JP2023056777A - Mold, molding system, method for manufacturing molded product and molded sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress vacuum leakage between a sheet and a mold during vacuum forming.SOLUTION: A mold 51 is used for vacuum-forming a sheet 11 and has a facing surface 51a that faces the sheet 11 during vacuum forming, the mold including: a suction hole 511, provided in a first region 51b of the facing surface 51a, for vacuum-forming the sheet 11 through vacuum suction; a linear groove 512 provided in a second region 51c surrounding the first region 51b on the facing surface 51a; and an adsorption hole 513 that has an opening 513a provided at least partially in a wall surface 512a of the linear groove 512 and holds the sheet 11 in the mold 51 through vacuum adsorption.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present disclosure relates to molds, molding systems, methods of making molded products, and methods of making molded sheets.

Currently, a method of forming a substrate using vacuum forming is widely known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses molding a base material by vacuum forming the base material and then injection molding a resin on the surface of the vacuum-formed base material. In Patent Document 1, a base material is transported to a mold having a recess to which a gas flow path is connected, and gas is drawn from the gas flow path by a suction pump, so that the base material conforms to the shape of the recess. Vacuum forming is disclosed.

WO2018/186414

When vacuum forming a base material using a mold, it is required to suppress vacuum leakage between the sheet and the mold in order to create a vacuum state between the sheet to be vacuum formed and the mold. rice field.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to suppress vacuum leakage between a sheet and a mold during vacuum forming.

A mold according to one embodiment is a mold that is used for vacuum forming a sheet and has a facing surface that faces the sheet during vacuum forming,
a suction hole provided in a first region of the facing surface for vacuum forming the sheet by vacuum suction;
a linear groove provided in a second region surrounding the first region of the facing surface;
and a suction hole, at least a part of which has an opening provided in the wall surface of the linear groove, and which allows the mold to hold the sheet by vacuum suction.

In one embodiment, the linear groove may surround the first region.

In the mold according to one embodiment, the second region may protrude from the first region toward the side where the sheet is positioned during vacuum forming.

A molding system according to one embodiment has the above-described mold, forms an accommodation space partly partitioned by the first region and accommodates a part of the sheet, and resin is formed in the accommodation space. an injection molding machine for injection molding the
The molding system includes a driving device having a head that holds the sheet and a driving unit that drives the head to convey the sheet to the mold.

In the molding system according to one embodiment, the head has a holding portion that holds the sheet,
In the molding system according to one embodiment, the head may be driven to bring the sheet held by the holding section into close contact with the second area.

In the molding system according to one embodiment, the holding part has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and holds the sheet on the first surface side. death,
The head may further include a heater that heats the sheet and is arranged on the second surface side of the holding portion.

In the molding system according to one embodiment, the holding part has a frame-like shape,
In a state in which the sheet held by the holding portion is in close contact with the second region, when observed from a direction perpendicular to the second region, the second region passes through the center of the opening of the suction hole. A vertical suction hole axis is positioned closer to the first region than an inner end of the frame-shaped holding portion, and a distance between the suction hole axis and the inner end is 5 mm or less, or the suction hole The axis is located on the side opposite to the first region from the inner end, and the distance between the suction hole axis and the inner end is 15 mm or less, or the suction hole axis is located at the inner end. may overlap with

A method for manufacturing a molded product according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing a molded product using the molding system described above,
a step of conveying the sheet held by the head to the mold;
a step of holding the sheet on the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
a step of vacuum forming the sheet held in the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
A method of manufacturing a molded product, comprising the step of forming the housing space in the injection molding machine while the sheet is held in the mold, and injection-molding a resin into the housing space.

A method for manufacturing a molded product according to one embodiment is a method for manufacturing a molded product using the molding system described above,
a step of conveying the sheet held by the head to the mold;
a step of holding the sheet on the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
a step of vacuum forming the sheet held in the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
a step of forming the housing space in the injection molding machine and injection-molding a resin into the housing space while the sheet is held in the mold;
In the vacuum forming step, the sheet is vacuum formed while the sheet is pressed toward the second region by the holding portion.

A method for producing a molded sheet according to one embodiment is a method for producing a molded sheet using the mold described above,
a step of holding the sheet on the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
and vacuum forming the sheet held in the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes.

According to the present disclosure, vacuum leakage between the sheet and the mold can be suppressed during vacuum forming.

FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing the entire molding system. FIG. 2 is a side view of the sheet feeding device observed from a direction parallel to the sheet surface of the sheet fed by the sheet feeding device. FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the driving device; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the holding portion of the head. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the molded product holding portion of the head. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an injection molding machine and a head arranged between a mold of the injection molding machine and a counter mold. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the mold viewed from the opposing surface side. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing how the sheet is transferred from the holding part to the mold of the injection molding machine. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the sheet held by the holding portion is in close contact with the second area. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how the sheet vacuum-sucked by the suction holes is deformed. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of how part of the mold is observed from the vertical direction in a state where the sheet is in close contact with the second region. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12. FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing how the sheet is vacuum-formed. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of how the opposing mold is relatively moved with respect to the mold. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing how a housing space is formed between the mold and the opposing mold. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing how the opposing mold is separated from the mold. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing how the molded product is transferred from the opposing mold to the molded product holding unit. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a state in which a molded product is transferred from the opposed mold to the molded product holding unit. FIG. 20 is a side view of a molded product manufactured by the molded product manufacturing method. 21 is a side view showing a mold according to Modification 1. FIG. FIG. 22 is a side view of a molded sheet manufactured by a method for manufacturing a molded sheet according to Modification 2. FIG.

An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each figure shown below is a figure shown typically. Therefore, the size and shape of each part are appropriately exaggerated for easy understanding. In addition, it can be modified as appropriate without departing from the technical concept. In addition, in each figure shown below, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected to the same part and detailed description may be partially abbreviate|omitted. In addition, numerical values such as dimensions and material names of each member described in this specification are examples as an embodiment, and can be appropriately selected and used without being limited thereto. In this specification, terms specifying shapes and geometrical conditions, such as parallel, perpendicular, and right angles, shall be interpreted to include substantially the same state in addition to strictly meaning.

First, a molding system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 schematically shows a top view of a molding system 1 of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the molding system 1 produces a molded product 16 in which a sheet 11 is provided with a molded part 12 containing resin, as shown in FIG. 20 and described later. As shown in FIG. 1, the molding system 1 is covered with a clean booth 5. As shown in FIG. The clean booth 5 prevents objects from entering the molding system 1 unintentionally from the outside. The clean booth 5 is provided with a first opening 6 on a first side s1 in the first direction d1 and a second opening 7 on a second side s2 in the first direction d1. In the clean booth 5 , air flows in from the first opening 6 and air flows out from the second opening 7 . That is, in the clean booth 5, air flows from the first side s1 in the first direction d1 to the second side s2 in the first direction d1. Due to this air flow, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the sheet 11 and the like from the outside in each device and the like of the molding system 1 .

The molding system 1 includes an injection molding machine 50 and a driving device 40 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the molding system 1 further includes a sheet feeder 20 and a trimming device 80 . In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 1, in the molding system 1, the components are arranged in the order described above from the first side s1 in the first direction d1 toward the second side s2 in the first direction d1. there is A sheet supply device 20 supplies a sheet 11 cut into a predetermined size from a roll-shaped film 10 . The driving device 40 has a head 30 and a driving section 44 . The head 30 receives the sheet 11 and holds the sheet 11 . The head 30 is driven by the driving section 44 to convey the sheet 11 to the injection molding machine 50 . Injection molding machine 50 receives sheet 11 . The injection molding machine 50 has a mold 51 and a counter mold 52 . The injection molding machine 50 vacuum-forms the received sheet 11 using a mold 51 . After the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed, the injection molding machine 50 forms an accommodation space 55 in which a part of the sheet 11 is accommodated by bringing the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 closer together. The injection molding machine 50 provides the molded part 12 on the sheet 11 and molds the molded product 13 by injection molding resin into the housing space 55 . Molded product 13 is held by head 30 . The head 30 holding the molded product 13 is driven by the driving device 40 to convey the molded product 13 to the trimming device 80 . Trimming device 80 trims molded product 13 to produce molded product 16 . In this way, the forming system 1 can feed the sheet 11 , form the molded article 13 , and trim the molded article 13 continuously in a single system to produce the molded product 16 .

Each component of the molding system 1 will be described in detail below.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the sheet feeding device 20. As shown in FIG. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows the sheet feeding device 20 viewed from the side of the fed sheet 11 . The sheet supply device 20 supplies the sheet 11 supplied from the roll-shaped film 10 and cut into a predetermined size. The dimensions of the sheet 11 to be supplied are, for example, a rectangular shape with a roll feed length of 15 cm or more and 150 cm or less and a roll width of 15 cm or more and 100 cm or less. Also, the thickness of the sheet 11 is, for example, 50 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. However, the sheet 11 is not limited to this and may be of any shape and size. The sheet 11 is made of a thermoplastic resin that softens when heated. Examples of materials for the sheet 11 include acrylic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), ABS, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycarbonate. The sheet 11 may be provided with a pattern, characters, or the like. When the sheet 11 is provided with a pattern, characters, or the like, the sheet 11 supplied from the sheet supply device 20 has a pattern or the like that is appropriately displayed after the sheet 11 is deformed by the injection molding machine 50 or the like. . The sheet 11 supplied by the sheet supply device 20 is held by a holding portion 31 of the head 30, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet feeding device 20 has film cutting means 21, first and second clamps 23a and 23b, a plate member 25, and a sensor 27. As shown in FIG.

