Injection molding machine

Abstract

To provide a technique which can improve position accuracy of a nozzle of an injection device.SOLUTION: An injection molding machine comprises an injection device and a guide part. The injection device includes a nozzle which injects a molding material into a mold device. The guide part guides the injection device in a direction making the nozzle contact with and separate from the mold device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine. [Background technology]

[0002] The injection molding machine of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the injection unit body is adjustable so that minute misalignment between the mold centering hole and the nozzle can be eliminated to perform accurate centering. When adjusting the axis of the nozzle in the vertical direction, the fixing bolts at all four corners of the base of the injection unit body are loosened, and then the injection unit body is raised or lowered. When adjusting in the horizontal direction, the fixing bolts are temporarily fastened, and the horizontal adjustment bolt is turned to push the base of the injection unit body from the left and right directions. After centering in the vertical and left and right directions is completed, the base of the injection unit body is fixed to the shoe by the fixing bolts. The shoes are provided at the front and rear of the lower surface of the base, respectively, and slide on the sliding surfaces formed on the upper surface of the base (injection base) of the injection device. Gibs are provided on the sliding surfaces to guide the shoe by clamping it from both sides. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-932 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the base and gib of the injection device function as a guide for the injection unit body. Parts such as a shoe are present between the guide and the injection unit body. The positional accuracy of the nozzle can be reduced by the accumulation of errors that occur when machining parts.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides techniques for improving the positional accuracy of nozzles in jetting devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention includes an injection unit including a nozzle for injecting a molding material into a mold unit, and a nozzle for inserting the nozzle into the mold unit. Forward approach and backward separation The injection device is guided in a direction Includes a first guide bar and a second guide bar A guide portion and a guide portion perpendicular to the guide direction of the guide portion No. 1 and a position adjustment unit that adjusts a position of the guide unit in a direction of the injection unit. The position adjustment unit is provided on a frame that supports the injection unit. The front or rear side of the injection device Including a pivot pin provided in The guide unit includes a guide block that fixes the first guide bar and the second guide bar. The guide block is moved in the first direction by the position adjustment unit on a side opposite to the pivot pin, either on the front side or the rear side of the injection device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, since the injection unit is directly guided by the guide portion, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of errors that occur when machining a part, and therefore it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the nozzle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state when mold opening of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment is completed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state during mold clamping of the injection molding machine according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a guide portion that guides the injection device according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an injection device and a guide unit according to one embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a horizontal position adjustment section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modified example of the horizontal position adjustment section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another modified example of the horizontal position adjustment section. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing an example of a vertical position adjustment portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a front view showing a modified example of the vertical position adjustment section. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of a movement restricting portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view showing a modified example of the movement restricting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (injection molding machine) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a state of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment when mold opening is completed. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a state of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment when mold clamping is performed. In this specification, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction represent the horizontal direction, and the Z-axis direction represents the vertical direction. When the mold clamping device 100 is of a horizontal type, the X-axis direction is the mold opening / closing direction, and the Y-axis direction is the width direction of the injection molding machine 10. The negative side of the Y-axis direction is called the operation side, and the positive side of the Y-axis direction is called the anti-operation side.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the injection molding machine 10 includes a mold clamping device 100 that opens and closes a mold device 800, an ejector device 200 that ejects a molded product molded by the mold device 800, an injection device 300 that injects molding material into the mold device 800, a moving device 400 that moves the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 800, a control device 700 that controls each component of the injection molding machine 10, and a frame 900 that supports each component of the injection molding machine 10. The frame 900 includes a mold clamping device frame 910 that supports the mold clamping device 10, and an injection device frame 920 that supports the injection device 300. The mold clamping device frame 910 and the injection device frame 920 are each installed on the floor 2 via a leveling adjuster 930. The control device 700 is disposed in the internal space of the injection device frame 920. Hereinafter, each component of the injection molding machine 10 will be described.

[0012] (mold clamping device) In the description of the clamping unit 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold closing (for example, the positive direction of the X-axis) is the front, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold opening (for example, the negative direction of the X-axis) is the rear.

[0013] The mold clamping device 100 performs mold closing, pressure increase, mold clamping, depressurization, and mold opening of the mold device 800. The mold device 800 includes a fixed mold 810 and a movable mold 820.

[0014] The mold clamping apparatus 100 is, for example, a horizontal type, and the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal. The mold clamping apparatus 100 has a fixed platen 110 to which a fixed mold 810 is attached, a movable platen 120 to which a movable mold 820 is attached, and a movement mechanism 102 that moves the movable platen 120 in the mold opening and closing direction relative to the fixed platen 110.

[0015] The stationary platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping unit frame 910. A stationary mold 810 is attached to the surface of the stationary platen 110 that faces the movable platen 120.

[0016] The movable platen 120 is disposed so as to be movable in the mold opening / closing direction relative to the mold clamping unit frame 910. A guide 101 for guiding the movable platen 120 is disposed on the mold clamping unit frame 910. A movable mold 820 is attached to the surface of the movable platen 120 facing the fixed platen 110.

[0017] The moving mechanism 102 advances and retreats the movable platen 120 relative to the fixed platen 110, thereby performing mold closing, pressurization, mold clamping, depressurization, and mold opening of the mold apparatus 800. The moving mechanism 102 has a toggle support 130 disposed at a distance from the fixed platen 110, a tie bar 140 connecting the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130, a toggle mechanism 150 that moves the movable platen 120 in the mold opening and closing direction relative to the toggle support 130, a mold clamping motor 160 that operates the toggle mechanism 150, a motion conversion mechanism 170 that converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into linear motion, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 that adjusts the distance between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130.

[0018] The toggle support 130 is disposed at a distance from the fixed platen 110, and is placed on the mold clamping unit frame 910 so as to be freely movable in the mold opening and closing direction. The toggle support 130 may be disposed so as to be freely movable along a guide laid on the mold clamping unit frame 910. The guide of the toggle support 130 may be the same as the guide 101 of the movable platen 120.

[0019] In this embodiment, the fixed platen 110 is fixed to the mold clamping unit frame 910, and the toggle support 130 is arranged so as to be freely movable in the mold opening and closing direction relative to the mold clamping unit frame 910, but the toggle support 130 may be fixed to the mold clamping unit frame 910, and the fixed platen 110 may be arranged so as to be freely movable in the mold opening and closing direction relative to the mold clamping unit frame 910.

[0020] The tie bar 140 connects the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 at a distance L in the mold opening / closing direction. A plurality of tie bars 140 (for example, four) may be used. The plurality of tie bars 140 are arranged parallel to the mold opening / closing direction and extend according to the mold clamping force. At least one tie bar 140 may be provided with a tie bar strain detector 141 that detects strain of the tie bar 140. The tie bar strain detector 141 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the tie bar strain detector 141 is used for detecting the mold clamping force, etc.

