Method and apparatus for controlling a motional sequence of a movable component of a plastic material injection molding machine

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for controlling a motional sequence of a first movable component of a plastic material injection molding machine having a first trajectory spatially overlapping at least partially a second trajectory of a second movable component of the plastic material injection molding machine. Motion of the first movable component is initiated depending on an enabling signal indicative for a motional state of the second movable component. The method comprises the steps of: a) determining a first period of time (TWA; TRE) between a first moment in time (tFW; tFR) when the enabling signal is generated and a second moment in time (t6; t3) when the first movable component enters the second trajectory; b) determining a second period of time (TRAmax; TWEmax) between the first moment in time (tFW; tFR) and a third moment in time (t10; t8) when the second movable component leaves the first trajectory; c) comparing the first period of time (TWA; TRE) with the second period of time (TRAmax; TWEmax) and generating a difference signal therebetween; and d) controlling motion of the first movable component as a function of this comparison of the first period of time (TWA; TRE) with the second period of time (TRAmax; TWEmax) such that the difference signal is smaller than a predetermined minimum tolerance value (T2; T1).

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