JP2610120B2 - Molding method using multiple dies - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a molding technique, and in particular, sequentially transfers a plurality of molds to respective steps of a heating step, an injection molding step, a cooling step, and a molded article taking-out step. The present invention relates to a molding method useful for molding an article.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In injection molding of plastics and the like,
In the process of cooling and curing the resin injected and molded from the injection molding machine on the spot, taking out the cured molding resin and performing the next resin injection, the injection molding machine takes the next resin until the resin is cured. Therefore, there are problems that the use efficiency is low and the resin in the outlet passage of the injection molding machine is hardened. Therefore, a plurality of molds are prepared, and the mold in which the resin is injected by the injection molding machine is moved to another place and cooled there, while the injection molding machine immediately transfers the resin to the next (another) mold. A molding system for injection has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-17 / 1983).
No. 3635).

Among such molding systems, the present applicant has provided an injection molding machine and a plurality of presses, and a mold filled with a resin injected and filled by the injection molding machine.
(Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-8901).
No. 9). In addition, the applicant uses a guide and a traverser (hereinafter, referred to as a traverse device) that moves on the guide to transfer the mold from the injection molding process to one of a plurality of presses arranged along the guide along the guide. Also, there has been proposed a molding system (see, for example, FIG. 6 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-89019) configured to be transferred from the press to the next step.

[0004]

However, in the case of the molding system configured to transfer the mold by using the traverse device as described above, the mold is moved from the injection molding process to a predetermined location along the guide of the traverse device. (Hereinafter, referred to as a base point), and from the base point to each press.

In order to operate the system smoothly without causing stagnation in the molds, it is necessary to regularly send each mold to the next step at regular intervals.

However, in the system configured as described above, since the distance between the base point and each press machine is different, the time required for the mold to be transferred from the base point to each press machine depends on each press machine. On the other hand, since the mold of each press machine is transferred to the next step at regular intervals as described above, the pressurizing and cooling time in each press machine varies.

Also, when the dies are transferred from the respective presses to the next step, the time required for the dies to be transferred from the respective presses to the next step depends on the respective presses. In addition, the process time in the next process varies.

To cope with this, if the pressurizing / cooling time in each press machine and the process time in the next step are made constant, the mold is transferred to the next step with a delay, so that the mold is moved at regular intervals. Can not be sent regularly, and the flow of the mold will be stagnant. To cope with this, it is necessary to perform temperature control for each mold in order to guarantee the accuracy of the molded product. However, if control is performed for each mold in this manner, the process can be performed according to the temperature characteristics of each mold. There is a problem in that the time becomes longer and shorter, the smooth flow of the system is hindered, and the productivity is reduced.

In the case of pressurizing / cooling using a plurality of dies as described above, even if the pressing / cooling time in each press machine is constant, the temperature characteristics of the respective dies are different, so that the uniformity is obtained. Cooling cannot be performed, and the accuracy of the molded product varies. In order to cope with this and guarantee the accuracy of the molded product, it is necessary to perform temperature control for each mold, but if such control for each mold is performed, the temperature characteristics of each mold may cause a difference. There is a problem that the length of the process time is shortened, the smooth flow of the system is hindered, and the productivity is lowered.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when a molded article is formed using a plurality of dies, a smooth flow of the system is achieved without causing stagnation in the dies. Further, it is an object to obtain a uniform and highly accurate molded product.

[0011]

According to the present invention, as a means for achieving the above object, a plurality of dies are sequentially transferred to a temperature raising step, an injection molding step, a cooling step, and a molded article removing step to form a molded article. A molding method using a plurality of dies, wherein the transfer of each of the dies is controlled by using one of the transfer speed and the transfer waiting time of the die transfer. Is done.

Also, as a technical idea related to the present invention,
There are the following.

In a method of forming a molded product by sequentially transferring a plurality of dies to a temperature raising step, an injection molding step, a cooling step, and a molded product taking-out step, the state of the dies, for example, a heated state or a cooled state According to the information on the mold, the speed of the transfer means for transferring the mold is controlled according to the information, or the mold is made to wait without transferring the mold, and the information of the mold is compared with predetermined information. In order to control the transfer of the mold by the discriminating means, there is provided a transfer means for transferring each mold between each process, and a discriminating means for discriminating any one of the speed of transferring the mold and the transfer waiting time. Wherein the transfer of the mold is controlled by the determining means.

A first time measuring means for measuring a heating time of the mold in the temperature raising step, in order to solve the stagnation of the mold due to the length of the heating time of the metal mold in the heating step, Control means for setting a predetermined heating time by a molded article; and first comparison means for comparing a signal from the measurement means with a signal from the control means, and a comparison operation of the first comparison means A molding method having a plurality of dies, wherein the control of the transfer of the dies is selected by a waiting time or a control by a transfer speed based on the following.

In order to prevent stagnation of the mold due to the rise of the heating time of the mold during the transfer of the mold from the heating step to the injection molding step, the mold is moved from the heating step to the injection molding step. Time measuring means for measuring the elapsed time during and after transfer during transfer, and temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the mold during or after transferring the mold from the temperature raising step to the injection molding step, Control means for setting a predetermined heating time of the mold from the heating step to the injection molding step; and comparing means for comparing signals from the time measuring means and the control means, wherein the comparing means A molding method having a plurality of molds, wherein control based on the waiting time of the molds or control based on the transfer speed of the molds is selected based on the comparison result.

