Patent Description:
In the related art, in an injection molding machine, a technique for performing rotation control on a rotary table in which three or more mold units are disposed has been proposed. For example, <CIT> has proposed a technique in which a rotary table provided with three mold units at an angular interval of <NUM>° is controlled in a set of <NUM>° rotation by two degrees in one direction and <NUM>° rotation by one degree in a direction opposite to the one direction. <CIT> discloses an injection molding machine which includes a rotary wheel provided with a plurality of molds. <CIT> discloses an injection apparatus which includes a rotating table provided with a plurality of dies.

Specifically, since the rotation control is performed in units of the above-described set, a disposition of a wiring and a pipe which are fixed to the rotary table returns to an original disposition. Therefore, the wiring and the piping can be easily handled.

According to the technique disclosed in <CIT>, when a rotation speed of the rotary table is constant, a rotation time varies between <NUM>° rotation in one direction and <NUM>° rotation in the direction opposite to the one direction. When the rotation time varies, in some situations, a time required for a process performed for each mold unit may vary.

For example, when the mold units are disposed in order at three positions on the rotary table, a second position is a position for cooling the mold unit. When a cooling period is set until the process starts at a third position after the process is completed at a first position, the cooling period varies in each mold unit.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing variations in quality of molding products by reducing a time difference between processes performed for each mold unit.

An injection molding machine includes a rotary table that rotates while a first mold unit, a second mold unit, and a third mold unit are placed thereon, an upper platen provided above the rotary table, a lower platen provided below the rotary table, and a control device that controls the rotary table. The control device includes a rotation control unit and an adjusting unit. The rotation control unit rotates in a predetermined direction to move the first mold unit in a first section from a first position to a second position, rotates in the predetermined direction to move the first mold unit in a second section from the second position to a third position, and rotates in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction to move the first mold unit in a third section from the third position to the first position, when rotation control is performed on the rotary table so that the first mold unit, the second mold unit, and the third mold unit are respectively disposed in order at the first position, the second position, and the third position. The adjusting unit performs adjustment to reduce a time difference among a first time until the first mold unit moves in the first section and a second process with respect to the first mold unit starts at the second position after a predetermined time elapses from when a first process with respect to the first mold unit starts at the first position, a second time until the first mold unit moves in the second section and a third process with respect to the first mold unit starts at the third position after the predetermined time elapses from when the second process with respect to the first mold unit starts at the second position, and a third time until the first mold unit moves in the third section and the first process with respect to the first mold unit starts at the first position after the predetermined time elapses from when the third process with respect to the first mold unit starts at the third position.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a time difference between respective processes for each mold unit can be reduced. Therefore, variations in quality of a molding product can be reduced.

In each drawing, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same or corresponding configurations, and description thereof may be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state when platen opening is completed in an injection molding machine according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a state when the platen opening is completed in the injection molding machine according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a state when mold clamping is performed in the injection molding machine according to the embodiment. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating an ejector unit of the injection molding machine according to the embodiment. In the present specification, an X-axial direction, a Y-axial direction, and a Z-axial direction are perpendicular to each other. The X-axial direction and the Y-axial direction represent a horizontal direction, and the Z-axial direction represents a vertical direction. When a mold clamping unit <NUM> is a vertical type, the Z-axial direction is a mold clamping direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an injection molding machine <NUM> includes the mold clamping unit <NUM> that performs mold clamping of mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, an ejector unit <NUM> that ejects a molding product <NUM> molded by the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, an injection unit <NUM> that injects a molding material into the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, a moving unit <NUM> that raises and lowers the injection unit <NUM> with respect to the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, a control device <NUM> that controls each component of the injection molding machine <NUM>, and a frame <NUM> that supports each component of the injection molding machine <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is installed on a floor surface <NUM> via a leveling adjuster <NUM>. Hereinafter, each component of the injection molding machine <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the mold clamping unit <NUM> sequentially performs mold clamping of a plurality of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C. The mold unit 800A includes an upper die 810A and a lower die 820A, the mold unit 800B includes an upper die 810B and a lower die 820B, and the mold unit 800C includes an upper die 810C and a lower die 820C. The mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C have the same configuration.

For example, the mold clamping unit <NUM> is a vertical type, and the mold clamping direction is a vertical direction. The mold clamping unit <NUM> includes an upper platen <NUM> that sequentially presses a plurality of the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C from above, a rotary table <NUM> to which the lower dies 820A, 820B, and 820C are attached, a rotation motor <NUM> that rotates the rotary table <NUM>, and a lower platen <NUM> that supports the rotary table <NUM> from below.

The upper platen <NUM> is disposed above the lower platen <NUM> and the rotary table <NUM>, and can be raised and lowered with respect to the frame <NUM>. A lower surface of the upper platen <NUM> sequentially presses the plurality of upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C placed on the rotary table <NUM> from above.

On the other hand, the lower platen <NUM> is fixed to the frame <NUM>. The rotary table <NUM> is placed to be rotatable on a surface (upper surface) facing the upper platen <NUM> in the lower platen <NUM>. The plurality of lower dies 820A, 820B, and 820C are attached to an upper surface of the rotary table <NUM>.

The rotation motor <NUM> rotates the rotary table <NUM> so that the plurality of mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C are respectively and sequentially disposed at a first position P1, a second position P2, and a third position P3. In <FIG>, the mold unit 800A is disposed at the first position P1, the mold unit 800B is disposed at the second position P2, and the mold unit 800C is disposed at the third position P3.

For example, the first position P1 is a molding position where mold clamping and injection are performed. The second position P2 is a cooling position where the molding product <NUM> is cooled. The third position P3 is, for example, an ejector position where the molding product <NUM> is ejected. The third position P3 may also serve as mold open and close positions where mold opening and closing are performed. In addition, the third position P3 may also serve as an insert position where an insert material is set in the lower dies 820A, 820B, and 820C.

Processes performed at stop positions (including the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3) of the mold unit are not limited to the above-described combination. In addition, the number of the stop positions of the mold unit may be the same as the number of the mold units, and may be four or more without being limited to three. For example, an ejector position and an insert position may be individually set.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the mold clamping unit <NUM> includes a toggle support <NUM> disposed below the lower platen <NUM>, a tie bar <NUM> that connects the upper platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM> to each other, a toggle mechanism <NUM> disposed between the lower platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM>, a mold clamping motor <NUM> that operates the toggle mechanism <NUM>, a motion conversion mechanism <NUM> that converts a rotary motion into a linear motion of the mold clamping motor <NUM>, and a mold space adjustment mechanism <NUM> that adjusts an interval L between the upper platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM>.

The toggle support <NUM> can be raised and lowered with respect to the frame <NUM> below the lower platen <NUM>. The toggle support <NUM> is connected to the upper platen <NUM> by the tie bar <NUM>. The upper platen <NUM> is raised and lowered by raising and lowering the toggle support <NUM>.

The tie bar <NUM> connects the upper platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM> to each other at the interval L in the mold clamping direction. A plurality of (for example, three) the tie bars <NUM> may be used. The plurality of tie bars <NUM> are disposed parallel to each other in the mold clamping direction, and extend in accordance with a mold clamping force. At least one of the tie bars <NUM> may be provided with a tie bar strain detector <NUM> that detects a strain of the tie bar <NUM>. The tie bar strain detector <NUM> transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. The detection result of the tie bar strain detector <NUM> is used in detecting the mold clamping force.

In the present embodiment, as a mold clamping force detector for detecting the mold clamping force, the tie bar strain detector <NUM> is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The mold clamping force detector is not limited to a strain gauge type. The mold clamping force detector may be a piezoelectric type, a capacitive type, a hydraulic type, or an electromagnetic type, and an attachment position thereof is not limited to the tie bar <NUM>.

The toggle mechanism <NUM> is disposed between the lower platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM>, and raises and lowers the toggle support <NUM> with respect to the lower platen <NUM>. The toggle mechanism <NUM> includes a crosshead <NUM> that moves in the mold clamping direction, and a pair of link groups bent and stretched by a movement of the crosshead <NUM>. Each of the pair of link groups has a first link <NUM> and a second link <NUM> which are connected to be freely bent and stretched by a pin. The first link <NUM> is oscillatingly attached to the lower platen <NUM> by a pin. The second link <NUM> is oscillatingly attached to the toggle support <NUM> by a pin. The second link <NUM> is attached to the crosshead <NUM> via a third link <NUM>. When the crosshead <NUM> is relatively raised and lowered with respect to the toggle support <NUM>, the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are bent and stretched, and the toggle support <NUM> is raised and lowered with respect to the lower platen <NUM>.

A configuration of the toggle mechanism <NUM> is not limited to configurations illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, in <FIG> and <FIG>, the number of nodes in each link group is five, but may be four. One end portion of the third link <NUM> may be connected to the node between the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>.

The mold clamping motor <NUM> is attached to the toggle support <NUM>, and operates the toggle mechanism <NUM>. The mold clamping motor <NUM> relatively raises and lowers the crosshead <NUM> with respect to the toggle support <NUM>. In this manner, the first link <NUM> and second link <NUM> are bent and stretched to raise and lower the upper platen <NUM>. The mold clamping motor <NUM> is connected to the motion conversion mechanism <NUM> via a belt or a pulley, but may be directly connected to the motion conversion mechanism <NUM>.

