JP3785055B2 - Molding simulation apparatus, program and information recording medium used therefor - Google Patents

Description

【００４２】
評価数値ＭＤＥが８５％以上であれば、ボトルの肉厚分布は良好と判断しており、図１０の例ではＭＤＥ＝９３．３３％であるので基準をクリアーしている。
【００４３】
この後、図３のステップ８では、付帯情報としてプリフォームの内側、外側の延伸倍率が表示され、ステップ９では酸素透過率とＣＯ2透過率とが表示される。
【００４４】
ここで、図１０の例では、矢印Ａで示す領域に窪みがあり、ボトル形状として好ましくないことが視覚的に認識できる。
【００４５】
そこで、ステップ２、４，５のうち、いずれかの条件データを変更してボトル形状の修正を試みる。ここでは、ステップ２に戻り、プリフォームの形状データの一部を変更するものとする。
【００４６】
ステップ２にてプリフォームの形状データの一部を変更し、ステップ３〜７を再度経た後に図２の出力装置３２に表示出力される画面の一例を図１１に示す。
【００４７】
図１１に示すように、矢印Ｂで示すプリフォームの肉厚が４．２２ｍｍに変更された結果（図１０では４．１０ｍｍであった）、矢印Ｃで示すようにボトルの窪みは幾らか改善され、ＭＤＥの数値も９３．７６％に向上した。
【００４８】
図１２では、矢印Ｄに示すプリフォームの肉厚が４．００ｍｍに変更された結果（図１０及び図１１では４．１０ｍｍであった）、矢印Ｅで示すようにボトルの窪みはさらに改善され、ＭＤＥの数値も９４．０９％まで向上した。
【００４９】
このように、成形条件データを設定してボトルの肉厚分布をシミュレーションする操作を繰り返すことで、最適な成形条件データを設定することができる。
【００５０】
特に、プリフォームの設計段階でこの成形シミュレーション装置を用いれば、プリフォームの設計支援装置として利用することができる。
【００５１】
あるいは、成形者がプリフォームの形状データ以外の成形条件例えば温度条件設定する際にこの成形シミュレーション装置を用いれば、成形条件設定支援装置として利用できる。
【００５２】
＜第２の実施の形態＞
次に、本発明を２ステージ方式（コールドパリソン方式）に用いられるブロー成形装置にてブロー成形される容器の肉厚分布をシミュレーションする装置に適用した実施の形態について説明する。
【００５３】
（ブロー成形装置及び成形シミュレーション装置の説明）
図１３は、プリフォームまたはボトルを倒立保持する搬送ブロックをチェーン搬送するブロー成形装置の概略説明図であり、日精エー・エス・ビー機械（株）製のＮＢシリーズ機として周知の機械の概略図である。
【００５４】
図１３において、矩形状のチェーン搬送路途中には、供給装置１００、第１の温調装置１１０、第２の温調装置１２０、ブロー成形装置１３０及び取り出し装置１４０が設けられている。
【００５５】
供給装置１００では、本ブロー成形装置とは別個の射出成形装置にて射出成形された常温のプリフォームが供給される。第１，第２の温調装置（加熱装置）１１０，１２０には、プリフォームの搬送路を挟んで一方のサイドには複数の棒状のクウォーツヒータが、他方のサイドには反射板が設けられる。ブロー成形装置１３０には、ブローキャビティー型及びその型締め装置等が配置され、プリフォームをボトルに延伸ブロー成形する。取り出し装置１４０は、成形されたボトルを装置外部に取り出すものである。
【００５６】
また、このブロー成形装置に用いられる成形シミュレーション装置は、ブロー成形装置に内蔵されるか、あるいは図２に示すコンピュータ本体２０及びその付属機器３０〜３２で構成される。
【００５７】
（成形シミュレーション装置の動作）
図１４に、図１３に示したブロー成形装置での成形シミュレーションを実施するフローチャートが示されている。図１４のステップ１，２，４は図３のステップ１，２，３と同じであり、図１４のステップ３（ボトルとプリフォームの適合性の確認）は図６に示す表示画面によって実施される。なお、本実施形態はコールドパリソン方式であるため、図３のステップ４で示す射出成形過程の条件設定は不要である。
【００５８】
図１４のステップ５は、図３のステップ５に相当している。ここでは、ステップ７でのヒータ出力条件とヒータの位置の決定について、図１５を参照して説明する。
【００５９】
図１５は、ステップ６での設定画面を示している。図１３に示す第１，第２の温調装置１１０，１２０には共に、図１５に示すように、プリフォーム２００の搬送路を挟んだ一方のサイドに複数本例えば８本のヒータ例えばクウォーツヒータ２１０が配置され、他方のサイドに反射板（REFLECTOR）２２０が配置されている。クウォーツヒータ２１０の背面にはバックプレート（BACKPLATE）２３０が配置されている。
【００６０】
「ヒータの位置」として、図１５中にて８本のヒータの各位置として、バックプレート２３０とヒータ２１０との間の距離、ヒータ２１０間の距離が単位（ｍｍ）にて入力される。「ヒータ出力条件」として、図１５に８本のヒータのＩＤ：１〜８について、かつ、第１，第２の温調装置１１０，１２０にそれぞれ対応するグループ１，２毎に、ヒータ入力パワーがパーセント入力される。
【００６１】
ステップ６ではこの他に、第１，第２の加熱装置１１０，１２０にプリフォームが停止されている時間、第１，第２の加熱装置１１０，１２０間にプリフォームが停止している時間（放冷時間）、第２の加熱装置１２０とブロー成形装置１３０との間の待機部でプリフォームが停止している時間、第１，第２の加熱装置１１０，１２０内の冷却エアの温度、風速、冷却の有無等の諸条件データを設定することもできる。
【００６２】
図１４のステップ６は、図３のステップ７と同じであるが、ここではボトル表面のパール、ヘイズが予測されている。
【００６３】
図１４のステップ７，８は、図３のステップ７〜８に相当している。なお、図１４のステップ８にて求められるボトルの肉厚分布には、射出成形条件データは考慮されない。本ブロー成形装置に投入されるプリフォームは常温であるからである。なお、本ブロー成形装置に投入されるプリフォームの温度を設定することも可能である。本成形装置への投入前のプリフォームを予備加熱したり、あるいは射出成形装置と本ブロー成形装置をインライン接続してボトルを生産することもあるからである。