[0021] In this embodiment, the tie bar strain detector 141 is used as a clamping force detector for detecting the clamping force, but the present invention is not limited to this. The clamping force detector is not limited to the strain gauge type, and may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type, or the like, and the attachment position is not limited to the tie bar 140.

[0022] The toggle mechanism 150 is disposed between the movable platen 120 and the toggle support 130, and moves the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle support 130 in the mold opening / closing direction. The toggle mechanism 150 has a crosshead 151 that moves in the mold opening / closing direction, and a pair of link groups that bend and stretch with the movement of the crosshead 151. Each of the pair of link groups has a first link 152 and a second link 153 that are connected to bendable and stretchable by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is attached to the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like so as to be swingable. The second link 153 is attached to the toggle support 130 by a pin or the like so as to be swingable. The second link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via a third link 154. When the crosshead 151 is advanced or retreated relative to the toggle support 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 bend and stretch, and the movable platen 120 advances or retreats relative to the toggle support 130.

[0023] The configuration of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. For example, although the number of joints in each link group is five in Figures 1 and 2, it may be four, and one end of the third link 154 may be connected to a joint between the first link 152 and the second link 153.

[0024] The mold clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle support 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold clamping motor 160 advances and retreats the crosshead 151 relative to the toggle support 130, thereby bending and extending the first link 152 and the second link 153 and advancing and retreating the movable platen 120 relative to the toggle support 130. The mold clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may also be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, a pulley, or the like.

[0025] The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into the linear motion of the crosshead 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

[0026] The mold clamping unit 100 performs a mold closing process, a pressure increase process, a mold clamping process, a pressure release process, a mold opening process, and the like under the control of the control device 700.

[0027] In the mold closing process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to move the crosshead 151 forward at a set moving speed to a mold closing completion position, thereby moving the movable platen 120 forward and bringing the movable mold 820 into contact with the fixed mold 810. The position and moving speed of the crosshead 151 are detected by using, for example, a mold clamping motor encoder 161. The mold clamping motor encoder 161 detects the rotation of the mold clamping motor 160 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

[0028] The crosshead position detector that detects the position of the crosshead 151 and the crosshead movement speed detector that detects the movement speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161, and general devices can be used. Furthermore, the movable platen position detector that detects the position of the movable platen 120 and the movable platen movement speed detector that detects the movement speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161, and general devices can be used.

[0029] In the pressure increasing step, the mold clamping motor 160 is further driven to move the crosshead 151 further forward from the mold closing completion position to the mold clamping position, thereby generating a mold clamping force.

[0030] In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to maintain the position of the crosshead 151 at the mold clamping position. In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping force generated in the pressure increase process is maintained. In the mold clamping process, a cavity space 801 (see FIG. 2) is formed between the movable mold 820 and the fixed mold 810, and the injection device 300 fills the cavity space 801 with liquid molding material. The filled molding material is solidified to obtain a molded product.

[0031] The number of cavity spaces 801 may be one or more. In the latter case, multiple molded products are obtained at the same time. An insert material may be placed in a part of the cavity space 801, and another part of the cavity space 801 may be filled with a molding material. A molded product in which the insert material and the molding material are integrated is obtained.

[0032] In the depressurization process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to move the crosshead 151 back from the mold clamping position to the mold opening start position, thereby moving the movable platen 120 back and reducing the mold clamping force. The mold opening start position and the mold closing completion position may be the same position.

[0033] In the mold opening process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to move the crosshead 151 backward at a set moving speed from the mold opening start position to the mold opening completion position, thereby moving the movable platen 120 backward and separating the movable mold 820 from the fixed mold 810. After that, the ejector unit 200 ejects the molded product from the movable mold 820.

[0034] The setting conditions in the mold closing process, the pressure increase process, and the mold clamping process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, the moving speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the mold closing process and the pressure increase process (including the mold closing start position, the moving speed switching position, the mold closing completion position, and the mold clamping position) and the mold clamping force are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold closing start position, the moving speed switching position, the mold closing completion position, and the mold clamping position are arranged in this order from the rear side to the front, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the moving speed is set. The moving speed is set for each section. There may be one or more moving speed switching positions. The moving speed switching position does not have to be set. Only one of the mold clamping position and the mold clamping force may be set.

[0035] The setting conditions in the depressurization process and mold opening process are set in the same manner. For example, the movement speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the depressurization process and mold opening process (mold opening start position, movement speed switching position, and mold opening completion position) are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, movement speed switching position, and mold opening completion position are arranged in this order from the front to the rear, and represent the start and end points of the section in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. There may be one or more movement speed switching positions. The movement speed switching position does not have to be set. The mold opening start position and the mold closing completion position may be the same position. Also, the mold opening completion position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

[0036] It should be noted that the moving speed and position of the movable platen 120 may be set instead of the moving speed and position of the crosshead 151. Moreover, the clamping force may be set instead of the position of the crosshead (e.g., the clamping position) or the position of the movable platen.

[0037] Incidentally, the toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the mold clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable platen 120. The amplification ratio is also called the toggle ratio. The toggle ratio changes according to the angle θ between the first link 152 and the second link 153 (hereinafter also referred to as the "link angle θ"). The link angle θ is determined from the position of the crosshead 151. When the link angle θ is 180°, the toggle ratio is maximum.

[0038] When the thickness of the mold device 800 changes due to replacement of the mold device 800 or a temperature change of the mold device 800, a mold thickness adjustment is performed so that a predetermined clamping force is obtained during mold clamping. In the mold thickness adjustment, for example, the distance L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 is adjusted so that the link angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 becomes a predetermined angle at the mold touch time when the movable mold 820 touches the fixed mold 810.

[0039] The mold clamping device 100 has a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 adjusts the mold thickness by adjusting the distance L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130. The mold thickness adjustment is performed, for example, between the end of a molding cycle and the start of the next molding cycle. The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 has, for example, a screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the tie bar 140, a screw nut 182 held rotatably and immovably on the toggle support 130, and a mold thickness adjustment motor 183 that rotates the screw nut 182 screwed onto the screw shaft 181.

[0040] The screw shaft 181 and the screw nut 182 are provided for each tie bar 140. The rotational driving force of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 may be transmitted to the multiple screw nuts 182 via a rotational driving force transmission unit 185. The multiple screw nuts 182 can be rotated synchronously. Note that by changing the transmission path of the rotational driving force transmission unit 185, it is also possible to rotate the multiple screw nuts 182 individually.

