JP2005258585A - Molding machine part automatic ordering method, system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for automatically, timely, and surely ordering the parts of a molding machine such as the consumption articles and consumption parts (replacement parts) of a molding machine. <P>SOLUTION: A molding machine part automatic ordering system comprises a plurality of molding machines 20 and a management device 10 for managing the molding machines 20. In this case, the management device 10 automatically predicts consumption time when the parts of a molding machine are consumed and automatically determines ordering time when the parts are to be ordered on the basis of the predicted consumption time. The management device 10 executes processing relating to ordering the parts when it determines that the ordering time comes. The management device 10 predicts consumption time when the parts are consumed by using at least one selected from production plan information, information on the present status of the parts, and molding machine actual performance information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention generally relates to a production equipment management system, and more particularly to an automatic parts ordering method, system and program for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a computer is incorporated in a molding machine for producing a molded product as a production facility so that molding conditions and the like can be managed efficiently. In addition, a system has been developed in which a plurality of molding machines are connected to a management apparatus, and the molding conditions and production schedules of each molding machine are managed by the management apparatus.

  In production facilities such as injection molding machines, maintenance information and information on when consumables are replenished or when consumable parts are replaced are extremely important. Failure to manage such information could hinder the operation of the injection molding machine. , Production may stop.

  For example, an injection molding machine has parts that must be constantly supplied with grease. Grease is a consumable item and needs to be replenished when it becomes low according to consumption. Therefore, the grease for replenishment is always stocked, and when the amount of stock decreases, the grease is ordered for stock. In this case, it is necessary to place an order in consideration of the time from ordering to delivery.

  In addition to the consumables such as grease, there are consumable parts that should be replaced depending on the lifetime. For example, a part with wear, such as a ball screw, that must be replaced when wear has progressed to some extent corresponds to a consumable part. Many of these consumable parts are relatively expensive parts, rarely stocked for replacement, and are often ordered when the time for replacement approaches.

  Here, for example, as a trouble diagnosis method for a molding machine, when a molding machine user requests a trouble handling from the manufacturer, various information data of the molding machine is loaded into the manufacturer's host computer, and based on the imported data A method of analyzing a cause of trouble on the host computer side has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

According to such a trouble diagnosis method, the part causing the trouble can be automatically identified, and the trouble can be solved by replacing the part. For example, when the wear of the ball screw, which is a consumable part, has progressed and a trouble has occurred, it can be automatically notified that the ball screw should be replaced.
JP 11-268096 A

  Consumable parts such as grease are ordered when inventory is low and a certain amount of inventory is secured. However, when there are a large number of molding machines to be managed, the amount of grease consumed varies depending on the operating status of the molding machine. Even if the minimum amount of grease is determined, if the number of molding machines is large and the operation time is long after the order is reached when the minimum amount is reached, the time until the ordered grease is delivered May cause a problem such as running out of stock.

  Further, according to the trouble diagnosis method disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a part to be replaced by failure diagnosis can be automatically specified by analysis with a host computer. There is a problem that the molding machine cannot be operated from when the order is placed until delivery.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides an automatic parts ordering method, system, and program for a molding machine that can place orders for consumables and consumable parts (replacement parts) of a molding machine in a timely and reliable manner. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, there is provided an automatic part ordering method for a molding machine, wherein the computer automatically predicts the wear time of parts of the molding machine, and the computer is based on the predicted wear time. An automatic part ordering method for a molding machine is provided, which automatically determines the ordering time and causes the computer to perform processing relating to the ordering of the part when it is determined that it is the ordering time.

  In the present invention described above, the consumption time may be predicted based on at least one type of information among information indicating the current state of parts, production plan information, and performance data of a molding machine.

  In the above-described automatic part ordering method for a molding machine, it is preferable that the determination of the ordering time includes a process of confirming the inventory of parts. Further, the determination of the ordering time preferably includes a process of confirming the delivery date of the parts.

  Further, in the above-described automatic part ordering method for a molding machine, the ordering process may include a process of automatically sending part ordering information to an ordering party. Further, the processing related to ordering may include processing for notifying the operator of ordering parts and obtaining approval.

  In the part automatic ordering method of the molding machine described above, the part to be automatically ordered may be at least one of a grease cartridge and a ball screw.

  Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an automatic part ordering system for a molding machine comprising a plurality of molding machines and a management device for managing the molding machine, and a prediction means for automatically predicting the consumption time of parts of the molding machine And a determining means for automatically determining the ordering time based on the predicted consumption time, and an ordering means for performing processing related to ordering of parts when it is determined that it is the ordering time. An automatic parts ordering system is provided.

  In the above-described automatic part ordering system for a molding machine, the predicting means is provided in the management device, and the consumption time of the part using at least one type of information among the production plan information, the information indicating the current state of the part, and the performance information of the molding machine. Is preferably predicted.

  Further, the above-described automatic part ordering method according to the present invention can be described as a program and executed by a computer.

  According to the present invention, the consumable parts and the consumable parts of the molding machine are automatically determined, and the ordering time is determined based on the automatically determined consumable parts. Can be prevented from disappearing. Also, replacement parts for consumable parts can be ordered in a timely manner and reliably replaced at the time of replacement.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a molding machine management system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The molding machine management system shown in FIG. 1 includes a molding machine factory management apparatus 10 and a plurality of molding machines 20 installed in the molding machine factory. Each of the plurality of molding machines 20 is connected to the management device 10 and the operation is managed by the management device 10. Although the number of molding machines 20 connected to the management apparatus 10 is five in FIG. 1, the number of molding machines 20 is not limited to this, and any number of molding machines 20 can be managed within the management capability of the management apparatus 10. 10 can be connected.

  The management device 10 is connected to the inventory management device 30 of the manufacturer of the molding machine 20, and data can be exchanged between the management device 10 and the inventory management device 30. Note that the inventory management device 30 does not necessarily have to be connected to the management device 10, and the inventory management device 30 may not be provided.

  The management device 10 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, and manages the molding conditions and operating states of each of the connected molding machines 20. The management apparatus 10 is provided with a database 12, and various information relating to molding conditions and operating states of the connected molding machines 20 is accumulated in the database 12. The database 12 also stores information on the amount of consumables and consumable parts in the molding machine 20 and information on production plans using the molding machine 20. The management device 10 includes a display device such as a monitor and an information input device. The information stored in the database 12 is displayed on the screen of the display device, and information and commands are transmitted via the input device. Can be entered.

  The inventory management device 30 is a management device including a personal computer installed at the manufacturer of the molding machine 20 and is connected to the management device 10 via a communication network such as a public telephone line or the Internet. The inventory management apparatus 30 is provided with a database 32 in which inventory information of parts in the manufacturer of the molding machine 20 is accumulated. In the database 32, for example, information on the current inventory number of ball screws that are parts of the molding machine 20 is accumulated.

  In the molding machine management system as described above, the management apparatus 10 automatically determines the consumption time of consumables and consumable parts (replacement parts) used in the molding machine 20, and based on the determination, the consumables and consumables are determined. Order parts.

  Here, the outline of the configuration of the molding machine 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of an electric injection molding machine used as the molding machine 20.

  The electric injection molding machine 40 shown in FIG. 2 includes an injection device 50 and a mold clamping device 70. The electric injection molding machine 40 has a controller 42 as a control device, and the controller 42 controls operations of the injection device 50 and the mold clamping device 70. The controller 42 is connected to the management apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 and exchanges data.

  The injection device 50 includes a heating cylinder 51, and a hopper 52 is disposed in the heating cylinder 51. Further, a screw 53 is disposed in the heating cylinder 51 so as to be able to advance and retract and to rotate freely. The rear end of the screw 53 is rotatably supported by the support member 54. A measuring motor 55 such as a servo motor is attached to the support member 54 as a driving unit, and the rotation of the measuring motor 55 is driven via a timing belt 56 attached to the output shaft 61 of the measuring motor 55. 53.

  A rotation detector 62 is directly connected to the rear end of the output shaft 61 of the weighing motor 55. The rotation detector 62 recognizes the rotation speed or rotation amount of the metering motor 55 and detects the rotation speed of the screw 53 that indicates the drive status of the screw 53. The injection device 50 further includes a ball screw shaft 57 that is rotatable in parallel with the screw 53. The rear end of the ball screw shaft 57 is connected to the injection motor 59 via a timing belt 58 attached to the output shaft 63 of the injection motor 59 such as a servo motor. Therefore, the ball screw shaft 57 can be rotated by the injection motor 59.

