JP2003225925A - Molding cycle setting device and molding cycle controlling device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate setting of a molding cycle necessary for a molding machine to finish one molding. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of lines are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the cross direction respectively in the shape of a lattice, molding action command items different from each other are allotted to each line in one direction, action order is alloted in turn to each line in the other direction, and a molding cycle setting scope 30 in which the intersection of each line is made an action command button BT in the order allotted to the line in the other direction of the molding action command items respectively allotted to the line in one direction is displayed on a touch panel. Information on the presence/absence of an action command is stored in each action command button BT. When the inputted information of the action command button BT is the information on the absence of the action command, it is changed over to the information on the presence of the action command. When the inputted information is the information on the presence of the action command, it is changed over to the information on the absence of the action command. The information on the presence/absence of action command button BT is held as molding cycle setting information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a molding cycle setting device used for setting a molding cycle necessary for performing one molding in a molding process, and a molding cycle set by the molding cycle setting device. The present invention relates to a molding cycle control device that controls a molding operation of a molding machine based on the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Molding methods for fluidizing a molding material such as plastic by applying heat and pressure and shaping it into a predetermined shape by using a mold include injection molding method, extrusion molding method and compression molding method. There are various methods such as molding method. In these molding processes, one cycle of molding operation required to complete one molding is called a molding cycle. For example, in the injection molding method, one molding cycle is constituted by mold clamping, injection of a molding material, holding pressure, cooling of a molded product, and extrusion (mold release) of a molded product.

By the way, in the injection molding process, an injection molding machine having a plurality of injection units is used to sequentially inject molding materials of different colors and materials into respective molds, and to mold the molds. By inserting / removing one or a plurality of cores provided at appropriate timing, various molded products in which multiple colors or multiple materials are combined can be obtained. Such a molding processing method is called a multicolor molding processing method, and an injection molding machine is called a multicolor injection molding machine.

In the multicolor molding process using this multicolor injection molding machine, the order and timing of the injection operation and the core operation of each injection unit may be different depending on the molded product in one molding cycle. . Therefore, it is necessary to set a molding cycle for each molded product. Therefore, conventionally, a program for controlling the molding cycle is created for each molded product, and these programs are set in advance in the control device (controller) of the multicolor injection molding machine. Then, various moldings are processed and produced by selectively operating the multicolor injection molding machine in a molding cycle corresponding to the moldings.

[0005]

As described above, conventionally, since a program for controlling the molding cycle for each product was created and set in the control device to operate the molding machine, the programming technique for setting the molding cycle was used. However, only those with specialized knowledge were required, which required a great deal of labor and cost. Moreover, it was not possible to quickly respond to changes in the molding cycle.

The present invention has been made under such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a molding cycle setting device and a molding cycle setting device capable of quickly and easily setting a molding cycle adapted to a molded product at low cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a molding cycle control device capable of controlling the molding operation of the molding machine based on the formed molding cycle.

[0007]

The molding cycle setting device of the present invention is provided with a display means, a button information storage means, a button input detection means, a button information switching means, and a molding cycle holding means to solve the above problems. It was done.
The display means arranges a plurality of lines in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction in a grid pattern, assigns different molding operation command items to each line in one direction, and sequentially assigns an operation order to each line in the other direction. Then, the molding cycle setting screen is displayed in which the intersections of the respective lines are used as the operation command buttons in the order of the molding operation command items allocated to the line in the one direction in the order allocated to the lines in the other direction. The button information storage means stores information on whether or not there is an operation command for each operation command button on the molding cycle setting screen. The button input detection means detects the input of each operation command button displayed on the molding cycle setting screen. The button information switching means, when the information stored by the button information storage means of the operation command button whose input is detected by the button input detection means is the operation command non-existing information, the operation command existing information is displayed.
When the information is the operation command present, it is switched to the information without the operation command. The molding cycle holding means holds the operation command presence / absence information of each operation command button stored by the button information storage means as setting information of the molding cycle.

In the present invention, preferably, each operation command button is displayed on the molding cycle setting screen so that the information stored by the button information storage means can be discriminated from the information having the operation command and the information having no operation command. The button display control means for displaying is provided.