A traverser for transferring the mold from the cooler to an unloading step in order to prevent the mold from staying due to a difference in the cooling rate of the mold stored and cooled in the plurality of coolers in the cooling step; Time measuring means for measuring the cooling time of the mold in the process, control means for setting a predetermined cooling time of the mold in the cooling step, and comparison for comparing the signal of the time measuring means with the signal of the control means. A molding method having a plurality of molds, wherein a waiting time control of the traverser or a control based on a speed of the traverser is selected based on a comparison result of the comparing means. And a traverser for receiving the mold from the first transfer means and transferring the mold to a cooler in the cooling step. And means for driving the traverser,
A plurality of control means for detecting whether or not a mold is present in the first transfer means and the traverser; and a control means for driving the driving means based on a signal from the detection means. A molding device having a mold.

In some cases, the molds housed in a plurality of coolers in the cooling step may not be cooled at a set cooling speed due to reflux conditions. To solve this problem, a plurality of molds are placed in the injection molding machine. The mold is sequentially transferred to a cooling step having a plurality of coolers, and the molds cooled by the respective coolers are removed from the coolers and transferred to a molded article removing step. A method for supplying a cooling medium to each of the coolers, a means for detecting a temperature of a mold set in each of the coolers, and measuring a cooling time of the mold set in each of the coolers. Means for storing the predetermined cooling time and cooling temperature of the mold, and control means for switching the cooling temperature of the cooling medium, and the temperature of each mold of each cooling machine and the temperature of each mold. Mold cooling time from the storage means Set cooling compared time and the cooling temperature, the molding method having a plurality of molds, characterized in that it has to switch the temperature of the cooling medium to each mold based on the comparison result.

In a configuration in which a plurality of molding machines are provided in the cooling step, and the dies are accommodated in each molding machine and cooled, the traverser is cooled to finish the cooled dies sequentially from the molding machine. It is necessary to move to the position of, but in order to cope with this, a plurality of molds are inserted into the injection molding machine, the resin is injected and then taken out, and the mold is cooled with a plurality of cooling machines and A molding device that sequentially transfers to a molded product removal process, and a unit that detects a cooling temperature of each cooler,
A means for measuring a cooling time of a mold provided in each of the coolers, a means for storing a cooling curve indicating a temperature corresponding to a cooling time corresponding to a molded product to be injection-molded, and a mold from the plurality of coolers. Means for performing control for taking out, wherein the control means inputs information of the storage means, a signal of a cooling time and a cooling temperature of a mold in each of the cooling machines, and terminates cooling of the plurality of cooling machines. Means for extracting a mold to be extracted and outputting an extraction signal; and traversing means for transferring the mold between the cooling step and the molded article removing step, the means for controlling a traverser for transferring the mold. And a traverse means having a plurality of dies, wherein the control means receives the extraction signal from the take-out control means and moves the traverser to a position of a cooler in which the dies which have been cooled are stored.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a molding system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The overall configuration of the molding system 25 according to the present embodiment includes four steps: A: a temperature raising step, B: an injection molding step, C: a pressure cooling step, and D: a molded article removing step.
And the injection molding step B are connected by a mold transfer path 1 using rollers, and between the injection molding step B and the pressure cooling step C, a mold transfer path 5 using rollers and an NC traverse device 2 And an NC traverse device 2 connects between the pressurizing / cooling step C and the molded article removing step D. Furthermore, N
The traverse device controller 22 is connected to the C traverse device 2, and the traverse device controller 22 is connected to the central control panel 17. The central control panel 17 is also connected to other devices of the main molding system (wiring is omitted).

Next, each device of the molding system 25 will be described.

In the temperature raising step A, a longer time is required than in the injection molding step B.
So that the temperature of one mold is raised in one apparatus and the temperature of another mold can be raised in the other apparatus in the same manner. A direction changer 23 using a roller is provided in front of each of the temperature raising devices 6, and after the mold is carried in, the direction changer 23 is rotated 90 degrees to carry out the mold, thereby removing the molded product. The mold sent from 15 can be sent into the heating device 6, and the mold in the heating device 6 can be sent to the injection molding machine 7. The direction changer 23
Are rotatable by a built-in drive source.
A transfer path 24 using a roller is connected between the molded product take-out device 15 and the direction changer 23, between the direction changer 23 and the temperature raising device 6, and between the direction changers 23. It is rotatable by a drive source built in.

In such a temperature raising device 6, after a mold is carried into the furnace of the device, a temperature sensor (not shown) is connected to the mold, and the mold is heated by a heater plate (not shown). Heated. After being heated to a predetermined temperature, the temperature sensor is detached, and the mold is carried out of the furnace.

In the present embodiment, in the temperature raising step A, the temperature of the mold cooled to 80 ° C. in the pressure cooling step C (described later) is set to 100 ° C. in 60 seconds.

Between the temperature raising step A and the injection molding step B, the mold transfer path 1 is connected to the mold transfer path 1 by a 90-degree reversing device 3a, and an elevator 26 is provided at a portion where the mold transfer path 1 is bent at a right angle on the way. Have been. The mold transfer path 1 is configured to be rotated by a drive source containing rollers arranged in the mold transfer direction, and the mold is placed on the rollers and moved in the transfer direction.

The mold transferred from the direction changer 23 to the elevator 26 via the mold transfer path 1 changes only the moving direction by 90 degrees without changing the direction of the mold. It is possible to proceed to the 90-degree reversing device 3a as it is.

The 90-degree reversing device 3a reverses the mold by 90 degrees in order to deal with the injection molding machine 7 in which the injection section 7a is provided in the horizontal direction and to make the runner section of the mold horizontal. After passing through the 90-degree reversing device 3a, the mold is transferred to a mold standby position 4 in front of the injection molding machine 7, where the temperature of the mold is measured by a temperature sensor (not shown). Measured. The mold heated to 100 ° C. in the heating step A is then further heated by the heat conduction in the mold, and is loaded into the injection molding machine 7 when the mold temperature rises to a predetermined molding temperature of 120 ° C. To perform injection molding.

