Information processing apparatus for molding device, molding system, information processing method for molding device, and program

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing an information processing apparatus that reduces the workload of an operator when molding a molded article using a recycled resin material.　An information processing apparatus according to the present invention, in order to hold and mold a molten recycled resin material in a mold, comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a result of detecting the state of molten recycled resin; and an estimation unit that estimates the physical properties of the recycled resin and / or the physical properties of the molded article on the basis of the state of the molten recycled resin acquired by the acquisition unit. Molding device control information for keeping the physical properties of the molded article and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material, both estimated by the estimation unit, within management thresholds may be displayed or transmitted.

Description

Information processing device for molding device, molding system, information processing method for molding device, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device for a molding device, a molding system, an information processing method for a molding device, and a program.

[0002] In recent years, recycled resins have been used in resin products to reduce environmental impact. A well-known technique for recycling resins is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. This technique involves crushing recovered polyester-based resin molded products into flakes, heating the crushed resin flakes, plasticizing them, melting and kneading them, and granulating them into pellets. The resin pellets are then reheated under specified conditions to regenerate the polyester-based resin (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-90549

[0004] In the past, the recycled resin market was closed due to a low rate of recycled resin. As a result, recycled resin was often obtained from limited resources, and there was little variation in resin composition and physical properties.

[0005] However, increasing the proportion of recycled resins used and open recycling to further address environmental concerns increases the amount of recycled resin resources used. As a result, the composition and physical properties of recycled resins vary greatly, resulting in unstable molded product quality. This requires workers to check the quality of each molded product and adjust the molding conditions (adjustment values) of the molding machine to keep the molded product quality within the control threshold. Frequent checking of molded products like this places a heavy burden on workers.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its main object to reduce the workload of workers when molding molded products using recycled resin materials.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the information processing device of the molding device of the present invention is an information processing device of a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, and is equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin material, and an estimation unit that estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0008] Therefore, in the information processing device of the molding device, the acquisition unit acquires the state of the molten recycled resin, and the estimation unit estimates the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material based on the acquired state of the molten recycled resin. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the quality of the molded product by adjusting the conditions so that the estimated physical properties fall within the control threshold value, without having to check the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material one by one.

[0009] In addition, the molding system according to the present invention comprises a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, an acquisition unit that acquires the detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin material, and an estimation unit that estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0010] Therefore, in the molding system, the acquisition unit acquires the state of the molten recycled resin, and the estimation unit estimates the physical properties of the molded product molded by the molding device and the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the acquired state of the molten recycled resin. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the quality of the molded product by adjusting the conditions so that the estimated physical properties fall within the control threshold values, without having to check the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material one by one.

[0011] Furthermore, the information processing method for a molding device according to the present invention is an information processing method used in a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin, and an estimation step of estimating the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin acquired in the acquisition step.

[0012] Therefore, the state of the molten recycled resin material is acquired in the acquisition step. Then, in the estimation step, the physical properties of the recycled resin and the physical properties of the molded product are estimated based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired in the acquisition step. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the quality of the molded product by adjusting the conditions so that the estimated physical properties fall within the control threshold values, without having to check the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material one by one.

[0013] Furthermore, the program according to the present invention causes a computer of an information processing device that manages a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it to execute: an acquisition step of acquiring a detection result of the state of the molten recycled resin; and an estimation step of estimating physical properties of a molded product and / or physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin acquired in the acquisition step.

[0014] Therefore, when this program is executed, the state of the molten recycled resin material is acquired in the acquisition step. Then, in the estimation step, the physical properties of the recycled resin and the physical properties of the molded product are estimated based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired in the acquisition step. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the quality of the molded product by adjusting the conditions so that the estimated physical properties fall within the control thresholds, without having to check the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material one by one.

[0015] The present invention can reduce the workload of workers when molding molded products using recycled resin materials.

[0016] Advantages and features provided by embodiments of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are set forth by way of example and are not intended to limit the invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a molding system according to the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a die head. 3 is a diagram showing a process of forming a container by a container forming machine that forms a container from a parison 11. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation process on a management terminal. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the display unit of the management terminal.