Above the second clamp 23b, the film cutting means 21 cuts the fed roll-shaped film 10 in a direction non-parallel to the feeding direction to form a sheet 11 of a predetermined size from the film 10. In particular, the film 10 is delivered from the bottom to the top in the vertical direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2). Therefore, the film cutting means 21 cuts the vertically downward portion of the film 10 in a direction non-parallel to the vertical direction, for example, in the horizontal direction. Thereby, the sheet 11 is formed vertically upward. The film cutting means 21 is, for example, a knife made of metal.

The first clamp 23a and the second clamp 23b hold the film 10 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, the first clamp 23a can clamp the film 10 from above. The second clamp 23b can clamp the film 10 below. After the first clamp 23a clamps the top of the film 10 and the head 30 holds the central portion of the film 10, the second clamp 23b clamps the film 10. As shown in FIG. After that, the film cutting means 21 cuts the film 10, and the first clamp 23a releases the film 10 (sheet 11), so that the sheet 11 can be smoothly held by the head 30. FIG. As an example, the first clamp 23a and the second clamp 23b are bar-shaped, but are not limited to this and may be of any shape.

The plate member 25 moves the film 10 clamped by the first clamps 23a toward the head 30 by pushing it out, for example. In order to push the film 10 toward the head 30 in the sheet feeder 20, the plate member 25 is arranged on the opposite side of the head 30 of the first clamp 23a. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the head 30 approaches the sheet feeder 20 from the second side s2 in the first direction d1, so that the plate member 25 is positioned at the first side s1 in the first direction d1 of the first clamp 23a. are placed in Also, the plate member 25 has a shape corresponding to the holding portion 31 of the head 30 . In other words, the plate member 25 has a shape complementary to the holding portion 31 of the head 30 . In the example shown in FIG. 2, the surface of the plate member 25 facing the sheet 11 is a plane parallel to the surface of the film 10 held between the first clamps 23a. The surface of the holding portion 31 of the head 30 facing the sheet 11 is a plane parallel to the surface of the film 10 held between the first clamps 23a. Accordingly, the surface of the plate member 25 facing the sheet 11 and the surface of the holding portion 31 of the head 30 facing the sheet 11 are parallel to each other. By pushing out the film 10 with the plate member 25 , the film 10 is brought into contact with the holding portion 31 and held by the head 30 . After that, the film 10 is clamped by the second clamps 23b. The film 10 is cut by the film cutting means 21 to form a sheet 11. - 特許庁As a result, the sheet 11 is transferred from the sheet feeding device 20 to the head 30 without bending.

A sensor 27 detects the film 10 in the sheet feeding device 20 . Based on this detection, the film 10 can be placed in the sheet feeder 20 in the proper position and orientation. Further, the sensor 27 may detect the length by which the film 10 is fed upward in the vertical direction. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 27 is arranged on the same side as the plate member 25, that is, on the side opposite to the side to which the head 30 approaches. In other words, the sensor 27 is arranged on the first side s1 in the first direction d1 of the first clamp 23a and the second clamp 23b. The sensor 27 detects the position, orientation, etc. of the film 10 through holes (not shown) provided in the plate member 25 . However, the sensor 27 may be arranged on the same side of the sheet feeder 20 as the head 30 approaches to hold the film 10 , without being limited to the illustrated example. Such a sensor 27 is, for example, an imaging device such as a camera. As an example, although not shown, the film 10 is provided with an alignment mark such as a cross-shaped symbol. In this case, the sensor can easily detect the position and orientation of the film 10 based on the alignment marks provided on the film 10 .

In FIG. 3 a drive device 40 with a head 30 and a drive 44 is shown schematically. Head 30 holds sheet 11 . The drive unit 44 drives the head 30 to convey the sheet 11 to the mold 51 of the injection molding machine 50 . In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the drive section 44 conveys the sheet 11 held by the head 30 from the sheet supply device 20 to the mold 51 . Also, in the example shown in FIG. 3 , the head 30 holds the molded product 13 molded by the injection molding machine 50 . The drive unit 44 drives the head 30 so as to convey the molded product 13 held by the head 30 from the injection molding machine 50 to the trimming device 80 . The drive unit 44 is, for example, an articulated robot.

As shown in FIG. 3, the head 30 has a holding portion 31 and a heater 35. As shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the head 30 further includes a molded article holder 32 and a molded article heater 36 . The driving portion 44 has a connecting portion 41 and a rotating portion 43 .

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the holding portion 31 and the heater 35. As shown in FIG. The holding portion 31 is a portion that holds the sheet 11 . The holding unit 31 receives the sheet 11 from the sheet supply device 20 , conveys the sheet 11 to the mold 51 of the injection molding machine 50 , and delivers the sheet 11 to the mold 51 . The holding portion 31 has a first surface 31b and a second surface 31c positioned opposite to the first surface 31b. The holding portion 31 holds the sheet 11 on the side of the first surface 31b.

The holding portion 31 has a shape corresponding to the mold 51 , in other words, a shape complementary to the mold 51 so that the sheet 11 can be properly transferred to the mold 51 . The holding portion 31 has a shape particularly complementary to a portion forming a second region 51c of a later-described facing surface 51a of the mold 51 . Further, as described above, the first surface 31b of the holding portion 31 is a plane parallel to the surface of the film 10 held between the first clamps 23a.

The holding portion 31 has a frame-like shape. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the holding portion 31 has a rectangular frame shape. That is, the holding portion 31 includes a pair of first portions 31d extending in one direction (vertical direction in FIG. 4) and a pair of first portions 31d extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pair of first portions 31d extends (horizontal direction in FIG. 4). and a pair of second portions 31e connecting the first portions 31d of the two. An end portion of the frame-shaped holding portion 31 located on the center side of the frame-shaped shape is referred to as an inner end portion 311 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the holding portion 31 has a head suction hole 31a. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the holding portion 31 has a plurality of head suction holes 31a. The head suction holes 31 a are provided on the first surface 31 b of the holding portion 31 . The head suction holes 31a hold the sheet 11 by vacuum suction. That is, by sucking air from the head suction holes 31a, the sheet 11 can be sucked and held by the head suction holes 31a. The head suction hole 31a has a circular shape with a diameter of, for example, 2 mm or more and 5 mm or less. As a result, the head suction hole 31a becomes sufficiently large, and the sheet 11 can be properly sucked and held. In addition, since the head suction holes 31a are not too large, the possibility of problems such as foreign objects being sucked into the head suction holes 31a is reduced. The holding part 31 may hold the sheet 11 by any method other than the illustrated example.

The heater 35 is arranged on the second surface 31c side of the holding portion 31 . The heater 35 is provided so as to overlap the holding portion 31 . In the illustrated example, the heater 35 has a plate-like shape with a surface parallel to the second surface 31 c of the holding portion 31 . However, the shape of the heater 35 is not limited to the illustrated example. Also, the head 30 may have a plurality of heaters 35 . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the second surface 31c of the holding portion 31 and the surface of the heater 35 are in contact with each other, and the positional relationship between the holding portion 31 and the heater 35 is fixed.

The heater 35 heats the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 . The heater 35 heats the sheet 11 to, for example, 100° C. or higher and 160° C. or lower. In particular, the heater 35 heats the sheet 11 for at least one period from when the holding section 31 receives the sheet 11 from the sheet supply device 20 until the sheet 11 is delivered to the mold 51 . The heater 35 may have dimensions equal to or larger than the dimensions of the sheet 11 held by the holding part 31 so that the entire sheet 11 held by the holding part 31 can be uniformly heated. Note that if there is a portion where the distance between the heater 35 and the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is relatively large, the temperature of the heater 35 is raised in the portion to make the entire sheet 11 uniform. Can be heated. Further, by covering the space between the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 and the heater 35 from the side with an inorganic plate or the like, the entire sheet 11 can be heated more uniformly.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the molded article holder 32 and the molded article heater 36. As shown in FIG. The molded product holding unit 32 receives the molded product 13 from the opposing mold 52 of the injection molding machine 50 and conveys the molded product 13 to the trimming device 80 . In the example shown in FIG. 5, the molded product holding portion 32 has a plurality of suction pads 32a. The molded article holding portion 32 can suck and hold the molded article 13 by sucking air from the suction pad 32a. The molded product holding part 32 has a plurality of suction pads 32a that have a shape corresponding to the opposed mold 52, in other words, a shape that is complementary to the opposed mold 52 so that the molded product 13 can be properly received from the opposed mold 52. , and a plurality of suction pads 32a are arranged at positions where they can be pressure-bonded and vacuum-sucked to the molded component 12, respectively. However, the molded article holding section 32 may hold the molded article 13 by any method other than the illustrated example.

