Control device for injection molding machines

Abstract

To provide a control device of an injection molding machine, which can easily select a desired molding condition from a plurality of molding conditions.SOLUTION: A control device 10 of an injection molding machine 1 comprises: an input / output unit 11 that displays information regarding a plurality of molding conditions; and a processing unit 15 that controls display on the input / output unit 11. The processing unit 15 switches a first display screen, a second display screen, and a third display screen to display the screens on a display of the input / output unit 11. The first display screen displays details of one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions together with a corresponding first image. The second display screen displays a list of the plurality of molding conditions and a second image corresponding to one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions. The third display screen displays a list of a plurality of third images corresponding to the plurality of molding conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an injection molding machine.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a control device for a molding machine that displays a list of a plurality of images associated with a plurality of molding conditions on a screen for selecting a desired molding condition from the plurality of molding conditions is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Conventionally, for example, a control device for an injection molding machine that displays image data associated with molding conditions together on a screen for displaying details of a desired molding condition is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, the control devices of the prior art as described above switch between a list display of images and a detailed display of molding conditions, and in the detailed display, details of the molding conditions selected in the list display of images are displayed together with the images. However, for example, when the number of molding conditions increases, scrolling or switching of the screen is required in the list display of images, and if the display of each image is enlarged, the operability may be impaired. Further, when images are displayed together in the detailed display of molding conditions, it becomes difficult to enlarge the display of the images, and there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to grasp the characteristics of each molded product.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for an injection molding machine that can easily select a desired molding condition from a plurality of molding conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following embodiments. A control device for an injection molding machine according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device for an injection molding machine equipped with an injection device and a mold clamping device, comprising: a display unit that displays information relating to a plurality of molding conditions; a first screen that displays the details of one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions together with a corresponding first image; a second screen that displays a list of the plurality of molding conditions and a second image corresponding to one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions; and a third screen that displays a list of a plurality of third images corresponding to the plurality of molding conditions, and a control unit that switches between these and displays them on the display unit.

[0007] In the control device for the injection molding machine described above, the control unit may display the second image on the second screen larger than the first image on the first screen.

[0008] In the control device for the injection molding machine described above, the control unit may display a pop-up of the second image so as to cover the details of the molding conditions and the first image on the first screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, by providing a control unit that switches between and displays the first, second, and third screens for multiple molding conditions, it is possible to reduce the cumbersome process required when the operator selects molding conditions. For example, the first screen allows the operator to check the details of the molding conditions and the first image, the second screen allows the operator to check a more detailed second image, and the third screen allows for easy visual selection without relying on text or other visual elements.

[0010] In the above case, the second image, which is displayed larger than the first image, can help visually select the appropriate molding conditions. In the above case, it is possible to easily switch between the first and second screens depending on whether or not a pop-up is displayed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing the functional configuration of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the image registration process by the control device of an injection molding machine in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a first display screen in the image registration process by the control device of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the display window when selecting an image file during the image registration process by the control device of an injection molding machine in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating image display and deletion processes by the control device of an injection molding machine in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the preview display process by the control device of an injection molding machine in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a second display screen in the preview display processing by the control device of an injection molding machine in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating the catalog display process by the control device of an injection molding machine in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a third display screen in the catalog display processing by the control device of an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The control device for an injection molding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an injection molding machine 1 according to an embodiment. The injection molding machine 1 according to the embodiment is, for example, a horizontal or vertical injection molding machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the injection molding machine 1 includes an injection device 3, a mold clamping device 5, and a control device 10.

[0013] The injection device 3 injects a resin material such as a plastic resin into the space inside the mold fixed to the mold clamping device 5. The injection device 3 includes, for example, a cylinder into which the resin material is injected, a screw for kneading and pressurizing the resin material in the cylinder, and a plurality of servo motors. The plurality of servo motors includes, for example, a first motor, a second motor, and a third motor. The first motor drives, for example, a rotation mechanism that rotates the screw in the cylinder around the central axis. The second motor drives, for example, a movement mechanism that moves the screw in the cylinder in a direction along the central axis. The third motor drives, for example, a relative movement mechanism that relatively moves the cylinder and the screw with respect to the mold clamping device 5.

[0014] The mold clamping device 5 opens and closes the mold and ejects the molded product. The mold clamping device 5 includes, for example, an opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the mold, an ejector mechanism for ejecting the molded product from the mold, and a plurality of servo motors. The plurality of servo motors includes, for example, a fourth motor that drives the opening and closing mechanism and a fifth motor that drives the ejector mechanism.

[0015] The control device 10 controls the operation of the injection molding machine 1. The control device 10 includes, for example, an input / output unit 11, a storage unit 13, and a processing unit 15. The input / output unit 11 includes, for example, a touch panel and operation buttons using a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, a speaker and a buzzer, and an input / output port (terminal) for connecting an external device such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device. The storage unit 13 stores various data such as a plurality of molding conditions described later.

[0016] The processing unit 15 is a software functional unit that functions when a predetermined program is executed by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The software functional unit is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) including a processor such as a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores data, and an electronic circuit such as a timer. Note that at least a part of the processing unit 15 may be an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The processing unit 15 performs various calculations and controls.

