Injection molding machine and injection molding method

Abstract

An injection molding machine (1) according to the present invention is provided with: a drawer (60) serving as a resin material charging unit; a cylindrical injection cylinder (51) having a nozzle (511), a cylinder hole, and a resin material receiving port; a plunger (52) capable of moving along the axial direction inside the cylinder hole; a fluid pressure cylinder (53) for driving the plunger (52); a manual switch (57) for causing the plunger (52) to perform forward and backward movements by means of the fluid pressure cylinder (53); a mold support member (710) for supporting a mold (4); and a mold movement mechanism (7) having a manual lever (72) for performing an operation for moving the mold support member (710) between a standby position at which the mold (4) is separated from the nozzle (511) and a nozzle touch position at which the mold (4) touches the nozzle (511). Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to realize an injection molding machine having high molding accuracy and excellent usability even when a manually operated system is used in order to reduce the size of the molding machine.

Description

Injection molding machine and injection molding method

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection molding machine and an injection molding method.

[0002] In an injection molding machine, pellet-shaped resin material introduced from a hopper is melted in a heating cylinder, then conveyed to an injection cylinder by a screw, and injected from a nozzle into a cavity of a mold. Further, the injection molding machine includes a clamping mechanism for clamping the mold and an injection cylinder moving mechanism for moving the injection cylinder to touch (contact) the nozzle with the mold. Therefore, the injection molding machine is large-sized and expensive.

[0003] Therefore, it has been proposed to simplify the configuration and reduce the size of the injection molding machine by manually performing a part of the operations in the injection molding machine. For example, in the injection molding machine described in Patent Document 1, it has been proposed to manually drive a plunger and manually perform mold clamping and mold opening in the injection molding machine. In the injection molding machine described in Patent Document 2, it has been proposed to manually drive a plunger and manually move a support plate on which a mold is placed up and down to touch the mold with the nozzle.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-30429, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 6-5927

[0005] However, in the injection molding machines described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, although miniaturization can be achieved by adopting a manual method, the molding accuracy and the usability in terms of the force required during manual operation and the like have not been sufficiently considered. For this reason, there are problems such that the molding accuracy is likely to decrease due to the adoption of the manual method, and a large force is required during manual operation, resulting in poor usability.

[0006] For example, as in the technology described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, manually moving the plunger up and down results in variations in injection pressure and molding accuracy. Furthermore, it requires a large amount of force when high injection pressure is needed, making it inconvenient to use. Also, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, if the center position of the resin filling port of the mold and the nozzle are misaligned, molding accuracy tends to vary. Therefore, adding a centering mechanism can be considered, but conventional centering mechanisms move the injection cylinder. As a result, when the nozzle touches the surface, it is necessary to manually push up the support plate forcefully and move the injection cylinder back and forth and side to side, requiring a large amount of force and making it inconvenient to use.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an injection molding machine and an injection molding method that offer high molding accuracy and ease of use, even when a manual system is adopted for miniaturization.

[0008] [1] The injection molding machine according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a resin material input section into which resin material is introduced; a cylindrical injection cylinder having a nozzle opening at its tip, a cylinder hole communicating with the nozzle, and a resin material receiving port for receiving the resin material supplied from the resin material input section into the cylinder hole at a position axially separated from the nozzle; a plunger movable axially within the cylinder hole; a fluid pressure cylinder for driving the plunger; a manual switch for causing the plunger to perform an advance movement approaching the nozzle and a retraction movement away from the nozzle by the fluid pressure cylinder; a mold support member for supporting a mold having an internal cavity; and a mold movement mechanism having a manual lever for operating the mold support member along the axial direction of the injection cylinder between a standby position where the mold is separated from the nozzle and a nozzle touch position where the mold touches the nozzle.

[0009] [2] In the present invention, it is preferable that two fluid pressure cylinders are provided on both sides of the injection cylinder, and that the rods of the two fluid pressure cylinders are each connected to the plunger via a connecting member.

[0010] [3] In the present invention, it is preferable to further include a first heater for heating the portion of the injection cylinder between the nozzle and the resin material receiving port, a first temperature setting unit for setting the temperature of the injection cylinder, a second heater for heating the mold support member, and a second temperature setting unit for setting the temperature of the mold support member.

[0011] [4] In the present invention, it is preferable that the injection cylinder has a constricted portion between the resin material receiving port and the portion heated by the first heater.

[0012] [5] In the present invention, it is preferable to further provide a cooling fan that blows air toward the outer surface between the resin material receiving port and the portion of the injection cylinder that is heated by the first heater.

[0013] [6] In the present invention, it is preferable that the first heater is a cartridge heater located inside the body wall of the injection cylinder.

[0014] [7] In the present invention, it is preferable to have a fluid pressure setting unit that controls the pressing force by the plunger by setting the fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure cylinder.

[0015] [8] In the present invention, it is preferable that the injection cylinder is further provided with a cover that covers the front surface and a drawer that is movable in and out of the cover, wherein the resin material input section is formed by the drawer.

[0016] [9] In the present invention, the resin material is preferably in the form of pellets, chips, or granules.

[0017]

[10] In the present invention, the manual switch is preferably a push-button switch provided on the grip portion of the manual lever.

[0018]

[11] In the present invention, the manual levers are arranged on both the left and right sides, and it is preferable that the manual levers on both the left and right sides are operated simultaneously when moving the mold support member.

[0019]

[12] In the present invention, each of the manual levers on the left and right sides has a manual switch, and in the fluid pressure cylinder, when both of the manual switches on the left and right sides are pressed, the plunger performs the forward movement, and thereafter, when the pressure on at least one of the manual switches on the left and right sides is released, the plunger performs the backward movement.

[0020]

[13] In the present invention, it is preferable that the mold moving mechanism has a toggle mechanism that amplifies the movement of the manual lever and transmits it to the mold support member.

[0021]

[14] In the present invention, the injection cylinder is arranged vertically such that the nozzle faces downward, and the mold support member includes a first table on which the mold, which has a resin filling port communicating with the internal cavity facing upward, is placed on its upper surface, and a second table positioned to surround the first table, wherein the upper surface of the first table is preferably higher than the upper surface of the second table.

[0022]

[15] In the present invention, the mold moving mechanism includes a support shaft extending vertically below the mold support member and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height position at which the mold support member is fixed to the support shaft, wherein in the mold moving mechanism, the mold support member moves between the standby position and the nozzle touch position as the support shaft moves vertically in response to the operation of the manual lever.

[0023]

[16] In the present invention, it is preferable to further provide a centering mechanism in which, in the process of the mold support member moving from the standby position to the nozzle touch position, the mold moves along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction so that the nozzle and the mold are accurately aligned.

[0024]

[17] In the present invention, it is preferable that the mold includes a first mold member, a second mold member, and screws for fastening the first mold member and the second mold member together.

[0025]

[18] In the present invention, the mold includes a sprue bush that is detachable from the mold member located on the nozzle side, among the first mold member and the second mold member, and it is preferable that the sprue bush touches the nozzle when the mold support member moves to the nozzle touch position.

[0026]

[19] In the present invention, the injection cylinder comprises a nozzle component having the nozzle and a cylindrical cylinder body to which the nozzle component can be attached and detached, and it is preferable that the outer shape of the nozzle component has at least one pair of parallel surfaces when viewed along the axial direction.

[0027]

[20] In the present invention, it is preferable that a lubricating plating film is applied to at least the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder bore of the injection cylinder.

[0028]

[21] In the present invention, it is preferable that the present invention further comprises a frame having a retaining hole for holding the outer peripheral portion of the tip side of the injection cylinder, wherein only a part of the outer peripheral portion of the tip side of the injection cylinder is in contact with the frame in the retaining hole.

[0029]

[22] In the present invention, the injection cylinder is cylindrical, and of the outer surface of the injection cylinder, the portion located inside the retaining hole has a planar portion in which a part of the circumferential direction is linearly cut out when viewed along the axial direction, and the frame has a projection that contacts the planar portion in the retaining hole.