The molded article heater 36 is provided so as to overlap the molded article holding section 32 . In the illustrated example, the part heater 36 is rectangular. The molded article heater 36 heats the molded article 13 held by the molded article holding portion 32 . The molded article heater 36 heats the molded article 13 to, for example, 40° C. or higher and 70° C. or lower. In particular, the molded article heater 36 heats the molded article 13 for at least one period from when the molded article holder 32 receives the molded article 13 from the injection molding machine 50 to when the molded article 13 is transported to the trimming device 80 . The molded article heater 36 may have a dimension equal to or greater than the dimensions of the molded article 13 held by the molded article holding section 32 so that the entire molded article 13 held by the molded article holding section 32 can be uniformly heated. preferable.

The drive section 44 is connected to the head 30 at the connection section 41 and drives the connected head 30 . The driving section 44 drives the head 30 by rotating the rotating section 43, for example. The driving portion 44 may have a plurality of rotating portions 43 . Such a drive unit 44 is, for example, a so-called multi-axis robot arm. The drive section 44 is detachably connected to the head 30 . Therefore, the head 30 to which the drive unit 44 connects is replaceable.

The driving section 44 drives the head 30 so that the holding section 31 of the head 30 receives the sheet 11 from the sheet feeding device 20 . Further, the driving section 44 drives the head 30 so as to transfer the sheet 11 from the holding section 31 to the mold 51 of the injection molding machine 50 . Further, the driving section 44 drives the head 30 so that the molded article holding section 32 receives the molded article 13 from the opposing mold 52 . Further, the driving section 44 drives the head 30 so as to convey the molded article 13 from the molded article holding section 32 to the trimming device 80 . In the example shown in FIG. 6, the holding part 31 delivers the sheet 11 to the mold 51 of the injection molding machine 50 and the molded product holding part 32 receives the molded product 13 from the opposing mold 52 . At this time, the drive unit 44 moves at least the head 30 between the mold 51 and the opposed mold 52 in the first direction d1 in a state in which the opposed mold 52 of the injection molding machine 50 is separated from the mold 51 . Drive the head 30 to place the part. In particular, the driving section 44 drives the head 30 so that the holding section 31 and the molded product holding section 32 are arranged between the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 in the first direction d1. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the entire head 30 is arranged between the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 in the first direction d1. The drive unit 44 drives the holding unit 31 to the first side s1 in the first direction d1. As a result, the sheet 11 is transferred from the holding portion 31 to the mold 51 . Further, the driving section 44 drives the molded article holding section 32 to the second side s2 in the first direction d1. Thereby, the molded article holding portion 32 receives the molded article 13 from the opposing mold 52 . At this time, the driving section 44 may drive the entire head 30 to the first side s1 in the first direction d1 or the second side s2 in the first direction d1, or may move only the holding section 31 in the head 30 to the first side s1 in the first direction d1. Alternatively, only the molded article holding portion 32 may be driven to the first side s1 in the direction d1 and to the second side s2 in the first direction d1.

The injection molding machine 50 has the mold 51 as described above. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the injection molding machine 50 further has an opposing mold 52 . As shown in FIG. 6, the mold 51 of the injection molding machine 50 receives the sheet 11 held on the first side s1 of the holding portion 31 of the head 30 in the first direction d1. Also, the opposing mold 52 of the injection molding machine 50 transfers the molded product 13 to the second side s2 of the molded product holding portion 32 of the head 30 in the first direction d1. More specifically, after the molded article holding section 32 receives the molded article 13 from the opposing mold 52 , the holding section 31 transfers the sheet 11 to the mold 51 . Alternatively, at the same time that the molded product holding portion 32 receives the molded product 13 from the opposing mold 52 , the holding portion 31 delivers the sheet 11 to the mold 51 .

The injection molding machine 50 molds the sheet 11 received from the head 30 by vacuum molding using a mold 51 . After the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed, the injection molding machine 50 forms an accommodation space 55 in which a portion of the sheet 11 is accommodated, and injects resin into the accommodation space 55 . The housing space 55 is defined by the surface of the mold 51 and the surface of the counter mold 52 by bringing the mold 51 and the counter mold 52 closer together. In particular, the injection molding machine 50 injects resin into the accommodation space 55 while the vacuum-formed portion of the sheet 11 is accommodated in the accommodation space 55 . Thereby, the molded part 12 can be provided on the sheet 11 by injection molding of resin, and a molded product 13, which will be described later, can be molded.

The mold 51 will be explained. The mold 51 is used for vacuum forming the sheet 11 . In the example shown in FIG. 1, the mold 51 is positioned between the sheet feeding device 20 and the opposing mold 52 in the first direction d1. In other words, the sheet feeding device 20, the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 are arranged in this order in the first direction d1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mold 51 has a facing surface 51a. The facing surface 51a is a surface facing the sheet 11 when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the mold 51 viewed from the opposing surface 51a side. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the mold 51 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the opposing surface 51a side. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mold 51 has a suction hole 511 and a linear groove 512 provided on the opposing surface 51a, and an opening 513a at least partially provided on the wall surface 512a of the linear groove 512. and a suction hole 513 having. The suction holes 513 allow the sheet 11 received from the head 30 to be held on the mold 51 by vacuum suction. The suction hole 511 vacuum-forms the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 by vacuum suction. After the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed, the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 are brought closer to each other, so that the above-described accommodation space 55 is defined by the opposing surface 51 a of the mold 51 and the surface of the opposing mold 52 .

Details of the facing surface 51a will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the facing surface 51a has a first region 51b and a second region 51c surrounding the first region 51b. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first region 51b is a substantially rectangular region located in the center of the facing surface 51a. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the second area 51c is an area located on the periphery of the substantially rectangular facing surface 51a. In the examples shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second region 51c is flat. A direction perpendicular to the second region 51c is referred to as a vertical direction d2.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second region 51c protrudes from the first region 51b toward the side where the sheet 11 is positioned during vacuum forming. As shown in FIG. 8, the side in the vertical direction d2 on which the sheet 11 is positioned with respect to the mold 51 during vacuum forming is defined as the first side s3 in the vertical direction d2. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first side s3 in the vertical direction d2 is the right side of the figure. The side opposite to the first side s3 in the vertical direction d2 is the second side s4 in the vertical direction d2. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second side s4 of the vertical direction d2 is the left side of the figure. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the first region 51b is formed with a recess that is recessed on the second side s4 in the direction d2 perpendicular to the second region 51c. Therefore, the second region 51c protrudes to the first side s3 in the vertical direction d2 more than the first region 51b.

When the injection molding machine 50 forms the accommodation space 55, part of the accommodation space 55 is defined by the first region 51b. A region of the first region 51b that defines part of the housing space 55 is referred to as a housing space region 51d. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the accommodation space area 51d is located in the central part of the first area 51b. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the first region 51b has a housing space region 51d and a suction hole region 51e surrounding the housing space region 51d. The suction hole region 51e is a region in which a suction hole 511, which will be described later, is provided. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the suction hole region 51e is positioned on the periphery of the substantially rectangular first region 51b.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the suction hole region 51e protrudes from the housing space region 51d to the side where the sheet 11 is positioned during vacuum forming. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the housing space region 51d is formed with a concave portion recessed on the second side s4 in the vertical direction d2 with respect to the suction hole region 51e. For this reason, the suction hole region 51e protrudes from the accommodation space region 51d to the first side s3 in the vertical direction d2.

In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the accommodation space region 51d has a shape corresponding to the shape of the sheet 11 included in the molded product 13, which will be described later. In the example shown in FIG. 19, which will be described later, the surface of the molded product 13 that contacts the suction hole region 51e of the sheet 11 is flat. In addition, in the sheet 11 of the molded product 13 shown in FIG. 19, the surface in contact with the suction hole region 51e and the surface in contact with the second region 51c are parallel. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the suction hole region 51e is a plane parallel to the second region 51c.

As described above, the mold 51 has the suction holes 511 . When the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed, the suction holes 511 vacuum-form the sheet 11 facing the facing surface 51a by vacuum-sucking. The suction holes 511 are provided in the first region 51b of the facing surface 51a. In particular, the suction holes 511 are provided in the suction hole region 51e. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the mold 51 has multiple suction holes 511 .

The shape, number, and arrangement of the suction holes 511 are not particularly limited as long as the sheet 11 can be vacuum-formed by vacuum suction of the suction holes 511 . The suction hole 511 is circular with a diameter of 1.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less, for example. As a result, the suction hole 511 becomes sufficiently large, and the sheet 11 can be vacuum-sucked with a suction force sufficient to vacuum-form the sheet 11 . In addition, since the suction holes 511 are not too large, the possibility of causing problems such as foreign objects being sucked into the suction holes 511 is reduced. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of suction holes 511 are arranged along the boundary 51f between the housing space area 51d and the suction hole area 51e. An interval w1 between the suction holes 511 arranged along the boundary 51f is, for example, 2 cm or more and 10 cm or less. As a result, the sheet 11 can be vacuum-sucked with a suction force sufficient to vacuum-form the sheet 11 . Although not shown, the openings 511a of the suction holes 511 may be provided with a mesh structure. By providing the opening 511 a of the suction hole 511 with a mesh structure, the suction hole 511 can be prevented from sucking a foreign object while enlarging the opening 511 a of the suction hole 511 .

