Injection molding machine and injection molding control device
The injection molding machine enhances user understanding of graph content by allowing axis-based enlargement or reduction of the display range through gesture inputs, addressing the challenge of parts moving out of the display range during zooming.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022061238
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-17
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-03-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing injection molding machines face challenges in displaying graphs and waveforms, where zooming in or out can cause parts of the graph to move out of the display range, making it difficult for users to grasp the details or the entire waveform.
The injection molding machine includes a display control unit that allows users to enlarge or reduce the display range along one or two axes based on gesture inputs, ensuring the entire graph remains visible.
This solution enables users to easily understand graph content through simple operations, improving user convenience and clarity.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine and an injection molding control device. [Background technology]
[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for injection molding machines, techniques have been proposed for displaying information on various processes during injection molding or information on settings made by a user on a display device.
[0003] In recent years, injection molding machines have tended to be equipped with touch panels that allow gesture input to facilitate operation. These touch panels allow various gesture inputs.
[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technology for displaying image data representing the three-dimensional shape of a molded product. In Patent Document 1, when a gesture input is received, the display magnification of the three-dimensional shape of the molded product is changed.
[0005] Injection molding machines display not only molded products but also various other information. For example, there is a technology that uses a waveform drawing function to display information about various processes during injection molding or settings made by the user on a specific screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-045876 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0007] Users need to check various aspects of graphs and other data displayed using the waveform drawing function. To grasp the details or subtle changes in a displayed graph, it is necessary to zoom in. To grasp the entire waveform of a displayed graph, it is necessary to zoom out.
[0008] On the specified screen, an operation to enlarge or reduce a graph drawn by the waveform drawing function When the function of Patent Document 1 is applied to a waveform, the entire image including the graph, scale lines, etc. is enlarged or reduced. When the entire image is enlarged in this way, there is a possibility that part of the graph (for example, the scale lines) may move out of the display range. If the reference for checking the graph moves out of the display range, it is difficult for the user to grasp the details of the content shown in the graph.
[0009] One aspect of the present invention provides a technology that makes it easier for a user to understand the situation shown by a graph by expanding or reducing the display range within the frame in which the graph is displayed, allowing the user to recognize the contents of the graph based on the frame. [Means for solving the problem]
[0010] An injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A first axis and a second axis are represented, a display control unit configured to display a graph related to injection molding; The action of moving the point detected as a finger in the first direction directive as detection did and a receiving unit configured to receive an input of a first gesture resulting from the first gesture, When the first direction received as the first axis direction, the display range within the frame in which the graph is displayed is enlarged or reduced in the direction of the first axis, and when the first direction is a direction including both the first axis and the second axis, the graph is enlarged or reduced in the directions of the first axis and the second axis. It is structured as follows. [Effects of the Invention]
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the situation shown in the graph can be easily understood by simple operations, thereby improving convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state when mold opening of an injection molding machine according to one embodiment is completed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of the injection molding machine according to one embodiment when clamping the mold. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing components of the control device of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display screen output by the display control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where a gesture operation input to the touch panel according to the embodiment is received. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display screen output by the display control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing transitions of gesture operations that can be accepted by the accepting unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. In addition, identical or corresponding components in each drawing are designated by identical or corresponding reference numerals, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state of the injection molding machine according to the first embodiment when mold opening is completed. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the injection molding machine according to the first embodiment when mold clamping is performed. In this specification, the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis direction and Y-axis direction represent horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction represents vertical directions. 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 operating side, and the positive side of the Y-axis direction is called the counter-operating side.
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , injection molding machine 10 includes a mold clamping unit 100 that opens and closes mold apparatus 800, an ejector unit 200 that ejects a molded product molded by mold apparatus 800, an injection unit 300 that injects molding material into mold apparatus 800, a moving unit 400 that moves injection unit 300 forward and backward relative to mold apparatus 800, a control unit 700 that controls each component of injection molding machine 10, and a frame 900 that supports each component of injection molding machine 10. Frame 900 includes a mold clamping unit frame 910 that supports mold clamping unit 10 and an injection unit frame 920 that supports injection unit 300. Clamping unit frame 910 and injection unit frame 920 are each installed on floor 2 via leveling adjusters 930. Control unit 700 is disposed in the interior space of injection unit frame 920. Each component of injection molding machine 10 will be described below.
[0016] (mold clamping device) In the description of the mold clamping unit 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold closing (for example, the positive X-axis direction) is defined as the front, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 during mold opening (for example, the negative X-axis direction) is defined as the rear.
[0017] The mold clamping unit 100 performs mold closing, pressurization, 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. The mold clamping unit 100 is, for example, a horizontal type, and the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal. The mold clamping unit 100 has a fixed platen 110 to which the fixed mold 810 is attached, a movable platen 120 to which the 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 installed 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.
[0020] The moving mechanism 102 moves the movable platen 120 forward and backward 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 arranged at a distance from the fixed platen 110, tie bars 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 / 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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 also 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.
[0023] The tie bars 140 connect the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 at an interval 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 in 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 to detect the mold clamping force, etc.