Also, the button information storage means stores, on condition that the setting end of the molding cycle is judged from the information stored in the button information storage means and the setting end is judged by this end judgment means. It is convenient to include a holding control unit that holds the operation command presence / absence information of each operation command button as setting information of the molding cycle by the molding cycle holding unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display means and the button input detection means are composed of a touch panel.

On the other hand, the molding cycle control device of the present invention is
In addition to the display means, the button information storage means, the button input detection means, the button information switching means, and the molding cycle holding means, there is operation command presence information in order from the molding cycle setting information held by the molding cycle holding means A molding cycle control means for acquiring the molding operation command item of the set operation command button and executing the molding operation of the molding operation command item is provided.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the molding cycle setting function and the molding cycle control function of the present invention are applied to the control device of the multicolor injection molding machine including the four-system injection unit and the three-system core device. This is the case.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the multicolor injection molding machine 1 and its control device 2. The multicolor injection molding machine 1 and the control device 2 are both provided with communication interfaces 10 and 20 of the same protocol, and a predetermined communication cable 3 is connected between them so that data signals can be transmitted and received between them. ing.

The multicolor injection molding machine 1 includes a mold clamping device 11 and a center injection unit 1 in addition to the communication interface 10.
2, right side injection unit 13, upper injection unit 1
4, left side injection unit 15, first core device 16,
Second core device 17, third core device 18, extrusion device 1
It is equipped with 9 mag.

The mold clamping device 11 is for opening and closing the mold, and includes a fixed die plate for mounting the fixed mold, a movable die plate for mounting the movable mold, and a movable die plate in the axial direction of the multicolor injection molding machine 1. It is equipped with a moving mechanism for advancing and tightening and opening and closing the mold.

Each of the injection units 12 to 15 plasticizes a molding material and injects it into a clamped mold. The center injection unit 12 is assembled to the base body forming the skeleton of the multicolor injection molding machine 1. Has been. The right side injection unit 13 and the left side injection unit 15 are movably arranged on the left and right sides of the center injection unit 12. The upper injection unit 14 is the center injection unit 1
It is arranged on the upper side of 2.

First to third core devices 16, 17, 18
Is for moving in and out each of the three types of cores provided in the mold using the core cylinder. Extruder 19
Is for extruding a molded product from a mold using a pin or the like.

The control device 2 has the communication interface 2 described above.
0, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, R
OM (Read Only Memory) 22, RAM (Random Acces
s Memory) 23, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device 2
4, a communication module 25, a keyboard 26, a touch panel 27, etc. are provided. Although not shown, the communication module 25 is used to perform wired or wireless data communication with an external device such as a host computer or a personal computer.

As a first function, the control device 2 having such a configuration causes the touch panel 27 to display a molding cycle setting screen, and the operator touches the molding cycle setting screen to perform molding of the multicolor injection molding machine 1. It has a molding cycle setting function that allows the cycle to be set arbitrarily.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of the molding cycle setting screen 30 in this embodiment. In this molding cycle setting screen 30, a total of 32 lines, 22 in the vertical direction and 10 in the horizontal direction, are arranged in a grid pattern, and different molding operation command items are provided in the vertical (one direction) line. Selectively assigned, the operation order is sequentially assigned to the horizontal (other direction) lines from the screen, and the intersection of each line is the horizontal line of the molding operation command item assigned to each vertical line. The touch board 31 that is the operation command button BT in the operation order assigned to is displayed. Also,
Option button 32, next page button 33, confirm button 3
4, various function buttons such as a molding support button 35, an initial setting button 36, and a screen copy button 37 are displayed. Further, a product code display area 38 for identifying a product that is a molded product is also formed. In addition,
The operation order of the touch board 31 is 1 to 10 and 11 to 2.
It is adapted to be updated in units of 10 for each page of the screen, such as 0, 21 to 30. The molding operation command items and the function buttons 32 to 37 are fixed even when the page of the screen is switched.