[0017] The control device 10 switches, for example, the display of the first display screen, the second display screen, and the third display screen on the display of the input / output unit 11. The first display screen displays, for example, the details of one molding condition selected from a plurality of molding conditions together with the corresponding first image. The second display screen displays, for example, a list of a plurality of molding conditions and a second image corresponding to one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions. The third display screen displays, for example, a list of a plurality of third images corresponding to the plurality of molding conditions.

[0018] Hereinafter, as the operation of the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1, the processing executed by the control device 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the image registration process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the first display screen 20 in the image registration process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display window 24 at the time of selecting an image file in the image registration process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment.

[0019] In the image registration process shown in FIG. 2, the control device 10 causes the first display screen 20 as shown in FIG. 3, for example, to be displayed on the display of the input / output unit 11. The first display screen 20 includes, for example, a list display 21, a detailed display 22, and an image search switch 23. The list display 21 displays a list of information such as the identifier (ID), molded product name, and registration date and time associated with each of the multiple molding conditions. The list display 21 accepts the operation of selecting one of the multiple molding conditions. The detailed display 22 displays, for example, detailed information 22a, 22b and associated image (first image) 22c of any one molding condition selected from the list display 21, as well as a register switch 22d and a delete switch 22e. The detailed information 22a, 22b is, for example, information regarding the number of parts, mass, resin material, and mold of the molded product. The first image 22c is, for example, an image of the molded product or a CG (Computer Graphics) image. The register switch 22d accepts, for example, an operation to register the molding conditions of a molded product. The delete switch 22e accepts, for example, an operation to delete the registered molding conditions of a molded product.

[0020] First, in step S01 shown in Figure 2, the control device 10 obtains the identifier of the molding condition selected by the operator from the list display 21. Next, in step S02, the control device 10 obtains an instruction to perform image registration in response to the operator's operation of the registration switch 22d. Next, in step S03, the control device 10 obtains the name (image file name) of the file (image file) in which the image data is stored from a storage medium such as an external memory connected to the input / output port of the input / output unit 11. Next, in step S04, the control device 10 determines whether or not an image file is stored in the storage medium. If the result of this determination is "NO", the control device 10 proceeds to step S05. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is "YES", the control device 10 proceeds to step S06. Then, in step S05, the control device 10 notifies that no image files are stored in the storage medium and proceeds to the end of the process.

[0021] Then, in step S06, the control device 10 selects an image file from the storage medium according to the operator's selection. As shown in Figure 4, when an image file is selected, the control device 10 displays a display window 24 showing a list of image file names stored in a storage medium such as an external memory connected to the input / output port of the input / output unit 11. The display window 24 is a so-called pop-up display, which covers a portion of the first display screen 20. The display window 24 shows, for example, a path name 24a indicating the location of the image file in the file system, a list of image file names 24b, two toggle switches 24c and 24d, image data 24e stored in the image file selected in the list 24b, an import switch 24f, and a cancel switch 24g. The list display 24b accepts the operation to select one of several image file names. The two toggle switches 24c and 24d accept the operation to switch the selection of image file names in the list display 24b. The capture switch 24f accepts the operation to acquire image data from the image file selected in the list display 24b. The cancel switch 24g accepts the operation to cancel the acquisition of image data.

[0022] Then, in step S07 shown in Figure 2, the control device 10 displays the image data 24e of the image file selected in the list display 24b of the display window 24. Next, in step S08, the control device 10 receives an instruction to execute the acquisition of image data in response to the operator's operation of the acquisition switch 24f. Next, in step S09, the control device 10 determines whether there is storage capacity for storing image data, for example, in the memory unit 13. If the result of this determination is "NO", the control device 10 proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is "YES", the control device 10 proceeds to step S11. Then, in step S10, the control device 10 notifies that there is insufficient storage capacity to store the selected image data, and proceeds to the end of the process. Then, in step S11, the control device 10 acquires the selected image data and stores it in, for example, the storage unit 13. Next, in step S12, the control device 10 generates a registration flag for the appropriate molding conditions in the list display 21 shown in Figure 3, and proceeds to the end of the process.

[0023] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the image display and deletion processes performed by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. The image display and deletion processes shown in Figure 5 are performed while, for example, the first display screen 20, as shown in Figure 3, is displayed on the display of the input / output unit 11.

[0024] First, in step S21 shown in Figure 5, the control device 10 obtains the identifier of the molding condition selected by the operator from the list display 21. Next, in step S22, the control device 10 obtains the molding conditions corresponding to the identifier selected by the operator. Next, in step S23, the control device 10 performs various recalculations according to the acquired molding conditions. Next, in step S24, the control device 10 obtains a file path indicating the location of image data stored in, for example, the storage unit 13. Next, in step S25, the control device 10 displays the first image 22c using image data corresponding to the molding conditions.