[0024] In this embodiment, the tie bar strain detector 141 is used as the mold clamping force detector that detects the mold clamping force, but the present invention is not limited to this. The mold clamping force detector is not limited to the strain gauge type, and may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitance type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type, or the like, and the attachment position thereof is also not limited to the tie bar 140.
[0025] 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 extend 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 extendable by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is attached to the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like so that it can swing freely. The second link 153 is attached to the toggle support 130 by a pin or the like so that it can swing freely. The second link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via a third link 154. When the crosshead 151 advances or retreats relative to the toggle support 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 bend and extend, and the movable platen 120 advances or retreats relative to the toggle support 130.
[0026] The configuration of toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2. For example, although each link group has five nodes in Figures 1 and 2, it may have four nodes, and one end of third link 154 may be connected to a node between first link 152 and second link 153. The mold clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle support 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold clamping motor 160 moves the crosshead 151 forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130, thereby bending and extending the first link 152 and the second link 153 and moving the movable platen 120 forward and backward 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] The mold clamping unit 100 performs a mold closing process, a pressure increasing process, a mold clamping process, a pressure reducing process, a mold opening process, and the like under the control of the control device 700.
[0029] In the mold closing process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to move the crosshead 151 forward at a set movement 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 movement speed of the crosshead 151 are detected 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.
[0030] 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 types 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 types can be used.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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 is obtained in which the insert material and the molding material are integrated.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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. Thereafter, the ejector unit 200 ejects the molded product from the movable mold 820.
[0036] The setting conditions for the mold closing process, pressure increase process, and mold clamping process are set together as a series of setting conditions. For example, the movement speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the mold closing process and pressure increase process (including the mold closing start position, movement speed switching position, mold closing completion position, and mold clamping position), and the mold clamping force are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold closing start position, movement speed switching position, mold closing completion position, and mold clamping position 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 position does not have to be set. Only one of the mold clamping position and the mold clamping force may be set.
[0037] The setting conditions for the depressurization process and mold opening process are also set in a similar 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 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 position does not have to be set. The mold opening start position and mold closing completion position may be the same position. Furthermore, the mold opening completion position and mold closing start position may be the same position.
[0038] 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. Furthermore, the clamping force may be set instead of the position of the crosshead (for example, the clamping position) or the position of the movable platen. The toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the mold clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable platen 120. The amplification factor is also called the toggle factor. The toggle factor changes depending on 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 factor is maximum.
[0039] When the thickness of the mold device 800 changes due to replacement of the mold device 800 or a temperature change in the mold device 800, a mold thickness adjustment is performed so that a predetermined clamping force is obtained during mold clamping. In 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 time of mold touch when the movable mold 820 touches the fixed mold 810.
[0040] The mold clamping unit 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 by the toggle support 130, and a mold thickness adjustment motor 183 that rotates the screw nut 182 that is threaded onto the screw shaft 181.
[0041] A screw shaft 181 and a 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 plurality of screw nuts 182 via a rotational driving force transmission unit 185. The plurality of screw nuts 182 can be rotated synchronously. Note that by changing the transmission path of the rotational driving force transmission unit 185, the plurality of screw nuts 182 can also be rotated individually.
[0042] The rotational drive force transmission unit 185 is configured with, 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 drive gear is rotatably held in the center of the toggle support 130. Note that the rotational drive force transmission unit 185 may be configured with a belt, pulleys, or the like instead of gears.
[0043] The operation of the mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 is controlled by a control device 700. The control device 700 drives a 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 distance 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.
[0044] The gap L is detected using a mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184. The mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 detects the amount and 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 gap L. Note that the toggle support position detector that detects the position of the toggle support 130 and the gap detector that detects the gap L are not limited to the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184, and general detectors can be used.
[0045] The mold clamping unit 100 may have a mold temperature regulator that regulates the temperature of the mold device 800. The mold device 800 has a flow path for a temperature regulation medium inside. The mold temperature regulator regulates the temperature of the mold device 800 by regulating the temperature of the temperature regulation medium supplied to the flow path of the mold device 800. Although the mold clamping unit 100 of this embodiment is a horizontal type in which the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal, it may also be a vertical type in which the mold opening and closing direction is vertical.
[0046] Although the mold clamping unit 100 of this embodiment has a mold clamping motor 160 as a drive source, it may have a hydraulic cylinder instead of the mold clamping motor 160. Also, the mold clamping unit 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 device 200, similar to the description of the mold clamping device 100, the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (e.g., the positive direction of the X-axis) is defined as the front, and the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened (e.g., the negative direction of the X-axis) is defined as the rear.
[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 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. Balls or rollers 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 is advanced 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 retract the ejector rod 210 at the set moving speed, and the ejector plate 826 is retracted to the original standby position.
[0052] The position and movement speed of the ejector rod 210 are detected using, for example, 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 movement speed detector that detects the movement 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 unit 300 is mounted on a slide base 301, and the slide base 301 is disposed so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the injection unit frame 920. The injection unit 300 is disposed so as to be able to move forward and backward relative to the mold unit 800. The injection unit 300 touches the mold unit 800 and fills the molding material measured in a cylinder 310 into a cavity space 801 in the mold unit 800. The injection unit 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310 that heats the molding material, a nozzle 320 provided at the front end of the cylinder 310, a screw 330 that is disposed so as to be able to move forward and backward and to be able to rotate within the cylinder 310, a metering motor 340 that rotates the screw 330, an injection motor 350 that moves the screw 330 forward and backward, and a load detector 360 that detects the load transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330.