Incidentally, in the molding operation command item on the touch board 31, "retraction limit" is an item used when performing some operation in a state where the moving die plate is in the retraction limit. The "intermediate position" is an item used when performing some operation when the moving die plate that is retracting reaches the intermediate position. "Boost complete"
Is an item used when performing some operation when the movable die plate reaches the forward limit and the mold clamping lockup is completed. “After main injection” means that after the center injection unit 12 completes the injection operation, another injection unit 13,
It is an item used when operating 14, 15 or core devices 16-18. “After right injection” is an item used when operating the other injection units 12, 14, 15 or the core devices 16 to 18 after the right side injection unit 13 completes the injection operation. “After upper injection” is an item used when operating the other injection units 12, 13, 15 or the core devices 16 to 18 after the upper injection unit 14 completes the injection operation. "After left injection" is
After the left side injection unit 15 completes the injection operation, the other injection units 12, 13, 14 or the core device 16 to
It is an item used when 18 is operated. "Core 1
"ON" is an item used when the core cylinder of the first core device 16 is inserted and operated. “Core 1 return” is an item used when the core cylinder of the first core device 16 is returned. “Inner core 2 on” is an item used when the inner cylinder of the second inner core device 17 is inserted and operated. “Core 2 return” is an item used when the core cylinder of the second core device 17 is returned. The "3 core insert" is an item used when the core cylinder of the third core device 18 is inserted and operated. “Core 3 return” is an item used when the core cylinder of the third core device 18 is returned. “Main injection” is an item used when the center injection unit 12 is made to perform an injection operation. "Right injection" is the right side injection unit 13
Is an item used when the injection operation is performed. “Upper injection” is an item used when the upper injection unit 14 performs an injection operation. “Left ejection” is an item used when the left side ejection unit 15 is ejected.
“Cooling” is an item used when all the selected injection operations are completed and the cooling operation is started. "Extrusion into"
Is an item used when the pushing device 19 is pushed.

In order to realize the molding cycle setting function, the control device 2 has a one-to-one correspondence with each operation command button BT provided on the touch board 31 of the molding cycle setting screen 30 as shown in FIG. Corresponding with the button BT
Execution flag indicating whether to execute the molding operation command of the item assigned to the upper vertical line (1: there is an operation command,
0: No operation command) Cycle setting table 4
0 is formed in the RAM 23.

Further, the control device 2, as shown in FIG.
Corresponding to a series of pattern numbers, the product code of the product,
Cycle setting table 4 showing the molding cycle of the product
Cycle setting data file 5 that saves data of 0
0 is formed in the HDD device 24.

Thus, the control device 2 configures the program of the ROM 22 so that the CPU 21 executes the molding cycle setting work in the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the CPU 21 starts this operation when the molding cycle setting menu is selected from the initial menu screen displayed on the touch panel 27, for example.

First, in step (ST) 1, a molding cycle setting screen 30 having the layout shown in FIG. 1 is displayed on the display of the touch panel 27 according to a screen display process preset. At this time, all the operation command buttons BT on the touch board 31 are displayed in the normal rotation display (for example, white display). In this state, ST2 waits for the product code to be input. When the product code is input by the key input of the keyboard 26, the cycle setting data file 50 is searched at ST3 to determine whether the cycle setting data of the input product code is registered.

Here, if the cycle setting data is not registered in the cycle setting data file 50, the entered product code is a new product code.
In ST4, in the cycle setting data registered in the cycle setting data file 50, the smallest pattern number among the unused pattern numbers is issued. Also, ST5
As a result, all execution flags of the cycle setting table 40 are reset to "0". Then, the process proceeds to ST7.

On the other hand, if the cycle setting data is registered in the cycle setting data file 50 in ST3, each execution flag of the cycle setting table 40 is set to "1" in accordance with the cycle setting data in ST6 or Reset to "0". Further, among the operation command buttons BT provided on the touch board 31 of the molding cycle setting screen 30, the button BT whose corresponding execution flag is set to “1” is highlighted (for example, displayed in black).
Let In addition, the input product code is displayed in the display area 38.
To display. Then, the process proceeds to ST7.

In ST7, the touch panel 27 waits for touch input. When a touch input is detected by the touch panel sensor of the touch panel 27, the touch input point is detected in ST8, and the touch input point is set to the molding cycle setting screen 3
Determine which position of 0.

