Injection molding machine and operator support method

Abstract

To provide an injection molding machine which outputs operator support information relating to reduction of power consumption.SOLUTION: A control apparatus (4) of an injection molding machine outputs operator support information. The operator support information is information comprising a group of support object set data and control object estimation electric energy. The support object set data comprises one or more pieces of set data constituting molding conditions and the control object estimation electric energy is a power consumption which is estimated for changes in the support object set data for a control object controlled in relation to the support object set data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine provided with a servo motor, and an operator support method for providing an operator with information that leads to reduction of power consumption for an injection molding machine. [Background Art]

[0002] An injection molding machine includes a mold clamping device for clamping a mold, an injection device for melting an injection material and injecting it into the mold, and the like. An injection molding machine in which these devices are driven by a servo motor is called an electric injection molding machine. In such an injection molding machine, three-phase AC power supplied from a factory is converted into DC power by a converter, and the DC power is converted into three-phase AC current with a desired frequency and a desired current by an inverter and supplied to the servo motor. This drives each of the devices. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 5654250

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes an injection molding machine in which two different control modes are prepared for a servo motor control method, and an operator can select a desired control mode for at least two steps constituting a molding cycle. One of the two different control modes is a control mode that consumes lower power than the other, and energy-saving operation can be achieved when the control mode with lower power consumption is selected. [Brief Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] In recent years, the industrial sector has been required to align with the Sustainable Development Goals, and injection molding machines are also required to reduce their power consumption. The injection molding machine described in Patent Document 1 is excellent because it can operate in an energy-saving manner by selecting a control mode that consumes less power, thereby reducing power consumption. However, there are still issues that need to be addressed. The injection molding machine described in this document only allows the user to select from two different control modes for the servo motor, and regardless of which control mode is selected, it operates according to the molding conditions set by the operator. Depending on the molding conditions, it should be possible to reduce power consumption by reviewing the setting data, but such review of molding conditions is not considered.

[0006] This disclosure provides an injection molding machine that outputs operator support information related to reducing power consumption.

[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 applies to an injection molding machine equipped with a control device. The control device is provided with a power reduction support screen displayed on a monitor. The control device outputs multiple sets of operator support information. The operator support information consists of a set of support target setting data and a predicted power consumption of the controlled object. The support target setting data consists of one or more setting data that constitute the molding conditions, and the predicted power consumption of the controlled object is the predicted power consumption for a controlled object controlled in relation to the support target setting data in response to a change in the support target setting data. The power reduction support screen displays multiple sets of operator support information and includes a selection means for selecting desired operator support information, a display field that displays the current setting value of the support target setting data belonging to the selected operator support information and the current power consumption of the controlled object, respectively, and a display field that displays the recommended setting value of the support target setting data and the predicted power consumption of the controlled object when the recommended setting value is used, respectively. Furthermore, at least one set of operator support information is configured such that the support target setting data is the screw rotation speed of the screw in the metering process, and the control target predicted power amount is the predicted power amount of the plasticizing servo motor in the metering process. In the molding cycle, the injection process, in which the injection material is filled into the mold, the holding pressure process, the cooling process, in which the injection material is allowed to solidify, and the metering process are performed in parallel. When there is a waiting time between the completion of the metering process and the completion of the cooling process, the control device calculates a screw rotation speed that makes the waiting time substantially zero, based on the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the metering time, and sets it as a recommended setting value. The predicted power amount of the plasticizing servo motor when the screw rotation speed is set to the recommended setting value is calculated based on the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the power amount of the plasticizing servo motor in the metering process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] This disclosure can provide operators with information for reviewing molding conditions that will lead to a reduction in power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the injection molding machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a power supply system diagram for the servo motor in the injection molding machine according to this embodiment. [Figure 3A] This is a time chart showing each step in the molding cycle. [Figure 3B] This graph shows the change in the transport velocity of the injection material as a function of the screw rotation speed. [Figure 3C] This graph shows the change in metering time in relation to screw rotation speed. [Figure 3D] This graph shows the change in power consumption of a plasticizing servo motor with respect to screw rotation speed. [Figure 3E] This graph shows the change in power consumption of a plasticizing servo motor in relation to the screw rotation speed. [Figure 4] This graph shows the changes in screw position, molded product weight, power consumption of the injection servo motor, and power consumption of the injection servo motor over time during the injection and holding pressure processes. [Figure 5] This graph shows the change in power consumption of the injection servo motor in response to the back pressure applied to the screw. [Figure 6] This is a power reduction support screen according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Specific embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are simplified as appropriate. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations are omitted as necessary. In addition, hatching is omitted in some parts to prevent the drawings from becoming complicated.