[0041] The rotational drive force transmission unit 185 is composed of, for example, gears. In this case, a driven gear is formed on the outer periphery of each screw nut 182, a drive gear is attached to the output shaft of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183, and an intermediate gear that meshes with the multiple driven gears and the drive gear is rotatably held in the center of the toggle support 130. Note that the rotational drive force transmission unit 185 may be composed of a belt, a pulley, or the like, instead of gears.

[0042] The operation of the mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 is controlled by a control device 700. The control device 700 drives the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 to rotate the screw nut 182. As a result, the position of the toggle support 130 relative to the tie bar 140 is adjusted, and the interval L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 is adjusted. Note that a plurality of mold thickness adjustment mechanisms may be used in combination.

[0043] The distance L is detected using a mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184. The mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 detects the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183, and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used to monitor and control the position of the toggle support 130 and the distance L. Note that the toggle support position detector that detects the position of the toggle support 130 and the distance detector that detects the distance L are not limited to the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184, and general detectors can be used.

[0044] The mold clamping apparatus 100 may have a mold temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of the mold apparatus 800. The mold apparatus 800 has a flow path for a temperature control medium therein. The mold temperature regulator regulates the temperature of the mold apparatus 800 by regulating the temperature of the temperature control medium supplied to the flow path of the mold apparatus 800.

[0045] Incidentally, the mold clamping unit 100 of this embodiment is of a horizontal type in which the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal, but it may be of a vertical type in which the mold opening and closing direction is vertical.

[0046] Although the mold clamping apparatus 100 of the present embodiment has a mold clamping motor 160 as a drive unit, it may have a hydraulic cylinder instead of the mold clamping motor 160. Also, the mold clamping apparatus 100 may have a linear motor for opening and closing the mold, and an electromagnet for mold clamping.

[0047] (Ejector device) In describing the ejector unit 200, similar to the description of the mold clamping unit 100, the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 during mold closing (e.g., the positive direction of the X-axis) will be referred to as the forward direction, and the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 during mold opening (e.g., the negative direction of the X-axis) will be referred to as the rearward direction.

[0048] The ejector unit 200 is attached to the movable platen 120 and moves forward and backward together with the movable platen 120. The ejector unit 200 has an ejector rod 210 that ejects a molded product from the mold device 800, and a drive mechanism 220 that moves the ejector rod 210 in the movement direction of the movable platen 120 (X-axis direction).

[0049] The ejector rod 210 is arranged so as to be able to move forward and backward in a through hole of the movable platen 120. The front end of the ejector rod 210 contacts an ejector plate 826 of the movable mold 820. The front end of the ejector rod 210 may or may not be connected to the ejector plate 826.

[0050] The drive mechanism 220 includes, for example, an ejector motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the ejector motor into the linear motion of the ejector rod 210. The motion conversion mechanism includes a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

[0051] The ejector unit 200 performs an ejection process under the control of the control unit 700. In the ejection process, the ejector rod 210 advances from the standby position to the ejection position at a set moving speed, thereby advancing the ejector plate 826 and ejecting the molded product. After that, the ejector motor is driven to move the ejector rod 210 backward at the set moving speed, and the ejector plate 826 backward to the original standby position.

[0052] The position and moving speed of the ejector rod 210 are detected, for example, by using an ejector motor encoder. The ejector motor encoder detects the rotation of the ejector motor and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. Note that the ejector rod position detector that detects the position of the ejector rod 210 and the ejector rod moving speed detector that detects the moving speed of the ejector rod 210 are not limited to the ejector motor encoder, and general types can be used.

[0053] (injection device) In the description of the injection device 300, unlike the description of the mold clamping device 100 and the description of the ejector device 200, the movement direction of the screw 330 during filling (e.g., the negative X-axis direction) is described as the forward direction, and the movement direction of the screw 330 during metering (e.g., the positive X-axis direction) is described as the rearward direction.

[0054] The injection device 300 is disposed so as to be capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the injection device frame 920. The injection device 300 is disposed so as to be capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the mold device 800. The injection device 300 touches the mold device 800 and fills a cavity space 801 in the mold device 800 with a molding material. The injection device 300 has, for example, a cylinder 310 for heating the molding material, a nozzle 320 provided at the front end of the cylinder 310, a screw 330 disposed in the cylinder 310 so as to be capable of moving forward and backward and to be rotatable, a metering motor 340 for rotating the screw 330, an injection motor 350 for moving the screw 330 forward and backward, and a load detector 360 for detecting a load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330.

[0055] Cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied to the inside from supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The molding material is formed, for example, in the shape of pellets, and is supplied to supply port 311 in a solid state. Supply port 311 is formed at the rear of cylinder 310. A cooler 312 such as a water-cooled cylinder is provided on the outer periphery of the rear of cylinder 310. A heater 313 such as a band heater and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of cylinder 310, forward of cooler 312.

[0056] Cylinder 310 is divided into a plurality of zones in the axial direction (e.g., X-axis direction) of cylinder 310. Each of the plurality of zones is provided with heater 313 and temperature detector 314. A set temperature is set for each of the plurality of zones, and control device 700 controls heater 313 so that the detected temperature of temperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

[0057] The nozzle 320 is provided at the front end of the cylinder 310, and is pressed against the mold device 800. A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle 320. The control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detected temperature of the nozzle 320 becomes the set temperature.

[0058] The screw 330 is disposed in the cylinder 310 so as to be rotatable and movable forward and backward. When the screw 330 is rotated, the molding material is sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. As the molding material is sent forward, it is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder 310. As the liquid molding material is sent forward of the screw 330 and accumulates in the front part of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is moved backward. Thereafter, when the screw 330 is moved forward, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is injected from the nozzle 320 and filled into the mold device 800.

[0059] A check ring 331 is attached to the front of the screw 330 so as to be movable back and forth as a check valve for preventing the backflow of molding material from the front to the rear of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

[0060] When the screw 330 is moved forward, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed backward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw 330, and moves backward relatively to the screw 330 to a blocking position (see FIG. 2) where the flow path of the molding material is blocked. This prevents the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 from flowing backward.

[0061] On the other hand, when the screw 330 is rotated, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330, and moves forward relatively to the screw 330 to an open position (see FIG. 1) where the flow path of the molding material is opened. As a result, the molding material is sent forward of the screw 330.

[0062] The backflow prevention ring 331 may be either a co-rotating type that rotates together with the screw 330 or a non-co-rotating type that does not rotate together with the screw 330.

[0063] The injection device 300 may have a drive source for moving the backflow prevention ring 331 back and forth between the open position and the closed position relative to the screw 330.

[0064] The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The drive source for rotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340, and may be, for example, a hydraulic pump.