【００６４】
この第２の実施の形態においても、成形条件データを設定してボトルの肉厚分布をシミュレーションする操作を繰り返すことで、最適な成形条件データを設定することができる。また、ヒータ出力のみを一つずつ変化させて最適肉厚を設定することを繰り返して、全てのヒータ出力を決定する自動最適化プログラムを用いて、最適な成形条件データを設定することもできる。
【００６５】
特に、図１３のブロー成形装置と組合わせて用いられる射出成形装置にて射出成形されるプリフォームの設計段階でこの成形シミュレーション装置を用いれば、プリフォームの設計支援装置として利用することができる。
【００６６】
あるいは、図１３に示すブロー成形装置の成形者が成形条件例えば温度条件設定する際にこの成形シミュレーション装置を用いれば、成形条件設定支援装置として利用できる。
【００６７】
＜第３の実施の形態＞
次に本発明を、第１の実施の形態とは異なるタイプの射出延伸ブロー成形装置にてブロー成形される容器の肉厚分布をシミュレーションする装置に適用した第３の実施の形態について説明する。
【００６８】
（射出延伸ブロー成形装置及び成形シミュレーション装置の説明）
図１６は、射出成形ステーション３００、移送ステーション４００及びブロー成形ステーション５００を共通機台上に配列した射出延伸ブロー成形装置の概略説明図であり、例えば日精エー・エス・ビー機械（株）製のＰＦ機シリーズとして周知の機械の概略図である。
【００６９】
射出成形ステーション３００は、射出装置３１０、射出成形部３２０及び冷却・取出部３３０を有する。射出成形部３２０にて正立状態で射出成形されたプリフォームはネック型及びコア型にて搬送され、冷却・取出部３３０にて冷却された後に取り出される。
【００７０】
移送ステーション４００は、その機能として、射出成形ステーション３００よりプリフォームを受け取る受取部４１０、プリフォーム配列ピッチを射出成形ピッチからブロー成形ピッチに変換するピッチ変換部４２０、プリフォームを正立状態から倒立状態に反転させる反転部４３０、プリフォームをブロー成形ステーション５００に受け渡す受渡部４４０を有する。上記機能を有する限り、作業順序を変更したり、２つの作業を同時に実施することも可能である。
【００７１】
ブロー成形ステーション５００は、移送ステーション４００からプリフォームを受け取る受取部５１０、プリフォームを温調する温調部５２０、プリフォームをボトルにブロー成形するブロー成形部５３０、ボトルを装置外部に取り出す取出部５４０を有する。
【００７２】
また、この射出延伸ブロー成形装置に用いられる成形シミュレーション装置は、射出延伸ブロー成形装置に内蔵されるか、あるいは図２に示すコンピュータ本体２０及びその付属機器３０〜３２で構成される。
【００７３】
（成形シミュレーション装置の動作）
図１７に、図１６に示した射出延伸ブロー成形装置での成形シミュレーションを実施するフローチャートが示されている。図１７のステップ１〜４は図３のステップ１〜４と同じである。
【００７４】
図１７のステップ５が、図１４のステップ５（図１５）に相当している。ここで、図１６の温調部５２０でも図１３の第１，第２の温調装置１１０，１２０と同様な構造を採用しており、図１７のステップ５では図１４のステップ５と同様な設定が行われる。なお、図１７のフローチャートは、日精エー・エス・ビー機械（株）製のＰＢ機シリーズに共用されるフローチャートであり、ＰＦシリーズ機に不要な条件設定はスキップされる。なお、図１６のステップ６では、周囲の環境温度や加熱装置に冷却ブロアを設けた場合のエアー風速、温度、時間などが設定される。時間とは、加熱装置内にプリフォームが停止している時間や、加熱装置間で放冷されている時間などを意味する。図１７のステップ８〜１１は、図３のステップ６〜９と同じである。
【００７５】
この第３実施の形態においても、成形条件データを設定してボトルの肉厚分布をシミュレーションする操作を繰り返すことで、最適な成形条件データを設定することができる。
【００７６】
特に、射出成形されるプリフォームの設計段階でこの成形シミュレーション装置を用いれば、プリフォームの設計支援装置として利用することができる。
【００７７】
あるいは、図１６に示すブロー成形装置の成形者が成形条件例えば温度条件設定する際にこの成形シミュレーション装置を用いれば、成形条件設定支援装置として利用できる。
【００７８】
なお、本発明は上述した実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨の範囲内で種々の変形実施が可能である。ブロー成形される容器の肉厚分布は、ボトル及びプリフォームの形状と、ブロー成形直前のプリフォーム温度分布とに基づいて決定できる。従って、本発明の成形シミュレーション装置は、いかなるブロー成形機あるいは射出延伸ブロー成形機にてブロー成形される容器の肉厚分布のシミュレーションに適用できる。
【００７９】
また、耐熱容器の一次ブロー成形品の肉厚分布のシミュレーションにも本発明を適用できる。この場合のプロセスでは、プリフォームを一次ブローして一次ブロー成形品とし、その一次ブロー成形品を二次ブロー（最終ブロー）して二次ブロー（最終）成形品を得ることになる。プリフォーム及び一次ブロー成形品の形状データと、一次ブロー直前のプリフォームの温度分布を利用すれば、一次ブロー成形品の肉厚分布を特定することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態にて用いられる回転盤型の射出延伸ブロー成形装置の概略説明図である。
【図２】本発明の成形シミュレーションの装置のある一例であるコンピュータ本体及びその付属機器を示すブロック図である。
【図３】図１に示す装置にて成形される容器の肉厚分布を、図２の装置にてシミュレーションする動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図４】図３に示すステップ１の動作後の確認画面の概略説明図である。