The motion conversion mechanism <NUM> converts a rotary motion of the mold clamping motor <NUM> into a linear motion of the crosshead <NUM>. The motion conversion mechanism <NUM> includes a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. A ball or a roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The screw shaft is supported to be rotatable by the toggle support <NUM>, and the screw nut is fixed to the crosshead <NUM>. When the mold clamping motor <NUM> is driven to rotate the screw shaft, the screw nut and the crosshead <NUM> are relatively raised and lowered with respect to the toggle support <NUM>. In this manner, the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are bent and stretched, and the toggle support <NUM> is raised and lowered.

The mold clamping motor <NUM> of the present embodiment is attached to the toggle support <NUM>, but may be attached to the frame <NUM>. In this case, an upper end portion of the screw shaft may be supported to be rotatable by the crosshead <NUM>, a lower end portion of the screw shaft may be spline-coupled to a rotating member held to be rotatable by the frame <NUM>, and the screw nut may be fixed to the toggle support <NUM>. When the mold clamping motor <NUM> is driven to rotate the rotating member, the screw shaft is raised and lowered while rotating, and the crosshead <NUM> is relatively raised and lowered with respect to the toggle support <NUM>. In this manner, the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM> are bent and stretched, and the toggle support <NUM> is raised and lowered.

The mold clamping unit <NUM> performs a platen closing process, a pressurizing process, a mold clamping process, a depressurizing process, a platen opening process, and a table rotating process under the control of the control device <NUM>. The platen closing process is a process of lowering the upper platen <NUM> and causing the upper platen <NUM> to touch the upper surface of the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C. The pressurizing process is a process of further lowering the upper platen <NUM> to generate a mold clamping force. The mold clamping process is a process of stopping the upper platen <NUM> to maintain the mold clamping force generated in the pressurizing process. The depressurizing process is a process of raising the upper platen <NUM> to reduce the mold clamping force generated in the pressurizing process. The platen opening process is a process of further raising the upper platen <NUM> to separate the upper platen <NUM> from the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C. The table rotating process is a process of rotating the rotary table <NUM>. For example, the table rotating process is performed after the platen opening process is completed and before the subsequent platen closing process starts.

In the platen closing process, the mold clamping motor <NUM> is driven to relatively raise the crosshead <NUM> with respect to the toggle support <NUM> to a platen closing completion position at a set movement speed. In this manner, the upper platen <NUM> is lowered to cause the upper platen <NUM> to touch the upper surface of the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C. For example, a position or a movement speed of the crosshead <NUM> is detected by using a mold clamping motor encoder <NUM>. The mold clamping motor encoder <NUM> detects rotation of the mold clamping motor <NUM>, and transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>.

A crosshead position detector for detecting a position of the crosshead <NUM> and a crosshead movement speed detector for measuring a movement speed of the crosshead <NUM> are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder <NUM>, and a general detector can be used. In addition, an upper platen position detector for detecting a position of the upper platen <NUM> and an upper platen movement speed detector for measuring a movement speed of the upper platen <NUM> are not limited to the mold clamping motor encoder <NUM>, and a general detector can be used.

In the pressurizing process, the mold clamping motor <NUM> is further driven to relatively raise the crosshead <NUM> with respect to the toggle support <NUM> from the platen closing completion position to a mold clamping position. In this manner, the upper platen <NUM> is lowered to generate the mold clamping force.

In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping motor <NUM> is driven to maintain a position of the crosshead <NUM> at the mold clamping position. In the mold clamping process, the mold clamping force generated in the pressurizing process is maintained. In the mold clamping process, a cavity space is formed between the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C and the lower dies 820A, 820B, and 820C. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, in the mold clamping process, a cavity space 801A is formed between the upper die 810A and the lower die 820A. The injection unit <NUM> fills the cavity space with a liquid molding material. The molding product <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) is obtained by solidifying the molding material filling the cavity space.

For example, the number of the cavity spaces 801A is two or more, and a plurality of the molding products <NUM> can be obtained at the same time. The number of the cavity spaces 801A may be one. In addition, an insert material may be disposed in a portion of the cavity space 801A, and the other portion of the cavity space 801A may be filled with the molding material. In this case, the molding product <NUM> in which the insert material and the molding material are integrated with each other can be obtained.

In the depressurizing process, the mold clamping motor <NUM> is driven to relatively lower the crosshead <NUM> with respect to the toggle support <NUM> from the mold clamping position to a platen opening start position. In this manner, the upper platen <NUM> is raised to reduce the mold clamping force. The platen opening start position and the platen closing completion position may be the same position.

In the platen opening process, the mold clamping motor <NUM> is driven to further relatively lower the crosshead <NUM> from the platen opening start position to the platen opening completion position at a set movement speed. In this manner, the upper platen <NUM> is raised to separate the upper platen <NUM> from the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C.

After the platen opening process is completed and before the subsequent platen closing process starts, the table rotating process is performed. In the table rotating process, the rotary table <NUM> is rotated to rotate the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C. The plurality of mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C are respectively and sequentially disposed at the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. A rotation direction of the rotary table <NUM> may be switched between a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction. The rotation directions are switched so that a disposition of a wiring or a pipe fixed to the rotary table <NUM> is restored. Therefore, the wiring or the piping can be easily handled.

Setting conditions in the platen closing process and the pressurizing process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, the movement speed or positions of the crosshead <NUM> (including the platen closing start position, the movement speed switching position, the platen closing completion position, and the mold clamping position) and the mold clamping force in the platen closing process and the pressurizing process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The platen closing start position, the movement speed switching position, the platen closing completion position, and the mold clamping position are aligned in this order from a lower side toward an upper side, and represent a start point and an end point of a section in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. The number of the movement speed switching positions may be one or more. The movement speed switching position may not be set. Only one of the mold clamping position and the mold clamping force may be set.

The setting conditions in the depressurizing process and the platen opening process are set in the same manner. For example, the movement speed or positions (the platen opening start position, the movement speed switching position, and the platen opening completion position) of the crosshead <NUM> in the depressurizing process and the platen opening process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The platen opening start position, the movement speed switching position, and the platen opening completion position are aligned in this order from the upper side toward the lower side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. The number of the movement speed switching positions may be one or more. The movement speed switching position may not be set. The platen opening start position and the platen closing completion position may be the same position. In addition, the platen opening completion position and the platen closing start position may be the same position.

Instead of the movement speed or the position of the crosshead <NUM>, the movement speed or the positions of the upper platen <NUM> may be set. In addition, instead of the position (for example, the mold clamping position) of the crosshead <NUM> or the position of the upper platen <NUM>, the mold clamping force may be set.

Incidentally, the toggle mechanism <NUM> amplifies a driving force of the mold clamping motor <NUM>, and transmits the driving force to the upper platen <NUM>. An amplification magnification is referred to as a toggle magnification. The toggle magnification is changed according to an angle θ (hereinafter, also referred to as a "link angle θ") formed between the first link <NUM> and the second link <NUM>. The link angle θ is obtained from the position of the crosshead <NUM>. When the link angle θ is <NUM>°, the toggle magnification is maximized.

When a mold space of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C is changed due to replacement of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C or a temperature change in the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, mold space adjustment is performed so that a predetermined mold clamping force is obtained during the mold clamping. For example, in the mold space adjustment, the interval L between the upper platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM> is adjusted so that a link angle θ of the toggle mechanism <NUM> becomes a predetermined angle when the upper platen <NUM> touches the upper dies 810A, 810B, and 810C.

The mold clamping unit <NUM> has the mold space adjustment mechanism <NUM>. The mold space adjustment mechanism <NUM> performs the mold space adjustment by adjusting the interval L between the upper platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM>. For example, a timing for the mold space adjustment is after the platen opening process is completed and before the subsequent platen closing process starts. For example, the mold space adjustment mechanism <NUM>, includes a screw shaft <NUM> formed in a lower end portion of the tie bar <NUM>, a screw nut <NUM> held by the toggle support <NUM> to be rotatable and not to be raised and lowered, and a mold space adjustment motor <NUM> that rotates the screw nut <NUM> screwed to the screw shaft <NUM>.

The screw shaft <NUM> and the screw nut <NUM> are provided for each of the tie bars <NUM>. A rotational driving force of the mold space adjustment motor <NUM> may be transmitted to a plurality of the screw nuts <NUM> via a rotational driving force transmitting unit <NUM>. The plurality of screw nuts <NUM> can be rotated in synchronization with each other. The plurality of screw nuts <NUM> can be individually rotated by changing a transmission channel of the rotational driving force transmitting unit <NUM>.

For example, the rotational driving force transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to include a gear. In this case, a driven gear is formed on an outer periphery of each screw nut <NUM>, a driving gear is attached to an output shaft of the mold space adjustment motor <NUM>, and a plurality of intermediate gears meshing with the driven gear and the driving gear are held to be rotatable in a central portion of the toggle support <NUM>. The rotational driving force transmitting unit <NUM> may be configured to include a belt or a pulley instead of the gear.