Here, when the touch input point is on any operation command button BT of the touch board 31 in ST9, the molding operation assigned to the vertical line of the operation command button BT touch input in ST10. The command item number and the operation procedure number assigned to the horizontal line are acquired. Then, in ST11, the cycle setting table 40 is searched to determine whether the execution flag corresponding to the molding operation command item number and the operation procedure number is reset to "0" or set to "1". . Here, as ST12, the execution flag is "0".
If it has been reset to, the execution flag is set to "1" in ST13. The touch board 3 displayed on the molding cycle setting screen 30 as ST14
The operation command button BT corresponding to the execution flag of 1, that is, the operation command button BT input by touch is highlighted. On the other hand, if the execution flag is set to "1" in ST12, the execution flag is reset to "0" in ST15. Also, ST16
The operation command button BT touch-inputted on the touch board 31 displayed on the molding cycle setting screen 30 is displayed in the normal direction. Then, the process returns to ST7 and waits for the next touch input.

The point touch-input in ST7 is
If the confirmation button 34 of the various function buttons 32 to 37 is selected in ST17, it is determined in ST18 from the state of each execution flag of the cycle setting table 40 whether the molding cycle pattern is determined. Here, execution of one of the molding operation command items is instructed in order from the operation procedure number 1 (execution flag =
1) And in the final procedure number among them, execution of three items of molding operation command items "reverse limit", "intermediate position" and "pressurization completed" is commanded as a preset cycle end pattern. If so, it is determined that the pattern of the molding cycle is confirmed. In other cases, it is determined that the pattern is undetermined. Here, when it is determined that the pattern of the molding cycle is undetermined, the process returns to ST7 and waits for the next touch input.

When it is determined in ST18 that the pattern of the molding cycle has been determined, the data of the cycle setting table 40 is saved in the cycle setting data file 50 of the HDD 24 together with the product code input in the processing of ST2 in ST19. To do. At this time, if the product code is a new product code, it is stored in the area of the pattern number automatically issued in the process of ST5. If it is not a new product code, it is overwritten and saved in the area of the pattern number where the product code matches. With the above, the CPU 21
Ends the processing of the molding cycle setting work.

The control device 2 has a second function,
It has a molding cycle control function for controlling the molding cycle of the multicolor injection molding machine 1 for each molded product based on the cycle setting data stored in the cycle setting data file 50.

Specifically, the control device 2 configures the program of the ROM 22 so that the CPU 21 executes the molding cycle control work in the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
That is, the CPU 21 starts this task when, for example, the molding cycle execution menu is selected from the initial menu screen.

First, in ST21, the process waits until the product code of any molded product is input. When the product code is input by the key input of the keyboard 26, the cycle setting data file 50 is searched in ST22 to determine whether or not the cycle setting data of the input product code is registered. Here, if it is not registered, an error occurs.

When the cycle setting data of the inputted product code is registered in the cycle setting data file 50, each execution flag of the cycle setting table 40 is set to "1" or ST23 in accordance with the cycle setting data. Reset to "0". In addition, a molding cycle screen having the same layout as the molding cycle setting screen 30 is displayed on the touch panel 27, and among the operation command buttons BT provided on the touch board 31 of this screen,
Button B with the corresponding execution flag reset to "0"
T is normally displayed and the button BT set to "1" is reversely displayed. Further, the input product code is displayed in the display area 38.

Next, in ST24, when it is detected that the number of cycles N has been input by the keyboard 26 and then the execution key is input, the cycle counter a is reset to "0" in ST25. Further, in ST26, the operation procedure counter b is reset to "0". The cycle counter a and the operation procedure counter b are the RAM 23.
Is formed in.

After that, if the operation procedure counter b is incremented by 1 in ST27, all execution flags whose operation procedure number matches with the operation procedure counter b are checked from the cycle setting table 40 in ST28. Then, in ST29, all the molding operation command item numbers of the execution flag set to "1" are acquired.

Next, at ST30, it is determined whether or not the molding operation command item number of the execution flag set to "1" matches the preset cycle end pattern. If the cycle end pattern does not match, the multi-color injection molding machine 1 is identified in ST31 via the communication interface 20 by the molding operation command item number of the execution flag set to "1". To output the molding operation command.

