JP5711059B2 - Setting data management method for injection molding machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a setting data management method for an injection molding machine for managing setting data relating to a plurality of molding conditions registered in a molding machine controller.

  Generally, when an injection molding machine is operated, various data including molding conditions are set (registered) in advance in the molding machine controller in order to produce a good molded product. In addition, since it is necessary to make subtle adjustments (changes) according to changes in material lots, changes in outside air temperature, etc., general operators change setting data on the setting screen as necessary. Since the data includes finely adjusted data and safety-related data, etc., if unnecessary changes are made due to lack of knowledge or mistakes by general operators, there is a risk that it may hinder the continuation of production. There are also measures to avoid such unnecessary changes.

  Conventionally, as a setting data management method in which such measures are taken, a system parameter setting method for an injection molding machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 proposed by the present applicant is already known. This setting method prevents unnecessary troubles by preventing easy operation by the user and protecting the system parameters even when the system parameters are set on the screen displayed on the display. Specifically, all or some of the system parameters that determine the basic state of the injection molding machine are classified into different groups, that is, a group related to assembly adjustment, a group related to machine specifications, and a group related to operation settings. A setting key for setting each parameter is displayed on the screen in units of classified groups, and setting by the setting key is permitted on condition that a password is input.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-1555066

  However, the conventional system parameter setting method (setting data management method) of the injection molding machine described above also has the following problems to be solved.

  First, system parameters (setting data) are classified into groups related to assembly adjustment, groups related to machine specifications, and groups related to operation settings, and setting restrictions have been set for these groups. It is not possible to function effectively for this case. For example, it cannot function effectively for a large number of molding conditions having various properties belonging to a group related to operation setting, and eventually it is useless for some setting data due to lack of knowledge or mistakes of general operators. The change may cause troubles such as molding failure and operation stop.

  Second, when setting permission or restriction is applied uniformly to setting data such as molding conditions that are precisely set based on know-how, easy operation by general operators is prevented, system parameters, etc. However, it is not always possible to permit or limit changes without considering the nature of each setting data from the viewpoint of ensuring the necessary molding conditions and continuing production. It was not a desirable measure, and there was room for further improvement in terms of how it was restricted.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a setting data management method for an injection molding machine that solves the problems existing in the background art.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the setting data management method for the injection molding machine M according to the present invention manages a plurality of registered setting data D1 related to molding conditions registered in the molding machine controller 2. The setting screen displaying the setting data D1... Is permitted to change the plurality of setting data D1... On the condition that the predetermined password is authenticated, and the password for the plurality of setting data D1. The setting of the restriction release item F1, which is a setting item corresponding to the individual setting data D1 in the plurality of setting data D1, and the change range Z1 in the restriction release item F1,. Restriction setting that displays the visual display part Ep ... indicating that it is the restriction release item F1 ... at the time of change that permits setting of ... and does not require password authentication Display surface Vx, characterized in that a limit setting mode which allows the change of the change area Z1 ... only in limited cancellation items F1 ... and the restriction cancellation item F1 ....

  In this case, according to a preferred aspect of the invention, when the setting data D1... In the restriction release items F1... Is changed on the restriction setting screen Vx, the change ranges Z1. The numeric keypad input display portion Wm can be displayed. In addition, a normal setting mode that allows the setting data D1 to be changed without limitation is provided on a setting screen displaying a plurality of setting data D1, and the normal setting mode and the limit setting mode can be switched. Is desirable.

  According to the setting data management method of the injection molding machine M according to the present invention by such a method, the following remarkable effects are obtained.

  (1) On the condition that a predetermined password is authenticated, the change of the plurality of setting data D1... Is permitted, and the setting data D1. Restriction that allows only the restriction release item F1 to be changed when the restriction release item F1... Is displayed on the restriction setting screen Vx while permitting the setting of the restriction release item F1. Since the setting mode is provided, it is possible to avoid a problem that unnecessary changes are made to some molding conditions due to lack of knowledge or mistakes of general operators. Therefore, troubles such as occurrence of molding defects and operation stop can be prevented.

