Vertical injection molding machine

Abstract

To provide a vertical injection molding machine with high work efficiency in setup, etc.SOLUTION: The subject is a vertical injection molding machine equipped with a mold clamping device (2), an injection device (3), and a controller (4). The controller (4) has a monitor (25). The monitor (25) is configured so that its position can be moved or its orientation can be changed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vertical injection molding machine equipped with a controller.

Background Art

[0002] As described in, for example, Patent Document 1, a vertical injection molding machine includes a mold clamping device that opens and closes vertically, and an injection device provided above the mold clamping device. In a vertical injection molding machine, the side far from the injection device is called the operation side, and the side close to the injection device is called the counter-operation side. Many models of vertical injection molding machines are provided with a turntable, and when the turntable rotates, the mold moves to the operation side. The molded product is taken out or an insert is inserted on the operation side.

[0003] Such a vertical injection molding machine is provided with a controller for controlling the mold clamping device, injection device, etc. The controller is provided with a monitor, and the vertical injection molding machine can be operated by various screens displayed on the monitor. Such a controller is provided on the operation side, and the monitor faces the operation side.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In vertical injection molding machines, operators often perform setup tasks such as mold changes from the side adjacent to the operating side. In vertical injection molding machines, the sides adjacent to the operating side are sometimes called the setup sides, and the work is performed from these setup sides. However, when working on the setup side, operators may also need to operate the controller. But, as mentioned above, the controller and monitor face the operating side, so the operator has to move around to the operating side. This results in poor setup efficiency.

[0006] This disclosure provides a vertical injection molding machine that offers high operational efficiency, including setup.

[0007] Other challenges and novel features will become apparent from the description and accompanying drawings in this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This disclosure pertains to a vertical injection molding machine equipped with a controller. When the side where the injection device is installed is designated as the non-operating side, the opposite side of the non-operating side as the operating side, and the sides on either side of the operating side as the setup sides, the monitor provided on the controller is configured to be movable or its orientation can be changed between the operating side and either of the setup sides. When the monitor placement detection means detects that the position or orientation of the monitor is on the setup side, the controller switches the control mode to a preparation mode in which the operable operations are restricted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This disclosure provides the effect of improving the efficiency of operations such as setup in a vertical injection molding machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front view of a vertical injection molding machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2A] This is a top view of a vertical injection molding machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2B] This is a top view of a vertical injection molding machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation mode switching operation in a vertical injection molding machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4A] This is a top view of a vertical injection molding machine according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4B] This is a top view of a vertical injection molding machine according to a third embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a front view of a vertical injection molding machine according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation mode switching operation in a vertical injection molding machine according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] The following describes specific embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments are not limited to those described below. For clarity, the following descriptions and drawings have been simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations have been omitted where necessary. Also, hatching has been omitted in some parts of the drawings to avoid clutter.

[0012] [First Embodiment] <Vertical injection molding machine> Figure 1 shows a vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment, as viewed from the so-called operating side S. The vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment includes a clamping device 2, an injection device 3 provided on the upper part of the clamping device 2, a controller 4 that controls them, and a safety fence 6 that covers part of the clamping device 2 and the injection device 3.

[0013] <Mold clamping device> The clamping device 2 comprises a fixed platen 9 fixed to the bed 7, an upper movable platen 10 located above the fixed platen 9, and a lower movable platen located inside the bed 7 (not shown). In this embodiment, the upper movable platen 10 and the lower movable platen are connected by three tie bars 12, 12, ... When a clamping mechanism (not shown) located between the lower movable platen and the fixed platen 9 is driven, the upper movable platen 10 is driven up and down. A turntable 14 is provided on the fixed platen 9 of this clamping device 2. The turntable 14 rotates 180 degrees, or reverses, around a single tie bar 12 in the center.

[0014] <Injection device> The injection device 3 is provided on the upper movable platen 10 of the mold clamping device 2. The injection device 3 includes a heating cylinder 16, a screw (not shown) provided in the heating cylinder 16, a drive mechanism 17 for driving the screw, and a lifting device 18 for lifting and lowering the entire injection device 3. The injection device 3 is configured to rotate the screw to melt the injection material and drive the screw in the axial direction to inject the injection material.

