JP2021032427A - Particulate matter processing device, and particulate matter processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a particulate matter processing device and a particulate matter processing method, capable of decreasing time and labor for setting up a complicated processing procedure.SOLUTION: A memory part 11 memorizes a recipe that defines a procedure of processing a particulate matter in a processing part 2. For example, upon carrying out processing in the processing part 2, a recipe is read out of the memory part 11 to control the action of the processing part 2 so that the processing proceeds according to the procedure defined by the recipe. Therefore, a worker does not need to manually set up a processing procedure every time when starting to operate a particulate matter processing device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for treating powders and granules such as resin pellets.

In the manufacturing process of plastic products, the raw materials such as resin pellets and master batches are supplied to the molding machine. The powder or granular material undergoes various treatments before being supplied to the molding machine. The treatment of the powder or granular material includes a drying treatment for removing water from the powder or granular material, a metrological mixing treatment in which each quantitative amount of a plurality of materials including the powder or granular material is weighed and mixed.

In the powder or granular material processing apparatus used for each treatment, there is an operation setting for each powder or granular material in which the state of the powder or granular material is kept in good condition. In addition, the powder or granular material processing apparatus may be operated with a setting in consideration of energy saving performance. However, the setting of the powder or granular material processing device is not so complicated. For example, in the dryer used for the drying treatment, the target temperature of the air for drying supplied to the powder or granular material and the supply time thereof are set. To the extent that Therefore, in the powder or granular material processing apparatus, the operator often manually sets the powder or granular material processing apparatus each time the operation is started.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-62858

However, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for improving the quality of plastic products, and there is a demand for treatment under optimum conditions in which product defects are less likely to occur in the powder or granular material processing apparatus. For example, in a dryer, in addition to preventing thermal deterioration of powder or granular material due to overheating, blocking due to thermal expansion of the powder or granular material, and re-moisture absorption due to rapid cooling at the time of discharging the powder or granular material, improvement in energy saving performance is also required. In order to establish these at the same time, the target temperature must be finely changed according to the progress of the treatment, but the operator manually sets the complicated treatment procedure each time the operation of the powder or granular material processing device is started. It takes time and effort, and human error is likely to occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide a powder or granular material processing apparatus and a powder or granular material processing method that can reduce the labor required for setting a complicated processing procedure.

In order to achieve the above object, the powder or granular material processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is a processing unit for processing powder or granular material and a storage unit for storing processing procedure information defining a processing procedure in the processing unit. According to the information control unit that reads the processing procedure information from the storage unit and issues an operation command so that the processing in the processing unit proceeds in the procedure related to the read processing procedure information, and the operation command issued from the information control unit. Includes an operation control unit that controls the operation of the processing unit.

According to this configuration, the storage unit stores processing procedure information that defines the procedure for processing the powder or granular material in the processing unit. For example, when processing is executed in the processing unit, the operation of the processing unit is controlled so that the processing procedure information is read from the storage unit and the processing proceeds according to the procedure related to the processing procedure information. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to manually set the processing procedure each time the operation of the powder or granular material processing apparatus is started. Therefore, even if the processing procedure is complicated, it is possible to save the trouble of frequently setting the complicated processing procedure. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error (setting error) due to manually setting the processing procedure each time. Then, as the processing proceeds according to the procedure related to the processing procedure information, the processing efficiency is improved and the powder or granular material having a good processing state can be obtained.

The processing procedure information may be a combination of control target values divided by time.

Specifically, when the treatment in the treatment unit is a drying treatment for removing water from the powder or granular material, the control target value is the temperature, and the treatment procedure information is a combination of the target temperatures divided by time. You may. As a result, the temperature of the powder or granular material can be efficiently raised or lowered, so that the energy saving performance of the powder or granular material processing device is improved, and the thermal deterioration of the powder or granular material due to overheating and the thermal expansion of the powder or granular material are caused. It is possible to suppress re-moisture absorption due to blocking and quenching at the time of discharging powder or granular material.

The powder / granule processing apparatus further includes an input unit into which information is input, and the processing procedure information is stored in the storage unit in association with an identification code unique to the processing procedure information, and the information control unit identifies. When the code is input to the input unit, the processing procedure information corresponding to the input identification code is read from the storage unit, and the operation command is issued according to the processing execution instruction input to the input unit. You may put it out. In this case, the operator can easily call the processing procedure information by inputting the identification code, and can execute the processing in the procedure related to the called processing procedure information by inputting the execution instruction.

The identification code may be a number, may be a product name of a molded product made of a powder or granular material, or may be a mold number of a mold used for molding the molded product. However, it may be the material number assigned to the material of the molded product.

It is preferable that the information control unit stores the new processing procedure information and the identification code in the storage unit in association with each other in response to the new processing procedure information and the identification code and the registration instruction being input to the input unit. This enables new registration of processing procedure information. Then, the operator can easily call up specific processing procedure information from the plurality of registered processing procedure information by inputting the identification code.

The powder or granular material processing apparatus further includes a state input unit to which a signal indicating the operating state of the processing unit is input, and the information control unit is an operation represented by the signal input to the state input unit while the processing in the processing unit is in progress. It is preferable to store the state in the storage unit in association with the processing procedure information related to the processing in progress. As a result, the worker can call up the operating state information stored in association with the processing procedure information from the storage unit and evaluate the processing procedure information from the operating state information, based on the evaluation result. The processing procedure can be improved.

The powder or granular material processing apparatus may further include a voice output unit that outputs voice, and the information control unit may issue a voice output command for notifying information regarding processing in the processing unit to the voice output unit. As a result, the information about the processing is notified by voice, so that the operator can know the information about the processing even if he / she is away from the powder / granular material processing apparatus.