【図５】図３に示すステップ２の形状データ設定画面の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図６】図３に示すステップ２の操作後に表示される確認画面の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図７】図３に示すステップ４の射出条件設定画面の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図８】図３に示すステップ５の温調条件設定画面の他の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図９】図３に示すステップ６にて表示されるブロー直前のプリフォームの温度分布の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図１０】図３に示すステップ７にて表示される容器の肉厚分布の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図１１】プリフォームの形状データの一部を変更した後に、図３に示すステップ７にて表示される容器の改善された肉厚分布の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図１２】プリフォームの形状データの一部をさらに変更した後に、図３に示すステップ７にて表示される容器のさらに改善された肉厚分布の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図１３】本発明の第２の実施の形態にて用いられるブロー成形装置の概略説明図である。
【図１４】図１３に示す装置にて成形される容器の肉厚分布を、図２の装置にてシミュレーションする動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図１５】図１４に示すステップ５の動作時に表示される画面の一例を示す概略説明図である。
【図１６】本発明の第３の実施の形態にて用いられるブロー成形装置の概略説明図である。
【図１７】図１６に示す装置にて成形される容器の肉厚分布を、図２の装置にてシミュレーションする動作を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１０ 射出成形ステーション
１２ 温調ステーション
１４ ブロー成形ステーション
１６ 取り出しステーション
１８ 射出装置
２０ コンピュータ本体
２１ ＣＰＵ
２２ ＲＡＭ
２３ ＲＯＭ
２４ ハードディスク
２５ 外部ドライバディスク
２６，２７ 入出力装置
３０ 外部ディスク
３１ 入力装置
３２ 出力装置
１００ 供給装置
１１０ 第１の温調装置
１２０ 第２の温調装置
１３０ ブロー成形装置
１４０ 取り出し装置
２００ プリフォーム
２１０ クウォーツヒータ
２２０ 反射板
２３０ バックプレート
３００ 射出成形ステーション
３１０ 射出装置
３２０ 射出成形部
３３０ 射出成形部
３４０ 冷却・取出部
４００ 移送ステーション
４１０ 受取部
４２０ 反転部
４３０ ピッチ変換部
４４０ 受渡部
５００ ブロー成形ステーション
５１０ 受取部
５２０ 温調部
５３０ ブロー成形部
５４０ 取出部[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a molding simulation apparatus for simulating the thickness distribution of a container blow-molded by a two-stage type (cold parison type) blow molding apparatus or a one-stage type (hot parison type) injection stretch blow molding apparatus, and The present invention relates to a program to be used and an information recording medium.
[0002]
[Background]
In order for a container blow-molded by a blow molding apparatus or an injection stretch blow molding apparatus to have commercial value, the thickness distribution of the container must be appropriately obtained.
[0003]
Conventionally, in order to satisfy the outer shape of a container desired by a bottle maker or beverage manufacturer, the molding condition data of each part of the blow molding device or the injection stretch blow molding device is adjusted based on experience, or the container is molded. The shape of the preform (parison) used was designed based on experience.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, these operations largely depend on the experience and intuition of skilled workers, and it has been necessary to adjust the molding conditions at various locations by trial and error based on past data and to design the preform shape.
