JP2004155088A - Program support method for injection molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a program support method for an injection molding machine which enhances not only operability, convenience and work efficiency, but also certainty and reliability to programming work and avoids an increase in the cost of a controller. <P>SOLUTION: In the support method for the predetermined program related to an injection molding machine M, a program screen Vo is displayed on the display 3 of the controller 2 at the time of programming and, when a plurality of item selecting buttons B1, B2, B3, B4, etc., provided corresponding to the kind of the program on the program screen Vo are selected, guidance messages F1, F2, F3, etc., of individual works related to the selected predetermined program are displayed on guidance display parts W1, W2, W3, etc., successively along work procedure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a setup assisting method for an injection molding machine suitable for use in assisting a predetermined setup related to an injection molding machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, when molding is performed by an injection molding machine, various preparation operations such as mounting a mold, exchanging materials, and connecting peripheral devices are required in advance. The contents of such preparation work tend to be complicated and sophisticated, such as not only the mechanical installation work, but also various settings and operations need to be performed on the setting screen of the controller. That is the fact.
[0003]
For this reason, conventionally, a support device for an operator performing a preparation operation is also known, for example, from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-193318. The publication discloses an operator support device for an injection molding machine. The operator support device includes an interface for controlling the injection molding machine, a monitor device for monitoring a series of operations by an operator, and storing the monitored operations. And a controller that reproduces and executes the stored work, a human-machine interface operated by an operator, and a display unit that displays data during operation and reproduction, and the controller groups each work. Means.
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-3-193318
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional operator support apparatus basically stores the work contents of the operator as data and uses the stored data later, and thus has the following problems.
[0005]
First, since the stored data is, for example, only data resulting from the switch being turned on, it is difficult to obtain necessary information such as where the switch is located and how to operate the switch. In addition to lack of efficiency and convenience, it is insufficient to enhance work efficiency.
[0006]
Secondly, since stored data is basically displayed as it is, there is a possibility of overlooking or erroneous work on the data, and there is a problem in reliability and reliability.
[0007]
Third, since a series of operations are monitored and stored, software processing in the controller is complicated, and the cost of the controller is increased.
[0008]
The present invention has solved such problems in the conventional technology, and has improved operability, convenience, and work efficiency, as well as reliability and reliability for setup work, and increased controller cost. An object of the present invention is to provide an injection molding machine setup support method that can be avoided.
[0009]
Means and Embodiments for Solving the Problems
The setup assisting method of the injection molding machine according to the present invention displays a setup screen Vo on the display 3 of the controller 2 at the time of setup in supporting a predetermined setup related to the injection molding machine M, and the setup in the setup screen Vo is performed. When a plurality of item selection buttons B1, B2, B3, B4,... Provided corresponding to the types are selected, guidance messages F1, F2, F3,. The guidance display units W1, W2, W3,... Are sequentially displayed according to the work procedure.
[0010]
In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the guidance display unit Wm of the setup screen Vo can display the guidance message Fm of the entire work related to the predetermined setup selected by the item selection buttons B1. When switching from the setup screen Vo to another screen Va, the screen switching keys K1... Can be instructed by the mark 5, and the setup screen Vo is switched to another screen Va by the screen switching keys K1. At that time, a guidance display section W1... Displaying at least the guidance message F1... Of the next operation can be displayed on the other screen Va in a window. On the other hand, the setup screen Vo has a memo display unit 7 on which memo data stored in advance can be read and displayed. The memo display unit 7 has a general-purpose memo display field 7x and a molding condition memo display field 7y. The general-purpose memo data stored in the controller 2 can be displayed in the general-purpose memo display field 7x. In the display section 7y, molding condition memo data stored in pairs with the molding condition data can be displayed.
[0011]
【Example】
Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
First, a schematic configuration of a controller 2 capable of implementing the setup support method according to the present embodiment and an injection molding machine M equipped with the controller 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0013]
In FIG. 2, M indicated by a virtual line is an injection molding machine, which includes a machine base Mb, an injection device Mi and a mold clamping device Mc installed on the machine base Mb. The injection device Mi includes a heating cylinder 10, has an injection nozzle not shown in the figure at the front end of the heating cylinder 10, and includes a hopper 11 that supplies material at the rear of the heating cylinder 10. On the other hand, the mold clamping device Mc includes a mold 12 composed of a movable mold and a fixed mold. A side panel 13 is erected on the machine base Mb, and a display unit 15 is disposed on the side panel 13. The display unit 15 includes a display 3 such as a color liquid crystal display provided with a touch panel 3t, and the display unit 15 is connected to the controller 2 (FIG. 3) built in the machine Mb.
