Injection molding controller interface with user-adjustable variables
AssigneeImflux Inc.
InventorsGene Michael Altonen, Brian Matthew Burns, Herbert Kenneth Hanson, III
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An injection molding machine uses a native controller and a retrofit controller to effectively control its operation. The controllers may determine and/or receive information regarding the machine's maximum load capacity, and may also determine a current operational load value of the machine. The retrofit controller may cause the machine to operate at any number of combinations of settings of operational parameters which result in the machine operating at or below the maximum load value by adjusting any number of machine parameters associated with the injection molding machine based on feedback sensors measuring real-time operating conditions of the machine.
Claims12
A method of retrofitting an injection molding machine, the method comprising:
- retrofitting an injection molding machine with a retrofit controller, the injection molding machine including a native controller adapted to control operation of the injection molding machine;
- entering a learning mode of at least one of the native controller or the retrofit controller to calculate an initial load value of the injection molding machine based on a first set of operating parameters;
- calculating a modified load value of the injection molding machine by operating the injection molding machine based on a second set of operating parameters;
- generating a reference load curve based on at least the first set of operating parameters and the second set of operating parameters;
- entering an operational mode of the retrofit controller;
- and
- using the retrofit controller, selectively operating the injection molding machine such that an operational load value of the injection molding machine remains at or below the reference load curve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.