[0005]
The object of the present invention is to simulate the thickness distribution of a container that is blow-molded using a computer, thereby supporting the proper preform design or setting of molding conditions to be set by the apparatus, and in a short time. An object of the present invention is to provide a molding simulation apparatus capable of easily determining a preform shape or molding conditions, a program used therefor, and an information recording medium.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The molding simulation apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is
  Means for setting the shape data of the final container to be molded;
  Be subject to blow moldingpreformMeans for setting the shape data of
  Just before blow moldingpreformMeans for setting temperature condition data affecting the temperature of
  Set abovepreformBased on the shape data and the temperature condition data, the just before blow moldingpreformA means for generating a temperature distribution of
  The final container and thepreformShape data and the just before blow moldingpreformMeans for generating a wall thickness distribution of the final container based on the temperature distribution of
Output means for displaying the temperature distribution of the preform and the wall thickness distribution of the final container;
It is characterized by having.
[0007]
  An important element of the properties required for the final container is the wall thickness distribution of the final container. To simulate this wall thickness distribution,preformAlong with the shape data of the final container,preformTemperature distribution is required. In one form of the present invention,preformTemperature condition data for blow molding targetpreformShape data and itspreformBy calculating from the temperature conditions that affect the temperature of the container, the thickness distribution of the container can be simulated.
[0008]
Here, the molded product to be blow-molded is a preform (parison) in a normal blow molding process.
[0009]
The temperature condition data that affects the temperature of the molded product immediately before blowing is, in the case of a preform, the temperature during the injection molding process, the temperature fluctuation after being taken out of the mold, etc. In the case of temperature control, the temperature control conditions are also taken into account.
[0010]
Another aspect of the present invention is a molding simulation apparatus for simulating the thickness distribution of a container obtained by blow molding after pre-molding a preform made of a molded resin material with a temperature control apparatus with a temperature control apparatus. Because
Means for setting shape data of the container to be molded;
Means for setting the shape data of the preform;
Means for setting temperature control condition data in the temperature control device;
Based on the shape data of the preform and the temperature control condition data in the temperature control device, means for generating a temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blowing,
Means for generating a thickness distribution of the container based on the temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blowing, the shape data of the container, and the shape data of the preform;
It is characterized by having.
[0011]
In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness distribution of a container molded by a two-stage method (cold parison method) is simulated.
[0012]
In this case, the object to be blow-molded into the final container is a preform (parison), and in the two-stage system, a preform at room temperature is put into the blow-molding apparatus, so the temperature distribution of the preform just before blowing is It can be specified based on the shape data and the temperature condition set in the temperature control device (heating device) for temperature control (heating) of the preform before blowing.
[0013]
  Still another aspect of the present invention is that a preform is injection-molded from a molding resin material, and the preform is adjusted to an appropriate temperature by a temperature control device.AdditionA molding simulation apparatus for simulating the thickness distribution of the container formed by an injection stretch blow molding apparatus that blows into a container after heating,
  Means for setting shape data of the container to be molded;
  Means for setting the shape data of the preform;
  Means for setting injection molding condition data of the preform;
  Means for setting temperature control condition data in the temperature control device;
  Based on the initial shape data of the preform, the injection molding condition data and the temperature control condition data in the temperature control device, means for generating a temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blowing,
  Means for generating a thickness distribution of the container based on the temperature distribution of the preform, the shape data of the container, and the shape data of the preform;
  It is characterized by having.
[0014]
In still another aspect of the present invention, the thickness distribution of a container formed by a one-stage method (hot parison method) is simulated. In this case, the temperature distribution of the preform immediately before the blow is obtained in consideration of the injection molding condition data not taken into account in the two-stage method.
[0015]
These molding simulation apparatuses can be used as a design support apparatus that changes the thickness distribution of the container by changing the shape data of the preform and supports the design of the shape of the preform.
[0016]
Alternatively, it can be used as a molding condition setting support device that changes the thickness distribution of the container by changing the temperature control condition data of the temperature control device and supports the setting of the temperature condition data of the temperature control device.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an apparatus for simulating the thickness distribution of a container blow-molded by a one-stage type (hot parison type) injection stretch blow molding apparatus will be described.
[0019]
(Description of injection stretch blow molding equipment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a rotary disk type injection stretch blow molding apparatus, for example, a schematic diagram of a machine known as an ASB machine series manufactured by Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd.
[0020]
In this machine, neck molds provided at four locations on a rotating disk (not shown) are intermittently rotated every 90 degrees and circulated and conveyed to an injection molding station 10, a temperature control station 12, a blow molding station 14, and a take-out station 16. It is.
[0021]
In the injection molding station 10, the resin material injected from the injection device 18 is filled into a cavity defined by a neck mold, an injection core mold, and an injection cavity mold through a hot runner mold and a gate. Injection molding of the reform.
[0022]
In the temperature control station 14, a heating core is disposed inside the preform held in the neck shape, and a heating pot is disposed around the preform, and a temperature distribution in the vertical direction is imparted to adjust the preform to an appropriate temperature for stretching. . The temperature control device of the present embodiment is a temperature control core and a temperature control pot.
