Patent Description:
Conventionally, there is used a molding apparatus configured to store a parison supplied from an extruder in a die of a mold clamping device and configured to obtain an molded body. For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a mold clamping device capable of synchronizing a pair of platens for fixing dies and moving them toward a predetermined parting line (a clamping reference plane). Some of such molding apparatuses are provided with a transfer means in order for transferring the mold clamping device in order to attach / detach and maintain the die. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a drive device for closing and opening a two-part mold in a plastic blow molding machine, and Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a device for closing and opening press of blow molding machine.

Conventionally, there is a molded product manufacturing system with a robot for transporting a molded body molded by a blow molding machine to the place where the next process is performed. For example, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a configuration in which a multi-axis robot (articulated robot) is used to transport a molded body.

<CIT> discloses a molding apparatus comprising a mold clamping device clamping an extruded parison, transfer bars to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, the mold clamping device comprising first and second platens for holding a die, mold clamping rods supporting the first and second platens so as to be horizontally movable, and a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other along the clamping rod.

By the way, there remains a burr portion that protrudes from the pinch-off of the die on the molded body taken out from the die after mold clamping with the mold clamping device, and the burr portion must be removed. It is effective to increase the clamping force of the mold clamping device in order to facilitate the removal of the burr portion, but in order to increase the clamping force, the mold clamping device (particularly, the clamping drive unit) needs to be large or complicated.

However, if the weight of the mold clamping device increases due to the increase in size and complexity, the load on the motor that drives the transfer means increases. Therefore, when sudden acceleration / deceleration is performed, for example, there is a risk of overloading the motor of the transfer means.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances and is to provides a molding apparatus provided with a transfer means capable of transferring a heavy-weight mold clamping device.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances and provides a molded product manufacturing system capable of reducing the installation area.

The present invention provides a molding apparatus according to claim <NUM> that molds a molded product, comprising: a mold clamping device clamping a parison extruded from an extruder to obtain a molded body, a transfer rail to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, and an electric cylinder to transfer the mold clamping device along the transfer rail, wherein, the mold clamping device comprises first and second platens for holding a die, and a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other, the electric cylinder comprises a motor having an output shaft and a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the output shaft into a linear motion, and, the electric cylinder further comprises at least one of the following configurations <NUM>) and <NUM>).

According to the present invention, for example, when the mold clamping device being transferred is suddenly decelerated by an electric cylinder as a transfer means, if the above configuration (<NUM>) is provided, the rotation of the output shaft due to the inertial force of the mold clamping device is braked by the brake. Therefore, the load applied to the motor can be reduced even if the mold clamping device is heavy. Further, if the configuration (<NUM>) is provided, when the load (torque) becomes large, the load applied to the motor can be reduced by loosening the connection between the output shaft and the feed screw mechanism by the clutch.

Preferably, the mold clamping device comprises a third platen connected to the first platen via a tie-bar, the clamping drive unit comprises a slide drive means and a toggle mechanism, wherein, the toggle mechanism connects the second platen and the third platen and causes the second and third platens closer to or separated from each other by driving the slide drive means.

Preferably, the toggle mechanism includes a pair of first toggle links, a pair of second toggle links, a pair of auxiliary links, and a connecting member, wherein, one end side of the first toggle links are rotatably connected to the third platen, the other end side of the first toggle links are rotatably connected to one end side of the second toggle links, the other end side of the second toggle links are rotatably connected to the second platen, one end side of the auxiliary links are rotatably connected to the first toggle links, the other end side of the auxiliary links are rotatably connected to the connecting member, and, the slide drive means is configured to move the connecting member in the mold clamping direction.

Preferably, the mold clamping device comprises a mold clamping rail and a clamping reference plane holding unit, the mold clamping rail supports the first to third platens so as to be horizontally movable, and the clamping reference plane holding unit is configured such that the first and second platens move symmetrically with respect to the clamping reference plane of the die.

Preferably, the transfer rail extends in a direction perpendicular to the clamping direction of the mold clamping device.

As shown in <FIG>, a molding apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment of the first viewpoint of the present invention comprises a mold clamping device <NUM>, an electric cylinder <NUM> as a transfer means, and transfer rails <NUM>. The mold clamping device <NUM> is a device for clamping a cylindrical parison supplied from an extruder <NUM> (see <FIG>) and blowing air to obtain a molded body. The electric cylinder <NUM> transfers the mold clamping device <NUM> mounted on the transfer rails <NUM> along the transfer rails <NUM>. The transfer rails <NUM> supports the mold clamping device <NUM> so as to be transferable. In the present embodiment, two transfer rails <NUM> are provided along the transfer direction of the mold clamping device <NUM>, and the transfer rails <NUM> extend in a direction perpendicular to the mold clamping direction of the mold clamping device <NUM>. Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the mold clamping device <NUM> and the electric cylinder <NUM> will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the mold clamping device <NUM> comprises a movable base <NUM>, a mold clamping rails <NUM>, a first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM>, four tie bars (tie bars <NUM> to <NUM>), a clamping drive unit <NUM>, and a clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a pair of guide blocks 21a are attached to the lower surface of the movable base <NUM> at two locations in the longitudinal direction of the transfer rails <NUM>, for a total of four locations. The movable base <NUM> is guided along the transfer rails <NUM> by moving the guide blocks 21a on the pair of transfer rails <NUM>. Further, on the upper surface of the movable base <NUM>, two mold clamping rails <NUM> that support the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> so as to be horizontally movable are arranged in parallel in the mold clamping direction (left-right direction in <FIG>). In addition, a pinion holding member <NUM> of the clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM>, which will be described later, is fixed to the upper surface of the movable base <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> are arranged on the pair of mold clamping rails <NUM> in this order. A pair of guide blocks 23a to 25a are attached to the lower surfaces of the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively. The first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> are guided along the mold clamping rails <NUM> by the guide blocks 23a to 25a moving on the pair of transfer rails <NUM>. That is, the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> are movable. As shown in <FIG>, the first platen <NUM> holds the split die MA, and the second platen <NUM> holds the split die MB.

As shown in <FIG>, tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> are inserted into the corners of the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> in a quadrangular arrangement in parallel with the mold clamping rails <NUM>. In <FIG>, a part of the tie bars <NUM> and <NUM> are drawn by imaginary lines. One end sides of the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> (the left end sides in <FIG>) are fixed to the first platen <NUM>, and the other end sides of the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> (the right end sides in <FIG>) are fixed to the third platen <NUM>. As a result, the first and third platens <NUM> and <NUM> move in conjunction with each other. Further, the second platen <NUM> is arranged between the first and third platens <NUM> and <NUM>, and slides along the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the clamping drive unit <NUM> is used to drive the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> closer to or separated from each other. As shown in <FIG>, the clamping drive unit <NUM> comprises a slide drive means <NUM> and a toggle mechanism <NUM>.

The slide drive means <NUM> comprises a clamping servomotor <NUM>, a ball screw <NUM>, and a ball nut <NUM>. The clamping servomotor <NUM> is fixed to the third platen <NUM>. The ball screw <NUM> is arranged parallel to the mold clamping rails <NUM>. The slide drive means <NUM> is configured such that the ball nut <NUM> moves along the ball screw <NUM> by rotating the ball screw <NUM> by driving the clamping servomotor <NUM>.

The toggle mechanism <NUM> is configured such that the second and third platens <NUM> and <NUM> are connected by links, and the second and third platens <NUM> and <NUM> drives closer to or separated from each other by the drive of the slide drive means <NUM>. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the toggle mechanism <NUM> comprises a pair of upper and lower first toggle links <NUM>, a pair of upper and lower second toggle links <NUM>, a pair of upper and lower auxiliary links <NUM>, and a connecting member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the pair of first toggle links <NUM>, the pair of second toggle links <NUM>, and the pair of auxiliary links <NUM> are each provided with two sets in the direction perpendicular to the mold clamping direction (depth direction in <FIG>) (See <FIG>). However, since they have the same configuration and have the same functions, only one set will be described below.

