CZ304771B6 - Method of monitoring number of strokes of pressing tools or molds and apparatus for making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring number of strokes of pressing tools or molds comprising a control unit that is connected with an information signal source of separate strokes of a pressing tool/mold and connected means for wireless transmission and record of an updated indication about the total number of strokes into a memory medium connected with the pressing tool/mold. The means for wireless transmission of the updated indication about the total number of strokes, connected to the control unit (4), are represented by a RFID reader (5) and a REJD antenna (3) located in the working space of the press. The memory medium connected with the pressing tool/mold (1) is represented by a memory of an identification RFID tag (2) attached to the pressing tool/mold (1). The REJD antenna (3) is attached in the press working space by magnetic means.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the number of strokes of RFID press tools and molds and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Monitoring and recording of strokes of dies and molds for timely and regular maintenance purposes is currently done by manually rewriting machine data into paper records recording the actual number of strokes of each dies or mold. The disadvantage of manual record keeping is the relatively frequent record errors caused by the human factor when rewriting and adding data.

Another alternative used is evidence with the support of information technology. In this case, the pressing tool / mold is uniquely identified by means of a barcode or RFID tag. The individual strokes are read directly from the press by a typically connected industrial PC or other device, and the number of strokes are transmitted north for each die / mold and kept in a central database. The disadvantage of this solution is the necessity of access to this database whenever it is necessary to find up-to-date data about a given press tool / mold. Another disadvantage is the necessity of network connectivity of all used presses to the enterprise network infrastructure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method of monitoring the number of strokes of the dies or molds according to the invention contributes to eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The press tool / mold is provided with an identification RFID tag and information about the individual press tool strokes that are captured during press operation is then recorded as an RFID reader controller and RFID antenna located in the press workspace as continuously updated total strokes directly in the RFID tag memory on the press tool / mold.

The apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention comprises an identification RFID tag attached to the die / mold and a control unit with an RFID reader and an RFID antenna attached. This control unit is also equipped with an input port for connecting an information signal source on individual press strokes.

The RFID tag located on the die or mold includes, in addition to the unique identification numbers, a user memory area for writing and maintaining the number of strokes of the die or mold.

The above-mentioned RFID antenna is located in the press working area and is connected to the RFID reader of the control unit located on the press. The antenna is used to read data from the RFID tag located on the press tool or mold and to write the number of strokes on this RFID tag. The control unit located on the press is equipped with an input to connect the source of information signal about individual press strokes. Preferably, the source may be a press communication interface or contactor contacts of the press motor or a mechanical movement sensor of the press.

The method according to the invention and the device for performing it eliminate the occurrence of errors caused by the human factor in the manual recording of strokes. The advantage of the technical solution is that each pressing tool or mold itself carries all the important data in the RFID tag memory. This data is available anywhere via an RFID reader with application without the need for network connectivity or access to a central database.

Overview of the drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for performing a method for monitoring the number of strokes of a mold in an exemplary injection molding application;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams of an apparatus for performing a method of monitoring the number of mold strokes of an injection molding machine with alternative press stroke information signal sources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

An example of a method for monitoring the number of strokes of dies is to monitor the number of strokes of the injection molding machines. A diagram of an apparatus for carrying out this method is shown in Fig. 1.

A control unit 4 with an connected RFID reader 5, an RFID antenna 3 and an input port 6 for connecting an information signal source about the individual press strokes is placed on the injection molding machine.

In an exemplary embodiment, a contactor contact 7, which switches the press spindle motor, is connected to the input port 6 of the control unit 4. This contact of the motor contactor 7 is closed twice with each stroke of the injection molding machine and serves as a source of information about the individual strokes of the press.

The RFID antenna 3 is magnetically mounted in the press space for communication between the RFID reader 5 of the control unit 4 and the RFID tag 2 located on the injection mold i. The RFID antenna 3 is connected by an antenna cable to the control unit 4.

Each injection mold 1 is identified by an identification RFID tag 2, which contains a user memory area for recording the current stroke number and the following preventive maintenance.

After inserting the injection mold 1 into the press working space, the control unit 4 automatically identifies the inserted injection mold I by means of the RFID reader 5 and the RFID antenna 3, stores its identification data in the memory of the control unit 4 and displays them on the control unit display. At the same time, the control unit also stores data on the current number of strokes of the injection mold 1 and the number of strokes for which subsequent preventive maintenance is planned. This data is also displayed on the display of the control unit 4. If subsequent preventive maintenance is approaching, the operator is notified of this by the control unit 4.

By connecting the input port 6 of the control unit 4 with the contacts of the contactor 7 of the injection molding motor, the control unit 4 acquires information about the individual strokes of the press, which counts into memory and writes the current number of strokes at RFID reader 5 at regular intervals. cue 2 placed on the injection mold i.

Example 2

Another diagram of the apparatus for performing the method of monitoring the number of strokes of molds in another possible application in injection molding machines is shown in Fig. in that the source of the information of the individual strokes of the press connected to the input port 6 of the control unit 4 is the mechanical movement sensor of the press 9.

Example 3

Another diagram of the apparatus for performing the method of monitoring the number of strokes of molds in another possible application in injection molding machines is shown in Fig. 3. The method of monitoring the number of strokes and the apparatus for its execution is in principle identical to Example 1. The difference is that the individual press strokes connected to the inlet port 6 of the control unit 4 is the injection press interface 8.

Industrial applicability

The method of monitoring the strokes of the dies and molds according to the invention can be used industrially for accurate and reliable recording of strokes of various dies and molds, in particular for the purpose of timely and correct performance of their regular preventive maintenance.

Claims (2)

PATENT CLAIMS A device for monitoring the number of strokes of dies or molds, comprising a control unit connected to an information signal of individual strokes of the dies / molds and associated means for wireless transmission and subsequently recording an updated total stroke data in a storage medium associated with the dies characterized in that the means for wireless transmission of the updated stroke data connected to the control unit (4) is an RFID reader (5) and an RFID antenna (3) located in the press working space and a storage medium connected to the press tool. form (1) is the memory of the identification RFID tag (2) attached to the press tool / mold (1). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the RFID antenna (3) is attached magnetically in the working space of the press.