In the present embodiment, the set time from the completion of the temperature raising step A to the rise of the molding temperature to 120 ° C. in the standby place 4 in front of the injection molding machine 7 is 120 seconds.

In the injection molding process B, when the mold is carried into the injection molding machine 7, the die set of the molding machine 7 is clamped, and after the resin at 220 ° C. is injected into the mold, the pressure is maintained for a predetermined time. After the die set is opened, the die is carried out and sent to the 90 ° reversing device 3b. In addition, the injection molding machine 7 is provided with a temperature controller 8 for adjusting the temperature of the mold to a temperature required for injection filling.

In this embodiment, the time required for the mold to be carried into the injection molding machine 7 and then carried out from the injection molding machine 7 to reach the NC traverse device 2 (the point of the base point 13 described later) is 60 hours. Seconds are being set.

The 90-degree reversing device 3b is used at the rear of the injection molding machine 7, where the runner portion of the mold after the injection is returned upward.

In the injection molding step B, the mold flows with the runner part lying sideways by the 90-degree reversing devices 3a and 3b. In the pressurizing and cooling step C, the unloading step D, and the temperature increasing step A, the mold is runner. It flows with the part up. In addition, in the case where the injection of the injection molding machine is configured to be performed in a downward direction, or in a state where the mold has the runner portion in the horizontal direction in any of the pressure cooling step C, the unloading step D, and the temperature increasing step A, When processed, the 90 ° reversing devices 3a and 3b are unnecessary.
The mold transfer path 5 is used to transfer the mold that has passed through the 90-degree reversing device 3b to NC.
The traverse device 2 is provided for transfer to a base point 13 (a point at which the NC traverse device 2 receives a mold), and is rotated by a drive source having a built-in roller arranged in the transfer direction similarly to the mold transfer path 1. Then, the mold placed on the roller can be moved.

In this embodiment, the NC traversing device 2
Book guide rail 9 and traverser 1 moving on it
0. The traverser 10 includes a pair of left and right input conveyors 11 and an output conveyor 12. The loading conveyor 11 is operated by a built-in drive source, and the mold can be taken in from below in FIG. 1 and placed in the conveyor, and can be sent out upward. It is used when transferring to each press machine 18. The take-out conveyor 12 is operated by a built-in drive source, and it is possible to take in the dies from above in FIG. 1, place them in the conveyor, and send them out downward. It is used when transferring to the molded product removal device 15.

In the present embodiment, the mold is moved from the base point 13 to each press unit 1 using the NC traverse device 2.
8 is set to be 30 seconds, and the time required to reach the molded product removal device 15 from each press unit 18 is set to be 30 seconds.

The pressurizing and cooling step includes eight press units 18
(No. I to No. VIII). The press units 18 (No. I to No. VIII) are arranged in parallel on the rail 9 of the NC traverse device 2. Further, each press unit has a rail 9 so that when the traverser 10 moves and comes before each press unit 18, the die can be exchanged between the traverser 10 and the transfer path 14 of each press unit 18. It is provided at a more predetermined distance. The transfer path 14 is operated by a built-in drive source, and can transfer the mold placed on the transfer path 14. The press unit 18 has a pair of upper and lower re-press cooling die sets. In each of the die sets, pipes for flowing a coolant are provided by pipes 62a and 62b of the cooling medium supply means.
(Not shown). Then, the flow rate of the refrigerant flowing through the pipeline of each die set is adjusted by the fixed-side temperature controller 19 and the movable-side temperature controller 20 based on instructions from the central control panel 17 and the traverse device controller 22. . When the mold is inserted into a pair of upper and lower re-press cooling die sets, a temperature sensor is connected to the mold, and the upper and lower die sets move relatively to contact the mold under pressure, and the inside of the die set Is cooled by the refrigerant flowing through the pipeline.
Cooling of the mold is performed with control such as changing the flow rate or temperature of the refrigerant in the pipeline so as to obtain a predetermined temperature gradient.
As a result, shrinkage distortion and internal stress distortion generated when the molded article is cooled can be minimized.

In the pressurized cooling step C, the mold is cooled from 120 ° C. to 80 ° C. while being measured by the temperature sensor.

When the mold is cooled to a predetermined temperature, the temperature sensor is released, the die set is relatively opened, and the mold is transferred to the take-out conveyor 12 of the traverser 10 through the transfer path 14.

In the present embodiment, the time required for the pressurizing and cooling step C, that is, the time required for the mold to be carried into the transfer path 14 of the press unit 18 and thereafter to end cooling and exit the transfer path 14 is 480 seconds. It is set as follows.

In the present embodiment, the molded product removal process D is performed as shown in FIG.
Is located at the lower right end of the NC traverse device 2 at which the molded product unloading device 15 and the stocker 21 are installed on the right side of the device 15. When the traverser 10 moves and comes in front of the molded product removal device 15, the removal conveyor 12 of the traverser 10 and the molded product removal device 15
The take-out device 15 is provided at a predetermined distance from the rail 9 so that dies can be transferred to and from the transfer path 16. When the mold is mounted on the molded product take-out device 15 via the transfer path 16 by the traverser 10, the opening prevention mechanism provided on the mold is released, the mold is opened, and the molded product is protruded by the protruding rod. The molded product is ejected and ejected, and the molded product is stored in the stocker 21. The mold from which the molded product has been removed is clamped, locked, and transferred to the temperature raising step A (not shown).

In the present embodiment, the time required for the removal process D
That is, it is set so that the time required for the mold to be carried into the transfer path 16 of the unloading device 15 and then for the mold from which the molded article has been removed to move to the temperature raising step A is 60 seconds.