  The front end of the ball screw shaft 57 is screwed with a nut 60 fixed to the support member 54. Accordingly, when the injection motor 59 as the drive unit is driven and the ball screw shaft 57 as the drive transmission unit is rotated via the timing belt 58, the support member 54 can be moved forward and backward. As a result, the screw of the driven unit is driven. 53 can be moved forward and backward.

  A position detector 64 is attached to the rear end of the output shaft 63 of the injection motor 59. The position detector 64 recognizes the rotation speed or rotation amount of the injection motor 59 and detects the position of the screw 53 that indicates the drive status of the screw 53.

  The mold clamping device 70 includes a movable platen 72 to which a movable mold 71 is attached, and a fixed platen 74 to which a fixed mold 73 is attached. The movable platen 72 and the fixed platen 74 are connected by a tie bar 75. The movable platen 72 is slidable along the tie bar 75. The mold clamping device 70 includes a toggle mechanism 77 having one end connected to the movable platen 72 and the other end connected to the toggle support 76.

  A ball screw shaft 79 is rotatably supported at the center of the toggle support 76. A nut 81 formed on a cross head 80 provided in the toggle mechanism 77 is screwed onto the ball screw shaft 79. A pulley 82 is disposed at the rear end of the ball screw shaft 79, and a timing belt 84 is stretched between the output shaft 83 of the mold clamping motor 78 such as a servo motor and the pulley 82.

  Therefore, in the mold clamping device 70, when the mold clamping motor 78 that is the drive unit is driven, the rotation of the mold clamping motor 78 is transmitted to the ball screw shaft 79 that is the drive transmission unit via the timing belt 84. Then, the ball screw shaft 79 and the nut 81 convert the motion direction from a rotational motion to a linear motion, and the toggle mechanism 77 operates. By the operation of the toggle mechanism 77, the movable platen 72 slides along the tie bar 75, and mold closing, mold clamping, and mold opening are performed.

  A position detector 85 is attached to the rear end of the output shaft 83 of the mold clamping motor 78. The position detector 85 is a driven part that is connected to the crosshead 80 by a crosshead 80 or a toggle mechanism 77 that recognizes the number of rotations or the amount of rotation of the mold clamping motor 78 and advances and retreats as the ball screw shaft 79 rotates. The position of a certain movable platen 72 is detected.

  By the way, the above-described ball screw shafts 55 and 79 are often used not only with a relatively high load and a small stroke, but also always at the same position. Therefore, it is necessary to lubricate the ball screw shafts 57 and 79 to suppress wear and maintain the life. In general, grease is used for lubricating the ball screw shafts 57 and 79. Therefore, in the electric injection molding machine 40, an appropriate amount of grease is automatically supplied from the automatic grease supply device 90 to the ball screw shafts 57 and 79 via the pipes 92 and 93. The supply of grease is not limited to the ball screw shafts 57 and 79, but is performed to other ball screw shafts, ball screw nuts, or portions that receive loads, but the description thereof is omitted here. The automatic grease supply device 90 is provided with a grease container 91 for storing grease. When the inside of the grease container 91 is pressurized, the grease is supplied to the ball screw shafts 75 and 79 through the pipes 92 and 93. Grease may be supplied in a state of being accommodated in a grease cartridge. In such a case, the grease cartridge itself becomes the grease container 91.

  In the present embodiment, a grease sensor 94 for detecting the remaining amount of grease in the grease container 91 is provided in the automatic grease supply device 90. The grease sensor 94 is connected to a controller 42 that is a control device of the electric injection molding machine 40, detects the remaining amount of grease, and supplies a grease detection signal to the controller 42. The grease detection signal supplied to the controller 42 is sent to the management device 10. Therefore, the management apparatus 10 can always monitor the remaining amount of grease in the molding machine 40 or 20.

  Next, automatic ordering processing of consumables and consumable parts (replacement parts) in the present embodiment will be described. Here, a consumable means an article consumed by the molding machine 20 such as grease or lubricating oil, and a consumable part (replacement part) is a product that has reached the end of its life due to a certain amount of wear, such as a ball screw shaft. Means a component of the molding machine 20 that needs to be replaced. Further, in this specification, a component that needs to be replaced and that does not have a replacement inventory in a molding factory and is newly ordered at the time of replacement is referred to as a consumable component.

  Note that the method of performing automatic ordering processing according to the present embodiment is described as a program and is executed by the management apparatus 10 including a computer.

  First, the automatic ordering process for consumables will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the consumable automatic ordering process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ordering process for consumables is a process performed in the management device 10 at regular intervals. Here, automatic ordering processing of grease will be described as an example of consumables.

