Injection Molding Mold Positioning via Under-Mold Imaging Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators face difficulties in safely and efficiently transporting molds between the stationary and moving platens of an injection molding machine due to the risk of interference with obstacles, requiring skilled crane operation and increased time for loading.
Innovation Solution
A display system that includes an imaging unit to capture the mold's position from below and a display unit to show the carry-in route, allowing operators to guide the mold into place without interference with obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the operator manually operates the crane to transport the mold from a distance, then the mold can be transported into the injection molding machine, but the operator cannot properly grasp the carry-in course and may cause interference with obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
A display device is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the mold transport process. The display device shows the position of the mold and the carry-in course, allowing the operator to indirectly observe and control the transport process without being physically close to the mold, thus solving the problem of operator control difficulty while maintaining safe transport
Solution Approach 2:
The display device provides real-time feedback to the operator about the mold's position and the carry-in course. This feedback mechanism enables the operator to make informed decisions and adjustments during the transport process, ensuring safe operation while maintaining ease of control from a distance
2Reliability
If the operator carefully operates the crane to avoid interference with obstacles, then the mold can be safely positioned, but the loading process takes excessive time
Solution Approach 1:
The carry-in course is predetermined and displayed on the display device before the actual transport begins. This preliminary action allows the operator to plan the transport path in advance, reducing the time needed for careful, trial-and-error positioning while ensuring the mold follows a safe, obstacle-free path
Solution Approach 2:
The display device acts as a mediator that provides the operator with precise information about the mold's position and the optimal carry-in course. This intermediary system enables faster, more accurate positioning without requiring the operator to perform slow, careful manual adjustments, thus improving loading speed while maintaining damage-free operation
3Manufacturing precision
If the operator positions the mold precisely to avoid interference with obstacles, then the mold can be safely loaded, but the operator cannot properly grasp the carry-in course from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The display device serves as an intermediary that captures and transmits visual information about the mold's position and the carry-in course to the operator. This intermediary system compensates for the operator's distance from the mold, providing the necessary visual information to achieve precise positioning without direct line-of-sight
Solution Approach 2:
The display device creates a visual copy or representation of the mold's position and the carry-in course. This copy provides the operator with the information needed to make precise positioning decisions, effectively replicating the visual information that would be available if the operator were close to the mold
Data Source
AI summary
A display system includes: an imaging unit that images a mold from below; and a display unit that displays an image taken by the imaging unit together with a carry-in range of the mold in order to transport the mold in place between the stationary platen and the moving platen.