US 5,539,650 A · Knowledge based method of controlling an injection molding machine

Abstract

Computer based interactive control of a plastics injection molding machine during input of portions of a production sequence and configuration of an injection cycle, which is effected essentially before the onset of the injection molding process. For a mold guided by an operator, operating parameters required for a process sequence are input by way of an input unit into a computer based control unit storing these operating parameters. Subsequently, one or a plurality of injection cycles are implemented according to the stored operating parameters. A physically possible production sequence, as well as a production sequence that is structurally specific to the machine and the tool employed, including any peripheral devices provided at the respective machine or associated therewith, is determined with the control unit. An operator is provided with a selection of possible inputs of further portions of the production sequence that can be added to the existing portions and are compatible with the machine and the tool based on the determination.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A computer based interactive method of controlling a plastics injection molding machine during input of portions of a production sequence and configuration of an injection cycle, which is effected essentially before the onset of the injection molding process, wherein, for a mold guided by the operator, the operating parameters required for the process sequence are input by way of an input unit into a computer based control unit storing these operating parameters and subsequently one or a plurality of injection cycles are implemented according to the stored operating parameters, the method comprising:

determining with the control unit a physically possible production sequence as well as a production sequence that is structurally specific to the machine and the tool employed, including peripheral devices associated therewith;
and
providing to an operator, with the control unit, a selection of possible inputs of further portions of the production sequence that can be added to the existing portions and are compatible with the machine and the tool, based on the determining step.

An interactive computer based method of setting up and controlling a plastics injection molding machine production sequence including an injection cycle, and establishing operating parameters therefor, in a plastics injection molding machine including a tool, a control unit for data processing, storage of program instructions, operating parameters, and a knowledge data base including physically possible and structurally specific production sequences and parameters associated with particular machine, tool and peripheral device configurations controlled by the control unit, an operator input device and an operator display device, the method comprising:

interactively configuring a production sequence including:
(a) displaying a menu of possible production sequence selections based on the knowledge base to an operator on the operator display device;
(b) receiving as input from an operator with the operator input device and storing in the control unit a production sequence selection;
(c) retrieving from the knowledge base possible subsequent production sequence selections consistent with previous operator selections received and stored;
(d) displaying to an operator on the display device the possible subsequent production sequence selections retrieved in the retrieving step;
and
(e) repeating steps (b) to (d) until the interactive configuration of a production sequence is completed;
interactively establishing initial production sequence operating parameters, including:
(f) displaying to an operator on the display device an input mask associated with a production sequence selection and a range of acceptable operating parameters associated therewith;
(g) receiving as input from an operator with the operator input device and storing in the control unit operating parameter input;
and
(h) repeating steps (f) and (g) until the interactive establishing of initial production sequence operating parameters is completed for each production sequence selection;
and
interactively optimizing the stored completed production sequence, including:
(i) receiving as input from the operator with the input device a desired production sequence selection of a completed production sequence whose operating parameters the operator desires to change;
(j) displaying to the operator on the display device an input mask associated with the desired production sequence selection and a range of acceptable operating parameters associated therewith;
(k) receiving as input from an operator with the operator input device and storing in the control unit modified operating parameter input;
(l) repeating steps (i) to (k) until interactive optimization is completed.

15 more elements

An interactive computer based method for setting up and controlling a plastics injection molding machine production sequence including at least one injection cycle, and for establishing operating parameters therefor, in a plastics injection molding machine including a tool, a control unit for data processing, storage of program instructions, operating parameters, and a knowledge data base including physically possible and structurally specific production sequences and parameters associated with particular machine, tool and optional peripheral device configurations controlled by the control unit, an operator input device and an operator display device, the method comprising:

interactively configuring a production sequence including:
(a) displaying a menu of possible production sequence selections based on the knowledge base to an operator on the operator display device;
(b) receiving as input from an operator with the operator input device and storing in the control unit a production sequence selection;
(c) retrieving from the knowledge base possible subsequent production sequence selections consistent with previous operator selections received and stored;
(d) displaying to an operator on the display device the possible subsequent production sequence selections retrieved in the retrieving step;
(e) repeating steps (b) to (d) until the interactive configuration of a production sequence is completed;
(f) displaying to an operator on the display device an input mask associated with a production sequence selection and a range of acceptable operating parameters associated therewith;
(g) receiving as input from an operator with the operator input device and storing in the control unit operating parameter input;
and
(h) repeating steps (f) and (g) until the interactive establishing of initial production sequence operating parameters is completed for each production sequence selection.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Knowledge based method of controlling an injection molding machine

Life of this patent

Knowledge based method of controlling an injection molding machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19