Production Management System

Abstract

To appropriately grasp whether production is proceeding as planned.SOLUTION: A production management system includes: an injection molding unit that produces a molded product; and a control device. The injection molding unit includes: an injection molding machine that molds the molded product by injection molding; a determination unit for determining whether the number of molded products produced corresponds to a predetermined production unit; and an operation information transmitter that transmits operation information of the injection molding unit when the number of products is determined to correspond to the predetermined production unit. The control device includes an operation information receiver that receives the operation information transmitted by the operation information transmitter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a production management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Regarding a production management system for an injection molding unit, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which an injection molding machine transmits status data, production data, etc. of the injection molding machine to a management computer at a preset sampling interval. The management computer can manage production by the injection molding machine based on the data received from the injection molding machine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-28281 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, if the sampling interval was lengthened, there was a high possibility that it would be difficult to properly grasp whether production was proceeding according to plan.On the other hand, if the sampling interval was simply shortened, the amount of data communication and the processing load would increase, and there was a risk that the operation of the injection molding machine and the management computer would be adversely affected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a production management system. The production management system includes an injection molding unit that produces molded products, and a control device. The injection molding unit includes an injection molding machine that produces the molded products by injection molding, a determination unit that determines whether the production number of the molded products corresponds to a predetermined production unit, and an operation information transmission unit that transmits operation information of the injection molding unit when it is determined that the production number corresponds to the predetermined production unit. The control device includes an operation information receiving unit that receives the operation information transmitted by the operation information transmission unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a production management system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 3 is a process diagram showing a molded product production process according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a transmission process of operation information according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a production management system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 7 is a process diagram showing a molded product production process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a process diagram showing a molded product production process according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A. First embodiment: 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a production management system 10 in the first embodiment. The production management system 10 includes an injection molding unit 50, a control device 500, and a display device 300. The production management system 10 of this embodiment includes two injection molding units 50. In this embodiment, the configurations of the two injection molding units 50 are both the same.

[0008] The injection molding unit 50 produces a molded product. The injection molding unit 50 of this embodiment includes an injection molding machine 100 that molds a molded product by injection molding, and a take-out machine 200 that takes out the molded product. In this embodiment, "production of a molded product" refers to molding a molded product by the injection molding machine 100 and taking out the molded molded product by the take-out machine 200.

[0009] The injection molding machine 100 includes an injection section, a mold section having a cavity, and a mold clamping device for clamping the mold section, none of which are shown. The injection molding machine 100 of this embodiment also includes a molding control section 110 and an input section 160. The molding control section 110 is configured by a computer including one or more processors, a main storage device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside. The molding control section 110 of this embodiment performs various functions, such as a function for executing injection molding, which will be described later, a function as a determination section 120, and a function for communicating with the control device 500. The molding control section 110 may be configured by multiple computers.

[0010] The molding control unit 110 controls the injection unit and mold unit of the injection molding machine 100 to perform injection molding and mold a molded product. More specifically, the molding control unit 110 controls the injection unit to inject molten material into the mold unit, and controls the clamping device to clamp the mold unit, thereby molding a molded product having a shape corresponding to the shape of the cavity. In this embodiment, the mold unit has one cavity. That is, one molded product is molded by one injection molding. In other embodiments, the mold unit does not have to have one cavity, and may have two or more cavities.

[0011] The molding control unit 110 of this embodiment produces molded products in accordance with the production conditions. The production conditions of this embodiment are created in advance for each specification of the molded product, and include a molding program for executing injection molding and a planned quantity, which is the number of molded products to be produced. In this embodiment, a standard production unit, which will be described later, is determined based on the production conditions. Specifically, the production conditions of this embodiment include a standard production unit in addition to the above-mentioned molding program and planned quantity. In this embodiment, the correspondence between the specifications of the molded product and the production conditions is recorded in a database. This database is stored in a storage device provided in the control device 500.

[0012] The molding control unit 110 executes injection molding according to the molding program. The molding program is a program for performing injection molding once in the injection molding machine 100, and specifies the timing of changing control values ​​for the injection unit, the clamping device, etc., and the magnitude of the control values. The molding control unit 110 executes the molding program a number of times corresponding to the planned quantity included in the production conditions, and performs injection molding to mold the planned quantity of molded products.

[0013] The judgment unit 120 executes a judgment process to judge whether the production number of molded products corresponds to a standard production unit. The standard production unit refers to a predetermined production unit used in the judgment process. The production unit represents a unit of production management in the production management system 10. In this embodiment, a shot, a box, a lot, and a job are used as the production unit. One job is a production unit composed of multiple lots. One lot is a production unit composed of multiple boxes. One box is a unit composed of multiple shots. One shot is a unit representing one injection molding by the injection molding machine 100. Therefore, the production units increase in the order of shot, box, lot, and job. Note that when the number of cavities in the mold part is one as in this embodiment, one shot corresponds to one molded product.