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a molding system of a molding device according to the present invention is applied to a blow molding device will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment.

[0018] 1 discloses a molding system 1 for producing molded products using a blow molding machine. This molding system 1 includes a blow molding machine 2, a secondary processing machine 3, and inspection machines 4 (a leak inspection machine 4a and a weight inspection machine 4b). The information processing device further includes a PLC 5 that collects measurement data from the blow molding machine 2 and the inspection machine 4, and a management terminal 6 that serves as an information processing device for managing the quality of the molded products based on the collected measurement data.

[0019] In this example, the blow molding device 2 is an extrusion blow (direct blow) molding device. The blow molding device 2 includes a parison molding machine 10 that forms a tubular parison 11, and a container forming machine 30 that expands the parison 11 into a container shape to form a molded product (e.g., a toner bottle).

[0020] The parison molding machine 10 extrudes molten resin to form a parison 11. The parison molding machine 10 includes a resin material supply unit 12 that heats and melts thermoplastic resin and supplies the molten resin to a die head 20, and the die head 20 that extrudes the molten resin into a tubular shape to form the parison 11.

[0021] The resin supply section 12 has a funnel-shaped resin input section 14 into which recycled resin 13 is input, and a cylindrical heating cylinder 15 installed below the resin input section 14 for heating the recycled resin 13. An extrusion screw 16 for extruding the recycled resin 13 is housed within the heating cylinder 15. The extrusion screw 16 is rotated by a drive motor 17.

[0022] The extrusion screw 16 has a cylindrical columnar portion 18 housed inside the heating barrel 15 coaxially with the heating barrel 15 and rotatable by a drive motor 17, and a spiral rib 19 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the columnar portion 18. By rotating the columnar portion 18 with the drive motor 17, the resin introduced into the heating barrel 15 from the resin introduction portion 14 is extruded toward the die head 20 through the gap between the heating barrel 15 and the columnar portion 18. The resin is heated and melted by the heating barrel 15 during this process.

[0023] The internal configuration of the die head 20 varies depending on the molded product, but is configured, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, a mandrel 21, which serves as an axis when molten resin is extruded into a tube, is fixed inside the die head 20, and an annular passage 23 is formed between the die head 20 and the mandrel 21. An annular die 24 is disposed at the end of the die head 20, and a core 25, which is slidably inserted into the mandrel 21, is disposed inside the die 24.

[0024] The molten resin extruded by the resin material supply unit 12 is sent to the annular passage 23 through a resin supply port 26 formed on the side of the die head 20. The molten resin is formed into a cylindrical shape in the annular passage 23 and then discharged from an annular die gap 27 formed by the gap between the die 24 and the core 25 to form the parison 11. The opening area of ​​the annular die gap 27 is adjusted by vertically moving the core 25 back and forth via a rod 28 that penetrates the mandrel 21, thereby enabling the wall thickness of the parison 11 to be controlled.

[0025] Next, we will explain the container forming machine 30 that forms containers from the tubular parison 11. As shown in Figure 3, the container forming machine 30 includes a pair of forming dies 31, a driving device (not shown) equipped with blow pins 32 corresponding to the diameter of the mouth of the container to be formed, and a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the forming dies 31.

[0026] The pair of molding dies 31 move below the die head 20 and are positioned in an open state. At this time, the parison 11 hangs down from the die. The pair of molding dies 31 then sandwich the parison 11, sealing the underside of the parison 11. The cutter 33 also cuts the top of the parison 11 (for example, directly below the core of the die head 20).

[0027] The mold is then moved to a driving device, a blow pin 32 is inserted into the upper opening of the cut parison 11, and high-pressure air is supplied to the interior of the parison 11 via the blow pin 32. As a result, the parison, which is in a semi-solid state at a high temperature, expands while thinning its wall, and forms to fit the inner surface of the mold 31. Next, the mold 31 is cooled, and the parison 11 solidifies into the shape of a container. The pair of molds 31 are then separated from each other, and the molded product 29 is removed from the pair of molds 31.