The information about the process may be the process procedure information.

In this case, the information control unit may issue a voice output command to the voice output unit to notify the contents of the processing procedure information in response to reading the processing procedure information from the storage unit. As a result, the worker can hear the voice and know the processing procedure information.

In addition, the information control unit can confirm the content of the input processing procedure information by voice in response to the new processing procedure information being input to the input unit. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an error due to an input error of processing procedure information.

In the powder / granular material processing method according to one aspect of the present invention, the processing procedure information that defines the processing procedure in the processing unit that processes the powder / granular material is stored in the storage unit, and the processing procedure information is read from the storage unit. Then, the operation of the processing unit is controlled so that the processing in the processing unit proceeds according to the procedure related to the read processing procedure information.

According to this method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the above-mentioned powder or granular material processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time and effort required for setting a complicated processing procedure.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the powder or granular material processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a recipe selection screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a recipe registration screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the recipe stored in the storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the time change of the target temperature of the drying air in a drying process. It is a figure which shows another example of the time change of the target temperature of the drying air in a drying process, and shows the example of the time change of the target temperature at the start of a drying process. It is a figure which shows another example of the time change of the target temperature of the drying air in a drying process, and shows the example of the time change of the target temperature at the time of stopping of a drying process. It is a figure which shows an example of the compounding name list screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the combination call screen.

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

<Structure of powder or granular material processing device>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a powder or granular material processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The powder or granular material processing device 1 is an apparatus for processing powder or granular material such as resin pellets which are materials for plastic products. The powder or granular material processing device 1 includes a processing unit 2, an operation panel 3, a speaker 4, and a control unit 5.

The processing unit 2 has a structure for processing the powder or granular material. The treatment of the powder or granular material includes a drying treatment for removing water from the powder or granular material, a metered mixing treatment in which a plurality of materials including the powder or granular material are weighed and mixed, and a flow motion of a plurality of materials including the powder or granular material. Examples thereof include a flow mixing process in which the mixture is mixed. Hereinafter, the case where the treatment performed by the processing unit 2 is a drying treatment will be taken up.

The processing unit 2 for the drying process is provided with a hopper for accommodating the powder or granular material, a drying line including a drying blower, an adsorber and a drying heater, and a regeneration line including a regeneration blower and a regeneration heater. When the drying blower is driven, air circulates in the drying line. The air circulating in the drying line is dehumidified by the adsorber, heated by the drying heater, becomes hot air which is the drying air, and is supplied to the hopper. When the drying air is supplied to the hopper, moisture (humidity) is deprived from the powder or granular material, and the powder or granular material is dried. On the other hand, when the regeneration blower is driven, air flows through the regeneration line. The air flowing through the regeneration line passes through the adsorber after being heated by the regeneration heater. When the heated air passes through the adsorber, the moisture adsorbed on the adsorber is removed, and the adsorber is regenerated into a hygroscopic state.

The operation panel 3 is provided on the side surface of the powder or granular material processing device 1, for example. The operation panel 3 is composed of a touch panel, and is configured by superimposing an operation unit 7 such as a pressure-sensitive or capacitive transparent film switch on a display unit 6 such as a liquid crystal display. Images such as various information and operation buttons are displayed on the display unit 6. When the operator touch-operates the operation button displayed on the display unit 6, the operation unit 7 receives an instruction corresponding to the type of the touch-operated operation button. When an instruction is received by the operation unit 7, a signal corresponding to the content of the instruction is input from the operation unit 7 to the control unit 5. In addition, the operator can input numerical values and characters by touch operation. When a numerical value or character is input, a signal corresponding to the input numerical value or character is input from the operation unit 7 to the control unit 5.

The control unit 5 includes a microcomputer (microcontroller unit). The microcomputer has, for example, a built-in non-volatile memory such as a CPU and a flash memory and a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The non-volatile memory constitutes the storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 contains processing procedure information (hereinafter referred to as “recipe”) that defines the procedure for the drying process in the processing unit 2, and an operation record (actual data) acquired during the operation of the drying process in the processing unit 2. Is remembered. The recipe and operation record will be described later.

The control unit 5 substantially includes an information control unit 12, an operation control unit 13, a state input unit 14, an input unit 15, and an output unit 16 as function processing units for controlling the processing unit 2, the operation panel 3, and the speaker 4. Be prepared for. These functional processing units are realized by software by program processing or by hardware such as a logic circuit.

Various data and information are input to the information control unit 12 from the state input unit 14 and the input unit 15. The information control unit 12 controls reading and writing of recipes and operation records to the storage unit 11 based on the data and information input from the state input unit 14 and the input unit 15, and also to the operation control unit 13 and the output unit 16. Issue a command.

The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the processing unit 2 according to a command input from the information control unit 12.

A signal representing the operating state of the processing unit 2 is input to the state input unit 14. For example, the processing unit 2 is provided with a temperature sensor that detects the temperature (drying temperature) of the drying air supplied to the hopper, and the state input unit 14 inputs the detection signal of the temperature sensor. .. The state input unit 14 acquires the temperature data of the drying air from the detection signal of the temperature sensor, and inputs the temperature data to the information control unit 12.

A signal from the operation unit 7 of the operation panel 3 is input to the input unit 15. Further, a signal from an external device 8 such as a PC (personal computer) that is communicably connected via a communication line is input to the input unit 15. The input unit 15 inputs the information represented by the signals input from the operation unit 7 and the external device 8 to the information control unit 12.