[0065] The injection motor 350 advances and retreats the screw 330. A motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330 is provided between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The motion conversion mechanism has, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The drive source that advances and retreats the screw 330 is not limited to the injection motor 350, and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder.

[0066] The load detector 360 detects the load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The detected load is converted into pressure by the control device 700. The load detector 360 is provided on a load transmission path between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330, and detects the load acting on the load detector 360.

[0067] The load detector 360 sends a signal of the detected load to the control device 700. The load detected by the load detector 360 is converted into pressure acting between the screw 330 and the molding material, and is used to control and monitor the pressure that the screw 330 receives from the molding material, the back pressure on the screw 330, the pressure that the screw 330 acts on the molding material, and the like.

[0068] The pressure detector for detecting the pressure of the molding material is not limited to the load detector 360, and a general detector may be used. For example, a nozzle pressure sensor or a mold internal pressure sensor may be used. The nozzle pressure sensor is installed in the nozzle 320. The mold internal pressure sensor is installed inside the mold device 800.

[0069] The injection device 300 performs a metering process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, and the like under the control of the control device 700. The filling process and the pressure holding process may be collectively referred to as the injection process.

[0070] In the metering process, the metering motor 340 is driven to rotate the screw 330 at a set rotation speed, and the molding material is sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. As a result, the molding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material is sent forward of the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is moved backward. The rotation speed of the screw 330 is detected, for example, by using a metering motor encoder 341. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the metering motor 340 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. Note that the screw rotation speed detector that detects the rotation speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor encoder 341, and a general one can be used.

[0071] In the metering process, in order to restrict abrupt retraction of the screw 330, a set back pressure may be applied to the screw 330 by driving the injection motor 350. The back pressure on the screw 330 is detected, for example, by using a load detector 360. When the screw 330 retracts to the metering completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material is accumulated in front of the screw 330, the metering process is completed.

[0072] The position and rotation speed of the screw 330 in the metering process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, a metering start position, a rotation speed switching position, and a metering completion position are set. These positions are arranged in this order from the front to the rear, and represent the start and end points of the section in which the rotation speed is set. The rotation speed is set for each section. There may be one or more rotation speed switching positions. The rotation speed switching positions do not have to be set. In addition, a back pressure is set for each section.

[0073] In the filling step, the injection motor 350 is driven to move the screw 330 forward at a set moving speed, and the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is filled into the cavity space 801 in the mold device 800. The position and moving speed of the screw 330 are detected, for example, by using an injection motor encoder 351. The injection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor 350 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. When the position of the screw 330 reaches a set position, switching from the filling step to the pressure holding step (so-called V / P switching) is performed. The position where the V / P switching is performed is also called the V / P switching position. The set moving speed of the screw 330 may be changed depending on the position of the screw 330, time, etc.

[0074] The position and movement speed of the screw 330 in the filling process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, a filling start position (also called an "injection start position"), a movement speed switching position, and a V / P switching position are set. These positions are arranged in this order from the rear side to the front, and represent the start and end points of the section for which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. There may be one or more movement speed switching positions. The movement speed switching positions do not have to be set.

[0075] An upper limit value for the pressure of the screw 330 is set for each section in which the moving speed of the screw 330 is set. The pressure of the screw 330 is detected by a load detector 360. When the pressure of the screw 330 is equal to or lower than the set pressure, the screw 330 is advanced at the set moving speed. On the other hand, when the pressure of the screw 330 exceeds the set pressure, the screw 330 is advanced at a moving speed slower than the set moving speed so that the pressure of the screw 330 is equal to or lower than the set pressure, for the purpose of protecting the mold.

[0076] After the position of the screw 330 reaches the V / P switching position in the filling process, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at the V / P switching position, and then the V / P switching may be performed. Immediately before the V / P switching, instead of stopping the screw 330, the screw 330 may be moved forward or backward at a slow speed. In addition, the screw position detector that detects the position of the screw 330 and the screw movement speed detector that detects the movement speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351, and general detectors may be used.

[0077] In the holding pressure step, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, and the pressure of the molding material at the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding pressure") is maintained at a set pressure, and the molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 is pushed toward the mold device 800. The molding material that is insufficient due to cooling contraction in the mold device 800 can be replenished. The holding pressure is detected, for example, by a load detector 360. The set value of the holding pressure may be changed depending on the elapsed time from the start of the holding pressure step. The holding pressure and the holding time for which the holding pressure is held in the holding pressure step may each be set multiple times, or may be set collectively as a series of setting conditions.

[0078] In the dwelling step, the molding material in the cavity space 801 in the mold device 800 is gradually cooled, and when the dwelling step is completed, the entrance to the cavity space 801 is blocked by the solidified molding material. This state is called a gate seal, and prevents the molding material from flowing back from the cavity space 801. After the dwelling step, the cooling step is started. In the cooling step, the molding material in the cavity space 801 is solidified. A measuring step may be performed during the cooling step in order to shorten the molding cycle time.

[0079] Incidentally, the injection device 300 of this embodiment is of an in-line screw type, but may be of a pre-plastication type or the like. An injection device of the pre-plastication type supplies molding material molten in a plasticization cylinder to an injection cylinder, and injects the molding material from the injection cylinder into a mold device. A screw is disposed in the plasticization cylinder so as to be rotatable but unable to move forward or backward, or a screw is disposed so as to be rotatable and able to move forward or backward. Meanwhile, a plunger is disposed in the injection cylinder so as to be able to move forward or backward.

[0080] Furthermore, the injection device 300 of this embodiment is a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is horizontal, but may be a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is vertical. A mold clamping device to be combined with the vertical injection device 300 may be either a vertical type or a horizontal type. Similarly, a mold clamping device to be combined with the horizontal injection device 300 may be either a horizontal type or a vertical type.

[0081] (Mobile device) In the description of the moving device 400, similar to the description of the injection device 300, the moving direction of the screw 330 during filling (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is the front, and the moving direction of the screw 330 during metering (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is the rear.

[0082] The moving device 400 moves the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 800. In addition, the moving device 400 presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 800 to generate a nozzle touch pressure. The moving device 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a drive source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, and the like.

[0083] The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a pump that can rotate in both directions, and by switching the rotation direction of the motor 420, it draws in hydraulic fluid (e.g., oil) from one of the first port 411 and the second port 412 and discharges it from the other port, thereby generating hydraulic pressure. Note that the hydraulic pump 410 can also draw in hydraulic fluid from a tank and discharge the hydraulic fluid from one of the first port 411 and the second port 412.

[0084] The motor 420 operates the hydraulic pump 410. The motor 420 drives the hydraulic pump 410 with a rotational direction and rotational torque according to a control signal from the control device 700. The motor 420 may be an electric motor or an electric servo motor.