[0012] The operator support method according to the present embodiment, which will be described in detail later, is a method for providing an operator with information that leads to reduction of power consumption in a servo motor, a heater, and the like in an injection molding machine including the servo motor, the heater, and the like. The present invention can be implemented even if the injection molding machine is a vertical injection molding machine, but the following description will be made with a horizontal injection molding machine as an example.

[0013] <Injection Molding Machine> As shown in FIG. 1, the injection molding machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a mold clamping device 2, an injection device 3, an ejection device 5, and the like. The injection molding machine 1 includes a controller, that is, a control device 4, and the mold clamping device 2, the injection device 3, the ejection device 5, and the like are controlled by the control device 4. The control device 4 is provided with a monitor 4a, on which various screens are displayed.

[0014] <Mold Clamping Device> The mold clamping device 2 includes a fixed platen 7 fixed to a bed B, a movable platen 8 slidably provided on the bed B, and a mold clamping housing 9. The fixed platen 7 and the mold clamping housing 9 are connected by a plurality of tie bars 11, 11, ..., and the movable platen 8 is slidable between the fixed platen 7 and the mold clamping housing 9. A mold clamping mechanism is provided between the mold clamping housing 9 and the movable platen 8, that is, a toggle mechanism 13 in the present embodiment. A fixed mold 15 and a movable mold 16 are provided on the fixed platen 7 and the movable platen 8, respectively. Therefore, when the toggle mechanism 13 is driven, the molds 15 and 16 are opened and closed. The ejection device 5 for ejecting a molded product is provided on the movable platen 8.

[0015] <Injection Device> The injection device 3 includes a heating cylinder 19, a screw 20 provided in the heating cylinder 19, and a screw driving device 22. The heating cylinder 19 is supported by the screw driving device 22, and the screw 20 is driven in the rotational direction and the axial direction by the screw driving device 22. The heating cylinder 19 is provided with a hopper 23 and an injection nozzle 24. Furthermore, the heating cylinder 19 is provided with heaters 25, 25, ....

[0016] The injection device 3 is advanced to bring the injection nozzle 24 into contact with the stationary mold 15. Electric power is supplied to the heaters 25, 25,... in accordance with a command from the control device 4 to heat the heating cylinder 19. Then, injection material is supplied from the hopper 23, and the screw 20 is rotated. In this process, the injection material is melted and fed to the tip end of the screw 20, that is, metering is completed. After the injection material is metered, the screw driving device 22 is controlled in accordance with a command from the control device 4 to drive the screw 20 in the axial direction. In this process, the injection material is pushed forward as the screw 20 advances, that is, the injection material is injected into the molds 15 and 16.

[0017] <Power Supply System> The injection molding machine 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to be driven by servo motors. A power supply system will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the injection molding machine 1 according to the present embodiment is provided with a converter 30. The converter 30 is connected to a three-phase AC power supply 31 of a factory, and is also connected to a DC voltage line 33 provided in the injection molding machine 1. A plurality of inverters, that is, servo amplifiers 35, 36, 37, 38, ..., are connected to the DC voltage line 33. Each of the servo amplifiers 35, 36, 37, 38, ... is provided with a corresponding servo motor 41, 42, 43, 44, ..., namely, an injection servo motor 41, a plasticizing servo motor 42, a mold opening / closing servo motor 43, an ejection servo motor 44, ....

[0018] Three-phase AC power from the three-phase AC power supply 31 is converted to DC power by the converter 30 and supplied to the DC voltage line 33. The DC power is then converted to three-phase AC power of the desired frequency and current by servo amplifiers 35, 36, 37, 38, ... and supplied to each of the servo motors 41, 42, 43, 44, ... thereby driving the servo motors 41, 42, 43, 44, ... The operator support method according to this embodiment, which will be described next, is a method of providing information that leads to a reduction in the amount of power consumed by these servo motors 41, 42, 43, 44, ... that is, the amount of power consumed by the servo amplifiers 35, 36, 37, 38, ...

[0019] <Operator support methods> The operator support method according to this embodiment provides the operator with information related to changes in molding condition setting data, which leads to a reduction in power consumption. The control device 4 implements this and specifically provides the operator support information described below.