  When the grease automatic ordering process is started, first, in step S1, the grease consumption time is determined. That is, based on the remaining amount of grease that is being consumed (remaining amount of grease in the container 91), the time when the grease runs out (consumption time) is determined, and it is determined whether there is room for the consumption time. If it is determined that there is room, the current process is terminated. If it is determined that there is no room, the process proceeds to step S2. The grease consumption time can be predicted based on, for example, the remaining amount of grease in the grease container 91 and the grease consumption speed. Various methods can be used for predicting the consumption time, as will be described later. is there.

  In step S2, the amount of grease in stock is confirmed, and it is determined whether there is a margin in the amount of stock. That is, it is determined whether there is a margin in the amount of grease that can be replenished in the grease container 91. If it is determined that there is room, the current process is terminated. If it is determined that there is no room, the process proceeds to step S3. The determination of whether or not there is a margin in the inventory amount of grease is made based on information on the grease inventory amount accumulated in the database of the management device 10 and information on a production plan using the molding machine 20 as will be described later. It is.

  In step S3, a period (delivery date) from ordering grease to delivery is confirmed. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a margin in the current stock amount with respect to a period (delivery date) from when grease is immediately ordered and delivered. If it is determined that there is room, the current process is terminated. If it is determined that there is no room, the process proceeds to step S4. Judgment as to whether or not the stock amount is sufficient with respect to the delivery date is made based on the information on the grease stock amount and the information on the grease delivery date stored in the database 12 of the management apparatus 10.

  If it is determined in step S3 that there is no allowance for the amount of grease stock for the delivery date, a grease ordering process is performed in step S4. This ordering process is performed, for example, by automatically issuing an order instruction from the management device 10 (computer) to an order receiving device of a grease manufacturer (or sales company) connected to the management device 10. Alternatively, the administrator of the molding machine management system may issue an order form to the grease manufacturing company (or sales company) based on the notification from the management device 10 without using a computer. The form of ordering grease is not limited to such a method, and various methods are conceivable.

  In the above automatic ordering process for consumables, when a plurality of molding machines 20 are connected to the management apparatus 10, the consumption time of the consumables is determined for each of the plurality of molding machines 20 in step S1, and the results are summarized. In step S2, it is preferable to determine whether or not there is a margin with respect to the stock quantity.

  Here, the prediction method of the grease consumption time in the above-described step S2 will be described. There are four methods for predicting the grease consumption time: 1) prediction based on production plan, 2) prediction based on consumables status (current status), 3) prediction based on molding data, and 4) prediction based on standard values for consumables. Can be considered.

1) Prediction based on production plan Predicts the consumption time of grease, which is a consumable, based on a production plan created by scheduler software. Since the planned production number and the planned (target) cycle time are obtained as production plan information, the usage amount of consumables such as grease is predicted (calculated) based on such information. Thereby, the consumption time of a consumable can be estimated. The scheduler software is a production plan that creates a production plan based on equipment information, various master information, order information, etc., creates a Gantt chart that shows the production plan easily, and displays it on the screen. For example, the support software is executed by the computer of the management apparatus 10.

2) Prediction based on the status of consumables (current status) For example, calculate the consumption based on the elapsed time after replenishing consumables such as grease and the operating history (number of elapsed shots) of the molding machine, and grasp the current status. It is possible to predict the exhaustion time.

3) Prediction based on molding data For example, the consumption of consumables such as grease can be predicted based on the actual data and molding conditions of the molding machine. The performance data of the molding machine includes information on cycle time, weighing time, injection pressure, and the like, and the consumption of consumables can be predicted in consideration of the load on the molding machine.

4) Prediction based on the reference value of consumables For example, in the case of consumables such as grease, the amount of grease remaining in the supply container can be detected by a sensor. By comparing this detected amount with a predetermined reference value, the consumption time can be predicted. That is, when the detected amount exceeds a predetermined reference value, it can be determined that the consumption time is approaching.

  Next, automatic ordering processing of consumable parts (replacement parts) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an automatic ordering process for consumable parts (replacement parts) in the embodiment of the present invention. The automatic ordering process for consumable parts (replacement parts) is a process performed in the management apparatus 10 at regular intervals. Here, automatic ordering processing of a ball screw will be described as an example of consumable parts.