[0015] When looking at the vertical injection molding machine 1 from above, as shown in the top view of FIG. 2A, the injection device 3 is arranged at a position offset from the center in the vertical injection molding machine 1. In this specification, the side far from the injection device 3 is called the operation side S, the side close to the injection device 3 on the opposite side of the operation side S is called the counter-operation side H, and both adjacent sides of the operation side S are called the setup sides D, D.

[0016] <Safety fence> As shown in FIG. 1, the bed 7 is provided with a safety fence 6. FIG. 1 shows the vertical injection molding machine 1 viewed from the operation side S, and the safety fence 6 is provided with an opening / closing door 20. Although not shown in FIG. 2A, the safety fence 6 is also provided with opening / closing doors on the setup sides D, D and the counter-operation side H.

[0017] <Controller> The controller 4 according to the first embodiment is provided with respect to the bed 7 via a rotatable support column 23. The controller 4 is provided with a monitor 25 for displaying various screens. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the controller 4 is arranged such that the monitor 25 faces the operation side S.

[0018] <Monitor arrangement detection means> The vertical injection molding machine 1 is provided with monitor arrangement detection means for detecting the position and orientation of the monitor 25, that is, the arrangement of the monitor 25. In the first embodiment, the monitor arrangement detection means is composed of first and second non-contact sensors 27, 28 as shown in FIG. 2A. The first and second non-contact sensors 27, 28 can be composed of various types of sensors, but in the first embodiment, they are composed of infrared sensors.

[0019] When the controller 4 is positioned as shown in Figure 2A, that is, when the monitor 25 is facing the operating side S, the first non-contact sensor 27 detects the controller 4. On the other hand, when the controller 4 is positioned as shown in Figure 2B, that is, when the monitor 25 is facing the setup side D, the second non-contact sensor 28 detects the controller 4. These sensors detect the orientation, i.e., the position of the monitor 25.

[0020] <Switching control modes based on monitor placement> The vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment has two control modes available on the controller 4. There is an operating mode with no restrictions on the operations that can be performed, and a preparation mode with restrictions. The operating mode is a control mode that allows for the molding cycle, while the preparation mode is a control mode for performing tasks such as setup. In the preparation mode, the clamping device 2 can be controlled, but the driving of the injection device 3, i.e., the driving of the screw, is not possible. Furthermore, the driving of the clamping device may be restricted to a low speed to enhance safety. This allows for the safe performance of tasks such as setup. In the vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the control mode in the controller 4 is switched according to the orientation of the monitor 25, i.e., the arrangement of the monitor 25. This will be explained below with reference to Figure 3.

[0021] Controller 4 first executes step S01, which is to check the current control mode. If the current control mode is the driving mode, it proceeds to step S02. On the other hand, if the current control mode is the preparation mode, it proceeds to step S04.

[0022] When the current control mode is the operation mode, step S02 causes the controller 4 to check whether the orientation of the monitor 25 has been changed to the setup side. Specifically, it determines whether the first non-contact sensor 27 is detecting the controller 4 as shown in Figure 2A, or whether the second non-contact sensor 28 is detecting the controller 4 as shown in Figure 2B. If the orientation of the monitor 25 is facing the operation side S as shown in Figure 2A, it is determined that there has been no change in orientation to the setup side (NO), and the process proceeds to step S06. In other words, the control mode is not switched. On the other hand, if it is detected that the orientation of the monitor 25 has been switched to the setup side D as shown in Figure 2B (YES), step S03 is executed. That is, the control mode is switched to the preparation mode. The process proceeds to step S06.

[0023] If the current control mode in step S01 is the preparation mode, the process proceeds to step S04 as described above. In step S04, the current orientation of the monitor is checked. The first and second non-contact sensors 27 and 28 are checked, and if it is determined that the monitor 25 is facing the setup side D (setup side) as shown in Figure 2B, the control mode is not switched, and the process proceeds to step S06. On the other hand, if it is determined that the monitor 25 is facing the operation side S (operation side) as shown in Figure 2A, the process proceeds to step S05. That is, the controller 4 switches the control mode to the operation mode. The process then proceeds to step S06.