One end side of the first toggle link <NUM> is rotatably connected to the third platen <NUM> via a bracket 25b and a pin 25c. Here, the bracket 25b extends longer in the longitudinal direction than the length in the longitudinal direction of the first toggle link <NUM> and is connected to the first toggle link <NUM> via the pin 25c at its end. The other end side of the first toggle link <NUM> is rotatably connected to one end side of the second toggle link <NUM> via a pin <NUM>. The other end of the second toggle link <NUM> is rotatably connected to the second platen <NUM> via a bracket 24b and a pin 24c. Further, one end side of the auxiliary link <NUM> is rotatably connected to the first toggle link <NUM> via a pin <NUM>, and the other end side of the auxiliary link <NUM> is rotatably connected to the connecting member <NUM> via a pin <NUM>.

The connecting member <NUM> holds the ball nut <NUM> of the slide drive means <NUM>. As a result, the connecting member <NUM> moves in the direction along the mold clamping rails <NUM> as the ball nut <NUM> moves due to the rotation of the ball screw <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM> comprises a pinion holding member <NUM>, a pinion <NUM>, and first and second racks <NUM> and <NUM>. The pinion holding member <NUM> is fixed to the upper surface of the movable base <NUM> and rotatably supports the pinion <NUM> about a rotation axis perpendicular to the mold clamping direction. The pinion <NUM> is arranged so as to mesh with the teeth 53a of the first rack <NUM> and the teeth 54a of the second rack <NUM> at a position between the first and second racks <NUM> and <NUM> arranged parallel to the mold clamping rails <NUM>, respectively. The first rack <NUM> is fixed to the first platen <NUM> via the fixing member 23d, and the second rack <NUM> is fixed to the second platen <NUM> via the fixing member 24d. The pinion <NUM>, the first rack <NUM>, and the second rack <NUM> constitute a rack and pinion mechanism.

Since the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> are connected to the pinion <NUM> via the first and second racks <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> move in opposite directions by an equal distance according to the rotation of the pinion <NUM>. With such a configuration, the clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM> functions to symmetrically move the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> with respect to the clamping reference plane S (center position when the die is clamped) of the dies MA and MB also shown in <FIG>.

Hereinafter, the operation of the mold clamping device <NUM> having the above configuration will be described with reference to <FIG>. When "the clamping servomotor <NUM>" of the slide drive means <NUM> drives from the state where the dies MA and MB are open in <FIG>, the ball screw <NUM> rotates and the ball nut <NUM> and the connecting member <NUM> move away from the third platen <NUM>(to the left in <FIG>). Then, the pair of auxiliary links <NUM>, the pair of first toggle links <NUM>, and the pair of second toggle links <NUM> move in conjunction with each other, and the distance between the second platen <NUM> and the third platen <NUM> increases. At the same time, the distance between the first platen <NUM> and the second platen <NUM> becomes closer.

Then, when the connecting member <NUM> is further driven by the clamping servomotor <NUM>, the bracket 25b of the third platen <NUM>, the first toggle link <NUM>, and the second toggle link <NUM> are aligned in a straight line as shown in <FIG>. Then, in this state, the split die MA held on the first platen <NUM> and the split die MB held on the second platen <NUM> are clamped.

By the way, during the above operation, the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> are all in a state of being movable on the mold clamping rails <NUM>. However, since the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM>, the movements of the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> are restricted, and the first and platens <NUM> and <NUM> are kept equidistant with respect to the clamping reference plane S. Therefore, by aligning the position directly below the extruder <NUM> and the clamping reference plane S (see <FIG>), the parison dropping from the extruder <NUM> can be clamped without misalignment. Then, by blowing air into the parison in this state, it is possible to obtain a molded body that conforms to the shape of the cavity engraved on the inner surface of the die.

On the other hand, when the clamping servomotor <NUM> is rotated in the reverse direction from the state of <FIG>, the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> move away from each other, and the die can be opened.

As described above, the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment is configured to clamp when the first toggle link <NUM> and the second toggle link <NUM> are aligned in a straight line. Therefore, the mold clamping device <NUM> can significantly increase the fastening force at the time of clamping. Further, since the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment is provided with two sets of a pair of first toggle links <NUM>, a pair of second toggle links <NUM>, and a pair of auxiliary links <NUM>. Therefore, the fastening force and the accuracy are further increased.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the electric cylinder <NUM> comprises a brake motor <NUM>, a speed reducer <NUM>, a slip clutch <NUM> as a clutch, and a ball screw mechanism <NUM> as a feed screw mechanism. The electric cylinder <NUM> is used for attaching / detaching and maintaining the dies MA and MB of the mold clamping device <NUM>, and for continuous operation of the molding apparatus <NUM> described later.

As shown in <FIG>, the brake motor <NUM> comprises a motor <NUM> having an output shaft 61a and a brake <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the brake <NUM> is a spring close type of non-excited electromagnetic brake that generates a braking force by a spring. Specifically, the brake <NUM> comprises a coil, an armature, a disc, a plate, and a spring (these are not shown), and when the power is off or a power failure occurs, the brake <NUM> presses the armature with a spring and generates a braking force by sandwiching the disc between the armature and the plate to brake the rotation of the output shaft 61a. The brake motor <NUM> may have a configuration in which the motor <NUM> and the brake <NUM> are integrated or may be individually arranged without being integrated. Further, the brake <NUM> can be a permanent close type of non-excited electromagnetic brake that generates a braking force by a permanent magnet.

The speed reducer <NUM> decelerates the rotation of the brake motor <NUM> and transmits the rotation to the slip clutch <NUM>.

The slip clutch <NUM> is used as a back torque limiter. Specifically, the slip clutch <NUM> of the present embodiment has a main drive shaft connected to the output shaft 61a of the motor <NUM> via the speed reducer <NUM> and a driven shaft connected to the ball screw <NUM> of the ball screw mechanism <NUM> (not shown). The slip clutch <NUM> transmits power by connecting the output shaft 61a and the ball screw <NUM> by rotating the main drive shaft and the driven shaft in conjunction with each other with respect to the power in the forward direction. Here, the forward direction is the direction from the output shaft 61a side of the motor <NUM> to the ball screw <NUM> side of the ball screw mechanism <NUM>. On the other hand, when an excessive torque (back torque) is applied in the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the ball screw <NUM> side to the output shaft 61a side, the connection between the output shaft 61a and the ball screw <NUM> can be loosened by loosening the connection between the main drive shaft and the driven shaft (by becoming a half-clutch state). As the slip clutch <NUM>, a known structure can be used.

The ball screw mechanism <NUM> is used to convert a rotary motion into a linear motion. As shown in <FIG>, the ball screw mechanism <NUM> comprises a ball screw <NUM>, a nut <NUM>, a rod <NUM>, and an outer cylinder <NUM> (see <FIG>) that covers the ball screw <NUM> and the nut <NUM>. Further, a plurality of balls that circulate infinitely are arranged between the ball screw <NUM> and the nut <NUM> and can be driven with a slight frictional resistance. As for the configuration of the ball screw mechanism <NUM>, a known configuration can be used. It is also possible to use a feed screw mechanism that does not use a ball instead of the ball screw mechanism <NUM>.