[0030]

[23] In the present invention, it is preferable to further provide a monitor that displays the current position of the plunger.

[0031]

[24] An injection molding machine according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises a nozzle attached to the tip of an injection cylinder, a mold support member that supports a mold having a resin filling port communicating with an internal cavity, and a mold moving mechanism having a manual lever for operating the mold support member along the axial direction of the injection cylinder between a standby position where the mold is separated from the nozzle and a nozzle touch position where the mold touches the nozzle, and is characterized in that, in the process of the mold support member moving from the standby position to the nozzle touch position, the mold moves along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction so that the nozzle and the mold are accurately aligned.

[0032]

[25] In the present invention, the manual levers are arranged on each side, and in the centering mechanism, it is preferable that the mold moves via the mold support member by operating the manual levers arranged on both sides, thereby accurately aligning the mold with the nozzle.

[0033]

[26] The injection molding method of the present invention comprises a resin material input section into which resin material is introduced; a cylindrical injection cylinder having a nozzle opening at its tip, a cylinder hole communicating with the nozzle, and a resin material receiving port for receiving the resin material supplied from the resin material input section into the cylinder hole at a position axially separated from the nozzle; a plunger movable axially within the cylinder hole; a fluid pressure cylinder for driving the plunger; a manual switch for causing the plunger to perform an advance movement approaching the nozzle and a retraction movement away from the nozzle by the fluid pressure cylinder; a mold support member for supporting a mold having an internal cavity; and a standby position where the mold is separated from the nozzle. An injection molding method using a mold moving mechanism having a manual lever for operating a mold support member along the axial direction of the injection cylinder between a position and a nozzle touch position where the mold touches the nozzle, characterized by performing the following steps: a first step of operating the manual lever to move the mold support member from the standby position to the nozzle touch position; a second step of operating the manual switch to cause the plunger to perform the forward movement by the fluid pressure cylinder, thereby injecting the resin material molten in the injection cylinder from the nozzle into the internal cavity; and a third step of operating the manual switch again to cause the plunger to perform the backward movement by the fluid pressure cylinder.

[0034] In the injection molding machine according to the present invention, mold clamping, which has relatively little impact on molding accuracy, is not performed in the injection molding machine itself. Instead, a pre-clamped mold is set in the injection molding machine, eliminating the need to install a mold clamping mechanism in the injection molding machine. Furthermore, the operation for nozzle contact and the timing of the fluid pressure cylinder operation are controlled manually using a manual lever and a manual switch. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, allowing for miniaturization of the injection molding machine. In addition, by using a fluid pressure cylinder to drive the plunger, the pressing force of the plunger, which affects the injection pressure, can be controlled, enabling high molding accuracy. Moreover, even when it is necessary to increase the injection pressure, there is no need to apply a large force manually, making it easy to use. For these reasons, according to the present invention, even when a manual system is adopted for miniaturization, it is possible to provide an injection molding machine and injection molding method that have high molding accuracy and are easy to use.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, mold clamping, which has relatively little impact on molding accuracy, is not performed in the injection molding machine. Instead, a pre-clamped mold is set in the injection molding machine, eliminating the need to provide a mold clamping mechanism in the injection molding machine. Furthermore, the operation for nozzle contact is performed manually using a manual lever. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, allowing for miniaturization of the injection molding machine. In addition, during nozzle contact, the mold is moved by contact with the tip of the nozzle to ensure proper centering, aligning the nozzle opening with the resin filling port of the mold. This optimizes the resin flow and ensures high molding accuracy. Moreover, since the mold is moved during nozzle contact and centering, unlike configurations that move the injection cylinder, a large mechanism is not required for nozzle contact, and it does not require much force, resulting in excellent usability. Therefore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, even when a manual method is adopted for miniaturization, it is possible to provide an injection molding machine and injection molding method that offer high molding accuracy and excellent usability.

[0036] A perspective view of an injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. A front view of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. A perspective view of the main part of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. A front view of the main part of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. A perspective view of the injection cylinder 51 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the injection cylinder 51 shown in Figure 5. An explanatory diagram of the drawer 60 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. An explanatory diagram of the resin material feeding operation in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. An explanatory diagram of the mold 4 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. An explanatory diagram of the mold moving mechanism 7 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. An explanatory diagram of the mold support member 710 and toggle mechanism 75 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. An explanatory diagram of the mold support member 710 and centering mechanism provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. An explanatory diagram schematically showing the operation of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. A front view of an injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0037] Based on the drawings, an injection molding machine and an injection molding method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Some of the drawings referenced in the following description are schematic diagrams and do not necessarily strictly reflect the actual dimensions and shapes. In the following description, the focus will be on a vertical injection molding machine in which the injection mechanism and mold are arranged vertically. However, the present invention can also be applied to a horizontal injection molding machine in which the injection mechanism and mold are arranged horizontally.

[0038] [Embodiment 1] (Overall Configuration) Figure 1 is a perspective view of an injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a front view of the main part of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 correspond to Figures 1 and 2 with the cover 3 omitted, respectively.

[0039] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a machine base 2 with an open front and a cover 3 fixed above the machine base 2. The cover 3 is box-shaped and has a front 31, a left side 32, a right side 33, a rear (not shown), and a top 30. The machine base 2 is provided with metal plates 211, 212, 213, and 214 (see Figures 3 and 4 for 214) on its bottom, left side, right side, and top, respectively, and the frame 21 is formed by the metal plates 211, 212, 213, and 214. The injection molding machine 1 is provided with a monitor 35 on the front 31 of the cover 3.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the injection molding machine 1 is equipped with metal plates 361 and 362 extending upward from both the left and right sides of the frame 21, and metal plates 371 and 372 extending upward from the central part of the frame 21, inside the cover 3 shown in Figure 1. An injection mechanism 5 is installed using these metal plates 361, 362, 371, and 372 to inject molten resin material into the mold 4.

[0041] The injection mechanism 5 comprises a drawer 60 into which resin material is fed, a cylindrical injection cylinder 51 having a nozzle 511 that opens at its tip, a plunger 52 that is movable along the axial direction inside the injection cylinder 51, and a fluid pressure cylinder 53 for driving the plunger 52. As will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the drawer 60 is movable in and out on the front surface 31 of the cover 3 that covers the front surface of the injection cylinder 51, and constitutes a resin material feeding section 6 into which the resin material is fed.

[0042] The injection molding machine 1 includes a mold support member 710 inside the frame 21 that supports a mold 4 having an internal cavity, and a mold moving mechanism 7 that moves the mold support member 710 along the axial direction of the injection cylinder 51.

[0043] In this embodiment, since the injection molding machine 1 is a vertical type, the injection cylinder 51 is arranged in the vertical direction such that the nozzle 511 at the tip end faces downward, and the fluid pressure cylinder 53 drives the plunger 52 in the vertical direction. The mold support member 710 supports the mold 4 from the lower side. The mold moving mechanism 7 is a mold lifting mechanism that moves the mold 4 in the vertical direction by moving the mold support member 710 in the vertical direction.

[0044] (Configuration of injection cylinder 51, etc.) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the injection cylinder 51 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the injection cylinder 51 shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the support plate 215 is shown by a dashed line. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the injection cylinder 51 is a cylindrical member provided with a cylinder hole 512 extending along the direction of the central axis L0. In this embodiment, the injection cylinder 51 is substantially cylindrical as a whole. The injection cylinder 51 includes a nozzle 511 that opens at the lower end as the tip end. The nozzle 511 communicates with the cylinder hole 512. The central axis of the nozzle 511 coincides with the central axis L0 of the cylinder hole 512.

[0045] The injection cylinder 51 includes a fixed portion 516 whose outer diameter is constricted near the upper end. The injection cylinder 51 is fixed to the metal plates 371 and 372 shown in FIG. 4 via the fixed portion 516.

