METHOD FOR MOVING A MOVABLE PLATEN

Abstract

A method for moving a movable mold mounting plate of a molding machine, wherein the movable mold mounting plate is movable relative to a stationary mold mounting plate and the mold mounting plates are kinematically connected to each other and wherein a drive mechanism for moving the movable mold mounting plate is provided, wherein molding tool parts arranged on the mold mounting plates are brought into abutment to each other in a closed state and wherein a temporally changeable tilting movement of the mold mounting plates relative to each other occurs by the movement of the movable mold mounting plate, wherein the movable mold mounting plate is moved by the drive mechanism and/or the stationary mold mounting plate is moved by an injection device in such a way that when reaching a predeterminable distance of the mold mounting plates relative to each other a parameter representing the tilting movement of the mold mounting plates relative to each other is less than or equal to a presettable value, preferably equal to zero.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A molding machine, in particular an injection molding machine or an injection press, comprising a machine frame with a longitudinal axis of the molding machine, a stationary mold mounting plate arranged on the machine frame, wherein the stationary mold mounting plate has a rectangular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the molding machine, a movable mold mounting plate being movable relative to the machine frame, wherein the movable mold mounting plate has a rectangular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the molding machine, a drive device for moving the movable mold mounting plate, at least two, preferably four, guiding tie bars which penetrate the mold mounting plates, and an injection device for injecting plastic melt into a cavity of a molding tool mounted to the mold mounting plates, comprising a detecting device for detecting a value which represents a tilting of at least one of the mold mounting plates from the rectangular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the molding machine during a travelling movement of the movable mold mounting plate, a comparing unit for comparing the value representing the tilting with a comparative value and an output device for outputting an exceeding signal when the value representing the tilting reaches or exceeds the comparative value.

12. The molding machine according to claim 11, wherein the detecting device comprises at least one sensor, preferably a force sensor, an acceleration sensor, a sonic sensor or an optic sensor, for detecting the value representing the tilting.

13. The molding machine according to claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted to the stationary mold mounting plate, to a front plate, to the machine frame and/or to the drive device.

14. The molding machine according to claim 11, comprising an operating unit, wherein the operating unit comprises a display screen and an input device.

15. The molding machine according to claim 11, comprising a controlling or regulating device, wherein the detecting device, the comparing device and the output device are part of the controlling or regulating device or are connected in a signal-transmitting manner to the controlling or regulating device.

16. The molding machine according to claim 11, wherein the detection of the value representing the tilting is carried out, preferably only, during a braking movement of the movable mold mounting plate when closing.

17. The molding machine according to claim 11, wherein the exceeding signal can be outputted to the controlling or regulating device, wherein depending on the exceeding signal an adjustment of the braking movement for the movable mold mounting plate for the next cycle is carried out by the controlling or regulating device.

18. The molding machine according to claim 11, wherein the exceeding signal can be outputted as a warning signal, preferably via the screen of the operating unit.

19. The molding machine according to claim 11, wherein—controlled or regulated by the controlling or regulating device depending on the exceeding signal—the drive device and/or the injection device are moved in such a way that the value detected by the detecting device is smaller than or equal to a presettable value, preferably equal to zero.

20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Further details and advantages of the present invention are described more fully hereinafter by means of the specific description with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a molding machine,

[0040] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a molding tool of molding machine illustrated in FIG. 1,

[0041] FIG. 3 is schematic lateral view of a molding machine with an exaggerated illustrated tilting to the left,

[0042] FIG. 4 is a schematic lateral view of a molding machine with an exaggerated illustrated tilting to the right,

[0043] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a molding machine with sensors of the detection device which are attached on different positions, and

[0044] FIG. 6 is a schematic lateral view of a molding machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] In general, the FIGS. 1 and 2 correspond to the first variant of the invention and the FIGS. 3 to 6 correspond to the second variant of the present invention. Of course, hybrid forms are possible too.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a molding machine 1 which is here formed as a three-platen injection molding machine comprising a movable mold mounting plate 2, a stationary mold mounting plate 3, a front plate 8 and guiding tie bars 10. A toggle lever mechanism 9 arranged between the front plate 8 and the movable mold mounting plate 2 is here provided as a combined drive and closing force mechanism. This toggle lever mechanism 9 is controlled or regulated by a controlling or regulating device 4 for driving the movable mold mounting plate 2. Measurement values which are representative for the movement of the movable mold mounting plate 2 (e. g. position and/or velocity and/or acceleration of the movable mold mounting plate 2 or of a part of the toggle lever mechanism 9, e. g. a crosshead) can be determined by sensors 26 (of a detection device 23) which are not shown in FIG. 1 and can be transmitted to the controlling or regulating device 4. Also a sensor 26 for detecting the tilting movement of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 can be provided, the signals of which are transmitted to the controlling or regulating device 4. These signals can be used for a regulation of the tilting movement of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 in real time.