The output unit 16 includes, for example, an LCD driver IC and a sound processor. The output unit 16 causes the display unit 6 of the operation panel 3 to output a screen according to a command input from the information control unit 12 by the function of the LCD driver IC. Further, the output unit 16 outputs a voice or an alarm sound according to a command input from the information control unit 12 from the speaker 4 by the function of the sound processor. Further, the output unit 16 can output information such as a recipe and an operation record to the external device 8 according to a command input from the information control unit 12.

<Driving screen>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen.

Before the start of the operation of the powder or granular material processing device 1, the operation screen is output to the display unit 6 of the operation panel 3. A dryer display area 21, a first transport display area 22, a second transport display area 23, and a recipe display area 24 are set on the operation screen. The dryer display area 21, the first transport display area 22, and the second transport display area 23 are arranged side by side, and the recipe display area 24 is arranged above the first transport display area 22 and the second transport display area 23. There is.

In the dryer display area 21, information such as a drying temperature which is an actual measurement temperature of the drying air supplied to the hopper of the processing unit 2, a set value of a target temperature of the drying air, and an operation time of the drying process is displayed. Further, the operation button 31 and the stop button 32 are displayed in the dryer display area 21. When the operation button 31 is pressed and information indicating that the operation button 31 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 starts the operation of the drying process to the operation control unit 13. Is issued. According to this command, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled by the operation control unit 13, and the drying process in the processing unit 2 is started. When the stop button 32 is pressed during the operation (during execution) of the drying process and the information indicating that the stop button 32 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 informs the information control unit 12. A command to stop the operation of the drying process is issued to the operation control unit 13. According to this command, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled by the operation control unit 13, and the drying process in the processing unit 2 is stopped.

Information such as the cumulative number of times of transporting the powder or granular material to the hopper of the processing unit 2 is displayed in the first transport display area 22. Further, the operation button 33 and the stop button 34 are displayed in the first transport display area 22. When the operation button 33 is pressed and information indicating that the operation button 33 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 issues a command to the operation control unit 13 to start transportation. It will be issued. According to this command, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled by the operation control unit 13, and the transportation of the powder or granular material to the hopper of the processing unit 2 is started. When the stop button 34 is pressed during transportation and the information indicating that the stop button 34 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 stops the transportation to the operation control unit 13. Is issued. According to this command, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled by the operation control unit 13, and the transportation of the powder or granular material to the hopper of the processing unit 2 is stopped.

In the second transport display area 23, information such as the cumulative number of transports of powder or granular material from the hopper of the processing unit 2 is displayed. Further, the operation button 35 and the stop button 36 are displayed in the second transportation display area 23. When the operation button 35 is pressed and information indicating that the operation button 35 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 issues a command to the operation control unit 13 to start transportation. It will be issued. According to this command, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled by the operation control unit 13, and the transportation of the powder or granular material from the hopper of the processing unit 2 is started. When the stop button 36 is pressed during transportation and the information indicating that the stop button 36 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 stops the transportation to the operation control unit 13. Is issued. According to this command, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled by the operation control unit 13, and the transportation of the powder or granular material from the hopper of the processing unit 2 is stopped.

A recipe number display box 37 and a recipe name display box 38 are set in the recipe display area 24. One recipe number is displayed in the recipe number display box 37. In the recipe name display box 38, the recipe name corresponding to the recipe number displayed in the recipe number display box 37 is displayed. Further, the recipe selection screen button 39 is displayed in the recipe display area 24. When the recipe selection screen button 39 is pressed and information indicating that the recipe selection screen button 39 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the recipe selection unit 12 sends the recipe to the output unit 16. A screen output command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 switches the output screen of the display unit 6 from the operation screen to the recipe selection screen.

<Recipe selection screen>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a recipe selection screen.

A recipe number display box 41 and a recipe name display box 42 are set on the recipe selection screen.

In the recipe number display box 41, one selected recipe number is displayed. The up button 43 is displayed on the right side of the recipe number display box 41, and the down button 44 is displayed on the left side of the recipe number display box 41. When the up button 43 is pressed and information indicating that the up button 43 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends the recipe number display box 41 to the output unit 16. A command to change the display is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 changes the number displayed in the recipe number display box 41 to an incremented (+1) number. Further, when the down button 44 is pressed and the information indicating that the down button 44 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the recipe number display box is input from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. A command to change the display of 41 is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 changes the number displayed in the recipe number display box 41 to the decremented (-1) number.

When the recipe number display box 41 is pressed and the information indicating that the recipe number display box 41 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 displays a numeric keypad pop-up on the output unit 16. Is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the numeric keypad on the recipe selection screen. You can directly enter the recipe number by pressing the numeric keypad. Each time one key on the numeric keypad is pressed, the information of the pressed key is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12. Then, a command for displaying the number corresponding to the pressed key in the recipe number display box 41 is input from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 displays a number (number) corresponding to the pressed key in the recipe number display box 41. If the recipe number has two digits, the numeric keypad is pressed twice.

In the recipe name display box 42, the recipe name corresponding to the recipe number displayed in the recipe number display box 41 is displayed.

The recipe number display box 41 and the recipe name display box 42 are arranged side by side with the up button 43 in between, and below them, the recipe corresponding to the recipe number displayed in the recipe number display box 41. The contents are displayed.

In addition, the recipe selection button 45 is displayed on the recipe selection screen. When the recipe selection button 45 is pressed and information indicating that the recipe selection button 45 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the recipe selection confirmation screen is displayed from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. Is issued with a pop-up display command. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the recipe selection confirmation screen on the recipe selection screen.

