JPH04247921A - Injection molding production control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize a low-cost injection molding production control system which is easy in constituting the system, does not choose the kind of molding machine and is generally used. CONSTITUTION:The title system possesses terminal devices (2A-2N), which are fitted separately to injection molding machines (3A-3N) and read out data of the molding machines each, and a computer 1 connected with the terminal devices (2A-2N). Necessary information treatment of production control is performed by a host computer 1 based on data of an injection molding machine, which is applied to the injection molding machine from the terminal devices (2A-2N) each and production control information treated by the host computer 1 is displayed by performing down load to the terminal devices (2A-2N) each.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an injection molding production management system for managing the production of a plurality of injection molding machines.

0002

[Prior Art and its Issues] Today's plastic molding industry is in a harsh environment where high-mix, low-volume production is required, and just-in-time delivery is forced. Therefore, in addition to improving the performance of individual molding machines and peripheral equipment, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive molding management system in order to realize an efficient production system.

[0003] Against this background, many production management systems for molding factories have been proposed, but the existing proposals are, for example, applicable only to molding machines manufactured in-house, or are difficult to implement when introducing the system. Applicable models are often limited, such as requiring the complete replacement of molding machines, and the system configuration and functions are generally too complex for small, medium, and micro-scale molding factories, making it difficult to meet the introduction cost. Most of them are things.

In view of the current situation, the present invention has the versatility to be applicable regardless of the molding machine model or control method, and has the necessary and sufficient functions to carry out the management tasks required at ordinary molding sites. The present invention provides a new production management system for injection molding that has a simple system configuration that can perform its functions.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The injection molding production management system of the present invention is a system that performs production management of a plurality of injection molding machines, and is installed individually on the injection molding machines and records data of each molding machine. It has a reading terminal device and a host computer connected to these terminal devices, and the host computer performs the necessary information processing for production control based on the injection molding machine data input from each terminal device, and the host computer performs the necessary information processing for production control. It is configured to download and display processed production management information on each terminal device.

[0006]

[Operation] In this management system, the host computer performs operation monitoring tasks and inventory management tasks necessary for group management of injection molding machines based on data such as operation and non-operation of injection molding machines inputted from each terminal device. In addition to executing each function, it is also possible to perform scheduling operations and various other functions based on order entry. On the other hand, each terminal device collects data for each molding machine and inputs it into the host computer, and
Its function is to download and display the necessary information from the production control information processed by the host computer and provide work instructions to on-site workers.

[0007]

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the system configuration of an injection molding production management system according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 indicates a host computer installed in the management department, and (2A to 2N) indicate terminal devices (on-site terminals; LIT) installed at the molding site. In this system, a commercially available personal computer system having a processing device, a storage device, and input/output devices (keyboard 1a, display 1b, and printer 1c) can be used as the host computer 1. On the other hand, each terminal device (2A~
2N) is composed of a dedicated input/output device having a keyboard 2a and a display 2b.

[0009] The terminal devices (2A to 2N) are individually attached to a plurality of injection molding machines (3A to 3N) installed at the molding site (maximum of 8 in the example), and as described later, The shot signals (mold opening/closing signals) generated by the injection molding machines (3A to 3N) are taken in, and data such as operation and non-operation are read from each molding machine.

These terminal devices (2A to 2N) are connected to a host computer 1 via a central information monitoring unit (CICU) 4, and the data of the injection molding machines (3A to 3N) read by the above-mentioned shot signals are transmitted to each terminal device (2A to 2N). Terminal device (2A
~2N) are sequentially input to the host computer 1.

[0011] To explain the data collection method of each terminal device (2A to 2N) that reads the operation data of the injection molding machine (3A to 3N), as seen in the existing production control system, the operation signal is received from inside the injection molding machine. In the method of importing the information into the on-site terminal (local computer), the signals and signal output methods vary depending on the manufacturer, model, control method, etc., so it may be necessary to modify each molding machine in order to connect to the on-site terminal. There are many models, and depending on the model, there are many models that cannot receive operation signals. For this reason, problems have been pointed out with management systems that collect injection molding machine data using operating signals, such as their applicability being limited depending on the type of molding machine at the molding site, or the cost of modification required when building the system increasing. Ru.

Therefore, in this management system, each terminal device (2
A to 2N) are made to read data from the injection molding machines (3A to 3N). Specifically, an injection molding machine (3
A to 3N) A shot signal generating means (not shown) such as a limit sensor, a proximity switch, a phototube, etc., which generates a shot signal of a pulse signal every time the opening of the mold is detected.
A shot signal generated by this shot signal generating means is taken into each terminal device (2A to 2N) to determine the operating state of each molding machine, such as whether it is in operation or not. With this method, regardless of the type of molding machine, there is no need for any modification for signal extraction, and it is possible to
All types of injection molding machines including new ones (3A to 3
Terminal devices (2A to 2N) can be easily connected to N) in the required data reading state. In addition to being generated by directly detecting the opening/closing operation of the mold, the shot signal can also be output from a peripheral device that is linked to the mold operation, such as an injection device, an ejector, a take-out robot, or a conveyor.

