JP2021160223A - Control device for industrial machinery, and injection molding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of more easily realizing a communicable state between a control device and an apparatus to be connected in an industrial machine such as an injection molding machine.SOLUTION: A controller 700B according to one embodiment is configured to enable communication according to a plurality of communication standards, and automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with a field apparatus (for example, a driver 710 or an encoder 720) connected by a communication line from the plurality of communication standards, and starts communication with the field apparatus. Further, an injection molding machine 1 according to another embodiment includes the controller 700B and the driver 710 connected through the communication line, and at least one of the controller 700B and the driver 710 is configured to enable communication according to the plurality of communication standards. Then, the communication standard suitable for the communication with the other is automatically recognized from the plurality of communication standards, and the communication with the other is started.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to a control device for industrial machinery and the like.

For example, in an industrial machine such as an injection molding machine, a control device (controller) may be connected to a device to be controlled such as a driver or a predetermined device such as a sensor device via a communication line (see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2017-105136

However, for example, the communication standard used may differ depending on the manufacturer and model of the device to be connected. Further, for example, when communication is performed by a field network between a control device and a device to be connected, the communication standard adopted in the field network may differ depending on the factory or the like used. Therefore, it is necessary to perform work such as setting for communication between the control device and the device to be connected according to the communication standard to be used, which may take time and effort.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of more easily realizing a communicable state between a control device and a device to be connected in an industrial machine such as an injection molding machine.

In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present disclosure,
Communication by a plurality of communication standards is possible, and a communication standard suitable for communication with a predetermined device connected by a communication line is automatically recognized from the plurality of communication standards, and the communication standard is automatically recognized with the predetermined device. Initiate communication between,
Control devices for industrial machinery are provided.

Also, in other embodiments of the present disclosure,
A mold clamping device that molds the mold device and
An injection device for filling the mold device molded by the mold clamping device with a molding material, and an injection device.
An ejector device that takes out a molded product from the mold device after the molding material filled by the injection device is cooled and solidified.
An actuator that realizes the operation of the injection molding machine including the operation of the mold clamping device, the injection device, and the ejector device, and
A controller that controls the operation of the actuator and
The controller is provided with a predetermined device connected through a communication line.
At least one of the controller and the predetermined device is configured to be capable of communication according to a plurality of communication standards, and a communication standard suitable for communication with the other device from the plurality of communication standards is established. Automatically recognizes and starts communication with the other device,
An injection molding machine is provided.

According to the above-described embodiment, in an industrial machine such as an injection molding machine, it is possible to provide a technique capable of more easily realizing a communicable state between a control device and a device to be connected.

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the injection molding machine management system including the injection molding machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the injection molding machine management system including the injection molding machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the control system of an injection molding machine. It is a functional block diagram which shows the 1st example of the functional structure about conformity of the communication standard between a controller and a field device. It is a flowchart which shows typically an example of the control process about conformity of a communication standard with a field device by a controller. It is a functional block diagram which shows the 2nd example of the functional structure about conformity of the communication standard between a controller and a field device. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the control process concerning the conformity of the communication standard with the field equipment by a controller schematicly. It is a functional block diagram which shows the 3rd example of the functional structure about conformity of the communication standard between a controller and a field device. It is a flowchart which shows typically an example of the control process about conformity of a communication standard with a controller by a driver.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of injection molding machine management system]
First, the configuration of the injection molding machine management system SYS according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of the management system SYS according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state of the injection molding machine 1 at the time of mold opening, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a state of the injection molding machine 1 at the time of mold clamping. Is drawn. Hereinafter, in the drawings of the present embodiment, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other, and the positive-negative direction of the X-axis (hereinafter, simply "X-direction") and the positive-negative direction of the Y-axis (hereinafter, simply "". The "Y direction") represents the horizontal direction, and the positive / negative direction of the Z axis (hereinafter, simply "Z direction") represents the vertical direction.

The injection molding machine management system SYS includes a plurality of (three in this example) injection molding machines 1 and a management device 2.

The number of injection molding machines 1 included in the injection molding machine management system SYS may be one or two, or four or more.

<Composition of injection molding machine>
The injection molding machine 1 performs a series of operations for obtaining a molded product.

Further, the injection molding machine 1 is communicably connected to the management device 2 through a predetermined communication line NW. Further, the injection molding machine 1 may be communicably connected to another injection molding machine 1 through the communication line NW. The communication line NW includes, for example, a local network (LAN: Local Area Network) in the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. The local network may be wired, wireless, or both. Further, the communication line NW may include, for example, a wide area network (WAN: Wide Area Network) outside the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. The wide area network may include, for example, a mobile communication network having a base station as an end. Mobile communication network, for example, LTE may correspond to (Long Term Evolution) including 4G (4 ^th Generation) and 5G (5 ^th Generation) and the like. Further, the wide area network may include, for example, a satellite communication network that uses a communication satellite. Further, the wide area network may include, for example, an Internet network. Further, the communication line NW may be, for example, a short-range wireless communication line corresponding to Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, WiFi communication, or the like.

For example, the injection molding machine 1 transmits (uploads) data related to the operating state of the injection molding machine 1 (hereinafter, “operating state data”) to the management device 2 through the communication line NW. As a result, the management device 2 (or its manager, worker, etc.) can grasp the operating state and manage the maintenance timing of the injection molding machine 1, the operation schedule of the injection molding machine 1, and the like. Further, the management device 2 generates data related to the control of the injection molding machine 1 (for example, molding conditions, etc.) based on the operating state data of the injection molding machine 1, and transmits the data to the injection molding machine 1 to inject from the outside. It is possible to control the molding machine 1.

Further, for example, the injection molding machine 1 may monitor or control the operation of another injection molding machine 1 as a slave machine as a master machine through a communication line NW. Specifically, the injection molding machine 1 (slave machine) may transmit the operating state data to the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) through the communication line NW. As a result, the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) can monitor the operation of the other injection molding machine 1 (slave machine). Further, the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) issues control commands related to the operation to other injection molding machines 1 (slave machine) through the communication line NW while grasping the operation state of the other injection molding machine 1 (slave machine) based on the operation state data. It may be transmitted to the molding machine 1 (slave machine). Thereby, the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) can control the operation of the other injection molding machine 1 (slave machine).

The injection molding machine 1 includes a mold clamping device 100, an ejector device 200, an injection device 300, a moving device 400, and a control device 700.

<< Mold clamping device >>
The mold clamping device 100 closes, molds, and opens the mold of the mold apparatus 10. The mold clamping device 100 is, for example, a horizontal type, and the mold opening / closing direction is a horizontal direction. The mold clamping device 100 includes a fixed platen 110, a movable platen 120, a toggle support 130, a tie bar 140, a toggle mechanism 150, a mold clamping motor 160, a motion conversion mechanism 170, and a mold thickness adjusting mechanism 180.

Hereinafter, in the description of the mold clamping device 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is set to the front, and the moving direction of the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened (FIGS. 1 and 2). The middle left direction) will be described as the rear.

The fixed platen 110 is fixed to the frame Fr. The fixed mold 11 is attached to the surface of the fixed platen 110 facing the movable platen 120.

The movable platen 120 is movable in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the frame Fr. A guide 101 for guiding the movable platen 120 is laid on the frame Fr. The movable mold 12 is attached to the surface of the movable platen 120 facing the fixed platen 110.

By advancing and retreating the movable platen 120 with respect to the fixed platen 110, mold closing, mold clamping, and mold opening are performed.

The mold device 10 includes a fixed mold 11 corresponding to the fixed platen 110 and a movable mold 12 corresponding to the movable platen 120.

The toggle support 130 is connected to the fixed platen 110 at a predetermined interval L, and is movably placed on the frame Fr in the mold opening / closing direction. The toggle support 130 may be movable along a guide laid on the frame Fr, for example. In this case, the guide of the toggle support 130 may be common to the guide 101 of the movable platen 120.

The fixed platen 110 is fixed to the frame Fr, and the toggle support 130 is movable in the mold opening / closing direction with respect to the frame Fr. However, the toggle support 130 is fixed to the frame Fr, and the fixed platen 110 is attached to the frame Fr. On the other hand, it may be movable in the opening / closing direction.

The tie bar 140 connects the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 at intervals L in the mold opening / closing direction. A plurality of tie bars 140 (for example, four) may be used. Each tie bar 140 is parallel to the mold opening / closing direction and extends according to the mold clamping force. At least one tie bar 140 is provided with a tie bar distortion detector 141 that detects the distortion of the tie bar 140. The tie bar strain detector 141 is, for example, a strain gauge. The tie bar distortion detector 141 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the tie bar strain detector 141 is used, for example, for detecting the mold clamping force.

In addition to or in addition to the tie bar strain detector 141, any mold clamping force detector that can be used to detect the mold clamping force may be used. For example, the mold clamping force detector is not limited to the strain gauge type, but may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, an electromagnetic type, or the like, and the mounting position thereof is not limited to the tie bar 140.

