Injection molding machine

Abstract

To improve accuracy of calculated statistical information.SOLUTION: An injection molding machine includes a display control part configured so as to display a shot number indicating an injection molding cycle for specifying a calculation target of statistical information based on a parameter relating to injection molding, or an input field of a time zone in which the injection molding cycle is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to injection molding On the spot Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for injection molding machines, techniques have been proposed that collect results measured in various processes during injection molding and display statistical information calculated based on the collected information on a display device. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique that improves the accuracy of detecting abnormalities by eliminating periods when the effective torque value is unstable and adopting a stable effective torque value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-044306 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, by eliminating periods when the effective torque value is unstable and adopting a stable effective torque value, the accuracy of the torque value calculation in one shot can be improved, but there is a possibility that the one shot in question may be abnormal in the first place, and therefore the accuracy of the statistical information is still low.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention provides a technique for reducing the inaccuracy of statistical information by allowing input to filter out information about shots that may be abnormal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention is a machine for calculating statistical information based on parameters related to injection molding. The display control unit is configured to display a first input field for a first range by shot numbers indicating an injection molding cycle or a first time period in which the injection molding cycle was performed, in order to specify a range in which the parameters obtained in the injection molding cycle indicated by a second range by shot numbers or the parameters obtained in the injection molding cycle performed in a second time period are excluded from the calculation of the statistical information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the range for calculating statistical information can be set, thereby improving the accuracy of the calculated statistical information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [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 a control device for an injection molding machine according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a log information screen output by the display control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a statistics target setting screen output by a display control unit according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a list of achievements included in a log information screen output by a display control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a list of achievements included in a log information screen output by a display control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of the log information screen output by the display control unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a log information screen output by the display control unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 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.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] (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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] (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.

[0044] 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).

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] (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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] (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.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] (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).

[0086] 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."

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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, by 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, for example, information such as the 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. The screen area of ​​the touch panel 770 may also display operation units such as buttons and input fields for accepting 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 information displayed on the screen to perform settings of the injection molding machine 10 (including input of setting values). The user can also operate the operation unit provided on the screen to cause the injection molding machine 10 to perform an operation 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 also be the switching of a screen displayed on the touch panel 770 serving as the display device 760, etc.

[0093] 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 also be provided independently. Also, a plurality of operation devices 750 may be provided. The operation device 750 and the display device 760 are arranged on the operation side (negative direction of the Y axis) of the mold clamping unit 100 (more specifically, the fixed platen 110). The operation device 750 can accept input of numerical values ​​or characters, for example, from physically provided buttons or a software keyboard displayed on the display device 760.

[0094] (First embodiment) FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing components of a control device 700 of the injection molding machine 10 according to one embodiment.

[0095] The injection molding machine 10 is connected to the management device 20 via the injection molding machine 11 or the communication network 25 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. The management device 20 is also connected to the injection molding machine 11 and each of the injection molding machines 11 so as to be able to communicate bidirectionally. The injection molding machine 11 has the same configuration as the injection molding machine 10, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The management device 20 receives setting information and performance information of the injection molding performed by the injection molding machine 10 from the communication interface 705 of the control device 700. This allows the management device 20 to display the same screen as the injection molding machine 10. Furthermore, the management device 20 can accept the same operations as the control device 700. The management device 20 can transmit to the injection molding machine 10 a display according to the accepted operation or a control command according to the accepted operation. This allows the management device 20 to perform the same processing as the injection molding machine 10 described below.

[0097] The functional blocks of the CPU 701 of the control device 700 shown in FIG. 3 are conceptual and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. 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 shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 701 of the control device 700 includes a reception unit 712, a display control unit 713, a storage unit 714, a calculation unit 715, a communication control unit 716, and a determination unit 717. The control device 700 also includes an information storage unit 711 in the storage medium 702.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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 this embodiment may output, for each step of the molding process by the injection molding machine 10, a display screen including setting information set by the user for that step or waveform data showing, as a waveform, changes due to performance values ​​detected in that step, to the touch panel 770. Note that, although this 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.