[0046] The injection cylinder 51 includes a nozzle component 51a having a nozzle 511 and a cylindrical cylinder body 51b to which the nozzle component 51a is detachable. The cylinder body 51b is made of metal. More specifically, the cylinder body 51b is made of iron. At least the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder hole 512 of the injection cylinder 51 is provided with a lubricating plating film 51c. Therefore, since the resin material is less likely to stick to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder hole 512, the maintainability can be improved.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lubricating plating film 51c is formed on the entire surface including the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder body 51b. The lubricating plating film 51c is a metal plating film in which lubricating particles such as silicon, molybdenum, and PTFE are dispersed. For example, the lubricating plating film 51c is an electroless nickel film in which lubricating particles made of PTFE are dispersed.

[0048] In the cylinder body 51b, the lower end of the cylinder hole 512 to which the nozzle component 51a is attached is a nozzle attachment hole 512b in which an internal thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface. An external thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper half 51a1 of the nozzle component 51a. Therefore, since the nozzle component 51a is detachable from the cylinder body 51b, the nozzle component 51a can be easily attached and detached when a defect occurs in the injection cylinder 51 or when maintenance such as resin material switching is performed.

[0049] In the lower half 51a2 of the nozzle component 51a, the outer shape of the nozzle component 51a has at least a pair of parallel surfaces when viewed along the central axis L0 direction. For example, the outer shape of the nozzle component 51a is square or hexagonal when viewed along the central axis L0 direction. Therefore, the nozzle component 51a can be easily replaced using a wrench or the like.

[0050] The injection cylinder 51 has a resin material inlet 513 that receives the resin material supplied from the drawer 60 shown in FIG. 1 inside the cylinder hole 512 at a position spaced apart from the nozzle 511 along the central axis L0 direction. In the present embodiment, the resin material inlet 513 is the upper opening of the cylinder hole 512. Since the resin material inlet 513 is in an open state upward when the plunger 52 comes out upward from the cylinder hole 512, the resin material can be received.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 21 includes a metal support plate 215 fixed to the metal plate 214. The support plate 215 has a holding hole 215a that holds the outer peripheral portion of the tip side (lower end portion) of the injection cylinder 51. The metal plate 214 has a hole (not shown) that overlaps the holding hole 215a.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral portion of the lower end side of the injection cylinder 51 is held in the holding hole 215a in a state where only a part in the circumferential direction is in contact with the frame 21. More specifically, although the injection cylinder 51 is cylindrical, a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the injection cylinder 51 that is located inside the holding hole 215a has a flat portion 514 in which a part in the circumferential direction is linearly cut out when viewed along the central axis L0 direction.

[0053] The retaining hole 215a is roughly rectangular, but protrusions 215b are formed on its edges that abut against the flat portion 514 of the injection cylinder 51. Therefore, since the contact area between the injection cylinder 51 and the support plate 215 is small, when the injection cylinder 51 is heated by the first heater 81 shown in Figure 6, heat from the injection cylinder 51 is suppressed from escaping to the frame 21. Also, since the protrusions 215b of the support plate 215 are in contact with the flat portion 514 of the injection cylinder 51, the injection cylinder 51 does not rotate freely, and the nozzle 511 can be easily attached and detached. In this embodiment, the flat portion 514 is provided in a total of four locations in the circumferential direction. Of the four flat portions 514, two protrusions 215b abut against the left and right flat portions 514, and one protrusion 215b abuts against the front and rear flat portions 514.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, a first heater 81 is provided between the nozzle 511 and the resin material receiving port 513 in the injection cylinder 51. In this embodiment, two pairs of holes 515a are formed in the body wall 515 of the injection cylinder 51. The holes 515a penetrate the body wall 515 and open at both ends on the outer circumferential surface of the injection cylinder 51. The first heater 81 is a cartridge heater positioned inside the holes 515a of the body wall 515. The first heater 81 is provided at three locations along the central axis L0 direction of the injection cylinder 51, with two first heaters 81 provided at each of the three locations. Furthermore, the body wall 515 has a hole 515b into which a thermocouple (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the injection cylinder 51 is inserted, and a hole 515c (see Figure 5) for fastening screws (not shown) that fix the first heater 81. In the injection cylinder 51 configured in this way, the direction indicated by arrow F in Figure 5 is the direction that indicates the front of the injection molding machine 1.

[0055] The first heater 81 is positioned in the injection cylinder 51 between the nozzle 511 and the resin material receiving port 513, mainly at a location close to the nozzle 511. Therefore, the first heater 81 concentrates heating around the nozzle 511. Consequently, the first heater 81 can achieve a temperature gradient where the temperature is high near the nozzle 511 and decreases as the distance from the nozzle 511 increases. Thus, as schematically shown in Figure 6, among the resin material R inside the cylinder hole 512, the resin material R1 near the nozzle 511 melts, while the resin material R3 near the part where the plunger 52 contacts the resin material receiving port 513 does not melt, and the resin material R2 between them remains in a semi-molten state.

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, the front surface 31 of the cover 3 is provided with a first temperature setting unit 810 for setting the temperature of the injection cylinder 51. The first temperature setting unit 810 displays the set temperature of the injection cylinder 51 and the current temperature of the injection cylinder 51. The set temperature of the injection cylinder 51 is set to the optimal temperature according to the type of resin material, the size of the cavity of the mold 4, etc.

[0057] In Figures 5 and 6, the injection cylinder 51 has a constricted portion 517 between the resin material receiving port 513 and the portion heated by the first heater 81. More specifically, the injection cylinder 51 has a narrowly constricted portion 517 between the fixed portion 516 and the portion heated by the first heater 81. Therefore, the heat from the first heater 81 is less likely to be transferred to the resin material receiving port 513, thus enabling the realization of an appropriate temperature gradient.

[0058] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the injection molding machine 1 is equipped with a cooling fan 80 in front of the injection cylinder 51 that blows air toward the outer surface between the resin material receiving port 513 and the portion of the injection cylinder 51 heated by the first heater 81. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a ventilation port 36 consisting of multiple slits is formed on the front surface of the cover 3. Therefore, the side of the injection cylinder 51 facing the resin material receiving port 513 can be cooled, thereby achieving an appropriate temperature gradient. The air used to cool the injection cylinder 51 is discharged through a hole (not shown) formed on the back surface of the cover 3.

[0059] (Configuration of plunger 52 and fluid pressure cylinder 53, etc.) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the injection mechanism 5 includes a fluid pressure cylinder 53 with a rod 531 facing upward. In this embodiment, the injection mechanism 5 includes two fluid pressure cylinders 53 with rods 531 facing upward on both sides of the injection cylinder 51. The bottoms of the two fluid pressure cylinders 53 are fixed to metal plates 361 and 362. The upper surfaces of the main bodies of the two fluid pressure cylinders 53 are fixed to a metal plate 39 in which a hole 391 is formed for the rod 531 to pass through upward. The main body of the injection cylinder 51 is located below the metal plate 39. Above the metal plate 39, the rods 531 of the two fluid pressure cylinders 53 are each connected to a plunger 52 via a connecting member 54. In this embodiment, the fluid pressure cylinder 53 is a pneumatic cylinder.

[0060] A joint 55 and a solenoid valve unit 56 are fixed to a metal plate 39 behind the fluid pressure cylinder 53. Therefore, the primary side compressed air from a compressor (not shown) is reduced to an appropriate air pressure by a regulator (not shown) and then supplied to the solenoid valve unit 56 via the joint 55. Thus, by controlling the solenoid valve unit 56, it is possible to control which port of the fluid pressure cylinder 53 is supplied with compressed air, and therefore the movement of the rod 531 of the fluid pressure cylinder 53 can be controlled. As a result, the plunger 52 of the fluid pressure cylinder 53 can be made to perform a forward movement in the direction approaching the nozzle 511 and a backward movement in the direction away from the nozzle 511.