As described above, the mold 51 has linear grooves 512 . The linear groove 512 is a linear groove provided in the second region 51c of the facing surface 51a. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the linear groove 512 extends along the boundary 51g between the first region 51b and the second region 51c. Also, the linear groove 512 surrounds the first region 51b. Thereby, the linear groove 512 surrounds the plurality of suction holes 511 and the accommodation space region 51d. A surface forming the inside of the linear groove 512 is referred to as a wall surface 512 a of the linear groove 512 .

Further, as described above, the mold 51 has the suction holes 513 . The suction hole 513 has an opening 513 a provided in the wall surface 512 a of the linear groove 512 . In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the mold 51 has multiple suction holes 513 . The plurality of suction holes 513 are arranged along the direction in which the linear grooves 512 extend.

The suction holes 513 allow the mold 51 to hold the sheet 11 by vacuum suction. Thereby, movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 can be suppressed. Further, since the die 51 has the linear grooves 512 , the sheet 11 vacuum-sucked in the suction holes 513 is partially drawn into the linear grooves 512 and deformed. Thereby, the movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 can be suppressed more stably.

The shape and arrangement of the linear grooves 512 and the shape, number and arrangement of the suction holes 513 are not particularly limited as long as the movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 is sufficiently suppressed.

A width w2 of the linear groove 512 is, for example, 2 mm or more and 5 mm. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the linear groove 512 has a semi-circular cross section obtained by cutting the mold 51 in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the linear groove 512 extends.

The suction holes 513 are, for example, circular with a diameter of 1.5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The suction holes 513 are more preferably circular with a diameter of 1.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. As a result, the suction holes 513 become sufficiently large, and the sheet 11 can be properly sucked and held by the mold 51 . In addition, since the suction holes 513 are not too large, the possibility of causing problems such as foreign objects being sucked into the suction holes 513 is reduced. From the viewpoint of suppressing the need to increase the size of the sheet 11 supplied to the mold 51 so that the mold 51 holds the sheet 11 supplied to the mold 51 due to an increase in the overall size of the mold 51 , the suction holes 513 is preferably small. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the suction holes 513 extend parallel to the vertical direction d2. The opening 513a of the suction hole 513 is provided at the end of the wall surface 512a of the linear groove 512 having a semicircular cross section on the second side s4 in the vertical direction d2. An interval w3 between the suction holes 513 arranged along the direction in which the linear groove 512 extends is, for example, 2 cm or more and 10 cm or less. Thereby, the sheet 11 can be sufficiently adsorbed and held by the mold 51 . Although not shown, the openings 513a of the suction holes 513 may be provided with a mesh structure. Since the openings 513 a of the suction holes 513 are provided with a mesh structure, the suction holes 513 can be prevented from attracting foreign matter while the openings 513 a of the suction holes 513 are enlarged.

As described above, at least part of the openings 513 a of the suction holes 513 are provided on the wall surfaces 512 a of the linear grooves 512 . In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the entire opening 513 a of the suction hole 513 is provided on the wall surface 512 a of the linear groove 512 . Although not shown, the opening 513a of the suction hole 513 may be provided across a portion of the second region 51c where the wall surface 512a is provided and a portion where the wall surface 512a is not provided. When the mold 51 has a plurality of suction holes 513, each of the openings 513a of the plurality of suction holes 513 straddles a portion of the second region 51c where the wall surface 512a is provided and a portion where the wall surface 512a is not provided. may be provided. By providing the opening 513a of the suction hole 513 across the portion where the wall surface 512a of the second region 51c is provided and the portion where the wall surface 512a is not provided, the width w2 of the linear groove 512 is reduced, The area of the opening 513a of the suction hole 513 can be increased.

In the example shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the mold 51 further includes a sealing portion 514 that suppresses the formation of a gap between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed. The sealing portion 514 is provided between the boundary 51g between the first region 51b and the second region 51c and the linear groove 512 in the second region 51c. The sealing portion 514 surrounds the first region 51b. Also, the sealing portion 514 is surrounded by the linear groove 512 . In the example shown in FIG. 8, the sealing portion 514 includes a groove 515 provided between the boundary 51g of the second region 51c and the linear groove 512, and a linear rubber member 516 fitted in the groove 515. have Since the mold 51 has the sealing portion 514 , when the sheet 11 is held by the mold 51 , the sealing portion 514 of the mold 51 and the sheet 11 are firmly sealed. As a result, the sheet 11 can be efficiently vacuum-formed by vacuum suction of the suction holes 511 .

The operation of the mold 51 from when the mold 51 receives the sheet 11 from the holding portion 31 to when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14 . FIG. 9 shows how the head 30 is driven to cause the mold 51 to receive the sheet 11 from the holder 31 . The arrow labeled A1 in FIG. 9 indicates the direction in which the head 30 is driven. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the mold 51 is fixed, and the sheet 11 is received by the mold 51 by moving the holding portion 31 toward the first side s1 in the first direction d1 and approaching the mold 51. Passed. Although not shown, the mold 51 may not be fixed, and the sheet 11 may be transferred to the mold 51 by moving to the second side s2 in the first direction d1. Alternatively, the sheet 11 may be transferred to the mold 51 by moving both the mold 51 and the holding portion 31 in the first direction d1.

The head 30 is driven to bring the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 into close contact with the second region 51 c of the mold 51 . In particular, the head 30 is driven so as to bring the sheet 11 into close contact with the area of the second area 51c where the linear grooves 512 are provided. FIG. 10 shows how the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is brought into close contact with the second area 51c by driving the head 30 . As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet 11 is held by the mold 51 by vacuum-sucking the sheet 11 through the suction holes 513 while the sheet 11 is in close contact with the second region 51c. Also, the sheet 11 vacuum-sucked by the suction holes 513 is partially deformed so as to be pulled into the linear grooves 512 . FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of the sheet 11 that has been vacuum-sucked and deformed by the suction holes 513 . This deformation stably suppresses movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 .

As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet 11 is in close contact with the second region 51c, and the first region 51b is in contact with the sheet 11 before vacuum forming the sheet 11, which will be described later. do not.

An example of a preferable positional relationship between the holding portion 31 and the mold 51 when the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is in close contact with the second region 51c as shown in FIG. 10 will be described. FIG. 12 shows a part of the mold 51 in a state where the sheet 11 held by the holding part 31 is in close contact with the second region 51c, as observed from the vertical direction d2, which is the direction perpendicular to the second region 51c. It is a top view which shows an example of. FIG. 12 shows an example of how part of the mold 51 is observed from the first side s3 in the vertical direction d2. In addition, in FIG. 12, only the mold 51 is shown with the members other than the mold 51 being transparent. A dashed line with reference numeral 311a shown in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12. FIG.

A straight line that passes through the center of the opening 513a of the suction hole 513 and is perpendicular to the second region 51c is defined as the suction hole axis L1, as indicated by the dashed line L1 in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the suction hole axis L1 passes through the center of the suction hole 513 . In the example shown in FIG. 12, when observed from the vertical direction d2, the suction hole axis L1 is located on the side opposite to the first region 51b side of the inner end portion 311 of the frame-shaped holding portion 31 . In other words, the suction hole axis L1 is positioned further away from the central portion of the facing surface 51a than the inner end portion 311 is. In this case, the distance w4 between the suction hole axis L1 and the inner end portion 311 is preferably 15 mm or less.

Further, when observed from the vertical direction d2, the suction hole axis line L1 may be positioned closer to the first region 51b than the inner end portion 311 of the frame-shaped holding portion 31 is. A dashed line with reference numeral 131 shown in FIG. 13 indicates an example of the position of the holding portion 31 when the suction hole axis L1 is positioned closer to the first region 51b than the inner end portion 311 of the frame-shaped holding portion 31. is a virtual line showing A dashed line with reference numeral 1311 shown in FIG. 12 indicates the position of the inner end portion 311 when the holding portion 31 is at the position with reference numeral 131 . When the suction hole axis L1 is located closer to the first region 51b than the inner end 311 of the frame-shaped holding portion 31, the distance w5 between the suction hole axis L1 and the inner end 311 is 5 mm or less. preferable.

Alternatively, the suction hole axis L1 may overlap the inner end 311 when viewed from the vertical direction d2.

That is, the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and the suction holes 513 when the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is in close contact with the second region 51c preferably satisfies the following conditions. When observed from the vertical direction d2, the suction hole axis L1 is located on the opposite side of the inner end 311 to the first region 51b side, and the distance w4 between the suction hole axis L1 and the inner end 311 in this case is The condition that it is 15 mm or less is referred to as the first condition. Further, when observed from the vertical direction d2, the suction hole axis L1 is positioned closer to the first region 51b than the inner end 311, and the distance w5 between the suction hole axis L1 and the inner end 311 in this case is 5 mm or less. is referred to as a second condition. Further, the condition that the suction hole axis L1 overlaps the inner end portion 311 when observed from the vertical direction d2 is referred to as the third condition. At this time, the positional relationship between the holding portion 31 and the mold 51 preferably satisfies any one of the first condition, the second condition and the third condition. In the example shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the mold 51 has multiple suction holes 513 . In this case, the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and each of the plurality of suction holes 513 preferably satisfies any one of the first condition, the second condition and the third condition.