As described above, the ball screw <NUM> of the present embodiment is connected to the motor <NUM> via the slip clutch <NUM> and the speed reducer <NUM> and is rotated by the drive of the motor <NUM>. The nut <NUM> moves in the longitudinal direction of the ball screw <NUM> as the ball screw <NUM> rotates. A rod <NUM> is attached to the nut <NUM>, and as shown in <FIG>, the rod <NUM> telescopically moves with respect to the outer cylinder <NUM> as the nut <NUM> moves. Further, a fixing portion 93a is provided at the tip of the rod <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the fixing portion 93a of the present embodiment penetrates through the through hole 21b (see <FIG>) provided in the movable base <NUM> of the mold clamping device <NUM> and is fixed to the movable base <NUM> at the position opposite to the electric cylinder <NUM>. According to such a fixing state, the electric cylinder <NUM> can be installed at a position closer to the mold clamping device <NUM> as compared with the case where the fixing portion 93a is fixed to the position on the electric cylinder <NUM> side of the movable base <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the installation area of the molding apparatus <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the operation of the electric cylinder <NUM> having the above configuration will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the state of the electric cylinder <NUM> when the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment performs mold clamping. Point P in <FIG> is the drop point of the parison dropping from the head <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the extruder <NUM>. In this state, the mold clamping device <NUM> clamps the parison. When the mold clamping device <NUM> is in the position of clamping, the ball screw mechanism <NUM> of the electric cylinder <NUM> is in a state in which the rod <NUM> is extended.

When the motor <NUM> of the electric cylinder <NUM> is driven from the state of <FIG> and <FIG>, the ball screw <NUM> of the ball screw mechanism <NUM> rotates via the speed reducer <NUM> and the slip clutch <NUM>. The nut <NUM> moves with the rotation of the ball screw <NUM> and the rod <NUM> contracts to transfer the mold clamping device <NUM>. Here, the slip clutch <NUM> is configured so that the main drive shaft and the driven shaft are securely connected and interlocked to rotate to transmit power when the mold clamping device <NUM> is accelerated by the electric cylinder <NUM>. Further, the output of the motor <NUM> is lowered and the brake <NUM> is operated when decelerating the mold clamping device <NUM>.

Then, when the rod <NUM> contracts and substantially the entire rod <NUM> is housed in the outer cylinder <NUM> and reaches the state shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the transfer operation is completed. By driving the motor <NUM> in the opposite direction from the states shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is possible to return to the states shown in <FIG> and <FIG> again. As described above, the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment is transferred on the transfer rails <NUM> by the telescopic motion of the rod <NUM> of the electric cylinder <NUM>.

Burrs Xb are attached to the molded body X that has been molded by the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment and taken out by opening the die (see <FIG>). The molding apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the deburring device <NUM> shown in <FIG> to remove the burrs Xb. The deburring device <NUM> comprises a robot arm <NUM>, a support member <NUM>, and a pair of swing members <NUM>. Hereinafter, the operation of the deburring device <NUM> will be briefly described.

In the deburring operation of the deburring device <NUM>, first, as shown in <FIG>, the molded body X is sucked and held by the robot arm <NUM>. Next, as shown in <FIG>, the lower portion of the molded body X is supported by the support member <NUM>. Next, as shown in <FIG>, the arms 503a of the swing members <NUM> are rotated around rotating shafts 503b arranged at a height position substantially equal to that of the burrs Xb, and the burrs Xb are beaten off by the arms 503a. Finally, as shown in <FIG>, the support by the support member <NUM> is released, the molded body X is conveyed to a predetermined position by the robot arm <NUM>, and the deburring operation is completed.

By the way, in order to remove the burrs Xb of the molded body X by the deburring device <NUM>, it is preferable to pinch off with a strong mold clamping force at the time of mold clamping. In this respect, since the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the toggle mechanism <NUM> described above, it is possible to perform mold clamping with a sufficient mold clamping force.

Instead, as a result of adopting the toggle mechanism <NUM> described above in order to increase the mold clamping force, the clamping drive unit <NUM> becomes heavier in the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment, and the mold clamping device <NUM> itself is also heavier than the conventional one. Therefore, when such a heavy mold clamping device <NUM> is transferred by the electric cylinder <NUM>, the moment of inertia becomes large and the load on the motor <NUM> increases, particularly during acceleration / deceleration.

However, in this respect, since the electric cylinder <NUM> of the present embodiment uses the brake motor <NUM>, the load on the motor <NUM> can be reduced by braking with the brake <NUM>, particularly when the mold clamping device <NUM> is decelerating. In addition, the electric cylinder <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the slip clutch <NUM>. As a result, when an excessive torque (back torque) is applied from the ball screw <NUM> side to the output shaft 61a side due to the inertial force of the mold clamping device <NUM>, the connection between the output shaft 61a and the ball screw <NUM> is loosened (blocked). This also makes it possible to reduce the load on the motor <NUM>.

It is assumed as the usage pattern of the molding apparatus <NUM> that a parison is continuously supplied from one extruder <NUM>, and a plurality of mold clamping devices <NUM> are transferred and used alternately to continuously perform the mold clamping. For example, <FIG> shows an example in which two mold clamping devices <NUM> and two electric cylinders <NUM> corresponding thereto are arranged line-symmetrically, and two mold clamping devices <NUM> are arranged on a pair of transfer rails <NUM>. In this case, each electric cylinder <NUM> alternately moves the centers of the dies attached to the two mold clamping devices <NUM> to the drop point P of the parison, so that the mold clamping can be continuously performed. When the molding apparatus <NUM> has such a configuration, it is required to transfer the mold clamping device <NUM> at high speed. In this respect, in the molding apparatus <NUM> of the present invention, the electric cylinder <NUM> is used as the transfer means of the mold clamping device <NUM>, and the electric cylinder <NUM> comprises the brake motor <NUM> and the slip clutch <NUM>. Therefore, the electric cylinder <NUM> can prevent the motor <NUM> from being overloaded even if sudden acceleration / deceleration is performed for high-speed transfer.

The present invention can also be implemented in the following embodiments:.

(Embodiment of Second Viewpoint) viewpoint which is not part of the invention).

As shown in <FIG>, the molding apparatus <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the second viewpoint comprises a mold clamping device <NUM>, a transfer means <NUM>, and transfer rails <NUM>. The mold clamping device <NUM> is a device for clamping a cylindrical parison supplied from an extruder <NUM> (see <FIG>) and blowing air to obtain a molded body. The mold clamping device <NUM> is mounted on the transfer rails <NUM> included in the transfer means <NUM>. The transfer means <NUM> is a means for transferring the mold clamping device <NUM> along the transfer rails <NUM>. Hereinafter, the configurations and operations of the mold clamping device <NUM> and the transfer means <NUM> will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the mold clamping device <NUM> comprises a movable base <NUM>, four tie bars (tie bars <NUM> to <NUM>), a first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM>, and a clamping drive unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, guide blocks 121a are attached to the lower surface of the movable base <NUM>. The movable base <NUM> is guided along pair of transfer rails <NUM> by moving the guide blocks 121a on the transfer rails <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> are inserted through the movable base <NUM> in a rectangular arrangement and so as to be orthogonal to the transfer rails <NUM>, and are supported horizontally. One end sides (left end sides in <FIG>) of the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> are fixed to the first platen <NUM>, and the other end sides (right end sides in <FIG>) of the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> are fixed to the third platen <NUM>. As a result, the first platen <NUM> and the third platen <NUM> move in conjunction with each other. Further, the second platen <NUM> is arranged between the first and third platens <NUM> and <NUM>, and upper two tie bars <NUM> and <NUM> of the four tie bars <NUM> to <NUM> are inserted into the second platen <NUM>. The second platen <NUM> slides along the tie bars <NUM> and <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first platen <NUM> holds the split die 108A and the second platen <NUM> holds the split die 108B. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> constitute a pair of platens that hold the die.

The clamping drive unit <NUM> is used to move the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> closer to or separated from each other (see <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the clamping drive unit <NUM> comprises a clamping servomotor <NUM>, a disk <NUM>, and a pair of link arms <NUM> and <NUM>.