The toggle mechanism 150 is arranged between the movable platen 120 and the toggle support 130, and moves the movable platen 120 with respect to the toggle support 130 in the mold opening / closing direction. The toggle mechanism 150 is composed of a crosshead 151, a pair of links, and the like. Each link group has a first link 152 and a second link 153 that are flexibly connected by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is swingably attached to the movable platen 120 with a pin or the like, and the second link 153 is swingably attached to the toggle support 130 with a pin or the like. The second link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via the third link 154. When the crosshead 151 is moved back and forth with respect to the toggle support 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 bend and stretch, and the movable platen 120 moves back and forth with respect to the toggle support 130.

The configuration of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the number of nodes in each link group is 5, but it may be 4, and one end of the third link 154 becomes a node between the first link 152 and the second link 153. It may be combined.

The mold clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle support 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold clamping motor 160 bends and stretches the first link 152 and the second link 153 by advancing and retreating the crosshead 151 with respect to the toggle support 130, and advances and retreats the movable platen 120 with respect to the toggle support 130. The mold clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, a pulley, or the like.

The motion conversion mechanism 170 converts the rotational motion of the mold clamping motor 160 into a linear motion of the crosshead 151. The motion conversion mechanism 170 includes a screw shaft 171 and a screw nut 172 screwed onto the screw shaft 171. A ball or roller may be interposed between the screw shaft 171 and the screw nut 172.

The mold clamping device 100 performs a mold closing step, a mold clamping step, a mold opening step, and the like under the control of the control device 700.

In the mold closing step, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to advance the crosshead 151 to the mold closing completion position at a set speed, thereby advancing the movable platen 120 and touching the movable mold 12 with the fixed mold 11. The position and speed of the crosshead 151 are detected by using, for example, a mold clamping motor encoder 161 or the like. The mold clamping motor encoder 161 detects the rotation of the mold clamping motor 160 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

The crosshead position detector that detects the position of the crosshead 151 and the crosshead speed detector that detects the speed of the crosshead 151 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161 and general ones can be used. .. Further, the movable platen position detector that detects the position of the movable platen 120 and the movable platen speed detector that detects the speed of the movable platen 120 are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder 161 and general ones can be used.

In the mold clamping step, the mold clamping force 160 is further driven to further advance the crosshead 151 from the mold closing completion position to the mold clamping position to generate a mold clamping force. At the time of mold clamping, a cavity space 14 is formed between the movable mold 12 and the fixed mold 11, and the injection device 300 fills the cavity space 14 with a liquid molding material. A molded product is obtained by solidifying the filled molding material. The number of cavity spaces 14 may be plural, in which case a plurality of molded articles can be obtained at the same time.

In the mold opening step, the movable platen 120 is retracted and the movable mold 12 is separated from the fixed mold 11 by driving the mold clamping motor 160 to retract the crosshead 151 to the mold opening completion position at a set speed. After that, the ejector device 200 projects the molded product from the movable mold 12.

The setting conditions in the mold closing step and the mold clamping step are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, the speed and position of the crosshead 151 (including the mold closing start position, the speed switching position, the mold closing completion position, and the mold clamping force) and the mold clamping force in the mold closing process and the mold clamping process are set as a series of setting conditions. Is set collectively as. The mold closing start position, speed switching position, mold closing completion position, and mold closing position are arranged in this order from the rear side to the front side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the speed is set. The speed is set for each section. The speed switching position may be one or a plurality. The speed switching position does not have to be set. Only one of the mold clamping position and the mold clamping force may be set.

Further, the setting conditions in the mold opening process are also set in the same manner. For example, the speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the mold opening step (including the mold opening start position, the speed switching position, and the mold opening completion position) are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, the speed switching position, and the mold opening completion position are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the speed is set. The speed is set for each section. The speed switching position may be one or a plurality. The speed switching position does not have to be set. The mold opening start position and the mold clamping position may be the same position. Further, the mold opening completion position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

Instead of the speed and position of the crosshead 151, the speed and position of the movable platen 120 may be set. Further, the mold clamping force may be set instead of the position of the crosshead (for example, the mold clamping position) or the position of the movable platen.

The toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the mold clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable platen 120. The amplification factor is also called the toggle magnification. The toggle magnification changes according to the angle (hereinafter, “link angle”) θ formed by the first link 152 and the second link 153. The link angle θ is obtained from the position of the crosshead 151. When the link angle θ is 180 °, the toggle magnification is maximized.

When the thickness of the mold device 10 changes due to replacement of the mold device 10 or a temperature change of the mold device 10, the mold thickness is adjusted so that a predetermined mold clamping force can be obtained at the time of mold clamping. In the mold thickness adjustment, for example, the distance between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130 is set so that the link angle θ of the toggle mechanism 150 becomes a predetermined angle at the time of the mold touch when the movable mold 12 touches the fixed mold 11. Adjust L.

The mold clamping device 100 has a mold thickness adjusting mechanism 180 that adjusts the mold thickness by adjusting the distance L between the fixed platen 110 and the toggle support 130. The mold thickness adjusting mechanism 180 rotates the screw shaft 181 formed at the rear end of the tie bar 140, the screw nut 182 rotatably held by the toggle support 130, and the screw nut 182 screwed to the screw shaft 181. It has a mold thickness adjusting motor 183.

The screw shaft 181 and the screw nut 182 are provided for each tie bar 140. The rotation of the mold thickness adjusting motor 183 may be transmitted to the plurality of screw nuts 182 via the rotation transmission unit 185. A plurality of screw nuts 182 can be rotated in synchronization.

By changing the transmission path of the rotation transmission unit 185, it is possible to rotate the plurality of screw nuts 182 individually.

The rotation transmission unit 185 is composed of, for example, a gear or the like. In this case, a passive gear is formed on the outer circumference of each screw nut 182, a drive gear is attached to the output shaft of the mold thickness adjusting motor 183, and a plurality of passive gears and an intermediate gear that meshes with the drive gear are located at the center of the toggle support 130. It is held rotatably.

The rotation transmission unit 185 may be composed of a belt, a pulley, or the like instead of the gear.

The operation of the mold thickness adjusting mechanism 180 is controlled by the control device 700. The control device 700 drives the mold thickness adjusting motor 183 to rotate the screw nut 182, thereby adjusting the position of the toggle support 130 that holds the screw nut 182 rotatably with respect to the fixed platen 110, and the fixed platen 110. Adjust the distance L from the toggle support 130.

The interval L is detected by using the mold thickness adjusting motor encoder 184. The mold thickness adjusting motor encoder 184 detects the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the mold thickness adjusting motor 183, and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184 is used for monitoring and controlling the position and interval L of the toggle support 130.

The toggle support position detector that detects the position of the toggle support 130 and the interval detector that detects the interval L are not limited to the mold thickness adjustment motor encoder 184, and general ones can be used.

The mold thickness adjusting mechanism 180 adjusts the interval L by rotating one of the screw shaft 181 and the screw nut 182 that are screwed together. A plurality of mold thickness adjusting mechanisms 180 may be used, and a plurality of mold thickness adjusting motors 183 may be used.

The mold clamping device 100 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type in which the mold opening / closing direction is horizontal, but may be a vertical type in which the mold opening / closing direction is in the vertical direction.

Further, although the mold clamping device 100 of the present embodiment has a mold clamping motor 160 as a drive source, a hydraulic cylinder may be provided instead of the mold clamping motor 160. Further, the mold clamping device 100 may have a linear motor for opening and closing the mold and an electromagnet for mold clamping.

<< Ejector device >>
The ejector device 200 projects a molded product from the mold device 10. The ejector device 200 includes an ejector motor 210, a motion conversion mechanism 220, an ejector rod 230, and the like.

Hereinafter, in the description of the ejector device 200, as in the description of the mold clamping device 100, the moving direction of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is set to the front, and the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened. The moving direction of (the left direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be described as the rear.

The ejector motor 210 is attached to the movable platen 120. The ejector motor 210 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 220, but may be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 220 via a belt, a pulley, or the like.

The motion conversion mechanism 220 converts the rotational motion of the ejector motor 210 into a linear motion of the ejector rod 230. The motion conversion mechanism 220 includes a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed onto the screw shaft. A ball or roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

The ejector rod 230 is free to advance and retreat in the through hole of the movable platen 120. The front end portion of the ejector rod 230 comes into contact with the movable member 15 which is movably arranged inside the movable mold 12. The front end portion of the ejector rod 230 may or may not be connected to the movable member 15.

The ejector device 200 performs the ejection process under the control of the control device 700.

In the ejection step, the ejector motor 210 is driven to advance the ejector rod 230 from the standby position to the ejection position at a set speed, thereby advancing the movable member 15 and projecting the molded product. After that, the ejector motor 210 is driven to retract the ejector rod 230 at a set speed, and the movable member 15 is retracted to the original standby position. The position and speed of the ejector rod 230 are detected by using, for example, the ejector motor encoder 211. The ejector motor encoder 211 detects the rotation of the ejector motor 210 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

The ejector rod position detector that detects the position of the ejector rod 230 and the ejector rod speed detector that detects the speed of the ejector rod 230 are not limited to the ejector motor encoder 211, and general ones can be used.

<< Injection device >>
The injection device 300 is installed on a slide base 301 that can move forward and backward with respect to the frame Fr, and is adjustable with respect to the mold device 10. The injection device 300 touches the mold device 10 to fill the cavity space 14 in the mold device 10 with a molding material. The injection device 300 includes, for example, a cylinder 310, a nozzle 320, a screw 330, a weighing motor 340, an injection motor 350, a pressure detector 360, and the like.