For example, when the execution flag of the molding operation command item "reverse limit" and the execution flag of "core 1 on" are set to "1", the first position is set when the moving die plate is in the backward limit. A command to enter and operate the core cylinder 1 is output. When the execution flag of the molding operation command item “intermediate position” and the execution flag of “extrusion / insertion” are set to “1”, the extrusion device 19 operates when the moving die plate that is retracting reaches the intermediate position. Outputs the command to push out. When the execution flag of the molding operation command item “pressurization completed” and the execution flag of “main injection” are set to “1”, the moving die plate reaches the forward limit and the mold clamping lockup is completed. A command for the center injection unit 12 to perform an injection operation is output. When the execution flag of the molding operation command item “after main injection” and the execution flags of “right injection” and “left injection” are both set to “1”, the right side after the injection operation of the center injection unit 12 A command for the injection operation of the injection unit 13 and the left side injection unit 15 is output. When the execution flag of the molding operation command item “after right injection” and the execution flags of “core 2 in” and “core 3 in” are both set to “1”, the right side injection unit 13 After the injection operation, a command to enter and operate the second and third core cylinders is output. Execution flag of molding operation command item "after top injection" and "return core 1", "core 2"
When both the "return" and "return core 3" execution flags are set to "1", a command to return all the first to third core cylinders after the injection operation of the upper injection unit 14 Is output. When the execution flag of the molding operation command item “after left injection” and the execution flags of “upper injection” and “cooling” are both set to “1”, the upper injection is performed after the injection operation of the left side injection unit 15. The unit 14 performs an injection operation, and then outputs a command to perform a cooling operation for a fixed time.

After outputting the operation execution command, the CPU 21 executes S
As T32, it waits until the commanded operation is completed. When the completion of the commanded operation is recognized by the signals output from the various sensors of the multicolor injection molding machine 1 and the like, S
Returning to the processing of T27, the operation procedure counter b is incremented by 1, and the processing of ST28 and thereafter is repeated.

In the process of ST30, when the molding operation command item number of the execution flag set to "1" matches the preset cycle end pattern, that is, the operation command items "reverse limit" and "intermediate position". And "pressurization completed"
If the execution flags of the three items are set to "1", the cycle counter a is incremented by 1 in ST33. Then, in ST34, it is determined whether or not the cycle counter a exceeds the number N of cycles.
If the cycle counter a does not exceed the number N of cycles, the process returns to ST26, the operation procedure counter b is reset to "0", and the processes after ST27 are repeated. When the cycle counter a exceeds the number N of cycles, the CPU 21 ends the processing of the molding cycle control work.

Here, in the control device 2 of the present embodiment, the display means for displaying the molding cycle setting screen 30 and each operation command button BT displayed on the molding cycle setting screen 30.
The touch panel 27 is provided as a button input detecting means for detecting the input of. Also, the molding cycle setting screen 30
Of the operation command buttons BT, a cycle setting table 40 is provided as button information storage means for storing information (execution flag) indicating whether or not there is an operation command, and the operation commands of the operation command buttons BT stored by the cycle setting table 40. A cycle setting data file 50 is provided as a molding cycle holding unit that holds the presence / absence information as molding cycle setting information.

Further, when the information of the operation command button BT whose input is detected by the touch panel 27 is the operation command absence information (execution flag = 0), it is the operation command existence information (execution flag = 1), and when the operation command existence information is the operation. The button information switching means for switching to the commandless information is used in ST13 and ST1 of the molding cycle setting business process executed by the CPU 21.
It is configured by each processing of 5. In addition, each operation command button B
Button display control means for displaying T on the molding cycle setting screen 30 in such a manner that it can be discriminated between the information with the operation command and the information without the operation command is configured by each processing of ST14 and ST16 of the molding cycle setting work processing. ing. Also,
An end judgment means for judging the end of molding cycle setting from the information stored by the cycle setting table 40,
Comprised of the processing of ST18 of the molding cycle setting work processing, the condition for judging the completion of the setting by the completion judging means, the condition for judging the operation command presence / absence of each operation command button stored in the cycle setting table 40 is the molding cycle. The holding control means held by the cycle setting data file 50 as the setting information of is formed by the processing of ST19 of the molding cycle setting work processing.