The clamping servomotor <NUM> is fixed to the upper part of the movable base <NUM> and rotates the disk <NUM> so that the angle can be controlled. One ends of the link arms <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to the two opposing positions of the disk <NUM>, respectively. The other end of the link arm <NUM> is pivotally fixed to the bracket 127b of the second platen <NUM>, and the other end of the link arm <NUM> is pivotally fixed to the bracket 128b of the third platen <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the operation of the mold clamping device <NUM> comprising the above configuration will be briefly described with reference to <FIG>. From the state of <FIG>, when the clamping servomotor <NUM> (see <FIG>) is driven to rotate the disk <NUM> counterclockwise, the link arm <NUM> presses the second platen <NUM> in the direction (left direction in the drawing) toward the clamping reference plane S (center position when the die is clamped, see <FIG>). Here, the clamping reference plane S is set directly below the head <NUM> of the extruder <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. At the same time, the link arm <NUM> presses the third platen <NUM> in the opposite direction. Since the third platen <NUM> is connected to the first platen <NUM> via the tie bars <NUM> to <NUM>, the first platen <NUM> is pulled in the direction toward the clamping reference surface S (to the right in the figure) in conjunction with the movement of the third platen <NUM>. As a result, the first platen <NUM> and the second platen <NUM> move so as to move closer to the clamping reference plane S, respectively.

Therefore, by driving the mold clamping device <NUM> with the parison extruded from the extruder <NUM> (see <FIG>), the split die 108A held on the first platen <NUM> and the split die 108B held on the second platen <NUM> can be clamped as shown in <FIG>. Then, by blowing air into the parison in this state, a molded body that conforms the shape of the cavity carved on the inner surface of the die can be obtained.

On the other hand, when the clamping servomotor <NUM> (see <FIG>) is rotated clockwise from the state of <FIG>, the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> move separated from each other, and the die can be opened.

The transfer means <NUM> comprises the transfer rails <NUM> described above, a rotary drive means <NUM>, and the link mechanism <NUM>. The transfer means <NUM> is used for attaching / detaching the split dies 108A and 108B of the mold clamping device <NUM> and for maintaining them, and for continuous operation of the molding apparatus <NUM> described later. Two transfer rails <NUM> are provided along the transfer direction of the mold clamping device <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, they extend in a direction perpendicular to the mold clamping direction of the mold clamping device <NUM>.

The rotary drive means <NUM> comprises a transfer servomotor <NUM> and a speed reducer <NUM>. The rotary drive means <NUM> is fixed to the installation location (floor surface or the like) of the molding apparatus <NUM>, and by transmitting the rotation of the transfer servomotor <NUM> to the link mechanism <NUM> via the speed reducer <NUM>, the link mechanism <NUM> and the mold clamping device <NUM> is driven. The speed reducer <NUM> is used to obtain torque to transfers a heavy mold clamping device <NUM>.

The link mechanism <NUM> comprises a first arm <NUM>, a first rotating shaft <NUM>, a second arm <NUM>, and a second rotating shaft <NUM>. The base end side of the first arm <NUM> is connected to an output shaft of the rotary drive means <NUM> (reducer <NUM>). The tip end side of the first arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base end side of the second arm <NUM> via the first rotating shaft <NUM>. The tip end side of the second arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the bracket 102b attached to the mold clamping device <NUM> via the second rotating shaft <NUM>. Further, the output shaft of the rotary drive means <NUM>, the first rotating shaft <NUM>, and the second rotating shaft <NUM> are arranged in parallel, and thus the first and second arms <NUM> and <NUM> move within substantially the same plane.

Hereinafter, the operation of the transfer means <NUM> having the above configuration will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the state of the transfer means <NUM> when the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment performs mold clamping. Point P in <FIG> is the drop point of the parison dropping from the head <NUM> of the extruder <NUM> in <FIG>. In this state, the mold clamping device <NUM> clamps the parison. When the mold clamping device <NUM> is in the position of clamping, the link mechanism <NUM> of the transfer means <NUM> is set to a state in which the first and second arms <NUM> and <NUM> extend in a straight line and parallel to the transfer rails <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

When the transfer servomotor <NUM> of the transfer means <NUM> is driven from the state of <FIG> and <FIG>, the first arm <NUM> rotates about the base end side thereof via the speed reducer <NUM>. Then, the second arm <NUM> moves in conjunction with the first arm <NUM>. At this time, the tip end side of the second arm <NUM> is pivotally fixed to the bracket 102b of the mold clamping device <NUM> via the second rotating shaft <NUM>, and the movement of the mold clamping device <NUM> is substantially restricted only in the direction along the transfer rails <NUM> due to its weight. Therefore, as the first arm <NUM> rotates, the second arm <NUM> acts to pull the bracket 102b in the direction along the transfer rails <NUM>. As a result, as shown in <FIG>, the mold clamping device <NUM> moves on the transfer rails <NUM> in the direction approaching the rotary drive means <NUM>.

Then, when the first arm <NUM> is rotated <NUM> degrees from the state of <FIG> and <FIG> by driving the transfer servomotor <NUM>, the first and second arms <NUM> and <NUM> completely overlap each other as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and the transfer operation is completed. By driving the transfer servomotor <NUM> in the opposite direction from the states shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is possible to return to the states shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As described above, the molding apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises the transfer means <NUM> for transferring the mold clamping device <NUM> along the transfer rails <NUM>, and the transfer means <NUM> comprises the rotary drive means <NUM> and the link mechanism <NUM> having the first and second arms <NUM> and <NUM>. With such a configuration, it is possible to transfer the mold clamping device <NUM> at a higher speed than a method using a ball screw as a means for transferring the mold clamping device.

Further, the link mechanism <NUM> of the present embodiment sets the position when the two arms <NUM> and <NUM> are in a straight line (see <FIG> and <FIG>) to the position where the mold clamping device <NUM> performs mold clamping. As a result, the ratio of the error in the position of the mold clamping device <NUM> in the transfer direction to the error in the angle of the transfer servomotor <NUM> becomes small, and the transfer error can be suppressed in the position of mold clamping where transfer accuracy is required.

In addition, in the case of the method using a ball screw, it is necessary to control the acceleration / deceleration of the servomotor and to provide a separate brake in order to avoid the impact load. In this respect, the method does not require any special control because the transfer is automatically stopped when the two arms of the link mechanism <NUM> are fully extended. Further, in the method of the present invention, the transfer speed changes with time as represented by the sine curve and becomes <NUM> when the arm is fully extended / contracted. Therefore, the mold clamping device <NUM> can be automatically accelerate of decelerate without any special control.

As a usage pattern of the molding apparatus <NUM>, it is assumed that the parison is continuously supplied from one extruder <NUM>, and a plurality of mold clamping devices <NUM> are transferred and used alternately to continuously perform mold clamping. For example, <FIG> shows an example in which two mold clamping devices <NUM> and two transfer means <NUM> corresponding thereto are arranged line-symmetrically, and two mold clamping devices <NUM> are arranged on a pair of transfer rails <NUM>. In this case, the mold clamping can be continuously performed by alternately moving the centers of the molds attached to the two mold clamping devices <NUM> to the drop point P of the parison by each transfer means <NUM>. Even when the molding apparatus <NUM> has such a configuration, since the link mechanism <NUM> is used as the transfer means <NUM> in the molding apparatus <NUM> of the present invention, the mold clamping device <NUM> is transferred at high speed and the mold clamping device <NUM> can perform mold clamping continuously.

Next, the molding apparatus <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to <FIG>. The molding apparatus <NUM> of the present embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment of the second aspect only in the configuration of the transfer means <NUM>. Therefore, in the following, the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment of the second viewpoint will be omitted, and only the differences will be described.