[0014]
FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the controller 2. Reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU to which a chip set 23 is connected via an internal bus 22. A bus line 24 using a local bus such as a PCI bus is connected to the chipset 23 to form an HMI (Human Machine Interface) control system. For this purpose, the bus line 24 is connected to an internal memory 25 for managing various memories such as a RAM and a ROM. Further, the display unit 15 described above is connected to the bus line 24 via a display interface 26, and a drive unit for reading and writing to a storage medium (external memory) 28 such as a memory card via an input / output interface 27. 29.
[0015]
On the other hand, a bus line 30 similar to the bus line 24 is connected to the chipset 23 to form a PLC (programmable logic controller) control system. For this reason, the bus line 30 is connected to an input / output interface 31 for providing switching data Di of a switch or the like to the CPU 21 and providing control command data Do obtained from the CPU 21 to a corresponding actuator. An input / output interface 32 is connected, which converts the analog-to-digital conversion of Si to the CPU 21 and applies a control signal So obtained by digital-to-analog conversion of control command data obtained from the CPU 21 to a corresponding actuator. Thereby, a predetermined feedback control system and an open loop control system are configured. 33 indicates a power supply and 34 indicates a power switch.
[0016]
The above-described internal memory 25 stores the PLC program and the HMI program, and also stores various processing programs. In this case, the PLC program is software for realizing a sequence operation of various processes in the injection molding machine M, monitoring of the injection molding machine M, and the like, and the HMI program is for setting and displaying operation parameters of the injection molding machine M, This is software for realizing display of operation monitoring data of the injection molding machine M and the like. These softwares are constructed as a unique architecture of the injection molding machine M equipped with the controller 2, and particularly include a processing program for executing the setup support method according to the present embodiment.
[0017]
Next, a setup support method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0018]
First, at the time of setup, the storage medium 28 is set in the drive unit 29 of the controller 2. This storage medium 28 stores a large number of molding condition data with file names. Then, the molding condition data to be used is selected, read and stored in a data memory provided in the internal memory 25 of the controller 2. Further, by touching the setup screen switching key K8 displayed on the display 3 of the controller 2 (step S1), the setup screen Vo shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display 3 (step S2).
[0019]
The setup screen Vo has a guidance display section Wm on the upper side and a plurality of item selection buttons B1... On the lower side of the guidance display section Wm. The item selection buttons B1... Are provided corresponding to the types of setup, and the item selection button B1 performs "mold mounting", the button B2 performs "automatic mold thickness adjustment", and the button B3 performs "purge". The "button temperature controller" can be selected by the button B4, and the "auto start setting" can be selected by the button B5. Further, a memo display section 7 is provided below the item selection buttons B1. The memo display unit 7 has a general-purpose memo display field 7x and a molding condition memo display field 7y. The general-purpose memo display field 7x displays the general-purpose memo data stored in the controller 2, and displays the molding condition memo display field 7y. Displays molding condition memo data stored in pairs with the molding condition data read from the storage medium 28 and read into the controller 2.
[0020]
In this case, the general-purpose memo data includes general-purpose messages for use of the injection molding machine M, such as “re-arranging tools” and “caution for remaining grease”, and general-purpose data such as a next maintenance execution date. Can be included. On the other hand, the molding condition memo data can include precautions related to the molding condition data and information on characters and images. These memo data are automatically read out when the setup screen Vo is displayed, and are displayed on the memo display unit 7. Thus, since each memo data is displayed on the initial setup screen Vo, the operator can confirm each memo data and use it as a reference when performing the setup. In particular, since each memo data can include, for example, information on peripheral devices and comments on points to be noted regarding delicate adjustment, it can be used as important reference information when performing setup.
[0021]
On the other hand, the screen switching keys K1, K2,... Including the setup screen switching key K8 are always displayed on the upper and lower rows of the display 3, and correspond to the respective screen switching keys K1,. The screen can be displayed. The screen switching keys K1... Are ranked in consideration of the frequency of use. In the upper row, a mold opening / closing screen switching key K1, an ejector screen switching key K2, an injection / metering screen switching key K3, and a temperature screen switching key K4. , Monitor screen switching key K5, main condition screen switching key K6, condition switching screen switching key K7. A second group Gb having a setup screen switching key K8, a process monitoring screen switching key K9, a production information screen switching key K10, a waveform screen switching key K11, a statistics screen switching key K12, and a trend screen switching key K13 is arranged in a horizontal line. I do.