[0020] <Operator Support Information> Operator support information consists of a set of support target setting data and a set of predicted power consumption for the controlled object. The support target setting data consists of one or more setting data that constitute the molding conditions. For example, the screw rotation speed set in the metering process can be the support target setting data. The predicted power consumption for the controlled object is the amount of power consumed when the support target setting data is changed for the controlled object controlled in relation to the support target setting data. The controlled object may be, for example, one of the servo motors 41, 42, 43, 44, ... or it may be a heater 25, 25, ... If the support target setting data is the screw rotation speed, the predicted power consumption for the controlled object will be the predicted power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42.

[0021] The control device 4 calculates how the predicted power consumption of the controlled system will change if the supported system setting data is changed, and provides this information to the operator as operator support information. The operator can use this information to change the supported system setting data and reduce power consumption. The injection molding machine 1 according to this embodiment provides multiple sets of operator support information. Each set of operator support information provided by the injection molding machine 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0022] <Operator support information (1)> The first set of operator support information to be explained is that the support target setting data is the screw rotation speed in the metering process, and the control target predicted power quantity is the predicted power quantity of the plasticizing servo motor 42 in the metering process. The control device 4 will provide information on how the power quantity of the plasticizing servo motor 42 will change when the screw rotation speed is changed. How the control device 4 provides operator support information will be explained.

[0023] In Figure 3A, molding cycle 1 is a time chart of the molding cycle performed according to the molding conditions currently set in the control device 4. Specifically, a mold clamping process is performed to clamp the molds 15 and 16 (see Figure 1), followed by an injection process and a holding pressure process to fill the molds 15 and 16 with injection material. Subsequently, a cooling process is performed to allow the injection material to solidify, followed by a mold opening process to open the molds 15 and 16, and an ejection process to eject the molded product to obtain the molded product. During the cooling process, a metering process is performed to measure the injection material in preparation for the next molding cycle. That is, the screw 20 (see Figure 1) is rotated to feed the injection material forward, and a predetermined amount of injection material is measured. Once the metering process is complete, the process waits until the cooling process is complete.

[0024] In the metering process, the screw 20 is rotated to transport the injection material to the front of the heating cylinder 19 (see Figure 1), and the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the transport velocity of the injection material is shown in graph 51 of Figure 3B. In other words, as the screw rotation speed increases, the transport velocity of the injection material increases. The control device 4 has the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the transport velocity of the injection material stored in advance. The time required for the metering process, i.e., the metering time, can be calculated from the amount of injection material to be measured and the transport velocity of the injection material. Here, the amount of injection material to be measured is determined by the molded product to be molded, and the relationship between the transport velocity of the injection material and the screw rotation speed is stored in the control device 4. Therefore, the control device 4 can calculate how the metering time will change depending on the screw rotation speed. The relationship between the screw rotation speed and the metering time calculated by the control device 4 is shown in graph 52 of Figure 3C.

[0025] Incidentally, the power used to drive the plasticizing servo motor 42 changes depending on the screw rotation speed, as shown in graph 53 of Figure 3D. This relationship is also stored in the control device 4. The amount of energy used by the plasticizing servo motor 42 during the metering process is obtained by integrating this power over the metering time. The metering time changes depending on the screw rotation speed, as shown in graph 52 of Figure 3C, and this relationship is calculated by the control device 4 as described above. Thus, the control device 4 can calculate the relationship between the screw rotation and the amount of energy used by the plasticizing servo motor 42 during the metering process. This relationship is shown in graph 55 of Figure 3E. As can be seen from graph 52 of Figure 3C and graph 55 of Figure 3E, reducing the screw rotation speed increases the metering time, but reduces the amount of energy used by the plasticizing servo motor 42.

[0026] In Figure 3E, the currently set screw rotation speed is shown as the current setting value of 57, and the power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42 (see Figure 2) at that time is shown as the current power consumption of 58. Here, assuming that the screw rotation speed is changed as in the first modification example 60, the power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42 (see Figure 2) is expected to decrease to the predicted power consumption of 61. Incidentally, in Figure 3C, the metering time for the currently set screw rotation speed of 64 is the time indicated by the symbol 65. This is shown as the metering process in molding cycle 1 in Figure 3A. Here, if the screw rotation speed is changed as in the first modification example 67 (corresponding to the first modification example 60 in Figure 3E), the metering time becomes longer as indicated by the symbol 68. Figure 3A shows the time charts for each process when the screw rotation speed is changed to the first modification examples 60 and 67, as molding cycle 2. In molding cycle 2, the metering process is longer and the waiting time is shorter compared to molding cycle 1.

