Non-time dependent measured variables are used to effectively determine an optimal hold profile for an expanding crosslinking polymer part in a mold cavity. A system and/or approach may first inject molten expanding crosslinking polymer into a mold cavity, then measure at least one non-time dependent variable during an injection molding cycle. Next, the system and/or method commences a hold profile for the part, and upon completing the hold profile, the part is ejected from the mold cavity, whereupon a cure profile is commenced.

An injection molding system includes a molding device, an inspection device configured to inspect a molded product and a control device that includes a storage unit, and a reception unit configured to receive a change content of a parameter included in a standard molding condition. The control device executes a first control of forming the molded product under a second molding condition in which the parameter is changed based on the change content, a second control of forming the molded product under a third molding condition in which the same parameter is changed, a third control of associating the second molding condition with an inspection result of the molded product formed under the second molding condition and storing the association, and a fourth control of associating the third molding condition with the inspection result of the molded product formed under the third molding condition and storing the association.

In a control device of an injection molding machine, an operation mode of a resin purge operation is adjusted so that a plasticization amount index related to a plasticization amount of resin per unit time in the resin purge operation is approximately accorded with a target plasticization amount index which is set. Accordingly, thermal degradation of resin can be prevented, active time from start of a molding operation to completion of a non-defective molded article can be shortened, and production efficiency can be enhanced. Further, the plasticization amount index is not necessarily set by an operator, so that a load on the operator can be reduced as well.

An injection molding machine uses a controller to effectively control its operation. The controller may determine and/or receive information regarding the machine's maximum load capacity, and may also determine a current operational load value of the machine. The controller also may determine a number of set points used to operate the machine. The controller may cause the machine to operate at these set points, thereby resulting in the machine operating at or below the maximum load value by adjusting any number of machine parameters associated with the injection molding machine.

An injection molding machine uses a controller to effectively control its operation. The controller may determine and/or receive information regarding the machine's maximum load capacity, and may also determine a current operational load value of the machine. The controller may cause the machine to operate at any number of combinations of settings of operational parameters which result in the machine operating at or below the maximum load value by adjusting any number of machine parameters associated with the injection molding machine based on feedback sensors measuring real-time operating conditions of the machine.

An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. The retrofit mold cycle has a maximum injection pressure that is less than a maximum injection pressure of the original mold cycle. The retrofit mold cycle can also have more constant injection pressures than the original mold cycle.

An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine uses lower temperatures, when compared to molding according to the original mold cycle.

An injection molding machine that uses a mold and a native controller to operate according to an original mold cycle to mold plastic objects is retrofitted with a retrofit controller; the retrofitted machine uses the mold and the retrofit controller to operate according to a retrofit mold cycle to mold plastic objects. When molding according to the retrofit mold cycle, the injection molding machine can obtain a faster cycle time.

A virgin material plasticization time Tv, which is a time required for a screw to reach a predetermined plasticization end position Xe when only a virgin material Rv is plasticized, a crushed material plasticization time Ts, which is a time required for the screw to reach the predetermined plasticization end position Xe when only a crushed material Rs is plasticized, are measured and registered as basic time data Do. Actually measured time data Dp are obtained by measuring a crushed material mixed material plasticization time Tm when a molded product is produced by using the crushed material mixed material Rm, the crushed material mixed material plasticization time Tm being a time required for the screw to reach the plasticization end position Xe in a predetermined shot. The crushed material ratio Px in the crushed material mixed material Rm is obtained on the basis of the virgin material plasticization time Tv, the crushed material plasticization time Ts, and the crushed material mixed material plasticization time Tm. An output process is performed on the obtained crushed material ratio Px.

A method is described for operating an injection moulding machine, which has one or more movable machine parts which can be moved by suitable drives along specifiable travelling distances. Movement of a movable machine part is repeated cyclically. In order to reduce the movement times of the movable machine parts to a minimum, provision is made for one or more of the movable machine parts to successively reduce the power reserves of one or more of the drives associated with a movable machine part, until a specifiable minimum of power reserve is reached, wherein the minimum can be zero. In each cycle, the power reserve of the drive or drives is determined and is successively reduced, in particular from cycle to cycle. A movable platen, an ejector, a core puller, a plasticizing screw and/or an injection piston can be provided as movable machine part.