[0014] The molding control unit 110 of this embodiment is configured to be capable of data communication with the control device 500. The molding control unit 110 functions as an operation information transmitting unit 130 and a production condition receiving unit 140. The operation information transmitting unit 130 transmits operation information of the injection molding unit 50 to an operation information receiving unit 530 provided in the control device 500, which will be described later. The production condition receiving unit 140 receives the production conditions transmitted by a production condition transmitting unit 540 provided in the control device 500, which will be described later.

[0015] The input unit 160 is configured with, for example, an input device such as a keyboard or a microphone that accepts information input from a user. The input unit 160 may also be an input unit that also functions as a display unit, such as a liquid crystal panel that accepts touch input.

[0016] The take-out machine 200 of this embodiment is composed of a take-out control unit 210, a take-out robot, and a cutter, which are not shown. The take-out robot is a robot that takes out a molded product from the mold part of the injection molding machine 100. The cutter is a device that removes a sprue or a runner that is molded together with the molded product in the mold part from the molded product by cutting it. The take-out robot of this embodiment directly grips and takes out the molded product that has been released from the mold part by the ejector pin of the injection molding machine 100 with an end effector attached to the tip of the arm of the take-out robot. Thereafter, the sprue or the runner is removed from the molded product by the cutter. In other embodiments, the take-out robot may be, for example, a robot that sucks and grips the molded product. The take-out machine 200 may not be equipped with a cutter.

[0017] The take-out control unit 210 is configured by a computer or the like, similar to the molding control unit 110. The take-out control unit 210 of this embodiment exerts various functions, such as a function of controlling the operation of the take-out robot and the cutting machine to perform the take-out process, a function of communicating with the control device 500, and the like.

[0018] The control device 500 is configured by a computer having one or more processors, a main memory device, and an input / output interface for inputting and outputting signals from and to the outside. The control device 500 may be configured by multiple computers. The control device 500 of this embodiment performs various functions, such as a function of communicating with the molding control unit 110 and the removal control unit 210, and a function of displaying information on the display device 300. The control device 500 functions as an operation information receiving unit 530 and a production condition transmitting unit 540. The operation information receiving unit 530 receives data such as operation information transmitted by the operation information transmitting unit 130. The production condition transmitting unit 540 transmits production conditions to the production condition receiving unit 140.

[0019] The control device 500 is configured to be able to communicate with the injection molding unit 50. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the control device 500, the molding control unit 110, and the take-out control unit 210 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network NT. The network NT may be, for example, a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. The control device 500 and the injection molding unit 50 may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via individual communication lines, rather than a network. Similarly, the injection molding units 50 may be connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via individual communication lines, rather than a network.

[0020] The display device 300 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like electrically connected to the control device 500. The control device 500 causes the display device 300 to display, for example, information related to production management of the injection molding unit 50. Note that the display device 300 may also function as an input device, for example, a liquid crystal panel that accepts touch input.

[0021] Fig. 2 is a process diagram showing the molded product production process of this embodiment. The molded product production process is a process executed to produce a molded product in the production management system 10. Fig. 2 shows both the process executed by the molding control unit 110 provided in the injection molding machine 100 of the injection molding unit 50 and the process executed by the control device 500 in the molded product production process.

[0022] In step S105, the molding control unit 110 acquires information for identifying the specifications of the molded product to be molded. Specifically, the molding control unit 110 acquires information on the type of molded product to be molded, information on the material for molding the molded product, information on the molded product, and the like. For example, if the specifications of the molded product can be classified by the job number, the molding control unit 110 may acquire the job number as information for identifying the specifications of the molded product. For example, the information on the molded product is input by the user via the input unit 160. In step S110, the molding control unit 110 transmits the information on the molded product acquired in step S105 to the control device 500. The control device 500 receives the information on the molded product transmitted by the molding control unit 110.

[0023] In step S111, the control device 500 acquires production conditions based on the information of the molded product transmitted by the molding control unit 110. In this embodiment, in step S111, the control device 500 reads production conditions for producing a molded product of the specifications from the storage device of the control device 500 based on the transmitted information of the molded product.

[0024] In step S112, the control device 500 transmits the production conditions acquired in step S111 to the molding control unit 110. The molding control unit 110 receives the production conditions transmitted by the control device 500.