[0085] The hydraulic cylinder 430 has a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and a piston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is fixed to the injection device 300. The piston 432 divides the inside of the cylinder body 431 into a front chamber 435 as a first chamber and a rear chamber 436 as a second chamber. The piston rod 433 is fixed to the fixed platen 110.

[0086] A front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to a first port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 via a first flow path 401. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the first port 411 is supplied to the front chamber 435 via the first flow path 401, thereby pushing the injection unit 300 forward. The injection unit 300 is moved forward, and the nozzle 320 is pressed against the fixed die 810. The front chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates a nozzle touch pressure of the nozzle 320 by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 410.

[0087] On the other hand, the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the second port 412 of the hydraulic pump 410 via the second flow path 402. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the second port 412 is supplied to the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 via the second flow path 402, thereby pushing the injection unit 300 backward. The injection unit 300 is moved backward, and the nozzle 320 is separated from the fixed mold 810.

[0088] In this embodiment, the moving device 400 includes the hydraulic cylinder 430, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430, an electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor into the linear motion of the injection device 300 may be used.

[0089] (Control device) The control device 700 is configured, for example, by a computer, and has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a storage medium 702 such as a memory, an input interface 703, and an output interface 704 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The control device 700 performs various controls by causing the CPU 701 to execute a program stored in the storage medium 702. The control device 700 also receives signals from the outside via the input interface 703, and transmits signals to the outside via the output interface 704.

[0090] The control device 700 repeatedly performs a metering process, a mold closing process, a pressure increase process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, a cooling process, a pressure release process, a mold opening process, and an ejection process, thereby repeatedly manufacturing a molded product. A series of operations for obtaining a molded product, for example, an operation from the start of a metering process to the start of the next metering process, is also called a "shot" or a "molding cycle." The time required for one shot is also called a "molding cycle time" or a "cycle time."

[0091] One molding cycle includes, for example, a metering process, a mold closing process, a pressure increase process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, a cooling process, a pressure release process, a mold opening process, and an ejection process, in this order. The order here refers to the order in which each process starts. The filling process, the pressure holding process, and the cooling process are performed during the mold clamping process. The start of the mold clamping process may coincide with the start of the filling process. The completion of the pressure release process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.

[0092] In addition, in order to shorten the molding cycle time, a plurality of processes may be performed simultaneously. For example, the metering process may be performed during the cooling process of the previous molding cycle, or during the mold clamping process. In this case, the mold closing process may be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. The filling process may be started during the mold closing process. The ejection process may be started during the mold opening process. In the case where an opening / closing valve for opening and closing the flow path of the nozzle 320 is provided, the mold opening process may be started during the metering process. This is because even if the mold opening process is started during the metering process, the molding material will not leak from the nozzle 320 if the opening / closing valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320.

[0093] Incidentally, one molding cycle may include steps other than the metering step, mold closing step, pressure increase step, mold clamping step, filling step, pressure holding step, cooling step, pressure release step, mold opening step, and ejection step.

[0094] For example, after the dwelling step is completed, a pre-metering suck-back step may be performed in which the screw 330 is retracted to a preset metering start position before the metering step is started. This can reduce the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the metering step starts, and can prevent the screw 330 from suddenly retracting at the start of the metering step.

[0095] Furthermore, after the metering step is completed, a post-metering suck-back step may be performed in which the screw 330 is moved back to a preset filling start position (also called the "injection start position") before the filling step is started. This can reduce the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the filling step is started, and can prevent the molding material from leaking from the nozzle 320 before the filling step is started.

[0096] The control device 700 is connected to an operation device 750 that accepts input operations by a user and a display device 760 that displays a screen. The operation device 750 and the display device 760 may be configured, for example, by a touch panel 770 and may be integrated. The touch panel 770 as the display device 760 displays a screen under the control of the control device 700. For example, the screen of the touch panel 770 may display information such as the settings of the injection molding machine 10 and the current state of the injection molding machine 10. In addition, for example, an operation unit such as a button that accepts an input operation by a user and an input field may be displayed on the screen of the touch panel 770. The touch panel 770 as the operation device 750 detects an input operation on the screen by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to the control device 700. Thereby, for example, the user can operate the operation unit provided on the screen while checking the information displayed on the screen to perform settings of the injection molding machine 10 (including input of a setting value). In addition, the user can operate the operation unit provided on the screen to perform an operation of the injection molding machine 10 corresponding to the operation unit. The operation of the injection molding machine 10 may be, for example, the operation (including stopping) of the clamping device 100, the ejector device 200, the injection device 300, the moving device 400, etc. The operation of the injection molding machine 10 may be the switching of a screen displayed on the touch panel 770 serving as the display device 760, etc.

[0097] Incidentally, the operation device 750 and the display device 760 of this embodiment have been described as being integrated as the touch panel 770, but they may be provided independently. Also, a plurality of operation devices 750 may be provided. The operation device 750 and the display device 760 are disposed on the operation side (Y-axis negative direction) of the mold clamping unit 100 (more specifically, the fixed platen 110).

[0098] (Guide section for guiding the injection unit) Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a guide section 370 that guides the injection unit 300 according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the injection unit 300 and the guide section 370 according to one embodiment. In the description of the injection unit 300 and the guide section 370, the direction in which the nozzle 320 approaches the mold device 800 (e.g., the negative direction of the X-axis) is defined as the front, and the direction in which the nozzle 320 moves away from the mold device 800 (e.g., the positive direction of the X-axis) is defined as the rear.

[0099] 4, the injection device 300 includes a cylinder 310 that heats the molding material, and a nozzle 320 provided at the front end of the cylinder 310. The nozzle 320 is pressed against the mold device 800 and injects the molding material into the mold device 800. The injection device 300 is movable in a direction (for example, in the X-axis direction) that moves the nozzle 320 toward and away from the mold device 800.

[0100] The injection device 300 includes an injection frame 301 to which a cylinder 310 is attached. The injection frame 301 has, for example, a first flange 302 to which the rear end of the cylinder 310 is attached. The first flange 302 includes a first attachment portion 302a to which the rear end of the cylinder 310 is attached.

[0101] The injection frame 301 has a second flange 303 provided behind the first flange 302. The second flange 303 includes, for example, a second mounting portion 303a to which an injection motor 350 is attached. The driving force of the injection motor 350 is transmitted to the screw 330 by a drive shaft (not shown). The drive shaft includes a ball screw or the like. The drive shaft is inserted through a second through hole 303b (see FIG. 3) that penetrates the second mounting portion 303a in the front-rear direction and a first through hole 302b that penetrates the first mounting portion 302a in the front-rear direction, and is connected to the screw 330.