The transfer means <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises a pair of transfer rails 141a and 141b, a rail 141c for the rotary drive means, a rotary drive means <NUM>, a link mechanism <NUM>, and a fixing member <NUM> fixed to an installation location. The rail 141c for the rotary drive means is a rail arranged in parallel with the transfer rails 141a and 141b at positions between them. The rail 141c for the rotary drive means together with the transfer rail 141a, slidably supports the rotary drive means <NUM>.

The rotary drive means <NUM> is composed of a transfer servomotor and a speed reducer as in the first embodiment of the second aspect (the illustration of these configurations is omitted in <FIG>). On the other hand, the rotary drive means <NUM> of the present embodiment is not fixed at the installation location of the molding apparatus <NUM>, but is supported by the transfer rails 141a and the rail 141c for the rotary drive means and movable on these rails.

The link mechanism <NUM> comprises a first rotating shaft <NUM>, a first arm <NUM>, a second rotating shaft <NUM>, a second arm <NUM>, a third rotating shaft <NUM>, a third arm <NUM>, and a fourth rotating shaft <NUM>. The base end side of the first arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the fixing member <NUM> fixed to the wall surface or the like of the installation location via the first rotating shaft <NUM>. In the description of the link mechanism <NUM> here, the fixing member <NUM> side (the right side in <FIG>) is referred to as a base end side. The tip end side of the first arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the base end side of the second arm <NUM> via the second rotating shaft <NUM>. The tip end side of the second arm <NUM> is connected to the third arm <NUM> via the third rotating shaft <NUM>. The tip end side of the third arm <NUM> is rotatably connected to the bracket 102b attached to the mold clamping device <NUM> via the fourth rotating shaft <NUM>.

Further, the output shaft <NUM> of the rotary drive means <NUM> is attached to the center position of the second arm <NUM>. That is, in the present embodiment, the rotary drive means <NUM> is configured to rotate the second arm <NUM> with the center of the second arm <NUM> as the center of rotation.

Next, the operation of the transfer means <NUM> having the above configuration will be described.

<FIG> shows the state of the transfer means <NUM> when the mold clamping device <NUM> of the present embodiment performs mold clamping. In this state, the mold clamping device <NUM> clamps the parison. When the mold clamping device <NUM> is in the position of clamping, the link mechanism <NUM> of the transfer means <NUM> is in a state in which the first to third arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extend in a straight line parallel to the transfer rails 141a and 141b.

When the transfer servomotor (not shown) of the rotary drive means <NUM> is driven from the state of <FIG>, the second arm <NUM> rotates about the output shaft <NUM> of the rotary drive means <NUM>. Here, the link mechanism <NUM> of the present embodiment can be considered as two link mechanisms with the output shaft <NUM> (the power source) as a boundary, one on the first arm <NUM> side and the other on the third arm <NUM> side. Therefore, in the following, the operation of the transfer means <NUM> by the link mechanism <NUM> will be described separately as the operation on the first arm <NUM> side and the operation on the third arm <NUM> side.

On the first arm <NUM> side, when the second arm <NUM> tries to rotate about the output shaft <NUM>, the first and second arms <NUM> and <NUM>, which are in a straight line, try to bend at the second rotating shaft <NUM>. Then, the first rotating shaft <NUM> (or the fixing member <NUM>) and the output shaft <NUM> (or the rotating driving means <NUM>) receive a force in a direction of approaching each other. By the way, at this time, the fixing member <NUM> is fixed to the wall surface or the like and cannot move, while the rotary drive means <NUM> can move on the transfer rail 141a and the rail 141c for the rotary drive means. Therefore, when the second arm <NUM> rotates about the output shaft <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the rotary drive means <NUM> moves in the direction approaching the fixing member <NUM> along the transfer rail 141a and the rail 141c for the rotary drive means.

On the other hand, on the third arm <NUM> side, when the second arm <NUM> tries to rotate about the output shaft <NUM>, the second and third arms <NUM> and <NUM>, which are in a straight line, try to bend at the third rotating shaft <NUM>. Then, the output shaft <NUM> (or the rotary drive means <NUM>) and the fourth rotating shaft <NUM> (or the mold clamping device <NUM>) receive a force in a direction of approaching each other. Here, the rotary drive means <NUM> can move on the transfer rail 141a and the rail 141c for the rotary drive means along these rails, and the mold clamping device <NUM> can also move on the transfer rails 141a and 141b along these rails. Therefore, when the second arm <NUM> rotates about the output shaft <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the rotary drive means <NUM> and the mold clamping device <NUM> move in the direction of approaching each other along the transfer rails 141a, 141b and the rail 141c for the rotary driving means.

Combining the above operation on the first arm <NUM> side and the operation on the third arm <NUM> side result in the mold clamping device <NUM> moving toward the fixing member <NUM> side. The moving distance is the sum of the distance by which the rotary drive means <NUM> moves toward the fixing member <NUM> due to the operation of the first arm <NUM> side and the distance by which the mold clamping device <NUM> approaches the rotary drive means <NUM> due to the operation of the third arm <NUM> side.

Then, by further driving the transfer servomotor <NUM>, it is possible to transfer to the state shown in <FIG>. And, by driving the transfer servomotor <NUM> in the opposite direction from the state shown in <FIG>, it is possible to return to the state shown in <FIG>.

In the transfer means <NUM> of the present embodiment, the link mechanism <NUM> comprises three arms of the first to third arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the rotary drive means <NUM> drives the second arm <NUM> in the middle, and the rotary drive means <NUM> itself can move along the rail. With such a configuration, the length of each arm can be shortened, and the link mechanism can be configured in a small space. Further, even in the configuration of the second embodiment, the mold clamping device <NUM> can be transferred at a higher speed as compared with the method using a ball screw.

(Embodiment of Third viewpoint which is not part of the invention).

As shown in <FIG>, the molded product manufacturing system <NUM> comprises a blow molding machine <NUM>, multi-axis robots 204A and 204B, deburring devices 206A and 206B, cutting devices 208A and 208B, and a burr reusing means <NUM>. The molded product manufacturing system <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises a blow molding step S1 for molding the molded body X1 by the blow molding machine <NUM>, a deburring step S2 for separating the molded body X1 into a molded main body X2 and a burr Br by the deburring devices 206A and 206B, and a cutting step S3 for cutting the molded main body X2 with the cutting devices 208A and 208B to complete the molded product (not shown), and the entire process is fully automated. In each of the steps S1 to S3, the molded body X1, the molded main body X2, or the molded product is conveyed by the multi-axis robots 204A and 204B. Further, the burr Br generated in the deburring step S2 is reused by the burr reusing means <NUM>. Hereinafter, the configuration of each element of the molded product manufacturing system <NUM> of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

First, the configuration of the blow molding machine <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG>. The blow molding machine <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises a resin supply device <NUM>, a first and second mold clamping devices 230A and 230B as transfer devices, and a mold clamping device transfer means <NUM>. The first mold clamping device 230A comprises a pair of dies 231A and 232A, and the second mold clamping device 230B comprises a pair of dies 231B and 232B. Further, the mold clamping device transfer means <NUM> comprises a first electric cylinder 271A for transferring the first mold clamping device 230A, a second electric cylinder 271B for transferring the second mold clamping device 230B, and transfer rails <NUM>. The blow molding machine <NUM> of the present embodiment is a two-station system comprising two mold clamping devices. That is, in the blow molding machine <NUM>, two mold clamping devices 230A and 230B and two electric cylinders 271A and 271B corresponding thereto are arranged line-symmetrically with respect to one resin supply device <NUM>, and two mold clamping devices 230A and 230B are configured to be movable on a pair of transfer rails <NUM>. The first and second mold clamping devices 230A and 230B, the first and second electric cylinders 271A and 271B have the same configuration, respectively. Hereinafter, only the configurations of the first mold clamping device 230A and the first electric cylinder 271A will be described.