[0061] In this case, the regulator sets the secondary air pressure to an appropriate value, thereby controlling the pushing pressure of the plunger 52 to an appropriate value. The secondary air pressure is set to an optimal pressure depending on the type of resin material and the size of the cavity of the mold 4. In this embodiment, the solenoid valve unit 56 is controlled by a manual switch 57 (see Figure 1), which will be described later, causing the plunger 52 to perform a forward movement approaching the nozzle 511 and a backward movement away from the nozzle 511 by the fluid pressure cylinder 53.

[0062] (Configuration of drawer 60) Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the drawer 60 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram of the resin material feeding operation in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0063] The resin material used in this embodiment is in the form of pellets, chips, or granules. As shown in Figure 7, the drawer 60 comprises a roughly rectangular drawer body 61 with a bottomed hole 62 into which the resin material is inserted, and a handle 613 that protrudes toward the front from the front of the drawer body 61.

[0064] In the drawer body 61, the hole 62 has a planar shape in which the opening width narrows from the front to the back. The side surface 621 of the hole 62 is an inclined surface that slopes diagonally upward. The bottom 63 of the hole 62 is inclined so as to be located downward from the front to the back. A drop-off opening 631, which is a through hole, is formed at the back of the bottom 63. The planar shape of the drop-off opening 631 is an elongated hole with a long axis extending from the front to the back. The dimension of the drop-off opening 631 in the direction of the short axis is equal to the inner diameter of the cylinder hole 512 described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Therefore, the plunger 52 can pass through the drop-off opening 631. The drawer body 61 also has elongated through holes 64 on both the left and right sides of the hole 62, with a long axis extending in the front-rear direction. When the drawer 60 is mounted on the injection molding machine 1, a stopper (not shown) is located inside the through hole 64. Therefore, the range of movement of the drawer 60 in the front-to-back direction is limited by the hole 62 and the stopper.

[0065] The drawer 60 is movable in and out on the front surface 31 of the cover 3 shown in Figure 1. Therefore, when the drawer 60 is pulled out from the front surface 31, resin material can be placed inside the drawer 60. Thus, the drawer 60 constitutes the resin material input section 6.

[0066] Referring to Figure 8, the process of filling the injection cylinder 51 with the resin material placed in the drawer 60 will be explained. As shown in Figure 8, a shielding plate 67 is positioned below the drawer 60 so as to overlap with the upper surface of the injection cylinder 51. The shielding plate 67 has a hole 671 formed in a position that overlaps with the cylinder hole 512, with an inner diameter equal to that of the cylinder hole 512. Therefore, the plunger 52 can move in and out of the cylinder hole 512 through the hole 671 in the shielding plate 67.

[0067] In the resin material loading process ST101 shown in Figure 8, with the plunger 52 extended upward from the cylinder hole 512, the user pulls out the drawer 60 from the front surface 31 of the cover 3 and loads the resin material into the drawer 60. The resin material is then guided by the bottom 63 and falls through the drop-off opening 631 and the hole 671 in the shielding plate 67 into the cylinder hole 512.

[0068] Next, in the drawer storage process ST102 shown in Figure 8, when the user pushes the drawer 60 into the cover 3 while the plunger 52 is still extended upward from the cylinder hole 512, the resin material, which had been prevented from falling by the shielding plate 67, falls from the hole 671 in the shielding plate 67 into the cylinder hole 512.

[0069] Next, in the resin material indentation process ST103 shown in Figure 8, when the plunger 52 moves downward inside the cylinder hole 512, the resin material that was filled in the cylinder hole 512 is pushed downward by the plunger 52.

[0070] In this embodiment, the injection process is performed with the drawer 60 pushed into the cover 3. Also, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the drawer 60 is positioned between the injection cylinder 51 and the metal plate 39, and the metal plate 39 covers the drawer 60 from above when it is pushed inward. Therefore, even if the resin material is ejected by the plunger 52 when the plunger 52 is driven, it is unlikely that the resin material will fly out of the injection molding machine 1, thus ensuring safety.

[0071] (Configuration of mold 4) Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of mold 4 used in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 9, the user sets mold 4, which includes a first mold member 41 and a second mold member 42 clamped together to form an internal cavity 40, into the injection molding machine 1 and performs resin molding. Mold 4 includes screws 43 for fastening the first mold member 41 and the second mold member 42. The screws 43 pass through a hole 423 formed in the second mold member 42 and are fastened into a screw hole 413 formed in the first mold member 41.

[0072] In this embodiment, the mold 4 includes a sprue bush 45 that is detachable from the second mold member 42, which is located on the nozzle 511 side, among the first mold member 41 and the second mold member 42. In this case, the opening of the sprue 451 of the sprue bush 45 is a resin filling port 46 that communicates with the internal cavity 40. Therefore, when the mold 4 makes nozzle contact, the sprue bush 45 touches (comes into contact with) the nozzle 511. Consequently, the molten resin injected from the nozzle 511 is filled into the internal cavity 40 via the sprue 451 of the sprue bush 45 and the sprue 421 of the second mold member 42. In the sprue bush 45, the area near the opening edge of the sprue 451 on the nozzle 511 side is a concave curved surface 450 for centering, which aligns the central axis L46 of the resin filling port 46 with the central axis L0 of the nozzle 511 when it touches the nozzle 511. The concave curved surface 450 is the part referred to as the nozzle touch.

[0073] The mold 4 may also be used without the sprue bush 45. In this case, the opening of the sprue 421 of the second mold member 42 becomes the resin filling port. Also, when the mold 4 makes nozzle contact, the opening edge of the sprue 421 of the second mold member 42 on the nozzle 511 side touches the nozzle 511. Therefore, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 9, the area near the opening edge of the sprue 421 on the nozzle 511 side of the second mold member 42 is made into a concave curved surface 420 for centering when it touches the nozzle 511.

[0074] (Configuration of mold movement mechanism 7) Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram of the mold movement mechanism 7 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram of the mold support member 710 and toggle mechanism 75 provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the mold support member 710 and centering mechanism provided in the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0075] As shown in Figure 10, the injection molding machine 1 includes a mold support member 710 that supports a mold 4 having an internal cavity 40 (see Figure 9), and a mold moving mechanism 7 having a manual lever 72 for moving the mold support member 710 along the direction of the central axis L0 of the injection cylinder 51 between a standby position P1 where the mold 4 is separated from the nozzle 511 and a nozzle touch position P2 where the mold 4 touches the nozzle 511.

[0076] In this embodiment, since the injection molding machine 1 is vertical, the mold moving mechanism 7 moves the mold support member 710 vertically between a standby position P1 where the mold 4 is separated from the nozzle 511 and a nozzle touch position P2 where the mold 4 touches the nozzle 511, by manual operation of the manual lever 72.

[0077] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the mold support member 710 includes a first table 711 on which a mold 4, with a resin filling port 46 communicating with an internal cavity 40 facing upward, is placed, and a second table 712 positioned to surround the first table 711. The first table 711 and the second table 712 are fixed together by a fixing plate 713. Therefore, the first table 711 and the second table 712 move together as a single unit.

[0078] The first table 711 is a metal component equipped with a second heater 82 inside. Therefore, the mold 4 is heated via the first table 711, so that the resin material is properly filled into the internal cavity 40. The second heater 82 is a cartridge heater inserted into a hole opening on the rear surface of the first table 711. The first table 711 is equipped with a temperature sensor (not shown) inside. Figures 10 and 12 show the mold 4 placed on the first table 711 so as to protrude laterally from the top surface.

