JP2006110765A - Remote monitor system of injection molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the remote monitor system of an injection molding machine constituted so as to convert the data transmitted from the injection molding machine to image data which can not be rewritten in a relatively simple manner to transmit the image data and enhanced in safety controllability from an aspect of security. <P>SOLUTION: Controllers 60 for converting the operation state data such as numerical value data or the like of the respective injection molding machines 3a-3c of a production factory 2 are provided to the injection molding machines 3a-3c. The personal computer 10 or the like of an office 6 is operated to transmit the image data of the operation state data converted by the controllers 60 to the personal computer 10 on the basis of the operation request to the injection molding machines 3a-3c from the personal computer 10. By transmitting the image data which can not be rewritten after conversion, the safety of the remote monitor system from an aspect of security is enhanced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine capable of monitoring the injection molding machine.

  In recent years, the development of information network technology has been remarkable, and it is possible to exchange data anywhere on the earth by using communication lines such as the Internet line as well as the establishment of information networks within each company. It has become. In recent years, production factories have been established in remote locations such as overseas due to cost issues such as labor costs. At the headquarters of the factory, etc., multiple machine tools etc. installed in the factory can be connected via communication lines. It is being managed to reduce costs and improve productivity.

  As such a conventional technique, Patent Document 1 proposes a remote monitoring method using a communication network for monitoring a plurality of injection molding machines installed in remote locations such as foreign countries and regions via a communication network. . In this patent document 1, in order to manage a plurality of injection molding machines provided at remote locations, the operating status of a plurality of injection molding machines arranged at remote locations via a communication network from an office in the home country, etc. Disclosed is a remote monitoring method that can be displayed on the screen of a communication terminal device provided at a location away from the factory and that can manage a plurality of injection molding machines from a remote location by a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. ing. Further, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that the quality of a molded product, the operation status, and the daily total can be automatically collected, and the operation status at the molding site can be confirmed from a remote location.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-1688 Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. website (http://www.shi.co.jp/plastics/f_product7.html)

  However, in the said patent document 1 and nonpatent literature 1, the injection molding machine currently working in a remote place cannot be monitored just as if there was an injection molding machine on the side. In other words, the operation status of the injection molding machine is grasped based on the numerical data displayed on the screen. In practice, various settings of the injection molding machine are performed by the operator. In addition, numerical data is simply sent from the factory injection molding machine to a terminal such as an office that manages it, and displayed on the screen. In doing so, there is a risk that the numerical data sent and received may be read or rewritten due to unauthorized access from the outside, etc., and it can never be said that it is absolutely preferable in managing the injection molding machine There wasn't.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and improves security safety management that enables data transmitted from an injection molding machine to be converted into image data that cannot be rewritten relatively easily and transmitted. The purpose is to provide a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine, and it is possible to collectively manage the operation status of the operator who performs the operation in addition to the operation status data of the injection molding machine The object is to provide a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine.

  A remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is sent to a plurality of injection molding machines, interface devices connected to the plurality of injection molding machines, and these interface devices. A switching hub that analyzes the data and designates and detects one of the plurality of injection molding machines, and a computer that is connected to the switching hub and transmits / receives data to / from the injection molding machine via the interface device In the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine, the interface device is provided in each of the injection molding machines.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, since the interface device is provided in the injection molding machine, it is possible to easily connect the injection molding machine to an existing network and monitor the injection molding machine at a remote place.

  A remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to a second aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to the first aspect, wherein a router is connected to the switching hub, and the injection molding is connected to the router via an Internet line. A portable terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the machine is configured to be connectable.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, it is possible to easily check the operation status of the injection molding machine by connecting a portable terminal.

  A remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to a third aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to the second aspect, wherein a control device is provided in the injection molding machine, and the control device converts the operation status data into image data. It has the function to convert into.

  According to the configuration of claim 3, when a desired operation status data is requested from the injection molding machine by operating a computer or a portable terminal, the control device, based on the request, requests the operation status data of the requested injection molding machine. Can be converted into image data, and the converted image data can be transmitted to the requesting computer or the portable terminal.

  The remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the interface device has an RS-232C interface function. It is an Ethernet converter.

  With the configuration of claim 4, the RS-232C interface function is widespread as a serial communication method and is provided as standard in most personal computers. Therefore, various peripheral devices such as printers according to this standard are provided. It can be easily used by connecting a PC directly to an Ethernet converter, so it is highly versatile.

  The remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to claim 5 of the present invention is the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the operating state of the injection molding machine is photographed in real time. A camera is connected to the switching hub, and an image of the operating state of the injection molding machine photographed by the camera and the operation status of an operator operating the camera can be displayed on the image display unit of the computer or the portable terminal. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, since the image of the injection molding machine photographed by the camera and the operator operating the camera can be displayed in real time on the image display unit, the injection molding machine in operation installed in a remote place can be displayed. The video can be monitored as if it were on the side. Therefore, it is possible to collectively manage whether or not the operator is performing a predetermined operation of the injection molding machine.