[0023]
In the blow molding station 16, the preform held in the neck mold is clamped by a blow cavity mold and a blow core mold, and the preform is biaxially stretch blow molded into a container by blow air and a stretching rod.
[0024]
The take-out station 16 takes out the container from the neck type and carries it out of the apparatus.
[0025]
(Description of molding simulation device)
As shown in FIG. 2, the molding simulation apparatus of the present embodiment is configured by the computer main body 20 and its accessory devices 30 to 32, but may be incorporated in the injection stretch blow molding apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0026]
  A computer main body 20 shown in FIG. 2 is the same as a general personal computer main body, and a random access memory (RAM) 22, a read only memory (ROM) 23, a hard disk 24, a flexible disk are connected to a bus line of a CPU 21. , An external disk driver 25 for driving an external disk 30 such as a CD, an input / output device 26 connected to an input device 31 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a displayIAn input / output device 27 connected to an output device 32 such as a printer is connected.
[0027]
In this molding simulation apparatus, a program indicating a procedure for performing a molding simulation by a computer is stored in the ROM 23, the hard disk 24, or the external disk 30 shown in FIG. When the program is stored in the external disk 30, the external disk 30 becomes the information recording medium of the present invention.
[0028]
(Operation of molding simulation equipment)
The operation of this molding simulation apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0029]
In step 1 of FIG. 3, the shape data of the bottle to be molded is set and input via the input device 31 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the output device 32 of FIG. 2 after setting the bottle shape data. In FIG. 4, the outline of the bottle is expressed by a straight line and a curved line so that 14 locations that are the shape change points of the outline of the bottle are smoothly connected. At this time, the diameter, capacity, height and weight of the bottle are also set. These data are the bottle design NO. L5285 is stored in a storage device such as the RAM 22 shown in FIG.
[0030]
  In step 2 of FIG. 3, the shape data of the preform for forming the bottle shown in FIG. 4 is set and input. FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen displayed on the output device 32 of FIG. 2 after the setting input of this process. The preform shape data shown in FIG. 5 is expressed using X and Y coordinates. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis coordinate X0 indicating the horizontal axis length from the center line to the outer wall, the vertical axis coordinate Y0 indicating the height from the bottom to the outer wall, the wall thickness W, and the horizontal axis length from the center line to the inner wall are shown. Horizontal axis coordinate XI(X0-W)Is shown in units of mm for each of a total of seven positions, for example. These data are also included in the preform design NO. L5286R is stored in a storage device such as the RAM 22 shown in FIG.
[0031]
In order to simplify the setting of these numerical data, the current bottle shape data set in step 1 and the bottle shape data input in the past and stored in the storage device such as the hard disk 24 are stored. It is also possible to display candidate values based on the reform shape data.
[0032]
In addition, after completion | finish of step 1, 2, as shown in FIG. 6, you may display-output the screen which confirms the shape data of the set bottle and preform with the output device 32 shown in FIG.
[0033]
In step 3 of FIG. 3, a preform molding resin material is selected. Here, the following steps will be described assuming that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is selected as the molding resin material.
[0034]
In step 4 of FIG. 3, injection molding condition data for determining a profile in the process in which the resin fills the cavity from the gate is set. As an example, FIG. 7 shows an example of the condition setting screen displayed on the output device 32 of FIG. 2 in this step.
[0035]
In step 5 of FIG. 3, the temperature conditions in the temperature control device (temperature control core and temperature control pot) provided in the temperature control station 12 of FIG. 1 are set. FIG. 8 shows the temperature condition setting screen in step 5.
[0036]
Steps 1 to 5 are molding condition setting steps. In the subsequent steps, a simulation result based on the set condition data is displayed and output on the output device 31.
[0037]
In step 6 of FIG. 3, the preform is molded at the injection molding station 10, and the temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blow molding after temperature regulation by the temperature regulation device at the temperature regulation station 12 is output. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the temperature distribution of the preform displayed and output on the output device 32 of FIG. In this figure, the outer wall temperature is To, the inner wall temperature is Ti, and the temperature at the middle wall position is Te, and the temperature distribution at the vertical axis position of the preform is displayed.
[0038]
This temperature distribution is set in step 5, the shape data of the preform set in step 2, the molding resin material set in step 3, the profile in the injection molding process set in step 4, and the step 5. And the calculated temperature control condition. In addition, as the molding data unique to the preset injection stretch blow molding apparatus, it is also possible to consider data that affects the temperature immediately before blowing the preform other than the setting conditions in steps 2 to 4. . For example, the time from the release at the injection molding station 10 to the start of temperature control at the temperature control station 12 may be taken into account in calculating the temperature distribution.
[0039]
In step 7 of FIG. 3, the preform and bottle thickness distributions are output. FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed and output on the output device 32 of FIG.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, the degree of orientation of the molded resin material is used as an index in order to numerically evaluate the thickness distribution of the bottle. In this embodiment, MDE (Material Distribution Efficiency) is shown as a percentage as the index. This MDE is represented by the following formula (1), where A is the bottle surface area, W is the average bottle thickness, and ai and wi are the surface area and thickness values at each divided part of the bottle.