[0024] Step S06 is a process to check whether the power to the vertical injection molding machine 1 is turned ON. If it is ON (YES), the process returns to step S01. If the power is OFF (NO), the process ends.

[0025] The vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment is highly safe because it detects the placement of the controller 4 and monitor 25 using monitor placement detection means, i.e., first and second non-contact sensors 27 and 28 (see Figures 2A and 2B), and automatically switches the control mode. When an operator performs setup such as changing molds, they will work on the setup side D. At this time, the operator changes the placement of the controller 4 prior to the work and directs the monitor 25 toward the setup side D as shown in Figure 2B. Then, the control mode is automatically switched to the preparation mode by the process described above, so the safety of the operator is ensured.

[0026] [Second Embodiment] A vertical injection molding machine 1A according to the second embodiment is shown in Figure 4A. In the vertical injection molding machine 1A according to the second embodiment, the clamping device 2, the injection device 3, and the safety fence 6 are configured in the same way as in the vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2A. Therefore, a description of these will be omitted. The vertical injection molding machine 1A according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the controller 4A is a self-contained controller. That is, the controller 4A is not fixed to the vertical injection molding machine 1A and its position can be freely changed. The controller 4A communicates with the vertical injection molding machine 1 via wireless or wired connection.

[0027] In the second embodiment, the controller 4A is provided with a gyro sensor 35 as a monitor placement detection means. The gyro sensor 35 can detect the movement and rotation of the controller 4A, so when the controller 4A moves as indicated by the symbols X1, X2, and X3, its placement can be detected. In the vertical injection molding machine 1A according to the second embodiment, the gyro sensor 35 also detects the placement of the controller 4, i.e., the placement of the monitor 25, and performs the control mode switching as described in Figure 3. When the controller 4A is positioned on the non-operation side H as indicated by the symbol X3, the control mode is switched to the preparation mode.

[0028] [Third Embodiment] A vertical injection molding machine 1B according to the third embodiment is shown in Figure 4B. In the vertical injection molding machine 1B according to the third embodiment, the clamping device 2, the injection device 3, and the safety fence 6 are configured in the same way as in the vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2A. Therefore, a description of these will be omitted. In the vertical injection molding machine 1B according to the third embodiment, the controller 4B is a self-contained controller, similar to the second embodiment.

[0029] In the third embodiment, an RFID tag 40 and RFID readers 41, 42, 43, and 44 are used as monitor placement detection means. The RFID tag 40 is provided on the controller 4B, and the RFID readers 41, 42, 43, and 44 are provided on the operating side S, the setup side D, and the non-operating side H of the vertical injection molding machine 1B, respectively. If RFID readers 41, 42, 43, and 44 with a radio wave output of, for example, 250mW are used, the communication distance can be reduced to a radius of about 1m. This makes it possible to detect whether the controller 4B is located on the operating side S, the setup side D, or the non-operating side H. The vertical injection molding machine 1B according to the third embodiment also detects the placement of the controller 4B, that is, the placement of the monitor 25, and performs the control mode switching described in Figure 3.

[0030] [Fourth Embodiment] Figure 5 shows a vertical injection molding machine 1C according to the fourth embodiment. The vertical injection molding machine 1C according to the fourth embodiment differs from the vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment (see Figure 1) in only one hardware configuration. The difference is that a confirmation button 30 is provided on the controller 4. This confirmation button 30 is used to obtain confirmation from the operator when switching operating modes. The vertical injection molding machine 1C according to the fourth embodiment is also equipped with first and second non-contact sensors 27 and 28, similar to the vertical injection molding machine 1 according to the first embodiment described in Figures 2A and 2B, and the monitor 25 also detects changes in orientation using these sensors.