As shown in <FIG>, the resin supply device <NUM> comprises a hopper <NUM>, an extruder <NUM>, an injector <NUM>, an accumulator <NUM>, and a head <NUM>. The extruder <NUM> and the accumulator <NUM> are connected via a connecting pipe <NUM>. The accumulator <NUM> and the head <NUM> are connected via a connecting pipe <NUM>.

The hopper <NUM> is used to put the raw resin <NUM> into a cylinder 222a of the extruder <NUM>. The form of the raw resin <NUM> is not particularly limited, but is usually in the form of pellets. The raw resin <NUM> is a thermoplastic resin such as polyolefin. Further, as the raw resin <NUM>, a burr Br or the like recovered and crushed by the burr reusing means <NUM> described later can also be used. The raw resin <NUM> is put into the cylinder 222a from the hopper <NUM> and then heated in the cylinder 222a to be melted into a molten resin. Further, it is conveyed toward the tip of the cylinder 222a by the rotation of the screw arranged in the cylinder 222a.

The cylinder 222a comprises an injector <NUM> for injecting a foaming agent into the cylinder 222a. Examples of the foaming agent injected from the injector <NUM> include a physical foaming agent, a chemical foaming agent, and a mixture thereof, and a physical foaming agent is preferable. If a chemical foaming agent is used, it may be injected from the hopper <NUM> instead of being injected from the injector <NUM>.

The molten resin 228a, which is obtained by melt-kneading the raw resin <NUM> and the foaming agent, is extruded from the resin extrusion port of the cylinder 222a and injected into the accumulator <NUM> through the connecting pipe <NUM>. The accumulator <NUM> comprises a cylinder 224a and a piston 224b slidable inside the cylinder 224a, and the molten resin 228a can be stored in the cylinder 224a. Then, by moving the piston 224b after a predetermined amount of the molten resin 228a is stored in the cylinder 224a, the molten resin 228a is pushed out from the die slit provided in the head <NUM> through the connecting pipe <NUM> and dropping to form a foamed parison <NUM>. The shape of the parison <NUM> is not particularly limited, and may be tubular or sheet-shaped. The addition of a foaming agent is not essential.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first mold clamping device 230A comprises a pair of dies 231A and 232A, a movable base <NUM>, a first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM>, tie bars <NUM>, a clamping drive unit <NUM>, and a clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the dies 231A and 232A comprise cavities 231c and 232c, respectively, and pinch-off portions 231p and 232p provided along the periphery thereof. As shown in <FIG>, the die 231A is provided with an undercut structure 231u. The undercut structure is a structure in which an engaging structure is formed between the molded body X1 and the die 231A, and is, for example, a reverse taper shape. The undercut structure 231u may be provided inside the cavity 231c or may be provided outside the pinch-off portion 231p.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the movable base <NUM> is arranged on the transfer rails <NUM>, and can be moved along the transfer rails <NUM> by driving the first electric cylinder 271A described later. A pair of mold clamping rails 233a are arranged on the upper surface of the movable base <NUM>. The first platen <NUM> holds the die 231A and the second platen <NUM> holds the die 232A. Four tie bars <NUM> are inserted in the corners of the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> in parallel with the mold clamping rails 233a. The first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> are movable along the mold clamping rails 233a arranged on the upper surface of the movable base <NUM>. One end sides (right end sides in <FIG>) of the four tie bars <NUM> are fixed to the first platen <NUM>, and the other end sides (left end sides in <FIG>) of the tie bars <NUM> are fixed to the third platen <NUM>. As a result, the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> move in conjunction with each other. Further, the second platen <NUM> is arranged between the first and third platens <NUM> to <NUM>, and slides along the tie bars <NUM>.

The clamping drive units <NUM> is used to move the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> closer to or separated from each other. As shown in <FIG>, the lamping drive unit <NUM> comprises a toggle mechanism 238a, a servomotor 238b, and a ball screw 238c. The toggle mechanism 238a is configured such that the second and third platens <NUM> and <NUM> are connected by links, and the second and third platens <NUM> and <NUM> drive closer to or separated from each other by driving the servomotor 238b and the ball screw 238c. The specific configuration of the toggle mechanism 238a will be omitted. By moving the second and third platens <NUM> and <NUM> closer to or separated from each other, the distance between the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> become closer to or separated from each other. When the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> approach each other, the die 231A held by the first platen <NUM> and the die 232A held by the second platen <NUM> are clamped. When they separate, the die 231A and the die 232A are opened.

In the following description, the direction in which the first to third platens <NUM> to <NUM> move along the mold clamping rails 233a, that is, the direction in which the pair of dies 231A and 232A clamp and open the die, will be referred to as the first direction D1. In <FIG>, the left-right direction of the paper surface is the first direction D1.

The clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM> is configured by a rack and pinion mechanism. As shown in <FIG>, the pinion 239a is fixed to the movable base <NUM>, and the racks 239b and 239c are fixed to the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The clamping reference plane holding unit <NUM> functions to symmetrically move the first and second platens <NUM> and <NUM> with respect to the clamping reference plane S (center position when the die is clamped). Therefore, the dies 231A and 232A also move symmetrically with respect to the clamping reference plane S (center position when the dies are clamped). As a result, by aligning the position directly below the head <NUM> of the resin supply device <NUM> and the clamping reference plane S, the parison dropping from the resin supply device <NUM> can be clamped without misalignment.

As shown in <FIG>, the first electric cylinder 271A of the mold clamping device transfer means <NUM> comprises a brake motor <NUM> and a ball screw mechanism <NUM>. The first electric cylinder 271A of the present embodiment converts a rotary motion of the brake motor <NUM> into a linear motion by the ball screw mechanism <NUM> via the speed reducer, and moves the first mold clamping device 230A along the transfer rails <NUM>. Here, the transfer rails <NUM> is arranged to extend in a direction perpendicular to the first direction in which the pair of dies 231A and 232A are clamped and opened and to the vertical axis. In the following description, the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the vertical axis are referred to as the second direction D2. In <FIG> and <FIG>, the vertical direction of the paper surface is the second direction D2. In <FIG>, the description of the first and second electric cylinders 271A and 271B are omitted, and they are actually installed below the deburring devices 206A and 206B.

Next, the configuration of the multi-axis robot 204A will be described with reference to <FIG>. The multi-axis robot 204A is arranged on one side of the second direction D2 (upper side of <FIG>) of the blow molding machine <NUM> so as to correspond to the first mold clamping device 230A. The multi-axis robot 204B is arranged on the other side of the second direction D2 (lower side of <FIG>) of the blow molding machine <NUM> so as to correspond to the second mold clamping device 230B. Since the configurations of the two multi-axis robots 204A and 204B are the same, only the configuration of the multi-axis robot 204A will be described below.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the multi-axis robot 204A of the present embodiment comprises a base portion <NUM>, a <NUM>-axis arm portion <NUM> connected to the base portion <NUM>, and a hand portion <NUM> attached to the tip end of the arm portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the base portion <NUM> is fixed to a support surface 210a of a support frame <NUM> instead of the floor surface. Here, the support frame <NUM> is a part of a frame that supports the resin supply device <NUM> (see <FIG>) arranged above the first mold clamping device 230A, and is located above the deburring device 206A and a cutting device 208A described later. Further, in the present embodiment, the support surface 210a is a surface of the support frame <NUM> perpendicular to the floor surface. Therefore, the normal of the support surface 210a and the above-mentioned first direction D1 are in the same direction, and the angle formed by them is <NUM>°. The wall surface of the building may be used as the support frame <NUM> as long as it has the support strength to support the multi-axis robot 204A.