  (2) When setting the restriction release item F1..., The setting data D1... Corresponding to each restriction release item F1. In the screen Vx, since the change of the setting data D1... Is limited to the change range Z1..., For example, the change range Z1. ... can be set flexibly in consideration of the nature (importance) of the molding conditions, such as a wide setting, and even general operators can change (set) the molding conditions to more appropriate ones.

  (3) On the restriction setting screen Vx, since the visual display part Ep ... indicating that the restriction release item F1 ... is displayed on the restriction release item F1 ..., the general operator displays the restriction release item F1 ... It can be easily confirmed, and the setting data D1... In the restriction release items F1... Can be accurately changed by comparing with other setting data.

  (4) When the setting data D1... Is changed in each restriction release item F1... On the restriction setting screen Vx according to a preferred embodiment, the numeric keypad input displaying the change range Z1. If the display portion Wm is displayed, each setting data D1... Can be changed with reference to the change range Z1... Displayed on the numeric keypad input display portion Wm. Therefore, the change range of the setting data D1. In consideration of Z1... And importance, more appropriate changes can be easily performed.

  (5) According to a preferred embodiment, a normal setting mode is provided that allows the setting data D1... To be changed without limitation on a setting screen displaying a plurality of setting data D1. Can be switched, it is possible to select an appropriate setting mode corresponding to the knowledge level and experience level of the general operator in charge of the injection molding machine M.

The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the restriction | limiting setting mode in the setting data management method which concerns on suitable embodiment of this invention, Outline diagram of an injection molding machine that can implement the setting data management method, Block diagram of a molding machine controller for the injection molding machine, A display diagram of a support screen displayed on the display of the molding machine controller used in the setting data management method; Management mode window displayed on the display, Display diagram of restriction setting screen displayed on the display, A display of the numeric keypad input display window displayed on the restriction setting screen, Display figure of setting key display window displayed on the same restriction setting screen, Display diagram of the collective setting screen displayed on the display, Display of other restriction setting screens displayed on the display, A display diagram of a set change screen (a) and a numeric keypad input display (b) displayed on the display;

  Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be given and described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an injection molding machine M that can implement the setting data management method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 2, M indicated by an imaginary line is an injection molding machine, which includes a machine base Mb, an injection device Mi and a mold clamping device Mc installed on the machine base Mb. The injection device Mi includes a heating cylinder 11, an injection nozzle that does not appear in the drawing at the front end of the heating cylinder 11, and a hopper 12 that supplies material to the rear of the heating cylinder 11. On the other hand, the mold clamping device Mc includes a mold 13 composed of a movable mold and a fixed mold. Further, a display unit 15 is attached to the side panel 14 erected on the machine base Mb, and the display unit 15 is connected to the molding machine controller 2 (FIG. 3) built in the machine base Mb.

  FIG. 3 shows a block system diagram of the molding machine controller 2. Reference numeral 21 denotes a CPU, and a chip set 23 is connected to the CPU 21 via an internal bus 22. Further, a bus line 24 using a local bus such as a PCI bus is connected to the chip set 23 to constitute an HMI (Human Machine Interface) control system. Therefore, an internal memory 25 including various memories such as RAM and ROM is connected to the bus line 24. Further, the bus line 24 is connected to the display unit 15 described above via a display interface 26 and a drive unit 29 that reads and writes data from / to a storage medium 28 such as a memory card via an input / output interface 27. . In this case, the display unit 15 includes a display 15d such as a color liquid crystal display provided with a touch panel 15p.

  On the other hand, a bus line 30 similar to the bus line 24 is connected to the chip set 23 to constitute a PLC (programmable logic controller) control system. For this reason, the bus line 30 is connected with an input / output interface 31 for giving switching data Di such as a switch to the CPU 21 and giving control command data Do obtained from the CPU 21 to the corresponding actuator, and detection signals of various sensors. An input / output interface 32 is connected to apply Si to the CPU 21 after analog-to-digital conversion, and to apply a control signal So obtained by digital-to-analog conversion of control command data obtained from the CPU 21 to the corresponding actuator. Thus, a predetermined feedback control system and an open loop control system are configured.