On the recipe selection confirmation screen, the message "Select this recipe" is displayed along with the selected recipe number and the corresponding recipe name. In addition, an OK button and a cancel button are displayed on the recipe selection confirmation screen. When the OK button is pressed and the information indicating that the OK button is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 corresponds to the recipe number selected from the storage unit 11. The recipe to be used is read out. Then, the information control unit 12 issues a command to output the operation screen in which the selected recipe number and the corresponding recipe name are displayed in the recipe number display box 37 and the recipe name display box 38, respectively. .. According to this command, the output unit 16 deletes the recipe selection confirmation screen, and the output screen of the display unit 6 is switched from the recipe selection screen to the operation screen. On the other hand, when the cancel button is pressed and the information indicating that the cancel button is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 deletes the recipe selection confirmation screen from the output unit 16. Is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 deletes the recipe selection confirmation screen and returns the display unit 6 to a state in which only the recipe selection screen is output.

Further, in response to the OK button being pressed on the recipe selection screen, a command is issued from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16, and according to this command, the output unit 16, for example, "Step 1, target temperature". 80 ° C., drying time 5 minutes, step 2, target temperature 40 ° C., ... ”is output from the speaker 4 by a voice notifying the contents of the recipe selected on the recipe tip screen. As a result, the operator can visually confirm the contents of the recipe.

It is preferable that the sound output from the speaker 4 supports not only Japanese but also multiple languages. In this case, since the voice of the language used by the worker can be output from the speaker 4, even if the worker is a foreigner and cannot read Japanese, the foreign worker can be made to recognize the contents of the recipe. Can be done. The display may also be multilingual, and may be set to be switched by the language selection button.

Further, the recipe registration screen button 46 is displayed on the recipe selection screen. When the recipe registration screen button 46 is pressed and information indicating that the recipe registration screen button 46 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the recipe is registered from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. A screen output command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 switches the output screen of the display unit 6 from the recipe selection screen to the recipe registration screen.

<Recipe registration screen>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the recipe registration screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a recipe stored in the storage unit 11.

On the recipe registration screen, the worker can create a recipe and register the created recipe in the powder or granular material processing device 1.

On the recipe registration screen, a registered recipe number display box 51 and a registered recipe name input box 52 are set. The registered recipe number display box 51 and the registered recipe name input box 52 are arranged side by side with a space in the left-right direction.

The message "1. Select the recipe number to be registered. (1 to 20)" is displayed on the upper side of the registered recipe number display box 51. Further, an up button 53 is displayed on the right side of the registered recipe number display box 51, and a down button 54 is displayed on the left side of the registered recipe number display box 51. When the up button 53 is pressed and information indicating that the up button 53 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 registers the recipe number display box 51 in the output unit 16. A command to change the display of is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 changes the number displayed in the registered recipe number display box 51 to an incremented (+1) number. Further, when the down button 54 is pressed and the information indicating that the down button 54 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 displays the registered recipe number in the output unit 16. A command to change the display of the box 51 is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 changes the number displayed in the registered recipe number display box 51 to the decremented (-1) number.

When the registered recipe number display box 51 is pressed and the information indicating that the registered recipe number display box 51 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends a numeric keypad to the output unit 16. A pop-up display command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the numeric keypad on the recipe selection screen. You can directly enter the recipe number to be registered by pressing the numeric keypad. Each time one key on the numeric keypad is pressed, the information of the pressed key is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12. Then, a command for displaying the number corresponding to the pressed key in the recipe number display box 41 is input from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 displays a number (number) corresponding to the pressed key in the registered recipe number display box 51. If the recipe number has two digits, the numeric keypad is pressed twice.

The message "2. Enter the recipe name to be registered." Is displayed on the upper side of the registered recipe name input box 52. In the registered recipe name input box 52, the recipe name to be registered is input by the operator. When the operator presses the registered recipe name input box 52 when inputting the recipe name, the software keyboard pops up on the recipe registration screen. The recipe name can be entered character by character by pressing the software keyboard. That is, when the registered recipe name input box 52 is pressed and the information indicating that the registered recipe number display box 51 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends the information to the output unit 16. A command to display a pop-up on the software keyboard is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the software keyboard on the recipe registration screen. Each time one key of the software keyboard is pressed, the information of the pressed key is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12. Then, a command for displaying the character corresponding to the pressed key in the registered recipe name input box 52 is issued from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 displays characters in the registered recipe name input box 52. The pressing operation of the software keyboard is repeated until the character string desired by the operator is displayed in the registered recipe name input box 52.

Below the registered recipe number display box 51 and the registered recipe name input box 52, the message "3. Set the number of heating steps, the temperature, and the drying time" is displayed. On the right side of the message, five step number input keys 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and a stepless key 66 are displayed side by side in a row. The number of steps input keys 61 to 65 correspond to the number of steps "1", "2", "3", "4" and "5", respectively. When any of the step number input keys 61 to 65 is pressed and the information of the pressed operation is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the target temperature input box 67 and the drying time input box 68 are registered as recipes. A command to be displayed on the screen is output from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 enters the target value input area below the step number input keys 61 to 65 with the same number of target temperature input boxes 67 as the number of steps corresponding to the step number input keys 61 to 65 that have been pressed. And the drying time input box 68 is displayed in two upper and lower stages.

In the target temperature input box 67, the target temperature of the drying air supplied to the hopper of the processing unit 2 is input by the operator. When the operator presses the target temperature input box 67 when inputting the target temperature, the numeric keypad is displayed in a pop-up on the recipe registration screen. The target temperature can be entered by pressing the numeric keypad. That is, when the target temperature input box 67 is pressed and the information indicating that the target temperature input box 67 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends the numeric keypad to the output unit 16. A pop-up display command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the numeric keypad on the recipe selection screen. Each time one key on the numeric keypad is pressed, the information of the pressed key is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12. Then, the information control unit 12 issues a command to the output unit 16 to display the number corresponding to the pressed key in the target temperature input box 67. According to this command, the output unit 16 displays a number corresponding to the key pressed at the position of the cursor displayed in the target temperature input box 67. The cursor is initially displayed at the tens place of the target temperature, and when a number is displayed at the tens place, it moves from the tens place to the tens place. Then, when the number is displayed at the ones place, the cursor moves from the ones place to the first decimal place. When the number is displayed at the first decimal place, the input of the target temperature is completed.