[0055] Cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied to the interior through supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The molding material is formed, for example, in the form 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, ahead 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 a heater 313 and a 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 temperature detected by 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 within 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 the heat from the cylinder 310. As the liquid molding material is sent forward to the front 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 backflow prevention ring 331 is attached to the front of the screw 330 so as to be movable back and forth as a backflow prevention valve for preventing the molding material from flowing back 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 back relative to the screw 330 to a blocking position (see FIG. 2) where it blocks the flow path of the molding material. 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 relative to the screw 330 to the open position (see FIG. 1) where it opens the flow path of the molding material. This causes the molding material to be 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 relative to the screw 330 between the open position and the closed position.
[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 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 the 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 can 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, etc. 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 rotational speed, and the molding material is sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. As this happens, the molding material gradually melts. As the liquid molding material is sent forward to the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is moved backward. The rotational speed of the screw 330 is detected, for example, 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 rotational speed detector that detects the rotational 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, the injection motor 350 may be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330. The back pressure on the screw 330 is detected using, for example, a load detector 360. When the screw 330 retracts to the metering completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material accumulates in front of the screw 330, the metering process is completed.
[0072] The position and rotational 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 rotational 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 for which the rotational speed is set. The rotational speed is set for each section. There may be one or more rotational speed switching positions. The rotational speed switching position does not have to be set. In addition, a back pressure is set for each section.
[0073] In the filling process, 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 using, for example, 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, a switch from the filling process to a pressure holding process (so-called V / P switch) is performed. The position at which the V / P switch is performed is also called the V / P switch 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 rear to 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 position does 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 movement 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 movement speed. On the other hand, when the pressure of the screw 330 exceeds the set pressure, the screw 330 is advanced at a movement speed slower than the set movement speed so that the pressure of the screw 330 is equal to or lower than the set pressure, in order to protect the mold.
[0076] Note that after the position of the screw 330 reaches the V / P switching position during the filling process, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at the V / P switching position, and then V / P switching may be performed. Immediately before V / P switching, instead of stopping the screw 330, the screw 330 may be moved forward or backward at a slow speed. Furthermore, 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 dwelling step, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, maintaining the pressure of the molding material at the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding pressure") at a set pressure, and pushing the molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 toward the mold device 800. This can replenish any molding material that is insufficient due to cooling contraction within the mold device 800. The holding pressure is detected, for example, using a load detector 360. The set value of the holding pressure may be changed depending on the elapsed time from the start of the dwelling step, etc. Multiple holding pressures and holding times for maintaining the holding pressure in the dwelling step may be set, or they may be set together 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 begins. In the cooling step, the molding material in the cavity space 801 is solidified. A metering step may be performed during the cooling step in order to shorten the molding cycle time.
[0079] The injection device 300 of this embodiment is of an in-line screw type, but may also be of a pre-plasticization type. A pre-plasticization type injection device 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 that it can rotate freely but cannot move back and forth, or the screw is disposed so that it can rotate freely and move back and forth. Meanwhile, a plunger is disposed in the injection cylinder so that it can move back and forth.
[0080] Furthermore, although the injection unit 300 of this embodiment is a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is horizontal, it may be a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is vertical. The mold clamping unit combined with the vertical injection unit 300 may be either a vertical type or a horizontal type. Similarly, the mold clamping unit combined with the horizontal injection unit 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 (e.g., the negative X-axis direction) is defined as the front, and the moving direction of the screw 330 during metering (e.g., the positive X-axis direction) is defined as the rear.
[0082] The moving device 400 moves the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 800. The moving device 400 also presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 800 to generate 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 bidirectional pump, 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, thereby generating hydraulic pressure. Note that the hydraulic pump 410 can also draw in hydraulic fluid from a tank and discharge it from either the first port 411 or the second port 412.
[0084] The motor 420 operates the hydraulic pump 410. The motor 420 drives the hydraulic pump 410 in a rotational direction and with a 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 interior 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 mold 810. The front chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates nozzle touch pressure of the nozzle 320 by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 410.
[0087] Meanwhile, 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 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a storage medium 702 such as a memory, an input interface 703, an output interface 704, and a communication interface 705. The control device 700 performs various controls by causing the CPU 701 to execute programs 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. Furthermore, the control device 700 may use the communication interface 705 to transmit and receive information to and from the management device 20 (see FIG. 3).
[0090] The control device 700 repeatedly manufactures molded products by repeating processes such as a metering process, mold closing process, pressure increase process, mold clamping process, filling process, pressure dwell process, cooling process, pressure release process, mold opening process, and ejection process. A series of operations required to obtain a molded product, such as the operations from the start of a metering process to the start of the next metering process, is also called a "shot" or "molding cycle." The time required for one shot is also called the "molding cycle time" or "cycle time."
[0091] One molding cycle includes, for example, a metering process, a mold closing process, a pressurization process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, a cooling process, a depressurization 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 depressurization process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.