[0031] <Switching control modes based on monitor placement> In the fourth embodiment, the controller 4 performs step S01. This is the same as step S01 described in Figure 3, in which the controller 4 checks the current control mode. If the current control mode is the operating mode, the controller proceeds to step S02. On the other hand, if the current control mode is the preparation mode, the controller proceeds to step S10.

[0032] When the current control mode is in operation mode, step S02 is performed, and step S03 is performed depending on the conditions. Steps S02 and S03 are the same as steps S02 and S03 explained in Figure 3, so their explanation is omitted.

[0033] If the current control mode in step S01 is the preparation mode, the system proceeds to step S10 as described above. Step S10 is a step that does not exist in the first embodiment but exists only in the fourth embodiment, and it checks whether the confirmation button 30 has been pressed. If it has not been pressed (NO), the control mode is not switched, and the system proceeds to step S06 while remaining in the preparation mode. If it has been pressed (YES), the system proceeds to step S04.

[0034] In step S04, a condition check is performed, and step S05 is processed according to the condition. However, steps S04 and S05 are the same as steps S04 and S05 explained in Figure 3, so their explanation is omitted. In step S06, as explained in Figure 3, the process returns to step S01 or terminates depending on whether the power supply of the vertical injection molding machine 1C is ON or OFF.

[0035] In this fourth embodiment, when the control mode is switched from the preparation mode to the operation mode in steps S04 and S05, step S10 is performed beforehand to check whether the confirmation button 30 is ON or not. This prevents unintended switching of the control mode.

[0036] <Other variations> The vertical injection molding machines 1, 1A, 1B, and 1C according to the first to fourth embodiments (see Figures 2A, 4A, 4B, and 5) can be modified in various ways. For example, in the first embodiment, the monitor placement detection means can be a contact-type sensor such as a limit switch, as well as a non-contact sensor. In the first to fourth embodiments, the monitor 25 was described as being integrally fixed to the controllers 4, 4A, and 4B. However, the monitor 25 may be rotatable relative to the controllers 4, 4A, and 4B. For example, in Figures 2A and 2B, the orientation of the monitor 25 was described as being changed by changing the orientation of the controller 4, but the orientation of the monitor 25 may also be changed by rotating it relative to the controller 4.

[0037] In the vertical injection molding machines 1A and 2B according to the second and third embodiments, other types of sensors can be used as monitor placement detection means. For example, if GPS radio waves are available, GPS devices may be provided on the controllers 4A and 4B. Alternatively, Bluetooth® transmitters and receivers may be used as monitor placement detection means. Infrared sensors or the like can also be used.

[0038] The present invention has been described in detail above based on embodiments, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments already described, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. The multiple examples described above can also be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Vertical injection molding machine 2 Mold clamping device 3. Injection device 4. Controller 6 Safety railing 7 Bed 9 Fixed plate 10 Upper movable plate 12 Tie bars 14 Turntables 16 Heating cylinder 17 Drive mechanism 18 Lifting device 20 Opening / closing door 23 support poles 25 monitors 27 First non-contact sensor 28 Second non-contact sensor 30 Confirmation button 35 Gyro sensor 40 RFID tags 41, 42, 43, 44 RFID readers

Claims

1. comprising a clamping device, an injection device, a controller, and a monitor placement detection means, When the side on which the injection device is installed is designated as the non-operating side, the side opposite the non-operating side as the operating side, and the sides adjacent to the operating side as the setup sides, The monitor provided on the controller is movable in position or its orientation can be changed between the operation side and either of the setup sides. A vertical injection molding machine, wherein when the monitor placement detection means detects that the position or orientation of the monitor is on the setup side, the controller switches the control mode to a preparation mode in which the operable operations are restricted.

2. The vertical injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the monitor is fixedly mounted to the controller, and the position or orientation of the monitor is moved or changed by moving or changing the orientation of the controller.

3. The vertical injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitor placement detection means comprises two or more non-contact sensors, and any of the non-contact sensors react in response to a movement or change in the position or orientation of the monitor, thereby detecting the position or orientation of the monitor.

4. The vertical injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the screw provided in the injection device is configured to be disabled from being driven in the preparation mode.

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