  When the automatic ordering process of the ball screw is started, first, in step S11, the consumption time of the ball screw is determined. That is, the service life (consumption time) of a ball screw that is currently in use and gradually wears is predicted, and it is determined whether there is a margin with respect to the wear time. If it is determined that there is room, the current process is terminated. If it is determined that there is no room, the process proceeds to step S12. The life (consumption time) of the ball screw can be predicted based on, for example, the past operation time and operation state of the ball screw, and there are various methods for predicting the consumption time as described later. .

  In step S12, the stock quantity of the ball screw is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the stock quantity has a margin. If it is determined that there is room, the current process is terminated. If it is determined that there is no room, the process proceeds to step S13. The determination as to whether or not there is a margin in the inventory amount of grease is based on information regarding the ball screw inventory amount stored in the database of the management device 10 and information regarding a production plan using the molding machine 20 as will be described later. Done. Here, the ball screw is generally an expensive part, and is often ordered every replacement period without having a stock. In such a case, the stock quantity is “0”, and it is automatically determined that there is no room, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, a period (delivery date) from ordering the ball screw to delivery is confirmed. That is, it is determined whether or not there is a margin in the current stock amount with respect to a period (delivery date) from when the ball screw is immediately ordered and delivered. If it is determined that there is room, the current process is terminated. If it is determined that there is no room, the process proceeds to step S14. The determination as to whether or not the stock amount is sufficient for the delivery date is made based on the information on the ball screw stock amount and the information on the ball screw delivery date stored in the database 12 of the management apparatus 10. For parts that do not have inventory such as ball screws, it is automatically determined that there is no room in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the person in charge asks for approval as to whether or not the ball screw can be ordered. This step is provided because it is necessary to check against a budget and a business plan when ordering particularly expensive parts. In addition, when a replacement part is automatically ordered, if there is an error in the management device, it may lead to a large loss, which means that the person in charge is notified in advance. If the person in charge does not approve the order for the ball screw, the process ends. If the person in charge approves the order for the ball screw, the process proceeds to step S15.

  If the person in charge approves the order in step S14, ball screw order processing is performed in step S15. This ordering process is performed, for example, by automatically issuing an order instruction from the management apparatus 10 (computer) to an order receiving apparatus of a ball screw manufacturing company (or sales company) connected to the management apparatus 10. Alternatively, the administrator of the molding machine management system may issue an order form to the ball screw manufacturing company (or sales company) based on the notification from the management device 10 without using a computer. The form of ordering the ball screw is not limited to such a method, and various methods are conceivable.

  In the above automatic ordering process for consumable parts (replacement parts), when a plurality of molding machines 20 are connected to the management apparatus 10, the consumable parts are stocked for each of the plurality of molding machines 20 in step S11 for parts in stock. It is preferable to determine whether or not there is a margin with respect to the stock quantity in step S12 after determining the consumption time and collecting the results. In the case of parts not in stock, automatic ordering processing is performed independently for each molding machine 20.

  Here, a method of predicting the consumption time of the ball screw in step S12 will be described. As with the above-described prediction method of the grease consumption time, the prediction method of the ball screw consumption time is as follows: 1) prediction based on production plan, 2) prediction based on the state of consumables (current state), 3) prediction based on molding data, 4) Four methods are conceivable, such as prediction based on the standard value of consumables.

1) Prediction based on production plan Predict the consumption time of a ball screw, which is a consumable part (replacement part), based on a production plan created by scheduler software or the like. Since the planned number of productions and the planned (target) cycle time are obtained as production plan information, the lifetime of consumable parts such as ball screws is predicted (calculated) based on such information. Thereby, it is possible to predict the consumption time of the consumable parts.

2) Prediction based on the state (current status) of consumable parts For example, the life is calculated based on the elapsed time after replacement of consumable parts (replacement parts) such as ball screws, the operation history (number of elapsed shots) of the molding machine, etc. By grasping the current situation, it is possible to predict the consumption time (life = time when replacement is required).

3) Prediction by molding data For example, the lifetime of consumable parts such as a ball screw can be predicted based on performance data and molding conditions of a molding machine. The performance data of the molding machine includes information on cycle time, weighing time, injection pressure, and the like, and the lifetime of consumable parts can be predicted in consideration of the load on the molding machine.