[0028] The molded container is then automatically transported to the secondary processing machine 3. That is, by cooling the molding die 31, the molded product 29 envelops the blow pin 32 due to the material contraction that accompanies cooling. The molded product 29 is then released from the mold and removed, hanging from the blow pin 32. In this state, a take-out machine grasps the molded product 29 and moves the blow pin 32 upward relative to the molded product 29, thereby removing the blow pin 32 from the molded product 29. The take-out machine then moves the molded product 29 outside the parison molding machine 10, hands it over to a receiving device (suction arm) on the secondary processing machine side, places it on a conveyor, and transports it to the secondary processing machine 3.

[0029] In the secondary processing machine 3, excess material remaining at the mouth of the molded product 29 is cut off, and then the molded product 29 is transferred to the inspection machine 4.

[0030] In the inspection machine 4, a leak inspection machine 4a inspects the molded product 29 for leaks, and a weight inspection machine 4b inspects the weight of the molded product 29. The leak inspection inspects whether or not the molded product has holes by supplying air at a predetermined pressure into the molded product 29.

[0031] After the leak test determines that there are no problems, a weight test is performed to measure the weight of the final molded product 29. If the weight measured is within the control threshold, there is no problem, but if it is determined that the weight is outside the control threshold, there is a change in the quality of the molded product, and the parameters of the parison molding machine 10 must be adjusted.

[0032] In order to adjust the weight of the molded product within the control threshold, it is common to adjust the thickness of the parison 11 depending on the shape of the molded product and the condition of the recycled resin material. Effective parameters of the parison molding machine 10 for adjusting the thickness of the parison include changing the rotation speed of the extrusion screw 16 of the parison molding machine 10 and the gap between the core 25 and the die 24.

[0033] The weight and span are used as parameters to set the gap between the core 25 and the die 24. The weight is the base gap value, and the span is a value that determines how far the adjustment value should be used between the "weight setting value and the upper limit value of the molding machine." In other words, the weight and span set the range of movement within the molding machine's operating capacity, and by changing these values, it is possible to increase or decrease the overall thickness of the molded product while maintaining the profile shape.

[0034] However, when multiple recycled resin resources are used, the viscosity of the molten recycled resin becomes unstable, making it more likely that the weight of the molded product will exceed the control threshold. Therefore, in the past, workers had to constantly check the physical properties of the molded product (e.g., weight) and the physical properties of the recycled resin (e.g., viscosity) and frequently adjust the conditions (parameter adjustments). Checking the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin imposes a significant burden on workers.

[0035] Furthermore, it takes several minutes from the time the parison 11 is formed until the weight of the bottle is measured, due to the molding, transport, secondary processing, and leak inspection processes. Because the molded product continues to be molded during this time, even if the conditions of the parison molding machine 10 are adjusted after the weight of the molded product is checked (when the weight measurement proves to be unsatisfactory or when it looks like it might be), the already completed bottles (several bottles) continue to be transported. For this reason, these bottles must also be discarded.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, whether or not condition adjustment (parameter adjustment) is necessary is determined immediately after the parison 11 is formed by the parison molding machine 10, without waiting for inspection of the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material. The method for doing this is described below.

[0037] First, a photoelectric sensor 36 is provided in the container forming machine 30 so that light projected from the light-projecting unit 34 to the light-receiving unit 35 passes over the path of movement of the parison extruded downward from the die head 20. This photoelectric sensor 36 is a transmission type that turns ON when light is blocked by the extruded parison 11. The photoelectric sensor is used to measure the time (hereinafter referred to as the light-blocking time) from the point at which injection from the die head 20 begins (the point at which the upper end of the parison 11 is cut by a cutter provided immediately below the die head) until the photoelectric sensor 36 blocks light. In this example, three photoelectric sensors 36 are provided, but the time at which any one of the photoelectric sensors 36 blocks light can be used depending on the length of the parison required for molding.