  According to the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine of claim 1, a plurality of injection molding machines, interface devices connected to each of the plurality of injection molding machines, and the interface devices are sent. A switching hub that analyzes data and designates and detects one of the plurality of injection molding machines, and a computer that is connected to the switching hub and transmits / receives data to / from the injection molding machine via the interface device; In the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine, the interface device is provided in each of the injection molding machines, and a plurality of injection molding machines at remote locations can be easily monitored. A remote monitoring system with improved performance can be provided.

  According to a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine of claim 2, the portable monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein a router is connected to the switching hub, and data can be transmitted to and received from the injection molding machine via the Internet line to the router. Since the terminal is configured to be connectable, the operation status of the injection molding machine can be easily confirmed by connecting the portable terminal, which is excellent in convenience.

  According to the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine of claim 3, in claim 2, the injection molding machine is provided with a control device, and this control device has a function of converting operating status data into image data, Since the operation status data of the injection molding machine can be transmitted after being converted to image data, for example, the operation status of the injection molding machine is transmitted as a numerical file or text file as in the past, and its contents However, since it can be avoided that the data is easily rewritten due to unauthorized access or the like, it is excellent in security safety management.

  According to the remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine of claim 4, in any one of claims 1 to 3, the interface device is an Ethernet converter having an RS-232C interface function, so it is excellent in versatility.

  According to a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to claim 5, a camera for photographing an operation state of the injection molding machine in real time is connected to the switching hub according to any one of claims 2 to 4, and the computer Alternatively, the image display unit of the portable terminal can be configured to display an image of the operating state of the injection molding machine photographed by the camera and the operation status of the operator who operates the camera. It is possible to grasp and manage whether or not a predetermined operation of the machine is being performed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Needless to say, the present invention can be easily applied to configurations other than those described in the embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the entire remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine in an example of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the remote monitoring system 1 for an injection molding machine, a plurality of injection molding machines 3a to 3c are installed in a production factory 2 for producing a molded product. Each of these injection molding machines 3a to 3c has an RS-232C interface function and an Ethernet (registered trademark) converter 4a to 4c that is an interface device that mediates data exchange. Ethernet converters 4a to 4c are provided in the injection molding machines 3a to 3c in a state of being connected by 5c.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes a computer provided in the office 6 that remotely monitors and manages the operating conditions of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c provided in the production factory 2, and the computer 10 in this embodiment includes: A personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 10 is connected to a main body 11 of the personal computer 10 through a connection cable (not shown) such as a monitor 12 and a keyboard. Is provided with an image display unit 14 for displaying the operation status of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c.

  The production factory 2 is provided with a switching hub 20. The switching hub 20 includes Ethernet converters 4 a to 4 c and a personal computer 10 installed in the office 6 via a LAN cable 30 as a connection cable. The switching hub 20 is connected to the main body 11 and a router 25 that relays data, etc., and the switching hub 20 analyzes the data sent from the personal computer 11 or a portable terminal (to be described later) via the router 25 and outputs the plurality of units. Any one of the molding machines 3a to 3c can be specified and detected.

  In an example in the present embodiment, the notebook personal computer 35, the mobile phone 36, and the personal computer 11 that are portable terminals can transmit and receive data and the like to and from the injection molding machines 3a to 3c via the LAN cable 30, the switching hub 20, and the like. For example, when the notebook type personal computer 35 or the mobile phone 36 is operated, the remote operation of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c can be easily performed even from a home away from the production factory 2 and data. On the other hand, in the office 6 adjacent to the production factory 2, the operation unit 13 a such as a keyboard of the personal computer 10 is operated, so that the injection molding machines 3 a to 3 installed in the production factory 2 can be easily used. It is configured to be able to send and receive data by operating 3c remotely.

  Reference numerals 50a to 50c are cameras that are connected to the switching hub 20 via a LAN cable 30a, and are capable of photographing the operating state of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c and the operation status of an operator who operates these. The cameras 50a to 50c are arranged so as to photograph one by one corresponding to each of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c, and the operating state of each of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c and the operation status of the operator who operates these are in real time. The image is taken and displayed on the image display unit 14a of the personal computer and the image display units 14b and 14c of the portable terminal.