The effect of satisfying any one of the first, second, and third conditions for the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and the suction hole 513 will be described. As described above, the heater 35 that heats the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is arranged on the side of the second surface 31c of the holding portion 31 . Here, the holding part 31 may contain a material with high heat insulation so as not to be damaged by the heat of the heater 35 . If the holding portion 31 contains a material with high heat insulation, the holding portion 31 may block the transfer of heat from the heater 35 to the sheet 11 . In this case, the heat of the heater 35 is more easily transferred to the portion of the sheet 11 that does not contact the holding portion 31 than to the portion of the sheet 11 that contacts the holding portion 31 . When the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and the suction holes 513 satisfies the first condition, the holding portion 31 is less likely to come into contact with the center of the portion of the sheet 11 that overlaps the suction holes 513 . Further, the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and the suction holes 513 satisfies the second condition or the third condition, so that the center of the portion of the sheet 11 that overlaps the suction holes 513 and the portion of the sheet 11 that does not contact the holding portion 31 are separated. distance becomes shorter. Therefore, the portion of the sheet 11 that overlaps the suction holes 513 is easily deformed by the heat of the heater 35 being sufficiently transmitted. As a result, when the suction holes 513 vacuum-suck the sheet 11, deformation such that the sheet 11 is partially drawn into the linear grooves 512 as shown in FIG. 11 is likely to occur. By causing such deformation, movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 can be suppressed more stably.

In addition, when the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and the suction hole 513 satisfies any one of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition, the holding portion 31 is positioned on the opposing surface 51 a of the mold 51 . Compared with the size of the area in which the suction holes 513 are provided, it is possible to avoid becoming particularly large. Therefore, even if the second region 51c of the mold 51 is not particularly enlarged, when the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is brought into close contact with the second region 51c, there is a gap between the holding portion 31 and the mold 51. The sheet 11 can be sandwiched by . As a result, an increase in the size of the mold 51 can be avoided. Moreover, it is not necessary to use a sheet 11 that is particularly large compared to the size of the molded product 16 to be manufactured so that it can be held by the large-sized holding portion 31 . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the proportion of the portion of the sheet 11 supplied from the sheet supply device 20 to the head 30 that is not used for the molded product 16 or the like.

From the viewpoint of further improving the above effect, when observed from the vertical direction d2, the suction hole axis L1 is located on the opposite side of the inner end 311 to the first region 51b side, and the suction hole axis in this case More preferably, the distance w4 between L1 and the inner end 311 is 5 mm or less, or the suction hole axis L1 overlaps the inner end 311 when observed from the vertical direction d2.

As described above, from the viewpoint of facilitating the transfer of heat from the heater 35 to the portion of the sheet 11 that overlaps the suction holes 513 to facilitate deformation, it is more preferable that the first condition or the third condition is satisfied, and the first condition is satisfied. more preferably. Also, from the viewpoint of making the sheet 11 more firmly adhere to the second region 51c of the mold 51, the positional relationship between the inner end portion 311 and the suction holes 513 should preferably satisfy the first condition or the third condition. Preferably, it is more preferable that the first condition is satisfied. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of avoiding an increase in the size of the mold 51 and reducing the ratio of the portion not used for the molded product 16 with respect to the entire sheet 11 supplied from the sheet supply device 20 to the head 30, the second condition or the second condition It is more preferable that the three conditions are satisfied, and it is even more preferable that the second condition is satisfied. Which of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition is satisfied, the distance w4 when the first condition is satisfied, and the distance w5 when the second condition is satisfied are determined, for example, in consideration of the above-described viewpoints. Determined. Which of the first condition, the second condition, and the third condition is satisfied, the distance w4 when the first condition is satisfied, and the distance w5 when the second condition is satisfied are the sizes of the mold 51 and the sheet 11. Alternatively, it may be determined in consideration of an amount assumed to be drawn into the linear grooves 512 when the sheet 11 is vacuum-sucked by the suction holes 513 .

The sheet 11 is vacuum-formed as shown in FIG. 14 by vacuum-sucking the sheet 11 through the suction holes 511 while the mold 51 holds the sheet 11 by vacuum-sucking the sheet 11 through the suction holes 513 . be. By vacuum forming, the sheet 11 is formed with a bent portion along the accommodation space region 51d.

The opposing mold 52 moves relative to the mold 51 in the first direction d<b>1 to form an accommodation space 55 together with the mold 51 . In the example shown in FIG. 1, the opposing mold 52 is positioned between the mold 51 and the trimming device 80 in the first direction d1. In other words, the mold 51, the opposing mold 52 and the trimming device 80 are arranged in this order along the first direction d1.

FIG. 15 shows an example of how the opposing mold 52 is moved relative to the mold 51 . An arrow labeled A2 shown in FIG. 15 indicates the direction in which the opposing mold 52 moves. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the mold 51 is fixed and the opposing mold 52 is moved to the first side s1 in the first direction d1. Although not shown, the opposing mold 52 is fixed and the mold 51 may move to the second side s2 in the first direction d1. Alternatively, the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 may approach each other by moving both the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 in the first direction d1. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the housing space 55 is formed by the opposing mold 52 approaching the mold 51 . After the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed using the mold 51, the counter mold 52 is relatively moved with respect to the mold 51 without moving the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51. As shown in FIG. , a state in which the vacuum-formed portion of the sheet 11 is accommodated in the accommodation space 55 is formed.

The opposing mold 52 has a shape capable of forming an appropriate accommodation space 55 with the mold 51 . In the example shown in FIG. 16, the face of the facing mold 52 has a facing accommodation space region 52d, a facing suction hole region 52e, and a facing second region 52c. The opposing accommodation space region 52 d faces the accommodation space region 51 d of the first region 51 b of the mold 51 . In the illustrated example, the opposing mold 52 is bent so as to be convex in the opposing housing space region 52d. In the example shown in FIG. 16 , the housing space 55 is defined by a housing space region 51 d of the first region 51 b of the mold 51 and a facing housing space region 52 d of the facing mold 52 . The opposing suction hole region 52 e faces the suction hole region 51 e of the first region 51 b of the mold 51 . In the example shown in FIG. 16, the opposing suction hole region 52e has a complementary shape to the suction hole region 51e. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the opposing suction hole region 52e is flat. Both the suction hole region 51e and the opposing suction hole region 52e are in close contact with the sheet 11 when the accommodation space 55 is formed. In other words, the sheet 11 is sandwiched between the suction hole region 51e and the opposing suction hole region 52e. The opposing second region 52 c faces the second region 51 c of the mold 51 . The opposing second region 52c has a shape complementary to the second region 51c. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the opposing second region 52c is flat. The second region 51 c and the opposing second region 52 c are both in close contact with the sheet 11 when the accommodation space 55 is formed. In other words, the sheet 11 is sandwiched between the second region 51c and the opposing second region 52c.

As described above, the accommodation space region 51d has a shape corresponding to the sheet 11 included in the molded product 13, which will be described later. In addition, the facing accommodation space region 52d has a shape corresponding to the shape of the molded component 12 included in the molded product 13 described later. Accordingly, the accommodation space 55 defined by the accommodation space region 51 d and the opposing accommodation space region 52 d has a shape corresponding to the shape of the molded product 13 . After the vacuum-formed portion of the sheet 11 is accommodated in the accommodation space 55 as described above, resin is injected into the accommodation space 55 . As a result, resin injection molding is performed in a portion of the accommodation space 55 where the sheet 11 is not arranged. For this reason, the molded component 12 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the facing accommodation space region 52d is provided in the vacuum-formed portion of the sheet 11. As shown in FIG. The resin injected into the housing space 55 is, for example, a thermoplastic resin such as ABS, PC-ABS, acryl, polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polypropylene heated to a high temperature. In this case, the molded part 12 is provided on the sheet 11 by cooling after the thermoplastic resin has been injected. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, a molded product 13 having a shape corresponding to the shape of the housing space 55 including the sheet 11 and the molded component 12 is formed.

After the molded product 13 is molded, the opposing mold 52 moves to the second side s2 in the first direction d1 and is separated from the mold 51, as shown in FIG. An arrow labeled A3 shown in FIG. 17 indicates the direction in which the opposing mold 52 moves. The molded product 13 is separated from the mold 51 together with the opposing mold 52 . For example, part of the molded part 12 and the opposing mold 52 are engaged, so that the molded product 13 moves along with the opposing mold 52 to the second side s2 in the first direction d1.