[0092] In addition, multiple processes may be performed simultaneously in order to shorten the molding cycle time. 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. If an on-off valve that opens and closes 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 as long as the on-off valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320.
[0093] Note that 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 and before the metering step begins, a pre-metering suck-back step may be performed in which the screw 330 is retracted to a preset metering start position. This can reduce the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the metering step begins, and prevent the screw 330 from retracting suddenly at the start of the metering step.
[0095] Furthermore, after the metering step is completed and before the filling step begins, a post-metering suck-back step may be performed in which the screw 330 is retracted to a preset filling start position (also referred to as the "injection start position"). This can reduce the pressure of the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 before the filling step begins, and can prevent the molding material from leaking from the nozzle 320 before the filling step begins.
[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 integrated, for example, and configured as a touch panel 770. The touch panel 770 serving as the display device 760 displays a screen under the control of the control device 700. The screen of the touch panel 770 may display information, such as settings of the injection molding machine 10 and the current status of the injection molding machine 10. The touch panel 770 is capable of accepting operations in the displayed screen area. Furthermore, the screen area of the touch panel 770 may display operation units, such as buttons and input fields, that accept input operations by the user. The touch panel 770 serving as the operation device 750 detects input operations on the screen by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to the control device 700. This allows, for example, a user to 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 setting values), etc. Furthermore, by operating an operation unit provided on the screen, the user can cause the injection molding machine 10 to perform an operation corresponding to the operation unit. Note that the operation of the injection molding machine 10 may be, for example, the operation (including stopping) of the mold clamping unit 100, the ejector unit 200, the injection unit 300, the moving unit 400, etc. Also, the operation of the injection molding machine 10 may be, for example, switching of a screen displayed on the touch panel 770 serving as the display device 760.
[0097] Although the operation device 750 and the display device 760 of this embodiment have been described as being integrated as the touch panel 770, 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 (negative Y-axis direction) of the mold clamping unit 100 (more specifically, the fixed platen 110).
[0098] (First embodiment) FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating components of a CPU 701 of a control device 700 of an injection molding machine 10 according to an embodiment. The functional blocks illustrated in FIG. 3 are conceptual and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as illustrated. All or some of the functional blocks can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit. All or any part of the processing functions performed by each functional block are implemented by a program executed by the CPU 701. Alternatively, each functional block may be implemented as hardware using wired logic. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the CPU 701 of the control device 700 includes a reception unit 712 and a display control unit 713. The control device 700 also includes an information storage unit 711 in a storage medium 702.
[0099] The information storage unit 711 stores setting information set by the user, performance values from various sensors, and log information indicating monitoring results or statistical values from the control device 700.
[0100] The reception unit 712 receives user operations from the touch panel 770 via the input interface 703 .
[0101] The receiving unit 712 according to this embodiment can receive a gesture operation as a user operation from the touch panel 770.
[0102] A gesture operation is a process of detecting a specific combination of body movements made by a user and executing a predefined process.
[0103] In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the touch panel 770 detects a combination of movements made by the user's fingers or the like. However, this embodiment does not limit the acceptance of gesture operations to the touch panel 770, and it is sufficient that the user's movements can be detected as commands. For example, an imaging device may be used to detect a combination of the user's movements as commands. Furthermore, as another example of gesture operations, the gesture operations are not limited to the user's body movements, and for example, the movement of the user's gaze may be detected as commands. Furthermore, the user's voice or mouth movements may be detected as commands as gesture operations.
[0104] The accepting unit 712 according to this embodiment can accept pinch-in, pinch-out, and swipe as gesture operations.
[0105] Pinch-in refers to an operation in which, for example, two fingers are brought into contact with the touch panel 770, and then, while maintaining the contact state, the two fingers are moved closer together as if pinching together.
[0106] Pinch out refers to an operation of, for example, touching two fingers to the touch panel 770, and then widening the space between the two fingers while maintaining the contact state.
[0107] A swipe refers to, for example, an operation of touching the touch panel 770 with a finger, and then sliding the finger across the touch panel 770 while maintaining the contact state.
[0108] In this embodiment, the gesture operations accepted by the accepting unit 712 are not limited to pinch-in, pinch-out, and swipe, and other gesture operations may be accepted.
[0109] The display control unit 713 controls the display of data such as a display screen on the touch panel 770. The display control unit 713 according to the present embodiment may output, for each step of the molding process by the injection molding machine 10, a display screen including setting information (an example of a parameter) set by the user in that step, or waveform data (an example of a graph) showing, in waveform, changes due to actual values (an example of a parameter) detected in that step. Note that, although the present embodiment describes an example in which a display screen or the like is output to the touch panel 770, the output destination of data is not limited to the touch panel 770. For example, the display control unit 713 may output data such as a display screen to an information processing device (e.g., the management device 20) connected via a network.
[0110] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which an operation is performed on a display screen displayed on the touch panel 770 of the injection molding machine 10. However, in this embodiment, the device that accepts gesture operations and switches the display in response to the gesture operations is not limited to the injection molding machine 10. For example, the management device 20 connected to the injection molding machine 10 via the communication network 25 may be able to accept gesture operations and switch the display in response to the gesture operations.