The arm portion <NUM> comprises a rotation base portion <NUM>, a first arm <NUM>, a second arm <NUM>, a third arm <NUM>, and a wrist portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and the explanatory view showing the axis configuration in <FIG>, the rotation base portion <NUM> is rotatably supported by the base portion <NUM> with the first axis L1 as the central axis parallel to the first direction D1. The first arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the rotation base portion <NUM> about the second axis L2, which is in a twisted position with respect to the first axis L1 and is orthogonal to it.

The second arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the first arm <NUM> about the third axis L3 as a central axis parallel to the second axis L2. The third arm <NUM> is rotatably supported by the second arm <NUM> about the fourth axis L4 as a central axis, which is in a twisted position with respect to the third axis L3 and is orthogonal to the third axis L3. The wrist portion <NUM> is composed of a total of two axes, the fifth axis L5 and the sixth axis L6, and its base end is rotatably supported by the tip of the third arm <NUM>. The fifth axis L5 is orthogonal to the fourth axis L4, and the sixth axis L6 is orthogonal to the fifth axis L5. The hand portion <NUM> is attached to the tip of the wrist portion <NUM>. The position and posture of the hand portion <NUM> are controlled by a control means (not shown). The configuration of the multi-axis robot 204A having such <NUM>-axis degrees of freedom is not limited to the above, and any known configuration can be used.

The hand portion <NUM> comprises a main body portion <NUM> and a holding mechanism <NUM>. The holding mechanism <NUM> is configured to hold the molded body X1 (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Specifically, the holding mechanism <NUM> is a suction pad having a function of holding (sucking) the molded main body X2 by a suction force, but may hold the molded main body X2 by another configuration.

Next, the configuration of the deburring device 206A will be described with reference to <FIG>. The deburring device 206A is arranged on the one side of the second direction D2 (upper side of <FIG>) of the blow molding machine <NUM> so as to correspond to the first mold clamping device 230A. The deburring device 206B is arranged on the other side of the second direction D2 (lower side of <FIG>) of the blow molding machine <NUM> so as to correspond to the second mold clamping device 230B. Since the configurations of the two deburring devices 206A and 206B are the same, only the configuration of the deburring device 206A will be described below.

The deburring device 206A separates the molded body X1 molded by the blow molding machine <NUM> into the molded main body X2 and the burr Br. The deburring device 206A of the present embodiment comprises a pair of abutting members <NUM> as a deburring mechanism, an inclined member <NUM>, and protruding mechanisms <NUM>. The pair of abutting members <NUM> are movable in the first direction D1 (left-right direction in <FIG>), respectively. An opening (gap) 260a is provided between the pair of abutting members <NUM>, and the size of the opening 260a can be changed by the pair of abutting members <NUM> moving closer to or separated from each other.

The inclined member <NUM> has an inclined surface 261a and is arranged below the pair of abutting members <NUM>. The inclined surface 261a is provided with through holes 261b. Further, the protruding mechanisms <NUM> are arranged below the inclined surface 261a. The protruding mechanisms <NUM> has a protrusion 262a, and the protrusion 262a can protrude from the inclined surface 261a through the through hole 261b. A plurality of protruding mechanisms <NUM> are preferably provided, and are arranged at positions separated from each other.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the cutting device 208A is arranged on the one side of the second direction D2 (upper side of <FIG>) of the blow molding machine <NUM> so as to correspond to the first mold clamping device 230A. The cutting device 208B is arranged on the other side of the second direction D2 (lower side of <FIG>) of the blow molding machine <NUM> so as to correspond to the second mold clamping device 230B. The configurations of the two cutting devices 208A and 208B are the same.

The cutting device 208A is a device that cuts and removes a part of the molded main body X2 that has been deburred by the deburring device 206A, for example, a bag portion when the molded product is a duct, to obtain a molded product. Since a conventionally known configuration can be used as the cutting device 208A (and the cutting device 208B), detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, depending on the type of the molded product, it is possible to configure the structure so that the cutting device 208A and the cutting device 208B are not provided.

The burr reusing means <NUM> is a mechanism for collecting and reusing the burr Br removed by the deburring device 206A and the bag portion removed by the cutting device (hereinafter referred to as "burr Br or the like"). Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the burr reusing means <NUM> of the present embodiment comprises a first conveyor 209a that conveys the burr Br and the like in the second direction D2 (downward direction in <FIG>), a second conveyor 209b that conveys the burr Br and the like conveyed by the first conveyor 209a in the first direction D1 (left direction in <FIG>), and a crusher 209c (see <FIG>) that crushes the burr Br and the like conveyed by the second conveyor 209b.

In the molded product manufacturing system <NUM> of the present embodiment, the multi-axis robot 204A, the deburring device 206A and the cutting device 208A, and the multi-axis robot 204B, the deburring device 206B and the cutting device 208B are separated from each other by the blow molding machine <NUM>. Specifically, the multi-axis robot 204A, the deburring device 206A, and the cutting device 208A are arranged at positions on one side (upper side in <FIG>) displaced in the second direction D2 with respect to the blow molding machine <NUM>. Further, the multi-axis robot 204A, the deburring device 206A and the cutting device 208A are arranged along the first direction D1. Here, "along the first direction D1" means that at least a part of each of the multi-axis robot 204A, the deburring device 206A, and the cutting device 208A overlaps in the first direction D1.

On the other hand, the multi-axis robot 204B, the deburring device 206B, and the cutting device 208B are arranged at positions on the other side (lower side in <FIG>) displaced in the second direction D2 with respect to the blow molding machine <NUM>. Further, the multi-axis robot 204B, the deburring device 206B, and the cutting device 208B are arranged along the first direction D1.

Next, each step of a blow molding step S1, a deburring step S2, and a cutting step S3 for manufacturing the molded product using the molded product manufacturing system <NUM> having the above configuration will be described. In the following, the manufacturing process of the molded product using the multi-axis robot 204A, the deburring device 206A and the cutting device 208A will be described, but the same applies to the manufacturing process using the multi-axis robot 204B, the deburring device 206B, and the cutting device 208B.

The blow molding step S1 is a step of molding the molded body X1 from the parison <NUM> by the blow molding machine <NUM> of the above configuration. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, by clamping the parison <NUM> dropping from the head <NUM> of the resin supply device <NUM> by the dies 231A and 232A of the first mold clamping device 230A, the molded body X1 is molded.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the undercut structure 231u (see <FIG>) is provided only on the die 231A side, and not on the die 232A side. Therefore, when the dies 231A and 232A are opened to take out the molded body X1, the molded body X1 is in a state where the molded body X1 is smoothly disengaged from the die 232A and engaged with the die 231A side (see <FIG>). The undercut structure 231u is preferably provided at a portion of the molded main body X2 that is to be removed after molding (for example, if the molded product is a duct, a bag portion provided at the opening) or at a burr Br. This is because the engaging portion X3 (see <FIG>) formed by the undercut structure 231u does not remain in the molded product, which is the final product.

As shown in <FIG>, the molded body X1 molded in this manner comprises a molded main body X2 that becomes a product (molded product) and a burr Br provided around the molded main body X2. The molded main body X2 has a shape that conforms to the inner surface shape of the cavities 231c and 232c. The molded main body X2 is, for example, a hollow body. The hollow body may be one in which the inside is air like a duct, or may be one in which the inside of the hollow body is filled with a filler such as foam like a sandwich panel.

As shown in <FIG>, the body X1 after the die is opened is removed from the die 231A by the multi-axis robot 204A described later, and is transferred to the deburring device 206A for the deburring step S2.