[0100] In this embodiment, a case will be described where an operation is performed on a display screen displayed on a touch panel 770 of the injection molding machine 10. The injection molding machine 10 according to this embodiment can accept the selection of any area displayed on the touch panel 770 and the input of numerical values ​​or characters via the operation device 750 of the touch panel 770.

[0101] The display control unit 713 according to this embodiment displays a log information screen that displays, for example, actual results values ​​during molding, setting information, statistical values, etc. as log information.

[0102] By referring to the statistical values ​​(an example of statistical information) displayed on the log information screen, the user can recognize the current status of the injection molding machine 10. However, regardless of the settings, the injection molding machine 10 may experience unstable situations. For this reason, when checking the current status of the injection molding machine 10, there are actual results that should be excluded from the statistical values.

[0103] For example, data tends to be unstable immediately after the injection molding machine 10 is started. Furthermore, if injection molding is stopped for a short time to clean the injection molding machine 10, it is preferable not to include data indicated by a shot number that includes the stoppage time in the statistics. Furthermore, when there is data that a user wants to exclude from the statistics, it may be difficult for the user to identify the shot number corresponding to the data to be excluded. Therefore, in this embodiment, the display control unit 713 displays various information related to the injection molding cycle (e.g., time period) along with the shot number on the log information screen. Furthermore, the receiving unit 712 may accept a selection operation for the various information (e.g., time period). For example, data with a shot number corresponding to the various information (e.g., time period) for which the selection operation is accepted is set as the exclusion target. This makes it easy to identify data to be excluded (e.g., data indicated by a shot number). Therefore, in this embodiment, by accepting a selection operation for the shot number or time period on the log information screen, it is possible to set whether or not to include actual values ​​and setting information in the statistics for each shot or time period.

[0104] For example, the display control unit 713 displays an input field for specifying a calculation target for a statistical value based on actual results (one example of parameters related to injection molding) obtained when manufacturing a molded product by injection molding, or setting information (one example of parameters related to injection molding). The input field allows input of a shot number indicating an injection molding cycle, but may also allow input of a time period during which the injection molding cycle was performed.

[0105] The receiving unit 712 receives user operations from the touch panel 770 via the input interface 703. For example, the receiving unit 712 receives a shot number or a time period input in an input field.

[0106] The calculation unit 715 calculates a statistical value based on the shot number entered in the entry field, or the performance value obtained in the time period, and the setting information.

[0107] Then, the display control unit 713 displays the statistical values ​​calculated by the calculation unit 715 on the log information screen.

[0108] The saving unit 714 stores the actual values ​​during molding, setting information, calculated statistical values, etc. as log information in the information storage unit 711. Settings for saving as log information are made on the log information screen displayed by the display control unit 713.

[0109] Furthermore, the communication control unit 716 transmits the shot number or time period received by the receiving unit 712 to an external device (for example, the injection molding machine 11). This allows the shot numbers or time periods to be excluded from the statistics to be shared among the multiple injection molding machines 10 and 11.

[0110] The determination unit 717 determines whether or not each shot number indicating an injection molding cycle should be excluded from the calculation of statistical information based on the performance values ​​obtained when manufacturing the molded product and the setting information (an example of parameters). A specific determination method will be described later.

[0111] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a log information screen output by the display control unit 713 according to this embodiment.

[0112] 4 displays a total number 1401, a number of non-defective items 1402, a number of defective items 1403, a number of rejected items 1404, a logging button 1405, a monitoring setting button 1406, a save button 1407, an update button 1408, a statistics list 1420, a performance list 1430, and a statistics target setting field 1440. The log information screen 1400 shown in Fig. 4 is a screen that is displayed when a tab "Performance" 1491 shown in the lower column of the screen is selected.

[0113] The statistics list 1420 shows statistical values ​​(for example, average, range, maximum, minimum, standard deviation) for each of the setting fields 1421 to 1428. The contents shown in the setting fields 1421 to 1428 can be set by the user. In this embodiment, it is possible to display, monitor, and save log information for the items shown in the setting fields 1421 to 1428. Note that monitoring in this embodiment refers to determining whether or not a product is non-defective based on a predetermined standard.