Further, from the molding cycle setting information held by the cycle setting data file 50, the molding operation command item of the operation command button for which the operation command presence information is set is acquired from the molding cycle setting information and the molding operation command item is molded. The molding cycle control means for executing the operation is the CPU 21.
Molding cycle control business process executed by ST26 to S
It is configured by each processing of T31.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, when the molding process of the molded product to be molded by the multicolor injection generator 1 is determined, the operator of the controller 12 selects the molding cycle setting menu. To do. Then, the molding cycle setting screen 30 is displayed on the touch panel 27. After entering the product code of the molded product, the touch board 31 is displayed.
Is touched to set the molding cycle of the multicolor injection generator 1 required to complete the molding of the molded product.

For example, suppose that there is now a first molded product (product code "1111") which is molded by the process shown in FIG. 7 (a). In this case, the operator may set the molding cycle of the multicolor injection molding machine 1 by touching the touch board 31 as shown in FIG. That is, first, as the first operation procedure, when the moving die plate of the mold clamping device 11 starts to move forward from the backward limit,
Since the third core is inserted all at once, each operation command button BT (1, 1) of the operation command items "retraction limit", "core 1 on", "core 2 on" and "core 3 on" , BT (1,11),
BT (1,13) and BT (1,15) are touch-inputted. Next, as the second operation procedure, since the center injection operation and the right side injection operation are performed at the time of completion of the pressurization when the movable die plate reaches the forward limit and the mold clamping lockup is completed, the operation command item “pressurization completed”, "Main injection" and "right injection" operation command buttons BT (2,3), BT (2,1)
7), BT (2, 18) is touch-inputted. Next, as the third operation procedure, first to third after the center injection operation is completed.
Since the core is removed, the operation command buttons BT (3,4), BT (of the operation command items "after main injection", "returning core 1", "returning core 2" and "returning core 3" 3,12), BT (3,1)
4), BT (3, 16) is touch-inputted. Next, as the fourth operation procedure, after performing the upper injection operation and the left side injection operation, the weighing and cooling are performed. Therefore, the operation command buttons of the operation command items “upper injection”, “left injection” and “cooling” are performed. BT (4,19), BT (4,20), BT (4,2
Touch 1). Next, as the fifth operation procedure,
When the movable die plate reaches the backward limit, the pushing operation by the pushing device 19 is performed to push out the molded product from the mold and the first to third cores are inserted again. , "Core 1 in", "Core 2 in", "Core 3 in" and "Extrusion in" operation command buttons BT (5
1), BT (5,11), BT (5,13), BT
Touch input of (5,15) and BT (5,22). With the above, one molding cycle is completed, so as the sixth operation procedure, the operation command buttons BT (6, 1), BT for the operation command items “reverse limit”, “intermediate position”, and “pressurization completed”
Touch input of (6, 2) and BT (6, 3). In addition,
In the operation command button BT (m, n), m indicates an operation procedure number, and n indicates an operation instruction item number. After that, when the enter button 34 is touch-inputted, only the execution flag corresponding to each operation command button highlighted (black display) on the touch board 31 of the molding cycle setting screen 30 shown in FIG. 7B is “1”. The data of the cycle setting table 40 that has been set to is stored in the cycle setting data file 50 together with the product code “1111”.

After that, the operator selects the molding cycle execution menu of the controller 2. Then, the product code “1111” is keyed in. Further, the number of cycles N is designated and the execution key is input. Then, the multicolor injection molding machine 1 operates according to the following procedure under the control of the control device 2. First, the moving die plate of the mold clamping device 11 starts to move forward from the backward limit, and the first to third core cylinders are operated by the first to third core devices 16 to 18 to move the first to the first core cylinders. 3 cores can be inserted. Next, when the movable die plate reaches the forward limit and the mold clamping lockup is completed, the center injection unit 12 and the right side injection unit 13 perform the injection operation. After the injection operation of the center injection unit 12 is completed, the first to third core devices 16 to 18 are used to
The third core cylinder operates and the first to third cores are removed. Next, the upper injection unit 14 and the left side injection unit 15 perform the injection operation, and when all the injection operations are completed, the metering and cooling operation is started. After that, the moving die plate is retracted, and the extrusion device 19 performs the extrusion operation to extrude the molded product from the mold. Further, the first to third core cylinders are operated by the first to third core devices 16 to 18, and the first to third cores are inserted again. The multicolor injection molding machine 1 repeats the operation of the above procedure N times the number of cycles. As a result, N first molded products are molded.