4) Prediction based on the reference value of consumable parts For example, in the case of consumable parts such as a ball screw, vibration generated by the ball screw can be detected by a sensor. By comparing the detected magnitude of vibration with a predetermined reference value, the lifetime (consumption time) can be predicted. That is, when the detected value exceeds a predetermined reference value, it can be determined that the lifetime (consumption period) is approaching.

  Here, the information used for predicting the consumption time of the above-mentioned consumables and consumable parts (replacement parts) will be described in more detail. The prediction of consumption time is mainly based on grasping the current situation and production plan information.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when the production plan created using the scheduler software is displayed on the display device of the management device 10. In FIG. 5, the “order number” field displays a code that is assigned when an order is received for a product (molded product) that is received and produced at a molding factory. In the column “product code”, a management code at the molding factory attached to the ordered product is shown. In the “equipment” column, the number of a molding machine used when molding the product indicated by the product code is shown. The “used resin amount” column shows the amount of resin used when the product indicated by the product code is molded. The “used resin amount” is a resin amount calculated by (production number) × (target cycle) × (resin amount used for one molded product). In the “target cycle time” column, the time required for one molding cycle is shown.

  In FIG. 5, the “startable date” column indicates the time when the production process for forming the product indicated by the product code can be started. The possible start date is obtained based on the facility information shown in FIG. Each item shown in FIG. 5 will be described later. In FIG. 5, the “Delivery date” column indicates the time when the product indicated by the product code is delivered to the customer (the delivery date and time decided by the molding factory with the customer). In the “priority” column, priorities determined in consideration of the delivery date of the product indicated by the product code, the production schedule of other products, and the like are shown stepwise as numerical values. In the “production quantity” column, the production quantity negotiated with the orderer based on the request of the orderer is displayed.

  Among the information related to the above production plan, “order number”, “product code”, “equipment”, “amount of resin used”, “target cycle”, “delivery date”, “production quantity” are determined and input in advance. This is information, and “startable date” and “priority” are determined based on such various information and the facility information shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

  Here, the facility information shown in FIG. 6 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which information related to the state of the molding machine installed in the molding factory is displayed on the display device of the management device 10. In FIG. 6, the “equipment name” column shows a unique name of each molding machine. In the “equipment code” column, a code attached to each molding machine for management by the management apparatus is shown. In the “stop start date and time” column, the date and time when the molding machine indicated by the equipment code stops operation for reasons such as periodic maintenance or parts replacement is shown.

  In the column of “stop end date and time” in FIG. 6, the date and time when the operation is restarted after the operation is stopped is shown. In the “work content” column, the reason why the operation is stopped and the operation of the molding machine on which the operation is performed is stopped is shown. For example, the work contents include reasons such as exchanging molds for molding different products or exchanging resins. Moreover, it may be stopped for replacement work of replacement parts such as a ball screw and a screw to be replaced after use to some extent. Furthermore, it may be stopped to perform regular maintenance work on the molding machine.

  In FIG. 6, the “person in charge” column shows the name of the person in charge who performs the work with the molding machine stopped. Further, the facility information managed by the management apparatus 10 includes various information related to the molding machine in addition to the items shown in FIG. For example, maintenance information as shown in FIG. 7 is also included in the facility information. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a maintenance screen showing the maintenance time of each molding machine shown in FIG. 6 for each consumable and consumable part (replacement part).

  In the maintenance screen shown in FIG. 7, for example, for a molding machine whose equipment name is “E01”, regular maintenance is scheduled for November 16th and 17th, and the molding machine cannot be operated at that time. I understand at a glance. Further, for example, it can be seen that for a molding machine whose equipment name is “E03”, replenishment of grease is scheduled for October 23, November 7, and November 15. Furthermore, for the molding machine whose equipment name is “E05”, the service life (consumption time) of the ball screw is November 10, and the service life is calculated based on operation result data, production plan information, and the like. It is shown that the replacement of the ball screw which has reached the end of life is performed on November 11, and at that time, regular maintenance is performed on November 12. Therefore, it is shown that the molding machine does not operate on November 11 and 12.

  As described above, the production plan information includes various pieces of information as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and based on these pieces of information, for example, the amount of grease that is a consumable consumed by each molding machine. Based on this, it is possible to predict the grease consumption time (the time when there is no room in stock). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the consumption time of replacement parts, such as a ball screw and a screw, can be estimated.