[0047] In the case of a molding machine 1 of the present exemplary embodiment, the stationary mold mounting plate 3 is kinematically connected to the movable mold mounting plate 2 by means of guiding tie bars 10 functioning as tension rods.

[0048] The stationary mold mounting plate 3 is fixed on one side to a machine frame 11 of the molding machine 1 and can be modelled for example as a beam clamped on one side.

[0049] The tilting movement can be modelled e. g. using a dynamic equivalent model and a Ritz method which start from an elastic degree of freedom for the stationary mold mounting plate 3 and from fixed coordinates. Such a modelling was described by the applicant with respect to a handling device in the paragraphs 33 to 50 of the DE 10 2009 040 434 B1, wherein the disclosure content of this document is incorporated into the present application.

[0050] In the present case the equivalent mass is assembled by a term for the movable mold mounting plate 2 and a term for the molding tool part 5 arranged on the movable mold mounting plate 2 (each as a rigid and elastic part). In the ordinary time-dependent differential equation for the tilting movement of the stationary mold mounting plate 3, which equation results via the Ritz method, the movement of the movable mold mounting plate 2 (either directly or e. g. via the position of the crosshead) is entered as excitation term. This differential equation can be reduced by inversion in such a way that a solution is carried out to reach a parameter representing the tilting movement of the mold mounting plates 2, 3 to each other. Therefore, the tilting movement is completely described in its time-dependency and is available for the controlling or regulating device 4 in order to control or regulate the movement of the movable mold mounting plate 2.

[0051] A target profile for the movement of the movable mold mounting plate 2, which target profile is minimizing the tilting movement of the stationary mold mounting plate 3, can be created or can be carried out by means of a pre-control of the fix coordinates of the Ritz method.

[0052] As the amplitude of the tilting movement is extremely small, it is possible that—as described in paragraph of the DE 10 2009 040 434 B1—a linearization of the movement equation is carried out along a Rigid-Body solution. This simplifies the calculation.

[0053] FIG. 2 shows a detailed illustration of a molding tool 17 with two molding tool parts 5, wherein guide bolts 6 are arranged on one molding tool parts 5 and guide bores 7 corresponding to the guide bolts 6 are arranged on the other molding tool part 5.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a molding machine 1 in the form of a three-platen injection molding machine. The front plate 8 and the stationary mold mounting plate 3 are attached to the machine frame 11. The movable mold mounting plate 2 is movably supported on the machine frame 11 and is movable along the longitudinal axis L of the molding machine 1. In this case, the drive device 15 for the movable mold mounting plate 2 is not illustrated. This drive device 15 can be formed for example as a toggle lever mechanism (preferably driven by a spindle). The plates 8, 2 and 3 are penetrated by guiding tie bars 10. Molding tool parts 5 are mounted to each of the two mold mounting plates 2 and 3. The molding tool parts 5 together build the molding tool 17. The tie bar nuts are referred to with the reference sign 18.

[0055] The front plate 8 and the two mold mounting plates 2 and 3 have (without load) a rectangular orientation R relative to the longitudinal axis L of the molding machine 1. Depending on the size and weight of the molding tool 17 and on the setting of the velocities, a certain tilting of the mold mounting plate 2 occurs when accelerating and braking the movable mold mounting plate 2. This tilting is illustrated in a strongly exaggerated manner in each of the FIGS. 3 and 4. For an illustrative purpose, the rectangular orientation R of the movable mold mounting plate 2 to the longitudinal axis L of the molding machine 1 is indicated in FIG. 4. Additionally, the value K (in the form of a tilting angle) representing the tilting is illustrated. The movable mold mounting plate 2 is tilted (in this case to the right) relative to the longitudinal axis L of the molding machine 1 and to the machine frame 11.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a molding machine 1 without illustrating the tilting of the plates in an exaggerated manner. Also this molding machine 1 comprises a machine frame 11, the stationary mold mounting plate 3, the movable mold mounting plate 2 and the front plate 8. In addition, guiding tie bars 10 are provided. The drive device 15 comprises a drive spindle 19 and a toggle lever mechanism 9 movable by the drive spindle 19.

[0057] Several possible places or locations for the mounting of a sensor 26 of a detection device 23 are illustrated in FIG. 5. Such a sensor 26 can be arranged on the front plate 8, on the stationary mold mounting plate 3, on a separately provided holding device 21 (e. g. in form of a bracket) and/or on the machine frame 11. The sensor 26 transmits a corresponding sensor value to an evaluation unit 22. The evaluation unit 22 together with the sensor 26 forms the detection device 23 for detecting a value K which represents a tilting of at least one of the mold mounting plates 2, 3 from the rectangular orientation R relative to the longitudinal axis L of the molding machine 1 during a travelling movement of the movable mold mounting plate 2. In addition, a comparing unit 24 for comparing the value K representing the tilting with a comparative value V is provided. The comparative value V for example can be stored in a memory or can be deduced from previous cycles. Further, an output device 25 for outputting an exceeding signal S is provided. The exceeding signal S is outputted when the value K representing the tilting reaches or exceeds the comparative value V.