[0025] As described above, the production conditions of this embodiment include a standard production unit and a planned quantity. The standard production units of this embodiment are one job, one lot, and one box. In this embodiment, one job is composed of 10 lots, one lot is composed of 10 boxes, and one box is composed of 10 shots. In other words, molding one job's worth of molded products can be rephrased as molding 10 lots's worth of molded products that constitute the job, molding 100 boxes' worth of molded products that constitute the job, and molding 1000 shots' worth of molded products. For example, starting the production of the first shot of a job means starting the production of the job, starting the production of the first lot included in the job, and starting the production of the first box included in the lot. The planned quantity of this embodiment is 10,000 shots. That is, the planned quantity of this embodiment corresponds to the production of 10 jobs. The planned quantity may be expressed, for example, by a production unit other than a shot, and may be expressed, for example, by the number of jobs.

[0026] In step S115, the molding control unit 110 executes a process of transmitting production start information. The process of transmitting production start information is a process in which the operation information transmitting unit 130 transmits production start information, which is information related to the start of production of a molded product. In step S115, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as production start information, information indicating that production of a molded product of job number 1 has started, information indicating that production of a molded product of lot number 1 has started, information indicating that production of box number 1 has started, and information indicating that production of shot number 1 has started to the control device 500. The control device 500 receives the production start information transmitted by the molding control unit 110.

[0027] In step S120, molding control unit 110 controls the injection unit and clamping unit of injection molding machine 100 in accordance with the molding program included in the production conditions to perform injection molding. As a result, material is injected into the mold unit of injection molding machine 100, and a molded product is formed in the mold unit. The molded product molded in step S120 is removed by remover 200. In this manner, the molded product is produced by injection molding and removal of the molded product.

[0028] In steps S125 to S155, the molding control unit 110 executes a transmission process of operation information. The transmission process of operation information is a process in which the operation information transmission unit 130 transmits operation information, which is information on the operation of the injection molding unit. First, in step S125, the molding control unit 110 functioning as the operation information transmission unit 130 transmits shot information, which is information on the production of one shot of molded products, to the operation information reception unit 530 as operation information. Specifically, in step S125, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as shot information, a shot number corresponding to the injection molding performed in step S120 and information indicating that the production of the shot number has been completed to the control device 500 functioning as the operation information reception unit 530. The control device 500 receives the shot information transmitted by the molding control unit 110.

[0029] Next, in steps S130 to S155, the molding control unit 110, functioning as the operation information transmitting unit 130, transmits operation information to the control device 500, functioning as the operation information receiving unit 530, if the judgment process determines that the production number of molded products corresponds to the standard production unit.

[0030] In step S130, the molding control unit 110 functioning as the determination unit 120 determines whether the production number of molded products at the time of executing step S130 corresponds to a box unit. In this embodiment, in step S130, the molding control unit 110 determines that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit when the total number of shots of the molded products at the time of executing step S130 is a multiple of 10.

[0031] In another embodiment, the determination unit 120 may determine in step S130 that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit when, for example, the number of shots of the molded products in a box number at the time step S130 is executed is equal to 10. For example, if the total number of shots of the molded products at the time step S130 is executed is 20, the box number is 2, and the number of shots in box number 2 is 10. Therefore, in this case, the determination unit 120 determines in step S130 that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit.

[0032] If it is determined in step S130 that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit, in step S135, the molding control unit 110 functioning as the operation information transmission unit 130 transmits box information, which is information related to the production of one box of molded products, as operation information to the control device 500 functioning as the operation information reception unit 530. Specifically, in step S135, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as box information, the box number of the box for which production has been completed and information indicating that the production of the molded products for that box has been completed. The control device 500 receives the box information transmitted by the molding control unit 110.

[0033] Next, in step S140, the molding control unit 110 judges whether the production number of molded products at the time of executing step S140 corresponds to a lot unit. In this embodiment, in step S140, the molding control unit 110 judges that the production number of molded products corresponds to a lot unit when the total number of shots of the molded products at the time of executing step S140 is a multiple of 100. Note that in other embodiments, the judgment unit 120 may judge that the production number of molded products corresponds to a lot unit when the number of shots of the molded products within the lot number at the time of executing step S140 is equal to 100 in step S140.

[0034] If it is determined in step S140 that the production number of molded articles corresponds to a lot unit, in step S145, the molding control unit 110 transmits lot information, which is information related to the production of one lot of molded articles, to the control device 500 as operation information. Specifically, in step S145, the molding control unit 110 transmits to the control device 500 the lot number of the lot for which production has been completed and information indicating that the production of the molded articles for that lot has been completed. The control device 500 receives the lot information transmitted by the molding control unit 110.