[0102] The guide portion 370 guides the injection device 300 in a direction in which the nozzle 320 approaches or moves away from the mold device 800. The guide portion 370 is in contact with the injection device 300. Since the injection device 300 is directly guided by the guide portion 370, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of errors that occur when machining parts. This makes it possible to improve the positional accuracy of the nozzle 320, specifically, for example, height accuracy. Furthermore, since the injection device 300 is directly guided by the guide portion 370, it is possible to reduce the number of parts, which in turn makes it possible to reduce the weight. Furthermore, by reducing the number of parts, it is possible to reduce costs.

[0103] 3, the guide portion 370, for example, comes into contact with a first flange 302 of the injection frame 301 and guides the first flange 302. The first flange 302 includes a first sliding portion 302c that slides along the guide portion 370. A first guide hole 302d is formed in the first sliding portion 302c, through which a guide bar 373 (described later) is inserted.

[0104] A plurality of first sliding parts 302c are provided corresponding to the plurality of guide bars 373. The plurality of first sliding parts 302c are provided, for example, on the lower surface of the first mounting part 302a at intervals in the Y-axis direction. Since notches are formed between the plurality of first sliding parts 302c, the weight of the injection frame 301 can be reduced.

[0105] Furthermore, the guide portion 370, for example, comes into contact with the second flange 303 of the injection frame 301 and guides the second flange 303. The second flange 303 includes a second sliding portion 303c that slides along the guide portion 370. A second guide hole 303d through which a guide bar 373 described later is inserted is formed in the second sliding portion 303c.

[0106] A plurality of second sliding parts 303c are provided corresponding to the plurality of guide bars 373. The plurality of second sliding parts 303c are provided, for example, on the lower surface of the second mounting part 303a at intervals in the Y-axis direction. Since notches are formed between the plurality of second sliding parts 303c, the weight of the injection frame 301 can be reduced.

[0107] Guide portion 370 has, for example, a first guide block 371, a second guide block 372 provided at an interval from first guide block 371, and a guide bar 373 connecting first guide block 371 and second guide block 372.

[0108] The first guide block 371 is fixed to the injection unit frame 920 by bolts 374 or the like. Similarly, the second guide block 372 is fixed to the injection unit frame 920 by bolts 375 or the like.

[0109] The first guide block 371 and the second guide block 372 support, for example, a guide bar 373. The guide bar 373 spans, for example, the first guide block 371 and the second guide block 372, and forms a gap with the upper surface of the injection device frame 920.

[0110] The longitudinal direction of guide bar 373 is the X-axis direction. The front end of guide bar 373 is fixed to first guide block 371 by bolt 376 or the like. On the other hand, the rear end of guide bar 373 is fixed to second guide block 372 by bolt 377 or the like.

[0111] The guide bar 373 includes, for example, a round bar 373a extending in the X-axis direction. The round bar 373a is inserted into the first guide hole 302d and the second guide hole 303d of the injection frame 301. By guiding the injection frame 301 with the round bar 373a, the load can be evenly distributed in the circumferential direction of the round bar 373a.

[0112] 4, the guide bar 373 may include a semi-cylindrical cutout 373b at the front end of the round bar 373a. The cutout 373b has a rectangular horizontal surface 373c and a semi-circular vertical surface 373d. The round bar 373a can be stably fixed to the first guide block 371 by the horizontal surface 373c.

[0113] The first guide block 371 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the Y-axis direction. The first guide block 371 may include rectangular parallelepiped cutouts 371a at both ends in the Y-axis direction. The cutouts 371a have rectangular horizontal surfaces 371b and rectangular vertical surfaces 371c. The front end of the guide bar 373 is fixed onto the horizontal surfaces 371b of the cutouts 371a.

[0114] The guide bar 373 may include a semi-cylindrical cutout 373e at the rear end of the round bar 373a. The cutout 373e has a rectangular horizontal surface 373f and a semi-circular vertical surface 373g. The round bar 373a can be stably fixed to the second guide block 372 by the horizontal surface 373f.

[0115] The second guide block 372 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the Y-axis direction. The second guide block 372 may include rectangular parallelepiped cutouts 372a at both ends in the Y-axis direction. The cutouts 372a have rectangular horizontal surfaces 372b and rectangular vertical surfaces 372c. The rear end of the guide bar 373 is fixed onto the horizontal surfaces 372b of the cutouts 372a.

[0116] The guide bar 373 is bridged between the first guide block 371 and the second guide block 372 and supported at a distance from the injection device frame 920, but may be in contact with the injection device frame 920. In other words, the guide bar 373 may be a linear guide, or may be mounted on the injection device frame 920 so as to be slidable.

[0117] The first guide block 371 and the second guide block 372 may be used even when the guide bar 373 is slidably mounted on the injection unit frame 920. This is because the first guide block 371 and the second guide block 372 are longer in the Y-axis direction than the guide bar 373, and are less distorted when pressed in the Y-axis direction by a position adjustment unit described later.

[0118] Next, a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of guide portion 370 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The position adjustment unit adjusts the position of guide portion 370 in a direction (e.g., Y-axis direction or Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the guide direction (e.g., X-axis direction) of guide portion 370. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing an example of a horizontal position adjustment unit.

[0119] 5 is a horizontal position adjustment unit 380 that adjusts the Y-axis position of guide unit 370. Horizontal position adjustment unit 380 adjusts the Y-axis position of nozzle 320 by adjusting the Y-axis position of guide unit 370. The discharge port of nozzle 320 and the injection port of mold device 800 through which molding material is injected can be aligned in the Y-axis direction.

[0120] The horizontal position adjustment unit 380 moves the guide unit 370 and the injection unit 300 as a set in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the guide direction of the guide unit 370 (the direction in which the nozzle 320 is moved toward or away from the injection unit 300) and the axial direction of the nozzle 320 can be maintained in the same direction. Therefore, the nozzle 320 can be pressed straight against the mold device 800 in the axial direction of the nozzle 320, and the load on the nozzle 320 can be reduced.

[0121] The horizontal position adjustment unit 380 includes, for example, a fixed block 381 fixed to the injection unit frame 920, and a bolt 382 that adjusts the distance between the fixed block 381 and the guide unit 370. By adjusting the distance between the fixed block 381 and the guide unit 370 with the bolt 382, ​​the position of the nozzle 320 in the Y-axis direction can be adjusted.

[0122] Bolt 382 is, for example, a push bolt that is screwed into a screw hole in fixed block 381, protrudes from fixed block 381, and pushes guide portion 370 with its tip. Two sets of fixed block 381 and bolt 382 may be provided with guide portion 370 in between. It is possible to push guide portion 370 in both directions in the Y-axis direction.