Hereinafter, in the description of the injection device 300, the direction in which the injection device 300 is brought closer to the mold device 10 (the left direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is the front direction, and the direction in which the injection device 300 is separated from the mold device 10 (the direction in which the injection device 300 is separated from the mold device 10). The right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be described as the rear.

The cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied internally from the supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, a resin or the like. The molding material is formed into, for example, pellets and is supplied to the supply port 311 in a solid state. The supply port 311 is formed at the rear of the cylinder 310. A cooler 312 such as a water-cooled cylinder is provided on the outer periphery of the rear portion of the cylinder 310. A heater 313 such as a band heater and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the cylinder 310 in front of the cooler 312.

The cylinder 310 is divided into a plurality of zones in the axial direction of the cylinder 310 (left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided in each zone. For each zone, the control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detection temperature of the temperature detector 314 becomes the set temperature.

The nozzle 320 is provided at the front end of the cylinder 310 and is pressed against the mold device 10. A heater 313 and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle 320. The control device 700 controls the heater 313 so that the detected temperature of the nozzle 320 reaches the set temperature.

The screw 330 is arranged in the cylinder 310 so as to be rotatable and retractable. When the screw 330 is rotated, the molding material is fed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. The molding material is gradually melted by the heat from the cylinder 310 while being fed forward. As the liquid molding material is fed forward of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is retracted. After that, when the screw 330 is advanced, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is ejected from the nozzle 320 and filled in the mold apparatus 10.

A backflow prevention ring 331 is freely attached to the front portion of the screw 330 as a backflow prevention valve for preventing the backflow of the molding material from the front to the rear of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

When the backflow prevention ring 331 is advanced, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed backward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw 330, and is relative to the screw 330 up to a closing position (see FIG. 2) that blocks the flow path of the molding material. fall back. As a result, the molding material accumulated in the front of the screw 330 is prevented from flowing backward.

On the other hand, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is rotated, and the opening position opens the flow path of the molding material. Advance relative to screw 330 to (see FIG. 1). As a result, the molding material is sent to the front of the screw 330.

The backflow prevention ring 331 may be either a co-rotation type that rotates with the screw 330 or a non-co-rotation type that does not rotate with the screw 330.

The injection device 300 may have a drive source for moving the backflow prevention ring 331 forward and backward between the open position and the closed position with respect to the screw 330.

The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The drive source for rotating the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340, and may be, for example, a hydraulic pump or the like.

The injection motor 350 advances and retreats the screw 330. Between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330, a motion conversion mechanism or the like for converting the rotational motion of the injection motor 350 into the linear motion of the screw 330 is provided. The motion conversion mechanism has, for example, a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed onto the screw shaft. A ball, a roller, or the like may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The drive source for advancing and retreating the screw 330 is not limited to the injection motor 350, and may be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or the like.

The pressure detector 360 detects the pressure transmitted between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330. The pressure detector 360 is provided in the force transmission path between the injection motor 350 and the screw 330 to detect the pressure acting on the pressure detector 360.

The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the pressure detector 360 is used for controlling and monitoring the pressure received by the screw 330 from the molding material, the back pressure on the screw 330, the pressure acting on the molding material from the screw 330, and the like.

The injection device 300 performs a weighing step, a filling step, a pressure holding step, and the like under the control of the control device 700.

In the weighing step, the weighing motor 340 is driven to rotate the screw 330 at a set rotation speed, and the molding material is fed forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. Along with this, the molding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material is fed forward of the screw 330 and accumulated in the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is retracted. The rotation speed of the screw 330 is detected by using, for example, a metering motor encoder 341. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the metering motor 340 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

The screw rotation speed detector that detects the rotation speed of the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor encoder 341, and a general screw can be used.

In the weighing step, the injection motor 350 may be driven to apply a set back pressure to the screw 330 in order to limit the sudden retreat of the screw 330. The back pressure on the screw 330 is detected using, for example, a pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. When the screw 330 retracts to the weighing completion position and a predetermined amount of molding material is accumulated in front of the screw 330, the weighing process is completed.

In the filling step, the injection motor 350 is driven to advance the screw 330 at a set speed, and the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is filled in the cavity space 14 in the mold apparatus 10. The position and speed of the screw 330 are detected using, for example, an injection motor encoder 351. The injection motor encoder 351 detects the rotation of the injection motor 350 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. When the position of the screw 330 reaches the set position, switching from the filling process to the pressure holding process (so-called V / P switching) is performed. The position where V / P switching is performed is also referred to as a V / P switching position. The set speed of the screw 330 may be changed according to the position and time of the screw 330.

After the position of the screw 330 reaches the set position in the filling step, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at the set position, and then V / P switching may be performed. Immediately before the V / P switching, instead of stopping the screw 330, the screw 330 may be moved forward or backward at a slow speed. Further, the screw position detector for detecting the position of the screw 330 and the screw speed detector for detecting the speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351 and general ones can be used.

In the pressure holding step, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, and the pressure of the molding material (hereinafter, also referred to as “holding pressure”) at the front end of the screw 330 is maintained at a set pressure in the cylinder 310. The remaining molding material is pushed toward the mold device 10. The shortage of molding material due to cooling shrinkage in the mold apparatus 10 can be replenished. The holding pressure is detected using, for example, a pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The set value of the holding pressure may be changed according to the elapsed time from the start of the holding pressure step and the like.

In the pressure holding step, the molding material in the cavity space 14 in the mold apparatus 10 is gradually cooled, and when the pressure holding step is completed, the inlet of the cavity space 14 is closed with the solidified molding material. This state is called a gate seal, and the backflow of the molding material from the cavity space 14 is prevented. After the pressure holding step, the cooling step is started. In the cooling step, the molding material in the cavity space 14 is solidified. A weighing step may be performed during the cooling step to reduce the molding cycle time.

The injection device 300 of the present embodiment is an in-line screw type, but may be a pre-plastic type or the like. The pre-plastic injection device supplies the molded material melted in the plasticized cylinder to the injection cylinder, and injects the molding material from the injection cylinder into the mold device. A screw is rotatably or rotatably arranged in the plastic cylinder so as to be able to advance and retreat, and a plunger is rotatably arranged in the injection cylinder.

Further, the injection device 300 of the present embodiment is a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is horizontal, but may be a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder 310 is in the vertical direction. The mold clamping device combined with the vertical injection device 300 may be vertical or horizontal. Similarly, the mold clamping device combined with the horizontal injection device 300 may be horizontal or vertical.

<< Mobile device >>
The moving device 400 advances and retreats the injection device 300 with respect to the mold device 10. Further, the moving device 400 presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 10 to generate a nozzle touch pressure. The moving device 400 includes a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a drive source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, and the like.

Hereinafter, in the description of the moving device 400, similarly to the description of the injection device 300, the direction in which the injection device 300 approaches the mold device 10 (the left direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) is the front, and the injection device 300 is the gold. The direction in which the mold device 10 is separated from the mold device 10 (the right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2) will be described as the rear.

Although the moving device 400 is arranged on one side of the cylinder 310 of the injection device 300 in FIGS. 1 and 1B, the moving device 400 may be arranged on both sides of the cylinder 310 or may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the cylinder 310.

The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a pump that can rotate in both directions, and by switching the rotation direction of the motor 420, the hydraulic fluid (for example, oil) is sucked from one of the first port 411 and the second port 412 and from the other. Discharge to generate hydraulic pressure. Further, the hydraulic pump 410 can also suck the hydraulic fluid from the tank and discharge the hydraulic fluid from either the first port 411 or the second port 412.

The motor 420 operates the hydraulic pump 410. The motor 420 drives the hydraulic pump 410 in the rotational direction and rotational torque according to the control signal from the control device 700. The motor 420 may be an electric motor or an electric servomotor.

The hydraulic cylinder 430 has a cylinder body 431, a piston 432, and a piston rod 433. The cylinder body 431 is fixed to the injection device 300. The piston 432 divides the inside of the cylinder body 431 into a front chamber 435 as a first chamber and a rear chamber 436 as a second chamber. The piston rod 433 is fixed to the fixed platen 110.

The front chamber 435 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the first port 411 of the hydraulic pump 410 via the first flow path 401. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the first port 411 is supplied to the anterior chamber 435 via the first flow path 401, so that the injection device 300 is pushed forward. The injection device 300 is advanced, and the nozzle 320 is pressed against the fixed mold 11. The anterior chamber 435 functions as a pressure chamber that generates a nozzle touch pressure of the nozzle 320 by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the hydraulic pump 410.

On the other hand, the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 is connected to the second port 412 of the hydraulic pump 410 via the second flow path 402. The hydraulic fluid discharged from the second port 412 is supplied to the rear chamber 436 of the hydraulic cylinder 430 via the second flow path 402, so that the injection device 300 is pushed backward. The injection device 300 is retracted and the nozzle 320 is separated from the fixed mold 11.

The moving device 400 is not limited to the configuration including the hydraulic cylinder 430. For example, instead of the hydraulic cylinder 430, an electric motor and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor into a linear motion of the injection device 300 may be used.