[0079] The second table 712 is made of a metal plate whose top surface and front surface are formed by bending or other processes. The top surface of the first table 711 is slightly higher than the top surface of the second table 712. In this embodiment, the top surface of the first table 711 is about 0.5 mm higher than the top surface of the second table 712. Therefore, the mold 4 and the first table 711 are in firm contact, and the mold 4 can be heated efficiently. Furthermore, even if the planar size of the mold 4 is larger than the planar size of the first table 711, a gap Ga (see Figure 12) can be generated between the mold 4 and the top surface of the second table 712, so that the heat from the mold 4 does not easily escape to the second table 712.

[0080] The fixing plate 713 is made of a metal plate processed into a predetermined shape. The fixing plate 713 fixes the first table 711 and the second table 712 so as to ensure a gap between them. The fixing plate 713 also has a structure in which a narrow metal plate is bent, making it difficult to conduct heat. Furthermore, an insulating washer (not shown) is placed between the fixing plate 713 and the first table 711. Therefore, heat is not easily transferred from the first table 711 to the second table 712, so the first table 711 can be efficiently heated to the set temperature. In addition, since the second table 712 does not become hot, it is possible to prevent burns when a user touches the second table 712 when placing the mold 4 on the mold support member 710.

[0081] As shown in Figure 1, the front surface 31 of the cover 3 is provided with a second temperature setting unit 820 for setting the temperature of the first table 711 of the mold support member 710. The second temperature setting unit 820 displays the set temperature and the current temperature of the first table 711. The set temperature of the first table 711 is set to an optimal temperature according to the type of resin material, the size of the cavity of the mold 4, etc.

[0082] As shown in Figure 10, the mold moving mechanism 7 is equipped with a pair of guide shafts 78 that extend vertically on both the left and right sides, and linear bushings 715 are provided on both the left and right sides of the second table 712, through which the pair of guide shafts 78 pass.

[0083] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the mold moving mechanism 7 includes a toggle mechanism 75 that amplifies the movement of the manual lever 72 and transmits it to the mold support member 710. In this embodiment, the manual lever 72 is provided on both the left and right sides. More specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the manual lever 72 is provided on the outside of the right side 33 and the outside of the left side 32 of the cover 3. The manual levers 72 on both the left and right sides are connected by a horizontally extending connecting shaft 76, and the manual levers 72 are rotatable around the central axis L76 of the connecting shaft 76. In the standby state, both the left and right manual levers 72 are tilted diagonally upward toward the rear, and are rotatable to a position tilted diagonally upward toward the front around the horizontally extending central axis L76.

[0084] Both the left and right manual levers 72 are equipped with a grip portion 721 at their upper ends. Furthermore, both the left and right manual levers 72 are equipped with a manual switch 57 at the end of the grip portion 721 for controlling the solenoid valve unit 56 (see Figures 3 and 4). The manual switch 57 is a push-button switch that can be operated with the thumb while gripping the grip portion 721 on either the left or right manual lever 72. Therefore, the operation of the manual levers 72, which are linked to the mold movement mechanism 7, and the operation of the manual switch 57 provided on the manual levers 72 to control the solenoid valve unit 56 can be performed quickly and smoothly in a series of operations, resulting in the injection molding machine 1 being highly user-friendly.

[0085] The mold moving mechanism 7 includes a support shaft 73 that extends vertically below the first table 711. In this embodiment, a lifting block 733 is fixed below the first table 711, and the upper end of the support shaft 73 is connected to the lifting block 733. An insulating plate 714 is placed between the lifting block 733 and the first table 711. Therefore, heat does not easily escape from the first table 711 to the lifting block 733.

[0086] The lower end of the support shaft 73 is connected to a lifting rod 74, which is driven vertically by a toggle mechanism 75. Therefore, in the mold moving mechanism 7, when the manual lever 72 is operated, the operation on the manual lever 72 is transmitted to the lifting rod 74 and the support shaft 73 via the toggle mechanism 75, causing the support shaft 73 and the lifting block 733 to move vertically. As a result, the mold support member 710 moves between the standby position P1 shown in Figure 10 and the nozzle touch position P2 shown in Figure 10. At that time, the user operates the right manual lever 72 and the left manual lever 72 simultaneously with both hands.

[0087] More specifically, with the manual levers 72 on both the left and right sides pushed inward, the mold support member 710 is in a standby position P1 away from the nozzle 511, so the mold 4 can be placed on the upper surface of the first table 711 with the first mold member 41 and the second mold member 42 already clamped in place.

[0088] From this state, when the user pushes the manual levers 72 on both the left and right sides towards them, the mold support member 710 rises towards the nozzle 511 to the nozzle touch position P2, allowing the mold 4 to touch the nozzle 511. In this way, when raising the mold support member 710, both hands are gripping the manual levers 72 on both the left and right sides. Therefore, accidents such as pinching of hands during operation can be prevented, making it very safe to use.

[0089] Subsequently, when the user pushes the manual lever 72 inward, the mold support member 710 descends to a standby position P1 separated from the nozzle 511, allowing the mold 4 to be removed from the mold support member 710.

[0090] (Configuration of Toggle Mechanism 75) As shown in Figure 11, in the mold moving mechanism 7, the toggle mechanism 75 includes a plate-shaped cam 751 fixed to the connecting shaft 76. The rotation center O1 of the plate-shaped cam 751 coincides with the central axis L76 of the connecting shaft 76. Therefore, the plate-shaped cam 751 can rotate around the rotation center O1 by operating the manual lever 72. The position of the rotation center O1 is fixed. In the standby position P1, the cam surface C0 of the plate-shaped cam 751 is not in contact with the metal plate 211 of the machine base 2. However, the head of the lifting rod 74 is in contact with the upper surface of the fixed block 79. For this reason, the lifting rod 74 cannot be lowered any further, and therefore the manual lever 72 cannot be rotated any further clockwise CW.

[0091] A disc 752 is fixed to the plate-shaped cam 751 by bolts 754, with its center O2 located at a position away from the rotation center O1. When the plate-shaped cam 751 rotates, the disc 752 rotates together with the plate-shaped cam 751 around the rotation center O1, and its center O2 rotates around the rotation center O1.

[0092] A lever 753 is rotatably connected to the disc 752 around its center O2, and the tip of the lever 753 forms a rotatable joint 757 relative to the lifting rod 74. The lower end of the lifting rod 74 is only capable of vertical movement due to the guide hole 790 of the fixed block 79, so the lifting rod 74 is configured as a slider.

[0093] Therefore, since the toggle mechanism 75 has a link connecting the rotation center O1 and the center O2, a link connecting the center O2 and the joint 757, and a slider, it can transmit the operation of the manual lever 72 to the mold support member 710 with amplified force. Consequently, it does not require a large force to operate the manual lever 72, making it very easy to use.

[0094] In the mold moving mechanism 7 configured in this way, when the mold support member 710 is in the standby position P1, and the user rotates the manual lever 72 counterclockwise (CCW) around the central axis L76 of the connecting shaft 76, the plate-shaped cam 751 rotates counterclockwise (CCW) around the rotation center O1, and the disc 752 rotates counterclockwise (CCW) around the rotation center O1. As a result, the tip of the lever 753 raises the lifting rod 74, raising the mold support member 710 to the nozzle touch position P2.

[0095] Furthermore, when the mold support member 710 has moved to the nozzle touch position P2, the angle between the two links becomes 180°, and the starting point of the portion C1 of the cam surface of the plate-shaped cam 751 that increases clockwise CW from the rotation center O1 of the plate-shaped cam 751 comes into contact with the metal plate 211 of the machine base 2. Therefore, the plate-shaped cam 751 cannot rotate any further, and the mold support member 710 cannot rise any further and is clamped at the nozzle touch position P2.

[0096] Furthermore, when the mold support member 710 is in the nozzle touch position P2, if the user rotates the manual lever 72 clockwise (CW) around the central axis L76 of the connecting shaft 76, each component rotates in the opposite direction, and the mold support member 710 moves to the standby position P1.