[0114] The "Monitoring", "Center" and "Range" in the statistics list 1420 are information for determining whether or not the molded product in the corresponding setting field is defective.

[0115] When monitoring in the statistics list 1420 is "OFF", the control device 700 does not perform monitoring, and when it is "ON", the control device 700 performs monitoring. When it is "ON", the control device 700 determines whether the measured performance value for the item indicated in the setting field satisfies the criteria indicated by "center" and "range". The monitoring can be switched using the monitoring setting button 1406.

[0116] "Failure" in the statistics summary 1420 indicates the number of molded articles that do not meet the criteria indicated by "Median" and "Range."

[0117] The "Cycle time" in setting field 1421, the "Filling time" in setting field 1422, and the "Weighing time" in setting field 1423 are items set to monitor the time required for the cycle, filling, and weighing.

[0118] The "minimum cushion position" in the setting field 1424 is an item set to monitor the position of the screw 330 when it moves to the most forward position when applying pressure after filling the molding material into the mold device 800. The "filling peak pressure" in the setting field 1425 is an item set to monitor the peak value of the pressure when filling the molding material. The "overall peak pressure" in the setting field 1426 is an item set to monitor the peak value of the pressure in all processes of the injection molding machine 10. The "holding pressure completion position" in the setting field 1427 is an item set to monitor the position of the screw 330 at the completion of holding pressure. The "mold clamping force" in the setting field 1428 is an item set to monitor the maximum value of the mold clamping force detected as an actual value.

[0119] The setting fields 1421 to 1428 can be changed to items that the user wants to monitor, and a description of how to change the settings will be omitted.

[0120] The performance list 1430 shows a list of setting information for the items set in the setting fields 1421 to 1428 or performance values ​​measured by various sensors for each shot. The items set in the setting fields 1421 to 1428 are set from "CH-1" to "CH-8." In addition, each shot is associated with information indicating the shot, such as a "shot number," "time" of injection molding, and "status" of injection molding.

[0121] The logging button 1405 is a button for accepting whether or not to save as log information at least one of the set values ​​and performance values ​​shown in the performance list 1430. When the logging button 1405 is pressed ("Logging On" is displayed), the saving unit 714 saves the information shown in the performance list 1430 and the like in the storage medium 702 as log information.

[0122] The monitoring setting button 1406 is a button that accepts whether or not to monitor according to the monitoring items in the statistics list 1420. When the monitoring setting button 1406 is pressed (displaying "Monitoring On"), each shot is monitored to determine whether it is a defective product, and the monitoring results are included in the log information. Depending on whether the monitoring setting button 1406 is pressed, monitoring in the statistics list 1420 switches between "Off" and "On".

[0123] The save button 1407 is a button for accepting whether or not to save the statistical values ​​(for example, average, range, maximum, minimum, integral value, standard deviation, etc.) for each of the setting fields 1421 to 1428. When the save button 1407 is pressed, the saving unit 714 saves the statistical values ​​for each of the setting fields 1421 to 1428 in the storage medium 702 as log information.

[0124] The update button 1408 is a button for accepting whether or not to update the statistics list 1420 and the performance list 1430 each time injection molding is completed by the injection molding machine 10. When the update button 1408 is pressed (displaying "Always"), the statistics list 1420 and the performance list 1430 are updated each time injection molding is completed by the injection molding machine 10.

[0125] The total number 1401 indicates the number of molded products molded by the injection molding machine 10. The number of good products 1402 indicates the number of molded products that were determined to be good based on "monitoring", "center", and "range". The number of defective products 1403 indicates the number of molded products that were determined to be defective based on "monitoring", "center", and "range". The number of rejected products 1404 indicates the number of rejected molded products.

[0126] The statistical target setting field 1440 includes various input fields for setting the statistical information calculation target.