[0038] The light-blocking time obtained by the photoelectric sensor 36 (the time (sec) from when the parison 11 is formed until it blocks light from the photoelectric sensor) and the weight (g) data of the molded product detected by the weight inspection machine 4b are correlated and collected by the PLC 5. Because the time required from when the parison is formed until the weight of the molded product is measured is known, the light-blocking time can be correlated with the weight of the molded product based on this time difference.

[0039] The PLC 5 acquires outputs from the photoelectric sensor 36, the weight checker 4b, etc., and transmits them to the management terminal 6. The PLC 5 may also function as a controller capable of controlling the parison molding machine 10 based on commands from the management terminal 6.

[0040] The management terminal 6 is a computer device having a CPU, memory, a storage unit 6a, a communication unit 6b as a communication interface, a display unit 6c such as a display, an input device, etc., and is configured, for example, as a personal computer. The management terminal 6 also has an acquisition unit 6d that acquires, via the PLC 5, the light-blocking time detected by the photoelectric sensor 36 (data indicating the state of the molten recycled resin material) and weight data inspected by the weight inspection machine 4b. This acquisition unit 6d may be substituted by the communication unit 6b. The data acquired by this acquisition unit 6d is also stored in the memory unit 6a for recording purposes and can be read and used as needed. Furthermore, the memory unit 6a stores the light-blocking time and the weight of molded products determined to be within the control threshold in the weight inspection, in association with each other.

[0041] The management terminal 6 also includes an estimation unit 6e that analyzes the correlation between the light-shading time and the weight of the molded product based on the data correlating the light-shading time and the weight of the molded product stored in the memory unit 6a, and estimates the weight of the molded product 29 from the light-shading time based on the results. In this example, a correlation (regression equation) between the light-shading time and the weight of the molded product is obtained by performing multiple regression analysis on the light-shading times and weights obtained when producing accumulated past molded products.

[0042] The management terminal 6 utilizes the correlation between the shading time and the weight of the molded product to estimate the physical properties of the molded product before the molded product is formed by the estimation unit 6e, thereby preventing the molding of molded products that fall outside the management threshold values.

[0043] The quality control method for molded products is shown in a flowchart in Figure 4. Because the parison molding machine 5 continuously extrudes molten resin, the PLC 5 begins timing from the point at which the upper end of the parison 11 is cut with a cutter. The PLC 5 then measures the time (the state of the molten recycled resin material) from the extrusion of the parison 11 until the light from the light-emitting unit 34 is blocked and the photoelectric sensor 36 turns on (the state of the molten recycled resin material) and transmits this data to the management terminal. In response, the management terminal 6 acquires the measured light-blocking time via the acquisition unit 6d (Step S01; Acquisition Step). The estimation unit 6e of the management terminal 6 estimates the weight of the molded product 29 based on the light-blocking time acquired in Step S01 and the regression equation obtained by multiple regression analysis (Step S02; Estimation Step).

[0044] Then, it is determined whether the estimated weight of the molded product is within the control threshold (Step S03). If it is determined that the estimated weight is within the control threshold, the processes from Step S01 onward are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the estimated weight is outside the control threshold, the management terminal 6 notifies the operator that the quality is fluctuating (the quality is outside the control threshold) (Step S04). In this example, this is done by displaying this information on the display unit 6c of the management terminal 6. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the display unit 6c displays the adjustment parameters (weight, span, rotation speed) and adjustment values ​​of the parison molding machine 10 to bring the estimated weight within the control threshold (Step S05).

[0045] In order to control the weight of the molded product within the control threshold, it is common to adjust the thickness of the parison depending on the shape of the molded product and the state of the resin. Therefore, parameters for adjusting the parison thickness include the rotation speed of the extrusion screw of the parison molding machine and the gap between the core and the die (weight and span).

[0046] Therefore, by measuring the light-blocking time (sec) of the parison in the parison molding machine, the weight of the molded product can be estimated from the correlation between the light-blocking time and the weight of the molded product, and it is determined whether this estimated weight is within the control threshold. If it is determined that the estimated weight is within the control threshold, production continues under the current conditions. On the other hand, if it is determined that the estimated weight is outside the control threshold, adjustment parameters (weight, span, rotation speed) and recommended adjustment values ​​for bringing the weight of the molded product within the control threshold are displayed on the display unit 6c of the management terminal 6.

