JP7479904B2 - Injection molding machine system, injection molding machine, information processing device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to injection molding machine systems, etc.

For example, industrial machines such as injection molding machines are known (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-133378 A

However, when an industrial machine is stopped (powered off), the data relating to the control of the industrial machine immediately before it was stopped may not be stored in the non-volatile storage medium and may not be available the next time the machine is started (powered on). As a result, in some cases, the industrial machine may not be able to be controlled appropriately.

In view of the above problems, the objective is to provide a technology that can more appropriately control industrial machinery such as injection molding machines.

In order to achieve the above object, in one embodiment of the present disclosure,
a plurality of injection molding machines each transmitting data regarding control conditions to an external device;
an external device that receives data on the control conditions transmitted from each of the plurality of injection molding machines;
the external device determines whether or not there is a relative decline in the reliability of each of the multiple injection molding machines based on data related to the reliability of the injection molding machine, which data is a type different from the data related to the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine, and, triggered by the relative decline in the reliability of the injection molding machine, transmits to the injection molding machine the data related to the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine, which data is immediately before the reliability of the injection molding machine becomes relatively declined.
An injection molding machine system is provided.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure,
receiving data on control conditions from each of a plurality of other injection molding machines , judging, for each of the plurality of other injection molding machines, whether or not there is a relative decline in the reliability of the other injection molding machine based on data on the reliability of the other injection molding machine which is a type of data different from the data on the control conditions already received from the other injection molding machines, and using the relative decline in the reliability of the other injection molding machine as a trigger , transmitting to the other injection molding machine the data on the control conditions already received from the other injection molding machine which is the data immediately before the reliability of the other injection molding machine becomes relatively declined;
An injection molding machine is provided.

In still another embodiment of the present disclosure,
receiving data on control conditions from each of a plurality of injection molding machines, judging, for each of the plurality of injection molding machines, whether or not there is a relative decline in the reliability of the injection molding machine based on data on the reliability of the injection molding machine which is a type different from the data on the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine, and using the relative decline in the reliability of the injection molding machine as a trigger, transmitting to the injection molding machine the data on the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine which is the data immediately before the reliability of the injection molding machine becomes relatively declined;
An information processing device is provided.

The above-described embodiment provides a technology that enables more appropriate control of industrial machines such as injection molding machines.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an injection molding machine management system including an injection molding machine. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an injection molding machine management system including an injection molding machine. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a configuration related to a backup function of the injection molding machine management system. 1 is a state transition diagram illustrating an example of a method for monitoring the power supply state of an injection molding machine. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of an operation related to a backup function of the injection molding machine management system.

The following describes the embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of injection molding machine management system]
First, the configuration of an injection molding machine management system SYS (an example of an injection molding machine system) according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of an injection molding machine management system SYS according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine 1 when mold opening is complete, and Figure 2 shows a side cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine 1 when mold clamping is complete. Hereinafter, in the drawings of this embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other, the positive and negative directions of the X-axis (hereinafter simply "X direction") and the positive and negative directions of the Y-axis (hereinafter simply "Y direction") represent the horizontal direction, and the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis (hereinafter simply "Z direction") represent the vertical direction.

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

The injection molding machine management system SYS may include one or two injection molding machines 1, or it may include four or more injection molding machines.

<Configuration of injection molding machine>
The injection molding machine 1 performs a series of operations to obtain a molded product.

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

For example, the injection molding machine 1 transmits (uploads) data on the operating status of the injection molding machine 1 (hereinafter, "operating status data") to the management device 2 via the communication line NW. This allows the management device 2 (or its manager or operator, etc.) to grasp the operating status and manage the timing of maintenance of the injection molding machine 1 and the operating schedule of the injection molding machine 1. In addition, the management device 2 generates data on the control of the injection molding machine 1 (e.g., molding conditions, etc.) based on the operating status data of the injection molding machine 1 and transmits it to the injection molding machine 1, thereby controlling the injection molding machine 1 from outside.

For example, the injection molding machine 1, as a master machine, may monitor and control the operation of other injection molding machines 1 as slave machines through the communication line NW. Specifically, the injection molding machine 1 (slave machine) may transmit operating status data to the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) through the communication line NW. This allows the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) to monitor the operation of the other injection molding machines 1 (slave machines). The injection molding machine 1 (master machine) may also transmit control commands regarding operation to the other injection molding machines 1 (slave machines) through the communication line NW while grasping the operating status of the other injection molding machines 1 (slave machines) based on the operating status data. This allows the injection molding machine 1 (master machine) to control the operation of the other injection molding machines 1 (slave machines).

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

<< Clamping device >>
The mold clamping device 100 performs mold closing, mold clamping, and mold opening of the mold device 10. The mold clamping device 100 is, for example, a horizontal type, and the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal. The mold clamping device 100 has a fixed platen 110, a movable platen 120, a toggle support 130, a tie bar 140, a toggle mechanism 150, a mold clamping motor 160, a motion conversion mechanism 170, and a mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180.

In the following description of the mold clamping device 100, the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (to the right in Figures 1 and 2) is defined as the front, and the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened (to the left in Figures 1 and 2) is defined as the rear.

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

The movable platen 120 is movable relative to the frame Fr in the mold opening and closing direction. A guide 101 that guides the movable platen 120 is laid on the frame Fr. The movable mold 12 is attached to the surface of the movable platen 120 that faces the fixed platen 110.

The mold is closed, clamped, and opened by moving the movable platen 120 forward and backward relative to the fixed platen 110.

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

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

In addition, the fixed platen 110 is fixed to the frame Fr, and the toggle support 130 is movable relative to the frame Fr in the mold opening/closing direction, but the toggle support 130 may be fixed to the frame Fr, and the fixed platen 110 may be movable relative to the frame Fr in the mold opening/closing direction.