<< Control device >>
The control device 700 directly transmits a control signal to the mold clamping device 100, the ejector device 200, the injection device 300, the moving device 400, and the like, and performs various controls related to the injection molding machine 1.

The control device 700 may be realized by any hardware or a combination of any hardware and software. The control device 700 is mainly composed of a computer having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a memory device 702, an auxiliary storage device 703, and an interface device 704 for input / output. The control device 700 performs various controls by causing the CPU 701 to execute a program installed in the auxiliary storage device 703. Further, the control device 700 receives an external signal or outputs a signal to the outside through the interface device 704. For example, the control device 700 is communicably connected to the management device 2 through the communication line NW based on the interface device 704. Further, the control device 700 may be communicably connected to another injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) through the communication line NW based on the interface device 704.

The function of the control device 700 may be realized by, for example, only one controller, or may be shared by a plurality of controllers as described later.

The control device 700 repeatedly manufactures a molded product by causing the injection molding machine 1 to repeatedly perform a mold closing step, a mold clamping step, a mold opening step, and the like. Further, the control device 700 causes the injection device 300 to perform a weighing step, a filling step, a pressure holding step, and the like during the mold clamping step.

A series of operations for obtaining a molded product, for example, an operation from the start of the weighing process by the injection device 300 to the start of the weighing process by the next injection device 300 is also referred to as a "shot" or a "molding cycle". The time required for one shot is also referred to as "molding cycle time".

One molding cycle is composed of, for example, a weighing step, a mold closing step, a mold clamping step, a filling step, a pressure holding step, a cooling step, a mold opening step, and a protrusion step in this order. This order is the starting order of each step. Further, the filling step, the pressure holding step, and the cooling step are performed between the start of the mold clamping step and the end of the mold clamping step. Further, the end of the mold clamping process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.

In addition, in order to shorten the molding cycle time, a plurality of steps may be performed at the same time. For example, the weighing step may be performed during the cooling step of the previous molding cycle, in which case the mold closing step may be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. Further, the filling step may be started during the mold closing step. Further, the ejection step may be started during the mold opening step. Further, when an on-off valve for opening and closing the flow path of the nozzle 320 of the injection device 300 is provided, the mold opening step may be started during the weighing step. This is because even if the mold opening process is started during the weighing process, the molding material does not leak from the nozzle 320 if the on-off valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320.

The control device 700 is connected to the operation device 750, the display device 760, and the like.

The operation device 750 receives an operation input regarding the injection molding machine 1 by the user, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input to the control device 700.

The display device 760 displays various images under the control of the control device 700.

The display device 760 displays, for example, an operation screen related to the injection molding machine 1 in response to an operation input in the operation device 750.

The operation screen displayed on the display device 760 is used for setting related to the injection molding machine 1. The setting regarding the injection molding machine 1 includes, for example, setting of molding conditions (specifically, inputting a set value) regarding the injection molding machine 1. Further, the setting includes, for example, a setting related to selection of a type of detection value of various sensors and the like related to the injection molding machine 1 recorded as logging data at the time of molding operation. Further, in the setting, for example, display specifications (for example, the type of actual value to be displayed and how to display it) on the display device 760 of the detected value (actual value) of various sensors related to the injection molding machine 1 during the molding operation. Etc.) settings are included. A plurality of operation screens are prepared and may be displayed by switching to the display device 760 or may be displayed in an overlapping manner. The user can make settings (including input of set values) related to the injection molding machine 1 by operating the operation device 750 while looking at the operation screen displayed on the display device 760.

Further, the display device 760 displays, for example, an information screen that provides the user with various information according to the operation on the operation screen under the control of the control device 700. A plurality of information screens are prepared and may be displayed by switching to the display device 760 or may be displayed in an overlapping manner. For example, the display device 760 displays the setting contents regarding the injection molding machine 1 (for example, the setting contents regarding the molding conditions of the injection molding machine 1). Further, for example, the display device 760 displays management information (for example, information regarding the operation record of the injection molding machine 1).

The operation device 750 and the display device 760 may be configured as, for example, a touch panel type display and integrated.

Although the operation device 750 and the display device 760 of the present embodiment are integrated, they may be provided independently. Further, a plurality of operating devices 750 may be provided. Further, the operation device 750 may be changed to, or in addition, another input device that accepts an input other than the user's operation input may be provided. Other input devices may include, for example, a voice input device that accepts a user's voice input, a gesture input device that accepts a user's gesture input, and the like. The voice input device includes, for example, a microphone and the like. Further, the gesture input device includes, for example, a camera (imaging device) and the like.

<Configuration of management device>
As described above, the management device 2 is communicably connected to the injection molding machine 1 through the communication line NW.

The management device 2 is, for example, a cloud server installed in a remote location such as a management center outside the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. Further, the management device 2 is installed, for example, inside a factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed or in a place relatively close to the factory (for example, a communication facility such as a radio base station or a station building near the factory). It may be an edge server. Further, the management device 2 may be a stationary terminal device (for example, a desktop computer terminal) in the factory where the injection molding machine 1 is installed. Further, the management device 2 may be a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a laptop computer terminal, etc.) that can be carried by a user such as an administrator or a worker of the injection molding machine 1.

The management device 2 may, for example, grasp the operating state of the injection molding machine 1 based on the data transmitted (uploaded) from the injection molding machine 1 and manage the operating state of the injection molding machine 1. Further, the management device 2 may perform various diagnoses such as an abnormality diagnosis of the injection molding machine 1 based on the grasped operating state of the injection molding machine 1.

Further, the management device 2 may transmit control data (for example, data related to various setting conditions such as molding conditions) to the injection molding machine 1 through the communication line NW, for example. Thereby, the management device 2 can control the operation of the injection molding machine 1.

[Details of control system configuration]
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the details of the configuration of the control system of the injection molding machine 1 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the injection molding machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control system of the injection molding machine 1 includes a control device 700, a driver 710, and an encoder 720.

The control device 700 includes controllers 700A and 700B.

The controller 700A controls the controller 700B and comprehensively controls the entire injection molding machine 1. The controller 700A is, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or the like.

The controller 700B (an example of a control device for an industrial machine) controls the operation of various electric actuators (hereinafter, simply "electric actuators") that realize the operation of the injection molding machine 1. The controller 700B is, for example, a motion controller. The electric actuator to be controlled includes, for example, the above-mentioned mold clamping motor 160, mold thickness adjusting motor 183, ejector motor 210, weighing motor 340, injection motor 350, motor 420 and the like. The controller 700B generates control data related to the electric actuator to be controlled, and outputs (transmits) the control data to the driver 710. Further, the controller 700B may generate control data related to the encoder 720 (for example, data related to setting conditions such as a detection data acquisition cycle) and transmit the control data to the encoder 720.

In this example, the controller 700B and the driver 710, and the driver 710 and the encoder 720 are connected by a physical communication cable. Then, a logical network (field network) capable of communicating between the controller 700B and each of the driver 710 and the encoder 720 is constructed.

Instead of constructing the field network, a physical communication cable may be connected between the controller 700B and each of the driver 710 and the encoder 720.

The driver 710 (an example of a predetermined device) electrically drives an electric actuator. The driver 710 outputs a drive current to the electric actuator, for example, based on the control data received from the control device 700. As a result, the controller 700B can control the operation of the electric actuator to be controlled via the driver 710. Further, the driver 710 may transmit data relating to the actual operating status of the driver 710 (own device) (for example, data such as a command value and an actual value of the drive current) to the controller 700B.

The encoder 720 (an example of a predetermined device) acquires detection data regarding the mechanical position of the electric actuator. The encoder 720 includes, for example, the above-mentioned mold clamping motor encoder 161, mold thickness adjusting motor encoder 184, ejector motor encoder 211, weighing motor encoder 341, injection motor encoder 351 and the like. The encoder 720 outputs (transmits) the detection data to the controller 700B. Thereby, the controller 700B can control the electric actuator while grasping the position and the operating state (for example, speed, acceleration, etc.) of the electric actuator based on the detection data regarding the position of the electric actuator.

[Method of conforming communication standards between controllers and field devices (1st example)]
Next, in addition to FIG. 3, a first example of a method of conforming communication standards between the controller 700B and the field device will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In this example, a method of conforming the communication standards between the controller 700B and the driver 710 will be described.

<Structure related to conformity with communication standards>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a first example of a functional configuration relating to conformity of communication standards between the controller 700B and the field device (driver 710 in this example).

The controller 700B includes a communication standard determination unit 7001, a switching unit 7002, and a communication control unit 7003.

The communication standard determination unit 7001 determines one communication standard suitable for communication with the driver 710 from among a plurality of communication standards. The plurality of target communication standards can be used with common hardware related to the communication line between the controller 700A and the driver 710 (for example, a common communication cable, a common connector structure, etc.). For example, the plurality of target communication standards are communication standards relating to a plurality of different types of Industrial Ethernet®. Communication standards for Industrial Ethernet include, for example, MECHATROLINK, CC-Link, EtherCAT, PROFINET, and the like.