In the present embodiment, the molded product which has been pressurized and cooled by the press unit 18 to complete the molding is not taken out on the press unit, but concentrated by the molded product take-out device 15 provided at another position as described above. Do it. When the take-out device is provided on the press unit 18, the structure of the press unit becomes complicated and large, and the take-out device must be provided in each press unit 18. I
-No. There is a problem that the area occupied by the VIII occupies a large area and the management of the unloading process becomes complicated.

The traverse device control unit 22 is for instructing the operation of the NC traverse device 2 according to a predetermined program or the like. The traverse device control unit 22 controls the NC traverse device 2 based on a command from the central control panel 17. And
The standby and speed adjustment of the traverser 10 can be performed.

The central control panel 17 is connected to each device of the main molding system 25 via a control unit (not shown) of each device, and controls the main molding system 25 as a whole.

It should be noted that the system 25 has a function of detecting whether a mold flowing through the system is at a predetermined position.
A sensor is provided at the predetermined position. That is, the base point point of the transfer path 5, the inside of the input conveyor 11 and the take-out conveyor 12 of the traverser 10, the portion where the mold in each of the press units 18 (No. I to No. VIII) is mounted, the molded product take-out device 15 A microswitch or the like is provided in a portion where the mold is mounted, and the like, so that it can be detected whether or not the mold is at a predetermined position.

Next, the arrangement and flow of the dies in the molding system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. However, this is a case in which the mold is controlled to be transported at the set time in each step.

FIG. 2 is a time chart of the dies. The horizontal axis indicates the time as 1 minute = 1 time, and indicates the position of each die in the molding system as the time progresses. In the present embodiment, one minute, which is the time required for the injection molding process and the transfer of the mold to the base point, is set as a basic time, and each mold is injected so that the resin is injected into the mold every minute in the injection molding process. Is flowed into the system with a one minute delay. In the present embodiment, a total of three minutes is used for the temperature raising step and the transfer of the mold to the injection molding machine, and one minute is used for the injection molding step and the transfer of the mold to the base point. It is set so that it takes 0.5 minutes for the transfer of the mold, 8 minutes for the pressurized cooling step, 0.5 minute for the transfer of the mold to the extraction device 15 in the NC traverse device 2, and 1 minute for the extraction process. Therefore, a total of 14 minutes is the time required for the mold to go through one cycle, and thus requires 14 ÷ 1 = 14 molds in the system. FIG. 1 shows the positions of the fourteen dies a to n at the time 14. As shown in FIG. 2, when the time advances from this state to the point of time 15, the dies a to n advance, for example, the die a is located at the position of the die n, and the die n is positioned at the position of the die f. The mold f returns to the position of the mold e. When the time further reaches time point 16, for example, the mold a moves from the position of the mold n to the position of the press unit VII.

In the actual molding system, if the transfer of the dies is performed according to the above-mentioned time chart, the temperature of the dies varies due to the difference in the temperature characteristics of the respective dies, and the molding condition is out of the range. , High precision molding cannot be expected. Also, if a method of cooling the mold temperature to the target value and increasing the temperature is adopted, high-precision molding can be performed.However, excess or deficiency occurs in each process time, and the smooth flow of the system is obstructed.
It significantly deteriorates mass productivity. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cooling and temperature raising in the process are not terminated until the mold temperature reaches the target value in each process, so that the set time in each process may be exceeded or short. The resulting time error is controlled by controlling the transfer of the mold by the NC traverse device 2 by the waiting time or by the transfer speed so that the transfer of the mold in the entire system does not stay.

As described above, the condition judgment as to whether the transfer of the mold is controlled by the waiting time or the transfer speed is performed in the following three cases.

First, in the heating step A, it is determined whether or not the heating time for the mold temperature to rise from 80 ° C. to the target value of 100 ° C. is longer or shorter than the set time of 60 seconds. . If the temperature increase time is longer than the set time adjustment by expediting (shown this time caused the delay time T _h), the transfer rate of the mold from the base point 13 to the press units 18 (indicated by V _BP) I do. When the temperature rise time is shorter than the set time, the mold transferred by the NC traverse device 2 waits for the waiting time (T
₍ Indicated by ₁ ).

Second, when the mold is transferred from the temperature raising step A to the injection molding step, that is, when the mold is unloaded from the temperature raising step A and reaches the standby place 4 in front of the injection molding machine 7. The heating time at which the mold temperature rises to the target value of 120 ° C. with the setting time of 120
Whether excess or deficiency occurs in seconds. Also in this case, similarly to the above, each press unit 1
Mold transfer wait time control of up to 8, it is possible to adjust the excess and deficiency of the set time by the transfer rate control (the delay time that occurs in this case indicated by T _n, showing the transfer waiting time at T _1).

Third, in the pressurizing and cooling step C, whether or not there is an excess or deficiency with respect to a set time of 480 seconds until the mold temperature reaches the target value of 80 ° C. from 120 ° C. If the set time is exceeded (the delay time generated at this time is indicated by T _p ), the molded product removal device 15
Until the transport speed of the mold (indicated by V _PT) adjusted by the control, and if you have insufficient set time, the transported mold product removal apparatus 15 waiting in front in the traverse device controller 22 ( T ₂ shown in) is adjusted by providing the.

Next, the N of the molding system according to this embodiment is
The operation of the C traversing apparatus will be described with reference to the system diagram of FIG. 1 and the block diagrams of FIGS. 3 to 5 using FIGS.