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

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

The toggle mechanism 150 is disposed between the movable platen 120 and the toggle support 130, and moves the movable platen 120 in the mold opening/closing direction relative to the toggle support 130. The toggle mechanism 150 is composed of a crosshead 151, a pair of link groups, etc. Each link group has a first link 152 and a second link 153 that are connected to bendable and extendable by a pin or the like. The first link 152 is attached to the movable platen 120 by a pin or the like so as to be swingable, and the second link 153 is attached to the toggle support 130 by a pin or the like so as to be swingable. The second link 153 is attached to the crosshead 151 via a third link 154. When the crosshead 151 is advanced or retreated relative to the toggle support 130, the first link 152 and the second link 153 are bent or retreated, and the movable platen 120 advances or retreats relative to the toggle support 130.

The configuration of the toggle mechanism 150 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figs. 1 and 2. For example, although the number of nodes in each link group is five in Figs. 1 and 2, it may be four, and one end of the third link 154 may be connected to a node between the first link 152 and the second link 153.

The mold clamping motor 160 is attached to the toggle support 130 and operates the toggle mechanism 150. The mold clamping motor 160 moves the crosshead 151 forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130, thereby bending and extending the first link 152 and the second link 153 and moving the movable platen 120 forward and backward relative to the toggle support 130. The mold clamping motor 160 is directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170, but may also be connected to the motion conversion mechanism 170 via a belt, pulley, etc.

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

The mold clamping device 100 performs processes such as mold closing, mold clamping, and mold opening under the control of the control device 700.

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

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

In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping motor 160 is further driven to advance the crosshead 151 further from the mold closing completion position to the mold clamping position, thereby generating a mold clamping force. During mold clamping, a cavity space 14 is formed between the movable mold 12 and the fixed mold 11, and the injection device 300 fills the cavity space 14 with liquid molding material. A molded product is obtained by solidifying the filled molding material. There may be multiple cavity spaces 14, in which case multiple molded products are obtained simultaneously.

In the mold opening process, the mold clamping motor 160 is driven to move the crosshead 151 back to the mold opening completion position at a set speed, thereby moving the movable platen 120 back and separating the movable mold 12 from the fixed mold 11. After that, the ejector device 200 ejects the molded product from the movable mold 12.

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

The setting conditions for the mold opening process are also set in a similar manner. For example, the speed and position of the crosshead 151 in the mold opening process (including the mold opening start position, speed switching position, and mold opening completion position) are set together as a series of setting conditions. The mold opening start position, speed switching position, and mold opening completion position are arranged in this order from the front to the rear, and represent the start and end points of the section for which the speed is set. The speed is set for each section. There may be one speed switching position, or there may be multiple speed switching positions. The speed switching position does not have to be set. The mold opening start position and the mold clamping position may be the same position. Furthermore, the mold opening completion position and the mold closing start position may be the same position.

In addition, the speed, position, etc. of the movable platen 120 may be set instead of the speed, position, etc. of the crosshead 151. Also, the clamping force may be set instead of the position of the crosshead (e.g., clamping position) or the position of the movable platen.

The toggle mechanism 150 amplifies the driving force of the mold clamping motor 160 and transmits it to the movable platen 120. The amplification ratio is also called the toggle ratio. The toggle ratio changes according to the angle θ between the first link 152 and the second link 153 (hereinafter referred to as the "link angle"). The link angle θ is determined from the position of the crosshead 151. When the link angle θ is 180°, the toggle ratio is maximum.

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

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

A screw shaft 181 and a screw nut 182 are provided for each tie bar 140. The rotation of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183 may be transmitted to multiple screw nuts 182 via a rotation transmission unit 185. The multiple screw nuts 182 can rotate synchronously.

In addition, by changing the transmission path of the rotation transmission unit 185, it is also possible to rotate multiple screw nuts 182 individually.

The rotation transmission unit 185 is composed of, for example, gears. In this case, a passive gear is formed on the outer periphery of each screw nut 182, a drive gear is attached to the output shaft of the mold thickness adjustment motor 183, and an intermediate gear that meshes with the multiple passive gears and the drive gear is rotatably held in the center of the toggle support 130.

In addition, the rotation transmission unit 185 may be configured with a belt, pulley, etc. instead of a gear.

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

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

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

The mold thickness adjustment mechanism 180 adjusts the distance L by rotating one of a screw shaft 181 and a screw nut 182 that are screwed together. Multiple mold thickness adjustment mechanisms 180 may be used, and multiple mold thickness adjustment motors 183 may be used.

In addition, the mold clamping device 100 in this embodiment is a horizontal type in which the mold opening and closing direction is horizontal, but it may also be a vertical type in which the mold opening and closing direction is vertical.

The clamping device 100 of this embodiment has a clamping motor 160 as a drive source, but may have a hydraulic cylinder instead of the clamping motor 160. The clamping device 100 may also have a linear motor for opening and closing the mold, and an electromagnet for clamping the mold.

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

In the following description of the ejector unit 200, as in the description of the mold clamping unit 100, the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is closed (to the right in Figures 1 and 2) is defined as the front, and the direction of movement of the movable platen 120 when the mold is opened (to the left in Figures 1 and 2) is defined as the rear.

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

The motion conversion mechanism 220 converts the rotational motion of the ejector motor 210 into the linear motion of the ejector rod 230. The motion conversion mechanism 220 includes a screw shaft and a screw nut that screws onto the screw shaft. Balls or rollers may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

The ejector rod 230 is movable forward and backward through a through hole in the movable platen 120. The front end of the ejector rod 230 contacts the movable member 15 that is arranged inside the movable mold 12 so that it can move forward and backward. The front end of the ejector rod 230 may or may not be connected to the movable member 15.

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

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

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

<<Injection unit>>
The injection device 300 is mounted on a slide base 301 which is movable forward and backward with respect to the frame Fr, and is movable forward and backward with respect to the mold device 10. The injection device 300 touches the mold device 10 and fills the cavity space 14 in the mold device 10 with molding material. The injection device 300 has, for example, a cylinder 310, a nozzle 320, a screw 330, a metering motor 340, an injection motor 350, and a pressure detector 360.

In the following description of the injection device 300, the direction in which the injection device 300 approaches the mold device 10 (leftward in Figs. 1 and 2) is referred to as the front, and the direction in which the injection device 300 moves away from the mold device 10 (rightward in Figs. 1 and 2) is referred to as the rear.