[0123] Bolt 382 is, for example, pressed against the Y-axis direction end face of first guide block 371, but may also be pressed against the Y-axis direction end face of second guide block 372. Both first guide block 371 and second guide block 372 have a longer dimension in the Y-axis direction than guide bar 373, and are less distorted when pressed in the Y-axis direction.

[0124] When adjusting the Y-axis position of the nozzle 320, for example, first, the bolts 374, 375 are loosened to release the guide part 370 from the injection device frame 920. Even after the release of the fixation, the bolts 374, 375 may remain loosely screwed into the screw holes of the injection device frame 920. The guide part 370 can be moved by the backlash between the bolts 374, 375 and the screw holes.

[0125] Next, the bolt 382 of the horizontal position adjustment part 380 is rotated to push the guide part 370 in the Y-axis direction. The guide part 370 can be moved in the Y-axis direction, and therefore the nozzle 320 can be moved in the Y-axis direction. The range of movement is determined by, for example, the play between the bolts 374 and 375 and the screw holes.

[0126] Finally, the bolts 374 and 375 are tightened to fix the guide portion 370 to the injection unit frame 920.

[0127] Note that the horizontal position adjustment unit 380 may include a cylinder instead of the bolt 382. The cylinder is, for example, a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. By pushing the guide unit 370 in the Y-axis direction with the cylinder, the guide unit 370 can be moved in the Y-axis direction, and thus the nozzle 320 can be moved in the Y-axis direction.

[0128] Next, a modified example of the horizontal position adjustment unit 380 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, the horizontal position adjustment unit 380 may include a pivot pin 383 provided on the injection unit frame 920. The guide unit 370 pivots about the pivot pin 383. This allows the nozzle 320 to move in the Y-axis direction.

[0129] 6, the pivot pin 383 is provided at the center of the second guide block 372 in the Y-axis direction. The push bolt 382 presses the first guide block 371 in the Y-axis direction, causing the guide portion 370 to pivot about the pivot pin 383. In this case, the bolt 375 for fixing the second guide block 372 to the injection device frame 920 is not necessary.

[0130] The pivot pin 383 may be provided at the center of the first guide block 371 in the Y-axis direction. In this case, the push bolt 382 presses the second guide block 372 in the Y-axis direction, causing the guide portion 370 to pivot about the pivot pin 383. In this case, the bolt 374 for fixing the first guide block 371 to the injection device frame 920 is not necessary.

[0131] Next, another modified example of the horizontal position adjustment part 380 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the horizontal position adjustment part 380 may include a pressing bolt 382 and a pulling bolt 384. The pulling bolt 384 is inserted into a through hole of the fixed block 381 and screwed into a screw hole of the first guide block 371, thereby reducing the gap between the fixed block 381 and the first guide block 371.

[0132] The push bolt 382 and the pull bolt 384 may be held in a common fixed block 381 as shown in Fig. 7. This allows the number of fixed blocks 381 to be reduced. The push bolt 382 and the pull bolt 384 push and pull the first guide block 371 in Fig. 7, but they may also push and pull the second guide block 372.

[0133] Fixed block 381 and a reference block (not shown) may be provided to sandwich guide portion 370 in the Y-axis direction. The reference block abuts against the Y-axis end face of first guide block 371 or second guide block 372, and determines a reference position of guide portion 370.

[0134] Also, the draw bolts 384 may be disposed on both sides of the guide part 370 in the Y axis direction. In this case, fixed blocks 381 are provided on both sides of the guide part 370 in the Y axis direction. Also, the draw bolts 384 may be used in combination with the pivot pin 383 shown in FIG.

[0135] 3 and 8, a front view showing an example of a vertical position adjustment unit is shown. Vertical position adjustment unit 385 adjusts the Z-axis position of nozzle 320 by adjusting the Z-axis position of guide unit 370. The discharge port of nozzle 320 and the injection port of mold device 800 through which molding material is injected can be aligned in the Z-axis direction.

[0136] The vertical position adjustment unit 385 moves the guide unit 370 and the injection unit 300 as a set in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the guide direction of the guide unit 370 (the direction in which the nozzle 320 is moved toward or away from the injection unit 300) and the axial direction of the nozzle 320 can be maintained in the same direction. Therefore, the nozzle 320 can be pressed straight against the mold unit 800 in the axial direction of the nozzle 320, and the load on the nozzle 320 can be reduced.

[0137] The vertical position adjustment unit 385 includes, for example, a bolt 386 that adjusts the distance between the injection unit frame 920 and the guide unit 370. By adjusting the distance between the injection unit frame 920 and the guide unit 370 with the bolt 386, the position of the nozzle 320 in the Z axis direction can be adjusted.

[0138] The bolt 386 is, for example, a push bolt that is screwed into a screw hole in the first guide block 371, protrudes from the lower surface of the first guide block 371, and presses at its tip against the upper surface of the injection device frame 920. A plurality of bolts 386 may be provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction along the first guide block 371.

[0139] The bolt 386 may be screwed into a screw hole in the second guide block 372, or may protrude from the lower surface of the second guide block 372 and press the upper surface of the injection device frame 920 with its tip end. A plurality of bolts 386 may be provided along the second guide block 372 at intervals in the Y-axis direction.

[0140] When adjusting the position of the nozzle 320 in the Z-axis direction, for example, first, the bolts 374, 375 are loosened to release the guide part 370 from the injection device frame 920. Even after the release of the fixation, the bolts 374, 375 may remain loosely screwed into the screw holes of the injection device frame 920. If the gap between the heads of the bolts 374, 375 and the upper surface of the injection device frame 920 is larger than the thickness of the guide part 370, the guide part 370 can be raised and lowered.

[0141] Next, the bolt 386 of the vertical position adjustment unit 385 is rotated, and while the lower end of the bolt 386 presses the upper surface of the injection device frame 920, the guide unit 370 is lifted by the bolt 386. It is also possible to lower the guide unit 370. When lowering the guide unit 370, it is not necessary to first loosen the bolts 374, 375. The movable range of the guide unit 370 in the Z-axis direction is determined by, for example, the length of the bolts 374, 375.

[0142] Finally, the bolts 374 and 375 are tightened to fix the guide portion 370 to the injection unit frame 920.

[0143] Note that vertical position adjustment unit 385 may include a cylinder instead of bolt 386. The cylinder is, for example, a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. By pushing guide unit 370 in the Z-axis direction with the cylinder, guide unit 370 can be moved in the Z-axis direction, and thus nozzle 320 can be moved in the Y-axis direction.