The opposing mold 52 also transfers the molded product 13 molded by the injection molding machine 50 to the molded product holding portion 32 of the head 30 . An arrow labeled A4 shown in FIG. 18 indicates the direction in which the molded article holding portion 32 moves. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the molded product holding portion 32 arranged between the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 is moved with respect to the opposing mold 52 in which the molded product 13 is placed. That is, it is moving to the second side s2 in the first direction d1. As a result, the molded product holding portion 32 approaches the opposing mold 52 and receives the molded product 13 from the opposing mold 52 . After that, as shown in FIG. 19 , the molded product holding part 32 moves to the first side s1 in the first direction d1 and is separated from the opposing mold 52 . The arrow labeled A5 shown in FIG. 19 indicates the direction in which the molded article holding portion 32 moves.

The trimming device 80 is a device for trimming the molded product 13 molded by the injection molding machine 50 . As shown in FIG. 19 , the molded product 13 held by the molded product holding portion 32 of the head 30 is transported to the trimming device 80 by driving the head 30 with the driving portion 44 . The trimming device 80 receives the molded article 13 from the molded article holding section 32 and trims it. The trimming device 80 removes unnecessary parts from the molded product 13 by trimming. This produces a molded product 16 as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 20, by trimming, the portion positioned between the second region 51c and the opposing second region 52c of the sheet 11 in FIG. 52e has been removed. In other words, the trimming removes the portion of the seat 11 other than the portion positioned between the accommodation space region 51d and the opposing accommodation space region 52d in FIG.

The form of the trimming device 80 is not particularly limited as long as it can receive the conveyed molded product 13 and trim it into a desired shape. The trimming device 80 may have, for example, a support on which the molded product 13 is placed, and cutting means for cutting the molded product 13 placed on the support. In this case, the molded article 13 is placed on the support table by receiving the molded article 13 from the molded article holding portion 32 . The cutting means is, for example, a knife made of metal. The trimming device 80 can cut the molded product 13 by moving the cutting means while the cutting means is in contact with the molded product 13 . The molded product 13 is thereby trimmed. Movement of the cutting means may be controlled, such as by a control device, such that the molded article 13 is trimmed to the desired shape. Trimming the molded product 13 to the desired shape produces a molded product 16 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, a plurality of molded products 16 may be produced from one molded product 13 .

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing a molded product 16 using the molding system 1 described above will be described. The method for manufacturing the molded product 16 includes a step of conveying the sheet 11 held by the head 30 to the mold 51, a step of holding the sheet 11 in the mold 51, and vacuum forming the sheet 11 held in the mold 51. and a step of injection-molding resin into the housing space 55 in this order. The method of manufacturing the molded product 16 according to the present embodiment further includes a step of supplying the sheet 11 to the head 30 before the step of conveying the sheet 11 held by the head 30 to the mold 51 . The method of manufacturing the molded product 16 according to the present embodiment further includes a step of trimming the molded product 13 molded by the injection molding machine 50 after the step of injection molding the resin into the housing space 55 .

In the process of supplying the sheet 11 to the head 30, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the roll-shaped film 10 is held between the first clamps 23a. As an example, the film 10 is fed upward in the vertical direction while the sensor 27 detects alignment marks (not shown). Based on the detection of the alignment marks by the sensor 27, the position, orientation and fed dimension (length) of the film 10 are made to correspond to the position, orientation and predetermined dimension of the sheet 11 supplied from the sheet feeding device 20. . Next, the film 10 is held by the head 30 . After that, the second clamp 23b clamps the film 10 from below. A sheet 11 having a predetermined size is formed by cutting the film 10 below the film 10 in the vertical direction and above the second clamp 23b by the film cutting means 21 in a direction not parallel to the vertical direction, for example, in the horizontal direction. Finally, the first clamp 23a releases the sheet 11. In this manner, the sheet 11 having a predetermined size is supplied from the sheet supply device 20 to the head 30 . The sheet 11 supplied from the sheet supply device 20 is held by the holding portion 31 of the head 30 . The holding portion 31 holds the sheet 11 by sucking it into the head suction holes 31a.

In the step of conveying the sheet 11 held by the head 30 to the mold 51 , the drive unit 44 drives the head 30 to move the sheet 11 held by the holding unit 31 of the head 30 to the mold of the injection molding machine 50 . Transport to 51. The sheet 11 is heated by the heater 35 of the head 30 for at least one period from being held by the holding portion 31 to being delivered to the mold 51 . Since it is preferable that the heater 35 heats the sheet 11 for a long time, the heater 35 preferably heats the sheet 11 over the entire period from being held by the holding unit 31 to being transferred to the injection molding machine 50 . . The temperature of the heater 35 is determined according to the time the holding portion 31 holds the sheet 11 so as to heat the sheet 11 appropriately. For example, the longer the holding unit 31 holds the sheet 11, the lower the temperature of the heater 35 is. When the sheet 11 is properly heated, the entire sheet 11 is softened without causing problems such as blistering (bubbles).

In the process of conveying the sheet 11 held by the head 30 to the mold 51, first, the head 30 holding the softened sheet 11 in the holding section 31 is driven by the driving section 44, and as shown in FIG. It is arranged between the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 of the injection molding machine 50 . In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the holding portion 31 holding the sheet 11 faces the mold 51 . A molded product holding portion 32 of the head 30 that receives the molded product 13 from the injection molding machine 50 faces the opposing mold 52 . In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding portion 31 faces the first side s1 in the first direction d1. Also, the molded product holding portion 32 faces the second side s2 in the first direction d1. After that, the drive unit 44 causes the head 30 to approach the mold 51 as shown in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 is pressed against the second region 51c of the mold 51 by the holding portion 31 and brought into close contact with the second region 51c. As described above, the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 of the head 30 can be conveyed to the mold 51 .

In the step of holding the sheet 11 on the mold 51 , the sheet 11 is held on the mold 51 by vacuum suction of the suction holes 513 . Particularly, when the sheet 11 is brought into close contact with the second region 51 c of the mold 51 by the holding portion 31 , the sheet 11 is held by the mold 51 by vacuum-sucking the sheet 11 through the suction holes 513 . Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet 11 vacuum-sucked by the suction holes 513 is partially deformed so as to be drawn into the linear grooves 512 . As a result, movement of the sheet 11 relative to the mold 51 is stably suppressed.

In the step of vacuum forming the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 , the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 is vacuum-formed by vacuum suction of the suction holes 511 of the mold 51 . As a result, the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed as shown in FIG.

In the step of vacuum forming the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 , the sheet 11 may be vacuum formed while the holding portion 31 presses the sheet 11 toward the second region 51 c. Specifically, after performing the step of holding the sheet 11 in the mold 51, as shown in FIG. As a result, the sheet 11 can be firmly adhered to the second region 51c of the mold 51 by utilizing both the effect of sucking the sheet 11 by the sucking holes 513 and the effect of pressing the sheet 11 by the holding portion 31. . As a result, the sheet 11 can be efficiently vacuum-formed by vacuum suction of the suction holes 511 .

Although not shown, in the step of vacuum forming the sheet 11 held by the mold 51, the sheet 11 is vacuum formed while the holding portion 31 is not pressing the sheet 11 toward the second region 51c. good too. Specifically, after performing the step of holding the sheet 11 in the mold 51, the step of stopping the suction of the sheet 11 by the head suction holes 31a and separating the holding portion 31 from the sheet 11 by the driving portion 44 is performed, Furthermore, the sheet 11 may be vacuum formed thereafter. In this case as well, the sheet 11 can be strongly adhered to the second region 51c of the mold 51 by the suction effect of the sheet 11 by the suction holes 513, and the sheet 11 can be vacuum-formed.

The step of stopping the suction of the sheet 11 by the head suction holes 31 a and separating the holding portion 31 from the sheet 11 by the driving portion 44 is performed at least before the step of injection molding the resin into the housing space 55 . Here, after the step of separating the holding portion 31 from the sheet 11, the sheet 11 is moved until the facing mold 52 contacts the sheet 11 in the step of injection-molding the resin into the accommodation space 55, for example, as shown in FIG. is in contact with neither the holding portion 31 nor the opposing mold 52 . In particular, in the state shown in FIG. 15, the sheet 11 is in the process of cooling after being once heated by the heater 35 and vacuum formed. Therefore, if the sheet 11 is not supported by another member, it may be deformed by heat shrinkage and separated from the mold 51 . According to the molding system 1 of the present embodiment, even in the state shown in FIG. 15 , the sheet 11 can be supported by the mold 51 by holding the sheet 11 . Therefore, the sheet 11 can be supported by the mold 51 without requiring another member for supporting the sheet 11 . For example, the sheet 11 can be supported by the mold 51 without using another member such as a clamp to press the sheet 11 toward the mold 51 . As a result, movement of the sheet 11 relative to the mold 51, such as detachment from the mold 51 due to heat shrinkage of the sheet 11, can be suppressed. As described above, according to the molding system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the sheet 11 does not come into contact with either the holding portion 31 or the opposing mold 52 in the manufacturing process of the molded product 16, clamping or the like is performed. Movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 can be suppressed without using another member.