[0058] The molding machine 1 comprises a controlling or regulating device 4. Several movements and processes are controlled or regulated with this controlling or regulating device 4. The controlling or regulating device 4 is connected in a signal-transmitting manner with an operating unit 12. The operating unit 12 comprises a screen 13 and an input device 14. The detection device 23, the comparing unit 24 and the output device 25, in the shown embodiment, are connected with the controlling or regulating device 4 in a signal-transmitting manner.

[0059] According to a first variant it is provided that the exceeding signal S can be transmitted to the controlling or regulating device 4, wherein depending on the exceeding signal S an adjustment of the braking movement for the movable mold mounting plate 2 for the next cycle is carried out by the controlling or regulating device 4. Alternatively (or additionally) it can be provided that the exceeding signal S can be outputted as a warning signal W, for example acoustically or optically via the screen 13 of the operating unit 12.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a molding machine 1 which is formed as a three-platen injection molding machine with a movable mold mounting plate 2, a stationary mold mounting plate 3, a front plate 8 and guiding tie bars 10. A toggle lever mechanism 9 arranged between the front plate 8 and the movable mold mounting plate 2 is here provided as a combined drive and closing force mechanism. This toggle lever mechanism 9 for example (like in FIG. 1) is controlled or regulated by a controlling or regulating device 4 for driving the movable mold mounting plate 2. Measurement values which are representative for the movement of the movable mold mounting plate 2 (e. g. position and/or velocity and/or acceleration of the movable mold mounting plate 2 or of a part of the toggle lever mechanism 9, e. g. a crosshead) can be determined by sensors 26 (of a detection device 23) which are not shown and can be transmitted to the controlling or regulating device 4. Also a sensor 26 for detecting the tilting movement of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 can be provided, the signals of which are transmitted to the controlling or regulating device 4. These signals can be used for a regulation of the tilting movement of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 in real time.

[0061] The stationary mold mounting plate 3 on one side is mounted to a machine frame 11 of the molding machine 1. The injection device 27 is abutting the stationary mold mounting plate 3 on a side facing away from the movable mold mounting plate 2. This injection device 27 is pressed to the stationary mold mounting plate 3 with a pressing force F.sub.SPR by actuating elements (not shown here) in a conventional manner.

[0062] Depending on the size and weight of the molding tool 17 and on the setting of the velocities, a certain tilting of the mold mounting plate 2 and, thus, also of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 (illustrated by the movement arrow 29) occurs when accelerating and braking (here illustrated by the movement arrow 28) the movable mold mounting plate 2. The tilting is generated by the driving force F.sub.KH applied by the toggle lever mechanism 9.

[0063] By the tilting of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 a modification of the bearing forces F.sub.1, F.sub.2 occurs, which counteract the pressure force F.sub.SPR of the injection device 27.

[0064] In order to counteract a tilting of the stationary mold mounting plate 3 and of the movable mold mounting plate 2 connected therewith, the pressure force F.sub.SPR of the injection device 27 can be controlled or regulated to such an amount that the tilting is minimized or prevented. This can be carried out also by taking advantage of the inertia forces of the injection device 27 in that case when the nozzle of the injection device 27 is lifted from the stationary mold mounting plate 3. The bearing forces F.sub.1, F.sub.2 are then modified by a dynamic proportion.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0065] 1 molding machine [0066] 2 movable mold mounting plate [0067] 3 stationary mold mounting plate [0068] 4 controlling or regulating device [0069] 5 molding tool parts [0070] 6 guide bolt [0071] 7 guide bore [0072] 8 front plate [0073] 9 toggle lever mechanism [0074] 10 guiding tie bars [0075] 11 machine frame [0076] 12 operating unit [0077] 13 display screen [0078] 14 input device [0079] 15 drive device [0080] 17 molding tool [0081] 18 tie bar nuts [0082] 19 drive spindle [0083] 21 holding device [0084] 22 evaluation unit [0085] 23 detection device [0086] 24 comparing unit [0087] 25 output device [0088] 26 sensor [0089] 27 injection device [0090] 28 movement arrow [0091] 29 movement arrow [0092] F.sub.SPR pressure foce [0093] F.sub.KH driving force [0094] F.sub.1 bearing forces [0095] F.sub.2 bearing forces [0096] L longitudinal axis of the molding machine [0097] R rectangular orientation [0098] K value representing the tilting [0099] V comparative value [0100] S exceeding signal [0101] W warning signal