An operation of the mold space adjustment mechanism <NUM> is controlled by the control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> drives the mold space adjustment motor <NUM> to rotate the screw nut <NUM>. As a result, the position of the toggle support <NUM> with respect to the tie bar <NUM> is adjusted, and the interval L between the upper platen <NUM> and the toggle support <NUM> is adjusted. In addition, a plurality of the mold space adjustment mechanisms may be used in combination.

The interval L is detected by using the mold space adjustment motor encoder <NUM>. The mold space adjustment motor encoder <NUM> detects a rotation amount or a rotation direction of the mold space adjustment motor <NUM>, and transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. The detection result of the mold space adjustment motor encoder <NUM> is used in monitoring or controlling the position or the interval L of the toggle support <NUM>. A toggle support position detector for detecting the position of the toggle support <NUM> and an interval detector for detecting the interval L are not limited to the mold space adjustment motor encoder <NUM>, and a general detector can be used.

The mold clamping unit <NUM> may have a mold temperature controller that adjusts the temperature of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C. The mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C have a flow path of the temperature control medium inside thereof. The mold temperature controller adjusts the temperature of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C by adjusting the temperature of a temperature control medium supplied to a flow path of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C.

The mold clamping unit <NUM> of the present embodiment is the vertical type in which the mold clamping direction is a vertical direction, but may be a horizontal type in which the mold clamping direction is a horizontal direction.

The mold clamping unit <NUM> of the present embodiment includes the mold clamping motor <NUM> as a drive source. However, a hydraulic cylinder may be provided instead of the mold clamping motor <NUM>.

The ejector unit <NUM> ejects the molding product <NUM> from the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C. Since the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C have the same configuration, an operation for ejecting the molding product <NUM> from the mold unit 800A will be typically described.

First, a structure of the mold unit 800A will be described with reference to <FIG>. The mold unit 800A includes an upper die 810A and a lower die 820A. The lower die 820A includes an attachment plate 821A to be attached the rotary table <NUM>, a die plate 822A forming a cavity space 801A, and an intermediate plate 823A forming a space 824A between the attachment plate 821A and the die plate 822A. The intermediate plate 823A is also called a spacer block.

The lower die 820A further includes an ejector plate 825A disposed to be freely raised and lowered in the space 824A, and a rod-shaped ejector pin 826A extending upward from the ejector plate 825A. The ejector plate 825A is biased downward by a return spring (not illustrated), and is pressed against the attachment plate 821A.

The ejector pin 826A is inserted to be freely raised and lowered into a pin hole penetrating the die plate 822A in the vertical direction. In a state where the ejector plate 825A is pressed against the attachment plate 821A, an upper end surface of the ejector pin 826A forms a wall surface of the cavity space 801A, and abuts on the molding product <NUM>. At least one ejector pin 826A is provided for each cavity space 801A. The ejector pin 826A is raised to eject the molding product <NUM> upward, and the molding product <NUM> is ejected. Thereafter, the ejector pin 826A is lowered.

The lower die 820A further includes a mold opening and closing pin 827A disposed to be freely raised and lowered in a pin hole penetrating the attachment plate 821A, the intermediate plate 823A, and the die plate 822A in the vertical direction. A stopper (not illustrated) is provided so that the mold opening and closing pin 827A does not fall downward of the attachment plate 821A. The mold opening and closing pin 827A is raised to press the upper die 810A upward from the lower die 820A, and the mold opening is performed. On the other hand, the mold opening and closing pin 827A is lowered to place the upper die 810A on the lower die 820A, and the mold closing is performed. Three or more mold opening and closing pins 827A (only two are illustrated in <FIG>) are provided so that the upper die 810A can be stably supported.

The ejector unit <NUM> includes an ejector crosshead <NUM> that is raised and lowered below the lower platen <NUM>, and a drive mechanism <NUM> that raises and lowers the ejector crosshead <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> includes an ejector motor <NUM> and a motion conversion mechanism <NUM> that converts a rotary motion of the ejector motor <NUM> into a linear motion of the ejector crosshead <NUM>. The motion conversion mechanism <NUM> includes a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. A ball or a roller may be interposed between the screw shaft and the screw nut.

For example, a position or a movement speed of the ejector crosshead <NUM> is detected by using an ejector motor encoder. The ejector motor encoder detects the rotation of the ejector motor <NUM>, and transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. An ejector crosshead position detector for detecting the position of the ejector crosshead <NUM>, and an ejector crosshead movement speed detector for measuring the movement speed of the ejector crosshead <NUM> are not limited to the ejector motor encoder, and a general detector can be used.

The ejector unit <NUM> further includes an ejector rod <NUM> extending upward from the ejector crosshead <NUM>. The ejector rod <NUM> is disposed to be freely raised and lowered in a fixing hole <NUM> penetrating the lower platen <NUM> in the vertical direction. The ejector rod <NUM> passes through a rotation hole <NUM> penetrating the rotary table <NUM> in the vertical direction and a through-hole 828A penetrating the attachment plate 821A in the vertical direction, and comes into contact with the ejector plate 825A to press the ejector pin 826A upward via the ejector plate 825A.

In addition, the ejector unit <NUM> further includes a mold opening and closing rod <NUM> extending upward from the ejector crosshead <NUM>. The mold opening and closing rod <NUM> is disposed to be freely raised and lowered in a fixing hole <NUM> penetrating the lower platen <NUM> in the vertical direction. The mold opening and closing rod <NUM> passes through a rotation hole <NUM> penetrating the rotary table <NUM> in the vertical direction, and comes into contact with the mold opening and closing pin 827A to press the mold opening and closing pin 827A upward. The number of the mold opening and closing rods <NUM> may be the same as the number of the mold opening and closing pins 827A.

Next, an operation of the ejector unit <NUM> will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the ejector unit when the rotation of the rotary table is stopped. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating an example of the ejector unit after the mold opening starts and before the ejection operation starts. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating an example of the ejector unit when the ejection operation starts. <FIG> is a sectional view illustrating an example of the ejector unit when the mold opening is completed and the ejection operation is completed.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the rotation of the rotary table <NUM> is stopped, the positions of the fixing hole <NUM> of the lower platen <NUM> and the rotation hole <NUM> of the rotary table <NUM> are aligned with each other, and the positions of the fixing hole <NUM> of the lower platen <NUM> and the rotation hole <NUM> of the rotary table <NUM> are aligned with each other. In this case, the ejector rod <NUM> and the mold opening and closing rod <NUM> are stopped below the rotary table <NUM>. In addition, the upper die 810A is placed on the lower die 820A.

Next, the control device <NUM> drives the ejector motor <NUM> to raise the ejector crosshead <NUM> from a raising start position to the mold opening start position. As a result, the mold opening and closing rod <NUM> abuts on the mold opening and closing pin 827A. Subsequently, the control device <NUM> drives the ejector motor <NUM> to further raise the ejector crosshead <NUM>, and start the mold opening process. In the mold opening process, as illustrated in <FIG>, the mold opening and closing pin 827A is pressed upward by the mold opening and closing rod <NUM>, and the upper die 810A is pressed upward from the lower die 820A.

Subsequently, the control device <NUM> drives the ejector motor <NUM> to further raise the ejector crosshead <NUM> to the ejection start position. As a result, as illustrated in <FIG>, the ejector rod <NUM> abuts on the ejector plate 825A. Subsequently, the control device <NUM> drives the ejector motor <NUM> to further raise the ejector crosshead <NUM>, and start the ejection process. In the ejection process, the ejector pin 826A is pressed upward via the ejector plate 825A, and the molding product <NUM> is ejected upward from the lower die 820A.

Subsequently, the control device <NUM> drives the ejector motor <NUM> to raise the ejector crosshead <NUM> to a raising completion position, and stops the ejector crosshead <NUM>. As a result, the mold opening process and the ejection process are completed, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the molding product <NUM> is ejected upward from the lower die 820A. Thereafter, the molding product <NUM> is unloaded out by an unloading machine.

Thereafter, the control device <NUM> drives the ejector motor <NUM> to lower the ejector crosshead <NUM> from a lowering start position to a lowering completion position, and stops the ejector crosshead <NUM>. The ejector rod <NUM> and the mold opening and closing rod <NUM> stop below the rotary table <NUM>, and the rotary table <NUM> is rotated again.

A raising speed and positions (including the raising start position, the raising speed switching position, the mold opening start position, the ejection start position, and the raising completion position) of the ejector crosshead <NUM> are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The raising start position, the raising speed switching position, the mold opening start position, the ejection start position, and the raising completion position are aligned in this order from the lower side toward the upper side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the raising speed is set. The raising speed is set for each section. The number of the raising speed switching positions may be one or more. The raising speed switching position may not be set.

A lowering speed and positions (including the lowering start position, the lowering speed switching position, and the lowering completion position) of the ejector crosshead <NUM> are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. The lowering start position, the lowering speed switching position, and the lowering completion position are aligned in this order from the upper side toward the lower side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the lowering speed is set. The lowering speed is set for each section. The number of the lowering speed switching positions may be one or more. The lowering speed switching position may not be set. The lowering start position and the raising completion position may be the same position. In addition, the lowering completion position and the raising start position may be the same position.