  Therefore, the internal memory 25 stores the PLC program and the HMI program and various processing programs. The PLC program is software for realizing the sequence operation of various processes in the injection molding machine M, the monitoring of the injection molding machine M, and the HMI program is the setting and display of operation parameters of the injection molding machine M, injection This is software for realizing display of operation monitoring data of the molding machine M and the like. These software are constructed as a unique architecture of the injection molding machine M on which the molding machine controller 2 is mounted, and in particular, can execute the processing of the setting data management method according to the present embodiment.

  Various screens are displayed on the display 15d in correspondence with the processing of the setting data management method according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a state where the password input window Wi is displayed on the support screen Vu displayed on the display 15d. In this case, a plurality of screen switching keys K1, K2,... For switching the screen are displayed on the upper and lower stages of the support screen Vu. The screen switching keys K1... Are ranked in consideration of the frequency of use, and in the upper part, “mold opening / closing screen” switching key K1, “ejector screen” switching key K2, “injection / weighing screen” switching key K3. , “Temperature screen” switching key K4, “Monitor screen” switching key K5, “Main condition screen” switching key K6, “Condition switching screen” switching key K7, the first group Ga related to setting of operating conditions of the molding machine Are arranged in a horizontal row, and in the lower row, other “operation switch screen” switching key K8, “process monitoring screen” switching key K9, “production information screen” switching key K10, “waveform screen” switching key K11, A second group Gb having a “history screen” switch key K12 and a “support screen” switch key K13 for displaying the support screen Vu shown in FIG. 4 is arranged in a horizontal row. Each switching key K1... Is displayed in the same shape at the same position even when the support screen Vu is switched to another screen. Kc represents a switching key for switching to the second layer screen.

  Next, a processing procedure of the setting data management method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a processing procedure in which the administrator sets the restriction setting mode in the setting data management method according to the present embodiment will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1 with reference to FIGS.

  First, the administrator touches the “support screen” switching key K13 to display the support screen Vu shown in FIG. 4 on the display 15d. In this case, the manager means not the manager on the organization but the manager of the injection molding machine M who can sufficiently use the injection molding machine M. Further, since the “management mode” key 41 is displayed at the lower right position on the support screen Vu, the “management mode” key 41 is touched (ON) (step S1). As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, an input window Wi for inputting a password is displayed on the support screen Vu, and a numeric keypad input window (not shown) is displayed. Is input (step S2). Reference numeral 42 denotes an “OK” key, and 43 denotes a “cancel” key.

  When the password is authenticated, the management mode window Wc shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (step S3). Since this management mode window Wc has an “item setting mode” key 44, the “item setting mode” key 44 is touched (ON). Thereby, the restriction setting screen Vx shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (steps S4 and S5). This restriction setting screen Vx is the same as the normal injection / weighing screen (setting screen) displayed when the “injection / weighing screen” switching key K3 is touched, but it is different from the normal setting screen. As shown in FIG. 6, a red line frame 45 surrounding the entire screen is displayed, a character “restriction management mode” 46 drawn in a yellow field is displayed at the upper left of the screen, The setting items are displayed in a light color.

  Thus, since the default screen of the restriction setting screen Vx is in a state where all the setting items are restricted, the administrator uses this screen to change the setting items that can be changed by the general operator to the restriction release item F1. ... Are designated (set), and a change range Z1... Is set that allows the setting data D1... Corresponding to the restriction release item F1.

  Hereinafter, a specific setting method will be described. Assume that the administrator selects “VP switching position” as a setting item that can be changed by a general operator. In this case, the administrator first touches (ON) the “VP switching position” setting key 51 displayed on the restriction setting screen Vx (step S6). In addition, each setting key 51... Including the setting key 51 basically serves as a key function and a display function for displaying the setting data D1. Therefore, in the case of the VP switching position setting key 51, “VP switching position” (setting item) is displayed above the setting key 51, and the setting data D 1 (example is “ 8.0 mm ") is displayed.