[0022]
Each screen switching key K1 is displayed in the same manner even when switching to another screen. For example, FIG. 2 shows an outline of the process monitoring screen Vb when the process monitoring screen switching key K9 is selected. Each screen switching key K1... Is displayed in the same position and in the same shape as the setup screen Vo shown in FIG. Is done. The second group Gb displayed in FIG. 4 is in a state where the first hierarchy is displayed, but by touching a hierarchy screen switching key Kc at the right end of the screen, a history screen switching key in the second hierarchy is displayed. The program screen switching key, the signal recorder screen switching key, the diagnostic screen switching key, and the like are displayed in the same manner as the screen switching keys K8 to K13. Further, the controller 2 has an array change function that allows the user to arbitrarily change the arrangement of the screen switching keys K1... And an array storage function that stores the changed arrangement. Thereby, the user himself / herself can arbitrarily change the arrangement (order) of the screen switching keys K1. By such a layout display, even when the name display displayed on each of the screen switching keys K1... Is changed, it is possible to easily cope with the software, thereby reducing the man-hours and costs associated with the change, and at the same time, changing each screen switching key K1. … Can be improved in visibility and operability.
[0023]
On the other hand, the guidance message Fm is not displayed on the guidance display section Wm of the setup screen Vo shown in FIG. 4 unless the item selection buttons B1... Are selected, and only the message "Please select a desired setup item" is displayed. Is done. Accordingly, by displaying the setup screen Vo, the operator first selects a setup item to be implemented from the item selection buttons B1 (Step S3).
[0024]
Now, it is assumed that the operator has touched the item selection button B1 to select “mold mounting”. As a result, the guidance display section Wm shown in FIG. 4 displays the title of “mold attachment” and the guidance message Fm of the entire work related to the setup of the mold attachment (step S4). First, by displaying such a guidance message Fm of the whole work, the operator can grasp the outline of the whole work.
[0025]
Then, according to the guidance message Fm, the operator performs a task of “temporarily fixing the mold on the mold placing plate and turning on the motor power switch on the machine operation panel” (steps S5 and S6). Then, in accordance with the guidance message Fm of "Turn on the [mold mounting] switch at the upper right of the" mold opening / closing "screen (the screen indicated by the triangle mark)", the triangle mark 5 displayed on the setup screen Vo shown in FIG. Touch the screen switching key K1 specified by. Thereby, a mold opening / closing screen Va shown in FIG. 5 which is a setting screen for mold opening / closing is displayed. Further, a guidance display section W1 is displayed as a window on the mold opening / closing screen Va. In this case, the most appropriate position is selected as the display position of the guidance display unit W1. In the case of the embodiment, since the guidance message F1 of “Turn on the [type mounting] switch at the upper right of the screen” is displayed on the guidance display W1, the guidance display W1 is displayed as shown in FIG. It is displayed near the die mounting switch Kx on the open / close screen Va. At this time, the display of the mold mounting switch Kx is OFF as shown in FIG. 5, and the ENT key Ke and the EXIT key Kn at the lower right on the mold opening / closing screen Va are not displayed.
[0026]
Next, when the operator touches the mold mounting switch Kx in accordance with the guidance message F1, the display of the mold mounting switch Kx is turned ON, and the ENT key Ke and the EXIT key Kn are displayed on the lower right of the mold opening / closing screen Va. . Thus, when the ENT key Ke is touched, the guidance display section W1 and the display of the ENT key Ke and the EXIT key Kn are closed, and the guidance display section W2 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed in a window instead. Then, in accordance with the guidance message F2 displayed on the guidance display section W2, necessary confirmations, that is, confirmation of "setting of" high pressure "mold clamping pressure" are performed. A thickness adjustment step is performed (Steps S7, S8). Since the mold thickness adjusting step is automatically performed, when the mold thickness adjusting step is completed, a guidance display section W3 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. In FIG. 7, Ks indicates a stop key.
[0027]
Further, work is performed according to the guidance message F3 displayed on the guidance display section W3. That is, the operation of "turning off the motor power switch, completely attaching the mold to the mold clamping plate and the mold placing plate, and removing the hanging metal fittings" is performed (steps S7 and S8). Then, if the die mounting switch Kx is turned off in accordance with the instruction of the last display (guidance message F3) “The [mounting] switch is turned off and the end is completed”, the screen returns to the initial setup screen Vo, and the setup relating to the die mounting is performed. All the processing ends (step S9). Thereafter, when performing the next setup, for example, purging, by touching (selecting) the item selection button B2, setup related to the purge can be performed in the same manner as in the case of the mold mounting described above (step S10). .
[0028]
As described above, according to the setup support method according to the present embodiment, at the time of setup, the setup screen Vo is displayed on the display 3, and the setup related to the predetermined setup selected by the item selection buttons B1. Since the guidance messages F1... For the individual tasks are sequentially displayed on the guidance display sections W1... In accordance with the task procedure, the setup is easy to understand, and the operability, convenience and work efficiency can be improved, and the setup work can be performed. Can be improved in reliability and reliability. In addition, since there is no need for complicated software processing such as monitoring and storing a series of operations as in the related art, there is an advantage that the cost of the controller 2 can be avoided.