[0047] Then, based on the adjustment parameters and adjustment values ​​displayed on the display unit 6c of the management terminal 6, the worker operates the operation panel 7 to adjust the adjustment value of the parison molding machine 10 so that it becomes the adjustment value displayed on the display unit 6c.

[0048] Therefore, if the condition (light blocking time) of the parison 11 is detected and the weight is predicted to fall outside the control threshold (if a quality fluctuation is predicted due to exceeding the control threshold), the adjustment value of the parison molding machine 10 is displayed. This eliminates the need for the operator to check the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material one by one, significantly reducing the operator's workload. Furthermore, the adjustment value of the parison molding machine 10 is displayed on the display, allowing the operator to set the adjustment value by viewing it, enabling condition adjustments that are not dependent on the operator's skill. Furthermore, it is possible to change the adjustment value of the adjustment parameter of the parison molding machine 10 before actually checking the quality (weight) of the molded product. This eliminates or significantly reduces the inconvenience of forming molded products outside the control threshold.

[0049] The terminal that displays the notification of the quality fluctuation in step S04 and the adjustment parameters and adjustment values ​​in step S05 is not limited to the management terminal 6. These data may be transmitted to a mobile terminal or the like of the worker via the communication unit 6b and displayed on the mobile terminal or the like of the worker.

[0050] In addition, data on the measured shading time (hours) may be sent to a server device via a communication network, and the server device may estimate the quality of the parison, calculate adjustment parameters and adjustment values, and display the results on the worker's terminal (management terminal or mobile terminal).

[0051] Furthermore, in the above example, when the control terminal predicts that the weight will fall outside the control threshold, the adjustment value of the parison molding machine 10 is displayed on the display unit 6c, and the operator adjusts the adjustment value based on this via the operation panel 7. However, this is not limited to this, and the adjustment of the adjustment value of the parison molding machine 10 may be automated, and the adjustment value of the parison molding machine 10 may be automatically changed to match the adjustment value displayed on the control terminal 6.

[0052] In addition, in the above example, an example was described in which the weight of the molded product was used as the physical property of the molded product, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the physical property of the molten recycled resin material may also be used.

[0053] The physical property of the molten recycled resin material may be, for example, the viscosity of the recycled resin material supplied to the die head. In this case, it is necessary to measure the viscosity of the molten resin when molding a previous parison and analyze the correlation between the viscosity and the parison's light-shielding time based on a large amount of measurement data. It is also necessary to understand in advance the correlation between viscosity and the quality (e.g., weight) of the molded product.) Even with this configuration, it is possible to estimate the viscosity of the molten recycled resin material from the light-shielding time, which reduces the management burden on the operator and enables adjustment parameters to be adjusted before molding.

[0054] In the above example, the estimation unit 6e uses the correlation (regression equation) obtained by multiple regression analysis to make the estimation, but other data analysis methods may be used. Furthermore, a learning model may be formed using a neural network from input data including the state of the dissolved recycled resin and output data including the physical properties of the molded product or the physical properties of the recycled resin material, and this learning model may be used to estimate the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material from the state of the dissolved recycled resin material.

[0055] Although the above example shows an application to a blow molding machine, it can be applied to other molding machines that store molten recycled resin material in a mold and mold it. Any device that detects the state (speed, time, etc.) of the molten recycled resin material and estimates the physical properties (weight, viscosity, etc.) of the recycled resin based on the state of the molten recycled resin to control the quality can be used.

[0056] In this way, the information processing device (management terminal 6) of the molding device (blow molding device 2) of this embodiment is an information processing device (management terminal 6) of the molding device 2 that contains molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, and is equipped with an acquisition unit 6d that acquires the results of detecting the state of the molten recycled resin material (e.g., light blocking time), and an estimation unit 6e that estimates the physical properties of the molded product (e.g., weight) and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material (e.g., viscosity) based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired by the acquisition unit 6d.

