosity of the plasticized material changes, altering its fluidity and causing variations in the quality of the molded product, resulting in molded product defects. The injection molding apparatus 100 can avoid these problems. Furthermore, the injection molding apparatus 100 can reduce the possibility of purging material that has not deteriorated, thereby reducing waste and improving equipment operating efficiency.

[0056] The injection molding apparatus 100 includes a display unit 50 that displays the result of determining the state of the material. Therefore, the user of the injection molding machine 100 can check the condition of the material.

[0057] 1.2. Modified Examples of Injection Molding Apparatus 1.2.1. First Variation Next, an injection molding apparatus according to a first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the optical measuring unit 40 of the injection molding apparatus 110 according to a first modification of the first embodiment.

[0058] In the following description of the injection molding apparatus 110 according to the first modified example of the first embodiment, components having the same function as the components of the injection molding apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted. The same applies to the injection molding apparatus according to the second modified example of the first embodiment, which will be described later.

[0059] The injection molding apparatus 110 differs from the injection molding apparatus 100 described above in that, as shown in Figure 5, the optical measurement unit 40 includes a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) module 70 that performs near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on the material.

[0060] In the optical measurement unit 40 of the injection molding apparatus 110, the light guide unit 48 is branched into two, having a first branch 481 and a second branch 482. The first branch 481 is connected to a housing 47 that houses the irradiation unit 41 and a Raman spectrometer 46, etc. The first branch 481 allows light from the irradiation unit 41 to pass through and the scattered light from the material due to the light from the irradiation unit 41 to pass through. The second branch 482 is connected to the NIR module 70. The second branch 482 allows light from the NIR module 70 to pass through and the scattered light from the material due to the light from the NIR module 70 to pass through.

[0061] The NIR module 70 performs NIRS on the material in the channel 23. The NIR module 70 has a light source such as a halogen lamp and a spectrometer. The light source and the irradiation unit 41 of the NIR module 70 are not driven simultaneously. When light is emitted from the light source of the NIR module 70, no light is emitted from the irradiation unit 41. Conversely, when light is emitted from the irradiation unit 41, no light is emitted from the light source of the NIR module 70.

[0062] The NIR module 70 can detect the moisture content of the material in the channel 23. The intensity of the reflected light spectrum at a wavelength of 1940 nm in NIRS changes depending on the moisture content of the material. Therefore, for samples with known moisture content, a calibration table can be created by measuring the reflected light spectrum, and the moisture content of the material in the channel 23 can be detected based on this calibration table and the reflected light spectrum of the material in the channel 23.

[0063] The control unit 60 determines the state of the material based on the detected moisture content of the material. For example, if the moisture content of the material is below a standard value, the control unit 60 determines it as "OK," and if the moisture content of the material is above the standard value, it determines it as "NG" because it is not sufficiently dried.

[0064] The injection molding apparatus 110 includes an NIR module 70 that performs NIRS on the material. Therefore, the injection molding apparatus 110 can detect the moisture content of the material.

[0065] 1.2.2. Second Variation Next, an injection molding apparatus according to a second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the optical measuring unit 40 of the injection molding apparatus 120 according to the second modification of the first embodiment.

[0066] In the injection molding apparatus 120, as shown in Figure 6, the irradiation unit 41 differs from the injection molding apparatus 100 described above in that it has multiple light sources. In the illustrated example, the irradiation unit 41 has a first light source. It has a laser light source 41a and a second laser light source 41b. Furthermore, the optical measurement unit 40 has a dichroic filter 80.

[0067] The wavelength of light L1 emitted from the first laser light source 41a and the wavelength of light L2 emitted from the second laser light source 41b are different from each other. The wavelength of light L1 is, for example, 532 nm. The wavelength of light L2 is, for example, 785 nm. The second laser light source 41b is, for example, a narrow-linewidth laser light source with a power of 100 mW or less.

[0068] The first laser light source 41a and the second laser light source 41b are not driven simultaneously. When light L1 is emitted from the first laser light source 41a, light L2 is not emitted from the second laser light source 41b. Conversely, when light L2 is emitted from the second laser light source 41b, light L1 is not emitted from the first laser light source 41a. In this way, the wavelength of the light emitted from the irradiation unit 41 is variable.

[0069] The dichroic filter 80 is located between the mirror 42 and the dichroic filter 43. The dichroic filter 80 transmits the light L1 emitted from the first laser light source 41a and reflects the light L2 emitted from the second laser light source 41b.