The switching unit 7002 selectively switches one communication standard to be used among a plurality of communication standards available to and from the driver 710 by the communication control unit 7003. Specifically, the switching unit 7002 may selectively switch one communication control unit used for communication with the driver 710 from the communication control units 7003A to 7003C described later. In FIG. 4, the switching unit 7002 is in a state of selecting the communication control unit 7003B from the communication control units 7003A to 7003C.

The communication control unit 7003 controls communication with the driver 710. The communication control unit 7003 includes a plurality of (three in this example) communication control units 7003A to 7003C corresponding to each of the plurality of communication standards. The functions of the communication control units 7003A to 7003C may be realized by, for example, a plurality of IP (Intellectual Property) cores for communication implemented in an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like. Further, the functions of the communication control units 7003A to 7003C may be realized, for example, by loading the communication software installed in the auxiliary storage device 703 of the controller 700B into the memory device 702 and executing the software on the CPU 701. Hereinafter, the same may apply to the functions of the communication control units 7006A to 7006C and the functions of the communication control units 7103A to 7103C, which will be described later.

The communication control unit 7003A controls communication with the driver 710 according to the first communication standard (hereinafter, “A communication standard” for convenience) among a plurality of (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7003B controls communication with the driver 710 according to the second communication standard (hereinafter, “B communication standard” for convenience) among the plurality (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7003C controls communication with the driver 710 according to a third communication standard (hereinafter, “C communication standard” for convenience) among a plurality of (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7003 may be a mode in which only two communication standards are targeted and two communication control units corresponding to each of the two communication standards are provided. Further, the communication control unit 7003 may have a communication control unit corresponding to each of four or more communication standards. In these cases, the switching unit 7002 selectively switches one communication control unit used for communication with the driver 710 from the communication control units corresponding to each of the two or four or more communication standards.

In this example, the driver 710 can communicate with the controller 700B according to a specific communication standard.

The plurality of communication standards differ from each other, for example, in the structure of communication frames in the data link layer of the OSI reference model. The communication frame includes a header part and a trailer part added in the lower layers (transport layer, network layer, and data link layer) of the OSI reference model in addition to the data part corresponding to the data to be delivered to the destination. Since there may be differences in the number of bits assigned to the header section and trailer section and the meaning of each bit for each of multiple communication standards, a communication frame that conforms to one communication standard to another communication standard may differ. Even if you try to retrieve the data, the data cannot be retrieved correctly. Therefore, when the driver 710 receives a signal conforming to a specific communication standard to which it complies from the controller 700B, the driver 710 can correctly understand the content, but receives a signal conforming to a communication standard other than the specific communication standard. And I can't understand the contents correctly.

<Control processing related to conformity with communication standards>
FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of a control process relating to conformity of a communication standard with a field device (driver 710) by the controller 700B. In FIG. 5, the communication control units 7003A to 7003C are referred to as the A communication standard communication control unit, the B communication standard communication control unit, and the C communication standard communication control unit for convenience.

This flowchart may be executed, for example, when a predetermined operation input for automatically conforming the communication standard between the controller 700B and the driver 710 is input through the operation device 750. For example, an operation screen is displayed to automatically adapt the communication standard between the controller 700B and the driver 710 to the display device 760 in response to a predetermined operation input to the operation device 750, and a predetermined icon on the screen is operated. By doing so, this flowchart is executed.

Further, this flowchart may be automatically performed according to a predetermined condition, for example. For example, this flowchart may be automatically performed at the first start-up of the injection molding machine 1 before shipment from the factory. Further, for example, the controller 700B is configured to be able to automatically determine that the driver 710 has been replaced, and when it is determined that the driver 710 has been replaced, this flowchart may be automatically performed. In this case, for example, the controller 700B is replaced by the driver 710 when the reply cannot be confirmed on the premise that the reply is confirmed by transmitting a signal requesting a reply to the driver 710 each time the injection molding machine 1 is started. It may be judged that it was done.

As shown in FIG. 5, in step S102, the switching unit 7002 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7003A is used for communication with the driver 710.

When the process of step S102 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the controller 700B transmits a signal (packet) requesting a reply to the driver 710 through the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003A). Specifically, the communication standard determination unit 7001 outputs data of a content requesting a reply to the driver 710 to the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003A). Then, the communication control unit 7003A generates a packet according to the A communication standard including the data input from the communication standard determination unit 7001 and transmits the packet to the driver 710.

When the process of step S104 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines whether or not the reply packet has been received from the driver 710 by the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003A). The communication standard determination unit 7001 proceeds to step S108 when the reply packet is received from the driver 710, and proceeds to step S110 when the reply packet is not received from the driver 710.

In step S108, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines that the A communication standard conforms to the communication with the driver 710, and fixes the communication standard to the state of using the communication control unit 7003A. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7001 starts transmission / reception processing with the driver 710 in accordance with the A communication standard.

When the process of step S108 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S110, the switching unit 7002 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7003B is used for communication with the driver 710.

When the process of step S110 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S112.

In step S112, the controller 700B transmits a signal (packet) requesting a reply to the driver 710 through the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003B). Specifically, the communication standard determination unit 7001 outputs data of a content requesting a reply to the driver 710 to the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003B). Then, the communication control unit 7003B generates a packet according to the B communication standard including the data input from the communication standard determination unit 7001 and transmits the packet to the driver 710.

When the process of step S112 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines whether or not the reply packet has been received from the driver 710 by the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003B). The communication standard determination unit 7001 proceeds to step S116 when the reply packet is received from the driver 710, and proceeds to step S118 when the reply packet is not received from the driver 710.

In step S116, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines that the B communication standard conforms to the communication with the driver 710, and fixes the communication control unit 7003B in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7001 starts transmission / reception processing with the driver 710 in accordance with the B communication standard.

When the process of step S116 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S118, the switching unit 7002 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7003C is used for communication with the driver 710.

When the process of step S118 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S120.

In step S120, the controller 700B transmits a signal (packet) requesting a reply to the driver 710 through the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003C). Specifically, the communication standard determination unit 7001 outputs data of a content requesting a reply to the driver 710 to the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003C). Then, the communication control unit 7003C generates a packet according to the C communication standard including the data input from the communication standard determination unit 7001 and transmits the packet to the driver 710.

When the process of step S120 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S122.

In step S122, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines whether or not the reply packet has been received from the driver 710 by the communication control unit 7003 (communication control unit 7003C). The communication standard determination unit 7001 proceeds to step S124 when the reply packet is received from the driver 710, and proceeds to step S126 when the reply packet is not received from the driver 710.

In step S124, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines that the C communication standard conforms to the communication with the driver 710, and fixes the communication control unit 7003C in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7001 starts transmission / reception processing with the driver 710 in accordance with the C communication standard.

When the process of step S124 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S126, the communication standard determination unit 7001 determines that there is no communication standard compatible with the communication with the driver 710 among the plurality of target communication standards (A communication standard to C communication standard). A communication non-opening notification is output to the user through the display device 760.

When the function of the communication control unit can be added by updating the software or the like, the controller 700B replaces or additionally sends a signal requesting the software update to a predetermined higher-level device (instead of or in addition to the processing in step S126). For example, it may be transmitted to the management device 2 or the like. The request signal may be transmitted automatically, or may be performed when a permission operation input is made after the confirmation notification to the user through the display device 760. Further, the controller 700B may download and install software corresponding to the communication control unit related to the additional communication standard instead of or in addition to the process of step S126. The software may be downloaded and installed automatically, or may be performed when a permission operation input is made after the confirmation notification to the user through the display device 760. The software download may be realized, for example, by transmitting a request signal to a predetermined higher-level device such as the management device 2. Hereinafter, the same processing may be performed for the second example (step S226 of FIG. 7) described later.

When the process of step S126 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

As described above, in this example, the controller 700B automatically recognizes the communication standard suitable for the communication with the driver 710 connected by the communication line from among the plurality of communication standards, and communicates with the driver 710. Can be started.

Further, the control device 700 automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with the driver 710 from among a plurality of communication standards during the processing of the flowchart of this example, and executes a process for starting the communication. The display device 760 may be displayed to indicate that the inside is inside.

As a result, the control device 700 automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with the driver 710 from among a plurality of communication standards, and performs a process for starting the communication. It is possible to notify one user.

The control device 700 may notify only that the process is being executed through the display device 760, or may specifically notify the progress of the detailed process such as the content of the process currently being performed. good. For example, in the latter case, the control device 700 displays notification information such as "currently confirming conformity with the A communication standard" on the display device 760 when the processes of steps S102 to S106 described above are being performed. You may let me. Further, also when the processes of steps S110 to S114 described above are performed or when the processes of steps S118 to S122 are performed, the same notification information regarding the B communication standard and the C communication standard is displayed on the display device 760. May be done. Further, the control device 700 may change the content to be notified during the processing of the flowchart of this example depending on the level of authority of the user logged in to the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700). For example, in the control device 700, when a user having a relatively low authority level such as a worker who operates the injection molding machine 1 is logged in, the processing is being executed through the display device 760 and a simple notification to some extent is made. May be done. On the other hand, when a user having a relatively high authority level such as a serviceman or a developer is logged in, the control device 700 notifies the progress of detailed processing in response to a predetermined operation input to the operation device 750. You may. Hereinafter, in the case of the second example described later, the same notification may be given during the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7.