  When the “VP switching position” setting key 51 is touched, a red line frame 51z is displayed around the “VP switching position” setting key 51 as shown in FIG. The “−P switching position” setting key 51 is switched from a light color to a dark color (normal color), and is set as a restriction release item F1. In this case, the displayed line frame 51z and dark color (normal color) are displayed as a visual display part Ep indicating that the restriction release item F1. If such a visual display part Ep is displayed, the general operator can easily confirm that it is the restriction release item F1, and compare the setting data D1 in the restriction release item F1 by comparing with other setting data. There is an advantage that changes can be made accurately.

  Further, the numeric keypad input display portion Wm shown in FIG. 7 is displayed in a window on the restriction setting screen Vx (step S7). This numeric keypad input display section Wm includes an item display section 51a, a numeric keypad input section 51b, a maximum range display section 51c (illustrated as “0.00 to 112.00 mm”), a “setting permission” key 51d, and a setting range display section 51e. Have. In this case, the default value (maximum range) at the time of factory shipment is first displayed on the setting range display portion 51e. Therefore, when the change in the maximum range is permitted without setting the change range Z1, the “setting permission” key 51d may be touched (ON) as it is (steps S8 and S9). As a result, the restriction release item F1 is properly set, and the numeric keypad input display portion Wm is closed.

  On the other hand, it is possible to set a change range Z1 that allows a change to the setting data D1 corresponding to the restriction release item F1 using the numeric keypad input display portion Wm. When setting the change range Z1, the minimum value display portion 51es of the setting range display portion 51e in the numeric keypad input display portion Wm is touched, the minimum value is input by the numeric keypad input portion 51b, and the maximum value display portion 51em is touched. Then, the maximum value is input through the numeric keypad input unit 51b. Thereby, the change range Z1 from the minimum value to the maximum value can be set (steps S8 and S10). When the setting of the change range Z1 is completed, the “setting permission” key 51d is touched (ON) (step S9). As a result, the numeric keypad input display portion Wm is closed, and the restriction release processing for the “VP switching position” ends (step S11). Therefore, the general operator can change the setting data D1 corresponding to the “VP switching position” only in the change range Z1 limited by the administrator.

  In this way, when setting the restriction release item F1, if it is possible to set the change range Z1 that allows change to the setting data D1 corresponding to the restriction release item F1, for example, molding with high importance It is possible to make flexible settings that take into account the properties (importance) of molding conditions, such as setting the change range Z1 ... narrowly under conditions and setting the change range Z1 ... wide under low-importance molding conditions. Even so, there is an advantage that the molding conditions can be changed more appropriately.

  As described above, the “VP switching position” has been described as the setting item to be set in the restriction release item F1, but other setting items F2... Can be similarly set by arbitrarily selecting them (steps). S12, S6 ...). In FIG. 6, as other setting items F2,. A case where “holding pressure (first stage)” is set to the restriction release item F3 by using the “holding pressure” setting key 54 is illustrated as an example.

  In order to execute the limit setting mode based on the set limit contents, the “limit setting mode” key 47 shown in FIG. 5 is touched (ON). Thereby, the molding machine controller 2 can be set to the restriction setting mode (steps S13 and S14). Thereafter, if the “end” key 48 is touched, the management mode window Wc is closed, and the setting of the limit setting mode is ended (step S15). The contents set in the limit setting mode are maintained even if the operation of the injection molding machine M is stopped. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the limit setting mode immediately after setting. Therefore, if the “limit setting mode” key 47 shown in FIG. 5 is kept OFF and the “end” key 48 is touched, the normal setting mode can be maintained without setting the limit setting mode (step S13, S13). S15, S16). The normal setting mode is a setting mode in which each setting data D1... Can be changed without limitation by a setting screen displaying a plurality of setting data D1. Thus, if the normal setting mode and the limit setting mode can be switched, there is an advantage that an appropriate setting mode corresponding to the knowledge level and experience level of the general operator in charge of the injection molding machine M can be selected. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 49 denotes a “clear” key for collectively clearing the set restriction release items F1,.

  On the other hand, when the restriction setting mode is set, the change processing by the general operator for the setting data D1... Is restricted as follows.