[0070] For example, when the first laser light source 41a is driven and light L1 is irradiated onto the material in the channel 23, fluorescence may be generated from the material. In such cases, the driving of the first laser light source 41a is stopped, and the second laser light source 41b is driven and light L2 from the second laser light source 41b is irradiated onto the material. This allows Raman spectroscopy to be performed on the material in the channel 23 while suppressing fluorescence from the material. When fluorescence is generated from the material, the accuracy of Raman spectroscopy may decrease.

[0071] In the injection molding apparatus 120, the wavelength of light emitted from the irradiation unit 41 is variable. Therefore, the injection molding apparatus 120 can perform Raman spectroscopy on a material while suppressing fluorescence from the material. This increases the flexibility in the type of material that can be used.

[0072] 2. Second Embodiment Next, the injection molding apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the injection molding apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the extrusion section 35 and the light guide section 48 of the injection molding apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment. For convenience, in Figure 7, the illustration of components other than the mold 2, the fixed mold mounting section 31, the movable mold mounting section 32, the extrusion section 35, and the optical measuring section 40 is omitted. Also, in Figure 7, the extrusion section 35 and the light guide section 48 are shown in a simplified manner.

[0073] Hereinafter, in the injection molding apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, components having the same function as the components of the injection molding apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0074] In the injection molding apparatus 100 described above, as shown in Figure 1, the light guide unit 48 guides the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 41 into the flow path 23 of the injection unit 20.

[0075] In contrast, in the injection molding apparatus 200, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the light guide unit 48 guides the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 41 into the cavity 8.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 8, the light guide 48 passes through the inside of the extrusion section 35. The light emission surface 48a of the light guide 48 forms the inner surface of the cavity 8. The light emission surface 48a is flush with, for example, the front surface 35a of the extrusion section 35. This allows for smooth extrusion of the molded product. It is possible.

[0077] In the injection molding apparatus 200, Raman spectroscopy is performed on the material in the cavity 8. In the injection molding apparatus 200, Raman spectroscopy can be performed on the material in the cavity 8 from the plasticized state to the solidified state. As a result, if the material contains fibers, the degree of orientation of the fibers contained in the material can be determined by analyzing the polarization characteristics of the vibration modes. Furthermore, the stress of the molded product can be determined by analyzing the polarization characteristics of the vibration modes. Furthermore, if the material is crystalline, the degree of crystallization progress during the cooling and solidification of the material can be determined.

[0078] In the injection molding apparatus 200, the control unit 60 changes the control conditions of at least one of the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 based on, for example, the determination result of the state of the material in the cavity 8. For example, if the control unit 60 determines that the degree of orientation of the fibers contained in the material is greater than a reference value, it controls the drive units 26 and 29 of the injection unit 20 to change the injection speed of the plasticized material. If the control unit 60 determines that the stress of the molded product is greater than a reference value, it controls the drive unit 34 of the clamping unit 30 to reduce the clamping force. If the control unit 60 determines that the degree of crystallization of the material is less than a reference value, it controls the drive unit 34 of the clamping unit 30 to increase the time from when the material is injected into the cavity 8 until the mold 2 is opened.

[0079] In the injection molding apparatus 200, the light guide unit 48 directs light into the cavity 8, and the control unit 60 determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer 46. Therefore, in the injection molding apparatus 200, there is no need to guide gases generated from the material out of the cavity 8 in order to determine the state of the material. This reduces the possibility of material leakage outside the cavity 8 while allowing for accurate determination of the material's state.

[0080] In the injection molding apparatus 200, the light guide section 48 passes through the inside of the extrusion section 35. Therefore, in the injection molding apparatus 200, Raman spectroscopy can be performed on the material in the cavity 8 with a simple configuration.

[0081] In the injection molding apparatus 200, the control unit 60 changes the control conditions of at least one of the injection unit 20 and the clamping unit 30 based on the result of determining the state of the material. Therefore, the injection molding apparatus 200 can perform injection molding with appropriate control conditions depending on the state of the material.

[0082] Although not shown in the figures, the injection molding apparatus according to the present invention may have an optical measurement unit 40 for performing Raman spectroscopy on the material in the flow path 23, as in the injection molding apparatus 100, and an optical measurement unit 40 for performing Raman spectroscopy on the material in the cavity 8, as in the injection molding apparatus 200.

