Injection Molding Data Acquisition With Controller Load Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The processing capacity of controllers in industrial machines is limited, restricting the number of data types that can be acquired, making it difficult for users to set desired data as acquisition targets.

Innovation Solution

An injection molding machine system with a control unit that includes a data acquisition unit to collect and record operation state data and a setting unit to set target data in response to user requests, along with a display unit that shows processing load information, allowing users to easily select acquisition target data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the controller acquires more types of data relating to operation state, then the user can obtain more comprehensive operation information, but the processing capacity of the controller becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of operation state dataVSAvoidprocessing capacity of controller
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data acquisition function from the control function by introducing a separate data acquisition unit that can independently collect and store operation state data without burdening the main controller, thereby preserving processing capacity while enabling comprehensive data collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary storage unit that acts as a buffer between the data acquisition unit and the controller. This intermediary component allows the controller to acquire comprehensive operation state data through the storage unit without directly processing all data, thus maintaining processing capacity while improving information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user can set more types of acquisition target data, then the flexibility and adaptability of the system improves, but it becomes difficult for the user to know how many types of data can be set due to limited processing capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in setting acquisition target dataVSAvoidvisibility of available data types to user
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the display unit shows processing load information to the user when acquisition target data is being set. This feedback allows the user to understand the current processing capacity status and make informed decisions about which data types to acquire, thereby maintaining system adaptability while improving information visibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service information display that automatically shows the processing load state and available data types to the user without requiring complex queries or configurations. This enables users to independently understand system capabilities and set acquisition targets appropriately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3957460B1Injection molding machine system and controller for industrial machinery
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3957460B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3957460B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3957460B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Provided is a technique by which a user can more easily setting acquisition target data when data relating to an operation state of an industrial machine is acquired and provided for the user. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an injection molding machine system SYS including an injection molding machine 1 having a control unit 700 including having a data acquisition unit 7002B that acquires acquisition target data form operation data of the own injection molding machine and records the acquisition target data in a data storage unit 7003B, and a data collection setting unit 7001A that sets the acquisition target data, and a display unit 760 that displays a state of a processing load relating to data acquisition before and after the acquisition target data is set, or either before or after the acquisition target data is set, in a case where the data collection setting unit 7001A sets the acquisition target data. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a data collection controller 700B including the data acquisition unit 7002B that acquires the operation data of the injection molding machine 1 and records the acquired data in the data storage unit 7003B, and the data acquisition unit 7002B is provided separately from a control controller 700C.