  First, the injection / metering screen (setting screen) is displayed as a restriction setting screen Vx as shown in FIG. Therefore, the general operator can know that the restriction setting mode is set by the red line frame 45 and the character “restriction management mode” 46 drawn in the yellow field, and the red line frame 51z. Thus, it is possible to know which item is the molding condition (limit release item F1...) That can be changed by the user. Therefore, if necessary, each setting key 51... On which the red line frame 51 z... Is displayed is touched (ON), and the change range Z1 set for the setting data D1. Can be changed according to ...

  As described above, according to the setting data management method according to the present embodiment, on the condition that a predetermined password is authenticated, the change of the plurality of setting data D1... Is permitted and the plurality of setting data D1. When the restriction release item F1... Corresponding to the individual setting data D1... Enabling the change that does not require password authentication is permitted, and the restriction release item F1. Since the restriction setting mode that enables only the restriction release item F1... To be changed is provided, it is possible to avoid a problem that unnecessary changes are made to some molding conditions due to lack of knowledge or mistakes of general operators. Therefore, troubles such as occurrence of molding defects and operation stop can be prevented.

  Next, a modified embodiment of the setting data management method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows setting data having a property different from that of the restriction release item F1. That is, in the case of the example, since the “nozzle touch molding” setting key 55 is provided at the lower left of the screen, it is possible to set whether or not the switching operation of the “nozzle touch molding” setting key 55 is permitted. In this case, if the “nozzle touch molding” setting key 55 is touched, the setting window Ws shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, so the “setting permission” key 56 is touched (ON), and then the enter key 57 is touched ( ON), the permission can be confirmed and the setting window Ws is closed. Reference numeral 58 denotes a close key. As described above, in the setting data D1... In the present invention (this embodiment), not only the molding conditions in the molding process, but also the selection factors for performing such “nozzle touch molding” include molding conditions (setting data). )include. In addition, in FIG. 8, the same parts as those in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, the configuration thereof is clarified, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 shows a set setting screen Vss that can be collectively set by the administrator when setting the change range Z1,... Therefore, the condition that the set setting screen Vss is displayed is that the password is authenticated. In the example, since six setting items are displayed as a list, for example, when the administrator selects the “VP switching position” described above, the minimum value display portion 61es of the setting range display portion 61e is displayed. Touch and input the minimum value with the numeric keypad input unit (not shown), touch the maximum value display unit 61em, and input the maximum value with the numeric keypad input unit, the change range Z1 from the minimum value to the maximum value can be obtained. Can be set. Thereafter, the setting is confirmed by touching (ON) the “setting permission” key 61d. Even in this case, the restriction setting screen Vx is displayed in the same manner as in the case of FIG. The same setting can be made for other setting items. If such a set setting screen Vss is used, the change range Z1... In all restriction release items F1... Can be set using the set setting screen Vss. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency and efficiency, and improve convenience, and to perform more accurate setting in consideration of other restriction release items.

  FIG. 10 shows a modification of the display method of the restriction setting screen Vx, which is shown as a reference example. In the case of the restriction setting screen Vx shown in FIG. 6, the fact that it is the restriction release item F1... Can be known by the visual display unit Ep..., But the restriction setting screen Vx shown in FIG. The setting items (setting keys and / or setting data) are not displayed. Therefore, in this case, the line frame 51z displayed around the setting keys 51 is not provided. Further, the display of the setting keys 51... Is not performed, but the process of switching from the light color to the dark color (normal color) is not performed, and the dark color (normal color) is displayed from the beginning. In the case of the example, the line frame 45 surrounding the entire screen is displayed in green, and the background color of the column displaying the character “restriction management mode” 46 is also green, so that the display method of FIG. 6 and the display method of FIG. Can be made selectable. In this way, if the setting items other than the restriction release items F1... Are hidden, only the restriction release items F1... Can be displayed, so that the general operator can change the restriction release items F1. is there.