[0127] The statistical information is information calculated based on actual values ​​(one example of parameters) obtained each time a molded product is manufactured by performing injection molding with the injection molding machine 10, and includes, for example, the average, range, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation calculated for each of the setting fields 1421 to 1428 in the statistics list 1420. Note that this embodiment shows only one example of statistical information, and statistical information other than the average, range, maximum, minimum, and standard deviation may also be used. Furthermore, the items for which statistical information is calculated are not limited to the items set in the setting fields 1421 to 1428, and may be other items.

[0128] The statistical target setting field 1440 includes three check boxes: a first check box 1441 for setting the latest data, a second check box 1443 for setting the statistical information calculation target, and a third check box 1445 for excluding the statistical information calculation target.

[0129] First check box 1441 is a check box for setting whether the latest data is to be used for calculating statistical information.

[0130] The input field 1442 for latest data is a field where a numerical value indicating the number of shots can be input. When the receiving unit 712 receives a check in the first checkbox 1441, the receiving unit 712 receives the numerical value input in the input field 1442 as the number of shots for calculating statistical information.

[0131] As a result, in this embodiment, the calculation unit 715 calculates statistical information from the latest data and log information for the number of input shots.

[0132] Second check box 1443 is a check box for setting whether or not statistical information is to be calculated within a range set by the user.

[0133] Shot number input fields 1444A to 1444B are fields where the calculation range of statistical information can be input by shot numbers. When receiving a check in second checkbox 1443, receiving unit 712 receives the input of the range of shot numbers input in input fields 1444A to 1444B.

[0134] The calculation unit 715 calculates statistical information, including the actual values ​​(one example of parameters) obtained in injection molding within the range of shot numbers input in the input fields 1444A to 1444B as calculation targets.

[0135] Third check box 1445 is a check box for setting whether or not the range set by the user is to be excluded from the calculation of statistical information.

[0136] The exclusion number input fields 1446A to 1446B are fields where a range of shot numbers to be excluded from the calculation of statistical information can be input. When the reception unit 712 receives a check in the third checkbox 1445, it receives the input of the range of shot numbers input in the input fields 1446A to 1446B.

[0137] Calculation unit 715 calculates statistical information after excluding performance values ​​(one example of parameters) obtained in injection molding within the range of shot numbers input in input fields 1446A to 1446B. For example, calculation unit 715 calculates statistical information by excluding performance values ​​within the range for which input was accepted from among performance values ​​obtained in injection molding after measurement was started in injection molding machine 10.

[0138] Furthermore, if all of the above-mentioned check boxes 1441, 1443, and 1445 are not checked, all performance values ​​obtained in injection molding since measurement began in the injection molding machine 10 will be subject to calculation of statistical information. Furthermore, multiple check boxes 1441, 1443, and 1445 may be set at the same time. For example, a first range of shot numbers to be calculated is set by accepting a check in the second check box 1443. Then, a second range of shot numbers to be excluded from the first range may be set by accepting a check in the third check box 1443.

[0139] 4, an example of inputting a range of shot numbers has been described, but the setting of the range for calculating statistical information is not limited to shot numbers. For example, an input field in which a time period (start time to end time) can be set may be displayed. When the receiving unit 712 receives input of a time period in the input field, the time period input in the input field may be included in the calculation of statistical information, or may be excluded from the calculation of statistical information, as with the range of shot numbers.

[0140] As described above, the saving unit 714 according to this embodiment saves the performance values ​​and the like obtained by the various sensors in the information storage unit 711 in accordance with the settings on the log information screen.

[0141] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the log information screen is provided with a statistics target setting field 1440 for setting a calculation target for statistical information. However, this embodiment is not limited to the method of providing the statistics target setting field 1440 for setting a calculation target for statistical information on the log information screen. As a modified example, a method can be considered in which a statistics target setting screen is provided as a screen separate from the log information screen.

[0142] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a statistics target setting screen output by the display control unit 713 according to this modification.

[0143] 5 is a screen that is displayed when the tab "Statistical Target" 1592 shown in the lower section of the screen is selected. Note that when the tab "Results" 1591 is selected, a screen is displayed in which the statistical target setting field 1440 is removed from the log information screen 1400 shown in FIG.