When there is a second molded product (product code "2222") which is molded by the process shown in FIG. 8A, the operator operates as shown in FIG. The touch board 31 may be touched to set the molding cycle of the multicolor injection molding machine 1. By doing so, in the multicolor injection molding machine 1, first, the moving die plate of the mold clamping device 11 starts to move forward from the backward limit, and the first to third core devices 16 to 18 cause the first to third The core cylinders are operated and the first to third cores are inserted. Next, when the movable die plate reaches the forward limit and the mold clamping lockup is completed, the center injection unit 12 and the left side injection unit 15 perform the injection operation. Then, after the injection operation of the center injection unit 12 is completed, the first to third core cylinders are operated by the first to third core devices 16 to 18, and the first to third cores are removed. . Next, the upper injection unit 14 and the right side injection unit 13 perform the injection operation, and when all the injection operations are completed, the metering and cooling operation is started. After that, the moving die plate is retracted, and the extrusion device 19 performs the extrusion operation to extrude the molded product from the mold. Further, the first to third core cylinders are operated by the first to third core devices 16 to 18, and the first to third cores are inserted again. The multicolor injection molding machine 1 repeats the operation of the above procedure N times the number of cycles. As a result, N second molded products are molded.

Similarly, when there is a third molded product (product code "3333") molded by the process shown in FIG. 9A, the operator shows the same as shown in FIG. 9B. Thus, the molding cycle of the multicolor injection molding machine 1 may be set by touching the touch board 31. By doing so, in the multicolor injection molding machine 1, first, the moving die plate of the mold clamping device 11 starts to move forward from the backward limit, and the first to third core devices 16 to 18 cause the first to third The core cylinders are operated and the first to third cores are inserted. Next, when the movable die plate reaches the forward limit and the mold clamping lock-up is completed, the center injection unit 12 starts the injection operation. Then, after the injection operation of the center injection unit 12 is completed, the first core cylinder is operated by the first core device 16 and the first core is removed. Next, the upper injection unit 14 performs an injection operation. Then, after the injection operation of the upper injection unit 14 is completed, the second core cylinder is operated by the second core device 17, and the second core is removed. Next, the right side injection unit 13 performs an injection operation. Then, after the injection operation of the right side injection unit 13 is completed, the third core cylinder is operated by the third core device 18, and the third core is removed. Next, the left side injection unit 15 starts the injection operation. When the injection operation of the left side injection unit 15 is completed, the metering and cooling operation is started. After that, the moving die plate is retracted, and the extrusion device 19 performs the extrusion operation to extrude the molded product from the mold. Further, the first to third core cylinders are operated by the first to third core devices 16 to 18, and the first to third cores are inserted again. The multicolor injection molding machine 1 repeats the operation of the above procedure N times the number of cycles. As a result, N third molded products are molded.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by touch-inputting the touch board 31 displayed on the touch panel 27, a molding cycle suitable for a molded product is arbitrarily set, and multicolor injection is performed in the molding cycle. Since the molding machine 1 can be operated to mold the molded product,
The programming process is not required to set the molding cycle, and the molding process can be set easily. In addition, since a professional person having knowledge of programming technology is not required, it is possible to respond promptly and also to reduce costs such as labor costs.

Further, in this embodiment, the molding cycle setting data created on the molding cycle setting screen 30 is set to H.
Since the data is stored in the DD device 24 and can be read out and corrected at a proper time, there is an advantage that a change in the molding cycle can be easily dealt with. In this case also, there is no need to reassemble the program, so there is no cost.

In the above-described embodiment, the operation command buttons BT are displayed in the normal rotation direction when the information stored in the cycle setting table 40 has no operation command information (execution flag = 0). Although the operation command button BT of the operation command existence information (execution flag = 1) can be identified as a reverse display, for example, the touch panel 27 is a color touch panel, and the operation command button B of the operation command absence information is
Identification may be made by changing the display color between T and the operation command button BT of the operation command presence information.

Further, in the above-mentioned one embodiment, the display means for displaying the molding cycle setting screen and the button input detecting means for detecting the input of each operation command button displayed on the molding cycle setting screen are constituted by the touch panel 24. However, it is also possible to display the molding cycle setting screen on the display of the computer and operate a pointing device such as a mouse to specify a position on the screen to input each operation command button.