[0035] Next, in step S150, the molding control unit 110 judges whether the production number of molded products at the time of executing step S150 corresponds to a job unit. In this embodiment, in step S150, the molding control unit 110 judges that the production number of molded products corresponds to a job unit when the total number of shots of the molded products at the time of executing step S150 is a multiple of 1000. Note that in other embodiments, in step S150, the judgment unit 120 may judge that the production number of molded products corresponds to a job unit when the number of shots of the molded products within the job number at the time of executing step S150 is equal to 1000.

[0036] If it is determined in step S150 that the production number of molded articles corresponds to a job unit, in step S155, the molding control unit 110 transmits job information, which is information related to the production of molded articles for one job, as operation information to the control device 500. Specifically, in step S155, the molding control unit 110 transmits to the control device 500 the job number of the job for which production has been completed and information indicating that the production of molded articles for that job has been completed. The control device 500 receives the job information transmitted by the molding control unit 110.

[0037] In step S160, the molding control unit 110 determines whether or not the production of the planned number of molded products has been completed. If the molding control unit 110 determines that the production of the planned number of molded products has not been completed, the molding control unit 110 returns the process to step S120 and produces the next molded product.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the transmission process of operation information in this embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the correspondence between the total number N of shots in the molded product production process and the operation information transmitted from the molding control unit 110 to the control device 500 in steps S125 to S155 shown in FIG. 2. For example, when the total number N of shots is 1 or 2, the molding control unit 110 transmits only the shot information S in the transmission process of operation information. When the total number N of shots is a multiple of 10, the molding control unit 110 transmits the shot information S and the box information B. When the total number N of shots is a multiple of 100, the molding control unit 110 transmits the shot information S, the box information B, and the lot information L. When the total number N of shots is a multiple of 1000, the molding control unit 110 transmits the shot information S, the box information B, the lot information L, and the job information J. As a result, the operation information is transmitted to the control device 500 every time the production of the standard production unit is completed in the injection molding unit 50.

[0039] When it is determined in step S160 that the production of the planned quantity of molded products has been completed, in step S165, the molding control unit 110 executes a process of transmitting production completion information. The process of transmitting production completion information is a process in which the molding control unit 110, functioning as the operation information transmitting unit 130, transmits production completion information, which is information regarding the completion of the production of molded products. In this embodiment, the molding control unit 110 transmits information indicating that the production of molded products of all shots, all boxes, all lots, and all jobs has been completed to the control device 500 as production completion information. Thereafter, the molding control unit 110 terminates the molded product production process in the molding control unit 110. The control device 500 receives the production completion information transmitted from the molding control unit 110, and then terminates the molded product production process in the control device 500.

[0040] In addition, in the molded product production process, the control device 500 may display, for example, for each injection molding unit 50, operation information received from the molding control unit 110, a target production number, a target production time, a difference between the target production number or time and the current production number or time, a production status graph created by analyzing the operation information, and the like, on the display device 300. For example, by recognizing the information displayed on the display device 300, the user can grasp the actual production delay against the production plan for achieving the predetermined production target number, and can make changes to the production plan in order to achieve the production target number.

[0041] In the production management system 10 of the present embodiment described above, the determination unit 120 of the injection molding unit 50 determines whether the production number of molded products corresponds to the standard production unit, and if it is determined that the production number corresponds to the standard production unit, the operation information transmission unit 130 transmits operation information of the injection molding unit 50 to the control device 500. This allows the operation information reception unit 530 of the control device 500 to receive operation information of the injection molding unit 50 at the timing when a production number of molded products corresponding to a predetermined production unit has been produced. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately grasp whether production is proceeding as planned, and to suppress an increase in data communication volume and processing load.

[0042] In this embodiment, the injection molding unit 50 has a take-out machine 200. Therefore, even if the injection molding unit 50 produces molded products by molding the molded products using the injection molding machine 100 and taking them out using the take-out machine 200, it is possible to appropriately grasp whether the production is proceeding as planned and to suppress an increase in the amount of data communication and the processing load.

[0043] In this embodiment, the standard production unit is determined based on the production conditions. Therefore, the injection molding unit 50 can produce molded products according to the production conditions, and the determination unit 120 can perform determination using the standard production unit determined based on the production conditions without separately acquiring the standard production unit. Therefore, with simpler control, it is possible to appropriately grasp whether the production is proceeding as planned, and to suppress an increase in the amount of data communication and processing load.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the production condition transmitting unit 540 of the control device 500 transmits the production conditions to the production condition receiving unit 140 of the injection molding unit 50 prior to the production of the molded product. This allows the injection molding unit 50 to produce the molded product according to the production conditions transmitted from the control device 500, and also allows judgment to be made using a standard production unit determined based on the production conditions.