In the drying time input box 68, the time for which the setting of the target temperature input to the target temperature input box 67 in the upper stage is maintained, that is, the drying time in each step is input by the operator. When the operator presses the drying time input box 68 when inputting the drying time, the numeric keypad is displayed in a pop-up on the recipe registration screen. The drying time can be entered by pressing the numeric keypad. That is, when the drying time input box 68 is pressed and the information indicating that the drying time input box 68 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends the numeric keypad to the output unit 16. A pop-up display command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the numeric keypad on the recipe selection screen. Each time one key on the numeric keypad is pressed, the information of the pressed key is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12. Then, a command for displaying the number corresponding to the pressed key in the drying time input box 68 is issued from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 displays a number corresponding to the key pressed at the position of the cursor displayed in the drying time input box 68. The cursor is initially displayed at the hour position of the drying time, and when the number is displayed at the hour position, it moves from the hour position to the minute position. Then, when a one-digit or two-digit number (0 to 59) is displayed at the minute position, the input of the drying time is completed.

By completing the input of the target temperature in each target temperature input box 67 and the input of the drying time in each drying time input box 68, the recipe in which the drying process procedure is defined by the combination of the target temperatures divided by time is completed. .. The recipe registration button 71 is displayed on the recipe registration screen, and after the recipe is completed, the recipe registration button 71 is pressed and the information that the recipe registration button 71 is pressed is input from the input unit 15. When the input is input to the unit 12, the information control unit 12 issues a command to the output unit 16 to display a pop-up of the recipe registration confirmation screen. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the recipe registration confirmation screen on the recipe registration screen.

On the recipe registration confirmation screen, the message "Register this recipe" is displayed together with the recipe number entered in the registered recipe number display box 51 and the recipe name entered in the registered recipe name input box 52. In addition, an OK button and a cancel button are displayed on the recipe registration confirmation screen. When the OK button is pressed and the information indicating that the OK button is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 displays the completed recipe as shown in FIG. Is written in the storage unit 11 in association with the recipe number and the recipe name. Further, the information control unit 12 issues a command to the output unit 16 to delete the recipe registration confirmation screen. According to this command, the output unit 16 deletes the recipe registration confirmation screen and returns the display unit 6 to a state in which only the recipe registration screen is output. On the other hand, when the cancel button is pressed and the information indicating that the cancel button is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the recipe is not written to the storage unit 11 and is input from the information control unit 12. A command to delete the recipe registration confirmation screen is issued to the output unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 deletes the recipe registration confirmation screen and returns to the state where only the recipe selection screen is output to the display unit 6.

A check box 72 is provided on the right side of the recipe registration button 71. When the check box 72 is pressed and information indicating that the check box 72 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 commands the output unit 16 to display a check mark. Is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 displays a check mark in the check box 72. Further, when the check box 72 on which the check mark is displayed is pressed and the information indicating that the check box 72 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 outputs the information. A command to erase the check mark is issued to the unit 16. According to this command, the output unit 16 erases the check mark from the check box 72. When the recipe registration button 71 is pressed while the check mark is displayed in the check box 72, the recipe is stored in the storage unit 11 and the recipe registration confirmation screen is deleted from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16. And the output command of the operation screen is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 deletes the recipe registration confirmation screen, and the output screen of the display unit 6 is switched from the recipe registration screen to the operation screen.

Further, the recipe copy button 73 is displayed on the recipe registration screen. The storage unit 11 can store a plurality of recipes, for example, up to 20 recipes. When the recipe copy button 73 is pressed and the information indicating that the recipe copy button 73 is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends the recipe copy screen to the output unit 16. A pop-up display command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 pops up the recipe copy screen on the recipe registration screen.

On the recipe copy screen, a copy source number input field for entering the recipe number of the copy source recipe and a copy destination number input field for entering the copy destination recipe number are displayed along with the message "Copy recipe." Will be done. In addition, an OK button and a cancel button are displayed on the recipe copy screen. When the OK button is pressed after the recipe number is entered in the copy source number input field and the copy destination number input field, the information control unit 12 deletes the recipe copy screen and the new recipe registration screen is displayed in the output unit 16. The output command of is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 deletes the recipe registration confirmation screen, and a new recipe registration screen is output to the display unit 6. On the new recipe registration screen, the recipe number entered in the copy destination number input field is displayed in the registered recipe number display box 51, and the copy source number input field is displayed in the registered recipe name input box 52 and the target value input area, respectively. The recipe name and recipe corresponding to the entered recipe number are displayed. As a result, the operator can easily create a new recipe by changing the target temperature and the drying time displayed in the target temperature input box 67 and the drying time input box 68 of the target value input area, respectively. it can. On the other hand, when the cancel button is pressed and the information indicating that the cancel button is pressed is input from the input unit 15 to the information control unit 12, the information control unit 12 sends the recipe copy screen to the output unit 16. An erasure command is issued. According to this command, the output unit 16 erases the recipe copy screen and returns the recipe registration screen to the state of being output to the display unit 6.