[Method of conforming communication standards between controllers and field devices (second example)]
Next, in addition to FIG. 3, a second example of a method of conforming communication standards between the controller 700B and the field device will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In this example, a method of conforming the communication standard between the controller 700B and the encoder 720 will be described.

<Structure related to conformity with communication standards>
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a second example of a functional configuration relating to conformity of communication standards between the controller 700B and the field device (in this example, the encoder 720).

The controller 700B includes a communication standard determination unit 7004, a switching unit 7005, and a communication control unit 7006.

The communication standard determination unit 7004 determines one communication standard suitable for communication with the encoder 720 from a plurality of communication standards. The plurality of target communication standards can be used with common hardware related to the communication line between the controller 700A and the encoder 720 (for example, a common communication cable, a common connector structure, and the like). For example, the plurality of target communication standards are a plurality of different types of communication standards adopted by a plurality of encoder manufacturers.

The switching unit 7005 selectively switches one communication standard to be used among a plurality of communication standards available to and from the encoder 720 by the communication control unit 7006. Specifically, the switching unit 7005 may selectively switch one communication control unit used for communication with the encoder 720 from the communication control units 7006A to 7006C described later. In FIG. 6, the switching unit 7005 is in a state in which the communication control unit 7006B of the communication control units 7006A to 7006C is selected.

The communication control unit 7006 controls communication with the encoder 720. The communication control unit 7006 includes a plurality of (three in this example) communication control units 7006A to 7006C corresponding to each of the plurality of communication standards.

The communication control unit 7006A controls communication with the encoder 720 according to the first communication standard among the plurality (three) communication standards (hereinafter, “communication standard of company A” for convenience).

The communication control unit 7006B controls communication with the encoder 720 according to the second communication standard (hereinafter, “communication standard of company B” for convenience) among the plurality (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7006C controls communication with the encoder 720 according to a third communication standard (hereinafter, “communication standard of company C” for convenience) among a plurality of (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7006 may be a mode in which only two communication standards are targeted and two communication control units corresponding to each of the two communication standards are provided. Further, the communication control unit 7006 may have a communication control unit corresponding to each of four or more communication standards. In this case, the switching unit 7005 selectively switches one communication control unit used for communication with the encoder 720 from the communication control units corresponding to each of the two or four or more communication standards.

In this example, the encoder 720 can communicate with the controller 700B according to a specific communication standard.

The plurality of communication standards differ from each other in the structure of the communication frame in the data link layer of the OSI reference model, as in the case of the first example described above. Therefore, when the encoder 720 receives a signal conforming to a specific communication standard to which it complies from the controller 700B, the encoder 720 can correctly understand the content, but receives a signal conforming to a communication standard other than the specific communication standard. And I can't understand the contents correctly.

<Control processing related to conformity with communication standards>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically showing another example of the control process relating to the conformity of the communication standard with the field device (encoder 720) by the controller 700B. In FIG. 7, the communication control units 7006A to 7006C are referred to as a communication control unit for company A, a communication control unit for company B, and a communication control unit for company C for convenience.

This flowchart may be executed, for example, when a predetermined operation input for automatically conforming the communication standard between the controller 700B and the encoder 720 is input through the operation device 750. For example, an operation screen is displayed to automatically adapt the communication standard between the controller 700B and the encoder 720 to the display device 760 in response to a predetermined operation input to the operation device 750, and a predetermined icon on the screen is operated. By doing so, this flowchart is executed.

Further, this flowchart may be automatically performed according to a predetermined condition, for example. For example, this flowchart may be automatically performed at the first start-up of the injection molding machine 1 before shipment from the factory. Further, for example, the controller 700B is configured to be able to automatically determine that the encoder 720 has been replaced, and when it is determined that the encoder 720 has been replaced, this flowchart may be automatically performed. In this case, for example, the controller 700B replaces the encoder 720 when the reply cannot be confirmed on the premise that the reply is confirmed by transmitting a signal requesting a reply to the encoder 720 each time when the injection molding machine 1 is started. It may be judged that it was done.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S202, the switching unit 7005 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7006A is used for communication with the encoder 720.

When the process of step S202 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S204.

In step S204, the controller 700B transmits a signal (packet) requesting a reply to the encoder 720 through the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006A). Specifically, the communication standard determination unit 7004 outputs data of a content requesting a reply to the encoder 720 to the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006A). Then, the communication control unit 7006A generates a packet according to the communication standard of the company A including the data input from the communication standard determination unit 7004, and transmits the packet to the encoder 720.

When the process of step S204 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the communication standard determination unit 7004 determines whether or not the reply packet has been received from the encoder 720 by the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006A). The communication standard determination unit 7004 proceeds to step S208 when the reply packet is received from the encoder 720, and proceeds to step S210 when the reply packet is not received from the encoder 720.

In step S208, the communication standard determination unit 7004 determines that the communication standard of the company A conforms to the communication with the encoder 720, and fixes the communication standard determination unit 7006A in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7004 starts the transmission / reception processing with the encoder 720 according to the communication standard of the company A.

When the process of step S208 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S210, the switching unit 7005 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7006B is used for communication with the encoder 720.

When the process of step S210 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S212.

In step S212, the controller 700B transmits a signal (packet) requesting a reply to the encoder 720 through the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006B). Specifically, the communication standard determination unit 7004 outputs data of a content requesting a reply to the encoder 720 to the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006B). Then, the communication control unit 7006B generates a packet according to the communication standard of the company B including the data input from the communication standard determination unit 7004, and transmits the packet to the encoder 720.

When the process of step S212 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S214.

In step S214, the communication standard determination unit 7004 determines whether or not the reply packet has been received from the encoder 720 by the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006B). The communication standard determination unit 7004 proceeds to step S216 when the reply packet is received from the encoder 720, and proceeds to step S218 when the reply packet is not received from the encoder 720.

In step S216, the communication standard determination unit 7004 determines that the communication standard of the company B conforms to the communication with the encoder 720, and fixes the communication standard determination unit 7006B in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7004 starts the transmission / reception processing with the encoder 720 according to the communication standard of the company B.

When the process of step S216 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S218, the switching unit 7005 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7006C is used for communication with the encoder 720.

When the process of step S218 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S220.

In step S220, the controller 700B transmits a signal (packet) requesting a reply to the encoder 720 through the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006C). Specifically, the communication standard determination unit 7004 outputs data of a content requesting a reply to the encoder 720 to the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006C). Then, the communication control unit 7006C generates a packet according to the communication standard of the company C including the data input from the communication standard determination unit 7004, and transmits the packet to the encoder 720.

When the process of step S220 is completed, the controller 700B proceeds to step S222.

In step S222, the communication standard determination unit 7004 determines whether or not the reply packet has been received from the encoder 720 by the communication control unit 7006 (communication control unit 7006C). The communication standard determination unit 7004 proceeds to step S224 when the reply packet is received from the encoder 720, and proceeds to step S226 when the reply packet is not received from the encoder 720.

In step S224, the communication standard determination unit 7004 determines that the communication standard of the company C conforms to the communication with the encoder 720, and fixes the communication standard determination unit 7006C in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7004 starts the transmission / reception processing with the encoder 720 according to the communication standard of the company C.

When the process of step S224 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S226, the communication standard determination unit 7004 does not have a communication standard compatible with the communication with the encoder 720 among the plurality of target communication standards (communication standard of company A to communication standard of company C). It is determined that the communication non-opening notification is output to the user through the display device 760.

When the process of step S226 is completed, the controller 700B ends the process of the current flowchart.

As described above, in this example, the controller 700B automatically recognizes the communication standard suitable for the communication with the encoder 720 connected by the communication line from among the plurality of communication standards, and communicates with the encoder 720. Can be started.

[Method of conforming communication standards between controllers and field devices (3rd example)]
Next, in addition to FIG. 3, a third example of a method of conforming the communication standard between the controller 700B and the field device will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this example, as in the case of the first example, a method of conforming the communication standards between the controller 700B and the driver 710 will be described.

<Structure related to conformity with communication standards>
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a third example of a functional configuration relating to conformity of communication standards between the controller 700B and the field device (driver 710 in this example).

The driver 710 includes a communication standard determination unit 7101, a switching unit 7102, and a communication control unit 7103.

The communication standard determination unit 7101 determines one communication standard suitable for communication with the controller 700B from a plurality of communication standards. The plurality of target communication standards can be used with common hardware related to the communication line between the controller 700A and the controller 700B (for example, a common communication cable, a common connector structure, and the like). For example, the plurality of target communication standards are communication standards relating to a plurality of different types of industrial Ethernet, as in the case of the first example described above.

The switching unit 7102 selectively switches one communication standard to be used among a plurality of communication standards available to and from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103. Specifically, one communication control unit used for communication with the controller 700B may be selectively switched from the communication control units 7103A to 7103C described later. In FIG. 8, the switching unit 7102 is in a state of selecting the communication control unit 7103B among the communication control units 7103A to 7103C.

The communication control unit 7103 controls communication with the controller 700B. The communication control unit 7103 includes a plurality of (three in this example) communication control units 7103A to 7103C corresponding to each of the plurality of communication standards.

