The molding system including a molding apparatus comprising, a mold clamping force sensor for detecting a mold clamping force generated in a mold, a detection unit for detecting an apparatus failure of the molding apparatus and/or molding of a defective article by the molding apparatus based on an amount of change in mold clamping force detected by the mold clamping force sensor, an operation mode prediction unit for predicting the operation mode of the molding apparatus based on an amount of change in mold clamping force detected by the mold clamping force sensor and, an actual operation mode acquisition unit for acquiring the actual operation mode of the molding apparatus without relying on the mold clamping force sensor.

A method for generating a signal indicative for nozzle maintenance, including feeding modeling material through a feed channel of a printhead to a nozzle of the printhead in a three-dimensional modeling system, determining a parameter indicative of a fluid resistance of modeling material within the nozzle. Determining the parameter includes determining a flowrate of the modeling material within the feed channel, determining a pressure exerted on the modeling material within the feed channel and determining a pressure exerted on the modeling material outside the feed channel, determining a pressure difference between the pressure exerted on the modeling material within the feed channel and the pressure exerted on the modeling material outside the feed channel, and calculating the parameter from the determined flow rate and the determined pressure difference. A method and system for three-dimensionally modeling a three-dimensional object using the method for generating a signal indicative for nozzle maintenance.

A system, method and apparatus for controlling an injection unit to transfer a material to a mold cavity includes a first actuator and a second actuator, and a controller that is operatively connected to the first actuator and the second actuator. The first and second actuators are coupled to a ram of the injection unit. The first actuator rotates the ram within the barrel, and the second actuator translates the ram within the barrel. During a material fill stage of an injection cycle, the controller controls the first actuator to rotate the ram within the barrel. The controller also controls the second actuator to translate the ram within the barrel, and controls the second actuator to retract the ram away from a nozzle of the injection unit while exerting a compression force on the ram towards the nozzle.

The molding system including a molding apparatus comprising, a mold clamping force sensor for detecting a mold clamping force generated in a mold, a detection unit for detecting an apparatus failure of the molding apparatus and/or molding of a defective article by the molding apparatus based on an amount of change in mold clamping force detected by the mold clamping force sensor, an operation mode prediction unit for predicting the operation mode of the molding apparatus based on an amount of change in mold clamping force detected by the mold clamping force sensor and, an actual operation mode acquisition unit for acquiring the actual operation mode of the molding apparatus without relying on the mold clamping force sensor.

An abnormality detection device for detecting an abnormality of a movable part provided in an injection molding machine includes: a through hole formed in the movable part or in an adjacent member arranged adjacent to the movable part; and a microphone installed inside the through hole to collect sound generated by the movement of the movable part.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique by which, when producing a resin molded article using an insert member having low pressure resistance, molding can be easily performed, and deformation of the insert member can be suppressed. A method for producing a resin molded article of the present invention, the method includes the steps of disposing an insert member in a cavity of a mold; performing injection of molten resin into the cavity; terminating the injection on and after the molten resin reaches an overflow portion in the cavity and before the molten resin fills the overflow portion; and separating resin in the overflow portion.

An injection molding includes: a clamping mechanism (conversion mechanism and toggle mechanism) for moving a fixed platen that retains a fixed die toward a fixed platen that retains a fixed die to bring the fixed die and the movable die into contract, and generating a clamping force therebetween; a drive source (mold opening/closing motor) for driving the clamping mechanism; a clamping force detection unit for detecting the clamping force; an elongation value detection unit for detecting an elongation value indicating the amount of elongation of a tie bar that extends as the clamping force is generated; and an abnormality determination unit for determining an abnormality in the injection molding machine on the basis of the ratio of the elongation value and the clamping force.

A diagnostic apparatus includes a control unit configured to control a diagnostic operation for driving a belt, a first tension calculation unit configured to perform, based on data obtained from the diagnostic operation, a calculation to estimate a first belt tension value that is a tension value of the belt when the belt is not worn, a second tension calculation unit configured to calculate a second belt tension value in a case where a tension reduction factor of the belt and a wear factor of the belt are included, and a third tension calculation unit configured to calculate the degree of wear of the belt based on the first belt tension value and the second belt tension value. Accordingly, the diagnostic apparatus can support estimation of the degree of wear of a belt or abnormality diagnosis.

A brake control method for an injection molding machine includes the steps of obtaining mold clamping force information indicating the mold clamping force of a mold opening/closing mechanism and determining whether or not the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds a predetermined value, based on the mold clamping force information. When the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism does not exceed the predetermined value and when a servo amplifier cuts off the supply of power to a servomotor that drives the mold opening/closing mechanism, a brake mechanism for applying braking force to the mold opening/closing mechanism is actuated. On the other hand, when the mold clamping force of the mold opening/closing mechanism exceeds the predetermined value, the brake mechanism will not be actuated.

In an injection molding system, a holding force changing means reduces a holding force to a predetermined level or less if a predetermined or higher load is detected by an external load detection means after a molded article is transported to a work area of an operator by a molded article transport device. Thus, the operator can easily take out and inspect the molded article.