Cylinder 310 heats the molding material supplied to the inside from supply port 311. The molding material includes, for example, resin. The molding material is formed, for example, in pellet form and supplied to supply port 311 in a solid state. Supply port 311 is formed at the rear of cylinder 310. A cooler 312 such as a water-cooled cylinder is provided on the outer periphery of the rear of cylinder 310. A heater 313 such as a band heater and a temperature detector 314 are provided on the outer periphery of cylinder 310 forward of cooler 312.

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

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

The screw 330 is disposed within the cylinder 310 so that it can rotate freely and move forward and backward. When the screw 330 is rotated, the molding material is sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. As the molding material is sent forward, it is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder 310. As the liquid molding material is sent forward to the front of the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is moved backward. When the screw 330 is then moved forward, the liquid molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 is injected from the nozzle 320 and filled into the mold device 10.

A backflow prevention ring 331 is attached to the front of the screw 330 so that it can move back and forth as a backflow prevention valve that prevents the molding material from flowing back from the front to the rear of the screw 330 when the screw 330 is pushed forward.

When the screw 330 is advanced, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed backward by the pressure of the molding material in front of the screw 330, and retreats relative to the screw 330 to a blocking position (see FIG. 2) where it blocks the flow path of the molding material. This prevents the molding material accumulated in front of the screw 330 from flowing backward.

Meanwhile, when the screw 330 is rotated, the backflow prevention ring 331 is pushed forward by the pressure of the molding material sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330, and advances relative to the screw 330 to an open position (see FIG. 1) where the flow path of the molding material is opened. This causes the molding material to be sent forward of the screw 330.

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

The injection device 300 may also have a drive source that moves the backflow prevention ring 331 back and forth between the open position and the closed position relative to the screw 330.

The metering motor 340 rotates the screw 330. The driving source that rotates the screw 330 is not limited to the metering motor 340 and may be, for example, a hydraulic pump, etc.

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

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

The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The detection result of the pressure detector 360 is used to control and monitor the pressure that the screw 330 receives from the molding material, the back pressure on the screw 330, the pressure that the screw 330 exerts on the molding material, etc.

The injection device 300 performs a metering process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, etc. under the control of the control device 700.

In the metering process, the metering motor 340 is driven to rotate the screw 330 at a set rotation speed, and the molding material is sent forward along the spiral groove of the screw 330. As a result, the molding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material is sent forward to the screw 330 and accumulates at the front of the cylinder 310, the screw 330 is moved backward. The rotation speed of the screw 330 is detected, for example, using the metering motor encoder 341. The metering motor encoder 341 detects the rotation of the metering motor 340 and sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700.

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

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

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

In addition, after the position of the screw 330 reaches a set position during the filling process, the screw 330 may be temporarily stopped at the set position, and then V/P switching may be performed. Immediately before V/P switching, instead of stopping the screw 330, the screw 330 may be moved forward or backward at a slow speed. In addition, the screw position detector that detects the position of the screw 330 and the screw speed detector that detects the speed of the screw 330 are not limited to the injection motor encoder 351, and general types may be used.

In the holding pressure process, the injection motor 350 is driven to push the screw 330 forward, maintaining the pressure of the molding material at the front end of the screw 330 (hereinafter also referred to as the "holding pressure") at a set pressure, and pushing the molding material remaining in the cylinder 310 toward the mold device 10. This makes it possible to replenish the molding material that is insufficient due to cooling contraction in the mold device 10. The holding pressure is detected, for example, using a pressure detector 360. The pressure detector 360 sends a signal indicating the detection result to the control device 700. The set value of the holding pressure may be changed depending on the elapsed time from the start of the holding pressure process, etc.

During the dwelling process, the molding material in the cavity space 14 inside the mold device 10 is gradually cooled, and when the dwelling process is completed, the entrance to the cavity space 14 is blocked by solidified molding material. This state is called a gate seal, and prevents the molding material from flowing back from the cavity space 14. After the dwelling process, the cooling process begins. During the cooling process, the molding material in the cavity space 14 is solidified. To shorten the molding cycle time, a weighing process may be performed during the cooling process.

The injection device 300 in this embodiment is an in-line screw type, but may also be a pre-plastication type. A pre-plastication type injection device supplies molding material molten in a plasticization cylinder to an injection cylinder, and injects the molding material from the injection cylinder into a mold device. A screw is disposed in the plasticization cylinder so that it can rotate freely or so that it can rotate freely and move forward and backward, and a plunger is disposed in the injection cylinder so that it can move forward and backward.

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

<<Mobile device>>
The moving device 400 moves the injection device 300 forward and backward relative to the mold device 10. The moving device 400 also presses the nozzle 320 against the mold device 10 to generate a nozzle touch pressure. The moving device 400 has a hydraulic pump 410, a motor 420 as a drive source, a hydraulic cylinder 430 as a hydraulic actuator, and the like.

In the following description of the moving device 400, as in the description of the injection device 300, the direction in which the injection device 300 approaches the mold device 10 (leftward in Figures 1 and 2) is defined as the front, and the direction in which the injection device 300 moves away from the mold device 10 (rightward in Figures 1 and 2) is defined as the rear.

Note that while the moving device 400 is arranged on one side of the cylinder 310 of the injection device 300 in Figures 1 and 2, it may be arranged on both sides of the cylinder 310, or may be arranged symmetrically around the cylinder 310.

The hydraulic pump 410 has a first port 411 and a second port 412. The hydraulic pump 410 is a pump that can rotate in both directions, and by switching the rotation direction of the motor 420, it draws in hydraulic fluid (e.g., oil) from either the first port 411 or the second port 412 and discharges it from the other port, generating hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic pump 410 can also draw in hydraulic fluid from a tank and discharge it from either the first port 411 or the second port 412.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The functions of the control device 700 may be realized, for example, by a single controller, or may be shared among multiple controllers, as described below.

The control device 700 repeatedly causes the injection molding machine 1 to perform processes such as mold closing, clamping, and mold opening, thereby repeatedly manufacturing molded products. In addition, the control device 700 causes the injection device 300 to perform processes such as a metering process, a filling process, and a pressure holding process during the mold clamping process.