When operating the present system, the central control panel
17 stores various initial setting values. In FIG.
Press unit 18 (No.I to No.VIII) and base
Transfer time T between points 13_BPSetting (B1), Trava
Of the transfer speed V of the laser unit 10 (B2),
Transfer time T from the port 18 to the unloading device 15_PTSetting (B
3) Distance between each press unit and base point 13
L_xSetting (B4), each press unit and unloading device
Distance L_yIs set (B5) and the menu of the central control panel 17 is set.
The set values B1 to B5 are recorded in Molly M. Also note
Lee M has a set time in a temperature raising step described later.
(T₁), Set time between temperature rise and injection molding process
(T _Two), The set time (t_Three) Is written
Remembered.

First, in the mold transfer management flow chart of the temperature raising step A shown in FIG. 6, the mold from which the molded article was taken out and emptied in the molded article removal step D was carried into the temperature raising device 6 (Sal). Thereafter, the temperature sensor is connected (Sa2), and the temperature rise is started while measuring the mold temperature, and at the same time, the measurement of the temperature rise time is started (Sa3, 4, 5). As for the mold temperature, a signal from the temperature sensor is read by the temperature measuring means 40.
Measurement of heat-up time is performed by the first time measuring means T _1. Heated is conducted until the mold reaches the target value 100 ℃ (Sa6), this point has reached the target value to exit the heating off Atsushi Nobori time measuring timer (Sa7), time by time measuring means T ₁ Is output, and the temperature sensor is released from the mold (Sa8). At this time, in the central control panel 17, the measured heating time (referred to as the measured heating time,
The same applies hereinafter) and the set heating time (the set heating time t ₁ ,
Hereinafter the same) compared with that made by the first comparison means 42 (Sa9), when the measured time T ₁ is shorter than the set time t _1, the waiting time control of the traverser 10 in the step shown in FIG. 9 is performed ( Hereinafter, it will be described later). Further, when the measured Atsushi Nobori time is equal to or longer than the set heating time, calculation of the delay time by subtracting the set heating time from the measurement Atsushi Nobori time T _h is performed by the first calculation means 43 (Sa10), the central control panel 17 the delay time T _h is recorded in the (Sa11), thereafter, the speed control of the press unit 18 to the traverser 10 from the base point 13 in the step shown in FIG. 10 is performed (hereinafter, to be described later).

Next, in the mold transfer management flowchart between the temperature raising step A and the injection molding step shown in FIG. 7, after the die temperature raising in the temperature raising step A is completed (Sb1), the injection is performed from the temperature raising step A. Measurement of mold transfer process time between molding processes
Start of the time measuring means T ₂ (Sb2), transferring the mold to an injection molding machine 7 before waiting area 4 (Sb3). Thereafter, at the standby location 4, a temperature sensor is connected to the mold (Sb4), and the temperature of the mold is measured by the second temperature measuring means 44. The mold that has gone out of the temperature raising step A is further heated by the heat conduction in the mold before reaching the standby place 4 in front of the injection molding machine 7. Then, by measuring the temperature of the mold, when the mold temperature reaches between the lower molding temperature limit and the upper molding temperature limit (Sb5), molding preparation from the central control panel 17 is performed based on the measurement signal of the second temperature measuring means 44. completion signal is issued (Sb6) and second time measuring means T ₂ is OFF
Is performed (Sb7). Thereafter, the mold temperature sensor is separated from the mold (Sb8). At this time, the central control panel 17
, The measurement time (T ₂ ) of the second time measurement means T ₂
Is compared with the set time (t ₂ ) by the second comparing means 46 (Sb9). When the measurement time (T ₂ ) is shorter than the set time (t ₂ ), the waiting time control of the traverser 10 is performed in the process shown in FIG. 9 (to be described later). If the measured time is longer than or equal to the set time, the second calculator 48 calculates the delay time T _i obtained by subtracting the set time from the measured time (Sb1).
0). The central control panel 17 the delay time recording T _i is made (Sb11), thereafter, the speed control of the traverser 10 to the pressing unit 18 is performed from the base point 13 at step shown in FIG. 10 (hereinafter, to be described later ).

Further, in the control flowchart in the pressurizing and cooling step shown in FIG. 8, a temperature sensor was connected to the mold carried into the press unit 18 (Sc1) (S1).
After c2), the third temperature measuring means 50 starts operating to start the pressurizing and cooling step (Sc3). Then, at the same time, the measurement of the time required for the cooling process is started by the third time measuring means 52 (Sc4). The cooling is performed while controlling with a predetermined temperature gradient (Sc5), and when the mold temperature reaches a temperature lower than the target temperature of 80 ° C. (Sc6), the cooling is terminated by the measurement signal of the third temperature measuring means 50. , Third
Is turned off (Sc7), and the temperature sensor is separated from the mold (Sc8). At this time, in the central control panel 17, a comparison between the measurement time of the third time measuring means 52 and the set time (t ₃ ) stored in the central control panel 17 is made by the third comparing means 54 (Sc9). ,
When the measurement time is shorter than the set time, the waiting time control of the traverser 10 is performed in the process shown in FIG.
See below). Further, when the measured time is longer than or equal to the set time, the delay calculation time T _P in the cooling step minus the set time from the measurement time is performed by the third calculating means 56 (Sc10), the central control panel 17 the delay time T _P is recorded (Sc11), thereafter, the traverser 1 at step shown in FIG. 12 to take-out device 15 from the press unit 18
Speed control of 0 is performed (described below).

In the process shown in FIG.
After unloading the mold to unloading device 15, base point 1
Returning to 3, the conveyor 11 stops in a state where the charging conveyor 11 coincides with the transfer path 5. Then, according to a command from the traverse device control unit 22 or the like, the sensor S
Whether mold is present to verify the removal conveyor 12 by ₁ (S01) and outputs a confirmation signal S _1. Then, the sensor -S ₂ provided in the charging conveyor 11 checks whether the mold in the charging conveyor 11 there is (S02) and outputs a confirmation signal S _2, gold pre-feed conveyor advances further to S03 whether mold is present is confirmed by the sensor S ₃ on the mold transfer path 5, and outputs a confirmation signal S _3. When it is confirmed that the mold is present on the transfer path 5, the signals of the sensors S ₁ , S ₂ , and S ₃ shown in FIG. 4 are input to the discrimination logic circuit a1, and the conveyor is operated by the signal from the circuit a1. The input conveyor 11 is operated by the output of the means 60 (S04), and the mold is placed in the input conveyor 11.