[0097] (Adjustment mechanism 77 for the height position of the mold support member 710) In the mold movement mechanism 7, the range of motion of the mold support member 710 is constant. Therefore, in order to ensure proper nozzle contact even when the thickness of the mold 4 is changed or when the sprue bush 45 is removed, the injection molding machine 1 is equipped with an adjustment mechanism 77 (see Figure 11) for adjusting the height position at which the mold support member 710 is fixed to the support shaft 73.

[0098] In the adjustment mechanism 77, a male screw 731 formed on the upper end of the support shaft 73 is connected to a screw hole formed in the lifting block 733. Also in the adjustment mechanism 77, a male screw 732 formed on the lower end of the support shaft 73 is connected to a screw hole formed in the lifting rod 74. The screw connection between the lifting rod 74 and the lower end of the support shaft 73 is a standard thread, while the screw connection between the lifting block 733 and the upper end of the support shaft 73 is a reverse thread. Furthermore, the mold support member 710 is immobile due to the guide shaft 78.

[0099] Therefore, if the user rotates the support shaft 73 in one direction, the mold support member 710 rises together with the lifting block 733, and if the user rotates the support shaft 73 in the other direction, the mold support member 710 descends together with the lifting block 733, so that the height position at which the mold support member 710 is fixed to the support shaft 73 can be adjusted. For this reason, by adjusting the height position at which the mold support member 710 is fixed to the support shaft 73 in advance using the adjustment mechanism 77, nozzle contact can be reliably achieved.

[0100] Furthermore, a fixing screw 734 is provided at the screw connection between the lifting block 733 and the upper end of the support shaft 73, with its tip contacting a screw shaft on which a male thread 731 is formed. Therefore, when adjusting with the adjustment mechanism 77, the fixing screw 734 is loosened, and after the adjustment with the adjustment mechanism 77 is completed, the fixing screw 734 is tightened to prevent misalignment due to loosening of the male thread 731.

[0101] The outer shape of the support shaft 73 includes at least one pair of parallel surfaces when viewed along the axial direction of the support shaft 73. For example, the outer shape of the support shaft 73 includes a square or hexagonal portion 730 when viewed along the axial direction of the support shaft 73. Therefore, it is possible to easily rotate the support shaft 73 using a wrench or the like.

[0102] In the injection molding machine 1 configured in this way, the entire upper surface of the first table 711 is flat, and there are no protrusions or other features on the upper surface of the first table 711 that restrict the shape or size of the mold 4. Therefore, there is a great degree of freedom regarding the shape and size of the mold 4. Furthermore, the height of the fixing position of the mold support member 710 relative to the support shaft 73 can be adjusted by the adjustment mechanism 77 (see Figure 11). For this reason, even if the stroke of the mold support member 710 when it moves up and down in the mold moving mechanism 7 is constant, molds 4 of different thicknesses can be used, so there is a great degree of freedom regarding the thickness of the mold 4. For this reason, the injection molding machine 1 allows for efficient design of the mold 4 and can accommodate a variety of molded product shapes.

[0103] (Centering Mechanism) As shown in Figure 12, the mold 4 is placed on the upper surface of the first table 711 with the resin filling port 46 facing upward, so the mold 4 can move on the upper surface of the first table 711 in any direction perpendicular to the central axis L0, L46 direction (in this embodiment, either left and right horizontally, or front and back). The mold 4 has a concave curved surface 450 near the resin filling port 46, and the resin filling port 46 is located at the center of the concave curved surface 450. The tip portion of the injection cylinder 51 where the nozzle 511 is formed has a convex curved surface 511a corresponding to the concave curved surface 450 of the mold 4, and the nozzle 511 opens at the center of the convex curved surface 511a. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the concave curved surface 450 near the resin filling port 46 of the mold 4 is slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 511a where the nozzle 511 is formed. In addition, the inner diameter of the concave curved surface 450 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the convex curved surface 511a.

[0104] Therefore, the injection molding machine 1 is equipped with a centering mechanism in which, as the mold support member 710 moves from the standby position P1 to the nozzle touch position P2, the mold 4 moves along a direction perpendicular to the central axis L0, L46, thereby accurately aligning the nozzle 511 with the mold 4. Furthermore, since the manual levers 72 are located on both sides, in the centering mechanism, the mold 4 moves via the mold support member 710 by operating the manual levers 72 located on both sides, thereby accurately aligning the mold 4 with the nozzle 511.

[0105] More specifically, in the process of the mold support member 710 moving to the nozzle touch position P2, the mold 4 is pressed further upward even after touching the nozzle 511, as indicated by arrow V. Here, if the central axis L46 of the resin filling port 46 and the central axis L0 of the nozzle 511 are misaligned when the mold support member 710 is in the standby position P1, then, in synchronization with the above pressing, the concave curved surface 450 of the mold 4 near the resin filling port 46 is pressed and moved in a direction perpendicular to the central axis L46, i.e., horizontally, as indicated by arrow H, by the convex curved surface 511a of the tip portion of the injection cylinder 51 where the nozzle 511 is formed.

[0106] As a result, the concave curved surface of the mold 4 and the convex curved surface 511a of the tip of the nozzle 511 move along each other's curved surfaces, causing the mold 4 to move in a direction perpendicular to the central axis L46, and the central axis L0 of the resin filling port 46 is automatically precisely aligned. At this time, the movement of the mold support member 710 to the nozzle touch position P2 is performed by a manual lever 72, allowing for fine adjustments.

[0107] (Operation) Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the injection molding machine 1 shown in Figure 1. The operation of the injection molding machine 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 13, as well as the display on the monitor 35 located on the front surface 31 of the cover 3.

[0108] In the injection molding machine 1, when performing resin molding for the first time, the user first sets the temperature of the injection cylinder 51 at the first temperature setting unit 810 on the front surface 31 of the cover 3 shown in Figure 1, and sets the temperature of the first table 711 of the mold support member 710 at the second temperature setting unit 820.

[0109] Next, the user loads the resin material according to the procedure shown in Figure 8. Then, after setting the mold 4 on the upper surface of the mold support member 710 in the standby position P1, the user operates the manual levers 72 on both the left and right sides, which were tilted diagonally towards the back, to tilt diagonally towards the front, thereby moving the mold support member 710 to near the nozzle touch position P2. In this state, the user adjusts the height position at which the mold support member 710 is fixed using the adjustment mechanism 77, which was described with reference to Figure 11.

[0110] Next, the user operates the manual lever 72 to tilt it diagonally towards the back, moving the mold support member 710 to the standby position P1. Then, the user waits in the first temperature setting unit 810 until the temperature of the injection cylinder 51 reaches the set temperature, and in the second temperature setting unit 820 until the temperature of the mold support member 710 reaches the set temperature.

[0111] Then, after the temperature of the injection cylinder 51 reaches the set temperature and the second temperature setting unit 820 confirms that the temperature of the mold support member 710 has reached the set temperature, the injection process shown in Figure 13 is executed.

[0112] In Figure 13, in the first step ST1, the user operates the manual levers 72 on both the left and right sides, which were tilted diagonally towards the back, to tilt diagonally towards the front, thereby moving the mold support member 710 from the standby position P1 to the nozzle touch position P2, and touching the mold 4 to the nozzle 511.

[0113] Next, in the first half of the second step, ST2a, the user holds the manual lever 72 tilted diagonally towards the user and operates the manual switch 57 to cause the plunger 52 to move forward via the fluid pressure cylinder 53, injecting the molten resin material in the injection cylinder 51 from the nozzle 511 into the mold 4. More specifically, the user continues to press both manual switches 57 located on the left and right manual levers 72. As a result, the solenoid valve unit 56 controls the fluid pressure cylinder 53, moving the plunger 52 downward and injecting the molten resin material in the injection cylinder 51 from the nozzle 511 into the mold 4.

[0114] In the latter half of the second process, ST2b, even after the plunger 52 has moved downward, the user continues to press both the left and right manual switches 57 for a while to maintain pressure on the resin material.

