Injection Molding Management System Operator Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional injection molding machine management systems fail to provide real-time visibility into the operating state of each machine and the position of operators within a molding factory, leading to inefficiencies in work instruction and resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
An injection molding machine management system that includes a server terminal and multiple machines connected communicably, with features for acquiring and displaying operator positional information, injection molding machine operating states, and generating a display screen showing the arrangement positions of machines and operators, allowing for real-time monitoring and work instruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional warning lamps and buzzers are installed on injection molding machines to notify operators, then operators can be alerted when work is required, but operators cannot recognize the need for work if they are not present near the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the notification system from a local, machine-mounted warning lamp/buzzer to a centralized management computer that displays information in a different spatial dimension (factory-wide view). The management computer aggregates data from multiple machines and presents it in a comprehensive interface, allowing operators to be notified of work requirements across the entire factory floor rather than requiring physical proximity to individual machines.
2Productivity
If one operator is in charge of multiple injection molding machines, then labor efficiency is improved, but the operator cannot handle work at multiple machines simultaneously when away from one machine
Solution Approach 1:
The management computer provides real-time feedback to operators about the status of multiple machines under their charge. The system continuously monitors machine states and immediately notifies operators of work requirements, enabling them to respond to multiple machines effectively even when physically present at only one location. This feedback loop maintains reliability while supporting multi-machine management.
3Loss of information
If centralized management systems display operating status of multiple machines, then factory managers can understand overall operation state, but they cannot perform appropriate work instructions without operator position information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate information systems into a single integrated management computer interface. It combines machine operating status data, operator position information, and work history into one unified display. This consolidation allows factory managers to simultaneously view the operational state of multiple machines and the real-time positions of operators, enabling immediate and appropriate work instructions without requiring separate information gathering steps.
4Device complexity
If no operator position tracking system is implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but factory managers cannot identify the nearest operator for work instructions
Solution Approach 1:
The management computer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors machine operating status, tracks operator positions, stores work history, and provides work instruction capabilities. By making the management computer universal and multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated tracking devices while still achieving efficient work instruction delivery based on real-time operator positioning data.
Data Source
AI summary
It is made possible to understand the operating states of each injection molding machine (1) and the position of each operator within a molding factory at a glance and in real-time. An injection molding machine management system (100) displays the position of each injection molding machine (1) and the position of each operator within a molding factory, based on positional information of each injection molding machine (1) within the molding factory stored in advance in a storage unit (21), and operator positional information of each operator acquired by an operator positional information acquisition part (201).