The injection unit <NUM> is raised and lowered with respect to the upper platen <NUM> by the moving unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The injection unit <NUM> touches the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, and fills the cavity space (for example, the cavity space 801A) inside the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C with the molding material. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the injection unit <NUM> includes a cylinder <NUM> that heats the molding material, a nozzle <NUM> provided in a lower end portion of the cylinder <NUM>, a screw <NUM> disposed to be freely raised and lowered and rotatable inside the cylinder <NUM>, a plasticizing motor <NUM> that rotates the screw <NUM>, an injection motor <NUM> that advances and retreats the screw <NUM>, and a load detector <NUM> that measures a load transmitted between the injection motor <NUM> and the screw <NUM>.

The cylinder <NUM> heats the molding material supplied into the cylinder <NUM> from a feed port <NUM>. For example, the molding material includes a resin. For example, the molding material is formed in a pellet shape, and is supplied to the feed port <NUM> in a solid state. The feed port <NUM> is formed in an upper portion of the cylinder <NUM>. A cooler <NUM> such as a water-cooling cylinder is provided on an outer periphery of the upper portion of the cylinder <NUM>. Below the cooler <NUM>, a heating unit <NUM> such as a band heater and a temperature measurer <NUM> are provided on an outer periphery of the cylinder <NUM>.

The cylinder <NUM> is divided into a plurality of zones in the axial direction (for example, the Z-axial direction) of the cylinder <NUM>. The heating unit <NUM> and the temperature measurer <NUM> are provided in each of the plurality of zones. The control device <NUM> controls the heating unit <NUM> so that a set temperature is set in each of the plurality of zones and a measurement temperature of the temperature measurer <NUM> reaches the set temperature.

The nozzle <NUM> is provided in a lower end portion of the cylinder <NUM>, and is pressed against the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C. The heating unit <NUM> and the temperature measurer <NUM> are provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls the heating unit <NUM> so that a measurement temperature of the nozzle <NUM> reaches the set temperature.

The screw <NUM> is disposed to be rotatable and to be freely raised and lowered inside the cylinder <NUM>. When the screw <NUM> is rotated, the molding material is fed downward along a helical groove of the screw <NUM>. The molding material is gradually melted by heat from the cylinder <NUM> while being fed downward. As the liquid molding material is fed downward of the screw <NUM>, is accumulated in a lower portion of the cylinder <NUM>, and the screw <NUM> is raised. Thereafter, when the screw <NUM> is lowered, the liquid molding material accumulated below the screw <NUM> is injected from the nozzle <NUM>, and fills the inside of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C.

As a backflow prevention valve for preventing a backflow of the molding material fed upward from the lower side of the screw <NUM> when the screw <NUM> is pressed downward, a backflow prevention ring <NUM> is attached to the lower portion of the screw <NUM> to be freely raised and lowered.

The backflow prevention ring <NUM> is pressed upward by the pressure of the molding material below the screw <NUM> when the screw <NUM> is lowered, and is relatively raised with respect to the screw <NUM> to a close position (refer to <FIG>) for closing a flow path of the molding material. In this manner, un upward backflow of the molding material accumulated below the screw <NUM> is prevented.

On the other hand, the backflow prevention ring <NUM> is pressed downward by the pressure of the molding material fed downward along the helical groove of the screw <NUM> when the screw <NUM> is rotated, and is relatively lowered with respect to the screw <NUM> to an open position (refer to <FIG>) for opening the flow path of the molding material. In this manner, the molding material is fed downward of the screw <NUM>.

The backflow prevention ring <NUM> may be either a co-rotation type rotating together with the screw <NUM> or a non-co-rotation type that does not rotate together with the screw <NUM>.

The injection unit <NUM> may include a drive source that raises and lowers the backflow prevention ring <NUM> with respect to the screw <NUM> between the open position and the close position.

The plasticizing motor <NUM> rotates the screw <NUM>. The drive source for rotating the screw <NUM> is not limited to the plasticizing motor <NUM>, and may be a hydraulic pump, for example.

The injection motor <NUM> raises and lowers the screw <NUM>. A motion conversion mechanism that converts a rotary motion of the injection motor <NUM> into a linear motion of the screw <NUM> is provided between the injection motor <NUM> and the screw <NUM>. For example, the motion conversion mechanism has a screw shaft and a screw nut screwed to the screw shaft. A ball or a roller may be provided between the screw shaft and the screw nut. The drive source that raises and lowers the screw <NUM> is not limited to the injection motor <NUM>, and may be a hydraulic cylinder, for example.

The load detector <NUM> measures a load transmitted between the injection motor <NUM> and the screw <NUM>. The detected load is converted into the pressure by the control device <NUM>. The load detector <NUM> is provided in a load transmission channel between the injection motor <NUM> and the screw <NUM>, and measures the load acting on the load detector <NUM>.

The load detector <NUM> transmits a signal of the detected load to the control device <NUM>. The load detected by the load detector <NUM> is converted into the pressure acting between the screw <NUM> and the molding material, and is used in controlling or monitoring the pressure received from the molding material by the screw <NUM>, a back pressure against the screw <NUM>, or the pressure acting on the molding material from the screw <NUM>.

A pressure detector for measuring the pressure of the molding material is not limited to the load detector <NUM>, and a general detector can be used. For example, a nozzle pressure sensor or a mold internal pressure sensor may be used. The nozzle pressure sensor is installed in the nozzle <NUM>. The mold internal pressure sensor is installed inside the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C.

The injection unit <NUM> performs a plasticizing process, a filling process, and a holding pressure process under the control of the control device <NUM>. The filling process and the holding pressure process may be collectively referred to as an injection process.

In the plasticizing process, the plasticizing motor <NUM> is driven to rotate the screw <NUM> at a set rotation speed, and the molding material is fed downward along the helical groove of the screw <NUM>. As a result, the molding material is gradually melted. As the liquid molding material is fed downward of the screw <NUM>, is accumulated in a lower portion of the cylinder <NUM>, and the screw <NUM> is raised. For example, a rotation speed of the screw <NUM> is measured by using a plasticizing motor encoder <NUM>. The plasticizing motor encoder <NUM> detects the rotation of the plasticizing motor <NUM>, and transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. A screw rotational speed detector for measuring the rotation speed of the screw <NUM> is not limited to the plasticizing motor encoder <NUM>, and a general detector can be used.

In the plasticizing process, the injection motor <NUM> may be driven to apply a preset back pressure to the screw <NUM> in order to limit sudden raising of the screw <NUM>. The back pressure applied to the screw <NUM> is measured by using the load detector <NUM>, for example. The load detector <NUM> transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. When the screw <NUM> is raised to a plasticizing completion position and a predetermined amount of the molding material is accumulated below the screw <NUM>, the plasticizing process is completed.

The position and the rotation speed of the screw <NUM> in the plasticizing process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, a plasticizing start position, a rotation speed switching position, and a plasticizing completion position are set. The positions are aligned in this order from the lower side toward the upper side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the rotation speed is set. The rotation speed is set for each section. The number of the rotation speed switching positions may be one or more. The rotation speed switching position may not be set. In addition, the back pressure is set for each section.

In the filling process, the injection motor <NUM> is driven to lower the screw <NUM> at a set movement speed, and the cavity space (for example, the cavity space 801A) inside the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C is filled with the liquid molding material accumulated below the screw <NUM>. The position or the movement speed of the screw <NUM> is detected by using an injection motor encoder <NUM>, for example. The injection motor encoder <NUM> detects the rotation of the injection motor <NUM>, and transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. When the position of the screw <NUM> reaches a set position, the filling process is switched to the holding pressure process (so-called V/P switching). The position where the V/P switching is performed will be referred to as a V/P switching position. The set movement speed of the screw <NUM> may be changed in accordance with the position or a time of the screw <NUM>.

The position and the movement speed of the screw <NUM> in the filling process are collectively set as a series of setting conditions. For example, a filling start position (also referred to as an "injection start position"), the movement speed switching position, and the V/P switching position are set. The positions are aligned in this order from the upper side toward the lower side, and represent the start point and the end point of the section in which the movement speed is set. The movement speed is set for each section. The number of the movement speed switching positions may be one or more. The movement speed switching position may not be set.

An upper limit value of the pressure of the screw <NUM> is set for each section in which the movement speed of the screw <NUM> is set. The pressure of the screw <NUM> is measured by the load detector <NUM>. When a measurement value of the load detector <NUM> is equal to or smaller than a setting pressure, the screw <NUM> is lowered at a set movement speed. On the other hand, when the measurement value of the load detector <NUM> exceeds the setting pressure, in order to protect the mold, the screw <NUM> is lowered at the movement speed slower than the set movement speed so that the measurement value of the load detector <NUM> is equal to or smaller than the setting pressure.