  FIG. 11 (a) shows a set change screen portion Vsc that a general operator can collectively change the restriction release items F1,. This set change screen section Vsc basically has the same function as the set setting screen section Vss shown in FIG. FIG. 11B shows a numeric keypad input display section Wo for inputting numerical values to the set change screen section Vsc. In the exemplary set change screen portion Vsc, six setting items F1... Are displayed as a list. Therefore, for example, when the general operator selects the “VP switching position” described above, the “VP switching position” setting key 71 on the set change screen portion Vsc shown in FIG. Then, the numeric keypad input display section Wo shown in FIG. 11B is displayed. The numeric keypad input display unit Wo includes an item display unit 71a, a numeric keypad input unit 71b, a change range display unit 71c, and a close key 71d. In particular, the change range display portion 71c displays the change range Z1... Set in the limit setting mode. Therefore, the general operator can change the setting data D1... With reference to the change range Z1.

  In the case of the example, the “VP switching position” has a change range of “0.00 to 112.00 mm” as shown in FIG. 6 if not limited, but in FIG. Z1 is limited to “7.5 to 8.5 mm”. In this case, if a numerical value to be changed is input by the numeric keypad input unit 71 b, it is displayed on the “VP switching position” setting key 71. If the close key 71d is touched after the setting is completed, the numeric keypad input display section Wo is closed. Further, similar changes can be made to the setting data D2 related to other setting items. If such a set change screen portion Vsc is used, the set change screen portion Vsc can be used to change the setting data D1... Of all restriction release items F1. There is an advantage that it is possible to improve the efficiency and efficiency, and to improve convenience, and to perform more accurate setting in consideration of other setting data.

  The preferred embodiment (modified embodiment) has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and the gist of the present invention is described in detail configuration, arrangement, quantity, technique, and the like. Any change, addition, or deletion can be made without departing from the scope.

  For example, when setting the restriction release item F1..., The case where the setting of the change range Z1... Enabling the change to the setting data D1. It is not something to do. Further, the set setting screen part Vss and the set change screen part Vsc can be used as necessary, and are not essential components. Furthermore, the normal setting mode is provided, and the case where the normal setting mode and the limit setting mode can be switched is illustrated. However, since the limit can be canceled even in the limit setting mode, the normal setting mode is also an essential component. Absent. Note that the password input is an authentication means for the administrator, and any other authentication such as fingerprint reading is included in the concept of password input. In addition, the molding conditions include not only the setting items shown as an example, but also setting items (setting data) in various peripheral devices, such as a mold attachment process and an automatic purge process, as necessary. Further, it does not matter whether the setting data D1... Is built in the molding machine controller 2 or not. That is, it includes a case where it is registered in the external storage medium 28 and connected to the molding machine controller 2 for use.

  The setting data management method according to the present invention can be used for various injection molding machines having a function of managing setting data related to a plurality of molding conditions registered in the molding machine controller.

  2: molding machine controller, M: injection molding machine, D1 ... setting data, Z1 ...: change range, F1 ...: restriction release item, Vx: restriction setting screen, Wm: numeric keypad input display, Ep ...: visual display

Claims (3)

  An injection molding machine setting data management method for managing a plurality of setting data relating to molding conditions registered in a molding machine controller, wherein a predetermined screen is displayed on a setting screen displaying the plurality of registered setting data. The plurality of settings that permit the change of the plurality of setting data on the condition that the password of the plurality of passwords is authenticated, and that allows the change without requiring authentication of the password to the plurality of setting data. The setting of the restriction release item that is a setting item corresponding to each setting data in the data and the setting of the change range in the restriction release item are permitted, and at the time of the change that does not require authentication of the password, the restriction release item. Display the restriction setting screen displaying the visual display section to the effect, and change only the change range in the restriction release item and the restriction release item. Setting data management method of an injection molding machine, characterized in that a limit setting mode for ability.   The numeric key entry display section displaying the change range corresponding to each restriction release item is displayed on the restriction setting screen when changing the setting data in each restriction release item. Setting data management method for injection molding machines.   A normal setting mode that allows each setting data to be changed without limitation by a setting screen displaying the plurality of setting data, wherein the normal setting mode and the limit setting mode can be switched. The method of managing setting data for an injection molding machine according to claim 1 or 2.

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