[0057] Therefore, the estimation unit 6e estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material based on the state of the recycled resin material, eliminating the need for workers to check the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material one by one, significantly reducing the amount of work required. Furthermore, because the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material are estimated based on the molten recycled resin material, adjustments to the parison molding machine 10 can be made at an earlier stage than if adjustments were made after checking the molded product. As a result, molding of molded products outside the control thresholds can be eliminated or significantly reduced.

[0058] The disclosed technology can be used with any molding device 2 that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, including blow molding devices. When using recycled resin material from multiple sources in blow molding, the physical properties of the molded product and recycled resin material tend to fluctuate. Since inspecting these properties one by one places a heavy burden on workers, implementing the technology in blow molding devices is effective in reducing the burden on workers.

[0059] The state of the recycled resin material may be the state of the parison. In blow molding, the physical properties of the molded product and the physical properties of the molten recycled resin material are correlated with the state of the parison, so this state may be used. Alternatively, the state of the parison may be the time required for the parison to reach a predetermined length. By defining the state of the parison as such a time, the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material can be estimated at the same time as the parison is formed, making it possible to determine whether or not adjustments to the conditions of the parison molding machine 10 are necessary.

[0060] The physical properties of the molded product estimated by the estimation unit 6e may be the weight of the molded product. Since the state of the molten recycled resin material is ultimately reflected in the weight of the molded product, keeping this weight within a control threshold makes it easier to manage the quality of the molded product. Furthermore, the physical properties of the recycled resin material estimated by the estimation unit 6e may be the viscosity of the molten recycled resin material. Since the state of the molten recycled resin material depends on the viscosity of the molten recycled resin material, keeping the viscosity of the molten recycled resin material within a control threshold also makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of incompatible molded products.

[0061] The apparatus may further include a display unit 6c that displays molding apparatus control information (adjustment parameters and values ​​of the parison molding machine 10) for keeping the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material estimated by the estimation unit 6e within the control thresholds, and / or a communication unit 6b that transmits the control information. With this configuration, the molding apparatus control information for keeping the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material within the control thresholds is displayed on the display unit 6c or can be transmitted to other devices via the communication unit 6b. Therefore, by viewing the control information displayed on the display unit 6c or the control information sent to other devices, an operator can quickly adjust the adjustment parameters of the molding apparatus. Furthermore, because the adjustment values ​​only need to be adjusted to the indicated values, condition adjustments can be made without relying on the operator's skill.

[0062] In addition, the molding system of this embodiment includes a molding device (blow molding device 2) that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, an acquisition unit 6d that acquires the detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin material, and an estimation unit 6e that estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired by the acquisition unit 6d.

[0063] By constructing such a system, the estimation unit 6e estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material based on the state of the recycled resin material, eliminating the need for workers to check the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material one by one. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce work effort. Furthermore, because the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material are estimated based on the molten recycled resin material, it is possible to adjust the molding machine 10 at an earlier stage than if the molded product were checked before adjusting it. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce the molding of molded products outside the control threshold.

[0064] The information processing method of the molding device 2 of this embodiment is an information processing method used in the molding device 2 that contains molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, and includes an acquisition step of acquiring the results of detecting the state of the molten recycled resin (e.g., the extrusion speed), and an estimation step of estimating the physical properties (e.g., weight) of the molded product 29 and / or the physical properties (e.g., viscosity) of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin acquired by the acquisition unit 6d.

[0065] Therefore, after the state of the molten recycled resin is acquired in the acquisition step, the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material are estimated based on the state of the molten recycled resin in the estimation step. Therefore, if the estimated physical properties exceed the control threshold, the quality of the molded product can be maintained by adjusting the conditions so that they fall within the control threshold. Therefore, workers no longer need to check the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material one by one, significantly reducing work effort. Furthermore, because the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material can be estimated based on the state of the recycled resin material, adjustments to the molding machine can be made at an earlier stage than if the molding machine were adjusted after checking the molded product. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce the molding of molded products outside the control threshold.