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

One molding cycle is composed of, for example, a weighing process, a mold closing process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a pressure holding process, a cooling process, a mold opening process, and an ejection process. This order is the order in which each process starts. The filling process, pressure holding process, and cooling process are performed between the start of the mold clamping process and the end of the mold clamping process. The end of the mold clamping process coincides with the start of the mold opening process.

In order to shorten the molding cycle time, multiple processes may be performed simultaneously. For example, the metering process may be performed during the cooling process of the previous molding cycle, in which case the mold closing process may be performed at the beginning of the molding cycle. The filling process may be started during the mold closing process. The ejection process may be started during the mold opening process. In addition, if an opening/closing valve is provided to open and close the flow path of the nozzle 320 of the injection device 300, the mold opening process may be started during the metering process. This is because even if the mold opening process is started during the metering process, molding material will not leak from the nozzle 320 as long as the opening/closing valve closes the flow path of the nozzle 320.

The control device 700 is connected to an operation device 750 and a display device 760, etc.

The operation device 750 accepts operation input from the user regarding the injection molding machine 1 and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation input to the control device 700.

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

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

The operation screen displayed on the display device 760 is used for settings related to the injection molding machine 1. The settings related to the injection molding machine 1 include, for example, settings of molding conditions related to the injection molding machine 1 (specifically, input of set values). The settings also include, for example, settings related to the selection of the types of detection values of various sensors, etc. related to the injection molding machine 1 that are recorded as logging data during molding operations. The settings also include, for example, settings of the display specifications (for example, the types of actual values to be displayed and the way they are displayed) on the display device 760 for the detection values (actual values) of various sensors, etc. related to the injection molding machine 1 during molding operations. A plurality of operation screens are prepared, and are switched or overlapped on the display device 760. The user can perform settings related to the injection molding machine 1 (including input of set values) by operating the operation device 750 while watching the operation screen displayed on the display device 760.

Furthermore, the display device 760, for example, under the control of the control device 700, displays an information screen that provides the user with various information corresponding to operations on the operation screen. A plurality of information screens are prepared, and are switched or overlaid on the display device 760. For example, the display device 760 displays the settings related to the injection molding machine 1 (for example, the settings related to the molding conditions of the injection molding machine 1). Also, for example, the display device 760 displays management information (for example, information related to the operating history of the injection molding machine 1, etc.).

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

In addition, although the operation device 750 and the display device 760 in this embodiment are integrated, they may be provided independently. Furthermore, a plurality of operation devices 750 may be provided. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the operation device 750, another input device that accepts input other than the user's operation input may be provided. The other input device may include, for example, a voice input device that accepts the user's voice input, a gesture input device that accepts the user's gesture input, and the like. The voice input device includes, for example, a microphone, and the like. Furthermore, the gesture input device includes, for example, a camera (imaging device), and the like.

<Management Device>
As described above, the management device 2 (an example of an external device or information processing device) is communicatively connected to the injection molding machine 1 via the communication line NW.

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

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

The management device 2 may also transmit control data (e.g., data related to various setting conditions such as molding conditions) to the injection molding machine 1 via, for example, the communication line NW. This allows the management device 2 to control the operation of the injection molding machine 1.

[An example of the configuration related to the backup function of the injection molding machine management system]
Next, an example of a configuration related to a backup function of the injection molding machine management system SYS will be described with reference to FIGS.

The backup function is a function that transmits data related to the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) from the injection molding machine 1 to the management device 2, backs it up and stores it in the management device 2, and, if necessary, sends it back from the management device 2 to the injection molding machine 1.

The data to be backed up (hereinafter, "backup data") includes, for example, data related to the control of the injection molding machine 1 by the control device 700 (hereinafter, "control data"). The control data to be backed up includes, for example, control parameters. The backup data also includes, for example, data including information indicating the operating status of the injection molding machine 1 (hereinafter, "operating status data"). The operating status data to be backed up includes, for example, information such as the number of shots from a specific timing of the injection molding machine 1 (for example, the start of operation after startup).

Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the injection molding machine management system SYS.

<Functional configuration of injection molding machine (control device)>
As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 700 includes a power supply voltage detection unit 7001 , a momentary sag state detection unit 7002 , a parameter setting unit 7003 , a data transmission unit 7004 , a data storage unit 7005 , and a data comparison unit 7006 .

The power supply voltage detection unit 7001 detects the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1.

The momentary voltage drop detection unit 7002 detects a momentary voltage drop (instantaneous voltage drop) from the power supply based on the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detection unit 7001. A momentary voltage drop state refers to a state in which the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1 suddenly falls outside the normal voltage range and becomes relatively low. When the momentary voltage drop detection unit 7002 detects a momentary voltage drop state, it activates the momentary power interruption prevention function (momentary power interruption prevention circuit) of the injection molding machine 1. This allows the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) to continue operating for a certain period of time even if the state transitions from a momentary voltage drop state to a momentary power interruption state.

The parameter setting unit 7003 sets the control parameters of the injection molding machine 1. For example, the parameter setting unit 7003 sets the control parameters according to various molding conditions that have been set (changed). The molding conditions are set according to a predetermined operation input by the user to a setting screen for setting the molding conditions, which is accepted by the operation device 750. Therefore, when the molding conditions are changed according to an operation input from the user, the parameter setting unit 7003 changes the control parameters according to the changed molding conditions. In addition, the parameter setting unit 7003 may be configured to directly set the control parameters according to a predetermined user input to a setting screen for setting the control parameters, which is accepted by the operation device 750.