The communication control unit 7103A controls communication with the controller 700B in accordance with the first communication standard (A communication standard) among the plurality (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7103B controls communication with the controller 700B in accordance with the second communication standard (B communication standard) among the plurality (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7103C controls communication with the controller 700B in accordance with a third communication standard (C communication standard) among a plurality of (three) communication standards.

The communication control unit 7103 may be a mode in which only two communication standards are targeted and two communication control units corresponding to each of the two communication standards are provided. Further, the communication control unit 7103 may have a communication control unit corresponding to each of four or more communication standards. In this case, the switching unit 7102 selectively switches one communication control unit used for communication with the controller 700B from the communication control units corresponding to each of the two or four or more communication standards.

In this example, the controller 700B can communicate with the driver 710 according to a specific communication standard.

The plurality of communication standards differ from each other in the structure of the communication frame in the data link layer of the OSI reference model, as in the case of the first example and the second example described above. Therefore, when the driver 710 receives the signal from the controller 700B by the communication control unit corresponding to the specific communication standard followed by the controller 700B among the communication control units 7103A to 7103C, the driver 710 can correctly understand the content of the signal. .. On the other hand, when the driver 710 receives a signal from the controller 700B by a communication control unit corresponding to a communication standard other than the specific communication standard followed by the controller 700B among the communication control units 7103A to 7103C, the driver 710 cannot correctly understand the contents.

<Control processing related to conformity with communication standards>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart schematically showing an example of control processing related to conformity of the communication standard with the controller 700B by the driver 710. In FIG. 9, the communication control units 7103A to 7103C are referred to as a communication control unit for A communication standard, a communication control unit for B communication standard, and a communication control unit for C communication standard for convenience.

Similar to the case of the first example described above, for example, when a predetermined operation input for automatically conforming the communication standard between the driver 710 and the controller 700B is made through the operation device 750, the controller 700B is specified. A signal (packet) requesting a reply in accordance with the communication standard is transmitted to the driver 710. The controller 700B sends a signal (packet) of the content requesting a reply until either a predetermined period (for example, several minutes) elapses or a reply from the driver 710 is received. It is repeatedly transmitted to the driver 710. Then, this flowchart is started when the signal (packet) requesting the above reply is received from the controller 700B.

Further, as in the case of the first example described above, the controller 700B may start transmitting a signal requesting a reply to the driver 710 automatically according to a predetermined condition, for example. For example, at the first startup of the injection molding machine 1 before shipment from the factory, the controller 700B may automatically start transmitting a signal requesting a reply to the driver 710. Further, for example, the controller 700B is configured to be able to automatically determine that the driver 710 has been replaced, and when it determines that the driver 710 has been replaced, it automatically repeatedly transmits a signal requesting a reply to the driver 710. You may start.

As shown in FIG. 9, in step S302, the switching unit 7102 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7103A is used for communication with the controller 700B.

When the process of step S302 is completed, the driver 710 proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, the driver 710 receives a signal (packet) requesting a reply from the controller 700B through the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103A).

When the process of step S304 is completed, the driver 710 proceeds to step S306.

In step S306, the communication standard determination unit 7101 determines whether or not the packet received from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103A) is for the A communication standard. The communication standard determination unit 7101 may make the determination depending on whether or not the data is correctly extracted from the packet received by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103A), for example. The communication standard determination unit 7101 proceeds to step S308 when the packet received from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103A) is for A communication standard, and proceeds to step S310 when it is not for A communication standard. ..

In step S308, the communication standard determination unit 7101 determines that the A communication standard conforms to the communication with the controller 700B, and fixes the communication control unit 7103A in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7101 transmits a reply signal (packet) according to the A communication standard to the controller 700B through the communication control unit 7103A, and starts transmission / reception processing with the controller 700B according to the A communication standard.

When the process of step S308 is completed, the driver 710 ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S310, the switching unit 7102 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7103B is used for communication with the controller 700B.

When the process of step S310 is completed, the driver 710 proceeds to step S312.

In step S312, the driver 710 receives a signal (packet) requesting a reply from the controller 700B through the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103B).

When the process of step S312 is completed, the driver 710 proceeds to step S314.

In step S314, the communication standard determination unit 7101 determines whether or not the packet received from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103B) is for the B communication standard. The communication standard determination unit 7101 may make the determination depending on whether or not the data is correctly extracted from the packet received by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103B), for example. The communication standard determination unit 7101 proceeds to step S316 if the packet received from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103B) is for the B communication standard, and proceeds to step S318 if it is not for the B communication standard. ..

In step S316, the communication standard determination unit 7101 determines that the B communication standard conforms to the communication with the controller 700B, and fixes the communication control unit 7103B in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7101 transmits a reply signal (packet) according to the B communication standard to the controller 700B through the communication control unit 7103B, and starts transmission / reception processing with the controller 700B according to the B communication standard.

When the process of step S316 is completed, the driver 710 ends the process of the current flowchart.

On the other hand, in step S318, the switching unit 7102 switches to a state in which the communication control unit 7103C is used for communication with the controller 700B.

When the process of step S318 is completed, the driver 710 proceeds to step S320.

In step S320, the driver 710 receives a signal (packet) requesting a reply from the controller 700B through the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103C).

When the process of step S320 is completed, the driver 710 proceeds to step S322.

In step S322, the communication standard determination unit 7101 determines whether or not the packet received from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103C) is for the C communication standard. The communication standard determination unit 7101 may make the determination depending on whether or not the data is correctly extracted from the packet received by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103C), for example. The communication standard determination unit 7101 proceeds to step S324 when the packet received from the controller 700B by the communication control unit 7103 (communication control unit 7103C) is for the C communication standard, and proceeds to step S324 when the packet is not for the C communication standard. End the process.

In step S324, the communication standard determination unit 7101 determines that the C communication standard conforms to the communication with the controller 700B, and fixes the communication control unit 7103C in a state of being used. Then, the communication standard determination unit 7101 transmits a reply signal (packet) according to the C communication standard to the controller 700B through the communication control unit 7103C, and starts transmission / reception processing with the controller 700B according to the C communication standard.

When the process of step S324 is completed, the driver 710 ends the process of the current flowchart.

When the controller 700B does not receive a reply from the driver 710 even after a predetermined time has elapsed from starting the process of repeatedly transmitting the signal of the content requesting a reply to the driver 710, the case of the above-mentioned first example Similarly, the communication non-opening notification may be output to the user through the display device 760. Further, as in the case of the first example described above, when the function of the communication control unit can be added by updating the software or the like, the controller 700B replaces or additionally performs the output processing of the communication non-open notification. A signal requesting an update of the software of the 710 may be transmitted to a predetermined higher-level device (for example, a management device 2 or the like). The request signal may be transmitted automatically, or may be performed when a permission operation input is made after the confirmation notification to the user through the display device 760. Further, the controller 700B may download the software corresponding to the communication control unit related to the additional communication standard and install it in the driver 710 instead of or in addition to the output processing of the communication non-open notification. The software may be downloaded and installed automatically, or may be performed when a permission operation input is made after the confirmation notification to the user through the display device 760. The software download may be realized, for example, by transmitting a request signal to a predetermined higher-level device such as the management device 2.

As described above, in this example, the driver 710 automatically recognizes the communication standard suitable for the communication with the controller 700B connected by the communication line from among the plurality of communication standards, and communicates with the controller 700B. Can be started.

Further, when the controller 700B repeatedly transmits a signal requesting a reply to the driver 710 from the controller 700B, the controller 700B is selected from a plurality of communication standards as in the case of the first example described above. The display device 760 may display that the process for starting the communication is being executed by automatically recognizing the communication standard suitable for the communication between the driver and the driver 710.

As a result, the control device 700 automatically recognizes the communication standard suitable for the communication between the controller 700B and the driver 710 from among the plurality of communication standards, and performs a process for starting the communication. The user of the injection molding machine 1 can be notified.

The above-mentioned first example and this example (third example) may be combined. That is, both the controller 700B and the driver 710 may have a function for automatically recognizing the communication standard between each other and starting the communication.

[How to conform communication standards between controllers and higher-level devices]
Next, a method of conforming the communication standard between the controller 700B and the higher-level device will be described with reference to the third example described above.

The controller 700B automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with a higher-level device connected by a communication line from a plurality of communication standards in the same manner as the driver 710 of the third example described above, and higher-level. Communication with the device may be started.

As a result, the controller 700B can conform the communication standard between the slave side and the higher-level device such as the controller 700A, and automatically start the communication.

The target higher-level device may be a device inside the injection molding machine 1 such as a controller 700A (an example of a predetermined device), or may be an injection molding machine such as a management device 2. It may be an external device of the machine 1.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the injection molding machine 1 (controller 700B, driver 710) according to the present embodiment will be described.

For example, field devices such as the driver 710 and the encoder 720 may have different communication standards depending on the model, manufacturer (manufacturer), and the like. Further, depending on the needs of the delivery destination (customer) of the injection molding machine 1, the manufacturer and model of the field equipment connected to the controller 700B may differ for each customer. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the injection molding machine 1, it may be necessary to prepare different hardware according to the communication standard of the field equipment for each customer, set the communication standard suitable for the field equipment for each customer, and install data. There is sex. Therefore, there is a possibility that the work in the manufacturing process becomes complicated and sophisticated.