[0059] Then that die in the charging conveyor there is confirmed by the sensor S ₂ (S05), then press traverser 10 should reach Unit No. Is selected by the press unit selecting means 58 (S06).

Each press (I-VIII) in the pressurizing and cooling step C
Are provided with pipes 62a and 62b through which a cooling medium flows.
, The cooling medium is supplied.

Setting (curve) information indicating a cooling temperature corresponding to the resin material, shape, and finishing accuracy of the molded product is input to the memory M of the central control panel 17.

For each press machine, the cooling temperature of the mold is measured.
Sensor D₁~ D₈And insert each mold into each press machine
Means P for measuring cooling time after starting pressurized cooling₁
~ P ₈Is provided. The sensor D₁~ D₈No faith
No. and measuring means P₁~ P₈Is sent to the central control panel 17
Input to each memory. In the central control panel 17
Preset and enter information on temperature and cooling time from each mold
The input setting information is sent to the comparing means 64 in the central control panel 17.
Therefore, a comparison is made, and the comparison signal of the comparison
Is sent to the temperature adjusting means 66 which adjusts the temperature.

Then, the temperature adjusting means 66 performs the comparing means 6
The temperature of the medium supplied to each press is adjusted by the signal of (4).

The central control panel 17 is provided with a discriminating means 68 for discriminating a mold to be subjected to pressurized cooling by inputting information on the cooling time and cooling temperature of each mold from each press machine.

As shown in FIG. 5, the discriminating means 68 outputs the information (CP ₁ , CP ₂ ... CP ₈ ) from each press machine.
When the comparison signal n ₁ ~n ₈ when entered to the comparison means information CP ₀ as the criteria entered in the memory (n ₁ ~n _8), information from the press has reached a value indicating the cooling end Is output, and the presence or absence of the comparison signal is detected by the detection means 70 to determine which mold has completed the pressurizing and cooling operation. The central control panel 17 inputs a detection signal 70a of the detection means 70 to the traverse device control section 22.

The traverse device control section 22 receives the detection signal 70a and drives the driving means 72 of the traverser 10 located at the base point 13 to operate the traverser 10.

The end signals m _{1 to} m ₈ are output from the end signal generating means 74 to the press machine containing the mold having completed the pressurizing and cooling action in accordance with the output of the comparison signals n _{1 to} n ₈ .

The traverser 10 is driven by the driving means 72 and stopped by receiving the die output by the end signal generating means. At this stop position, traverser 1
0 stands by (S07 / S08). This waiting time T
_1, in the first waiting time calculating means B9 of the central control panel _{17, T 1 = T BP -L} x / V made by calculation (Fig. 3, B9) (S09), the waiting time T ₁ is traversed It is input to the apparatus control unit 22, to wait a traverser 10 only waiting time T ₁ by a command of the traverse device controller 22 (S10).

After waiting for a predetermined time, the unloading conveyor 12
Is operated to transfer the mold from the press unit 18 to the take-out conveyor 12 (S12).

Then, it is confirmed that the mold is present in the take-out conveyor 12 (S13), and then the feeding conveyor 11 of the traverser 10 is moved to the press unit 18 from which the mold is taken out.
The traverser 10 is slightly moved so as to coincide with the transfer path 14 (S14, S15).

Then, the feeding conveyor 11 is operated (S16), and the die is sent into the press unit 18, and the presence of the die in the press unit 18 is confirmed by the sensor (S17). Next, the central control panel 17 instructs whether to reach the stroke shown in FIG. 11 or the stroke shown in FIG. 12 depending on whether or not the measured time in the cooling stroke is equal to the set time (S18). That is, when the delay time T _p by the operation did not occur in the cooling step, leading to stroke shown in FIG. 11, when the delay time T _p occurs, leading to stroke shown in FIG. 12.

In the process shown in FIG. 10, when the traverser 10 returns to the base point, there is a mold in the take-out conveyor 12 (S41), a mold in the input conveyor 11 (S42), and the input conveyor 11 Is there a mold before (S4
3) is determined, the process proceeds to S44, the charging conveyor 11 is operated, and the mold is placed in the charging conveyor (S45).

Then, as in the case of the waiting time control, the press unit No. Is selected (S46).

The press unit No. And at the same time, the speed of the traverser 10 is set to
(S47). Transport speed V _BP of the traverser 10, in the first speed calculating means B11 of the central control panel 17, performed by the calculation of _{V BP = L x / (T} BP -T h -T i) ( FIG. 3, B11) Then, the transfer speed V _BP is input to the traverse device control unit 22, and the traverser 10 is transferred according to a command from the traverse device control unit 22.

The traverser 10 moves to the selected press unit at the commanded speed (S48), and the take-out conveyor 12 stops in a state where it coincides with the transfer path 14 of the press unit 18 (S49). 12, the mold is transferred from the press unit 18 to the take-out conveyor 12 (S51), and then the traverser 10 is slightly moved to make the input conveyor 11 coincide with the transfer path 14 (S52, S53). Is transferred to the press unit (S54, S55). Next, the central control panel 17 instructs whether to reach the step shown in FIG. 11 or the step shown in FIG. 12 depending on whether or not the measurement time is equal to the set time in the pressurizing / cooling step (S56). That is, when the delay time T _P by the operation did not occur in the cooling step, leading to stroke shown in FIG. 11, when the delay time T _P is generated, leading to stroke shown in FIG. 12.

