Systems and approaches for controlling an injection molding machine

A method for controlling an injection molding machine having a mold forming a mold cavity, the injection molding machine being controlled according to an injection cycle, the method comprising:

• obtaining a pattern for the injection cycle;
• operating the injection molding machine to inject a molten material into the mold cavity;
• during an injection portion of the injection cycle, adjusting a driving force being exerted on the molten material according to a melt pressure control-based input;
• measuring a cavity pressure value of the mold cavity during the injection cycle;
• upon measuring a nominal cavity pressure value indicative of an actual increase in cavity pressure, commencing a pattern recognition portion of the injection cycle that is at least partially dependent on the obtained pattern, where the driving force being exerted on the molten material is adjusted such that the measured cavity pressure matches the obtained pattern for the injection cycle;
• wherein during the injection portion of the injection cycle, a melt pressure setpoint is adjusted to ensure the nominal cavity pressure value is measured at a predetermined ideal time.