After the position of the screw <NUM> reaches the V/P switching position in the filling process, the screw <NUM> may be temporarily stopped at the V/P switching position, and thereafter, the V/P switching may be performed. Immediately before the V/P switching, instead of stopping the screw <NUM>, the screw <NUM> may be lowered at a low speed, or may be raised at a low speed. In addition, a screw position detector for detecting the position of the screw <NUM> and a screw movement speed detector for measuring the movement speed of the screw <NUM> are not limited to the injection motor encoder <NUM>, and a general detector can be used.

In the holding pressure process, the injection motor <NUM> is driven to press the screw <NUM> downward. A pressure (hereinafter, also referred to as a "holding pressure") of the molding material in the lower end portion of the screw <NUM> is held at a setting pressure, and the molding material remaining inside the cylinder <NUM> is pressed toward the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C. The molding material which is insufficient due to cooling shrinkage inside the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C can be replenished. The holding pressure is measured by using the load detector <NUM>, for example. The load detector <NUM> transmits a signal indicating a detection result thereof to the control device <NUM>. A set value of the holding pressure may be changed depending on an elapsed time from the start of the holding pressure process. The holding pressure and a holding time for holding the holding pressure in the holding pressure process may be respectively set, or may be collectively set as a series of setting conditions.

In the holding pressure process, the molding material in the cavity space (for example, the cavity space 801A) inside the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C is gradually cooled, and when the holding pressure process is completed, an inlet of the cavity space is closed by the solidified molding material. This state is referred to as gate seal, and prevents the backflow of the molding material from the cavity space. After the holding pressure process, a cooling process starts. In the cooling process, the molding material inside the cavity space is solidified. In order to shorten a molding cycle time, the plasticizing process may be performed during the cooling process.

The injection unit <NUM> of the present embodiment is an in-line screw type, but may be a pre-plastic type. The injection unit of the pre-plastic type supplies the molding material melted inside a plasticizing cylinder to an injection cylinder, and the molding material is injected into the mold unit from the injection cylinder. Inside the plasticizing cylinder, the screw is disposed to be rotatable and not to be raised and lowered, or the screw is disposed to be rotatable and to be freely raised and lowered. On the other hand, a plunger is disposed to be freely raised and lowered inside the injection cylinder.

In addition, the injection unit <NUM> of the present embodiment is a vertical type in which the axial direction of the cylinder <NUM> is the vertical direction, but may be a horizontal type in which the axial direction of the cylinder <NUM> is the horizontal direction. The mold clamping unit combined with the injection unit <NUM> of the horizontal type may be the horizontal type or the vertical type. Similarly, the mold clamping unit combined with the injection unit <NUM> of the vertical type may be the vertical type or the horizontal type.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the moving unit <NUM> raises and lowers the injection unit <NUM> with respect to the upper platen <NUM>. The moving unit <NUM> presses the nozzle <NUM> against the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, thereby generating a nozzle touch pressure. For example, the moving unit <NUM> includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders <NUM> and <NUM>. The plurality of hydraulic cylinders <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed symmetrically around the nozzle <NUM>.

In a state where the nozzle <NUM> is separated from the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C by the moving unit <NUM>, the mold clamping unit <NUM> rotates the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C together with the rotary table <NUM>. Thereafter, the moving unit <NUM> presses the nozzle <NUM> against the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C, thereby generating the nozzle touch pressure.

In the present embodiment, the moving unit <NUM> includes the hydraulic cylinders <NUM> and <NUM>, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the hydraulic cylinders <NUM> and <NUM>, the moving unit <NUM> may include an injection unit moving motor fixed to the upper platen <NUM> or the injection unit <NUM>, and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotary motion of the injection unit moving motor to the linear motion of the injection unit <NUM>.

For example, the control device <NUM> is configured to include a computer, and has a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a storage medium <NUM> such as a memory, an input interface <NUM>, and an output interface <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The control device <NUM> performs various types of control by causing the CPU <NUM> to execute a program stored in the storage medium <NUM>. For example, the control device <NUM> controls the rotary table <NUM>. In addition, the control device <NUM> receives a signal from the outside through the input interface <NUM>, and transmits the signal to the outside through the output interface <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> causes each of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C to repeatedly perform a process performed at the first position P1, a table rotating process, a process performed at the second position P2, a table rotating process, and a process performed at the third position P3, and a table rotating process, thereby repeatedly manufacturing the molding product <NUM>. A series of operations for obtaining the molding product <NUM>, for example, an operation until the subsequent platen closing process starts after the platen closing process starts will be referred to as a "shot" or a "molding cycle". In addition, a time required for one shot will be referred to as a "molding cycle time" or a "cycle time".

For example, one molding cycle has the process performed at the first position P1, the table rotating process, the process performed at the second position P2, the table rotating process, the process performed at the third position P3, and the table rotating process in this order.

For example, at the first position P1, a platen closing process, a pressurizing process, a mold clamping process, a filling process, a holding pressure process, a depressurizing process, and a platen opening process are performed. The platen closing process, the pressurizing process, the mold clamping process, the filling process, the holding pressure process, the depressurizing process, and the platen opening process start in this order. Starting the mold clamping process may coincide with starting the filling process. The filling process and the holding pressure process are performed during the mold clamping process. Completing the depressurizing process coincides with starting the platen opening process.

For example, at the second position P2, the cooling process is performed. The cooling process is performed until the ejection process starts after the depressurizing process starts. Therefore, the cooling process is performed not only at the second position P2 but also at the first position P1 and the third position P3.

For example, at the third position P3, the mold opening process, the ejection process, and the mold closing process are performed. The mold opening process, the ejection process, and the mold closing process start in this order. Completing the mold opening process may coincide with completing the ejection process. After the ejection process is completed, the mold closing process starts.

While various processes are performed at the third position P3, the plasticizing process is performed at the first position P1 to prepare for the subsequent molding cycle.

The control device <NUM> is connected to an operation unit <NUM> that receives an input operation of a user, and a display unit <NUM> that displays a screen. For example, the operation unit <NUM> and the display unit <NUM> may be configured to include a touch panel <NUM>, and may be integrated with each other. The touch panel <NUM> serving as the display unit <NUM> displays the screen under the control of the control device <NUM>. For example, the screen of the touch panel <NUM> may display information such as settings of the injection molding machine <NUM> and a current state of the injection molding machine <NUM>. In addition, for example, the screen of the touch panel <NUM> may display a button for receiving the input operation of the user or an operation unit such as an input column. The touch panel <NUM> serving as the operation unit <NUM> detects an input operation of the user on the screen, and outputs a signal corresponding to the input operation to the control device <NUM>. In this manner, for example, while confirming information displayed on the screen, the user can perform settings (including an input of a set value) of the injection molding machine <NUM> by operating the operation unit provided on the screen. In addition, the user can operate the injection molding machine <NUM> corresponding to the operation unit by operating the operation unit provided on the screen. For example, the operation of the injection molding machine <NUM> may be the operation (including stopping) of the mold clamping unit <NUM>, the ejector unit <NUM>, the injection unit <NUM>, and the moving unit <NUM>. In addition, the operation of the injection molding machine <NUM> may be switching between the screens displayed on the touch panel <NUM> serving as the display unit <NUM>.

A case has been described in which the operation unit <NUM> and the display unit <NUM> of the present embodiment are integrated with each other as the touch panel <NUM>. However, both of these may be independently provided. In addition, a plurality of the operation units <NUM> may be provided.

<FIG> is a functional block view illustrating components of the control device <NUM> according to the embodiment. Each functional block illustrated in <FIG> is conceptual, and may not necessarily be configured to be physical as illustrated. All or a portion of each functional block can be configured to be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any desired unit. All or any desired portion of each processing function performed in each functional block may be realized by a program executed by the CPU <NUM>, or may be realized as hardware using a wired logic. As illustrated in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> includes an input receiving unit <NUM>, a display processing unit <NUM>, a rotation control unit <NUM>, an acquisition unit <NUM>, and an adjusting unit <NUM>. The input receiving unit <NUM> receives an input operation of a user from the operation unit <NUM> via an input interface <NUM>. The display processing unit <NUM> performs display control for displaying a display screen corresponding to the input operation in the operation unit <NUM> on the display unit <NUM>. The rotation control unit <NUM> performs rotation control on the rotary table <NUM> so that the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C are respectively disposed in order at the first position P1 for performing the mold clamping and the injection (also referred to as a mold clamping and injection stage), at the second position P2 for performing the cooling (also referred to as a cooling stage), and the third position P3 for unloading the molding product (also referred to as a unloading stage). The acquisition unit <NUM> acquires time information relating to the rotation control to set each cooling period of the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C. Based on the acquired time information, the adjusting unit <NUM> performs adjustment to reduce a time difference between the respective cooling periods of the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C. Specific description of each configuration will be described later.

The rotation control unit <NUM> controls the rotation of the rotary table <NUM>. <FIG> are views illustrating transitions of the rotary table <NUM> on which rotation control is performed by the rotation control unit <NUM>.

In the rotary table <NUM>, the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C are disposed at an interval of <NUM>° on a circumference around the rotation hole <NUM>. Then, the rotary table <NUM> rotates in a state where the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C are placed on the rotary table <NUM>. In the present embodiment, when any desired mold unit is indicated among the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C, any desired mold unit indicates the mold unit <NUM>. In addition, in the present embodiment, a configuration included in any desired mold unit <NUM> indicates the upper die <NUM> and the lower die <NUM>.