[0029]
Since the guidance display section Wm of the setup screen Vo displays the guidance message Fm of the entire work related to the predetermined setup selected by the item selection buttons B1..., The operator needs to perform the work before starting the setup. You can get an overview of the whole. Further, when switching from the setup screen Vo to another screen (mold opening / closing screen) Va..., The screen switch key K1 is instructed by the mark (triangular mark) 5 and the screen switch key K1. When the screen is switched to another screen Va, the guidance display section W1... On which the guidance message F1... Of the next operation is displayed is displayed on the other screen Va. In this state, the setup can be performed. For example, a predetermined operation or setting using the setting screen (another screen Va) can be performed reliably and easily. Moreover, by providing the memo display unit 7 on the setup screen Vo, the memo data stored in advance is read out and displayed, so that the memo data can be effectively used at the setup. In particular, since each memo data can include, for example, information on peripheral devices and comments on points to be noted regarding delicate adjustment, it can be used as important reference information when performing setup.
[0030]
Although the embodiment has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the configuration, arrangement, number, method, etc. of the details can be arbitrarily set without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can be changed, added, or deleted. For example, the case where the guidance message Fm of the entire work related to the predetermined setup selected by the item selection buttons B1... Is displayed on the guidance display section Wm of the setup screen Vo, but only the guidance message related to the first work is displayed. Of course, it may be displayed.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the setup support method of the injection molding machine according to the present invention displays the setup screen on the display of the controller at the time of setup, and selects a plurality of item selection buttons provided corresponding to the types of setup on the setup screen. Is performed, the guidance messages of the individual tasks related to the selected predetermined setup are sequentially displayed on the guidance display unit in accordance with the task procedure, so that the following remarkable effects are obtained.
[0032]
(1) It is easy to understand, operability, convenience and work efficiency can be improved, and the reliability and reliability of the setup work can be improved.
[0033]
(2) Since complicated software processing such as monitoring and storing a series of operations is not required as in the related art, an increase in the cost of the controller can be avoided.
[0034]
(3) According to a preferred embodiment, if the guidance message of the entire work related to the predetermined setup selected by the item selection button is displayed on the guidance display section of the setup screen, the operator can start the setup before starting the setup. There is an advantage that the outline of the whole work can be grasped.
[0035]
(4) According to a preferred embodiment, when switching from the setup screen to another screen, a screen switching key is instructed by a mark. By displaying a guidance display section that displays at least the guidance message for the next operation on the screen of the window, setup can be performed with other screens enabled, for example, a predetermined operation using the setting screen Settings and the like can be performed reliably and easily.
[0036]
(5) According to a preferred embodiment, a memo display unit is provided on the setup screen, and memo data stored in advance is read out and displayed, so that the memo data can be effectively used at the setup. In particular, since each memo data can include, for example, information on peripheral devices and comments on points to be noted regarding delicate adjustment, it can be used as important reference information when performing setup.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart for sequentially explaining a setup support method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an injection molding machine equipped with a controller that implements the setup support method,
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the controller.
FIG. 4 is a setup screen diagram used in the setup support method;
FIG. 5 is another screen (mold opening / closing screen) used for the setup support method.
FIG. 6 is an image diagram of a guidance display section displayed on another screen (a mold opening / closing screen) used in the setup support method;
FIG. 7 is an image diagram of another guidance display section displayed on another screen (mold opening / closing screen) used for the setup support method;
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Controller 3 Display 5 Mark 7 Memo display section 7x General-purpose memo display field 7y Molding condition memo display field M Injection molding machine Vo Setup screen Va Other screen B1 Item selection button F1 Guidance message W1 Guidance display section Wm Guidance display section Fm Guidance message K1 for the entire operation ... Screen switching key

Claims (6)

In a setup support method for an injection molding machine for supporting a predetermined setup related to an injection molding machine, a setup screen is displayed on a display of a controller at the time of setup, and a plurality of setups corresponding to the types of setup in the setup screen are provided. An injection molding machine characterized in that, when an item selection button is selected, a guidance message of each operation related to the selected predetermined setup is sequentially displayed on the guidance display unit in accordance with the operation procedure. Setup support method. 2. The setup support method for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein a guidance message of the entire work related to the predetermined setup selected by the item selection button is displayed on a guidance display section of the setup screen. 2. The setup assisting method for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein when switching from the setup screen to another screen, a screen switching key is indicated by a mark. When the screen switching key is used to switch from the setup screen to another screen, a guidance display section displaying at least a guidance message for the next operation is displayed on the other screen as a window. 3. The method for supporting setup of an injection molding machine according to item 3. 2. The setup support method for an injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein the setup screen has a memo display unit, and memo data stored in advance is read and displayed on the memo display unit. The memo display unit has a general-purpose memo display field and a molding condition memo display field, displays general-purpose memo data stored in the controller in the general-purpose memo display field, and displays a molding condition in the molding condition memo display field. 6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising displaying molding condition memo data stored in pairs with the data.

Images