In the process shown in FIG. 11, when it is confirmed that the mold is present in the press unit 18, the traverser 10 is moved to the molded product take-out device 15 and the take-out conveyor 1 is moved.
2 is stopped in a state where it coincides with the transfer path 16 of the molded product removal device 15 (S19, 20).

At that position, the traverser 10 is made to wait for a predetermined time in accordance with a command from the traverse device controller 22 (S22). This waiting time T ₂ is determined by the central control panel 17.
In the second waiting time computation unit B10 _{of, T 2 = T PT -L y} / V is performed by the calculation (FIG. 3, B10) (S21), the waiting time T ₂ is input to the traverse device controller 22 the response to a command of the traverse device control unit 22 to wait for the traverser 10 in front product removal device 15 only waiting time T ₂ (S2
3).

After waiting for a predetermined time, the unloading conveyor 12
Is operated to take out the mold from the take-out conveyor 12 to the molded product take-out device 15 (S24).

Then, it is confirmed that the mold is present in the molded product unloading device 15 (S25), the traverser 10 is sent to the base point 13, and the traverser 10 is stopped in a state where the charging conveyor 11 coincides with the transfer path 5. (S26, S
27). Next, when the measured heating time is equal to the set heating time in the heating step and the measuring time is equal to the set time in the mold transfer process from the heating process to the injection molding process, the process shown in FIG. 9 is reached. Otherwise, FIG.
(S)
28).

In the process shown in FIG. 12, the setting of the transfer speed V _PT from the press unit 18 of the traverser 10 to the molded product take-out device 15 is performed by the second speed calculation means B12 of the central control panel 17 where V _PT = _{L y / (T PT -T P} ) is performed by the calculation (FIG. 3, B12) (S57), the transport speed V _PT is input to the traverse device controller 22, the traverser by a command of the traverse device controller 22 10 is transferred from the press unit 18 to the molded product removal device 15 at a transfer speed _VPT . At the commanded speed, the traverser 10 moves to the take-out device 15 (S58), and the take-out conveyor 12 stops in a state where it coincides with the transfer path 16 of the take-out device 15 (S5).
9) After confirming that the unloading device 15 is not in operation, the unloading conveyor 12 is operated at the same time as stopping, and the mold is transferred from the unloading conveyor 12 to the unloading device 15 (S60, 61).

The traverser 10 emptied from both the input conveyor 11 and the take-out conveyor 12 returns to the base point 13 (S62), and stops with the input conveyor 11 coinciding with the base point 13 (S63). Next, in the heating process, the measured heating time is equal to the set heating time, and
If the measurement time is equal to the set time in the mold transfer process from the temperature increasing process to the injection molding process, the process reaches the process shown in FIG. 9; otherwise, the central control panel 17 determines whether the process reaches the process shown in FIG. A command is issued (S64).

In the above embodiment, the traverse device is composed of the rail and the traverser. However, the traverse device is not provided with the rail, and the traverser is moved on a flat road surface using a guide device or the like. Various other types are also conceivable. Further, the traverser device can be used not only for linearly moving the mold, but also for arranging press units in various other shapes such as arcs and moving the mold along the shape.

Further, in the above embodiment, the heating system is a heating system using a heater plate. However, the heating system may be of various types other than a constant temperature bath.

The above embodiment has the following effects.

In a method of forming a molded product by sequentially transferring a plurality of dies to a temperature raising process, an injection molding process, a cooling process, and a molded product removal process, the state of the dies, for example, the temperature of the mold in a heated state or a cooled state. According to the information on the mold, the speed of the transfer means for transferring the mold is controlled according to the information, or the mold is made to wait without transferring the mold, and the information of the mold is compared with predetermined information. In order to control the transfer of the mold by the discriminating means, in the above embodiment, the transfer means for transferring each mold between each process, and the discrimination of either the speed of transferring the mold or the transfer waiting time. Determining means for performing the transfer of the mold by the determining means.

Accordingly, the system can be operated smoothly without causing a stagnation in a plurality of molds flowing through the system while reliably controlling the mold temperature in each step, and the accuracy due to the stable molding conditions is ensured. , Productivity can be ensured.

In the molding system having a plurality of dies as in the above-described embodiment, the temperature of each of the dies is raised to the set temperature in the temperature raising step to eliminate the temperature characteristic difference between the dies. It is. In order to solve the stagnation occurring in the mold forming system at this time, the above-described embodiment employs the first time measuring means for measuring the mold heating time in the temperature increasing step, and the temperature increase predetermined by the molded article. Control means for setting a time; and first comparing means for comparing a signal from the measuring means with a signal from the controlling means, wherein transfer of the mold is performed based on a comparing operation of the first comparing means. Since the control based on the waiting time or the control based on the transfer speed is selected, the difference in the temperature rise time between the molds is eliminated, and the molds do not stay in the molding system.

Therefore, by increasing the temperature while measuring the temperature for each mold as described above, the mold can be surely heated to the set temperature, and uniform and high-precision molding can be performed with a plurality of molds. As a result, the mold can be transferred according to the process time set in the molding system, and the molding system can operate smoothly.

In order to prevent stagnation of the mold due to the increase in the temperature rise time of the mold during the transfer of the mold from the temperature increase step to the injection molding step, the above-described embodiment employs the above-described method. A temperature measuring means for measuring the temperature of the mold during or after transferring the mold to the injection molding step, and a predetermined heating time of the mold from the heating step to the injection molding step is set. Control means, and comparing means for comparing signals from the time measuring means and the control means, based on a comparison result of the comparing means, control by the waiting time of the mold, or by transfer speed of the mold. Since the control is selected, the mold heated to a uniform set temperature can be transferred to the injection molding process, and the mold does not stay in the molding system.