[0111] The management device 20 receives the log information stored in the information storage unit 711 from the communication interface 705 of the control device 700. This allows the management device 20 to display a screen similar to the screen displayed on the touch panel 770 of the injection molding machine 10. The management device 20 is also connected to the touch panel 21. The management device 20 can then accept input of a gesture operation from the touch panel 21. The screen displayed when the management device 20 accepts input of a gesture operation is similar to the display of the control device 700 shown below, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0112] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display screen output by the display control unit 713 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, a display screen 1400 shows an X-axis unit field 1401, a Y-axis unit field 1402, an X-axis field 1403, five channel fields (a first channel field 1411 to a fifth channel field 1415), and a waveform data field 1420. In this embodiment, the channel field is a field for selecting an item to be displayed.
[0113] 4 displays setting information for each shot of the injection molding machine 10 and performance values detected by various sensors. The display screen of this embodiment can also display the performance values of the current shot in real time.
[0114] The receiving unit 712 receives a selection operation or an input operation for the above-mentioned fields via the touch panel 770. Then, the display control unit 713 switches the display screen (for example, five channel fields or the waveform data field 1420) displayed on the touch panel 770 in accordance with the received selection operation or input operation.
[0115] For example, the receiving unit 712 receives a selection operation or an input operation via the touch panel 770 for the X-axis unit field 1401, the Y-axis unit field 1402, and the X-axis field 1403. The display control unit 713 switches the waveform data field 1420 to be displayed in accordance with the received operation.
[0116] The X-axis unit field 1401 is a field for selecting a unit to be displayed on the X-axis of the waveform data field 1420. For example, "time" or "screw position" can be selected. The Y-axis unit field 1402 is a field for selecting a unit to be displayed on the Y-axis of the waveform data field 1420. For example, "ratio" or "engineering unit" can be selected in the Y-axis unit field 1402. The X-axis field 1403 is a field for setting the range of the X-axis (for example, time) to be displayed in the waveform data field 1420.
[0117] The five channel columns (first channel column 1411 to fifth channel column 1415) are columns for selecting items to be displayed as waveform data (an example of a graph) in the waveform data column 1420. That is, in this embodiment, five pieces of waveform data relating to items assigned to each channel can be displayed in the waveform data column 1420.
[0118] The first channel column 1411 is a column for setting items for Ch-1. Similarly, the second channel column 1412 to the fifth channel column 1415 are columns for setting items for Ch-2 to Ch-5.
[0119] The first channel column 1411 has an item column 1411A, a maximum value column 1411B (an example of a display column), and a minimum value column 1411C (an example of a display column). Similarly, the second channel column 1412 to the fifth channel column 1415 have item columns 1412A to 1415A, maximum value columns 1412B to 1415B (an example of a display column), and minimum value columns 1412C to 1415C (an example of a display column).
[0120] When the item field 1411A is pressed via the touch panel 770, the display control unit 713 outputs a menu screen displaying multiple items. The receiving unit 712 then receives a selection of an item to be set for Channel 1 from the menu screen. The same applies to the item fields 1412A to 1415A, and a description thereof will be omitted. The item to be set for Channel 1 may be, for example, an item indicating setting information set by the user, an item indicating performance values from various sensors, or an item indicating monitoring results by the control device 700, which are stored in the information storage unit 711. In this embodiment, the configurable items are not limited to items indicating setting information, items indicating performance values from various sensors, or items indicating monitoring results by the control device 700, but may be any items related to parameters obtained by injection molding using the injection molding machine 10. In this embodiment, for ease of explanation, the items to be set in the item field 1411A are represented by "〇××."
[0121] Maximum value field 1411B and minimum value field 1411C are fields into which a numerical value can be input. Receiving unit 712 receives input of a numerical value set in maximum value field 1411B or minimum value field 1411C via touch panel 770. Note that the same applies to maximum value fields 1412B to 1415B and minimum value fields 14112C to 1415C, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0122] Each channel column is displayed with the option to set "ON" or "OFF." "ON" indicates that the waveform data for that item is displayed, and "OFF" indicates that the waveform data for that item is not displayed.
[0123] In the example shown in FIG. 4, "〇XXX" is set in the item column 1411A, "100.00" is set in the maximum value column 1411B, and "-100.00" is set in the minimum value column 1411C.
[0124] 4, a case will be described in which no particular items are set in the item columns 1412A to 1415A of Ch-2 to Ch-5. Note that when items are set in the item columns 1412A to 1415A of Ch-2 to Ch-5, the displayed content is updated in response to an operation by the user, similar to Ch-1.
[0125] The waveform data column 1420 displays waveform data that shows the values (changes in actual values or changes in setting information) for each item set in each of the five channel columns (first channel column 1411 to fifth channel column 1415) as waveforms.
[0126] The waveform data 1421 in the waveform data column 1420 indicates changes in the detection results of the items set in the first channel column 1411 (Ch-1).
[0127] The maximum value within the frame of the waveform data field 1420 for displaying the waveform data 1421 is the value set in the maximum value field 1411B, and the minimum value within the frame of the waveform data field 1420 for displaying the waveform data 1421 is the value set in the minimum value field 1411C.
