Methods of monitoring and controlling a molding process using a sensed change in strain provided by a strain gauge are provided. A target strain profile is created for a molding process of a molding apparatus. An upper and lower deviation limit from the target strain profile for the molding process is provided. If a sensed change in strain exceeds a deviation limit, an alarm is activated.

An abnormality detection apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a ball screw provided in an injection molding machine includes: a vibration sensor configured to detect vibration of the ball screw; and a computation unit configured to detect an abnormality of the ball screw based on information related to a distribution of frequency components obtained by frequency analysis of a vibration intensity detected by the vibration sensor, and information related to a distribution of frequency components obtained by frequency analysis of a vibration intensity detected when the ball screw, which is normal, operates.

A hot runner device for an injection molding machine, wherein the hot runner device has at least one hot runner system, and at least one sensor, actuator and/or initiator which can be connected to a control and regulating device via one or more signal and/or data paths, in particular lines, wherein process data and/or process signals can be transmitted via the one or more signal and/or data lines, characterized in that the hot runner device further comprises a data acquisition and backup device which is designed at least for acquiring and storing part or all of the process data and/or signals acquired on the hot runner system during operation of the injection molding machine and which is a functionally integral component of the hot runner device.

An injection molding machine includes a belt transmission mechanism (mold opening/closing mechanism, ejector mechanism, screw drive mechanism, injection mechanism) configured to transmit drive force from a driving shaft (driving pulley) to a driven shaft (driven pulley) by means of a belt. The injection molding machine includes: a cover covering part or entirety of the belt; and a sensor attached to the cover and configured to detect an abnormality of the belt.

A method for controlling and/or monitoring a production plant for producing a multiplicity of articles, wherein the production plant has a machine tool; a machine tool part which interacts with the machine tool in order to produce an article; an RFID transponder connected to the machine tool part; two RFID reading devices which are arranged at a distance from one another and from the machine tool; and a control device which is connected to the RFID reading devices via data lines. The method includes determining a first location of the machine tool part at a first time with the first RFID reading device and/or with the second RFID reading device; and determining a second location of the machine tool part at a second time, which temporally follows the first time, with the first RFID reading device and/or with the second RFID reading device; and outputting at least one control signal with the control device on the basis of the first location and the second location.

Methods of monitoring and controlling a molding process using a sensed change in strain provided by a strain gauge are provided. A target strain profile is created for a molding process of a molding apparatus. An upper and lower deviation limit from the target strain profile for the molding process is provided. If a sensed change in strain exceeds a deviation limit, an alarm is activated.

A method for controlling and/or monitoring a production plant for producing a multiplicity of articles, wherein the production plant has a machine tool; a machine tool part which interacts with the machine tool in order to produce an article; an RFID transponder connected to the machine tool part; two RFID reading devices which are arranged at a distance from one another and from the machine tool; and a control device which is connected to the RFID reading devices via data lines. The method includes determining a first location of the machine tool part at a first time with the first RFID reading device and/or with the second RFID reading device; and determining a second location of the machine tool part at a second time, which temporally follows the first time, with the first RFID reading device and/or with the second RFID reading device; and outputting at least one control signal with the control device on the basis of the first location and the second location.

An abnormality detection apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a ball screw provided in an injection molding machine includes: a vibration sensor configured to detect vibration of the ball screw; and a computation unit configured to detect an abnormality of the ball screw based on information related to a distribution of frequency components obtained by frequency analysis of a vibration intensity detected by the vibration sensor, and information related to a distribution of frequency components obtained by frequency analysis of a vibration intensity detected when the ball screw, which is normal, operates.