Accordingly, since injection molding can be performed under uniform temperature conditions for each mold, it is possible to mold a highly accurate molded article without variation, and further, there is no stagnation in the transfer of the mold, and the molding system Can be realized smoothly.

Further, in order to prevent the stagnation of the mold due to the difference in the cooling rate of the dies that are accommodated and cooled in the plurality of chillers in the cooling step, the above-described embodiment removes the dies from the chiller. Traverser to be transferred to the mold, time measuring means for measuring a cooling time of the mold in the cooling step, control means for setting a predetermined cooling time of the mold in the cooling step, a signal of the time measuring means and the control A comparison means for comparing the signals of the means, and based on the comparison result of the comparison means, the waiting time control of the traverser or the control based on the speed of the traverser is selected, so that it is set in the cooling step. The excess or deficiency of the cooling time relative to the cooling time can be adjusted by waiting time control or speed control of the traverser.

Therefore, in the cooling step, cooling can be performed according to a set time, so that high-precision molding without variation can be performed, and each mold does not stay in the molding system in the molding system. Smooth flow can be maintained.

In the above embodiment, the first transfer means for feeding the mold to a predetermined position in the cooling step from the injection molding step, and the cooling in the cooling step by receiving the mold from the first transfer means A traverser for transferring a mold to a machine, a means for driving the traverser, a means for detecting whether or not a mold exists in the first transfer means and the traverser, and a signal from the detection means. Since it is configured to have the control means for driving the driving means, the mold can be reliably loaded without double-stacking the mold on the traverser. Can be prevented, the transfer from the injection molding process to the cooling process can be reliably performed, and the reliability of the molding system is improved.

Further, in the cooling step, the molds accommodated in the plurality of coolers may not be cooled at the set cooling speed depending on the reflux condition.
Means for supplying a cooling medium to each of the coolers, means for detecting the temperature of the mold set in each of the coolers, means for measuring the cooling time of the mold set in each of the coolers, Means for storing the cooling time and cooling temperature of the obtained mold, and control means for switching the cooling temperature of the cooling medium, wherein the temperature of each mold and the cooling time of each mold of each cooling machine are Compared with the cooling time and cooling temperature set from the storage means, the temperature of the cooling medium to each mold is switched based on the comparison result. Cools to the set temperature.

Therefore, the difference in cooling rate between the dies in the cooling step is eliminated, and a smooth flow of the molding system is ensured.

Further, with respect to the means for transferring a plurality of dies from the cooling step to the molded article removing step, the above-mentioned embodiment comprises means for detecting the cooling temperature of each chiller, and the dies provided for each of the chillers. Means for measuring a cooling time, a means for storing a cooling curve indicating a temperature corresponding to a cooling time corresponding to a molded product to be injection-molded, and a means for performing control for removing a mold from the plurality of coolers. Then, the control means inputs the information of the storage means, a signal of a cooling time and a cooling temperature of the mold in each of the cooling machines, and extracts a mold for which cooling of the plurality of cooling machines is completed, and outputs an extraction signal. Output means, traversing means for transferring the mold between the cooling step and the molded product removing step, the traversing means having means for controlling a traverser for transferring the mold, and the control means The take-out control It is configured to have a plurality of molds for moving the traverser in the position of the housing and the cooler the cooling end a mold receiving the extracted signal from stage.

Therefore, the cooling can be performed under the optimum condition by the cooling curve corresponding to the cooling time according to the molded product, so that the molded product can be formed with high accuracy without any defects and hardly causing defects. And mixed-flow molding according to the molded article. Furthermore, after cooling is completed, the one that has been cooled the fastest according to the actual cooling state can be carried out of the molding machine and transferred to the molded product removal process, so that there is no time loss and overcooling is prevented. And a smooth flow of the molding system can be secured.

Therefore, it is possible to control the mold temperature in each step without fail, to operate the system smoothly without causing stagnation in a plurality of molds flowing through the system, and to guarantee accuracy by stable molding conditions. , Productivity can be ensured.

[0099]

As described above, the present invention is effective for achieving a smooth flow of the system without causing stagnation in a plurality of dies, and for obtaining a uniform and highly accurate molded product. .

In particular, in the present invention, the transfer of each of the dies is controlled by using either the transfer speed of the die transfer or the transfer waiting time. The difference is absorbed and any mold is supplied to the next step at an appropriate temperature. Based on this, smooth and efficient operation of the system is realized, and the above-mentioned effectiveness is exhibited.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a molding system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart of a mold in the molding system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram relating to control of a central control panel and a traverse device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram relating to a conveyor operating means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram relating to traverser driving means.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation of a mold of the molding system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation of a mold of the molding system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation of a mold of the molding system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a mold transfer operation of the molding system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation of a mold of the molding system shown in FIG. 1;

11 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation of a mold of the molding system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a transfer operation of a mold of the molding system shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A Temperature raising process B Injection molding process C Cooling process D Molded product removal process 2 NC traverse device 4 Stand-by place before die injection molding machine 6 Temperature raising device 7 Injection molding machine 9 Guide rail 10 Traverser 11 Input conveyor 12 Extraction conveyor 13 Base point 15 Molded product take-out device 17 Central control panel 18 Press unit 22 Traverse device control part an mold

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:
In a molding method for forming a molded product by sequentially transferring to a cooling process and a molded product removing process, wherein the transfer of each of the dies is controlled by using any of the transfer speed and the transfer waiting time of the die transfer. And
A molding method using a plurality of dies.