<Specific example of recipe>
For example, on the recipe registration screen shown in FIG. 4, when the step number input key 65 corresponding to the step number “5” is pressed, “step 1”, “step 2”, and “step 1”, “step 2”, and “step 1”, “step 2”, and “ The item names of "Step 3", "Step 4", and "Step 5" are displayed side by side in a row. A target temperature input box 67 and a drying time input box 68 are arranged in two upper and lower stages below each item name.

In the specific example shown in FIG. 4, the recipe number "01" is input to the registered recipe number display box 51, and the recipe name "CM5681" is input to the registered recipe name input box 52. This recipe name is, for example, a product name of a plastic product made of resin pellets as powder or granular material.

Further, "80.0 ° C." is input to the target temperature input box 67 arranged under the item name of "Step 1", and "0h5m" is input to the drying time input box 68 below it. ing. "40.0 ° C." is input to the target temperature input box 67 arranged under the item name of "step 2", and "0h6m" is input to the drying time input box 68 below it. .. "50.0 ° C." is input to the target temperature input box 67 arranged under the item name of "step 3", and "1h7m" is input to the drying time input box 68 below it. .. "60.0 ° C." is input to the target temperature input box 67 arranged under the item name of "step 4", and "0h8m" is input to the drying time input box 68 below it. .. "70.0 ° C." is input to the target temperature input box 67 arranged under the item name of "step 5", and "0h9m" is input to the drying time input box 68 below it. ..

In this state, when the recipe registration button 71 is pressed and the OK button is pressed on the recipe registration confirmation screen that pops up in response to the pressing operation, the recipe number "01" is shown in FIG. And the recipe of the content input to the target value input area is stored in the storage unit 11 in association with the recipe name “CM5681”. At this time, a command is issued from the information control unit 12 to the output unit 16, and according to this command, the output unit 16 determines, for example, "Step 1, target temperature 80 ° C., drying time 5 minutes, step 2, target temperature 40 ° C." The contents of the recipe are output from the speaker 4 by voice, such as "...". As a result, the operator can visually confirm the contents of the recipe and also can visually confirm the contents of the recipe by voice.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a time change of the target temperature of the drying air in the drying process.

When the recipe number "01" is displayed in the recipe number display box 37 on the operation screen and the recipe name "CM5681" is displayed in the recipe name display box 38, it corresponds to the recipe number "01" and the recipe name "CM5681". The recipe stored in the storage unit 11 is also read out by the information control unit 12.

In this state, when the operation button 31 of the dryer display area 21 of the operation screen is pressed, the operation of the drying process is started, and the hopper of the processing unit 2 is supplied with drying air at 80 ° C. for the first 5 minutes. An operation command for operating (outputting) the drying heater is issued from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 80 ° C. As a result, the temperature inside the hopper at room temperature can be rapidly raised.

For the next 6 minutes, the information control unit 12 issues an operation command to the operation control unit 13 to operate the drying heater so that the drying air at 40 ° C. is supplied to the hopper. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 40 ° C. As a result, when the powder or granular material is a resin material such as a resin pellet or a masterbatch, blocking due to thermal expansion of the resin material can be suppressed.

After 11 minutes have passed from the start of operation, an operation command for operating the drying heater is sent from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13 so that the drying air at 50 ° C. is supplied to the hopper for 1 hour and 7 minutes thereafter. Is issued. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 50 ° C. Further, for 8 minutes after 1 hour and 7 minutes have passed, an operation command for operating the drying heater is issued from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13 so that the drying air at 60 ° C. is supplied to the hopper. .. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 60 ° C. Further, for 9 minutes after the elapse of 8 minutes, an operation command for operating the drying heater is issued from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13 so that the drying air at 70 ° C. is supplied to the hopper. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 70 ° C. Thereby, the temperature of the drying air can be gradually raised from 40 ° C. to 70 ° C.

A timer 17 for measuring the elapsed time is connected to the information control unit 12.

As described above, in the powder / granular material processing apparatus 1, the target temperature of the drying air can be discretely changed in a plurality of steps (plural steps) in the drying process. In addition, the drying time at each step can be arbitrarily set. As a result, it is possible to improve the energy saving performance while suppressing the thermal deterioration of the powder or granular material due to overheating and the blocking due to the thermal expansion of the powder or granular material.

Further, in each step, the temperature data (actual measurement value) of the drying air is input from the state input unit 14 to the information control unit 12 at a constant cycle. In the information control unit 12, for example, the maximum value, the minimum value, the average value, the deviation, and the like of the measured temperature of the drying air in each step are obtained from the temperature data input from the state input unit 14. Then, the information control unit 12 writes the obtained values as an operation record (actual data) in the storage unit 11 in association with the recipe. As a result, the operator can evaluate the contents of the recipe by, for example, calling the recipe and the operation record associated with the recipe to the external device 8 and checking the state of the powder or granular material after the drying process. If the recipe content is not good (the condition of the powder or granular material is not good), how to change (improve) the content of the recipe based on the operation record will improve the condition of the powder or granular material. Can be easily determined.

The data input from the state input unit 14 to the information control unit 12 is not limited to the temperature data, and may be other data as long as it is data indicating the operating state of the powder or granular material processing device 1. Other data include, for example, the temperature of various parts of the path such as the exhaust temperature of the drying air discharged from the hopper, the dew point of the drying air, the air volume, the pressure, and the like. Various data are acquired by sensors provided as needed. Further, it is also possible to receive data from the devices in the processes before and after the powder or granular material processing device 1 and reflect it in the evaluation of the recipe. In addition, quality data of a final product of powder or granular material such as a molded plastic product may be received, linked to a recipe, and used for evaluation. For example, when the defective rate of the final product is high, the evaluation of the recipe used for the production is low, and when the defective rate is low, the evaluation is high.