  Here, the injection molding machines 3a to 3c will be described. The injection molding machines 3a to 3c are mainly driven by an electric motor or hydraulic pressure, and after melting raw materials such as pellets, are injected into a mold at high speed and high pressure. The molded product is mass-produced, and the basic configuration is almost the same as that of a generally used injection molding machine. Therefore, detailed description thereof is omitted, but each of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c includes: Each of the control devices 60 for controlling the whole is provided with a CPU 61 as a control means, a program memory (ROM) 62 for storing a program, a program, as shown in FIG. Memory (RAM) 63, image display frame buffer memory (RAM) 64, display device 65 for displaying images, key operation unit 66, and Ethernet converters 4a to 4a. 4c is provided with a communication unit 67 provided with RS-232C, and the communication unit 67 is provided with a parallel port for connecting a printer 69 for printing an image or the like displayed on the display device 65. ing. The communication unit 67 and the Ethernet converter 4a are connected by RS-232C cables 5a to 5c which are connection cables.

  Further, on the personal computer 10, the notebook computer 35, and the mobile phone 36, image display units 14a to 14c capable of displaying the operation status of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c, an operator, etc. operate the injection molding machines 3a to 3c. It has operation parts 13a-13c which are operation means for doing. The operation request is transmitted to the control device 60 by operating the operation units 13a to 13c of the personal computer 10, the notebook computer 35, and the mobile phone 36 in the program memory (ROM) 62, and the transmission request Based on the above, the control device 60 converts operation data such as numerical data and text data of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c into image data, and the converted image data is used for the personal computer 10, the notebook personal computer 35, and the mobile phone 36. Are transmitted to the device that has operated the operation units 13a to 13c.

  Next, a procedure for remotely managing the injection molding machines 3a to 3c from the personal computer 10, notebook personal computer 35, and mobile phone 36 according to the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operator performs a predetermined operation of the operation units 13a to 13c of the personal computer 10 or the like, for example, to indicate the operating state of the injection molding machine 3a to the control device 60 of the injection molding machine 3a. When the control device is requested to transmit data (steps 1 and 2), the request is received by the control device 60 of the injection molding machine 3a (step 3). Then, based on the request, the control device 60 selects the screen “screen No. 1” as the requested operation status data (step 4), and the “screen image area” included in the screen display frame buffer 64 The screen image is written in “1” 84 or “screen image area 2” 85 (step 5), and after the writing, the operation status data of “screen No. 1” shown in FIG. Conversion processing is performed on the data. (Step 6). The converted image data is sent to the communication unit 67 and then sent to the Ethernet converters 4a to 4c via the RS-232C (step 7).

  In step 7, when the data subjected to the data transmission process by the Ethernet converter 4a of the control device 60 is transmitted to the requested personal computer 10, the operator performs a predetermined operation of the operation unit 13a. Data reception processing is performed in the main body 11 of the personal computer (step 10), and the image data can be displayed as an image on the image display unit 14a attached thereto (step 11). Thus, the converted image data is sent back to the personal computer 10 operated by the operation unit 13a via the switching hub 20, the LAN cable 30 and the like (step 7). Similarly, when a portable terminal is used instead of the personal computer 10, the image data image can be displayed on the image display units 14 b and 14 c corresponding to the requested notebook personal computer 35 or mobile phone 36.

  In the example of the present embodiment, an image 90 as “monitor data display” for displaying the number of shots, date, time, etc. is shown as an example in FIG. For example, the cycle time of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c, the number of defects of the molded product / defective rate, and the number of production / production rate, operating rate, or progress can be selected as appropriate. . In this case, in place of the procedures of steps 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 3, the processing is performed in the same manner as described above by performing steps 6 and 7, and steps 8 and 9.

  It is also possible to send back a setting screen display for setting molding conditions of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c to the display device 65 provided in the control device 60 of the injection molding machine.

  As described above, according to the remote monitoring system 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of installed injection molding machines 3a to 3c and an Ethernet converter 5a connected to each of the plurality of injection molding machines 3a to 3c. ˜5c and the like, a switching hub 20 that analyzes and analyzes data sent to these interface devices to designate and detect one of the plurality of injection molding machines 3a to 3c, and the switching hub 20 In the remote monitoring system 1 including the personal computer 10 which is a computer that transmits and receives data to and from the injection molding machines 3a to 3c via the interface device, an interface device is provided in each of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c. As a result, since the interface device is provided in each of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c, the injection molding machines 3a to 3c are simply connected to the existing constructed network, and a plurality of injection molding machines are installed at remote locations. Since the machines 3a-3c can be monitored, the remote monitoring system 1 with improved convenience can be provided.

  Further, a router 25 is connected to the switching hub 20, and the router 25 has communication functions such as a notebook personal computer 35 and a mobile phone 36 that can transmit and receive data to and from the injection molding machines 3 a to 3 c via the Internet line 40. A portable terminal can be connected. As a result, portable terminals such as the notebook computer 35 and the mobile phone 36 are connected to the router 25 and the like, and the operating statuses of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c are easily transmitted to the portable terminal, and the image display unit 14b. , 14c can be displayed and confirmed.