Further, in the above-described one embodiment, the molding cycle setting function and the molding cycle control function are incorporated in one control device 2, but the molding cycle setting function is incorporated in a personal computer or the like to form a molding cycle setting device, The molding cycle information set by the setting device may be given to the control device 2 via the communication means to control the molding process of the molding machine.

In addition to the above, the present invention can be applied to a controller of a molding machine by another molding method such as extrusion molding or compression molding, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. is there.

[0056]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a molding cycle setting device capable of easily and quickly setting a molding cycle adapted to a molded product at low cost, and a molding cycle control device capable of controlling the molding operation of a molding machine based on the set molding cycle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a molding cycle setting screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a molding machine and a control device according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cycle setting table in the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a cycle setting data file according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a molding cycle setting work executed by the CPU of the control device in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a molding cycle control work executed by the CPU.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a molding process sample and a setting example of a molding cycle setting screen corresponding to the sample.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a molding process and a setting example of a molding cycle setting screen corresponding to the process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing still another sample example of the molding process and a setting example of a molding cycle setting screen corresponding to the sample.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Multicolor injection molding machine 2 ... Control device 21 ... CPU 27 ... Touch panel 30 ... Molding cycle setting screen 31 ... Touch board 40 ... Cycle setting table 50 ... Cycle setting data file

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Katsuo Ito             2068 Ooka, Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.             In the company (72) Inventor Masahiro Wakabayashi             2068 Ooka, Numazu City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toshiba Machine Co., Ltd.             In the company F-term (reference) 4F206 AP20 AR20 JA07 JL09 JM16                       JP21

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A molding cycle setting device for setting a molding cycle required to complete one molding, wherein a plurality of lines are arranged in a grid pattern in each of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, and each line in one direction is arranged. Different molding operation command items are assigned to each line, and the operation order is sequentially assigned to each line in the other direction, and the intersection of each line is assigned to the line in one direction. Display means for displaying a molding cycle setting screen as operation command buttons in the order assigned to, and button information storage means for storing information on whether or not there is an operation command for each operation command button on the molding cycle setting screen, Button input detection means for detecting the input of each operation command button displayed on the molding cycle setting screen, and input by this button input detection means Button information switching means for switching to information with operation command when the information stored in the button information storage means of the detected operation command button is information without operation command, and with information without operation command when the information is with operation command A molding cycle setting device comprising: molding cycle holding means for holding the operation command presence / absence information of each operation command button stored by the information storage means as setting information of the molding cycle. 2. Each of the operation command buttons is displayed on the molding cycle setting screen so that the information stored by the button information storage means can be discriminated based on whether there is an operation command information or no operation command information. The molding cycle setting device according to claim 1, further comprising button display control means. 3. The button information storage means on the condition that the setting end of the molding cycle is judged from the information stored in the button information storage means and the setting end is judged by the end judgment means. 2. The molding cycle setting according to claim 1, further comprising: holding control means for holding the operation command presence / absence information of each operation command button stored by the molding cycle holding means as setting information of the molding cycle. apparatus. 4. The display means and the button input detection means are constituted by a touch panel.
The molding cycle setting device described. 5. A plurality of lines are arranged in a grid pattern in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, different molding operation command items are assigned to each line in one direction, and the operation order is sequentially applied to each line in the other direction. Display means for displaying the molding cycle setting screen by allocating the intersections of the respective lines as the operation command buttons in the order allocated to the lines in the other direction of the molding operation command items allocated to the line in the one direction. , Button information storage means for storing information on presence / absence of an operation command for each operation command button on the molding cycle setting screen, and button input detection means for detecting input of each operation command button displayed on the molding cycle setting screen And the information stored in the button information storage means of the operation command button whose input is detected by the button input detection means is Button information switching means for switching to the operation command presence information when there is operation command information and the operation command absence information when there is the operation command information, and the operation command presence information of each operation command button stored by the button information storage means in the molding cycle. The molding operation command item of the operation command button to which the operation command presence information is set is acquired from the molding cycle holding means held as setting information and the molding cycle setting information held by the molding cycle holding means, and the molding is performed. A molding cycle control device comprising: molding cycle control means for executing a molding operation of an operation command item.