[0027] In Figure 3E, let's assume that the screw rotation speed is further reduced to the second modification example 62. In this case, the power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42 (see Figure 2) is expected to decrease to the predicted power consumption 63. In other words, it can be seen that the power consumption can be significantly reduced. At this time, as shown in Figure 3C, when the screw rotation speed is changed to the second modification example 69 (corresponding to the second modification example 62 in Figure 3E), the metering time becomes longer, as indicated by the symbol 70. Figure 3A shows the time chart for each process when the screw rotation speed is changed to the second modification examples 62 and 69, as molding cycle 3. In molding cycle 3, the metering process is longer, but there is no waiting time. However, the length of the cooling process is the same in molding cycle 1 and molding cycle 3.

[0028] If we assume that the screw rotation speed is further reduced, as can be seen from graph 52 in Figure 3C, the metering time will become even longer. This will lengthen the cooling process, and consequently, the molding cycle will also lengthen. A longer molding cycle is undesirable because it reduces productivity. The control device 4 (see Figure 1) recommends, for example, the second modification example 62 as the screw rotation speed, as shown in Figure 3E, and provides the operator with the predicted power consumption 63 of the plasticizing servo motor 42 (see Figure 2) at that time. Operator support information, including such recommended settings and predicted power consumption, is displayed on the power reduction support screen, which will be explained later.

[0029] <Operator Support Information (2)> The second set of operator support information to be explained is that the support target setting data is the holding time in the holding pressure process, and the control target predicted power quantity is the predicted power quantity of the injection servo motor 41 (see Figure 2) in the holding pressure process. The control device 4 (see Figure 1) will provide information on how the power quantity of the injection servo motor 41 will change if the holding pressure time is changed.

[0030] Graph 72 in Figure 4 shows the screw position changing over time during the injection process, in which injection material is injected into molds 15 and 16 (see Figure 1), and the holding pressure process, in which pressure is applied to the injection material. As the screw position changes and injection material fills molds 15 and 16, the weight of the molded product increases. Graph 73 shows how the weight of the molded product increases. As can be seen from Graph 73, the weight of the molded product increases significantly during the injection process, and then the rate of increase decreases during the holding pressure process, until the weight of the molded product eventually reaches a constant level. The power consumption of the injection servo motor 41 (see Figure 2) during the injection and holding pressure processes is shown in Graph 75, and the sum of these, i.e., the amount of power consumed by the injection servo motor 41 during the holding pressure process, is shown in Graph 76.

[0031] The control device 4 (see Figure 1) monitors the change in screw position during the holding pressure process at the start of each molding cycle. It detects that the screw position hardly changes during the time period 79 after timing 78. This time period 79 indicates that the weight of the molded product does not change and that virtually no injection material enters the molds 15 and 16 from the gate. This indicates that the power used during the time period indicated by reference numeral 81, when pressure is applied to the injection material, is wasted. The control device 4 recommends the holding pressure time indicated by reference numeral 82. In other words, it recommends not performing holding pressure after timing 78. The control device 4 also provides the operator with a predicted power consumption 84 for the injection servo motor 41 (see Figure 2) in this case. It may also provide a predicted power consumption reduction 85 for the injection servo motor 41.

[0032] <Operator support information (3)> The third set of operator support information to be explained is that the support target setting data is the back pressure in the metering process, and the control target predicted power quantity is the predicted power quantity of the injection servo motor 41 (see Figure 2) in the metering process. The control device 4 will provide information on how the power quantity of the injection servo motor 41 will change when the back pressure is changed.

[0033] Figure 5 shows, as graph 87, the amount of power consumed by the injection servo motor 41 (see Figure 2) during the metering process when the back pressure is changed. The control device 4 (see Figure 1) provides information on changing the current back pressure setting value 88 to, for example, a value of 91. In this case, the amount of power consumed by the injection servo motor 41 is expected to decrease from the current amount of power 89 to a predicted amount of power 92. The predicted amount of power 92 is also provided to the operator. Among the operator support information, there is some support target setting data that can suggest recommended setting values, such as the operator support information described in the first and second sets. However, there is also some support target setting data for which it is difficult to suggest recommended setting values. Back pressure can be said to be such support target setting data. Therefore, the control device 4 does not suggest a recommended setting value for back pressure, but only provides reference information such as the fact that if the back pressure is changed to a value of 91, the predicted amount of power will change to 92.