[0045] In other embodiments, the production conditions may not include the standard production unit. In this case, the standard production unit may be determined based on the planned quantity included in the production conditions, for example. More specifically, for example, the quantity of molded products and the standard production unit are previously associated and recorded in the storage device of the molding control unit 110, and in steps S130 to S155, the molding control unit 110 may read from its own storage device the standard production unit associated with the quantity corresponding to the planned quantity included in the production conditions transmitted from the control device 500, and use the standard production unit for judgment. In addition, the molding control unit 110 may determine the standard production unit by, for example, multiplying the planned quantity included in the production conditions transmitted from the control device 500 by a predetermined coefficient. This coefficient is preferably determined as a value suitable for production management and quality management, for example. Furthermore, the production conditions may include, for example, the specifications of the molded products to be produced, and the standard production unit may be determined based on the specifications of the molded products included in the production conditions.

[0046] Also, the production conditions may not include the molding program. In this case, the molding control unit 110 may receive the molding program separately from the production conditions, for example, from the control device 500. Furthermore, for example, the molding program may be recorded in the storage device of the molding control unit 110, and in this case, the molding control unit 110 may produce the molded product according to the production conditions not including the molding program received from the control device 500 and the molding program read from its own storage device.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the control device 500 acquires production conditions based on the information on the molded product transmitted by the molding control unit 110 in step S111, and transmits the acquired production conditions to the molding control unit 110 in step S112. In contrast, the control device 500 may transmit production conditions to the molding control unit 110 in accordance with a production target or a production plan, and cause the molding control unit 110 to produce the molded product, for example. In particular, when the production management system 10 includes a plurality of injection molding units 50 as in this embodiment, the control device 500 transmits production conditions to each injection molding unit 50 in accordance with a production target or a production plan, thereby enabling each injection molding unit 50 to efficiently produce molded products, and enabling the production management system 10 as a whole to appropriately grasp whether production is proceeding as planned.

[0048] B. Second embodiment: 4 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a production management system 10b in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the injection molding unit 50b includes an acquisition unit 150. The production unit used in the judgment process is not determined by the production conditions, but is acquired separately from the production conditions by the acquisition unit 150. Note that, among the configuration of the production management system 10b in this embodiment, the parts that are not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0049] The injection molding machine 100b of the injection molding unit 50b of this embodiment includes the above-mentioned acquisition unit 150. Specifically, in this embodiment, the molding control unit 110b functions as the acquisition unit 150. The acquisition unit 150 acquires a standard production unit. The acquisition unit 150 of this embodiment acquires a standard production unit input via the input unit 160b. The input unit 160b of this embodiment accepts the input of the standard production unit.

[0050] Unlike the first embodiment, the injection molding unit 50b of this embodiment does not include a production condition receiving section 140. Also, unlike the second embodiment, the control device 500b does not include a production condition transmitting section 540.

[0051] The molding control unit 110b produces molded products according to the production conditions, as in the first embodiment. The production conditions in this embodiment include a molding program and a planned quantity, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the production conditions do not include a standard production unit. Also, as described above, the standard production unit is not determined by the production conditions.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a process diagram showing a molded product production process in the second embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a process executed by the molding control unit 110b in the molded product production process. Among the steps in Fig. 5, the same steps as those in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2.

[0053] In step S106, the molding control unit 110b functioning as the acquisition unit 150 acquires the production conditions of the molded product. In this embodiment, the molding control unit 110b acquires the production conditions in step S106. In step S106, the molding control unit 110b acquires, for example, a planned quantity input by a user via the input unit 160b. In addition, in step S106, the molding control unit 110b acquires, for example, a molding program pre-recorded in a storage device provided in the molding control unit 110b. This can further reduce the amount of data communication and the processing load of the control device 500b compared to the case where the molding control unit 110b acquires the planned quantity and the molding program from the control device 500b.

[0054] In step S113, the molding control unit 110b functioning as the acquisition unit 150 acquires the standard production unit. As described above, the acquisition unit 150 in this embodiment acquires the standard production unit input via the input unit 160b. For example, if the injection molding unit 50b is equipped with a display unit, the molding control unit 110b may display a dialog or the like on the display unit to prompt the user to input the standard production unit in step S113.

[0055] The production management system 10b of the second embodiment described above can also properly grasp whether production is proceeding as planned, and can suppress an increase in data communication volume and processing load. In particular, in this embodiment, the acquisition unit 150 of the injection molding unit 50b acquires the standard production unit. Therefore, in the injection molding unit 50b, the judgment process can be performed by the judgment unit 120 using the standard production unit acquired by the acquisition unit 150.