[0128] In this way, the display control unit 713 according to this embodiment displays, in the waveform data field 1420, waveform data 1421 (an example of a graph) that indicates parameters obtained by injection molding with the injection molding machine 10.
[0129] The accepting unit 712 accepts input of a gesture operation, which is a result of detection of a user's movement by the touch panel 770.
[0130] Fig. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where a gesture operation input is received on touch panel 770 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a waveform data column 1420 is displayed on touch panel 770. Note that, for ease of explanation, the waveform data displayed in waveform data column 1420 and channel columns 1411 to 1415 are omitted from touch panel 770 shown in Fig. 5.
[0131] A display area 1500 of the touch panel 770 shown in FIG. 5 is an area in which a gesture operation from the user can be received.
[0132] First, the receiving unit 712 receives a selection of the waveform data field 1420 from the user. The selection of the waveform data field 1420 may be performed by a gesture operation. A gesture operation for selecting the waveform data field 1420 is, for example, touching a display area showing the waveform data field 1420. In this embodiment, the operation for selecting the waveform data field 1420 is not limited to touching, and other gesture operations or operations other than gesture operations may be used.
[0133] Then, after the accepting unit 712 accepts the selection of the waveform data field 1420 from the user, it accepts a gesture operation for the waveform data field 1420. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a pinch out operation is accepted as the gesture operation.
[0134] 5, the receiving unit 712 detects two points 1511 and 1512 as gesture operations. Point 1511 is the point where the user's index finger touches, and point 1512 is the point where the user's thumb touches.
[0135] Thereafter, the receiving unit 712 receives movement from point 1511 to point 1513, and also receives movement from point 1512 to point 1514. In this way, the receiving unit 712 detects that the two initially detected points are spreading apart, and therefore recognizes that a pinch-out gesture operation has been performed.
[0136] In this embodiment, the display control unit 713 derives the magnification and reduction ratios by multiplying the ratio between the distance between the last two detected points 1513 and 1514 and the distance between the first two detected points 1511 and 1512 by a predetermined constant.
[0137] 5, a pinch-out gesture operation in the Y-axis direction is received. When a pinch-out gesture operation in the Y-axis direction is received, the waveform data (an example of a graph) displayed in the waveform data field 1420 may be enlarged only in the Y-axis direction, or may be enlarged in both the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction. When enlarging in both the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction, for example, the enlargement ratios derived by the above-described method may be used for each of the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction.
[0138] 5, a pinch-out gesture operation is received in the Y-axis direction, but similarly, when a pinch-out gesture operation is received in the X-axis direction, the image may be enlarged only in the X-axis direction, or in both the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Furthermore, when a pinch-out gesture operation is received in a combined direction of the X-axis and Y-axis directions, the image may be enlarged in both the Y-axis and X-axis directions. The enlargement ratio is derived using the method described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.
[0139] 5 is an example in which a pinch-out gesture operation is received, but receiving unit 712 can also receive a pinch-in gesture operation. When a pinch-in gesture operation is received, the waveform data (an example of a graph) displayed in waveform data field 1420 is reduced. The reduction ratio is derived using the method described above. Note that the pinch-in gesture operation is, for example, a reduction corresponding to a pinch-out gesture operation, and may be in any of the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, or a combination of the X-axis and the Y-axis direction.
[0140] When displaying waveform data (an example of a graph) in the waveform data field 1420, the display control unit 713 calculates, in accordance with the derived reduction ratio or magnification ratio, the minimum and maximum values in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction that can be displayed for each waveform data (an example of a graph) in the waveform data field 1420. Then, the display control unit 713 re-displays each waveform data (an example of a graph) within the range of the calculated minimum and maximum values in the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction.
[0141] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when re-displaying each waveform data, the display control unit 713 may change the granularity of the scale (scale lines and divisions) displayed in the waveform data field 1420.
[0142] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen output by the display control unit 713 of this embodiment. The example screen shown in Fig. 6 is an example of a screen in which the accepting unit 712 accepts a gesture operation by pinching out after accepting a selection of the waveform data field 1420 shown in Fig. 4.
[0143] 6, compared to display screen 1400, display screen 1600 has changed X-axis field 1603, first channel field 1611, and waveform data field 1620 in accordance with the pinch-out operation on waveform data field 1420. Furthermore, even when a pinch-out gesture operation is accepted, the position coordinates of waveform data field 1420 displayed on display screen 1400 and waveform data field 1620 displayed on display screen 1600 are the same.
[0144] In this way, when the display range in the waveform data column 1420 is expanded or reduced, the display control unit 713 performs display control so as to maintain the position coordinates of the waveform data column 1620 in which the waveform data (an example of a graph) is displayed in the display area of the display device 760. In this embodiment, the display range to be expanded or reduced needs to include at least the waveform data displayed in the waveform data column 1620, and may further include a scale (the scale lines and the scale shown in the waveform data column 1420).
[0145] Furthermore, regardless of whether the display range is expanded or reduced, the display control unit 713 may display the waveform data field 1620 in the display area of the display device 760 with the X coordinate axis fixed to the left side of the frame, and the Y coordinate axis fixed to the bottom side of the frame. Scales (e.g., numerical values) may also be displayed on the X and Y coordinate axes (see, for example, FIG. 7). Note that, in this embodiment, the placement of the predetermined coordinate axes is not limited to the left and bottom sides, and they may also be placed on the right or top side. Furthermore, the coordinate axes may be placed within the waveform data field 1620.