The data transmission unit 7004 transmits data related to the injection molding machine 1 to the management device 2 through the communication line NW. For example, the data transmission unit 7004 transmits data related to the injection molding machine 1 to the management device 2 periodically at a predetermined time interval (for example, every tens of milliseconds to a few seconds) while the injection molding machine 1 is in operation. The data to be periodically transmitted includes the backup data described above. The data to be periodically transmitted also includes, for example, detection data related to the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1 detected by the power supply voltage detection unit 7001 (hereinafter, "power supply voltage detection value"). This allows the management device 2 to grasp the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1. The data transmission unit 7004 also transmits, for example, data related to the presence or absence of the instantaneous interruption prevention function (hereinafter, "instantaneous interruption prevention operation status data") to the management device 2. Specifically, when the instantaneous interruption prevention function is operating, the data transmission unit 7004 may transmit instantaneous interruption prevention operation status data indicating that the instantaneous interruption prevention function is operating to the management device 2. Furthermore, when the instantaneous interruption prevention function is not operating, the data transmission unit 7004 may transmit instantaneous interruption prevention operation status data indicating that the instantaneous interruption prevention function is not operating. In the case where not only the former instantaneous interruption prevention operation status data but also the latter instantaneous interruption prevention operation status data is transmitted to the management device 2, the data to be periodically transmitted may include the instantaneous interruption prevention operation status data.

The data storage unit 7005 is realized as a storage area defined in the control device 700 or in a non-volatile storage device (e.g., the auxiliary storage device 703) connected to the control device 700. For example, the latest version of the same type of data as the backup data is appropriately stored (saved) in the data storage unit 7005. Specifically, the data storage unit 7005 may store the latest control data such as the control parameters set by the parameter setting unit 7003. The data storage unit 7005 may also store the latest operating status data.

The data comparison unit 7006 compares the data stored in the data storage unit 7005 with the backup data of the same type as the data in the data storage unit 7005, which is sent back (feeded back) from the management device 2. As described later, the backup data backed up in the management device 2 is sent (sent back) from the management device 2 to the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) when the power supply of the injection molding machine 1 recovers from an abnormal state caused by a drop in the power supply voltage. If the data in the data storage unit 7005 and the backup data of the same type received from the management device 2 have the same contents, the data comparison unit 7006 determines that the data in the data storage unit 7005 reflects the state of the injection molding machine 1 immediately before the occurrence of the abnormality. On the other hand, if the data in the data storage unit 7005 and the backup data of the same type received from the management device 2 have different contents, the data comparison unit 7006 updates the data in the data storage unit 7005 with the contents of the backup data of the same type received from the management device 2. This is because it is believed that the injection molding machine 1 transitioned to an abnormal state without the data that was changed immediately before the occurrence of the abnormality being written from a memory device, register, or the like to the non-volatile data storage unit 7005. As a result, even if an abnormality occurs in the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1 and the data immediately before the abnormality occurs cannot be properly stored, the control device 700 can continue to appropriately control the injection molding machine 1 by using the backup data (control data) received from the management device 2. In addition, the control device 700 can continue to display information on the operating status, such as the number of shots, on the display device 760 while maintaining the history from before the abnormality occurred by using the backup data (operating status data) received from the management device 2, for example.

<Functional configuration of management device>
As shown in FIG. 3, the management device 2 includes a received data storage unit 2001 , a power supply status monitoring unit 2002 , a data retention unit 2003 , and a data feedback unit 2004 .

The received data storage unit 2001 stores data (hereinafter, "received data") related to the injection molding machine 1 received from the injection molding machine 1 (the data transmission unit 7004 of the control device 700). As described above, the received data includes backup data, power supply voltage detection value, and interruption prevention operation status data.

The power supply status monitoring unit 2002 monitors the power supply status of the injection molding machine 1 based on the power supply voltage detection value of the injection molding machine 1 stored in the received data storage unit 2001. Specifically, the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 monitors the power supply status of the injection molding machine 1 based on the latest power supply voltage detection value sequentially received from the injection molding machine 1 for each predetermined control period.

For example, FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram 4000 that illustrates an example of a method for monitoring the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 includes a normal state ST1 and an abnormal state ST2.

The abnormal state ST2 includes a power supply voltage drop state ST21, a momentary power interruption prevention state ST22, and a power OFF state ST23.

The power supply voltage drop state ST21 indicates a state in which the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1 is relatively low from the voltage range corresponding to the normal state ST1.

The instantaneous interruption prevention state ST22 indicates a state in which the instantaneous interruption prevention function of the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) is activated.

The power-off state ST23 indicates a state in which the power supply has been forcibly turned off (abnormally stopped) due to a further drop in the power supply voltage from the power supply voltage drop state ST21 or the power interruption prevention state ST22, or due to a communication abnormality occurring in the control device 700.

When the transition condition TC1_21 is satisfied in the normal power state ST1 of the injection molding machine 1, the power supply state monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 has transitioned to the power supply voltage drop state ST21. The transition condition TC1_21 is, for example, "the power supply voltage detection value Vd has dropped to a range below the threshold value Vth1 and above the threshold value Vth2 (<Vth1)."

In addition, when the transition condition TC1_22 is satisfied in the normal power supply state ST1 of the injection molding machine 1, the power supply state monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 has transitioned to the instantaneous power interruption prevention state ST22. The transition condition TC1_22 is, for example, "the instantaneous power interruption prevention function of the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) is operating."

When the transition condition TC21_1 is satisfied in the power supply voltage drop state ST21 of the power supply of the injection molding machine 1, the power supply state monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 has been restored to the normal state ST1. The transition condition TC21_1 is, for example, "the power supply voltage detection value Vd of the injection molding machine 1 has been restored to a predetermined normal range (normal recovery)." At this time, the lower limit of the normal range of the transition condition TC21_1 is set to be equal to or higher than the threshold value Vth1.

Furthermore, when the transition condition TC21_23 is satisfied in the power supply voltage drop state ST21 of the power supply of the injection molding machine 1, the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 has transitioned to the power OFF state ST23. The transition condition TC21_23 is, for example, "the power supply voltage detection value Vd is smaller than the threshold value Vth2, or a communication abnormality has occurred with the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700)."

When the transition condition TC22_1 is satisfied in the power interruption prevention state ST22 of the injection molding machine 1, the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 has been restored to the normal state ST1. The transition condition TC22_1 is, for example, "the interruption prevention function is not activated."

In addition, when a transition condition TC22_23 is satisfied in the power interruption prevention state ST22 of the injection molding machine 1, the power status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power status of the injection molding machine 1 has transitioned to the power OFF state ST23. The transition condition TC22_23 is, for example, "the power supply voltage detection value Vd is smaller than the threshold value Vth2, or a communication abnormality has occurred with the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700)."