[0056] In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 150 acquires the standard production unit input via the input unit 160b of the injection molding unit 50b. This allows the injection molding unit 50b to acquire the standard production unit without communicating with the control device 500b. This further reduces the amount of data communication and the processing load of the control device 500b.

[0057] In another embodiment, the acquisition unit 150 may acquire the standard production unit from the control device 500b. In this case, the acquisition unit 150 can acquire the standard production unit from the control device 500b, for example, by communicating with the control device 500b. In this embodiment, the judgment unit 120 can make a judgment in the injection molding unit 50b using the standard production unit acquired from the control device 500b. In addition, for example, even if the input unit 160b is not provided in the injection molding unit 50b, the standard production unit can be acquired, so that the injection molding unit 50b can be made smaller. Furthermore, as in this embodiment, when the production management system 10b includes a plurality of injection molding units 50b, by having the acquisition unit 150 of each injection molding unit 50b acquire the standard production unit from the control device 500b, it is not necessary to directly input the standard production unit to each injection molding unit 50b, so that molded products can be produced more efficiently and it is possible to appropriately grasp whether production is proceeding as planned.

[0058] C. Third embodiment: Fig. 6 is a process diagram showing a molded product production process in the third embodiment. In Fig. 6, similarly to Fig. 2, the process executed by the molding control unit 110 provided in the injection molding machine 100 of the injection molding unit 50 and the process executed by the control device 500 in the molded product production process are shown side by side. Note that among the processes in Fig. 6, the same processes as those in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Fig. 2. Also, among the configuration of the production management system 10 of this embodiment, the parts not particularly described are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0059] In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the molding control unit 110 functioning as the operation information transmitting unit 130 transmits information indicating that production of the next production unit corresponding to the standard production unit will begin to the control device 500 functioning as the operation information receiving unit 530 before starting production of the production unit corresponding to the standard production unit.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 6, after step S115, unlike the first embodiment, the molding control unit 110 does not perform injection molding, but transmits shot information as operation information in step S125b. Specifically, in step S125b, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as shot information, to the control device 500, a next shot number obtained by adding 1 to the shot number at the start of step S125b, and information indicating that production of the next shot number will start. For example, in step S125b, if the shot number at the time of execution of step S125b is 10, the control device 500 transmits shot number 11 and information indicating that production of shot number 11 will start. The operation information receiving unit 530 receives the shot information transmitted by the operation information transmitting unit 130.

[0061] Step S130 in Fig. 6 is the same as step S130 in Fig. 2. For example, when the total number of shots at the time of performing step S130 is 10, the molding control unit 110 determines that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit because the total number of shots is a multiple of 10.

[0062] When it is determined in step S130 that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit, in step S135b, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as operation information, a next box number obtained by adding 1 to the box number at the start of step S135b and information indicating that production for the next box number will start to the control device 500. For example, in the above-mentioned step S125b, if the box number at the time of execution of step S125b is 1, the control device 500 transmits box number 2 and information indicating that production of box number 2 will start.

[0063] As in step S135b, in step S145b, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as operation information, the next lot number obtained by adding 1 to the lot number at the start of step S145b and information indicating that production for the next lot number will start, to the control device 500. In addition, in step S155b, the molding control unit 110 transmits, as operation information, the next job number obtained by adding 1 to the job number at the start of step S155b and information indicating that production for the next job number will start, to the control device 500, as job information.

[0064] In step S158, molding control unit 110 performs injection molding in the same manner as in step S120 of Fig. 2. For example, if the injection molding performed in step S158 corresponds to shot number 11, information to start production of shot number 11 is transmitted to control device 500 in step S125b performed before step S158, and information to start production of box number 2 is transmitted to control device 500 in step S135b performed before step S158.

[0065] The production management system 10 of the third embodiment described above can also properly grasp whether production is proceeding as planned and can suppress increases in data communication volume and processing load. In another embodiment, the operation information transmitting unit 130 may transmit operation information to the operation information receiving unit 530 both before starting production of a production unit corresponding to the reference production unit and after the production of the production unit corresponding to the reference production unit is completed. In this case, it can be more properly grasped whether production is proceeding as planned.

[0066] D. Other embodiments: (D-1) In the above embodiment, the determination unit 120 and the operation information transmission unit 130 are provided in the injection molding machine 100 of the injection molding unit 50. In contrast, the determination unit 120 and the operation information transmission unit 130 may be provided in the take-out machine 200 of the injection molding unit 50. In this case, for example, the take-out control unit 210 of the take-out machine 200 may function as the determination unit 120 and the operation information transmission unit 130. In addition, when the injection molding unit 50 includes, for example, a control device or the like that controls one or both of the injection molding machine 100 and the take-out machine 200, the determination unit 120 and the operation information transmission unit 130 may be provided in the control device or the like.