FIG. 2 shows the waveform of the shot signal s seen when the injection molding machines (3A to 3N) are in operation. After the start of molding, during normal molding, the pulses of the shot signal s are stably and approximately constant. It will occur repeatedly. Therefore, in the terminal devices (2A to 2N), by monitoring the cycle time t of the shot signal s, it is possible to determine whether the molding machine is in operation or not. That is, a certain time range (t0
±ta) is set, and when the cycle time t is continuous within this time range, it is considered to be a normal operating state. On the other hand, the cycle time t is the set time range (t
When it deviates from 0±ta), if it is too early, it can be considered as noise, and if it is too late, it can be considered that the molding machine has stopped. By monitoring this cycle time t, it is also possible to automatically determine molding defects. The shot signal s read by each terminal device (2A to 2N) is of course also used for performance management of the minimum number of lots produced when the host computer 1 performs production management.

[0014] Furthermore, from the terminal devices (2A to 2N) individually attached to the injection molding machines (3A to 3N), the above-mentioned shot signal s is taken in and read, and the operation data is read by the on-site worker. 2a, other necessary molding machine data such as the reason for non-operation and the number of defective products determined by visual inspection are input into the host computer 1.

[0015] In this production management system, each terminal device (
Injection molding machine (3A-3N) input from 2A-2N)
Based on the data, the host computer 1 executes the operation monitoring and inventory management functions necessary for group management of the injection molding machines (3A to 3N), and also performs the scheduling function on the condition of order entry. It can be carried out. These functions usually cover the business content required for injection molding production management. On the other hand, each terminal device (2A to 2N) collects molding machine data such as operation and non-operation necessary for information processing in the host computer 1, and also downloads production management information processed by the host computer 1 at any time. displayed on display 2b,
It provides production instructions to on-site workers. Therefore,
This eliminates the need for work instructions, making the worksite paperless, and since the next lot can be referenced at any time, mold setup work can be prepared in advance.

FIG. 3 shows the processing contents performed by the host computer 1 and each terminal device 2 constituting this management system by task and function, and FIG. 4 shows the tasks and functions displayed in FIG. An example of a module structure of data processing performed by the host computer 1 and data input/output performed between each terminal device 2 in accordance with the functions is shown. Figure 3,
4, in addition to the basic functions mentioned above (operation monitoring, inventory management, and scheduling), this system utilizes the computer functions of the host computer 1 to perform master operations, estimate operations, and other various forms. Able to perform output work.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show examples of output display on the display 1b of the above-mentioned basic functions performed by the host computer 1. FIG. 5 shows an example of displaying the current operating status, which is one of the operation monitoring tasks, in which the operating status of the molding machine is displayed in real time, and data such as product number and planned quantity can also be viewed at the same time. Figure 6 similarly shows an example of displaying the monthly stoppage status by reason. In this example, the operating rate of each molding machine for the past four months and the stoppage display status by reason can be displayed graphically. This information can be used as material for considering maintenance timing, etc. Further, FIG. 7 shows a list of molded product inventory status as an example of inventory management work. This inventory status display allows you to manage the inventory of raw materials and molded products, and prevent molding loss time due to running out of raw materials and product shortages.
Stock shortages can be prevented. Furthermore, FIG. 8 shows a display example of schedule management. Scheduling is automatically performed and displayed by inputting orders to the host computer 1, so that the load on the molding machine, delivery delays, etc. can be grasped. Of course, it is also possible to manually rearrange, jump in, and make other corrections.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show examples of output display on the display 1b of the terminal device 2, and as described above,
Since management information necessary for the site is downloaded and displayed from the host computer 1 at any time, site work can be carried out efficiently without paper.

[0019]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, with the injection molding production management system of the present invention, the host computer can operate based on the input information from the terminal device that is individually attached to the injection molding machine and reads the data of each molding machine. It can perform various functions such as operation monitoring work, inventory management work, and schedule work, and at the same time, it can download and display production management information processed by the host computer on each terminal device. In other words, this production management system not only satisfies the various functions necessary for group management of multiple injection molding machines, but compared to conventional systems, it can be applied regardless of the type of molding machine. It has the advantage of a simple system configuration and low investment costs, and can be a production management system with particularly high utility value for small, medium, and micro-scale molding sites.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of a shot signal.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing processing contents by a host computer and a terminal device by business and function.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a module structure of data input/output performed between data processing executed by a host computer and each terminal device.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of an output display of a host computer.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing an example of an output display of a host computer.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing an example of an output display of a host computer.

FIG. 8 is an image diagram showing an example of an output display of a host computer.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing an example of output display of a terminal device.

FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an example of an output display of a terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Host computer 1a Keyboard 1b Display 1c Printer (2A to 2N), 2 Terminal device (input/output device) (3A
~3N) Injection molding machine 4 Centralized information monitoring device s Shot signal

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A system for managing the production of a plurality of injection molding machines, the system comprising terminal devices that are individually attached to the injection molding machines and read data from each molding machine, and a host computer connected to these terminal devices. The host computer processes the necessary production control information based on the injection molding machine data input from each terminal device, and also downloads the production control information processed by the host computer to each terminal device. An injection molding production management system characterized by displaying.