Further, at the start of each step, a voice notifying the target temperature and the drying time of the drying air in the step may be output from the speaker 4. In the middle of each step, a voice notifying the measured temperature of the drying air may be output from the speaker 4 periodically. At the end of each step, a voice or a notification sound indicating that the step is completed may be output from the speaker 4. As a result, the operator can visually confirm the progress of the drying process by voice. Of course, such information may be displayed on the display unit 6 of the operation panel 3.

7 and 8 are diagrams showing another example of the time change of the target temperature of the drying air in the drying process, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the target temperature at the start of the drying process (when the drying heater is started). An example of the time change is shown, and FIG. 8 shows an example of the time change of the target temperature when the drying process is stopped.

In the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1, it is also possible to create a recipe in which the target temperature of the drying air is individually set at the start and stop of the drying process.

For example, when the recipe number "02" is displayed in the recipe number display box 37 on the operation screen and the recipe name "mold number X" is displayed in the recipe name display box 38, the recipe number "02" and the recipe name are displayed. The recipe stored in the storage unit 11 in association with the “mold number X” is read from the storage unit 11 to the information control unit 12.

In this state, when the operation button 31 of the dryer display area 21 of the operation screen is pressed, the operation of the drying process is started, and the hopper of the processing unit 2 is supplied with drying air at 80 ° C. for the first 5 minutes. An operation command for operating the drying heater is issued from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 80 ° C. As a result, the temperature inside the hopper at room temperature can be rapidly raised.

For the next 5 minutes, an operation command to operate the drying heater is sent from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13 so that the temperature of the drying air supplied to the hopper drops from 80 ° C to 6 ° C per minute. Is issued. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by continuously lowering the target temperature of the drying air from 80 ° C. to 6 ° C. per minute. As a result, the temperature of the drying air gradually decreases from 80 ° C. to 50 ° C. The setting for continuously changing the target temperature can be made, for example, by pressing the stepless key 66 on the recipe registration screen shown in FIG.

For the next 20 minutes, the information control unit 12 issues an operation command to the operation control unit 13 to operate the drying heater so that the drying air at 50 ° C. is supplied to the hopper. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 50 ° C.

Then, after 30 minutes have passed from the start of operation, the drying heater is operated so that the temperature of the drying air supplied to the hopper rises from 50 ° C. to 5/6 ° C. per minute for the following 60 minutes. An operation command is issued from the information control unit 12 to the operation control unit 13. The operation control unit 13 continuously raises the target temperature of the drying air from 50 ° C. to 5/6 ° C. per minute to control the operation of the drying heater. As a result, the temperature of the drying air gradually rises from 50 ° C. to 100 ° C. For example, with such control, it is possible to quickly raise the temperature of the powder or granular material and the inside of the hopper, while preventing quality deterioration due to overheating, and it is possible to carry out an appropriate drying process. In addition to such an example, the temperature raising operation may be appropriately selected depending on the properties and thermal properties of the powder or granular material.

On the other hand, at the end of the drying process, the information control unit 12 issues an operation command to operate the drying heater so that the temperature of the drying air supplied to the hopper drops from 100 ° C to 8 ° C per minute. Issued at 13. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by continuously lowering the target temperature of the drying air from 100 ° C. to 8 ° C. per minute. As a result, the temperature of the drying air gradually decreases from 100 ° C. to 60 ° C. in 5 minutes.

For the next 25 minutes, the information control unit 12 issues an operation command to the operation control unit 13 to operate the drying heater so that the drying air at 60 ° C. is supplied to the hopper. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 60 ° C.

For the next 20 minutes, the information control unit 12 issues an operation command to operate the drying heater so that the temperature of the drying air supplied to the hopper drops from 60 ° C to 1.5 ° C per minute. Issued at 13. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by continuously lowering the target temperature of the drying air from 60 ° C. to 1.5 ° C. per minute. As a result, the temperature of the drying air gradually decreases from 60 ° C. to 30 ° C.

For the next 60 minutes, the information control unit 12 issues an operation command to the operation control unit 13 to operate the drying heater so that the drying air at 30 ° C. is supplied to the hopper. The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of the drying heater by setting the target temperature of the drying air to 30 ° C.

As described above, in the powder or granular material processing apparatus 1, in the drying process, it is possible to use both the discrete change and the continuous change of the target temperature of the drying air.

If the powder or granular material is cooled at once after the drying process is completed, the powder or granular material is likely to absorb moisture from the outside air in the subsequent process. Therefore, when the powder or granular material after the drying process is packed in a flexible container bag and stored, etc. It is preferable that the target temperature of the drying air is gradually lowered at the end of the drying treatment, and the powder or granular material is cooled to a temperature close to the outside air in a low humidity hopper. Thereby, the re-moisture absorption of the powder or granular material can be suppressed.

<Effect>
As described above, the storage unit 11 stores a recipe that defines the procedure for processing the powder or granular material in the processing unit 2. For example, when the processing unit 2 executes the processing, the operation of the processing unit 2 is controlled so that the recipe is read from the storage unit 11 and the processing proceeds according to the procedure related to the recipe. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to manually set the processing procedure each time the operation of the powder or granular material processing device 1 is started. Therefore, even if the processing procedure is complicated, it is possible to save the trouble of frequently setting the complicated processing procedure. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an error (setting error) due to manually setting the processing procedure each time. Then, by proceeding with the treatment according to the procedure related to the recipe, it is possible to precisely perform an appropriate treatment according to the characteristics of the material, improve the treatment efficiency, and obtain a powder or granular material having a good treatment state. Can be done.

