Plasticizing device for a molding machine

A method for operating a plasticizing device of a molding machine, wherein the plasticizing device comprises:

• a plasticizing cylinder,
• a plasticizing screw arranged in the plasticizing cylinder, the plasticizing screw being rotatable about a longitudinal axis and being linearly movable along the longitudinal axis, and the plasticizing screw comprising a functioning section, and
• a sensor arranged in or on the plasticizing cylinder, the sensor being configured to measure a distance to a surface of the functioning section of the plasticizing screw,
• wherein the method comprises detecting a type of the functioning section by:
• moving the functioning section relative to the sensor,
• detecting a distance signal progression generated by the movement of the functioning section relative to the sensor during operation of the plasticizing screw as the plasticizing screw is moved linearly and rotationally,
• comparing the detected distance signal progression with a stored distance signal progression, and
• issuing a signal representing the type of the functioning section based on a match between the detected distance signal progression and the stored distance signal progression.

A plasticizing device for a molding machine comprising:

• a plasticizing cylinder;
• a plasticizing screw arranged in the plasticizing cylinder, the plasticizing screw being rotatable about a longitudinal axis and being linearly movable along the longitudinal axis, and the plasticizing screw comprising a functioning section;
• a control unit for controlling an operation of the plasticizing screw;
• a sensor arranged in or on the plasticizing cylinder, the sensor being configured to measure a distance to a surface of the functioning section of the plasticizing screw;
• and
• a detecting device for detecting a type of the functioning section, the detecting device being configured to:
• detect a distance signal progression generated by a movement of the functioning section relative to the sensor,
• compare the detected distance signal progression with a stored distance signal progression, and
• issue to the control unit a signal representing the type of the functioning section based on a match between the detected distance signal progression and the stored distance signal progression,
• wherein the control unit is configured to change operating parameters of the plasticizing screw based on the signal representing the type of the functioning section issued by the detecting device.

A method for operating a plasticizing device of a molding machine, wherein the plasticizing device comprises:

• a plasticizing cylinder,
• a plasticizing screw arranged in the plasticizing cylinder, the plasticizing screw being rotatable about a longitudinal axis and being linearly movable along the longitudinal axis, and the plasticizing screw comprising a functioning section,
• a control unit for controlling an operation of the plasticizing screw;
• and
• a sensor arranged in or on the plasticizing cylinder, the sensor being configured to measure a distance to a surface of the functioning section of the plasticizing screw,
• wherein the method comprises detecting a type of the functioning section by:
• moving the functioning section relative to the sensor,
• detecting a distance signal progression generated by the movement of the functioning section relative to the sensor,
• comparing the detected distance signal progression with a stored distance signal progression, and
• issuing to the control unit a signal representing the type of the functioning section based on a match between the detected distance signal progression and the stored distance signal progression, and
• wherein the method further comprises changing operating parameters of the plasticizing screw via the control unit based on the signal representing the type of the functioning section issued by the detecting device.