[0144] The statistical target setting screen 1500 includes a first check box 1501, a second check box 1502, a third check box 1503, an input field 1511 for the latest data, input fields 1521A to 1512B for shot numbers, and input fields 1531A to 1531B for exclusion numbers.

[0145] Note that a first check box 1501, a second check box 1502, and a third check box 1503 in FIG. 5 correspond to a first check box 1441, a second check box 1443, and a third check box 1445 in FIG. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0146] Similarly, the latest data input field 1511, shot number input fields 1521A to 1512B, and exclusion number input fields 1531A to 1531B correspond to the latest data input field 1442, shot number input fields 1444A to 1444B, and exclusion number input fields 1446A to 1446B, and therefore their explanations will be omitted.

[0147] Then, after the accepting unit 712 accepts input of information for specifying a calculation target of statistical information (for example, a range of shot numbers) on the statistical target setting screen 1500, it accepts selection of the tab "Results" 1591. In this case, the calculating unit 715 calculates statistical information using the results values ​​(an example of parameters) obtained within the input range of shot numbers. Then, the display control unit 713 displays a log information screen based on the calculated statistical information.

[0148] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, examples have been described in which a calculation target for statistical information is set in the statistical target setting field 1440 and the statistical target setting screen 1500. However, this embodiment does not limit the method for setting a calculation target for statistical information to the above-described method. For example, a calculation target for statistical information may be set from a record for each shot displayed in the performance list 1430.

[0149] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of a list of results included in the log information screen output by the display control unit 713 according to this embodiment.

[0150] 6, the result value obtained in each shot is set in the record for each shot, and the result list 1630 has a check box 1631 for each shot number.

[0151] The checkbox 1631 for each shot number is a checkbox for setting whether or not the performance value indicated in the record is to be included as a target for calculating statistical information.

[0152] In this way, the display control unit 713 displays a performance list 1630 showing the results of injection molding for each shot number, and also displays a check box 1631 for each shot number shown in the performance list 1630. In other words, the display control unit 713 uses the check box 1631 for each shot number to display the performance value of injection molding indicated by that shot number so that it can be selected as a target for calculating statistical information.

[0153] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the result values ​​of the shot numbers indicated by checked check boxes 1631A, 1631B, 1631C, 1631D, 1631E, and 1631F in the result list 1630 are included in the calculation of statistical information.

[0154] 6, the example has been described in which the actual value of a checked shot number is included in the calculation of statistical information by checking the checkbox 1631 in the result list 1630. However, this embodiment is not limited to the example in which the actual value of a checked shot number is included in the calculation, and the actual value of a checked shot number may be excluded from the calculation.

[0155] Furthermore, the method of setting the statistical information calculation targets in the performance list 1630 is not limited to checking check boxes.

[0156] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a list of achievements included in the log information screen output by the display control unit 713 according to this embodiment.

[0157] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the receiving unit 712 receives the selection of a range 1731 in the achievement list 1730 through an operation by the operation device 750.

[0158] In this way, the performance values ​​included in the range 1731 selected by the user are included in the calculation of statistical information. Note that when the selection of range 1731 is accepted by operation of operation device 750, display control unit 713 may display check numbers corresponding to the selected range 1731 in input fields 1444A to 1444B in FIG. 4.

[0159] As described above, various methods are possible for setting the target for calculating statistical information. The above-described methods are examples of methods for setting the target for calculating statistical information, and the target for calculating statistical information may be set in other ways.

[0160] As another method, in order for the user to set the calculation target of statistical information, candidates that the control device 700 has determined should be excluded from the calculation target may be presented to the user so that the user can select them.

[0161] The determination unit 717 determines, for each shot number, whether it is a candidate to be excluded from the calculation target. Any determination method may be used, for example, a method using the average and standard deviation. For example, if the performance value of the shot number is more than three times the standard deviation value from the average, the determination unit 717 determines that the record number of the performance value is a candidate to be excluded from the calculation target. Note that other methods may be used in this embodiment.