[0115] Next, in the third step ST3, the user operates the manual switch 57 again to cause the plunger 52 to move backward via the fluid pressure cylinder 53. More specifically, the user releases pressure on at least one of the manual switches 57 located on the left and right manual levers 72. As a result, the solenoid valve unit 56 controls the fluid pressure cylinder 53 and raises the plunger 52.

[0116] Then, the user operates the manual lever 72, which was tilted diagonally towards the user, to tilt it diagonally towards the user, moving the mold support member 710 from the nozzle touch position P2 to the standby position P1, and removes the mold 4. Then, the user removes the screw 43 from the mold 4 to separate the first mold member 41 and the second mold member 42, and removes the molded product from inside. From there, the injection process is repeated while appropriately adding resin material.

[0117] In conjunction with these operations, the current position of the plunger 52 is displayed on the monitor 35 shown in Figures 1 and 2 by a mark 350. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, on the monitor 35, in the first step ST1, the mark 350 is at position D1, in the second step ST2, the mark 350 moves from position D1 to position D2, and in the third step ST3, the mark 350 returns from position D2 to position D1.

[0118] During this time, if the amount of resin material in the injection cylinder 51 decreases significantly, the plunger 52 will descend below its set position, causing the mark 350 on the monitor 35 to move from position D2 to position D3. Therefore, by monitoring the mark 350 on the monitor 35, it is easy to determine whether or not the injection is proceeding normally.

[0119] According to the injection molding machine 1 configured in this way, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (Ethylene-VinylAcetate) It is possible to mold general-purpose plastics such as copolymer (EVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

[0120] Furthermore, the injection molding machine 1 can also mold engineering plastics such as polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyamide (PA), polyoxymethylene (POM), and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC).

[0121] Furthermore, it is possible to mold sustainable materials such as Cellblen, Rice Resin, LIMEX, Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA), Polybutylene Succinate (PBS), and Cellulose Acetate Resin. In addition, the injection molding machine 1 allows for insert molding in addition to general molding.

[0122] (Main Effects of Embodiment 1) As described above, the injection molding machine 1 does not perform mold clamping, which has relatively little effect on molding accuracy, but instead sets a pre-clamped mold 4 into the injection molding machine 1, so there is no need to provide a mold clamping mechanism in the injection molding machine 1. Furthermore, the operation for nozzle contact and the control of the timing of operation of the fluid pressure cylinder 53 are performed manually using the manual lever 72 and manual switch 57. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, making the injection molding machine 1 smaller and reducing costs. Moreover, when nozzle contact is performed, the mold 4 is moved without moving the heavy injection cylinder 51. Therefore, even when performing nozzle contact manually, a large amount of force is not required, making it very easy to use.

[0123] Furthermore, while the injection molding machine 1 employs the manual method described above, a fluid pressure cylinder 53 is used to drive the plunger 52. Therefore, the pressing force of the plunger 52, which affects the injection pressure, can be controlled, enabling high molding accuracy. In addition, even when it is necessary to increase the injection pressure, there is no need to apply a large amount of force manually, making it easy to use.

[0124] Furthermore, during nozzle contact, the mold 4 is moved by contact with the tip of the nozzle 511 to perform centering, aligning the opening of the nozzle 511 with the resin filling port 46 of the mold 4, thus ensuring high molding accuracy. Moreover, since the mold 4 is moved during centering, unlike configurations that move the injection cylinder 51, it does not require a large mechanism for centering, does not require much force, does not damage the mold 4, and is easy to use.

[0125] Furthermore, in the injection molding machine 1, a vertical type is adopted as an embodiment, so the clamped mold 4 is placed on the upper surface of the first table 711 of the mold support member 710. As a result, the mold 4 can move on the upper surface of the first table 711 of the mold support member 710 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis L46 direction, so a complex mechanism is not required for centering when the nozzle touches. Therefore, the configuration of the injection molding machine 1 can be simplified, and thus the injection molding machine 1 can be made smaller.

[0126] Thus, with the injection molding machine 1, even when a manual system is adopted for miniaturization, it is possible to provide an injection molding machine 1 and an injection molding method that offer high molding accuracy and ease of use. For example, an injection molding machine 1 with a width of 624 mm, a depth of 345 mm, a height of 910 mm, and a weight of 100 kg can be realized.

[0127] Furthermore, in the injection molding machine 1, when the nozzle touches the mold, the injection cylinder 51 is not pressed against the mold 4, but rather the mold 4 is raised to touch the nozzle 511, so that excessive load is not applied to the mold 4. Therefore, damage to the mold 4 can be suppressed. Also, since excessive load is not applied to the mold 4, a resin mold made with a 3D printer can be used.

[0128] Furthermore, since the injection molding machine 1 uses two fluid pressure cylinders 53, smaller fluid pressure cylinders 53 can be used. Therefore, the fluid pressure cylinders 53 can be placed in the empty space on both sides of the injection cylinder 51, and the fluid pressure cylinders 53 and the injection cylinder 51 can be placed side by side. Consequently, the space occupied by the fluid pressure cylinders 53 and the injection cylinder 51 can be reduced, thus enabling miniaturization of the injection molding machine 1.

[0129] Furthermore, by controlling the temperature of the injection cylinder 51, the temperature of the resin material inside the cylinder hole 512 is controlled, and by controlling the temperature of the first table 711 of the mold support member 710, the temperature of the mold 4 is controlled. Therefore, a stable injection process can be performed, resulting in high molding accuracy. The first heater 81 that heats the injection cylinder 51 is a cartridge heater located inside the body wall 515 of the injection cylinder 51. The second heater 82 that heats the first table 711 is a cartridge heater located inside the first table 711. Therefore, compared to cases where heaters are arranged around the injection cylinder 51 and the mold support member 710, the efficiency of heat utilization can be increased and space can be saved. Therefore, the injection molding machine 1 can be made smaller.

[0130] [Embodiment 2] Figure 14 is a front view of an injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 2 has the same basic configuration as the injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to both embodiments, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0131] In the injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 1, a regulator, which acts as a fluid pressure setting unit to control the pressing force by the plunger 52 by setting the fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure cylinder 53, was not provided in the injection molding machine 1. In contrast, as shown in Figure 14, the injection molding machine 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has a regulator, which acts as a fluid pressure setting unit 830, provided on the left side of the cover 3. Therefore, since the pressure can be set on the injection molding machine 1 side, it is easy to change the pressure, etc.

[0132] [Other Embodiments] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0133] For example, in the above embodiment, a push-button switch was used as the manual switch 57, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a snap switch may be used. In the above embodiment, a cartridge heater was used as the first heater 81, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a band heater or the like may be used. In the above embodiment, a pneumatic cylinder was used as the fluid pressure cylinder 53, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a hydraulic cylinder may be used.

[0134] In the above embodiment, if the mold 4 is larger than the first table 711 or if the resin filling port 46 is not in the center, the mold 4 placed on the first table 711 may also be supported on the second table 712.

[0135] In the above embodiment, the present invention was applied to a vertical injection molding machine 1, but the present invention may also be applied to a horizontal injection molding machine.

[0136] The injection molding machine according to the present invention can be miniaturized by simplifying its structure by manually performing operations that have relatively little impact on molding accuracy. Furthermore, since there is no need to move a heavy injection cylinder when touching the nozzle, it does not require much force even when manually touching the nozzle, resulting in excellent usability. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when a manual system is adopted for miniaturization, it is possible to realize an injection molding machine and injection molding method that have high molding accuracy and excellent usability, and such an injection molding machine is suitable for use in small-scale production and prototyping in research departments.