[0041]
[Expression 1]

[0042]
If the evaluation numerical value MDE is 85% or more, it is judged that the thickness distribution of the bottle is good, and in the example of FIG. 10, MDE = 93.33%, so the standard is cleared.
[0043]
Thereafter, in step 8 of FIG. 3, the drawing ratios inside and outside the preform are displayed as incidental information, and in step 9, the oxygen permeability and the CO2 permeability are displayed.
[0044]
Here, in the example of FIG. 10, there is a depression in the area indicated by the arrow A, and it can be visually recognized that the bottle shape is not preferable.
[0045]
Therefore, any one of the condition data in steps 2, 4, and 5 is changed to try to correct the bottle shape. Here, it returns to step 2 and changes a part of shape data of a preform.
[0046]
FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed and output on the output device 32 in FIG. 2 after changing part of the shape data of the preform in step 2 and performing steps 3 to 7 again.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 11, the thickness of the preform indicated by arrow B was changed to 4.22 mm (4.10 mm in FIG. 10). As a result, the depression of the bottle was slightly improved as indicated by arrow C. The MDE value also improved to 93.76%.
[0048]
In FIG. 12, as a result of changing the thickness of the preform indicated by the arrow D to 4.00 mm (4.10 mm in FIGS. 10 and 11), the depression of the bottle is further improved as indicated by the arrow E. The MDE value also improved to 94.09%.
[0049]
As described above, the optimum molding condition data can be set by repeating the operation of setting the molding condition data and simulating the thickness distribution of the bottle.
[0050]
In particular, if this molding simulation apparatus is used in the preform design stage, it can be used as a preform design support apparatus.
[0051]
Alternatively, if this molding simulation apparatus is used when the molding person sets molding conditions other than the shape data of the preform, for example, temperature conditions, it can be used as a molding condition setting support apparatus.
[0052]
<Second Embodiment>
Next, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an apparatus for simulating the thickness distribution of a container blow-molded by a blow molding apparatus used in a two-stage system (cold parison system) will be described.
[0053]
(Explanation of blow molding device and molding simulation device)
FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a blow molding apparatus for chain-conveying a conveyance block for holding a preform or a bottle upside down, and is a schematic diagram of a machine known as an NB series machine manufactured by Nissei ASB Machine Co. It is.
[0054]
In FIG. 13, a supply device 100, a first temperature adjustment device 110, a second temperature adjustment device 120, a blow molding device 130, and a take-out device 140 are provided in the middle of the rectangular chain conveyance path.
[0055]
The supply device 100 supplies a preform at room temperature that has been injection-molded by an injection molding device separate from the blow molding device. The first and second temperature control devices (heating devices) 110 and 120 are provided with a plurality of rod-shaped quartz heaters on one side and a reflector on the other side across the preform conveyance path. . The blow molding apparatus 130 is provided with a blow cavity mold and a mold clamping apparatus, and stretch blow-molds the preform into a bottle. The take-out device 140 takes out the molded bottle out of the device.
[0056]
Moreover, the molding simulation apparatus used for this blow molding apparatus is built in the blow molding apparatus, or comprises the computer main body 20 and its accessory devices 30 to 32 shown in FIG.
[0057]
(Operation of molding simulation equipment)
FIG. 14 shows a flowchart for carrying out a molding simulation in the blow molding apparatus shown in FIG. Steps 1, 2, and 4 in FIG. 14 are the same as steps 1, 2, and 3 in FIG. 3, and step 3 in FIG. The In addition, since this embodiment is a cold parison system, it is not necessary to set conditions for the injection molding process shown in step 4 of FIG.
[0058]
Step 5 in FIG. 14 corresponds to step 5 in FIG. Here, the determination of the heater output condition and the heater position in step 7 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0059]
FIG. 15 shows the setting screen in step 6. In both the first and second temperature control devices 110 and 120 shown in FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 15, a plurality of, for example, eight heaters such as quartz heaters are provided on one side across the conveyance path of the preform 200. 210 is disposed, and a reflector (REFLECTOR) 220 is disposed on the other side. A back plate 230 is disposed on the back of the quartz heater 210.
[0060]
As the “heater position”, the distance between the back plate 230 and the heater 210 and the distance between the heaters 210 are input in units (mm) as the positions of the eight heaters in FIG. As the “heater output condition”, the heater input power for the IDs 1 to 8 of eight heaters in FIG. 15 and for each of the groups 1 and 2 corresponding to the first and second temperature control devices 110 and 120, respectively. Is entered as a percentage.
[0061]
In Step 6, in addition to this, the time during which the preform is stopped in the first and second heating devices 110, 120 and the time during which the preform is stopped between the first and second heating devices 110, 120 ( Cooling time), the time during which the preform is stopped at the standby portion between the second heating device 120 and the blow molding device 130, the temperature of the cooling air in the first and second heating devices 110, 120, Various condition data such as wind speed and presence / absence of cooling can also be set.