[0083] 3. Third Embodiment Next, an injection molding apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the differences between the injection molding apparatus according to the third embodiment and the example of the injection molding apparatus 100 according to this embodiment described above will be explained, while similar points will be omitted from the explanation.

[0084] In the injection molding apparatus 100 described above, the material stored in the material supply unit 21 was polyester.

[0085] In contrast, in the injection molding apparatus according to the third embodiment, the material stored in the material supply unit 21 is a material other than polyester.

[0086] In the injection molding apparatus according to the third embodiment, the material stored in the material supply unit 21 may be a thermoplastic resin other than polyester. Examples of thermoplastic resins include general-purpose plastics, general-purpose engineering plastics, and super engineering plastics.

[0087] Examples of general-purpose plastics include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polylactic acid (PLA).

[0088] Examples of general-purpose engineering plastics include polyacetal (POM), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0089] Examples of super engineering plastics include polysulfone (PSU), polyethersulfone (PES), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate (PAR), polyimide (PI), polyamideimide (PAI), polyetherimide (PEI), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0090] The material stored in the material supply unit 21 is not limited to thermoplastic resins, but may also be thermosetting resins. Furthermore, the material stored in the material supply unit 21 may include fibers, pigments, metals, ceramics, and the like.

[0091] The embodiments and variations described above are examples only and are not limited thereto. For example, each embodiment and each variation can be combined as appropriate.

[0092] The present invention includes configurations substantially identical to those described in the embodiments, for example, configurations with the same function, method, and results, or configurations with the same purpose and effect. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations in which non-essential parts of the configurations described in the embodiments are replaced. Furthermore, the present invention includes configurations that produce the same effects or achieve the same purpose as those described in the embodiments. Finally, the present invention includes configurations that add known technology to the configurations described in the embodiments.

[0093] The following can be derived from the embodiments and modifications described above.

[0094] One embodiment of an injection molding apparatus is: An injection molding apparatus that performs injection molding of molded products using a mold, An injection unit for injecting the material of the molded product into the mold, A mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and which clamps the mold, An optical measuring unit for optically measuring the aforementioned material, The injection unit, the clamping unit, and the control unit for controlling the optical measuring unit, Includes, The injection unit is, A material supply unit that supplies the aforementioned material, A channel through which the supplied material flows, A nozzle for injecting the material in the flow path, It has, The aforementioned optical measuring unit is A light guide unit that guides light into the aforementioned channel, An irradiation unit that irradiates the material with light via the light guide unit, A Raman spectrometer that receives scattered light from the material via the light guide, It has, The control unit determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer.

[0095] This injection molding apparatus allows for accurate determination of the material's condition while minimizing the possibility of material leakage.

[0096] One embodiment of an injection molding apparatus is: An injection molding apparatus that performs injection molding of molded products using a mold having a cavity, An injection unit for injecting the material of the molded product into the cavity, A mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and which clamps the mold, An optical measuring unit for optically measuring the aforementioned material, The injection unit, the clamping unit, and the control unit for controlling the optical measuring unit, Includes, The aforementioned optical measuring unit is A light guide unit that directs light into the cavity, An irradiation unit that irradiates the material with light via the light guide unit, A Raman spectrometer that receives scattered light from the material via the light guide, It has, The control unit determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer.

[0097] This injection molding apparatus allows for accurate determination of the material's condition while minimizing the possibility of material leakage.

[0098] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The optical measurement unit may include a near-infrared spectroscopy module for performing near-infrared spectroscopy on the material.

[0099] This injection molding machine can detect the moisture content of the material.

[0100] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The wavelength of the light emitted from the irradiation unit may be variable.

[0101] This injection molding apparatus allows for Raman spectroscopy to be performed on a material while suppressing fluorescence from the material.

[0102] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The distance between the light emission surface of the light guide unit and the nozzle may be smaller than the distance between the light emission surface and the material discharge port of the material supply unit.

[0103] This injection molding apparatus allows for the determination of the material's state immediately before injection into the mold, enabling more accurate assessment of the impact on quality based on the material's state.

[0104] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The aforementioned type includes a fixed type and a movable type. The aforementioned clamping unit is A fixed type mounting section to which the aforementioned fixed type is attached, The movable type is attached to a movable type mounting part that is movable relative to the fixed type mounting part, An extrusion unit that pushes the molded product out of the mold by moving the movable mold, It has, The light guide portion may pass through the inside of the extrusion portion.