[0137] 1 Injection molding machine, 2 Machine stand, 3 Cover, 4 Mold, 5 Injection mechanism, 6 Resin material input section, 7 Mold movement mechanism, 21 Frame, 35 Monitor, 36 Ventilation port, 40 Internal cavity, 41 First mold component, 42 Second mold component, 43 Screw, 46 Resin filling port, 51 Injection cylinder, 51a Nozzle component, 51b Cylinder body, 51c Lubricating plating film, 52 Plunger, 53 Fluid pressure cylinder, 54 Connecting component, 56 Solenoid valve unit, 57 Manual switch, 60 Drawer, 63 Bottom, 67 Shielding plate, 72 Manual lever, 73 Support shaft, 74 Lifting rod, 75 Toggle mechanism, 76 Connecting shaft, 77 Adjustment mechanism, 78 Guide shaft, 80 Cooling fan, 81 First heater, 82 Second heater, 215a Holding hole, 215b 420 Protrusion, 450 Concave curved surface, 511 Nozzle, 511a Convex curved surface, 512 Cylinder hole, 513 Resin material receiving port, 514 Flat part, 515 Body wall, 516 Fixing part, 517 Constricted part, 531 Rod, 631 Drop-off port, 710 Mold support member, 711 First table, 712 Second table, 713 Fixing plate, 730 Square or hexagonal part, 733 Lifting block, 721 Grip part, 751 Plate-shaped cam, 752 Disc, 753 Lever, 810 First temperature setting part, 820 Second temperature setting part, 830 Fluid pressure setting part, P1 Standby position, P2 Nozzle touch position, ST1 First process, ST2a First half of the second process, ST2b Second half of the second process, ST3 Third process

Claims

1. An injection molding machine comprising: a resin material input section into which resin material is introduced; a cylindrical injection cylinder having a nozzle opening at its tip, a cylinder hole communicating with the nozzle, and a resin material receiving port for receiving the resin material supplied from the resin material input section into the cylinder hole at a position axially separated from the nozzle; a plunger movable axially within the cylinder hole; a fluid pressure cylinder for driving the plunger; a manual switch for causing the plunger to perform a forward movement approaching the nozzle and a backward movement away from the nozzle by the fluid pressure cylinder; a mold support member for supporting a mold having an internal cavity; and a mold moving mechanism having a manual lever for operating the mold support member along the axial direction of the injection cylinder between a standby position where the mold is separated from the nozzle and a nozzle touch position where the mold touches the nozzle.

2. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that two fluid pressure cylinders are provided on both sides of the injection cylinder, and the rods of the two fluid pressure cylinders are each connected to the plunger via a connecting member.

3. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a first heater for heating the portion of the injection cylinder between the nozzle and the resin material receiving port; a first temperature setting unit for setting the temperature of the injection cylinder; a second heater for heating the mold support member; and a second temperature setting unit for setting the temperature of the mold support member.

4. The injection molding machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the injection cylinder has a constricted portion between the resin material receiving port and the portion heated by the first heater.

5. The injection molding machine according to claim 3, further comprising a cooling fan that blows air toward the outer surface between the resin material receiving port and the portion of the injection cylinder heated by the first heater.

6. The injection molding machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the first heater is a cartridge heater disposed inside the body wall of the injection cylinder.

7. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid pressure setting unit that controls the pressing force by the plunger by setting the fluid pressure supplied to the fluid pressure cylinder.

8. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that covers the front of the injection cylinder and a drawer that is movable in and out of the cover, wherein the drawer constitutes the resin material input section.

9. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the resin material is in the form of pellets, chips, or granules.

10. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the manual switch is a push-button switch provided on the grip portion of the manual lever.

11. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the manual levers are arranged on both the left and right sides, and the manual levers on both the left and right sides are operated simultaneously when moving the mold support member.

12. The injection molding machine according to claim 11, wherein each of the manual levers on the left and right sides has a manual switch, and in the fluid pressure cylinder, when both of the manual switches on the left and right sides are pressed, the plunger performs the forward movement, and thereafter, when the pressure on at least one of the manual switches on the left and right sides is released, the plunger performs the backward movement.

13. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the mold moving mechanism has a toggle mechanism that amplifies the movement of the manual lever and transmits it to the mold support member.

14. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the injection cylinder is arranged vertically such that the nozzle faces downward, and the mold support member includes a first table on which the mold, which has a resin filling port communicating with the internal cavity facing upward, is placed on its upper surface, and a second table positioned to surround the first table, wherein the upper surface of the first table is higher than the upper surface of the second table.

15. The injection molding machine according to claim 14, wherein the mold moving mechanism includes a support shaft extending vertically below the mold support member and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height position at which the mold support member is fixed to the support shaft, and the mold moving mechanism is characterized in that the mold support member moves between the standby position and the nozzle touch position as the support shaft moves vertically in response to the operation of the manual lever.

16. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a centering mechanism in which, during the process of the mold support member moving from the standby position to the nozzle touch position, the mold moves along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, thereby accurately aligning the nozzle and the mold.

17. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the mold includes a first mold member, a second mold member, and screws for fastening the first mold member and the second mold member together.

18. The injection molding machine according to claim 17, wherein the mold includes a sprue bush that is detachable from the mold member located on the nozzle side among the first mold member and the second mold member, and the sprue bush touches the nozzle when the mold support member moves to the nozzle touch position.

19. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the injection cylinder comprises a nozzle component having the nozzle and a cylindrical cylinder body to which the nozzle component can be attached and detached, and the outer shape of the nozzle component has at least one pair of parallel surfaces when viewed along the axial direction.

20. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder bore of the injection cylinder is coated with a lubricating plating film.

21. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a frame having a retaining hole for holding the outer peripheral portion of the tip side of the injection cylinder, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the tip side of the injection cylinder is held in the retaining hole with only a portion of it in the circumferential direction in contact with the frame.

22. The injection molding machine according to 21, wherein the injection cylinder is cylindrical, and the portion of the outer surface of the injection cylinder located inside the retaining hole has a planar portion in which a part of the circumferential direction is linearly cut out when viewed along the axial direction, and the frame has a projection that contacts the planar portion in the retaining hole.

23. The injection molding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor that displays the current position of the plunger.

24. An injection molding machine comprising: a nozzle attached to the tip of an injection cylinder; a mold support member supporting a mold having a resin filling port communicating with an internal cavity; and a mold moving mechanism having a manual lever for operating the mold support member along the axial direction of the injection cylinder between a standby position where the mold is separated from the nozzle and a nozzle touch position where the mold touches the nozzle, wherein the injection molding machine is further characterized by comprising a centering mechanism in which, during the process of the mold support member moving from the standby position to the nozzle touch position, the mold moves along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction so that the nozzle and the mold are accurately aligned.

25. The injection molding machine according to 24, wherein the manual levers are arranged on each side, and in the centering mechanism, the mold moves via the mold support member by operating the manual levers arranged on both sides, thereby accurately aligning the mold and the nozzle.

26. An injection molding method comprising: a resin material input section into which resin material is introduced; a cylindrical injection cylinder having a nozzle opening at its tip, a cylinder hole communicating with the nozzle, and a resin material receiving port for receiving the resin material supplied from the resin material input section into the cylinder hole at a position axially separated from the nozzle; a plunger movable axially within the cylinder hole; a fluid pressure cylinder for driving the plunger; a manual switch for causing the plunger to perform a forward movement approaching the nozzle and a backward movement away from the nozzle by the fluid pressure cylinder; a mold support member for supporting a mold having an internal cavity; and a mold moving mechanism having a manual lever for operating the mold support member along the axial direction of the injection cylinder between a standby position where the mold is separated from the nozzle and a nozzle touch position where the mold touches the nozzle, the method comprising: a first step of operating the manual lever to move the mold support member from the standby position to the nozzle touch position; An injection molding method characterized by: a second step of operating the manual switch to cause the plunger to perform the forward movement by the fluid pressure cylinder, thereby injecting the resin material molten in the injection cylinder from the nozzle into the internal cavity; and a third step of operating the manual switch again to cause the plunger to perform the backward movement by the fluid pressure cylinder.

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