[0062]
Step 6 in FIG. 14 is the same as step 7 in FIG. 3, but here, pearl and haze on the bottle surface are predicted.
[0063]
Steps 7 and 8 in FIG. 14 correspond to steps 7 to 8 in FIG. Note that the injection molding condition data is not considered in the thickness distribution of the bottle obtained in step 8 of FIG. This is because the preform put into the blow molding apparatus is at room temperature. It is also possible to set the temperature of the preform that is put into the blow molding apparatus. This is because a preform may be preheated before being put into the main molding apparatus, or a bottle may be produced by connecting an injection molding apparatus and the main blow molding apparatus in-line.
[0064]
Also in the second embodiment, the optimum molding condition data can be set by repeating the operation of setting the molding condition data and simulating the bottle thickness distribution. It is also possible to set optimum molding condition data using an automatic optimization program that determines all heater outputs by repeatedly setting only the heater outputs one by one and setting the optimum thickness.
[0065]
In particular, if this molding simulation apparatus is used at the design stage of a preform that is injection molded by an injection molding apparatus used in combination with the blow molding apparatus of FIG. 13, it can be used as a preform design support apparatus.
[0066]
Alternatively, if this molding simulation apparatus is used when a molding person of the blow molding apparatus shown in FIG. 13 sets molding conditions such as temperature conditions, it can be used as a molding condition setting support apparatus.
[0067]
  <Third Embodiment>
  Next, the thickness distribution of the container blow-molded by the injection stretch blow molding apparatus of a type different from that of the first embodiment will be described.SimuA third embodiment applied to the apparatus to be installed will be described.
[0068]
(Description of injection stretch blow molding device and molding simulation device)
FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory view of an injection stretch blow molding apparatus in which an injection molding station 300, a transfer station 400, and a blow molding station 500 are arranged on a common machine stand, for example, manufactured by Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd. It is a schematic diagram of a machine known as a PF machine series.
[0069]
The injection molding station 300 includes an injection device 310, an injection molding unit 320, and a cooling / extraction unit 330. The preform injection-molded in the upright state by the injection molding unit 320 is conveyed by a neck mold and a core mold, and is cooled by the cooling / removal unit 330 and then taken out.
[0070]
The transfer station 400 functions as a receiving unit 410 that receives the preform from the injection molding station 300, a pitch conversion unit 420 that converts the preform arrangement pitch from the injection molding pitch to the blow molding pitch, and the preform is inverted from an upright state. A reversing unit 430 for reversing the state and a delivery unit 440 for delivering the preform to the blow molding station 500 are provided. As long as the above functions are provided, it is possible to change the work order or to simultaneously perform two works.
[0071]
The blow molding station 500 includes a receiving unit 510 that receives the preform from the transfer station 400, a temperature control unit 520 that regulates the temperature of the preform, a blow molding unit 530 that blow-molds the preform into a bottle, and a take-out unit that takes the bottle out of the apparatus. 540.
[0072]
Moreover, the molding simulation apparatus used for this injection stretch blow molding apparatus is built in the injection stretch blow molding apparatus, or is constituted by the computer main body 20 and its accessory devices 30 to 32 shown in FIG.
[0073]
(Operation of molding simulation equipment)
FIG. 17 shows a flowchart for carrying out a molding simulation in the injection stretch blow molding apparatus shown in FIG. Steps 1 to 4 in FIG. 17 are the same as steps 1 to 4 in FIG. 3.
[0074]
Step 5 in FIG. 17 corresponds to step 5 in FIG. 14 (FIG. 15). Here, the temperature control unit 520 of FIG. 16 also adopts the same structure as the first and second temperature control devices 110 and 120 of FIG. 13, and step 5 of FIG. 17 is the same as step 5 of FIG. Settings are made. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 17 is a flowchart shared by the PB machine series manufactured by Nissei ASB Machine Co., Ltd., and unnecessary condition setting for the PF series machine is skipped. In step 6 of FIG. 16, the ambient air temperature, the air velocity, temperature, time, etc. when a cooling blower is provided in the heating device are set. The time means the time that the preform is stopped in the heating device, the time that the preform is allowed to cool between the heating devices, and the like. Steps 8 to 11 in FIG. 17 are the same as steps 6 to 9 in FIG.
[0075]
Also in the third embodiment, the optimum molding condition data can be set by repeating the operation of setting the molding condition data and simulating the bottle thickness distribution.
[0076]
In particular, if this molding simulation apparatus is used at the design stage of a preform to be injection molded, it can be used as a preform design support apparatus.
[0077]
Alternatively, if this molding simulation apparatus is used when a molding person of the blow molding apparatus shown in FIG. 16 sets molding conditions, for example, temperature conditions, it can be used as a molding condition setting support apparatus.
[0078]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The thickness distribution of the blow molded container can be determined based on the shape of the bottle and preform and the preform temperature distribution immediately before blow molding. Therefore, the molding simulation apparatus of the present invention can be applied to the simulation of the wall thickness distribution of a container blow-molded by any blow molding machine or injection stretch blow molding machine.
