Energy efficient blow molder control

A blow molder system comprising:

• a blow molder for performing a blow molding process, wherein the blow molder comprises:
• a plurality of molds;
• and
• a blow molder sensor for sensing an operating condition of the blow molder;
• an inspection system for inspecting plastic objects involved in the blow molding process;
• a moisture sensor for sensing a moisture level of a plant in which the blow molder is located;
• and
• a blow molder controller that is in communication with the blow molder and the inspection system, wherein the blow molder controller is configured to:
• determine a set of blow molder input parameters for the blow molder that drives the blow molding process toward a desired characteristic, wherein the set of blow molder input parameters are determined based on:
• output from the inspection system;
• output from the blow molder sensor;
• output from the moisture sensor;
• and
• operating cost data for the blow molder, wherein the operating cost data comprise energy costs for operating the blow molder, and
• wherein the blow molder controller is further configured to determine the set of blow molder parameters by optimizing a plurality of factors, wherein the plurality of factors comprise:
• satisfaction of the desired characteristic;
• and
• operating costs to implement the set of blow molder input parameters;
• and
• output the set of blow molder input parameters to the blow molder for implementation by the blow molder.

A blow molder system comprising:

• a blow molder for performing a blow molding process, wherein the blow molder comprises:
• a plurality of molds;
• and
• a blow molder sensor for sensing an operating condition of the blow molder;
• an inspection system for inspecting plastic objects involved in the blow molding process;
• an ambient temperature sensor for sensing an ambient temperature of a plant in which the blow molder is located;
• and
• a blow molder controller that is in communication with the blow molder and the inspection system, wherein the blow molder controller is configured to:
• determine a set of blow molder input parameters for the blow molder that drives the blow molding process toward a desired characteristic, wherein the set of blow molder input parameters are determined based on:
• output from the inspection system;
• output from the blow molder sensor;
• incremental costs to make changes to the blow molder input parameters of the blow molder, wherein the incremental costs are based, at least in part, on energy costs for operating the blow molder, and
• output from the ambient temperature sensor;
• and
• output the set of blow molder input parameters to the blow molder for implementation by the blow molder.