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 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.

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 reliably and safely suppress co-rotation of a screw drive unit when performing a tightening and loosening operation for a threaded fastener which fixes a screw to the screw drive unit. Provided is an injection molding machine 2 in which a threaded fastener 30 is tightened into a first threaded portion 23a of a screw drive unit 21, thereby fixing a screw 10 to the screw drive unit 21 through a fixation bush 25, wherein a jig 40, which is detachably mounted on the screw drive unit 21, and is brought into contact with a main body contact portion 4 of a main body portion 3 of the injection molding machine 2 by rotating the screw drive unit 21 to restrict further rotation of the screw drive unit 21, is mounted on the screw drive unit 21, and the threaded fastener 30 is tightened or loosened with respect to the first threaded portion 23a with the jig 40 in contact with the main body contact portion 4.

To reliably and safely suppress co-rotation of a screw drive unit when performing a tightening and loosening operation for a threaded fastener which fixes a screw to the screw drive unit. Provided is an injection molding machine 2 in which a threaded fastener 30 is tightened into a first threaded portion 23a of a screw drive unit 21, thereby fixing a screw 10 to the screw drive unit 21 through a fixation bush 25, wherein a jig 40, which is detachably mounted on the screw drive unit 21, and is brought into contact with a main body contact portion 4 of a main body portion 3 of the injection molding machine 2 by rotating the screw drive unit 21 to restrict further rotation of the screw drive unit 21, is mounted on the screw drive unit 21, and the threaded fastener 30 is tightened or loosened with respect to the first threaded portion 23a with the jig 40 in contact with the main body contact portion 4.

An injection molding machine management system SYS according to an embodiment includes an injection molding machine and a management device provided outside the injection molding machine and that monitors an abnormality in the injection molding machine, in which in a case where an abnormality occurs in the injection molding machine, the management device automatically reboots the injection molding machine in a safe mode having a more limited function than a normal boot mode. In addition, an injection molding machine according to another embodiment includes a CPU and an FPGA that monitors an abnormality in a predetermined software executed by the CPU, in which in a case where an abnormality occurs in a system software executed by the CPU, the FPGA automatically reboots the system software of the CPU in a safe mode having a more limited function than the normal boot mode.

An injection molding machine management system SYS according to an embodiment includes an injection molding machine and a management device provided outside the injection molding machine and that monitors an abnormality in the injection molding machine, in which in a case where an abnormality occurs in the injection molding machine, the management device automatically reboots the injection molding machine in a safe mode having a more limited function than a normal boot mode. In addition, an injection molding machine according to another embodiment includes a CPU and an FPGA that monitors an abnormality in a predetermined software executed by the CPU, in which in a case where an abnormality occurs in a system software executed by the CPU, the FPGA automatically reboots the system software of the CPU in a safe mode having a more limited function than the normal boot mode.

An injection molding system includes: an injection molding machine where a shaping mold is installed; a material supply device supplying a material to the injection molding machine; a temperature controller controlling a temperature of the shaping mold; a dryer drying a material stored in the material supply device; a controller controlling the injection molding machine; and a casing. The injection molding machine, the material supply device, the temperature controller, the dryer, and the controller are provided inside the casing. The casing has a caster and is configured to be movable.

An injection molding system including an injection nozzle that injects resin into a mold and a conveying device that conveys the injection nozzle between a first position where the injection nozzle injects resin into a first mold and a second position where the injection nozzle injects resin into a second mold.

An injection molding system including an injection nozzle that injects resin into a mold and a conveying device that conveys the injection nozzle between a first position where the injection nozzle injects resin into a first mold and a second position where the injection nozzle injects resin into a second mold.