[0079]
The present invention can also be applied to simulation of the wall thickness distribution of a primary blow molded product of a heat-resistant container. In the process in this case, the preform is subjected to primary blow to form a primary blow molded product, and the primary blow molded product is subjected to secondary blow (final blow) to obtain a secondary blow (final) molded product. By using the shape data of the preform and the primary blow-molded product and the temperature distribution of the preform immediately before the primary blow, the thickness distribution of the primary blow-molded product can be specified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view of a rotary disk type injection stretch blow molding apparatus used in a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a computer main body and its accessory devices as an example of a molding simulation apparatus according to the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing an operation of simulating the thickness distribution of a container molded by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 using the apparatus shown in FIG.
4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a confirmation screen after the operation of Step 1 shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a shape data setting screen in step 2 shown in FIG. 3;
6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen displayed after the operation in step 2 shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of an injection condition setting screen in step 4 shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing another example of the temperature adjustment condition setting screen in step 5 shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a temperature distribution of a preform immediately before blowing displayed in step 6 shown in FIG. 3;
10 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a container wall thickness distribution displayed in step 7 shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of an improved thickness distribution of the container displayed in step 7 shown in FIG. 3 after changing a part of the shape data of the preform.
12 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a further improved thickness distribution of the container displayed in step 7 shown in FIG. 3 after further changing a part of the shape data of the preform. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a blow molding apparatus used in the second embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a flowchart showing an operation of simulating the thickness distribution of a container molded by the apparatus shown in FIG. 13 using the apparatus shown in FIG.
15 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen displayed during the operation of step 5 shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a blow molding apparatus used in the third embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a flowchart showing an operation of simulating the thickness distribution of a container molded by the apparatus shown in FIG. 16 using the apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Injection molding station
12 Temperature control station
14 Blow molding station
16 Picking station
18 Injection equipment
20 Computer body
21 CPU
22 RAM
23 ROM
24 hard disk
25 External driver disk
26, 27 I / O device
30 External disk
31 Input device
32 output device
100 feeder
110 1st temperature control apparatus
120 Second temperature control device
130 Blow molding equipment
140 Extraction device
200 preform
210 quartz heater
220 reflector
230 Back plate
300 Injection molding station
310 Injection device
320 Injection molding part
330 Injection molding part
340 Cooling / removal part
400 transfer station
410 Receiving part
420 Inversion part
430 Pitch converter
440 Delivery Department
500 Blow molding station
510 Receiver
520 Temperature control section
530 Blow molding part
540 Extraction department

Claims (8)

Means for setting the shape data of the final container to be molded;
Means for setting the shape data of a preform to be blow molded,
Means for setting temperature condition data affecting the temperature of the preform immediately before blow molding;
Based on the set shape data of the preform and the temperature condition data, means for generating a temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blow molding;
Shape data of the final container and the preform, and means based on the temperature distribution of the preform just before being blown to produce a thickness distribution of the final container,
Output means for displaying the temperature distribution of the preform and the wall thickness distribution of the final container;
A molding simulation apparatus comprising: A molding simulation device for simulating a wall thickness distribution of a container obtained by blow molding after a preform made of a molded resin material is temperature-controlled at an appropriate temperature by a temperature control device with a blow molding device,
Means for setting shape data of the container to be molded;
Means for setting the shape data of the preform;
Means for setting temperature control condition data in the temperature control device;
Based on the shape data of the preform and the temperature control condition data in the temperature control device, means for generating a temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blowing,
Means for generating a thickness distribution of the container based on the temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blowing, the shape data of the container, and the shape data of the preform;
A molding simulation apparatus comprising: The preform from the molding resin material by injection molding, simulate the thickness distribution of the container to be molded by injection stretch blow molding apparatus for blow molding into a container after heating pressurized to stretch suitable temperature of the preform at the temperature controller A molding simulation device for
Means for setting shape data of the container to be molded;
Means for setting the shape data of the preform;
Means for setting injection molding condition data of the preform;
Means for setting temperature control condition data in the temperature control device;
Based on the shape data of the preform, the injection molding condition data, and the temperature control condition data in the temperature control device, means for generating a temperature distribution of the preform immediately before blowing,
Means for generating a thickness distribution of the container based on the temperature distribution of the preform, the shape data of the container, and the shape data of the preform;
A molding simulation apparatus comprising: In claim 3,
  The temperature control device has a temperature control core and a temperature control pot,
  The means for setting the temperature control condition data sets temperature conditions in the temperature control core and the temperature control pot. In claim 2 or 3,
  The temperature control device has a plurality of heaters and a reflector that are arranged to face each other with a preform interposed therebetween,
  The molding simulation apparatus characterized in that the means for setting the temperature control condition data is inputted with positional conditions of the plurality of heaters and output conditions of the plurality of heaters. In any of claims 2 to 5,
  The molding simulation apparatus characterized in that the means for setting the temperature control condition data is inputted with a time condition during which the preform is stopped to the temperature control apparatus. A program having a procedure for causing each of the means of the molding simulation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to be executed by a computer.   An information recording medium storing the program according to claim 7.

Images