[0025] Next, in step S26, the control device 10 obtains an execution instruction to delete the image data in response to the operator's operation of the delete switch 22e. Next, in step S27, the control device 10 displays a confirmation window asking for confirmation of the deletion of image data, for example, by a so-called pop-up display that covers a part of the first display screen 20 shown in Figure 3, and determines whether or not there is a confirmation instruction. If the result of this determination is "NO", the control device 10 proceeds to step S28. On the other hand, if the result of this determination is "YES", the control device 10 proceeds to step S29. Then, in step S28, the control device 10 terminates the display of the confirmation window and proceeds to the end of the process. Then, in step S29, the control device 10 deletes the image data corresponding to the molding conditions and proceeds to the end of the process.

[0026] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the preview display process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the second display screen 30 in the preview display process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. In the preview display process shown in Figure 6, the control device 10 displays a second display screen 30, such as the one shown in Figure 7, on the display of the input / output unit 11. The second display screen 30 displays a window of an image (second image) 31 associated with one of the molding conditions selected from the list display 21, for example, by a so-called pop-up display that covers the detailed display 22 of the first display screen 20 shown in Figure 3. The second image 31 is, for example, an image of the molded product or mold, or a computer graphics (CG) image. The second image 31 on the second display screen 30 is displayed larger than, for example, the first image 22c on the detailed display 22 of the first display screen 20.

[0027] First, in step S31 shown in Figure 6, the control device 10 displays a list display 21, which is a list of information such as identifiers (IDs), molded product names, and registration dates and times associated with each of the multiple molding conditions. Next, in step S32, the control device 10 displays an icon indicating that the molding conditions have been registered for the items among the multiple items in the list display 21. Next, in step S33, the control device 10 obtains the identifier of the molding condition selected by the operator from the list display 21. Next, in step S34, the control device 10 obtains a file path indicating the location of image data stored in, for example, the storage unit 13. Next, in step S35, the control device 10 displays a preview screen, such as the window of the second image 31 on the second display screen 30 shown in Figure 7, and proceeds to the end of the process.

[0028] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the catalog display process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the third display screen 40 in the catalog display process by the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 in the embodiment. In the catalog display process shown in Figure 8, the control device 10 displays a third display screen 40, such as the one shown in Figure 9, on the display of the input / output unit 11. The third display screen 40 is displayed by switching from the first display screen 20 or the second display screen 30, for example, in response to an operation by the operator of the image search switch 23 of the first display screen 20 and the second display screen 30. The third display screen 40 displays, for example, a list of multiple third images 41 corresponding to multiple molding conditions. Each third image 41 includes, for example, an identifier (ID) 41a associated with each molding condition.

[0029] First, in step S41 shown in Figure 8, the control device 10 obtains an instruction to perform an image search in response to the operator's operation of the image search switch 23. Next, in step S42, the control device 10 displays a third display screen 40 on the display of the input / output unit 11, which is a catalog display showing a list of multiple third images 41 corresponding to multiple molding conditions. Next, in step S43, the control device 10 obtains the identifier of the molding conditions selected by the operator from the third display screen 40. Next, in step S44, the control device 10 terminates the display of the third display screen 40 and transitions to the previous screen display, such as the first display screen 20 or the second display screen 30. Next, in step S45, the control device 10 displays the selected molding conditions and proceeds to the end of the process.

[0030] As described above, the control device 10 of the injection molding machine 1 of the embodiment can reduce the cumbersome process required for the operator to select molding conditions by switching between displaying the first display screen 20, the second display screen 30, and the third display screen 40 for multiple molding conditions. For example, the first display screen 20 allows the operator to check the details of the molding conditions and the first image 22c, the second display screen 30 allows the operator to check a more detailed second image 31, and the third display screen 40 allows for easy visual selection without relying on text or other visual elements.

[0031] The control device 10 can assist in the visual selection of molding conditions appropriately by displaying the second image 31 on the second display screen 30 larger than the first image 22c on the detailed display 22 of the first display screen 20. The control device 10 can easily switch between the first display screen 20 and the second display screen 30 by displaying the second image 31 as a pop-up, depending on whether or not a pop-up is displayed.

[0032] (modified version) Modified examples of the embodiments are described below. Note that parts identical to those in the embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted or simplified. In the embodiment described above, the second image 31 of the second display screen 30 is displayed as a pop-up, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the second display screen 30 may include a list display 21, an image search switch 23, and the second image 31.

[0033] The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be carried out in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1...Injection molding machine, 3...Injection device, 5...Clamping device, 10...Control device, 11...Input / output unit (display unit), 13...Storage unit, 15...Processing unit (control unit).

Claims

1. A control device for an injection molding machine equipped with an injection device and a mold clamping device, A display unit that displays information regarding multiple molding conditions, A control unit that switches between and displays on the display unit a first screen that displays the details of one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions together with a corresponding first image, a second screen that displays a list of the plurality of molding conditions and a second image corresponding to one molding condition selected from the plurality of molding conditions, and a third screen that displays a list of a plurality of third images corresponding to the plurality of molding conditions. Equipped with A control device for an injection molding machine characterized by the following:

2. The control unit, The second image on the second screen is displayed larger than the first image on the first screen. The control device for an injection molding machine according to feature 1.

3. The control unit, The details of the molding conditions on the first screen and the second image are displayed as a pop-up, covering the first image. The control device for an injection molding machine according to feature 2.

Images