After performing the step of vacuum forming the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 and the step of separating the holding portion 31 from the sheet 11, the step of injection molding the resin into the housing space 55 is performed. In the step of injection-molding the resin into the housing space 55 , first, the housing space 55 is formed by the injection molding machine 50 while the sheet 11 is held in the suction holes 513 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, by moving the opposing mold 52 relative to the mold 51, the opposing mold 52 comes into contact with the sheet 11 held by the mold 51, thereby closing the accommodation space. 55 is formed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16, a state is formed in which the vacuum-formed portion of the sheet 11 is housed in the housing space 55 .

Next, resin is injection-molded into the formed housing space 55 . Specifically, a thermoplastic resin heated to a high temperature is injected into the accommodation space 55 . Thereby, the molded part 12 having a shape corresponding to the accommodation space 55 is provided on the sheet 11, and the molded product 13 including the sheet 11 and the molded part 12 is molded.

As an example, the step of injection-molding resin into the accommodation space 55 includes a step of stopping the suction by the suction holes 513 of the sheet 11 . As an example, the stoppage of the suction by the suction holes 513 is performed after the accommodation space 55 is formed and before the opposed mold 52 and the molded product 13 are separated from the mold 51 as will be described later. That is, when resin is injection-molded into the housing space 55 , the suction holes 513 may or may not suction the sheet 11 .

The molded article 13 is held by the head 30 and removed from the housing space 55 by the following method. First, as shown in FIG. 17 , the opposing mold 52 is moved to the second side s2 in the first direction d1 to be separated from the mold 51 . At this time, the molded product 13 is separated from the mold 51 together with the opposing mold 52 . Next, the head 30 is driven by the drive unit 44 to be placed again between the mold 51 and the opposing mold 52 as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the drive section 44 moves the molded article holding section 32 of the head 30 to the second side s2 in the first direction d1 to approach the opposing mold 52. As shown in FIG. Then, the suction pad 32a of the molded article holding portion 32 is brought into contact with the molded article 13, and the molded article 13 is held by the molded article holding section 32 by suction of the suction pad 32a. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 19 , the molded product holding portion 32 is moved by the drive portion 44 to the first side s1 in the first direction d1, thereby separating the molded product 13 from the opposing mold 52 . As a result, the molded product 13 is held by the head 30 and removed from the housing space 55 .

In the process of trimming the molded article 13 molded by the injection molding machine 50 , first, the head 30 is driven by the driving section 44 to trim the molded article 13 held by the molded article holding section 32 of the head 30 to the trimming device 80 . transport to Next, the trimming device 80 trims the molded product 13 into a desired shape.

The molded product 13 is heated by the molded product heater 36 of the head 30 for at least one period from being held by the molded product holding unit 32 to being transported to the trimming device 80 . When the molded product 13 is appropriately heated by the molded product heater 36, deformation such as shrinkage due to temperature changes is less likely to occur.

A method of conveying the molded product 13 to the trimming device 80 and a method of trimming the molded product 13 by the trimming device 80 are appropriately determined according to the form of the trimming device 80 . For example, as described above, if the trimming device 80 has a support table on which the molded product 13 is placed and a cutting means for cutting the molded product 13 placed on the support table, the following method can be used. , the molded product 13 can be conveyed to the trimming device 80 for trimming. First, the head 30 is driven by the drive unit 44 to place the molded product 13 held by the molded product holding unit 32 of the head 30 on the support table. Next, the adsorption of the sheet 11 by the adsorption pad 32a is stopped. Next, the head 30 is driven by the drive unit 44 to separate the molded product holding unit 32 from the molded product 13 . Next, the cutting means is brought into contact with the molded article 13 placed on the support table, and the cutting means is moved. This allows the molded product 13 to be cut and trimmed to the desired shape. Trimming the molded product 13 produces a molded product 16 as shown in FIG.

Note that the method for manufacturing the molded product 16 does not have to include the step of trimming the molded product 13 molded by the injection molding machine 50 . For example, the molded product 13 molded by injection molding the resin into the housing space 55 may be the molded product 16 without trimming.

Effects of the mold 51, the molding system 1, and the method of manufacturing the molded product 16 according to the present embodiment will be described.

According to the present embodiment, the mold 51 has the linear groove 512 provided in the second region 51c and the opening 513a provided in the wall surface 512a of the linear groove 512, and the mold 51 is moved by vacuum suction. and a suction hole 513 for holding the sheet 11 in. Accordingly, when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed using the mold 51 , the sheet 11 can be brought into close contact with the second region 51 c of the mold 51 by vacuum-sucking the sheet 11 through the suction holes 513 . Also, the linear grooves 512 deform the sheet 11 vacuum-sucked to the suction holes 513 so as to be partially pulled into the linear grooves 512 . As a result, the movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 is suppressed, and the state in which the sheet 11 is in close contact with the second region 51c of the mold 51 is stably maintained. As described above, vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 can be suppressed when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed using the mold 51 .

As a method for suppressing vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 during vacuum forming, a clamp is prepared separately from the mold 51 and the driving device 40, and the sheet 11 is directed toward the mold 51 by the clamp. A method of bringing the sheet 11 into close contact with the mold 51 by pressing is also conceivable. However, such a clamp needs to be arranged on the side of the mold 51 facing the opposing surface 51a. If the clamp is arranged on the facing surface 51 a side of the mold 51 , the clamp may prevent the sheet 11 from being conveyed to the mold 51 . In particular, as in the molding system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the sheet 11 is conveyed to the mold 51 using the driving device 40 having the head 30 that holds the sheet 11 and the driving unit 44 that drives the head 30, Otherwise, the clamp may interfere with movement of the head 30 or drive 44 . In particular, when an articulated robot is used as the drive unit 44, the clamps may interfere with the movement of the articulated robot.

In contrast, according to the mold 51 according to the present embodiment, the sheet 11 can be brought into close contact with the second region 51c of the mold 51 without using a clamp. Therefore, the head 30 and the driving part 44 can be moved without being obstructed by the clamp. When such a mold 51 is used in a molding system 1 that includes a drive device 40 having a head 30 that holds the sheet 11 and a drive unit 44 that drives the head 30, the movement of the head 30 and the drive unit 44 is hindered by the clamp. It is particularly effective because

Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the linear groove 512 surrounds the first region 51b. Thereby, the movement of the sheet 11 with respect to the mold 51 can be suppressed more stably. Therefore, vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 can be suppressed more stably.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the second region 51c protrudes from the first region 51b toward the side where the sheet 11 is positioned during vacuum forming. This facilitates bringing the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 into close contact with the second region 51c.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the head 30 is driven so as to bring the sheet 11 held by the holding portion 31 into close contact with the second region 51 c of the mold 51 . According to the molding system 1 according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to arrange the clamp on the side of the opposing surface 51a of the mold 51 as described above, the head 30 can be driven without being hindered by the clamp. obtain.

Further, according to this embodiment, the head 30 has the heater 35 that heats the sheet 11 . By providing the molding system 1 with the mold 51 having the linear grooves 512 and the suction holes 513 and the driving device 40 in which the head 30 has the heater 35, the following effects can be obtained. When the heater 35 heats the portion of the sheet 11 overlapping the suction holes 513 and the sheet 11 is vacuum-sucked by the suction holes 513 , the sheet 11 is likely to be partially pulled into the linear grooves 512 . Become.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the method for manufacturing the molded product 16 includes the steps of holding the sheet 11 on the mold 51 by vacuum suction, and vacuum forming by. As a result, the sheet 11 can be vacuum-formed while the vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 is suppressed.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in the vacuum forming process of the method for manufacturing the formed product 16, the sheet 11 is vacuum formed while the holding portion 31 presses the sheet 11 toward the second region 51c. As a result, the sheet 11 can be firmly adhered to the second region 51c of the mold 51 by utilizing both the effect of sucking the sheet 11 by the sucking holes 513 and the effect of pressing the sheet 11 by the holding portion 31. . As a result, the sheet 11 can be vacuum-formed while the vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 is more stably suppressed.

Although one embodiment has been described by way of example, this example does not limit one embodiment. The embodiment described above can be implemented in various other specific examples, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit of the embodiment.

An example of modification will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description and the drawings used in the following description, the same reference numerals as those used for the corresponding portions in the above-described specific example are used for parts that can be configured in the same manner as in the above-described specific example, and redundant description is given. omitted.

(Modification 1)
In the above embodiment, the mold in which the second region 51c of the mold 51 is flat has been described. However, the form of the second region 51c is not limited to this. 21 is a side view showing an example of the mold 51 according to Modification 1 together with an example of the head 30 used together with the mold 51 according to Modification 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 21, the second region 51c of the mold 51 according to Modification 1 has a plurality of portions with different inclinations. In the example shown in FIG. 21, the second region 51c has two planes with different inclinations. Although not shown, the second region 51c of the mold 51 according to Modification 1 may have a curved surface.

The holding portion 31 of the head 30 used together with the mold 51 according to Modification 1 has a shape complementary to the portion forming the second region 51c of the mold 51, as shown in FIG. Further, although not shown, the opposing second region 52c of the opposing mold 52 used together with the mold 51 according to Modification 1 may have a shape complementary to the second region 51c of the mold 51.