  Further, as information obtained from the production plan information, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation information of the molding machine can be obtained from the above-described production plan information. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on which the operation information of the molding machine is displayed on the display device of the management device 10. In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 8, the operating time, the number of shots, and the cycle time of the molding machine are shown. In addition, the screen shown in FIG. 8 shows the number of grease cartridges in stock. In other words, information indicating the operating status of the molding machine and information indicating the inventory status of consumables are shown. Based on these information, the consumption time of the consumables is predicted, and (whether there is a margin in the inventory amount). Or).

  FIG. 9 shows a screen similar to FIG. 8, but is a screen related to consumable parts (replacement parts), and shows the next scheduled replacement time predicted from production plan information and the like. The example of the screen of FIG. 9 is a screen related to a ball screw, and the number of stocks is “0” because the ball screws are ordered without being in stock and in time for replacement.

  It should be noted that the consumption amount of grease and the consumption rate (time until the end of life) of the ball screw vary depending on the operating conditions such as the operation time and load of each molding machine. Therefore, it is possible to place an order for stocks and replacement parts in a timely manner by predicting the wear time while reflecting information on the production plan and the operating status of each molding machine.

  Further, the above-described four methods for predicting the consumption time may be performed independently or in combination.

  In addition, the production plan can be reestablished according to the predicted result of the consumption time of the consumables and consumable parts. For example, for a ball screw that is a consumable part, if it is predicted that the number of days will be short until the life of the ball screw of one molding machine (consumption time), use the other molding machine without using that molding machine. Production may be performed. Or, a molding machine that is predicted to have a short ball screw life may be preferentially assigned a production plan with a small number of production so that the production of one item is completed before the ball screw life is reached. Good.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a molding machine management system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of an injection molding machine. It is a flowchart of the automatic ordering process of the consumable goods in one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the automatic ordering process of the consumable part (replacement part) in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen at the time of displaying the production plan created using scheduler software on the display apparatus of a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which displayed the information regarding the state of the molding machine installed in the molding factory on the display apparatus of the management apparatus. It is a figure of the maintenance screen which shows the maintenance time of a molding machine for every consumable and consumable parts (replacement parts). It is a figure which shows the screen which displayed the operating information of the molding machine with the display apparatus of the management apparatus with the stock quantity of consumables. It is a figure which shows the screen which displayed the operation information of the molding machine with the display apparatus of the management apparatus with the stock quantity of consumable parts (replacement parts).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Management apparatus 12,32 Database 20 Molding machine 30 Inventory management apparatus 40 Electric injection molding machine 42 Controller 50 Injection apparatus 53 Screw 57,79 Ball screw shaft 90 Grease automatic supply apparatus 91 Grease container 94 Grease sensor

Claims (11)

An automatic part ordering method for a molding machine,
Let the computer automatically predict when the parts of the molding machine are consumed,
Let the computer automatically determine when to place an order based on the predicted wear time,
An automatic parts ordering method for a molding machine, characterized by causing a computer to perform processing related to ordering the parts when it is determined that it is time to place an order. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to claim 1,
An automatic parts ordering method for a molding machine, characterized in that a consumption time is predicted based on production plan information. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to claim 1,
An automatic part ordering method for a molding machine, wherein the consumption time is predicted based on at least one type of information among information indicating the current state of parts, production plan information, and performance data of the molding machine. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine, wherein the determination of the ordering time includes a process of confirming an inventory of the parts. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine, wherein the determination of the ordering time includes a process of confirming a delivery date of the parts. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The part ordering method for a molding machine, wherein the ordering process includes a process of automatically sending ordering information of the part to an ordering party. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The part ordering method for a molding machine, wherein the ordering process includes a process of notifying an operator of the ordering of the part and obtaining approval. A method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The method for automatically ordering parts of a molding machine, wherein the part is at least one of a grease cartridge and a ball screw. An automatic parts ordering system for a molding machine comprising a plurality of molding machines and a management device for managing the molding machine,
Predicting means for automatically predicting the consumption time of the parts of the molding machine;
A determination means for automatically determining the ordering time based on the predicted consumption time;
An automatic parts ordering system for a molding machine, comprising: ordering means for performing processing related to ordering of the parts when it is determined that the ordering time is reached. An automatic part ordering system for a molding machine according to claim 9,
The predicting means is provided in the management device, and predicts the consumption time of the part using at least one type of information among production plan information, information indicating the current state of the part, and performance information of the molding machine. Automatic parts ordering system for molding machines.   A program that causes a computer to execute the automatic part ordering method for a molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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