As shown in <FIG>, the blow molding machine <NUM> of the present embodiment has two mold clamping devices 230A and 230B and two corresponding electric cylinders 271A and 271B for one resin supply device <NUM>. Therefore, the parison <NUM> continuously supplied from the resin supply device <NUM> can be alternately molded by the mold clamping devices 230A and 230B, and the molded body X1 can be continuously molded. Specifically, the electric cylinder 271A transfers the corresponding first mold clamping device 230A along the transfer rails <NUM> so that the first mold clamping device 230A is directly below the resin supply device <NUM>, that is, the center of the dies 231A and 232A is at the drop point P of the parison <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Further, the electric cylinder 271B transfers the corresponding second mold clamping device 230B along the transfer rails <NUM> so that the second mold clamping device 230B is directly below the resin supply device <NUM>, that is, the center of the dies 231B and 232B is at the drop point P of the parison <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The deburring step S2 is a step of separating the molded body X1 into the molded main body X2 and the burr Br by the deburring device 206A having the above configuration. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the molded body X1 transported by the multi-axis robot 204A after completing the blow molding step S1 is in a state where the molded main body X2 is held by the holding mechanism <NUM> of the hand portion <NUM>. At this time, as shown in <FIG>, the holding mechanism <NUM> supports the molded main body X2 from above so that the burr Br is arranged at a position lower than the abutting members <NUM> of the deburring device 206A.

Next, as shown in <FIG>, the protrusions 262a protrude so that the tips of them are brought into contact with the bottom surface of the molded main body X2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the molded main body X2 from coming off from the holding mechanism <NUM> when the burr Br and the abutting members <NUM> collide with each other. Further, the size of the opening 260a is set so that the molded main body X2 can pass through and the burr Br collides with the abutting members <NUM>.

In this state, as shown in <FIG>, the abutting members <NUM> is moved from the hand portion <NUM> side toward the inclined member <NUM> side, that is, downward direction. As a result, the burr Br collides with the abutting members <NUM> and the burr Br is separated from the molded main body X2. The divided burr Br falls on the inclined surface 261a, slides along the inclined surface 261a, and is conveyed by the first conveyor 209a arranged on the downstream side of the inclined surface 261a. In some cases, the burr Br may be caught on the protrusion 262a (when the burr Br is on the entire circumference of the molded main body X2, it is always caught on the protrusion 262a). However, in such cases, the protrusion 262a is retracted after the dividing process so as not to protrude from the inclined surface 261a, and the burr Br slides down the inclined surface 261a.

The molded main body X2 is held by the holding mechanism <NUM> even after the burr Br is removed, and in that state, the multi-axis robot 204A moves the molded main body X2 to the place where the next cutting step S3 is performed.

After the burr Br is divided, the protruding mechanism <NUM> and the pair of abutting members <NUM> return to the state shown in <FIG>, and are in a standby state for processing the next molded body X1.

The cutting step S3 is a step in which the cutting device 208A cuts and removes a part of the molded main body X2 after the burr Br has been separated, for example, the bag portion when the molded product is a duct. In this step S3, the multi-axis robot 204A arranges the molded main body X2 in the cutting device 208A. The cutting device 208A cuts the arranged molded main body X2. In the present embodiment, the molded product is completed by this cutting step S3. The completed molded product is again supported by the multi-axis robot 204A and conveyed to a predetermined position.

In the molded product manufacturing system <NUM> of the present embodiment, the burr Br generated in the deburring step S2 and the bag portion (burr Br or the like) generated in the cutting step S3 are reused by the burr reusing means <NUM>. Specifically, the burr Br and the like are first conveyed downward in <FIG> by the first conveyor 209a and then conveyed leftward in the same figure by the second conveyor 209b. The burr Br or the like conveyed by the first and second conveyors 209a and 209b, are fed into the crusher 209c (see <FIG>), where they are pulverized and reused as raw resin <NUM>.

<NUM>: molding apparatus, <NUM>: mold clamping device, <NUM>: electric cylinder, <NUM>: transfer rail, <NUM>: extruder, <NUM>: head, <NUM>: movable base, 21a: guide block, 21b: through hole, <NUM>: mold clamping rail, <NUM>: first platen, 23a: guide block, 23d: fixing member, <NUM>: second platen, 24a: guide block, 24b: bracket, 24c: pin, 24d: fixing member, <NUM>: third platen, 25a: guide block, 25b: bracket, 25c: pin, <NUM>~<NUM>: tie bar, <NUM>: clamping drive unit, <NUM>: slide drive means, <NUM>: clamping servomotor, <NUM>: ball screw, <NUM>: ball nut, <NUM>: toggle mechanism, <NUM>: first toggle link, <NUM>: second toggle link, <NUM>: auxiliary link, <NUM>: connecting member, <NUM>~<NUM>: pin, <NUM>: clamping reference plane holding unit, <NUM>: pinion holding member, <NUM>: pinion, <NUM>: first rack, 53a: teeth, <NUM>: second rack, 54a: teeth, <NUM>: brake motor, <NUM>: motor, 61a: shaft, <NUM>: brake, <NUM>: speed reducer, <NUM>: slip clutch, <NUM>: ball screw mechanism, <NUM>: ball screw, <NUM>: nut, <NUM>: rod, 93a: fixing portion, <NUM>: outer cylinder, <NUM>: deburring device, <NUM>: robot arm, <NUM>: support member, <NUM>: swing member, 503a: arm, 503b: rotating shaft, <NUM>: removal piece, MA: split die, MB: split die, P: drop point, S: clamping reference plane, X: molded body, Xb: burr.

<NUM>: molding apparatus, <NUM>: mold clamping device, 102b: bracket, <NUM>: transfer means, <NUM>: extruder, <NUM>: head, 108A: split die, 108B: split die, <NUM>: movable base, 121a: guide block, <NUM>~<NUM>: tie bar, <NUM>: first platen, <NUM>: second platen, 127b, 128b: bracket, <NUM>: third platen, <NUM>: clamping drive unit, <NUM>: clamping servomotor, <NUM>: disk, <NUM>: link arm, <NUM>: link arm, <NUM>,141a,141b: transfer rail, 141c: rail for the rotary drive means, <NUM>: rotary drive means, <NUM>: link mechanism, <NUM>: transfer servomotor, <NUM>: speed reducer, <NUM>: first arm, <NUM>: first rotating shaft, <NUM>: second arm, <NUM>: second rotating shaft, <NUM>: fixing member, <NUM>: first rotating shaft, <NUM>: first arm, <NUM>: second rotating shaft, <NUM>: second arm, <NUM>: third rotating shaft, <NUM>: third arm, <NUM>: fourth rotating shaft, <NUM>: output shaft, P: drop point, S: clamping reference plane.

Claim 1:
A molding apparatus (<NUM>) that molds a molded product, comprising:
a mold clamping device (<NUM>) clamping a parison extruded from an extruder to obtain a molded body,
a transfer rail (<NUM>) to support the mold clamping device in a transferable manner, and
an electric cylinder (271A, 271B) to transfer the mold clamping device along the transfer rail,
wherein,
the mold clamping device comprises first and second platens (<NUM>, <NUM>) for holding a die, mold clamping rail (<NUM>) supporting the first and second platens so as to be horizontally movable, and
a clamping drive unit for driving the first and second platens closer to or separated from each other along the clamping rail,
the electric cylinder (<NUM>) comprises a motor (<NUM>) having an output shaft (62a) and a feed screw mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the output shaft into a linear motion, and,
the electric cylinder further comprises at least one of the following configurations <NUM>) and <NUM>),
The motor being a brake motor (<NUM>) having a brake, and the rotation of the output shaft can be braked by the brake,
<NUM>) A clutch being provided, and the clutch can switch between a state in which the output shaft and the feed screw mechanism are connected and a state in which the connection between the output shaft and the feed screw mechanism is loosened.