A method for evaluating and/or visualizing a process state of a production system, which contains at least one cyclically operating shaping machine, includes: continuously or at discrete times, determining the value of a plurality of selected process variables, and comparing the current value of each selected process variable and or a variable derived therefrom with one or more reference values by means a computing unit, and determining a deviation or a rate of change. Each selected process variable is assigned to at least one logical group by the computing unit; at least two different logical groups are provided; and for each logical group, a state of the logical group is evaluated by the computing unit based on the process variables assigned to the logical group and/or is visualized by a display device.

A logging data about a signal identifier of the I/O signals which changed in on/off state are stored in a ring buffer. A logging screen includes identifier display parts, logic-graph display parts and first and second cursors. The logic-graph display parts display logic graphs associated with signal identifiers, respectively. When any one of the identifier display parts displayed on the logging screen is clicked, the logging screen is changed to an input window. If a desired input identifier is input in the input window, the logging data associated with the signal identifier is read from the ring buffer and the logic graph is displayed in the logic-graph display parts. The logic graph can be modified.

A system for programming a protection device for a molding machine includes a controller for actuating a plurality of molding machine actuators in an actuation sequence, each distinct actuation constituting a respective machine component actuation of an associated machine component. An HMI is operable to: present a GUI specific to a chosen machine component actuation; and for each of a plurality of other machine component actuations, define within the GUI, based on operator input, a rule specifying a state of the chosen machine component actuation relative to a state of the other machine component actuation for preventing interference between the two machine component actuations. The controller is configured, based on the rules defined within the GUI, to trigger an action, upon violation of any one of the rules, for reducing a risk of interference between the chosen machine component actuation and a respective one of the other machine component actuations.

A hot runner process controller configured to monitor the status and operation of a hot runner system to autonomously generate information to improve the quality of injection molding process of a hot runner system having an inlet nozzle, one or more manifolds and one or more nozzles with actuator or without actuator, and one or more heating elements, the hot runner process controller is self-operating, and independent from the injection molding machine, includes: one or more sensors located on, in or at the hot runner system to detect the status and/or the operation of the hot runner system, and a processing unit and a memory. The processing unit is connected to the one or more sensors, wherein the memory stores data and program codes. The processing unit is configured to load and execute the program code to compare sensor information with the stored data and to determine if the hot runner system is in an operable status, and in case the hot runner system is in an operable status, configured to generate status information to activate the one or more heating elements and/or the one or more actuators enabling a production operation of the injection molding machine. In case the hot runner system is not in an operable status, configured to generate status information to deactivate the one or more heating elements and/or close or deactivate the one or more actuators disabling a production operation of the injection molding machine.

To provide a preview display function that enables preview display and confirmation of various setting operations of an injection molding machine, and an injection molding machine provided therewith. The above-described problem is solved by a preview display function for displaying a preview of operations of an injection molding machine, in whole or in part. The preview display function comprises a function for setting the operations of the injection molding machine, in whole or in part, on a setting screen, a function for displaying a preview display screen for displaying the operations thus set, and a function for playing back the operations on the preview display screen thus displayed. At this time, preferably the operations thus set are played back as a moving image displayed three dimensionally or two dimensionally, and the setting screen and the preview display screen are displayed side by side.

A cycle time administration section 3 of an apparatus for taking out a molded product of the present invention includes: a measurement section 5 for measuring a cycle time for every one cycle of taking out a molded product; a setting and storing section 7 for setting and storing a target cycle time; a comparison section 9 for comparing the measured cycle time and the target cycle time for every one cycle; a counting section 11 for counting the number of times that the measured cycle times consecutively exceed target time, following the measured cycle time that has first exceeded the target cycle time, if it is determined that the measured cycle time has exceeded the target cycle time as a result of the comparing; and an outputting section 13 for outputting a detection signal if the counted number of times is more than n times.

An injection molding machine management system includes: a measurement data storage unit that chronologically stores measurement data representing a measurement value measured by an injection molding machine; a manufacturing data storage unit that chronologically stores manufacturing data representing information on manufacturing of a molded product by the injection molding machine; and a control unit that displays on a display unit a statistical diagram of the measurement data on a predetermined period basis and the manufacturing data in the period of the statistical diagram in association with the statistical diagram.

A molding machine management system includes: a molding machine configured to mold a molded product using a molding mold having a plurality of cavities; a camera configured to capture an image of the molded product molded by the molding machine; an inspection device configured to inspect the molded product; and a management server including a control unit configured to acquire the image captured by the camera and an inspection result by the inspection device and cause a display unit to display the image and the inspection result. The management server includes a storage unit configured to store the image of the molded product, the inspection result of the molded product, and information on a cavity in which the molded product is molded in association with each other, and the control unit causes the image of the molded product molded by the molding machine, the inspection result of the molded product, and the information on the cavity in which the molded product is molded to be displayed on a same screen of the display unit.

Provided is a molding machine management system that manages production of a plurality of molding machines, including: a display unit configured to display a production performance and a planned production status in association with a time axis for each molding machine, and, when the molding machine management system receives an abnormality of a molding machine, to display the abnormality of the molding machine in association with the time axis for each molding machine. The molding machine management system configured as described above can appropriately manage each molding machine.

A molding machine management system includes: an injection molding machine including a mold, an injection unit, and a mold clamping unit; a management server coupled to the injection molding machine via a network; a first camera configured to capture an image of the mold; a second camera configured to capture an image of a drive unit provided in the injection molding machine; and a storage unit that stores first moving image data which is moving image data of the mold captured by the first camera, and second moving image data which is moving image data of the drive unit captured by the second camera, in association with a shot number of the injection molding machine. The management server includes a control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the first moving image data and the second moving image data in association with the shot number.