The injection molding machine <NUM> of the present embodiment has a stop position for each processing of the mold units <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the stop positions of the mold unit <NUM> are the first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3. The first position P1, the second position P2, and the third position P3 are disposed at an interval of <NUM>° on the circumference with reference to the rotation hole <NUM> of the rotary table <NUM>. Next, the stop position of the mold unit <NUM> will be described.

The first position P1 is a position for performing the platen closing process, the pressurizing process, the mold clamping process, the filling process, the holding pressure process, the depressurizing process, and the platen opening process on the mold unit <NUM>, and is also referred to as the mold clamping and injection stage. The platen closing process is a process of performing control to narrow a space between the upper platen <NUM> and the lower platen <NUM> to perform the mold clamping of the mold unit <NUM>. In addition, the platen opening process includes a process of performing control to widen the space between the upper platen <NUM> and the lower platen <NUM>. That is, in the mold clamping and injection stage, the following control is performed. As the mold clamping, the control to narrow the space between the upper platen <NUM> and the lower platen <NUM> starts to be performed on the mold unit <NUM> (any one mold unit among the first mold unit 800A, second mold unit 800B, and third mold unit 800C) disposed at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage). After the pressurizing, filling, and holding pressure are performed, the control to widen the space between the upper platen <NUM> and the lower platen <NUM> is performed together with the depressurizing (example of a first process).

The second position P2 is a position for performing the cooling process on the mold unit <NUM>, and is also referred to as the cooling stage. In the cooling stage, a process of causing the mold unit <NUM> (any one of the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C) disposed at the second position P2 to stand by for a cooling setting time at the shortest is performed (example of the second process). The cooling setting time is a predetermined period as a period for cooling the mold unit <NUM>. The cooling setting time is included in the setting information <NUM>.

An actual cooling period is not a stopping period at the second position P2, and is a period until the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> starts in the mold opening process in the unloading stage at the third position P3 after the raising control of the upper platen <NUM> starts in the platen opening process in the mold clamping and injection stage at the first position P1.

The third position P3 is a position for performing the mold opening process, the ejection process, and the mold closing process to unload the molding product, based on the control of the ejector unit <NUM>, and is also referred to as the unloading stage. In the unloading stage, in order to unload the molding product from the mold unit <NUM> (any one mold unit of the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C) disposed at the third position P3, the mold opening process of raising the upper die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM> starts by starting the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> on the lower die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM>. Furthermore, the ejection process of ejecting the molding product <NUM> by performing the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> is performed, and the molding product is unloaded after the ejection process. Thereafter, the mold closing process of controlling the upper die <NUM> to be lowered under return control of the ejector unit <NUM> is completed (example of a third process).

An example illustrated in <FIG> represents a state where the rotary table <NUM> is not rotated (hereinafter, also referred to as a reference state). The first mold unit 800A is disposed at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second mold unit 800B is disposed at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the third mold unit 800C is disposed at the third position (unloading stage). After all of the processes for the mold units 800A to 800C are completed, the rotation control unit <NUM> controls the rotary table <NUM> to rotate <NUM>° in a rightward direction. In the present embodiment, a rotation time when the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction (example of a predetermined direction) is <NUM> seconds.

An example illustrated in <FIG> represents a state where the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction from a position illustrated in <FIG> (hereinafter, also referred to as a rotation state of <NUM>°). The third mold unit 800C is disposed at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the first mold unit 800A is disposed at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the second mold unit 800B is disposed at the third position P3 (unloading stage). After all of the processes for the mold units 800A to 800C are completed, the rotation control unit <NUM> controls the rotary table <NUM> to further rotate <NUM>° in the rightward direction. In the present embodiment, the rotation time when the rotary table <NUM> rotates is <NUM> seconds.

An example illustrated in <FIG> represents a state where the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction from a position illustrated in <FIG> (hereinafter, also referred to as a rotation state of <NUM>°). The second mold unit 800B is disposed at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the third mold unit 800C is disposed at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the first mold unit 800A is disposed at the third position P3 (unloading stage). After all of the processes for the mold units 800A to 800C are completed, the rotation control unit <NUM> controls the rotary table <NUM> to further rotate <NUM>° in a leftward direction (example of a rotation direction opposite to the predetermined direction). In the present embodiment, the rotation time when the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the leftward direction is <NUM> seconds.

An example illustrated in <FIG> represents a state where the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the leftward direction from a position illustrated in <FIG>. In this manner, the disposition is the same as that illustrated in <FIG>. The disposition of the wiring and the pipe which are fixed to the rotary table <NUM> returns to an original disposition. Therefore, the wiring and the piping can be easily handled. In this way, in the present embodiment, the above-described rotation control is performed so that the wiring and the piping are easily handled. However, the rotation time varies depending on a rotation state of the rotary table <NUM>.

The present embodiment is not limited to a method of controlling the rotation of <NUM>° once in the leftward direction after controlling the rotation of <NUM>° twice in the rightward direction. For example, a method of controlling the rotation of <NUM>° once in the rightward direction (example of the rotation direction opposite to the predetermined direction) after controlling the rotation of <NUM>° twice in the leftward direction (example of the predetermined direction) may be used. In addition, the present embodiment is not limited to the example in which a rotation angle is set to <NUM>° and <NUM>°, and any desired rotation angle may be set depending on a usage mode.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a time required for processing for each rotation state of the rotary table <NUM> when time adjustment is not performed. In an example illustrated in <FIG>, when the rotary table <NUM> is present in the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), the first mold unit 800A is located at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second mold unit 800B is located at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the third mold unit 800C is located at the third position P3 (unloading stage).

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°) of the rotary table <NUM>, the process performed on the first mold unit 800A at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the process performed on the second mold unit 800B at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the process performed on the third mold unit 800C at the third position P3 (unloading stage) start at the same time. Thereafter, after a predetermined molding time elapses, the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> starts.

The molding time is a longest time among a time required for the process performed in the mold clamping and injection stage, a time required for the process performed in the cooling stage, and a time required for the process performed in the unloading stage. An example illustrated in <FIG> represents a case where the process performed in the mold clamping and injection stage requires the longest time among the three stages. However, without being limited to this case, the example also includes a case where any one of the other two stages requires the longest time.

The rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction from the reference state, and thereafter, is brought into the rotation state of <NUM>°. In this case, the first mold unit 800A is located at the second position P2 (cooling stage), the second mold unit 800B is located at the third position P3 (unloading stage), and the third mold unit 800C is located at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage). A rotation section until the rotary table <NUM> is brought into the rotation state of <NUM>° after rotating <NUM>° in the rightward direction from the reference state will be referred to as a first section.

In the rotation state of <NUM>°, the process performed on the first mold unit 800A at the second position P2 (cooling stage), the process performed on the second mold unit 800B at the third position P3 (unloading stage), and the process performed on the third mold unit 800C at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage) start at the same time. Thereafter, after the above-described molding time elapses, the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> starts by the rotation control unit <NUM>.

Then, the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>°, and thereafter, is brought into the rotation state of <NUM>°. The first mold unit 800A is located at the third position P3 (unloading stage), the second mold unit 800B is located at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), and the third mold unit 800C is located at the second position P2 (cooling stage). A rotation section until the rotary table <NUM> is brought into the rotation state of <NUM>° after rotating <NUM>° in the rightward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>° will be referred to as a second section.

In the rotation state of <NUM>°, the process performed on the first mold unit 800A at the third position P3 (unloading stage), the process performed on the second mold unit 800B at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), and the process performed on the third mold unit 800C at the second position P2 (cooling stage) start at the same time. Thereafter, after the above-described molding time elapses, the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> starts by the rotation control unit <NUM>.

Thereafter, the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the leftward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>°, and thereafter, returns to the reference state. The first mold unit 800A is located at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second mold unit 800B is located at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the third mold unit 800C is located at the third position P3 (unloading stage). A rotation section until the rotary table <NUM> is brought into the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°) after rotating <NUM>° in the leftward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>° will be referred to as a third section.

In an example illustrated in <FIG>, the rotation times are <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, and <NUM> seconds in order from the first section to the third section. As described above, the cooling period of the mold unit <NUM> is a period until the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> starts in the mold opening process at the third position P3 (unloading stage) after raising control of the upper platen <NUM> starts in the platen opening process at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage). Therefore, due to a difference in the rotation times, there is a difference in the cooling periods among the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C. When there is the difference in the cooling periods, there is a possibility that the difference may affect variations in quality of the molding product. Therefore, in the present embodiment, control is performed to reduce the difference in the cooling periods.

The storage medium <NUM> of the control device <NUM> includes the setting information <NUM>. The setting information <NUM> includes information that can be set to reduce the difference in the cooling periods with regard to the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM>. For example, the setting information <NUM> includes a standby time until the rotary table <NUM> starts to rotate after the molding time of the mold unit <NUM> elapses (after the processes are performed in all stages) with regard to each of the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the rotation state of <NUM>°of the rotary table <NUM>. In addition, the setting information <NUM> includes a rotation speed of the rotary table <NUM> from <NUM>° to <NUM>° (first section), a rotation speed from <NUM>° to <NUM>° (second section), and a rotation speed from <NUM>° to <NUM>° (third section). Furthermore, the setting information <NUM> includes a cooling setting time indicating a stopping time in the cooling stage.