When the second region 51c of the mold 51 has a plurality of portions with different inclinations as in Modification 1, the vertical direction d2 of the second region 51c may be defined as follows. Consider the case where the second region 51c is observed from every line of sight. In this case, the line-of-sight direction that maximizes the observed area of the second region 51c may be defined as the vertical direction d2 of the second region 51c.

(Modification 2)
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the mold 51 is used in the molding system 1 for manufacturing the molded product 16 including the sheet 11 and the molded part 12 and the method for manufacturing the molded product 16 using the molding system 1. An example was described. However, the use of the mold 51 is not limited to this. The mold 51 may be used in the method of manufacturing the molded sheet 17 shown in FIG. 22 .

The method for manufacturing molded sheet 17 according to Modification 2 is a method for manufacturing molded sheet 17 using mold 51 similar to mold 51 of molding system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. The method of manufacturing the formed sheet 17 includes a step of holding the sheet 11 on the mold 51 by vacuum suction of the suction holes 513 and a step of vacuum forming the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 by vacuum suction of the suction holes 511 . , provided.

Specifically, the manufacturing method of the formed sheet 17 according to Modification 2 is as follows. First, an apparatus for manufacturing the formed sheet 17 is provided with the sheet feeding device 20, the driving device 40 and the mold 51 similar to the sheet feeding device 20, the driving device 40 and the mold 51 of the molding system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. prepare. Then, the step of conveying the sheet 11 held by the head 30 to the mold 51, the step of holding the sheet 11 in the mold 51, and the step of A process similar to the process of vacuum forming the held sheet 11 is performed. Next, a step of conveying the sheet 11 vacuum-formed in the mold 51 to the trimming device 80 and trimming the vacuum-formed sheet 11 is performed. Trimming of the vacuum formed sheet 11 can be performed using a trimming device 80 similar to the trimming device 80 of the forming system 1 according to the above-described embodiment. Thereby, the molded sheet 17 shown in FIG. 22 can be manufactured.

Also in the method for manufacturing the formed sheet 17 according to Modification 2, vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 can be suppressed when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed using the mold 51 . Also, in the method of manufacturing the formed sheet 17 according to Modification 2, the sheet 11 can be brought into close contact with the second region 51c of the mold 51 without using a clamp. Therefore, the head 30 and the driving part 44 can be moved without being obstructed by the clamp.

(Modification 3)
In the above-described embodiment and each modified example, in the step of vacuum forming the sheet 11, the sheet 11 is vacuum formed while the opposing mold 52 is not in contact with the sheet 11. A method of manufacturing the sheet 17 has been described. However, the method for manufacturing the molded product 16 and the method for manufacturing the molded sheet 17 are not limited to this.

In one example of the method for manufacturing the molded product 16 and the method for manufacturing the molded sheet 17 according to Modification 3, in the step of holding the sheet 11 on the mold 51, the sheet 11 is held on the mold 51 by vacuum suction of the suction holes 513. After that, the suction of the sheet 11 by the head suction holes 31a is stopped, and the step of separating the holding portion 31 from the sheet 11 by the driving portion 44 is performed. Next, the counter mold 52 is moved relative to the mold 51 to bring the counter mold 52 into contact with the sheet 11 held by the mold 51 . Specifically, by moving the opposing mold 52 relative to the mold 51, both the second region 51c of the opposing mold 51 and the opposing second region 52c of the opposing mold 52 are brought into close contact with the sheet 11. .

Next, the space formed between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 is vacuum-sucked while the second region 51c and the opposing second region 52c are both in close contact with the sheet 11, and the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed. perform the process of The vacuum forming of the sheet 11 may be performed with the suction holes 513 sucking the sheet 11 or may be performed with the suction holes 513 not sucking the sheet 11 . When the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed while the suction holes 513 are not sucking the sheet 11, the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed after the second region 51c and the opposing second region 52c are brought into close contact with the sheet 11. Before, the suction of the sheet 11 by the suction holes 513 is stopped. According to the manufacturing method of Modified Example 3, even when the sheet 11 is vacuum-formed while the suction holes 513 are not sucking the sheet 11, the sheet 11 is positioned between the second region 51c and the opposing second region 52c. Since the sheet 11 is sandwiched between them, the sheet 11 can be maintained in a state of being held by the mold 51 during vacuum forming.

Further, a step of vacuum forming the sheet 11 may be performed as follows. First, the space formed between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 is started to be vacuum-sucked while the sheet 11 is held by the mold 51 and is not in contact with the opposing mold 52 . Next, while continuing the vacuum suction of the space formed between the sheet 11 and the mold 51, the opposing mold 52 is moved relative to the mold 51, and the opposing mold 52 is held by the mold 51. It is brought into contact with the sheet 11 that has been formed. Specifically, by moving the opposing mold 52 relative to the mold 51, both the second region 51c of the opposing mold 51 and the opposing second region 52c of the opposing mold 52 are brought into close contact with the sheet 11. . Next, while the opposing mold 52 is in contact with the sheet 11 held by the mold 51, the space formed between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 is further vacuum-sucked. Next, the vacuum suction of the space formed between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 is stopped, and the vacuum forming of the sheet 11 is completed. According to the method described above, vacuum suction is performed while the opposed mold 52 is not in contact with the sheet 11 and vacuum suction is performed even when the opposed mold 52 is in contact with the sheet 11 . By vacuum suction being performed while the opposing mold 52 is in contact with the sheet 11, the sheet 11 is sandwiched between the opposing mold 51 and the opposing mold 52, and in a state in which the sheet 11 is firmly adhered to the mold 51, the vacuum is applied. Aspiration can be performed. Therefore, vacuum suction can be performed while effectively suppressing vacuum leakage between the sheet 11 and the mold 51 .

It is also possible to appropriately combine a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications as necessary. Alternatively, some constituent elements may be deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the above embodiments and modifications.

1 Molding System 5 Clean Booth 10 Film 11 Sheet 12 Molded Part 13 Molded Product 16 Molded Product 17 Molded Sheet 20 Sheet Supply Device 30 Head 31 Holding Part 31a Head Suction Hole 311 Inner End 32 Molded Article Holding Part 35 Heater 36 Molded Article Heater 40 drive unit 44 drive unit 50 injection molding machine 51 mold 51a facing surface 51b first region 51c second region 51d housing space region 51e suction hole region 511 suction hole 512 linear groove 513 suction hole 513a opening 514 sealing portion 52 facing Mold 55 accommodation space

Claims (10)

A mold used for vacuum forming a sheet and having a facing surface facing the sheet during vacuum forming,
a suction hole provided in a first region of the facing surface for vacuum forming the sheet by vacuum suction;
a linear groove provided in a second region surrounding the first region of the facing surface;
and a suction hole, at least a part of which has an opening provided in a wall surface of the linear groove, and which allows the mold to hold the sheet by vacuum suction. The mold according to claim 1, wherein the linear groove surrounds the first region. The mold according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second region protrudes from the first region toward the side where the sheet is positioned during vacuum forming. Having the mold according to any one of claims 1 to 3, forming an accommodation space partly partitioned by the first region and accommodating a part of the sheet, and forming the accommodation space in the accommodation space an injection molding machine for injection molding resin;
A molding system, comprising: a driving device having a head that holds the sheet; and a driving unit that drives the head to convey the sheet to the mold. The head has a holding portion that holds the sheet,
5. The molding system according to claim 4, wherein said head is driven to bring said sheet held by said holding part into close contact with said second area. the holding portion has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and holds the sheet on the first surface side;
6. The molding system according to claim 5, wherein the head further includes a heater arranged on the second surface side of the holding portion and heating the sheet. The holding portion has a frame-like shape,
In a state in which the sheet held by the holding portion is in close contact with the second region, when observed from a direction perpendicular to the second region, the second region passes through the center of the opening of the suction hole. A vertical suction hole axis is positioned closer to the first region than an inner end of the frame-shaped holding portion, and a distance between the suction hole axis and the inner end is 5 mm or less, or the suction hole The axis is located on the side opposite to the first region from the inner end, and the distance between the suction hole axis and the inner end is 15 mm or less, or the suction hole axis is located at the inner end. 7. A molding system according to claim 5 or 6, overlapping with. A method for manufacturing a molded product using the molding system according to any one of claims 4 to 7,
a step of conveying the sheet held by the head to the mold;
a step of holding the sheet on the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
a step of vacuum forming the sheet held in the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
and causing the injection molding machine to form the accommodation space while the sheet is held in the mold, and injection-molding a resin into the accommodation space. A method for manufacturing a molded product using the molding system according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
a step of conveying the sheet held by the head to the mold;
a step of holding the sheet on the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
a step of vacuum forming the sheet held in the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
a step of forming the housing space in the injection molding machine and injection-molding a resin into the housing space while the sheet is held in the mold;
A method for manufacturing a formed product, wherein in the step of vacuum forming, the sheet is vacuum formed while the sheet is pressed toward the second region by the holding portion. A method for producing a molded sheet using the mold according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
a step of holding the sheet on the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes;
and vacuum forming the sheet held in the mold by vacuum suction of the suction holes.

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