[0067] (D-2) In the above embodiment, injection molding unit 50 is equipped with ejector 200. In contrast, injection molding unit 50 does not have to be equipped with ejector 200. In this case, "production of molded products" may refer only to molding of molded products by injection molding machine 100.

[0068] (D-3) In the above embodiment, the injection molding machine 100 of the injection molding unit 50 is equipped with the acquisition unit 150. In contrast, the take-out machine 200 of the injection molding unit 50 may be equipped with the acquisition unit 150. In addition, when the injection molding unit 50 is equipped with, for example, a control device or the like that controls one or both of the injection molding machine 100 and the take-out machine 200, the control device or the like may be equipped with the acquisition unit 150.

[0069] (D-4) In the above embodiment, the injection molding machine 100 of the injection molding unit 50 is provided with the input unit 160. In contrast, the injection molding machine 100 may not be provided with the input unit 160. For example, the take-out machine 200 may be provided with the input unit 160. In addition, when the injection molding unit 50 is provided with, for example, a control device or the like that controls one or both of the injection molding machine 100 and the take-out machine 200, the control device or the like may be provided with the input unit 160. Furthermore, the injection molding unit 50 may not be provided with the input unit 160.

[0070] (D-5) In the above embodiment, the molding control unit 110 executes a process for transmitting production start information and a process for transmitting production completion information in the molded product production process. In contrast, the molding control unit 110 may execute only one of the process for transmitting production start information and the process for transmitting production completion information in the molded product production process, or may not execute both.

[0071] (D-6) In the above embodiment, the production units are shots, boxes, lots, and jobs. In contrast, the production units do not have to be shots, boxes, lots, and jobs, and the names of the production units and the correspondence between the numbers of the production units may be arbitrary. In this case, it is preferable that each production unit is determined as a unit suitable for carrying out production management and quality management, for example.

[0072] (D-7) In the above embodiment, the operation information transmitting unit 130 transmits operation information for each shot. In contrast, the operation information transmitting unit 130 does not have to transmit operation information for each shot. For example, when the reference production unit is a box, a lot, or a job, as in the above embodiment, the operation information transmitting unit 130 may transmit box information, lot information, or job information when it is determined in the determination process that the production number of molded products corresponds to a box unit, a lot unit, or a job unit, without transmitting operation information for each shot. In this case, the increase in data communication volume and processing load can be further suppressed.

[0073] (D-8) In the above embodiment, the operation information transmitting unit 130 transmits, as the operation information, the number of the production unit whose production has been completed or started, and information indicating that the production of the molded product of that production unit has been completed or started. In contrast, the operation information transmitting unit 130 may transmit, as the operation information, for example, only the number of the production unit whose production has been completed or started, and the control device 500 may determine that the production of that production unit has been completed or started when it receives the number of the production unit transmitted by the operation information transmitting unit 130. Alternatively, the operation information transmitting unit 130 may not transmit the number of the production unit, but transmit information indicating that the production of the reference production unit has been completed or started, as the operation information, and the control device 500 may calculate the number of the production unit whose production has been completed or started by counting the number of times that the control device 500 receives the information transmitted by the operation information transmitting unit 130. In addition, the operation information transmitting unit 130 may transmit, in addition to the operation information, information on the stopping and restarting of the injection molding unit 50, whether or not maintenance has been performed, various data such as temperature and pressure in the injection section and mold section of the injection molding machine 100 acquired by sensors not shown, vibration data during removal by the remover 200, etc.

[0074] (D-9) In the above embodiment, the production management system 10 includes two injection molding units 50. In contrast, the production management system 10 may include only one injection molding unit 50, or may include three or more injection molding units 50.

[0075] E. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the present disclosure can be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure, or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if the technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0076] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a production management system. The production management system includes an injection molding unit that produces molded products, and a control device. The injection molding unit includes an injection molding machine that produces the molded products by injection molding, a determination unit that determines whether the production number of the molded products corresponds to a predetermined production unit, and an operation information transmission unit that transmits operation information of the injection molding unit when it is determined that the production number corresponds to the predetermined production unit. The control device includes an operation information receiving unit that receives the operation information transmitted by the operation information transmission unit. According to this embodiment, the operation information receiving unit of the control device can receive the operation information of the injection molding unit at the timing when a production number of molded products corresponding to a predetermined production unit is produced, so that it is possible to appropriately grasp whether the production is proceeding as planned and to suppress an increase in the amount of data communication and the processing load.