The acquisition unit <NUM> acquires information on the rotation time of the rotary table <NUM>, as time information required for setting the cooling periods among the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, and the third mold unit 800C. For example, the acquisition unit <NUM> of the present embodiment acquires a rotation time "<NUM> seconds" during which the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction from the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), a rotation time "<NUM> seconds" during which the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the rightward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>°, and a rotation time "<NUM> seconds" during which the rotary table <NUM> rotates <NUM>° in the leftward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>°.

The display processing unit <NUM> displays a setting screen for setting the setting information <NUM>. <FIG> is a view illustrating the setting screen relating to rotation control of the rotary table <NUM>, which is displayed by the display processing unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The setting screen is used to perform setting to reduce the difference in the cooling periods between the mold units <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the display processing unit <NUM> displays an actual value column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° (first section), an actual value column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° (second section), and an actual value column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° (third section). The rotation time "<NUM> seconds" of the first section is displayed in the actual value column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>°. The rotation time "<NUM> seconds" of the second section is displayed in the actual value column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>°. The rotation time "<NUM> seconds" of the third section is displayed in the actual value column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>°. A user can recognize that a deviation occurs in the cooling periods by visually recognizing that the rotation time varies in each section.

The display processing unit <NUM> displays a cooling setting time column <NUM>, a standby time column <NUM> in the reference state, a standby time column <NUM> in the rotation state of <NUM>°, a standby time column <NUM> in the rotation state of <NUM>°, a speed column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° (first section), a speed column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° (second section), and a speed column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° (third section). The cooling setting time column <NUM> is a column for setting the standby time in the cooling stage.

The standby time column <NUM> in the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°) is a column for setting the standby time after the molding time elapses in the reference state (all of the processes in each stage are completed). The standby time column <NUM> in the rotation state of <NUM>° is a column for setting the standby time after the molding time elapses in the rotation state of <NUM>°. The standby time column <NUM> in the rotation state of <NUM>° is a column for setting the standby time after the molding time elapses in the rotation state of <NUM>°.

The speed column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° is a column for setting the rotation speed when the rotary table <NUM> is controlled to rotate in the rightward direction in the first section. The speed column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° is a column for setting the rotation speed when the rotary table <NUM> is controlled to rotate in the rightward direction in the second section. The speed column <NUM> of <NUM>° to <NUM>° is a column for setting the rotation speed when the rotary table <NUM> is controlled to rotate in the leftward direction in the third section.

The input receiving unit <NUM> of the present embodiment receives values input to the standby time columns <NUM> to <NUM> and the speed columns <NUM> to <NUM>. In other words, the input receiving unit <NUM> receives a user's input of the value for narrowing the difference in the cooling periods, based on the values displayed in the actual value columns <NUM> to <NUM>. In addition, the input receiving unit <NUM> receives the value input to the cooling setting time column <NUM>.

For example, the input receiving unit <NUM> receives the inputs such as "<NUM>" seconds in the standby time column <NUM> in the reference state, "<NUM>" seconds in the standby time column <NUM> in the rotation state of <NUM>°, and "<NUM>" seconds in the standby time column <NUM> in the rotation state of <NUM>°.

The adjusting unit <NUM> adjusts the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> which is performed by the rotation control unit <NUM>. For example, the adjusting unit <NUM> adjusts the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> which is performed by the rotation control unit <NUM> to narrow a time difference among a time (example of a first time) until the first mold unit 800A moves in the first section and a second process with respect to the first mold unit 800A starts at the second position P2 (cooling stage) (starts standby for the cooling setting time) after the molding time elapses from when a first process with respect to the first mold unit 800A starts (for example, the lowering control of the upper platen <NUM> starts in the platen closing process) at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), a time (example of a second time) until the first mold unit 800A moves in the second section and a third process with respect to the first mold unit 800A starts (for example, the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> starts in the mold opening process) at the third position P3 (unloading stage) after the molding time elapses from when the second process with respect to the first mold unit 800A starts at the second position P2 (cooling stage), and a time (example of a third time) until the first mold unit 800Amoves in the third section and the first process with respect to the first mold unit 800A starts at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage) after the molding time elapses from when the third process with respect to the first mold unit 800A starts at the third position P3 (unloading stage). In the present embodiment, as the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> to narrow the time difference, for example, the standby time after the molding time elapses is adjusted, and the rotation speed of the rotary table <NUM> is adjusted.

For example, the adjusting unit <NUM> adjusts the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> by setting the standby time "<NUM>" seconds in the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), the standby time "<NUM>" seconds in the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the standby time "<NUM>" seconds in the rotation state of <NUM>°in the setting information <NUM>, based on a parameter input received by the input receiving unit <NUM>. In addition, the adjusting unit <NUM> may set a cooling setting period in the setting information <NUM>, based on the parameters input to a cooling setting period column which are received by the input receiving unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a time required for the process in each rotation state of the rotary table <NUM> when adjustment relating to the rotation control is performed in the control device according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, when the rotary table <NUM> is in the reference state, after the molding time elapses (processes in all stages are completed), the rotation control unit <NUM> stands by for "<NUM>" seconds before the rotation control starts in the first section. Thereafter, the rotation control unit <NUM> performs the rotation control for "<NUM>" seconds in the first section.

When the rotary table <NUM> is in the rotation state of <NUM>°, after the molding time elapses (processes in all stages are completed), the rotation control unit <NUM> stands by for "<NUM>" seconds before the rotation control starts in the second section. Thereafter, the rotation control unit <NUM> performs the rotation control for "<NUM>" seconds in the second section.

In addition, when the rotary table <NUM> is in the rotation state of <NUM>°, after the molding time elapses (processes in all stages are completed), the rotation control unit <NUM> does not stand by before the rotation control starts in the third section (after standby for "<NUM>" seconds), and performs the rotation control for "<NUM>" seconds in the third section.

In this manner, in the present embodiment, the standby time is adjusted to equalize required times until the subsequent process starts after any desired process is completed. In this manner, all of the cooling periods of the mold units 800A, 800B, and 800C can coincide with each other. A case where the cooling periods coincide with each other has been described in the present embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the method of controlling the cooling periods to coincide with each other, and the time difference in the cooling periods may be reduced. Since the time difference in the cooling periods is reduced, it is possible to suppress variations in quality of the molding product.

In the present embodiment, the rotation speed may be adjusted instead of adjusting the standby time. For example, the adjusting unit <NUM> may adjust the rotation speed in the first section to "<NUM>%", the rotation speed in the second section to "<NUM>%", and the rotation speed in the third section to "<NUM>%" in accordance with the settings received by the input receiving unit <NUM>. Even when the adjustment method is used in this way, the rotation times are equalized. Therefore, the difference in cooling periods can be reduced.

Next, a procedure of all processes performed by the injection molding machine <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of all processes performed by the injection molding machine <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

The rotation control unit <NUM> performs the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> to move each of the first section, the second section, and the third section (S1501).

As time information for setting the cooling period, the acquisition unit <NUM> acquires information on the rotation time of the rotary table <NUM> to move each of the first section, the second section, and the third section in S1501 (S1502).

The display processing unit <NUM> displays the setting screen relating to the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> (S1503). On the setting screen, the time information acquired in S1502 is displayed as an actual value (for example, refer to <FIG>).

The input receiving unit <NUM> receives the value input to each column displayed on the setting screen to narrow the difference in the cooling periods between the mold units <NUM> (S1504).

The adjusting unit <NUM> updates the setting information <NUM> with the value input in S1504 (S1505). The rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> is adjusted by the update.

The rotation control unit <NUM> adjusts the standby time or the rotation speed in accordance with the setting information <NUM>, and thereafter, performs the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> so that the mold units <NUM> are respectively disposed in order at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the third position P3 (unloading stage) (S1506).

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the stop positions of the mold unit <NUM> are the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the third position P3 (unloading stage). However, the stop positions of the mold unit <NUM> are not limited to the stages. For example, the third position P3 may be used as a unloading and insert stage instead of the unloading stage.

In the unloading and insert stage, based on the control of the ejector unit <NUM>, the mold opening process, the ejection process, an insertion process of inserting a member (for example, a pressed product) integrated with the molding material into the mold unit <NUM>, and the mold closing process are performed to unload the molding product. In the specific unloading and insert stage, the mold opening process of raising the upper die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM> by starting the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> via the lower die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM> is performed. Furthermore, the ejection process of ejecting the molding product <NUM> by performing the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> is performed. After the molding product is unloaded, the insertion process of inserting the member integrated with the molding material is performed. Thereafter, in the unloading and insert stage, the return control of the ejector unit <NUM> is completed by performing the mold closing process of controlling the upper die <NUM> to be lowered.