[0034] Furthermore, the support target setting data can also be set to back pressure in the metering process, and the control target can be set to the plasticizing servo motor 43 (see Figure 2). In other words, the predicted power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 43 will be handled. In this case, reducing the back pressure will reduce the power consumption required to drive the plasticizing servo motor 43. Moreover, the support target setting data can also be set to back pressure in the metering process, and the control targets can be set to the injection servo motor 41 (see Figure 2) and the plasticizing servo motor 43. In other words, the predicted power consumption of the control target will be a prediction of the power consumption of the injection servo motor 41 and the plasticizing servo motor 43.

[0035] <Other Operator Support Information> In the operator support information for the first, second, and third sets described above, the controlled objects in the predicted power consumption of the controlled object were all servo motors 41, 42, ... There is also operator support information where the controlled object in the predicted power consumption of the controlled object is heater 25, 25, ... In such operator support information, for example, the support setting target data is composed of the resin type and the target temperature of the heating cylinder 19 (see Figure 1). Then the predicted power consumption of the controlled object becomes the predicted power consumption of heater 25, 25, ... If the resin type is changed or the target temperature is lowered by a predetermined amount, the predicted power consumption of heater 25, 25, ... changes. Therefore, it is possible to recommend changing the resin type or the target temperature as support setting data and provide the predicted power consumption of the controlled object at that time.

[0036] <Power reduction support screen> The power reduction support screen 94 according to this embodiment, shown in Figure 6, is displayed on the monitor 4a of the control device 4 (see Figure 1). The power reduction support screen 94 displays operator support information and provides the operator with information on changing molding conditions that will lead to a reduction in power consumption. A pull-down menu 95 is provided at the top of the screen, and the operator can select the operator support information they want to display from the pull-down menu 95. Figure 6 shows that "Operator Support Information (1)" has been selected. In this case, the first set of operator support information is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

[0037] As mentioned above, the first set of operator support information consists of the screw rotation speed in the metering process as the support target setting data, and the predicted power consumption to be controlled as the predicted power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42 (see Figure 2) in the metering process. The power reduction support screen 94 is provided with a display field 96 for the current setting value of the screw rotation speed, which is the support target setting data, and a display field 97 for the power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42 in the metering process. Furthermore, there is a display field 98 for the recommended setting value for the screw rotation speed and a display field 99 for the predicted power consumption of the plasticizing servo motor 42 at that time. The operator reviews the molding conditions by referring to the operator support information displayed in these display fields 96, 97, 98, and 99.

[0038] <Modification of the embodiment> This embodiment is subject to various modifications. For example, the operator support information provided to the operator has been described as consisting of support target setting data and predicted power quantity of the controlled target. However, instead of predicted power quantity for the controlled target, predicted average power may be provided. This is because average power, obtained by averaging instantaneous power values ​​over time, is essentially equivalent to the concept of power quantity. Furthermore, the predicted power quantity of the controlled target provided to the operator may be the decrease in power quantity for the controlled target whose change is predicted by changing the support target setting data, i.e., the decrease in predicted power quantity of the controlled target. This is because even if a decrease in power quantity is predicted and provided to the operator, it is essentially equivalent to providing the predicted power quantity of the controlled target.

[0039] Other modifications are also possible. For example, the support target setting data can be composed of two setting data: the screw rotation speed in the metering process and the back pressure. In this case, the servo motors associated with the support target setting data will be two: the injection servo motor 41 and the plasticizing servo motor 42. Therefore, the predicted power consumption of the servo motors will be the sum of the power consumption of these two servo motors 41 and 42.