[0162] As another method, quartiles may be used. The determination unit 717 sorts the performance values ​​for each item in descending order and determines the performance values ​​corresponding to 1 / 4 and 3 / 4 of the total. These two data are referred to as the upper and lower quartiles. The determination unit 717 may add 1.5 times the difference between these two quartiles to the upper quartile, and determine that performance values ​​greater than this are candidates to be excluded from the calculation. Furthermore, the determination unit 717 may subtract 1.5 times the difference between these two quartiles from the lower quartile, and determine that performance values ​​smaller than this are candidates to be excluded from the calculation.

[0163] Then, the display control unit 713 may display the shot numbers determined to be candidates to be excluded so that the user can select them.

[0164] Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a log information screen output by the display control unit 713 according to this embodiment. In the log information screen 1900 shown in Fig. 8, a check box 1631 is provided for each shot number, similar to Fig. 6.

[0165] Then, the display control unit 713 changes the color of the cells 1931, 1933 of the performance values ​​that have been determined by the determination unit 717 to be candidates for exclusion in the performance list 1930, and displays marks 1932, 1934 near the shot numbers indicating that the cells should be excluded.

[0166] When the accepting unit 712 accepts checks in the check boxes 1936A and 1936B marked with marks 1932 and 1934, the calculation unit 715 calculates statistical information excluding the performance values ​​of the checked shot numbers. The display control unit 713 then displays the calculated statistical information in the statistics list 1420.

[0167] Alternatively, candidates to be excluded may be identified from the statistics list 1420 displayed on the display control unit 713. For example, the display control unit 713 may display selectable maximum and minimum values ​​for each item indicated in a setting field in the statistics list 1420. For example, the accepting unit 712 accepts the selection of a minimum value 1921 for "cycle time" indicated in the setting field 1421. In this case, the display control unit 713 displays, in a different color, a cell 1935 of the performance value corresponding to the minimum value 1921 whose selection has been accepted in the performance list 1930.

[0168] This allows the user to recognize the shot number for which the actual value of "cycle time" is the minimum value of "0.00." When the receiving unit 712 receives a check in the checkbox 1936C, the calculation unit 715 can calculate the statistical information by excluding the actual value of the shot for which the actual value of "cycle time" is the minimum value of "0.00" from the calculation targets.

[0169] In this embodiment, the statistical target setting field and the performance list may be displayed in a linked manner. For example, when the receiving unit 712 receives a setting for a shot to be calculated or excluded from statistical information in the statistical target setting field, the display control unit 713 may display the performance values ​​of the shot numbers set as the shots to be calculated or excluded in a recognizable manner.

[0170] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating a log information screen output by the display control unit 713 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the log information screen 1800 shown in Fig. 9 is the same as that in Fig. 4, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0171] 9, the third check box 1845 is checked in the statistical target setting field 1840. The exclusion number input fields 1446A and 1446B are set so that shot number "43" is excluded from the calculation target.

[0172] Then, the display control unit 713 displays the record 1831 of shot number "43" that has been set to be excluded from the calculation target in a different color from the records of other shot numbers in the performance list 1830 that is displayed together with the statistics target setting field 1840. This allows the user to recognize the performance values ​​of the shots that have been excluded from the calculation target.

[0173] In this embodiment, an example of changing the color of a record of a shot number that is set to be excluded from the calculation will be described, but the method of changing the color of the record is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the display format is different so that the difference from other records can be easily identified.

[0174] <effect> The control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modification displays an input field in the statistical target setting field or statistical target setting screen for accepting input of a shot number indicating the injection molding cycle for which statistical information is to be calculated, in order to identify the target for which statistical information is to be calculated. While the above-described embodiment and modification have described examples in which a shot number is accepted for input to identify the target for which statistical information is to be calculated, an input field for accepting input of a time period during which the injection molding cycle was performed may also be displayed to identify the injection molding cycle for which statistical information is to be calculated. In this manner, the display control unit displays an input field for the shot number or time period. By displaying this input field, the user can exclude unstable data, in other words, data that may be abnormal, from the target for which statistical information is to be calculated. This enables observation of the injection molding machine 10 using statistical information corresponding to the current molding status. In other words, the control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modification enables input to exclude information regarding shots that may be abnormal, thereby preventing a decrease in the accuracy of statistical information. More specifically, this facilitates monitoring of mass production of molded products in the injection molding machine 10 and understanding the current situation.