Further, for example, the injection molding machine 1 operating in the customer's factory may be replaced with a product of a different model or manufacturer from the viewpoint of cost and performance. Therefore, it may be necessary to replace the hardware according to the communication standard of the field device after replacement, set the communication standard suitable for the field device after replacement, and install data. Therefore, there is a possibility that the work by the service person may become complicated or sophisticated.

Further, for example, specific application software (hereinafter, "application") may be introduced into the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700). In this case, it may be necessary to match all field devices such as the driver 710 and the encoder 720 to a specific model or manufacturer according to the application. Therefore, it may be necessary to replace the hardware that matches the communication standards of all the field devices after the replacement, set the communication standards that match the field devices after the replacement, and install data. Therefore, there is a possibility that the work by the service person will be further complicated and sophisticated.

Further, for example, the type of field network adopted may differ depending on the factory of the customer of the delivery destination. Therefore, in the manufacturing process of the injection molding machine 1, it may be necessary to prepare different hardware according to the communication standard of the field network for each customer, set the communication standard suitable for the field network for each customer, and install data. There is sex. Therefore, there is a possibility that the manufacturing process becomes complicated and sophisticated.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the controller 700B is configured to enable communication according to a plurality of communication standards. Then, the controller 700B automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with a predetermined device (for example, controller 700A, driver 710, encoder 720) connected by a communication line from among a plurality of communication standards. Initiate communication with a given device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the driver 710 is configured to enable communication according to a plurality of communication standards. Then, the driver 710 automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with a predetermined device (for example, controller 700B) connected by a communication line from a plurality of communication standards, and communicates with the predetermined device. Start communication.

As a result, the controller 700B and the driver 710 can automatically recognize the communication standard suitable for the connected device from the plurality of communication standards and start the communication on the premise that the controller 700B and the driver 710 can support a plurality of communication standards in advance. can. Therefore, in the injection molding machine 1, it is possible to more easily realize a communicable state between the controller 700B and the device to be connected. Therefore, it is possible to simplify and facilitate the work for conforming the communication standard in the manufacturing process of the injection molding machine 1 and the service site.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of communication control units 7003A to 7003C correspond to each of the plurality of communication standards, and perform processing related to communication with the driver 710 according to the target communication standard. Then, the controller 700B may automatically recognize a communication standard suitable for communication with the driver 710 while switching between the plurality of communication control units 7003A to 7003C.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of communication control units 7006A to 7006C correspond to each of the plurality of communication standards, and perform processing related to communication with the encoder 720 according to the target communication standard. Then, the controller 700B may automatically recognize a communication standard suitable for communication with the encoder 720 while switching between the plurality of communication control units 7006A to 7006C.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of communication control units correspond to each of the plurality of communication standards, and perform processing related to communication with the controller 700A according to the target communication standard. Then, the controller 700B may automatically recognize a communication standard suitable for communication with the controller 700A while switching a plurality of communication control units.

Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of communication control units 7103A to 7103C correspond to each of the plurality of communication standards, and perform processing related to communication with the controller 700B according to the target communication standard. Then, the driver 710 may automatically recognize a communication standard suitable for communication with the controller 700B while switching between the plurality of communication control units 7103A to 7103C.

As a result, it is possible to specifically and automatically recognize a communication line suitable for communication between the controller 700B and the device to be connected by using a plurality of communication control units prepared in advance.

Further, in the present embodiment, the controller 700B transmits a signal requesting a reply to the driver 710 through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units 7003A to 7003C. Then, when the reply signal is received from the driver 710, the controller 700B uses the communication standard corresponding to one of the selected communication control units among the plurality of communication standards for communication with the driver 710. It may be recognized as suitable.

Further, in the present embodiment, the controller 700B transmits a signal requesting a reply to the encoder 720 through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units 7006A to 7006C. Then, when the reply signal is received from the encoder 720, the controller 700B uses the communication standard corresponding to one selected communication control unit among the plurality of communication standards for communication with the encoder 720. It may be recognized as suitable.

As a result, a communication line suitable for communication between the controller 700B and the device to be connected can be specifically and automatically recognized from the master side (upper side).

Further, in the present embodiment, the controller 700B repeatedly transmits a signal requesting a reply in one of a plurality of communication standards defined in advance to the driver 710. The driver 710 receives a signal requesting a reply from the controller 700B through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units 7103A to 7103C. When the driver 710 can recognize the content of the signal received through one selected communication control unit, the driver 710 sets the communication standard corresponding to the one communication control unit among the plurality of communication standards as the controller 700B. It may be recognized that it conforms to the communication between. Then, the driver 710 may transmit a reply signal to the controller 700B through the communication control unit.

Further, in the present embodiment, the controller 700A repeatedly transmits a signal requesting a reply in one of a plurality of communication standards defined in advance to the controller 700B. The controller 700B receives a signal requesting a reply from the controller 700A through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units. When the controller 700B can recognize the content of the signal received through one selected communication control unit, the communication standard corresponding to the one communication control unit among the plurality of communication standards is referred to as the controller 700A. It may be recognized that it conforms to the communication between. Then, the controller 700B may transmit a reply signal to the controller 700A through the communication control unit.

As a result, a communication line suitable for communication between the controller 700B and the device to be connected can be specifically and automatically recognized from the slave side (lower side).

[Transform, change]
Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist described in the claims. be.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the method of conforming the communication standard between the controller 700B and the device to be connected has been described for the injection molding machine 1, but the same method can be used for other industrial machines. May be applied. Other industrial machines include stationary machines that are stationary in factories, such as machine tools and production robots. Other industrial machines include, for example, mobile work machines. Mobile work machines include, for example, construction machines such as excavators and bulldozers, agricultural machines such as combines, and transport machines such as mobile cranes.

1 Injection molding machine (industrial machine)
2 Management device 100 Mold clamping device 200 Ejector device 300 Injection device 400 Mobile device 700 Control device 700A Controller (predetermined device)
700B controller (control device for industrial machinery)
701 CPU
702 Memory device 703 Auxiliary storage device 704 Interface device 710 Driver (predetermined device)
720 encoder (predetermined device)
750 operation device 760 display device SYS injection molding machine management system

Claims (10)

Communication by a plurality of communication standards is possible, and a communication standard suitable for communication with a predetermined device connected by a communication line is automatically recognized from the plurality of communication standards, and the communication standard is automatically recognized with the predetermined device. Initiate communication between,
Control device for industrial machinery. It is provided with a plurality of communication control units corresponding to each of the plurality of communication standards and performing processing related to communication with the predetermined device according to the target communication standard.
While switching the plurality of communication control units, it automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with the predetermined device.
The control device for an industrial machine according to claim 1. When a signal requesting a reply is transmitted to the predetermined device through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units, and then a reply signal is received from the predetermined device, the plurality of cases. The communication standard corresponding to the one communication control unit among the communication standards of the above is recognized as conforming to the communication with the predetermined device.
The control device for an industrial machine according to claim 2. Receiving a signal requesting a reply from the predetermined device through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units, and recognizing the content of the signal received through the one communication control unit. When the communication standard corresponding to the one communication control unit among the plurality of communication standards is recognized as conforming to the communication with the predetermined device, the predetermined communication standard is recognized through the one communication control unit. Send a reply signal to the device,
The control device for an industrial machine according to claim 2 or 3. Each of the plurality of communication control units is implemented as an IP core.
The control device for an industrial machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The plurality of communication standards are available in common hardware for the communication line.
The control device for an industrial machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A mold clamping device that molds the mold device and
An injection device for filling the mold device molded by the mold clamping device with a molding material, and an injection device.
An ejector device that takes out a molded product from the mold device after the molding material filled by the injection device is cooled and solidified.
An actuator that realizes the operation of the injection molding machine including the operation of the mold clamping device, the injection device, and the ejector device, and
A controller that controls the operation of the actuator and
The controller is provided with a predetermined device connected through a communication line.
At least one of the controller and the predetermined device is configured to be capable of communication according to a plurality of communication standards, and a communication standard suitable for communication with the other device from the plurality of communication standards is established. Automatically recognizes and starts communication with the other device,
Injection molding machine. The at least one device includes a plurality of communication control units corresponding to each of the plurality of communication standards and performing processing related to communication with the other device according to the target communication standard.
The at least one device automatically recognizes a communication standard suitable for communication with the other device while switching the plurality of communication control units.
The injection molding machine according to claim 7. The at least one device transmits a signal requesting a reply to the other device through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units, and then a reply signal is sent from the other device. When it is received, it recognizes that the communication standard corresponding to the one communication control unit among the plurality of communication standards conforms to the communication with the other device.
The injection molding machine according to claim 8. The other device repeatedly transmits a signal requesting a reply in one of the plurality of communication standards specified in advance to the other device.
The at least one device receives the signal requesting the reply through one communication control unit selected from the plurality of communication control units, and recognizes the content of the signal received through the one communication control unit. If this is possible, it is recognized that the communication standard corresponding to the one communication control unit among the plurality of communication standards is suitable for communication with the other device, and the other communication standard is recognized through the one communication control unit. Send a reply signal to your device,
The injection molding machine according to claim 8 or 9.

Images