[0146] The display screen 1600 shown in Fig. 6 is an example in which the screen is enlarged in both the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction in response to a pinch-out gesture operation. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a case in which the enlargement rate is 2 times will be described. Note that, as described above, the enlargement rate changes depending on how the fingers are spread apart when pinching out.
[0147] In response to a pinch in or pinch out (an example of a first gesture), the display control unit 713 enlarges or reduces the display range within the frame of the waveform data field 1420. Note that, although the present embodiment will describe an example in which a pinch in or pinch out is used as a gesture operation for enlarging or reducing the display range, the gesture operation for enlarging or reducing is not limited to a pinch in or pinch out, and may be another gesture operation.
[0148] As shown in FIG. 6, when the display range is expanded or reduced within the frame of the waveform data column 1620, the display control unit 713 updates the minimum and maximum values set in each of the channel columns, as well as the value set in the X-axis column 1603.
[0149] In the first channel column 1611, "50.00" is set in the maximum value column 1611B (an example of a display column), and "-50.00" is set in the minimum value column 1611C (an example of a display column). In this way, the values are changed from "100.00" in the maximum value column 1411B and "-100.00" in the minimum value column 1411C shown in Fig. 4 in accordance with the magnification factor. Furthermore, the X-axis column 1603 is also changed to "1" in accordance with the magnification factor.
[0150] In this way, when the display range displayed within the frame of the waveform data field 1420 is enlarged or reduced, the display control unit 713 changes at least one of the maximum and minimum values displayed in the channel field in accordance with the enlarged or reduced display range. This allows the user to recognize the waveform data displayed in the waveform data field 1620 after performing a gesture operation as a specific numerical value.
[0151] 6, when the display range is expanded within the frame of the waveform data field 1420, the display control unit 713 may display a finer scale (scale lines and divisions) (in other words, the granularity of the scale (scale lines and divisions) may be changed). This allows the user to recognize specific numerical values of the waveform data that change over time.
[0152] In addition, the display control unit 713 refers to the log information stored in the information storage unit 711 and displays waveform data 1621, which is generated based on actual values or setting information, etc., between the changed maximum and minimum values, within the frame of the waveform data column 1420.
[0153] That is, in this embodiment, when the display control unit 713 redisplay the waveform data 1621, instead of simply enlarging or reducing, it regenerates the waveform data by referring to the log information. That is, the information that was collapsed before enlargement is displayed as a detailed change when the waveform data is enlarged. As a result, the user can grasp the specific situation by referring to the enlarged waveform data.
[0154] Also, in this embodiment, while the reception unit 712 is receiving the input of pinch-out or pinch-in of the touch panel 770, according to the change in the distance between two points, the display control unit 713 may perform a display such that the enlargement or reduction of the waveform data changes continuously (like an animation). As a result, the user can set the enlargement ratio or reduction ratio as desired, so the visibility can be improved.
[0155] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the transition of the gesture operations that can be received by the reception unit 712 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the display control unit 713 displays the first waveform data column 1701. In the first waveform data column 1701, the maximum value yd and the minimum value ya in the Y-axis direction, and the maximum value xd and the minimum value xa in the X-axis direction.
[0156] And while the first waveform data column 1701 is being displayed, if the reception unit 712 receives the pinch-out operation 1711, the display control unit 713 displays the second waveform data column 1702.
[0157] The second waveform data column 1702 is a waveform data column in which the display range of the first waveform data column 1701 is enlarged. The maximum value yc (<yd) and the minimum value yb (>ya) in the Y-axis direction, and the maximum value xc (<xd) and the minimum value xb (>xa) in the X-axis direction.
[0158] And while the second waveform data column 1702 is being displayed, if the reception unit 712 receives the pinch-in operation 1712, the display control unit 713 can display the first waveform data column 1701 again.
[0159] Furthermore, if the accepting unit 712 accepts a swipe (an example of a second gesture) while the second waveform data column 1702 is displayed, the display range moves (without changing the display magnification) in accordance with the direction indicated by the swipe. Note that, although this embodiment will describe an example in which a swipe is used as an example of a gesture operation for moving the display range, the gesture operation for moving the display range is not limited to a swipe, and other gesture operations may be used.
[0160] For example, if the receiving unit 712 receives a swipe operation 1713 of moving a finger leftward while the second waveform data field 1702 is displayed, the display control unit 713 displays the third waveform data field 1703. Similar to the second waveform data field 1702, the third waveform data field 1703 has a maximum value yc and a minimum value yb in the Y-axis direction. The third waveform data field 1703 is shifted in the positive direction of the X-axis compared to the second waveform data field 1702. As a result, the third waveform data field 1703 has a maximum value xd in the X-axis direction.
[0161] Then, when the receiving unit 712 receives a swipe operation 1714 of moving a finger to the right while the third waveform data column 1703 is displayed, the display control unit 713 can display the second waveform data column 1702.