The powder or granular material processing device 1 includes a speaker 4 and an output unit 16 for outputting sound. The output unit 16 outputs a voice for notifying information about the processing in the processing unit 2 from the speaker 4. Information about the process includes the contents of the recipe, the target temperature and drying time of the drying air in each step of the drying process, the measured temperature of the drying air, the sound such as the start and end of the step (notice), and the trouble (error). ) Is an alarm sound to the effect that it has occurred.

Further, when information is input to the powder or granular material processing device 1 from the external device 8, a notification sound for notifying the input of the information may be output from the speaker 4. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operator working using the powder or granular material processing device 1 from not noticing the input of information from the external device 8. Further, a voice for notifying the content of the information input from the external device 8 may be output from the speaker 4. In this case, the operator can know the contents of the information input from the external device 8 to the powder or granular material processing device 1.

<Modification example>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can also be implemented in other embodiments.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the treatment performed by the processing unit 2 is a drying treatment has been taken up, but the processing unit 2 may have a configuration for a metering and mixing process. That is, in the processing unit 2, a plurality of material hoppers for temporarily storing a plurality of materials, a measuring hopper for measuring the materials supplied from the material hopper, and a plurality of materials for mixing are mixed. A mixing unit may be provided. By supplying the material from each material hopper to the measuring hopper, a plurality of kinds of materials are mixed in the measuring hopper. The materials blended in the measuring hopper are supplied from the measuring hopper to the mixing unit and are sufficiently mixed in the mixing unit.

In this case, the storage unit 11 stores the blending ratios of the plurality of ingredients as a recipe in association with the blending number and the blending name. Then, since the operator selects the recipe, the combination name list screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 6 of the operation panel 3. On the compounding name list screen, the combination of the compounding number and the compounding name is displayed in the form of a list. When one of the combinations of the combination number and the combination name is pressed, the output screen of the display unit 6 is switched from the combination name list screen to the combination call screen. On the combination calling screen, the combination number associated with the combination of the combination number and the combination name pressed on the combination name list screen is displayed. On the compounding call screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the material name “Main” representing the resin pellet (main material), the material name “Crushed” representing the crushed material, and the material name “MB” representing the masterbatch are displayed. Then, the ratio of the resin pellets set in the recipe is 50%, the ratio of the pulverized material is 50%, and the ratio of the masterbatch is 5%. Also, when the total amount of resin pellets, crushed material and masterbatch is set to 5000 g, the actual ratio and set value (mass) of the resin pellet, the actual ratio and set value of the crushed material, and the actual masterbatch. The ratio and set value of are also displayed.

The recipe number and the recipe name are preferably unified with the recipe number and the recipe name of the recipe used in the drying process. For example, the recipe number and recipe name of a recipe used in the metering and mixing process of multiple materials containing resin pellets used in the same plastic product are the recipe number and recipe of the recipe used in the drying process of the resin pellets. It is preferable that it matches the name. As a result, it is possible to prevent the recipe from being mistakenly used in each of the drying process and the metered mixing process. In addition, the recipe number (blending number) or the recipe name (blending name) is used to call the recipe and operation record of the drying process and the recipe and operation record of the weighing and mixing process to the external device 8 for each plastic product (each mold). , The recipe and the operation record of the drying process and the recipe and the operation record of the weighing and mixing process can be aggregated and managed by the external device 8.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the treatment in the processing unit 2 is a drying treatment and the control target value in the drying treatment is the temperature of the drying air has been taken up. Not limited to this, the control target value in the drying process may be the air volume of the drying air supplied to the hopper or the dew point of the drying air. Further, it may be the rotation speed of the adsorber or the temperature of the air flowing through the regeneration line.

In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-mentioned configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1: Powder / granular material processing device 2: Processing unit 3: Operation panel 4: Speaker (audio output unit)
6: Display unit 7: Operation unit 11: Storage unit 12: Information control unit 13: Operation control unit 14: Status input unit 15: Input unit 16: Output unit (voice output unit)

Claims (9)

A processing unit that processes powders and granules,
A storage unit that stores processing procedure information that defines processing procedures in the processing unit, and a storage unit.
An information control unit that reads the processing procedure information from the storage unit and issues an operation command so that the processing in the processing unit proceeds in the procedure related to the read processing procedure information.
A powder or granular material processing apparatus including an operation control unit that controls the operation of the processing unit according to an operation command issued from the information control unit. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing procedure information includes a combination of control target values divided by time. The treatment in the processing unit is a drying treatment for removing water from the powder or granular material.
The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control target value is temperature. Including an input section where information is input
The processing procedure information is stored in the storage unit in association with an identification code unique to the processing procedure information.
In response to the identification code being input to the input unit, the information control unit reads the processing procedure information corresponding to the input identification code from the storage unit, and the processing execution instruction is input. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which issues an operation command in response to input to the unit. The identification code is a product name of a molded product made of a powder or granular material, a mold number of a mold used for molding the molded product, or a material number assigned to the material of the molded product. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to 4. The information control unit associates the new processing procedure information with the identification code in response to the input of the new processing procedure information, the identification code, and the registration instruction to the input unit, and the storage unit. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5. It further includes a state input unit to which a signal representing the operating state of the processing unit is input.
The information control unit stores the operating state represented by the signal input to the state input unit while the processing in the processing unit is in progress in the storage unit in association with the processing procedure information related to the processing in progress. The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Including an audio output section that outputs audio,
The powder or granular material processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information control unit issues a voice output command for notifying information about processing in the processing unit to the voice output unit. The processing procedure information that defines the processing procedure in the processing unit that processes the powder or granular material is stored in the storage unit.
A powder or granular material processing method in which the processing procedure information is read from the storage unit, and the operation of the processing unit is controlled so that the processing in the processing unit proceeds in the procedure related to the read out processing procedure information.

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