Patent ID: 6868305
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: B23K,B29C,G05B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus configured for controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine having a system control processor performing overall process control of the injection molding machine, said apparatus comprising: a microcontroller configured to control the operation of a hydraulic control valve that regulates a supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator to control movement thereof, the microcontroller being remotely located from the system control processor and responsive to command signals from the system control processor, the command signals received by the microcontroller being configured to cause local control of the hydraulic control valve, said microcontroller generating control signals for communication to the hydraulic control valve in response to the command signals; a communications link configured to connect said microcontroller to the system control processor and to the hydraulic control valve, the communication link being configured to carry bi-directional communications; a sensor configured to monitor the hydraulic actuator and send, in response to an operational condition of the hydraulic actuator, feedback signals to the microcontroller; and a memory associated with the microcontroller and configured to store a control program, said command signals, and said and feedback signals, said memory also being configured to store operating characteristics of at least one of said hydraulic control valve and said hydraulic actuator, said microcontroller being configured to use the stored operating characteristics locally in said control program to generate control signals that perform closed-loop control of the hydraulic actuator.