[0162] Furthermore, if the accepting unit 712 accepts a pinch-in operation 1715 while the third waveform data column 1703 is displayed, the display control unit 713 can display the first waveform data column 1701 again.
[0163] In this way, the receiving unit 712 can expand the display range within the frame of the waveform data column in response to a pinch out (an example of a first gesture), and then receive input of a swipe (an example of a second gesture) that is different from a pinch in or pinch out.
[0164] Then, the display control unit 713 moves the display range within the frame of the waveform data field in a direction corresponding to the direction in which the finger moved during the swipe, thereby allowing the user to check the area of the waveform data desired.
[0165] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the display mode of the waveform data column can be switched in response to a user's gesture operation.
[0166] <effect> In the above-described embodiment, the display range within the frame of the waveform data field is enlarged or reduced in response to pinching in or out. In other words, the user can enlarge or reduce the waveform data (an example of a graph) displayed in the waveform data field with a simple operation. Therefore, by referring to the enlarged or reduced waveform data, the user can easily understand the situation indicated by the waveform data, thereby improving convenience.
[0167] In the above-described embodiment, when the reception unit 712 receives a swipe input after expanding the display range in the waveform data column in response to a pinch out, the display control unit 713 moves the display range in the direction corresponding to the swipe, so that the user can check the desired display range with a simple operation.
[0168] In the above-described embodiment, the display control unit 713 displays the maximum and minimum values of the waveform data in the Y-axis direction of the waveform data column in the channel column. The display control unit 713 then changes at least one of the maximum and reduced values in response to the expansion or contraction of the display range displayed in the waveform data column. This makes it easier for the user to understand the numerical values indicated by the waveform data displayed in the waveform data column.
[0169] In the above-described embodiment, when the display range is expanded or reduced, the display control unit 713 maintains the position coordinates where the frame of the waveform data field is displayed in the display area of the touch panel 770. In other words, the display of information (e.g., channel field, etc.) displayed outside the frame of the waveform data field is maintained, so that the desired display can be performed within the waveform data field, and the information displayed outside the frame is also maintained, making it easier to check that information. In other words, user convenience can be improved.
[0170] While the embodiments of the injection molding machine and injection molding control device according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. These changes also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0171] 10 injection molding machine 700 control device 770 Touch Panel 711 Information storage unit 712 Reception Department 713 Display control unit 20 Management device 21 Touch Panel
Claims
1. A display control unit configured to display a graph relating to injection molding, in which a first axis and a second axis are represented; a receiving unit configured to receive an input of a first gesture resulting from detecting, as a command, an action of moving a point detected as a user's finger in a first direction; when the first direction accepted as the first gesture is a direction of the first axis, the display control unit expands or reduces a display range within a frame in which the graph is displayed in a direction of the first axis; When the first direction is a direction including both the first axis and the second axis, the graph is configured to be enlarged or reduced in the directions of the first axis and the second axis. Injection molding machine.
2. When the first direction is a direction including both the first axis and the second axis, the display control unit determines an enlargement or reduction rate in the direction of the first axis relative to the display range based on the distance along the first axis by which the point has moved, and determines an enlargement or reduction rate in the direction of the second axis relative to the display range based on the distance along the second axis by which the point has moved, thereby enlarging or reducing the display range in each of the directions of the first axis and the second axis.
2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1.
3. A display control unit configured to display a graph relating to injection molding, in which a first axis and a second axis are represented; a receiving unit configured to receive an input of a first gesture resulting from detecting, as a command, an action of moving a point detected as a user's finger in a first direction; the display control unit is configured to enlarge or reduce a display range within a frame in which the graph is displayed in a direction of the first axis, in a direction of the second axis, or in both directions of the first axis and the second axis, based on the first gesture; when the accepting unit accepts the input of the first gesture in a state in which it is detected that the finger is in contact with the first axis or the second axis shown in the graph displayed on the display control unit, the display control unit expands or reduces the display range in a direction of the axis on which it is detected that the finger is in contact; Injection molding machine.
4. the accepting unit is configured to accept input of a second gesture different from the first gesture after enlarging the display range within the frame in response to the first gesture; the display control unit is configured to move the display range within the frame in a direction corresponding to the second gesture.
4. The injection molding machine according to claim 1.
5. the display control unit further displays a display field showing at least one of a maximum value and a minimum value in an arbitrary axial direction within the frame; changing at least one of the maximum value and the minimum value displayed in the display field in accordance with the expansion or contraction of the display range displayed within the frame; 5. The injection molding machine according to claim 1.
6. the display control unit is configured to display a predetermined coordinate axis fixed with respect to the frame in a display area of the display device when the display range is enlarged or reduced.
6. An injection molding machine according to claim 1.
7. A display control unit configured to display a graph relating to injection molding by an injection molding machine, in which a first axis and a second axis are represented; a receiving unit configured to receive an input of a first gesture resulting from detecting, as a command, an action of moving a point detected as a user's finger in a first direction; when the first direction accepted as the first gesture is a direction of the first axis, the display control unit expands or reduces a display range within a frame in which the graph is displayed in a direction of the first axis; When the first direction is a direction including both the first axis and the second axis, the graph is configured to be enlarged or reduced in the directions of the first axis and the second axis. Injection molding control device.
Citation Information
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