[0105] This injection molding apparatus allows for Raman spectroscopy to be performed on the material inside the cavity with a simple configuration.

[0106] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The control unit may change the control conditions of at least one of the injection unit and the clamping unit based on the determination result of the material state.

[0107] This injection molding apparatus allows injection molding to be performed under appropriate control conditions depending on the state of the material.

[0108] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The control unit may cause the injection unit to purge the material if it determines that the condition of the material has deteriorated.

[0109] This injection molding apparatus can reduce the possibility of molded product defects caused by degraded materials.

[0110] In one embodiment of an injection molding apparatus, The system may include a display unit that shows the result of determining the state of the material.

[0111] With this injection molding machine, the user can check the condition of the material. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 2...Mold, 4...Fixed mold, 6...Movable mold, 8...Cavity, 10...Base, 20...Injection unit, 21...Material supply unit, 21a...Material discharge port, 22...Heating cylinder, 23...Flow path, 24...Nozzle, 25...Screw, 26...Drive unit, 27...Forward / backward actuator, 28...Ball screw, 29...Drive unit, 30...Clamping unit, 31...Fixed mold mounting unit, 32...Movable mold mounting unit, 33...Tie bar, 34...Drive unit, 35...Extrusion unit, 35a...Tip surface, 40...Optical measuring unit, 41 ...Irradiation unit, 41a...First laser light source, 41b...Second laser light source, 42...Mirror, 43...Dichroic filter, 44...Notch filter, 45...Focusing lens, 46...Raman spectrometer, 47...Housing, 48...Light guide unit, 48a...Irradiation light emission surface, 49...Through hole, 50...Display unit, 60...Control unit, 70...NIR module, 80...Dichroic filter, 100, 110, 120, 200...Injection molding apparatus, 481...First branch unit, 482...Second branch unit

Claims

1. An injection molding apparatus that performs injection molding of molded products using a mold, An injection unit for injecting the material of the molded product into the mold, A mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and which clamps the mold, An optical measuring unit for optically measuring the aforementioned material, The injection unit, the clamping unit, and the control unit for controlling the optical measuring unit, Includes, The injection unit is, A material supply unit that supplies the aforementioned material, A channel through which the supplied material flows, A nozzle for injecting the material in the flow path, It has, The aforementioned optical measuring unit is A light guide unit that guides light into the aforementioned channel, An irradiation unit that irradiates the material with light via the light guide unit, A Raman spectrometer that receives scattered light from the material via the light guide, It has, The control unit determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer, in an injection molding apparatus.

2. An injection molding apparatus that performs injection molding of molded products using a mold having a cavity, An injection unit for injecting the material of the molded product into the cavity, A mold clamping unit to which the mold is attached and which clamps the mold, An optical measuring unit for optically measuring the aforementioned material, The injection unit, the clamping unit, and the control unit for controlling the optical measuring unit, Includes, The aforementioned optical measuring unit is A light guide unit that directs light into the cavity, An irradiation unit that irradiates the material with light via the light guide unit, A Raman spectrometer that receives scattered light from the material via the light guide, It has, The control unit determines the state of the material based on the Raman spectrum obtained from the Raman spectrometer, in an injection molding apparatus.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The injection molding apparatus comprises an optical measurement unit having a near-infrared spectroscopy module for performing near-infrared spectroscopy on the material.

4. In claim 1 or 2, An injection molding apparatus in which the wavelength of light emitted from the irradiation unit is variable.

5. In claim 1, An injection molding apparatus in which the distance between the light emission surface of the light guide and the nozzle is smaller than the distance between the light emission surface and the material discharge port of the material supply unit.

6. In claim 2, The aforementioned type includes a fixed type and a movable type. The aforementioned clamping unit is A fixed type mounting section to which the aforementioned fixed type is attached, The movable type is attached to a movable type mounting part that is movable relative to the fixed type mounting part, An extrusion unit that pushes the molded product out of the mold by moving the movable mold, It has, The light guide unit passes through the inside of the extrusion unit in an injection molding apparatus.

7. In claim 1 or 2, An injection molding apparatus in which the control unit changes the control conditions of at least one of the injection unit and the clamping unit based on the result of determining the state of the material.

8. In claim 1 or 5, The injection molding apparatus includes a control unit that, when it determines that the condition of the material has deteriorated, causes the injection unit to purge the material.

9. In claim 1 or 2, An injection molding apparatus including a display unit that displays the result of determining the state of the material.

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