[0077] (2) In the above embodiment, the injection molding unit may have a take-out machine that takes out the molded product from the injection molding machine. According to this embodiment, even if the injection molding unit is configured to produce molded products by molding the molded products with the injection molding machine and taking them out with a take-out machine, it is possible to appropriately grasp whether production is proceeding as planned and to suppress an increase in data communication volume and processing load.

[0078] (3) In the above embodiment, the injection molding unit may include a molding control unit that molds the molded product according to production conditions, and the predetermined production unit may be determined based on the production conditions. According to this embodiment, the injection molding unit can produce the molded product according to the production conditions, and the determination unit can perform determination using the production unit determined based on the production conditions without separately acquiring the production unit used for determination by the determination unit. Therefore, with simpler control, it is possible to appropriately grasp whether production is proceeding as planned, and to suppress increases in data communication volume and processing load.

[0079] (4) In the above embodiment, the control device may include a production condition transmission unit that transmits the production conditions prior to production of the molded product, and the injection molding unit may include a production condition receiving unit that receives the production conditions transmitted by the production condition transmission unit. According to this embodiment, the injection molding unit can produce the molded product according to the production conditions transmitted from the control device, and can make a judgment using a production unit determined based on the production conditions.

[0080] (5) In the above embodiment, the injection molding unit may include an acquisition unit that acquires the predetermined production unit. According to this embodiment, in the injection molding unit, the determination process can be performed by a determination unit using the production unit acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0081] (6) In the above embodiment, the injection molding unit may include an input unit that accepts input of the predetermined production unit, and the acquisition unit may acquire the predetermined production unit input via the input unit. According to this embodiment, the injection molding unit can acquire the production unit used for the judgment without communicating with a control device, etc. Therefore, the amount of data communication and the processing load of the control device can be further reduced.

[0082] (7) In the above embodiment, the acquisition unit may acquire the predetermined production unit from the control device. According to this embodiment, in the injection molding unit, the judgment unit can make a judgment using the production unit acquired from the control device by the acquisition unit. Therefore, even if the injection molding unit is not provided with, for example, an input unit that accepts input of the predetermined production unit, the predetermined production unit can be acquired and the judgment unit can make a judgment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10, 10b... production management system, 50, 50b... injection molding unit, 100, 100b... injection molding machine, 110, 110b... molding control unit, 120... judgment unit, 130... operation information transmission unit, 140... production condition reception unit, 150... acquisition unit, 160, 160b... input unit, 200... take-out machine, 210... take-out control unit, 300... display device, 500, 500b... control device, 530... operation information reception unit, 540... production condition transmission unit

Claims

1. A production management system, an injection molding unit for producing molded products; A control device, The injection molding unit includes: an injection molding machine for molding the molded product by injection molding; a remover that removes the molded product from the injection molding machine; a determination unit that determines whether or not a production number of the molded product corresponds to a predetermined production unit; an operation information transmitting unit that transmits operation information of the injection molding unit when it is determined that the production number corresponds to the predetermined production unit; the control device includes an operation information receiving unit that receives the operation information transmitted by the operation information transmitting unit, The molded product is produced by performing molding by the injection molding machine and removal by the removal machine, the operation information includes information indicating that production of one unit of the molded product in the predetermined production unit has been completed, The predetermined production units include a first production unit and a second production unit larger than the first production unit, The operation information transmission unit is When it is determined that the production quantity corresponds to the first production unit, information representing the completion of production of one unit of the first production unit is transmitted as the operation information; when it is determined that the production quantity corresponds to the second production unit, transmitting information representing the completion of production of one unit of the second production unit as the operation information; Production management system.

2. The production management system according to claim 1, the injection molding unit includes a molding control unit that produces the molded product in accordance with production conditions; A production management system, wherein the predetermined production unit is determined based on the production conditions.

3. The production management system according to claim 2, the control device includes a production condition transmission unit that transmits the production conditions prior to production of the molded product, The injection molding unit includes a production condition receiving unit that receives the production conditions transmitted by the production condition transmitting unit.

4. The production management system according to claim 3, The molding control unit acquires information for identifying specifications of the molded product, and transmits the acquired information for identifying the specifications to the control device; The production condition transmission unit acquires the production conditions based on information for identifying the received specifications prior to production of the molded product, and transmits the acquired production conditions to the molding control unit.

5. The production management system according to claim 1, The injection molding unit is provided with an acquisition unit that acquires the predetermined production unit.

6. The production management system according to claim 5, the injection molding unit includes an input unit that receives an input of the predetermined production unit, A production management system, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the predetermined production unit input via the input unit.

7. The production management system according to claim 5, A production management system, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the predetermined production unit from the control device.

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