When the transition condition TC23_1 is satisfied in the power OFF state ST23 of the power supply of the injection molding machine 1, the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply state of the injection molding machine 1 has returned to the normal state ST1. The transition condition TC23_1 is, for example, "the power supply voltage has returned to normal and the instantaneous interruption prevention function is not activated."

Returning to FIG. 3, when the power status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power status of the injection molding machine 1 has transitioned from normal state ST1 to abnormal state ST2, the data holding unit 2003 holds the backup data received from the injection molding machine 1 immediately before that determination (hereinafter, "immediately preceding backup data"). Furthermore, the data holding unit 2003 continues to hold the immediately preceding backup data at least until the power status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power status of the injection molding machine 1 has recovered from abnormal state ST2 to normal state ST1.

When the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply status of the injection molding machine 1 has returned to the normal status ST1, the data feedback unit 2004 transmits (sends back) the most recent backup data stored in the data storage unit 2003 to the injection molding machine 1. This allows the injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) to use the control data and operating status data, etc., immediately before the abnormality occurred, contained in the most recent backup data after the power supply has recovered from the abnormal state.

[Operations related to the backup function of the injection molding machine management system]
Next, a specific example of the operation of the backup function of the injection molding machine management system SYS will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 5 is a time chart 5000 showing an example of the operation of the injection molding machine management system SYS. The time chart 5000 includes time charts 5100, 5200, 5300, 5400, 5500, 5600, 5700, and 5800 showing the operation of the parameter setting unit 7003, data transmission unit 7004, power supply status monitoring unit 2002, data storage unit 7005, data retention unit 2003, data feedback unit 2004, data comparison unit 7006, and data storage unit 7005, respectively.

Note that time chart 5400 shows the normal operation of data storage unit 7005, and time chart 5800 shows the abnormal operation (exception processing operation) of data storage unit 7005.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, at time t1, a power outage occurs in injection molding machine 1, and the power supply is stopped. Then, at time t2, the power supply to injection molding machine 1 is restored.

Shortly before the power outage occurs, the user performs a specific operation input to the operation device 750, changing the molding conditions. As a result, the parameter setting unit 7003 of the injection molding machine 1 changes the control parameter from the "parameter A" setting to the "parameter B" setting in response to the change in molding conditions (see time chart 5100).

As described above, the data transmission unit 7004 of the injection molding machine 1 has been transmitting backup data including the control parameters to the management device 2 at predetermined time intervals since before the power outage occurred. Specifically, the data transmission unit 7004 transmits backup data including "parameter A" to the management device 2 before the control parameters are changed. In addition, after the control parameters are changed, the data transmission unit 7004 transmits backup data including "parameter B" to the management device 2 immediately before and after the power outage. After that, the injection molding machine 1 abnormally stops (power OFF) due to a drop in the power supply voltage caused by the power outage, and the operation of the data transmission unit 7004 stops until after time t2 (see time chart 5200).

The power supply status monitoring unit 2002 of the management device 2 receives data sent from the injection molding machine 1 immediately after the power outage (time t1), and can determine the abnormal state ST2 of the power supply of the injection molding machine 1 based on the power supply voltage detection value contained in the data. The power supply status monitoring unit 2002 can then determine the abnormal state ST2 of the power supply of the injection molding machine 1 (power OFF state ST23) based on a communication abnormality in which no data is received from the injection molding machine 1 (see time chart 5300).

In the data storage unit 7005 of the injection molding machine 1, the changed control parameter ("parameter B") is normally stored in accordance with the change in the control parameter ("parameter A" → "parameter B") (see the dotted line in the time chart 5400). However, in this example, a power outage occurs immediately after the control parameter is changed. Therefore, the content of the changed control parameter ("parameter B") is not written to the data storage unit 7005, and the content of the control parameter stored in the data storage unit 7005 remains in the state before the change ("parameter A") (see the time chart 5400).

When the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply of the injection molding machine 1 is in an abnormal state ST2 after a power outage occurs (time t1), the data holding unit 2003 of the management device 2 holds the immediately preceding backup data including "parameter B". Then, after the power supply to the injection molding machine 1 is restored (time t2), the data holding unit 2003 continues to hold the immediately preceding backup data including "parameter B" until the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply of the injection molding machine 1 is in a normal state ST1 (see time chart 5500).

After the injection molding machine 1 has stopped abnormally, the data transmission unit 7004 resumes sending data to the management device 2 after time t2 when the data transmission unit 7004 is started (powered ON) by the user or automatically (see time chart 5200). Therefore, the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 of the management device 2 can determine that the power supply of the injection molding machine 1 has been restored to the normal state ST1 from the abnormal state ST2 (power OFF state ST23) based on the power supply voltage detection value included in the data received from the injection molding machine 1 (see time chart 5300).

After the power supply to the injection molding machine 1 is restored (time t2), when the power supply status monitoring unit 2002 determines that the power supply to the injection molding machine 1 is in a normal state ST1, the data feedback unit 2004 of the management device 2 acquires the immediately preceding backup data stored in the data storage unit 2003. Then, the data feedback unit 2004 transmits (sends back) the immediately preceding backup data including "parameter B" to the injection molding machine 1 (see time chart 5600).

When the data comparison unit 7006 of the injection molding machine 1 receives the immediately preceding backup data from the management device 2, it compares the control parameter ("parameter A") stored in the data storage unit 7005 with the control parameter ("parameter B") of the immediately preceding backup data (see time chart 5700). Since the control parameter stored in the data storage unit 7005 is different from the control parameter of the immediately preceding backup data, the data comparison unit 7006 overwrites the "parameter B" of the immediately preceding backup data to the "parameter A" of the data storage unit 7005 (see time chart 5800). This allows the control device 700 to reflect the contents of the control parameter ("parameter B") that was changed before the power outage in the control of the injection molding machine 1 after recovery from the power outage. Therefore, the control device 700 can appropriately control the injection molding machine 1.

