Automated Mold Data Record Generation for Injection Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for injection molding require manual creation and handling of mold data sheets, leading to frequent errors and incorrect settings during tooling changes, resulting in rejects and potential damage to industrial installations.
Innovation Solution
A method where connected production resources automatically generate and display a mold data record, which includes settings and configurations, allowing for automatic assignment of parameters and eliminating the need for manual selection, thereby preventing mix-ups and ensuring correct connections and settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual creation and handling of mold data sheets is used, then flexibility in adapting to different production resources is maintained, but errors and incorrect settings occur frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically queries production resources, retrieves their data, and generates mold data records without human intervention. The control device performs self-service by autonomously collecting information from connected production resources and creating the necessary documentation, eliminating manual errors while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-queries and stores data from production resources before actual production begins. By performing the data collection and mold data record generation in advance, the system ensures accurate settings are ready before tooling changes or production starts, preventing errors that would occur with manual last-minute configuration.
2Productivity
If manual creation of mold data sheets is performed, then adaptability to various production resources is possible, but time is lost in manual processes
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical process of creating and updating mold data sheets is replaced by an automated electronic system. The control device electronically queries production resources, retrieves their current settings and data, and automatically generates updated mold data records, eliminating the time-consuming manual copying and configuration processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous connection with production resources through the network, allowing real-time or near-real-time data retrieval and mold data record updates. This continuous automated process eliminates interruptions and delays associated with manual data collection and processing, keeping the system constantly ready for production.
3Reliability
If manual settings and configurations are made on production resources, then flexibility in adjustment is maintained, but incorrect combinations of production resources occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically queries production resources to retrieve their current settings, data, and status information. This feedback mechanism ensures the system has accurate, up-to-date information about each production resource's configuration, enabling correct combination and preventing mismatches that would occur with manual settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal automated solution that works with various types of production resources (injection molding machines, peripheral devices, etc.) through standardized network communication. The control device can automatically handle different resource types without requiring specialized manual configuration procedures, simplifying operation while ensuring correct combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for viewing and selecting production resources, in particular peripheral devices, for the injection molding industry, which are organized in at least one work cell for producing an injection-molded part and connected to one another via a network. Following a manual storage request on a control device, in particular a work cell controller, or on a production resource, in particular a processing machine, all connected production resources are queried and defined data, such as the respective settings, as well as program sequences, formulations and other configurations, are read out from these and, together with the internal settings, in particular those of the processing machine, combined to form a mold data record for this injection-molded part. A listing of production resources for the injection-molded part producible on this processing machine can be automatically generated from the mold data record and displayed at an output location, preferably of the processing machine.