[0066] The method may further include a presentation step (a step of displaying the control information on a display unit or communicating the control information to another device via a communication unit) of control information (adjustment parameters or adjustment values) for the molding device to bring the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material within the control thresholds estimated in the estimation step. This allows the control information for the molding device to bring the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material within the control thresholds to be displayed on the display unit or transmitted to another device via the communication unit. This allows the operator to quickly control the molding device by viewing the control information displayed on the display unit or the control information sent to another device. Furthermore, since the adjustment values ​​only need to be adjusted to the indicated values, condition adjustments can be made without relying on the operator's skill.

[0067] The estimation step may utilize the results of data analysis (for example, multiple regression analysis) of the correlation between the state of the molten recycled resin and the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material.

[0068] The program of this embodiment causes a computer of an information processing device that manages a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it to execute an acquisition step of acquiring detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin, and an estimation step of estimating the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin acquired in the acquisition step.

[0069] By executing such a program, the state of the molten recycled resin is acquired in the acquisition step, and then the estimation step estimates the physical properties of the molded product and the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin. Therefore, if the estimated physical properties exceed the control threshold, the quality of the molded product can be maintained by adjusting the conditions so that they fall within the control threshold. This eliminates the need for workers to check the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material one by one, significantly reducing the amount of work required. Furthermore, because the physical properties of the molded product and / or the recycled resin material can be estimated based on the state of the recycled resin material, adjustments to the molding machine can be made at an earlier stage than if the molding machine were adjusted after checking the molded product. As a result, it is possible to eliminate or significantly reduce the production of molded products outside the control threshold.

[0070] <Supplementary Information> Although embodiments and modifications of the information processing program and information processing device according to the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. The present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments and modifications that would occur to those skilled in the art, as well as forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of the embodiments and modifications within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the appended claims. Possibility of industrial applicability

[0071] The present invention can be used in a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, to estimate the physical properties of the molded product and the physical properties of the recycled resin material from the state of the recycled resin material, thereby reducing the workload of workers when molding the molded product.

[0072] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Molding system 2 Blow molding device 6 Management terminal (information processing device) 6b Communication unit 6c Display unit 6d Acquisition unit 6e Estimation unit 10 Parison molding machine 11 Parison 13 Recycled resin material 29 Molded product

Claims

1. An information processing device for a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires detection results for the state of the molten recycled resin material; and an estimation unit that estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired by the acquisition unit.

2. The information processing device for a molding device according to claim 1, wherein the molding device is a blow molding device.

3. An information processing device for a molding device according to claim 2, wherein the recycled resin material is in the form of a parison.

4. An information processing device for a molding device according to claim 3, wherein the state of the parison is the time required for the parison to reach a predetermined length.

5. An information processing device for a molding device according to claim 1, wherein the physical property of the molded product estimated by the estimation unit is the weight of the molded product.

6. An information processing device for a molding device according to claim 1, wherein the physical property of the recycled resin material estimated by the estimation unit is the viscosity of the molten recycled resin material.

7. An information processing device for a molding device as described in claim 1, which has a display unit that displays control information for the molding device to keep the physical properties of the molded product estimated by the estimation unit and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material within control thresholds and / or a communication unit that transmits the control information.

8. A molding system comprising: a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it; an acquisition unit that acquires detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin material; and an estimation unit that estimates the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin material acquired by the acquisition unit.

9. An information processing method used in a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin; and an estimation step of estimating the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin acquired in the acquisition step.

10. An information processing method for a molding device as described in claim 9, further comprising a presentation step of presenting control information for the molding device to keep the physical properties of the molded product estimated in the estimation step and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material within control thresholds.

11. An information processing method for a molding device as described in claim 9, wherein the estimation step utilizes the results of data analysis of the correlation between the state of the molten recycled resin and the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material.

12. A program that causes a computer of an information processing device that manages a molding device that places molten recycled resin material in a mold and molds it to execute the following steps: an acquisition step of acquiring detection results of the state of the molten recycled resin; and an estimation step of estimating the physical properties of the molded product and / or the physical properties of the recycled resin material based on the state of the molten recycled resin acquired in the acquisition step.

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