[Another Example of Configuration Regarding Backup Function of Injection Molding Machine Management System]
Next, by using the above-mentioned example, another example of the configuration regarding the backup function of the injection molding machine management system SYS will be described.

The backup function may be realized by a device other than the management device 2.

For example, the backup function may be realized by another injection molding machine 1 (control device 700) other than the injection molding machine 1 that transmits the backup data to the outside, instead of or in addition to the management device 2.

Specifically, multiple injection molding machines 1 can receive backup data from each other and, if necessary, send back that backup data. This allows, for example, if a power outage occurs in only some of the multiple injection molding machines 1, the injection molding machines 1 that are not experiencing a power outage to provide (send back) the most recent backup data to the injection molding machine 1 that experienced the power outage.

Furthermore, the master machine among the multiple injection molding machines 1 may receive backup data transmitted from the other slave machines and, if necessary, send back the backup data. In this case, the master machine may be connected to, for example, an uninterruptible power supply, etc., so that the control device 700 of the master machine can continue to operate even during a power outage. As a result, for example, if a power outage occurs in a factory where multiple injection molding machines 1 are installed, the master machine can provide (send back) the most recent backup data to the other slave machines that experienced the power outage.

[Action]
Next, the operation of the injection molding machine management system SYS according to this embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 transmits backup data (e.g., control data) to the management device 2. The management device 2 also receives the backup data transmitted from the injection molding machine 1. Then, the management device 2 may transmit the backup data already received from the injection molding machine 1 to the injection molding machine 1. In other words, the injection molding machine 1 may receive from the management device 2 the backup data that it has already transmitted to the management device 2.

In addition, in this embodiment, one injection molding machine 1 transmits backup data (e.g., control data) to another injection molding machine 1. The other injection molding machine 1 receives the backup data transmitted from the one injection molding machine 1. The other injection molding machine 1 may transmit to the one injection molding machine 1 backup data that it has already received from the one injection molding machine 1. In other words, the one injection molding machine 1 may receive from the other injection molding machine 1 backup data that it has already transmitted to the other injection molding machine 1.

For example, when the injection molding machine 1 is stopped (powered OFF), the data relating to the control of the injection molding machine 1 immediately before it was stopped may not be stored in the non-volatile storage medium and may not be available the next time the machine is started (powered ON). Specifically, as described above, this is a situation in which a sudden power outage occurs in the injection molding machine 1, and the data of the control parameters that were changed immediately before the power outage are no longer stored in the non-volatile storage medium of the injection molding machine 1. In this case, the control parameters may not be available when the machine is started up again after the power outage is restored, and the injection molding machine 1 may not be controlled properly.

In contrast, in this embodiment, in the injection molding machine management system SYS, data transmitted from the injection molding machine 1 to the management device 2 is stored in the management device 2, and the received data can be transmitted (sent back) from the management device 2 to the injection molding machine 1 as necessary. Therefore, even in a situation where the control parameters changed immediately before a power outage cannot be saved in a non-volatile storage medium, the injection molding machine 1 can use the control parameter data sent back from the management device 2. Therefore, the injection molding machine management system SYS can appropriately control the injection molding machine 1. The same action and effect is also achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is transmitted from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

As described above, when the control of the injection molding machine 1 is centrally managed by an external management device 2 or master machine, the control data, operating status data, etc. may be stored in a memory device or register, and may not be saved in the non-volatile data storage unit 7005. In this case, even when the injection molding machine 1 stops normally (normal power OFF), the data to be backed up, such as the control data and operating status data, does not remain in the injection molding machine 1. Therefore, the management device 2 or master machine may feed back (send) the backup data immediately before the injection molding machine 1 stopped every time it is started (power ON), regardless of whether it stopped normally or abnormally.

In addition, in this embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 may control itself based on backup data (control data) received from the management device 2.

In addition, in this embodiment, one injection molding machine 1 may control its own machine based on backup data (control data) received from another injection molding machine 1.

As a result, the injection molding machine 1 can appropriately control its own machine using the control parameters received from the management device 2 in a situation where, for example, the control parameters changed immediately before a power outage cannot be saved in a non-volatile storage medium. The same action and effect is also achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is sent from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the management device 2 may be triggered by a relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1 to transmit to the injection molding machine 1 backup data (immediately preceding backup data) immediately before the relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the other injection molding machine 1 may be triggered by a relative decrease in the reliability of the first injection molding machine 1 to transmit to the first injection molding machine 1 backup data (immediately prior backup data) immediately before the reliability of the first injection molding machine 1 relatively decreased.

This allows the management device 2 to back up data immediately before the reliability of the injection molding machine 1, which is capable of performing its original functions, is relatively reduced, for example, when the power supply voltage drops. Therefore, even if the injection molding machine 1 is in a situation where the data immediately before the reliability is reduced cannot be properly stored in a non-volatile storage medium due to the reduced reliability, the data backed up by the management device 2 can be used after the machine returns to normal. The same action and effect is also achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is sent from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

The relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1 may include other abnormal states instead of or in addition to a relative decrease in the power supply voltage of the injection molding machine 1. The other abnormal states may include, for example, a specific abnormal state of the control device 700 (for example, a state in which writing to a non-volatile storage medium is not possible, a state in which a communication failure occurs internally or with connected devices, etc.). The other abnormal states may also include, for example, the occurrence of an earthquake in an area including the factory of the injection molding machine 1, the occurrence of a fire in the factory of the injection molding machine 1, etc.

In addition, in this embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 periodically transmits data regarding the reliability of the machine to the management device 2. Then, the management device 2 may determine whether or not there is a relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1 based on the reliability data received from the injection molding machine 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, one injection molding machine 1 periodically transmits data regarding its own reliability to the other injection molding machine 1. The other injection molding machine 1 may then determine whether or not there is a relative decrease in the reliability of the one injection molding machine 1 based on the reliability data received from the one injection molding machine 1.

This allows the management device 2 to determine whether there is a relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1 and to appropriately store the backup data immediately before the relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1. The same action and effect is also achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is sent from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the reliability-related data transmitted from the injection molding machine 1 to the management device 2 may include data regarding the voltage from the power source that supplies power to the injection molding machine 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the reliability-related data transmitted from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1 may include data regarding the voltage from the power source that supplies power to the one injection molding machine 1.