[0175] Furthermore, the control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example has an input field in the statistics target setting field or statistics target setting screen where the range of shot numbers to be calculated can be input. Similarly, an input field may be provided where the range of time periods (start time to end time) to be calculated can be input. The receiving unit receives input of the range of shot numbers or time periods to be calculated, allowing the user to set the range that they want to monitor.

[0176] Furthermore, the control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example has an input field in the statistics target setting field or statistics target setting screen where a range of shot numbers to be excluded from the calculation target can be input. Similarly, an input field may be provided where a range of time periods (start time to end time) to be excluded from the calculation target can be input. The receiving unit receives input of the range of shot numbers or time periods to be excluded from the calculation target, allowing the user to set the range that they want to monitor.

[0177] That is, in response to a user's input, the control device 700 can calculate statistical information by excluding unstable data from the calculation targets, or calculate statistical information while a predetermined setting is being performed. Therefore, since the statistical information desired by the user can be displayed, it becomes easier to monitor the injection molding machine 10 and grasp the actual situation.

[0178] The control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modification displays shot numbers entered as targets for calculation or exclusion in the statistics target setting field or the input field on the statistics target setting screen in a different color from other shot numbers in the performance list. This allows the user to check the performance values ​​corresponding to the shot numbers entered as targets for calculation or exclusion. This allows the user to determine whether or not to include the performance values ​​indicated by those shot numbers in the calculation of statistical information. Setting the shot numbers, etc., to be calculated based on the result of this determination improves the accuracy of monitoring actual conditions.

[0179] The control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modified example includes a communication control unit 716 (an example of a transmission unit) that transmits the range of shot numbers input into the statistical target setting field or the input field on the statistical target setting screen to an external device (e.g., the injection molding machine 11). The target to be transmitted is not limited to the range of shot numbers, but may also be a time period. In this way, the communication control unit 716 can transmit the range of shot numbers or the time period to an external device (e.g., the injection molding machine 11). Therefore, the range of shot numbers or the time period to be excluded from statistical information can be shared among multiple devices, thereby reducing the operational burden and facilitating the monitoring of multiple devices (e.g., injection molding machines).

[0180] The control device 700 according to the above-described embodiment and modifications changes the display mode for each shot number in the performance list based on the determination result by the determination unit 717. This allows the user to determine whether or not to include the performance value indicated by that shot number in the calculation of statistical information. By setting the shot numbers, etc. to be calculated according to the determination result, the accuracy of monitoring the actual situation can be improved.

[0181] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the display control and input reception in the injection molding machine 10 have been described. However, the embodiment and modified examples do not limit the display control and input reception to the injection molding machine 10. For example, a management device 20 that is communicably connected to the injection molding machine 10 can perform similar control by transmitting and receiving information to and from the injection molding machine 10. This allows the management device 20 to obtain the same effects as the injection molding machine 10.

[0182] The above is the injection molding method according to the present invention. Machine Although the embodiments have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. These naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0183] 10, 11 Injection molding machine 700 control device 711 Information storage unit 712 Reception Department 713 Display control unit 714 Preservation Department 715 Calculation Unit 716 Communication Control Unit 717 Judgment section 20 Management device

Claims

1. a display control unit configured to display a first range by shot numbers indicating an injection molding cycle or a first input field for a first time period in which the injection molding cycle was performed, for specifying a range for which statistical information based on parameters related to injection molding is to be calculated; The display control unit is further configured to display a second input field for excluding the parameters obtained in the injection molding cycle indicated by the second range based on the shot number or the parameters obtained in the injection molding cycle performed in a second time period from the calculation of the statistical information. Injection molding machine.

2. the display control unit is configured to display the parameters obtained by the injection molding as a list represented for each shot number, The first range based on the shot numbers displayed in the list is selectable to specify a range for which the statistical information is to be calculated.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1.

Images