[0144] Next, a modified example of the vertical position adjustment part 385 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the vertical position adjustment part 385 may include shims 387 that are sandwiched between the guide part 370 and the injection device frame 920. By adjusting the thickness or the number of shims 387, the position of the guide part 370 in the Z axis direction can be adjusted, and the position of the nozzle 320 in the Z axis direction can be adjusted.

[0145] The shim 387 may be used in combination with the bolt 386 shown in Fig. 8. For example, a gap may be formed between the guide portion 370 and the injection unit frame 920 by the bolt 386, and the shim 387 may be inserted into the gap.

[0146] Next, the movement limiting part 390 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The injection molding machine 10 may include a movement limiting part 390 that limits the movement of the injection unit 300 in the guide direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) of the guide part 370. For example, the injection unit 300 can be fixed by the movement limiting part 390 during transportation of the injection molding machine 10. After the transportation of the injection molding machine 10 is completed, the movement limiting part 390 is removed and the movement restriction of the injection unit 300 is released.

[0147] The movement limiting section 390 may have, for example, a connector 391 that connects the second guide block 372 and the injection device 300 so that the distance in the X-axis direction can be changed. By making the distance in the X-axis direction between the second guide block 372 and the injection device 300 variable, even if the length of the cylinder 310 changes due to a change in the screw 330, etc., the injection device 300 can be fixed at an appropriate position.

[0148] The connector 391 connects, for example, the second guide block 372 and the second flange 303 of the injection device 300 so that the distance in the X-axis direction can be changed. The connector 391 has, for example, a threaded rod 392 extending in the X-axis direction, a connection block 393 provided at one longitudinal end of the threaded rod 392, and a nut 394 provided at the other longitudinal end of the threaded rod 392. The threaded rod 392 is inserted into a through-hole 372d (see FIG. 3) that penetrates the second guide block 372 in the front-rear direction. The nut 394 is screwed onto the rear end of the threaded rod 392.

[0149] The connection block 393 is fixed to the second flange 303 with a bolt or the like. The connection block 393 and the second flange 303 may be integrated. Meanwhile, the nut 394 is fixed by being sandwiched between the second guide block 372 and a nut holder 395. The nut holder 395 is fixed to the second guide block 372 with a bolt 396 or the like. The bolts 396 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the threaded rod 392, for example, and are screwed into the threaded holes 372e (see FIG. 3) of the second guide block 372.

[0150] When restricting the movement of the injection device 300 in the X-axis direction by the movement restricting portion 390, for example, first, the connection block 393 is fixed to the second flange 303. Next, a nut 394 is attached to the rear end of the threaded rod 392 extending rearward from the connection block 393. Next, the nut 394 is rotated to abut the second guide block 372. Next, the nut 394 is sandwiched and fixed between the second guide block 372 and the nut holder 395. This makes it possible to restrict the movement of the injection device 300 in both directions in the X-axis direction. Note that the restriction on the movement of the injection device 300 can be released by reversing the procedure, and therefore the description will be omitted.

[0151] Although not shown, the connector 391 may connect the first guide block 371 and the first flange 302 of the injection device 300 such that the distance in the X-axis direction can be changed. In this case, the threaded rod 392 is inserted into a through hole (not shown) that penetrates the first guide block 371 in the front-rear direction. In this case, a nut 394 is screwed onto the front end of the threaded rod 392. The connection block 393 is fixed to the first flange 302 by a bolt or the like. Meanwhile, the nut 394 is fixed by being sandwiched between the first guide block 371 and a nut holder 395. The nut holder 395 is fixed to the first guide block 371 by a bolt 396 or the like. The bolts 396 are, for example, arranged symmetrically with respect to the threaded rod 392, and are screwed into threaded holes (not shown) of the first guide block 371.

[0152] Next, a modified example of the movement limiting portion 390 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 11, the movement limiting portion 390 may have a connector 397 that connects the injection device 300 and the injection device frame 920. The connector 397 includes, for example, a connecting plate 398 and bolts 399A and 399B.

[0153] The connecting plate 398 is L-shaped and includes a horizontal plate 398a and a vertical plate 398b. The horizontal plate 398a abuts, for example, against the upper surface of the injection device frame 920. On the other hand, the vertical plate 398b abuts, for example, against the front surface of the first flange 302 of the injection frame 301. Note that the vertical plate 398b may abut against the rear surface of the first flange 302, or the front or rear surface of the second flange 303.

[0154] The bolt 399A is inserted into a through hole that penetrates the vertical plate 398b in the horizontal direction, and is screwed into a screw hole in the first flange 302. On the other hand, the bolt 399B is inserted into a through hole that penetrates the horizontal plate 398a in the up-down direction, and is screwed into a screw hole 921 formed in the upper surface of the injection device frame 920. This makes it possible to restrict the movement of the injection device 300. To release the restriction on movement, the connector 397 is simply removed.

[0155] A plurality of screw holes 921 may be formed at intervals in the X-axis direction on the upper surface of the injection device frame 920. The fixing position of the injection device 300 can be changed by changing the position of the screw hole 921 into which the bolt 399B is screwed.

[0156] When the connector 391 shown in Fig. 10 is used, unlike when the connector 397 shown in Fig. 11 is used, there is no need to process the injection unit frame 920. On the other hand, when the connector 397 shown in Fig. 11 is used, the connection structure can be simplified.

[0157] Although the embodiment of the injection molding machine according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. Naturally, these also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0158] 10 injection molding machine 310 Cylinder 320 Nozzle 370 Guide part 800 Mold Equipment

Claims

1. an injection device including a nozzle for injecting a molding material into the mold device; a guide unit including a first guide bar and a second guide bar for guiding the injection unit in a forward direction to move the nozzle toward the mold unit and in a rearward direction to move the nozzle away from the mold unit; a position adjustment unit that adjusts a position of the guide unit in a first direction perpendicular to a guide direction of the guide unit; Equipped with the position adjustment unit includes a pivot pin that is provided on a frame supporting the injection device and is provided on a front side or a rear side of the injection device, the guide portion includes a guide block that fixes the first guide bar and the second guide bar, the guide block is moved in the first direction by the position adjustment unit at a front side or rear side of the injection unit opposite to the pivot pin.

2. The injection device has a cylinder for heating the molding material, the nozzle provided at one end of the cylinder, and a flange to which the other end of the cylinder is attached, The injection molding machine according to claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a sliding portion that moves along the guide portion.

3. An injection molding machine as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the position adjustment part includes a fixed block fixed to a frame supporting the injection device, and a bolt or cylinder that adjusts the distance between the fixed block and the guide part.

4. An injection molding machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the position adjustment part includes a bolt or cylinder that adjusts the distance between a frame supporting the injection device and the guide part.

5. An injection molding machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, provided with a movement limiting section which limits the movement of the injection device in the guide direction of the guide section.

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