  In addition, since the injection molding machines 3a to 3c are provided with a control device 60, and this control device 60 has a function of converting the operation status data of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c into image data, the personal computer 35 or the portable terminal is operated. When requesting the desired operation status data to the injection molding machines 3a to 3c, based on the request, the control device 60 converts the requested operation status data of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c into image data. Since the converted image data can be transmitted to the requesting personal computer 35 or the portable terminal, the data transmitted from the injection molding machines 3a to 3c to the personal computer 10 or the portable terminal is stored in the control device 60. The interface 68 converts data files such as numerical data and text data into image data that cannot be easily rewritten, and changes the data. Image data can be transmitted later. For example, as in the past, the operation status of an injection molding machine is transmitted as it is by a data file, etc., and the contents of the file can be easily rewritten by unauthorized access etc. Since this can be avoided, it is excellent in security safety management.

  In addition, since the interface device of this embodiment is the Ethernet converters 4a to 4c having the RS-232C interface function, the RS-232C interface function is widely used as a serial communication system and is standard on most personal computers. Therefore, various peripheral devices such as a printer (not shown) and a personal computer conforming to this standard can be directly connected to the Ethernet converters 4a to 4c and used easily, so that versatility is excellent.

  Furthermore, cameras 50a to 50c that photograph the operating states of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c in real time are connected to the switching hub 20 via the LAN cable 30a, and the cameras 10 are connected to the image display units 14a to 14c of the personal computer 10 or the portable terminal. It is configured to be able to display images such as operating states of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c photographed by 50a to 50c and operation states of operators operating the injection molding machines 3a to 3c. As a result, the images of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c and the operator operating the injection molding machines 3a to 3c photographed by the cameras 50a to 50c can be displayed in real time on the image display units 14a to 14c. The images of the inside injection molding machines 3a to 3c can be monitored as if they were on the side. Therefore, it is possible to reliably grasp and collectively manage whether or not the operator is performing a predetermined operation of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view showing a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is shown to the same part as Example 1 mentioned above, the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted and explained in full detail. In the second embodiment, instead of the switching hub 20 of the first embodiment, switching hubs 20A and 20B are installed in the production factory 2 and the office 6, respectively. Each switching hub 20A, 20B is connected to a wireless communication device 80 as a wireless LAN access point via a LAN cable 30 as a connection cable, and the personal computer 10 in the office 6 or the notebook personal computer 35 or the mobile phone 36. Thus, transmission / reception of data of the injection molding machines 3a to 3c installed in the production factory 2 is possible. In this case, since the switching hub 20A of the production factory 2 and the switching hub 20B of the office can perform two-way communication wirelessly, wireless communication can be performed without installing a cable such as the LAN cable 30 between the production factory and the office. By enabling communication, it is possible to easily construct a network.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible within the range of the summary of this invention. For example, in the production factory 2, three units are shown as a plurality of injection molding machines 3a to 3c. However, the number is not limited to this number, and two or less units or four units or more are necessary as appropriate. You may choose according to.

It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the remote monitoring system of the injection molding machine in Example 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control means of an injection molding machine same as the above. It is a flowchart figure which shows the operation procedure of a remote monitoring system same as the above. It is a figure which shows the screen as which operation status data was displayed on the display apparatus same as the above. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the remote monitoring system of the injection molding machine in Example 2.

Explanation of symbols

1 Remote monitoring system 3a-3c Injection molding machine 4a-4c Ethernet converter (interface device)
10 PC
14a to 14c Image display unit 20 Switching hub 25 Router 35 Notebook computer (portable terminal)
36 Mobile phone (portable terminal)
40 Internet line 50a-50c Camera 60 Control device

Claims (5)

  A plurality of injection molding machines, interface devices connected to each of the plurality of injection molding machines, and data sent to these interface devices are analyzed to analyze In a remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine, comprising: a switching hub that designates and detects any one of them; and a computer that is connected to the switching hub and transmits / receives data to / from the injection molding machine via the interface device. A remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine, characterized in that an interface device is provided for each machine.   2. An injection molding machine according to claim 1, wherein a router is connected to the switching hub, and a portable terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the injection molding machine is connectable to the router via an Internet line. Remote monitoring system.   3. The remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to claim 2, wherein the injection molding machine is provided with a control device, and the control device has a function of converting operation status data into image data.   The remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interface device is an Ethernet converter having an RS-232C interface function. A camera that captures the operating state of the injection molding machine in real time is connected to the switching hub, and the operating state of the injection molding machine captured by the camera is displayed on the image display unit of the computer or the portable terminal. The remote monitoring system for an injection molding machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an image of an operation status of an operator who operates the machine can be displayed.

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