In the present embodiment, a case has been described where the rotation control is performed or the standby time is set after the molding time elapses from when the process in each stage starts. In the present embodiment, a case has been described where the predetermined time until the rotation control is performed after the process starts at each position is the molding time. However, for example, the predetermined time may be a time longer than the molding time.

The injection molding machine <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes above-described configuration. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the time difference between the processes when the plurality of mold units manufacture the molding products. For example, since the time difference is reduced, the time difference in the cooling periods of each mold unit <NUM> is reduced. Therefore, variations in quality of the molding product can be suppressed.

Hitherto, the embodiments of the injection molding machine have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations can be made within the scope of the present invention described in claims. As a matter of course, all of these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, an example of adjusting the rotation control in accordance with the value input by the user has been described. However, adjusting the rotation control is not limited to the value input by the user, and may be automatically performed by the injection molding machine <NUM>. Therefore, as Modification Example <NUM>, an example will be described in which the control device <NUM> automatically adjusts the rotation control to narrow the time difference in the cooling periods. The control device <NUM> of the present modification example includes the configuration the same as that of the embodiment, and thus, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a procedure of all processes performed by the injection molding machine <NUM> according to Modification Example <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of all processes performed by the injection molding machine <NUM> according to Modification Example <NUM>.

The rotation control unit <NUM> performs the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> to move each of the first section, the second section, and the third section (S1601).

As time information for specifying the cooling period, the acquisition unit <NUM> acquires information on the rotation time of the rotary table <NUM> to move each of the first section, the second section, and the third section in S1601 (S1602).

Based on the information on the rotation time acquired by the acquisition unit <NUM>, the adjusting unit <NUM> adjusts the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> by updating the setting information <NUM> to reduce the time difference in the cooling periods (S1603). For example, when the acquisition unit <NUM> acquires the rotation time "<NUM> seconds" in the first section, the rotation time "<NUM> seconds" in the second section, and the rotation time "<NUM> seconds" in the third section, the adjusting unit <NUM> sets the standby time "<NUM>" seconds in the first section and the second section, and sets the standby time "<NUM>" seconds in the third section. In this manner, the adjusting unit <NUM> can equalize the sum of the rotation times and the standby times.

The rotation control unit <NUM> adjusts the standby time or the rotation speed in accordance with the setting information <NUM>, and thereafter, performs the rotation control of the rotary table <NUM> so that the mold units <NUM> are respectively disposed in order at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second position P2 (cooling stage), and the third position P3 (unloading stage) (S1604).

In the present modification example, the time difference in the cooling periods of each mold unit <NUM> is reduced. Therefore, variations in quality of the molding product can be suppressed. In addition, since the rotation control is automatically adjusted, a burden on the user can be reduced.

In addition, the present modification example is not limited to the method of setting the standby time, based on the rotation time measured in advance. For example, the acquisition unit <NUM> may acquire an actual value of the rotation time during actual molding in the injection molding machine <NUM>, and the rotation control unit <NUM> may perform the control for automatically adjusting (updating) the standby time to reduce the time difference, based on the actual value of the rotation time.

In the above-described embodiment and modification example, a case has been described where the standby time after the molding time elapses and the rotation speed of the rotary table <NUM> are adjusted to reduce the time difference in the cooling periods. However, the method for reducing the time difference in the cooling periods is not limited to adjusting the standby time after the molding time elapses and the rotation speed of the rotary table <NUM>. Therefore, in the present modification example, a case will be described where the standby time is set before the process in each stage is performed after the rotation control.

In the present modification example, with regard to each of the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the rotation state of <NUM>°, the adjusting unit <NUM> sets the standby time before the process in each stage is performed after the rotation control, in the setting information <NUM>.

When the standby time after the rotation control is set in the setting information <NUM> after the rotation control of the rotation control unit <NUM>, the control device <NUM> performs the control for starting the process in each stage after the standby for the standby time. For example, when "<NUM> seconds" are required for the rotation control in the first section, "<NUM> seconds" are required for the rotation control in the second section, and "<NUM> seconds" are required for the rotation control in the third section, the adjusting unit <NUM> sets the standby time of "<NUM>" seconds before the process in each stage starts in the rotation state of120°, and the standby time of "<NUM>" seconds before the process in each stage starts in the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the standby time of "<NUM>" seconds before the process in each stage starts in the reference state, in the setting information <NUM>. In this manner, the time difference in the cooling periods can be reduced. Therefore, an advantageous effect the same as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment and modification example, an example has been described in which three mold units <NUM> are provided in the rotary table <NUM>. However, the above-described embodiment and modification example do not limit the number of the mold units <NUM> provided in the rotary table <NUM>, and the number may be four or more. Therefore, in Modification Example <NUM>, a case will be described where four mold units <NUM> are provided in the rotary table <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a disposition of the mold units <NUM> in the rotary table <NUM> according to the present modification example. As illustrated in <FIG>, the first mold unit 800A, the second mold unit 800B, the third mold unit 800C, and a fourth mold unit 800D are disposed at every interval of <NUM>° in the rotary table <NUM>.

In the present modification example, the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second position P2 (first cooling stage), the third position P3 (second cooling stage), and a fourth position P4 (unloading stage) are present as the positions where the mold units <NUM> can be disposed. The first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage) and the fourth position P4 (unloading stage) are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

The second position P2 (first cooling stage) and the third position P3 (second cooling stage) are positions for cooling the mold unit <NUM>. The cooling period is a period until the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> starts in the mold opening process at the fourth position P4 (unloading stage) after the raising control of the upper platen <NUM> starts in the platen opening process at the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage). In the present modification example, since two cooling stages are provided, it is possible to cope with even a molding product that requires a long cooling period.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rotation control unit <NUM> performs the rotation control in the first section <NUM> in the rightward direction from the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°) to the rotation state of <NUM>°, the rotation control in the second section <NUM> in the rightward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>° to the rotation state of <NUM>°, the rotation control in the third section <NUM> in the rightward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>° to the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the rotation control in the fourth section <NUM> in the leftward direction from the rotation state of <NUM>° to the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°).

Each rotation time of the rotation control in the first section <NUM>, the rotation control in the second section <NUM>, and the rotation control in the third section <NUM> is set to "<NUM> second", for example. The rotation time for the rotation control in the fourth section <NUM> is "<NUM> seconds", for example.

In this case, the adjusting unit <NUM> updates the setting information <NUM> to provide the standby time of "<NUM> seconds" after the molding time in the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the rotation state of <NUM>°.

In this manner, a total time of the rotation time and the standby time becomes "<NUM> seconds" in each of the rotation states of the rotary table <NUM>. In other words, since the time difference in the cooling periods can be reduced, variations in quality of the molding product can be suppressed.

In Modification Example <NUM>, an example has been described in which the first position P1 (mold clamping and injection stage), the second position P2 (first cooling stage), the third position P3 (second cooling stage), and the fourth position (unloading stage) are present as the positions where the four mold units <NUM> can be disposed. However, Modification Example <NUM> does not limit a stage aspect when four mold units <NUM> are provided. Therefore, in Modification Example <NUM>, another stage aspect will be described.

In the present modification example, the first position P1 (insert stage), the second position P2 (mold clamping and injection stage), the third position P3 (cooling stage), and the fourth position. (unloading stage) are present as the positions where the mold unit <NUM> can be disposed. The mold clamping and injection stage, the cooling stage, and the unloading stage are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

In the insert stage at the first position P1, a member (for example, a pressed product) integrated with the molding material is inserted into the mold unit <NUM>. As the specific processes performed in the insert stage, the mold opening process of raising the upper die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM> starts by starting the ejection control of the ejector unit <NUM> via the lower die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM>. After the upper die <NUM> of the mold unit <NUM> is raised, an insertion process of inserting the member integrated with the molding material is performed. The mold closing process of lowering the upper die <NUM> under the return control of the ejector unit <NUM> is completed.

In the present modification example, the rotation time is the same as that in Modification Example <NUM>. Therefore, the adjusting unit <NUM> updates the setting information <NUM> to provide the standby time of "<NUM> seconds" after the molding time in the reference state (rotation state of <NUM>°), the rotation state of <NUM>°, and the rotation state of <NUM>°. In this manner, the total time of the rotation time and the standby time becomes "<NUM> seconds". In other words, since the time difference in the cooling periods can be reduced, variations in quality of the molding product can be suppressed.

Claim 1:
An injection molding machine (<NUM>) comprising:
a rotary table (<NUM>) that rotates while a first mold unit (800A), a second mold unit (800B), and a third mold unit (800C) are placed thereon,
wherein the rotary table (<NUM>) is configured to rotate such that the mold units (800A, 800B, 800C) are respectively and sequentially disposed at a first position (P1), a second position (P2), and a third position (P3), and such that a direction of rotation when moving from the first position (P1) to the second position (P2) in a first section (<NUM>) and when moving from the second position (P2) to the third position (P3) in a second section (<NUM>) is opposite to a direction of rotation when moving from the third position (P3) to the first position (P1) in a third section (<NUM>),
characterized in that
a standby time is adjusted to reduce a time difference in a total time of the standby time and a rotation time between a period of moving through the first section (<NUM>) and the second section (<NUM>), and a period of moving through the third section (<NUM>).