GB2124967A

GB2124967A - Mould identification

Info

Publication number: GB2124967A
Application number: GB08222535A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Thorne
Original assignee: HAMILTON MACHINERY SALES LIMIT
Current assignee: HAMILTON MACHINERY SALES LIMIT
Priority date: 1982-08-04
Filing date: 1982-08-04
Publication date: 1984-02-29
Also published as: GB2124967B

Abstract

A mould identification system is described in which a magnetic coding is applied to the mould. The system comprises a code made of a pattern of slots or recesses which can be read by a probe in a manner analageous to an optical bar code system. The slots or recesses can be machined in the mould surface. Instead of slots magnetic ink can be used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mould identification This invention relates to production control of moulding machines.

In the microprocessor control of moulding machines, various degrees of sophistication are possible. In the simplest off-line possibility a memory store can provide setting data for a particular moulding operation when the operation is identified.

In practice, the mould is (with certain exceptions) unique to the operation, and identification of the mould may be sufficient for the memory to provide the data. If not, identification of the mould and the machine with which it is to be used will be sufficient, or perhaps in some cases where a mould can be used with different inserts, then three items need to be identified, namely the inserts, the mould and the machine.

In the most sophisticated on-line possibility, the microprocessor may not only provide the setting data, but may actually control the operation, but again the combination of up to three items are to be identified in order to select the particular programme from the total memory store.

Conventional apparatus which is or may have been thought suitable for this purpose uses a bar code optically read by a light pen, such codes being fixed to the parts in question.

Whilst optically read bar codes are no doubt satisfactory for many uses, they are found to be unsatisfactory in manufacturing operations particularly where grease and dirt are inevitably present.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in this respect.

According to the invention mould identification in production control is characterised by the use of a magnetic coding of at least the mould.

The magnetic coding may be provided by magnetic ink, or by magnetic code plates fixed to the parts in question, but it is preferred to machine the steel of the mould (etc) to provide a pattern of slots or recesses to provide the coding. Then, when the scanner is moved over the pattern of slots, the read-out can be effective even if the slots have become filled with dirt and grease.

Preferably the mould, any inserts, and the machine are all so coded.

Any desired code may be employed, but essentially all that is required is a unique identification number for each mould, machine and inserts. Depending upon the size of the organisation using the system, a code of three digits or more may be utilized.

The invention may be used in any situation where mould identification is required, and is of particular value in injection moulding of plastics materials.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic and perspective view showing an operative holding a probe to move the same over a magnetic bar code so as to read the code; and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the actual code in the form of slots machined into the metal surface of the mould or like.

The width of the slots machined, and/or the width of the lands left between the slots can be used as the code in the manner analogeous to optical bar codes.

1. A mould identification system for production control characterised by the use of a magnetic coding on the mould.

2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the coding is provided by magnetic ink.

3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the code is provided by a system of slots or recesses in a steel part.

4. A system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the slots or recesses are provided in the mould per se.

5. A system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the slots or recesses are provided in a plate attached to the mould.

6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the code is applied to one or more mould inserts.

7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the code is applied to a moulding machine to which the mould is to be used.

8. A mould identification system substantially as described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Mould identification This invention relates to production control of moulding machines. In the microprocessor control of moulding machines, various degrees of sophistication are possible. In the simplest off-line possibility a memory store can provide setting data for a particular moulding operation when the operation is identified. In practice, the mould is (with certain exceptions) unique to the operation, and identification of the mould may be sufficient for the memory to provide the data. If not, identification of the mould and the machine with which it is to be used will be sufficient, or perhaps in some cases where a mould can be used with different inserts, then three items need to be identified, namely the inserts, the mould and the machine. In the most sophisticated on-line possibility, the microprocessor may not only provide the setting data, but may actually control the operation, but again the combination of up to three items are to be identified in order to select the particular programme from the total memory store. Conventional apparatus which is or may have been thought suitable for this purpose uses a bar code optically read by a light pen, such codes being fixed to the parts in question. Whilst optically read bar codes are no doubt satisfactory for many uses, they are found to be unsatisfactory in manufacturing operations particularly where grease and dirt are inevitably present. The object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in this respect. According to the invention mould identification in production control is characterised by the use of a magnetic coding of at least the mould. The magnetic coding may be provided by magnetic ink, or by magnetic code plates fixed to the parts in question, but it is preferred to machine the steel of the mould (etc) to provide a pattern of slots or recesses to provide the coding. Then, when the scanner is moved over the pattern of slots, the read-out can be effective even if the slots have become filled with dirt and grease. Preferably the mould, any inserts, and the machine are all so coded. Any desired code may be employed, but essentially all that is required is a unique identification number for each mould, machine and inserts. Depending upon the size of the organisation using the system, a code of three digits or more may be utilized. The invention may be used in any situation where mould identification is required, and is of particular value in injection moulding of plastics materials. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic and perspective view showing an operative holding a probe to move the same over a magnetic bar code so as to read the code; and Figure 2 is a sectional elevation on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing the actual code in the form of slots machined into the metal surface of the mould or like. The width of the slots machined, and/or the width of the lands left between the slots can be used as the code in the manner analogeous to optical bar codes. CLAIMS

8. A mould identification system substantially as described.