As a result, the management device 2 can use data related to the power supply voltage to determine the relative decrease in the power supply voltage, and thereby determine whether there is a relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1. The same action and effect is also achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is sent from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

In addition, the injection molding machine 1 may transmit other data related to the reliability of the machine itself (e.g., data related to the presence or absence of an abnormality in the control device 700, etc.) to the management device 2 instead of or in addition to data related to the power supply voltage (e.g., power supply voltage detection value). The same may also be true in the case of a backup function in which backup data is transmitted from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1. The management device 2 and other injection molding machines 1 may determine a relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1 based on data different from the data provided by the (one) injection molding machine 1. For example, the management device 2 may determine the occurrence of an earthquake in the area including the factory, which corresponds to a relative decrease in the reliability of the injection molding machine 1, based on data including information regarding the occurrence of an earthquake received from outside the injection molding machine management system SYS.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the injection molding machine 1 recovers from a state in which reliability has been relatively reduced, if the contents of the data stored in the machine differ from the contents of the data received from the management device 2, the machine may control itself using the data received from the management device 2.

In addition, in this embodiment, when an injection molding machine 1 recovers from a state in which reliability has been relatively reduced, if the contents of the data stored in the machine differ from the contents of the data received from another injection molding machine 1, the machine may control itself using the data received from the other injection molding machine 1.

As a result, the injection molding machine 1 can appropriately control its own machine using the control parameters received from the management device 2, for example, in a situation where the control parameters changed immediately before a power outage cannot be saved in a non-volatile storage medium. The same action and effect can also be achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is sent from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

In addition, in this embodiment, the injection molding machine 1 may periodically transmit backup data to the management device 2.

In addition, in this embodiment, one injection molding machine 1 may periodically transmit backup data to other injection molding machines 1.

This allows the management device 2 to repeatedly receive backup data and update it to the latest backup data as appropriate. Therefore, even in a situation where, for example, a power outage suddenly occurs in the injection molding machine 1, the management device 2 can properly retain the backup data immediately before the occurrence and feed it back to the injection molding machine 1 after the power outage is restored. The same action and effect can also be achieved in the case of a backup function in which backup data is sent from one injection molding machine 1 to another injection molding machine 1.

In addition, instead of periodically transmitting backup data to the management device 2, the injection molding machine 1 may transmit backup data to the management device 2 only when, for example, there are signs of a decline in the reliability of the machine itself.

[Transformation, modification]
Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist described in the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, a backup function for data related to the injection molding machine 1 has been described, but a similar backup function may be applied to data related to any machine (e.g., other industrial machines) or device (e.g., home appliances). Other industrial machines include stationary machines installed in a factory, such as machine tools and production robots.

1 Injection molding machine 2 Management device (external device, information processing device)
100 Mold clamping device 200 Ejector device 300 Injection device 400 Moving device 700 Control device 701 CPU
702 Memory device 703 Auxiliary storage device 704 Interface device 710 Driver 720 Encoder 750 Operation device 760 Display device 2001 Received data storage unit 2002 Power supply status monitoring unit 2003 Data retention unit 2004 Data feedback unit 7001 Power supply voltage detection unit 7002 Momentary drop state detection unit 7003 Parameter setting unit 7004 Data transmission unit 7005 Data storage unit 7006 Data comparison unit SYS Injection molding machine management system

Claims (9)

a plurality of injection molding machines each transmitting data regarding control conditions to an external device;
an external device that receives data on the control conditions transmitted from each of the plurality of injection molding machines;
the external device determines whether or not there is a relative decline in the reliability of each of the multiple injection molding machines, based on data related to the reliability of the injection molding machine, which data is a type different from the data related to the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine, and, using the relative decline in the reliability of the injection molding machine as a trigger, transmits to the injection molding machine the data related to the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine, which is data immediately before the reliability of the injection molding machine becomes relatively declined.
Injection molding machine system. The injection molding machine may control itself based on the data on the control conditions received from the external device.
2. The injection molding machine system of claim 1. the injection molding machine periodically transmits data regarding the reliability of the injection molding machine to the external device;
the external device determines whether or not there is a relative deterioration in the reliability of the injection molding machine based on the data on the reliability received from the injection molding machine.
3. An injection molding machine system according to claim 1 or 2. the relative decrease in reliability of the injection molding machine includes a relative decrease in voltage supplied from a power source to the injection molding machine;
4. An injection molding machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. the reliability data includes data regarding a voltage from a power source supplying power to the injection molding machine;
5. The injection molding machine system of claim 4. when the injection molding machine recovers from the state in which the reliability has relatively decreased, if the data on the control conditions stored in the injection molding machine differs from the data on the control conditions received from the external device, the injection molding machine controls the injection molding machine using the data on the control conditions received from the external device.
6. An injection molding machine system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The injection molding machine periodically transmits data regarding the control conditions to the external device.
7. An injection molding machine system according to any one of the preceding claims. receiving data on control conditions from each of a plurality of other injection molding machines , judging, for each of the plurality of other injection molding machines, whether or not there is a relative decline in the reliability of the other injection molding machine based on data on the reliability of the other injection molding machine which is a type of data different from the data on the control conditions already received from the other injection molding machines, and using the relative decline in the reliability of the other injection molding machine as a trigger , transmitting to the other injection molding machine the data on the control conditions already received from the other injection molding machine which is the data immediately before the reliability of the other injection molding machine becomes relatively declined;
Injection molding machine. receiving data on control conditions from each of a plurality of injection molding machines, judging, for each of the plurality of injection molding machines, whether or not there is a relative decline in the reliability of the injection molding machine based on data on the reliability of the injection molding machine which is a type different from the data on the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine, and using the relative decline in the reliability of the injection molding machine as a trigger, transmitting to the injection molding machine the data on the control conditions already received from the injection molding machine which is the data immediately before the reliability of the injection molding machine becomes relatively declined;
Information processing device.

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