[0040] 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 combination as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1 Injection molding machine 2 Mold clamping device 3. Injection device 4. Control device 5 Ejection device 7 Fixed plate 8 Movable plate 9-type clamping housing 11 tie bars 13 Toggle mechanism 15 Fixed side mold 16 Movable mold 19 Heating cylinder 20 Screw 22 Screw drive mechanism 23 Hopper 24 Injection nozzle 30 Converter 31 Three-phase AC power supply 33 DC voltage lines 35, 36, 37, 38 Servo amplifier 41, 42, 43, 44 Servo motors B Bed

Claims

1. An injection device and A mold clamping device for clamping the mold, A control device is provided, The injection apparatus comprises a heating cylinder, a screw placed in the heating cylinder, and a plasticizing servo motor that rotates the screw. The control device is configured to manage multiple sets of operator support information. The aforementioned operator support information consists of a set of support target setting data and a control target predicted power amount. The aforementioned support target setting data consists of one or more setting data that constitute the molding conditions. The predicted power consumption of the controlled object is the predicted power consumption for a controlled object that is controlled in relation to the support target setting data, in response to a change in the support target setting data. The control device includes a power reduction support screen displayed on its monitor, The power reduction support screen includes a selection means that displays multiple sets of operator support information and allows the user to select the desired operator support information; a display field that displays the current setting value of the support target setting data belonging to the selected operator support information and the current power consumption of the controlled object, respectively; and a display field that displays the recommended setting value of the support target setting data and the predicted power consumption of the controlled object when the recommended setting value is applied, respectively. At least one set of operator support information includes the support target setting data being the screw rotation speed of the screw in the metering process and the control target predicted power amount being the predicted power amount of the plasticizing servo motor in the metering process, wherein in the molding cycle, an injection process in which injection material is filled into the mold, a holding pressure process, a cooling process in which the injection material is allowed to solidify, and a metering process are performed in parallel, and when there is a waiting time between the completion of the metering process and the completion of the cooling process, the control device calculates the screw rotation speed such that the waiting time becomes substantially zero based on the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the metering time and sets it as the recommended setting value, and the predicted power amount of the plasticizing servo motor when the screw rotation speed is set to the recommended setting value is calculated based on the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the power amount of the plasticizing servo motor in the metering process, in an injection molding machine.

2. The injection molding machine is equipped with a heater, The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein at least one set of operator support information is that the controlled object is the heater and the predicted power amount of the controlled object is the predicted power consumption of the heater.

3. The injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one set of operator support information is the holding time of the holding process, and the control target is an injection servo motor that drives a screw in the axial direction.

4. The injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one set of operator support information is the back pressure of the plasticization process, and the control target is at least one of the injection servo motor that drives the screw in the axial direction and the plasticizing screw that rotates the screw.

5. An injection device and A mold clamping device for clamping the mold, In an injection molding machine equipped with a control device, The injection apparatus comprises a heating cylinder, a screw placed in the heating cylinder, and a plasticizing servo motor that rotates the screw. The control device manages multiple sets of operator support information. The aforementioned operator support information consists of a set of support target setting data and a control target predicted power amount. The aforementioned support target setting data consists of one or more setting data that constitute the molding conditions. The predicted power consumption of the controlled object is the predicted power consumption for a controlled object that is controlled in relation to the support target setting data, in response to a change in the support target setting data. The control device includes a power reduction support screen displayed on its monitor, In the power reduction support screen, multiple sets of operator support information are displayed, and when any operator support information is selected, the current setting value of the support target setting data belonging to the selected operator support information and the current power consumption of the controlled object are displayed, respectively, as well as the recommended setting value of the support target setting data and the predicted power consumption of the controlled object when the recommended setting value is applied, respectively. At least one set of operator support information is such that the support target setting data is the screw rotation speed of the screw in the metering process and the control target predicted power amount is the predicted power amount of the plasticizing servo motor in the metering process, and in the molding cycle, the injection process in which the injection material is filled into the mold, the holding pressure process, the cooling process in which the injection material is allowed to solidify, and the metering process are carried out in parallel, and when there is a waiting time between the completion of the metering process and the completion of the cooling process, the control device calculates the screw rotation speed such that the waiting time becomes substantially zero based on the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the metering time and sets it as the recommended setting value, and the predicted power amount of the plasticizing servo motor when the screw rotation speed is set to the recommended setting value is calculated based on the relationship between the screw rotation speed and the power amount of the plasticizing servo motor in the metering process, an operator support method.

6. The injection molding machine is equipped with a heater, The operator support method according to claim 5, wherein at least one set of operator support information is that the controlled object is the heater and the predicted power amount of the controlled object is the predicted power consumption of the heater.

7. The operator support method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein one set of operator support information is the holding time of the holding process, and the control target is an injection servo motor that drives a screw in the axial direction.

8. The operator support method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein one set of operator support information is the back pressure of the plasticization process, and the control target is an injection servo motor that drives a screw in the axial direction.

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