Abstract: Method for viewing and selecting production resources, in particular peripheral devices, for the injection molding industry, which are organized in at least one work cell for producing an injection-molded part and connected to one another via a network. Following a manual storage request on a control device, in particular a work cell controller, or on a production resource, in particular a processing machine, all connected production resources are queried and defined data, such as the respective settings, as well as program sequences, formulations and other configurations, are read out from these and, together with the internal settings, in particular those of the processing machine, combined to form a mold data record for this injection-molded part. A listing of production resources for the injection-molded part producible on this processing machine can be automatically generated from the mold data record and displayed at an output location, preferably of the processing machine.

Abstract: A method for the continuous storage of internal operating states and visualization of past sequences of operations, as well as to a robot and/or robot controller, wherein the robot is preferably mounted on or next to a processing machine, in particular an injection molding machine and serves for the removal, handling, manipulation or further processing of injection molded parts which have just been produced. The robot controller records data, in particular changes of state, positions, internal parameters, time stamps, etc., and in case of occurrence of an error this most recently recorded information is linked to the error and stored, whereby the changes of state until the occurrence of the respective error are simulated and visually displayed for an analysis on the basis of a virtual model of the physical robot.

Abstract: Method for the quality control and/or tracking of an injection molded part produced in a production cycle using at least one processing machine of the plastic processing industry and a plastic processing facility, in which production devices or stations arranged upstream or downstream are connected together via a network. Each individual injection molded part or a specified number of injection molded parts is assigned a quality value composed of multiple quality values in that each device or station in the production chain ascertains or generates its own quality value and extends same by the transmitted values of each previous device or previous station and forwards same as the new quality value to the following device or following station or in that a separate collecting station, in particular a hardware and software (COQ chain of quality), requests the quality values, the device values and.

Abstract: An industrial installation or production facility and a method for managing and controlling production resources with one or more work cells. Certain production resources are organized into work cells, which are each formed from at least one processing machine of the plastics-processing industry and at least one peripheral device. The production resources are connected to a work cell controller, and are automatically detected by the work cell controller, whereupon the work cell controller performs the communication or data exchange with the company-internal network, e.g., an intranet and/or an internet, and with the production resources of the work cell, and establishes direct communication between the production resources. A software update can be performed in the work cell controller during the operation of the work cell. Furthermore, the work cell controller creates a list and assigns addresses for the connected production resources.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a robot (5) and/or robot controller (17) for validation of programmed workflow sequences and/or teaching programs (20) of the robot (5) in a work cell (2), wherein the robot (5) is preferably mounted on or next to a processing machine, in particular an injection molding machine (4), and designed for the extraction, handling, manipulation or further processing of injection-molded parts (3) which have just been produced. The robot controller (17) is designed to reproduce a virtual twin or robot model (21), respectively, in particular a virtual representation of the plant or work cell (2), respectively, at the output location, in particular a display or touch screen (16), whereby at least the injection molding machine is represented as part of the work cell, and further production resources of the plant or work cell (2), which are preferably automatically detected and represented.

Abstract: The invention describes a robot (5) and/or robot controller (17) and a method for validation of programmed workflow sequences or teaching programs (20) of a robot (5) preferably with a robot controller (17), wherein the robot (5) is preferably mounted on or next to a processing machine, in particular an injection molding machine (4), and serves for the extraction, handling, manipulation or further processing of injection-molded parts (3) which have just been produced. The travel parameters, equipment features and functionalities of the physical robot (5) are stored in a configuration file (27) on the control side. The robot controller (17) creates a virtual robot model (21) from these stored data. For validation of a workflow sequence, the robot controller (17) uses the current teaching program (20) in the robot controller (17) whereby the visualization of the workflow sequence is displayed directly on an output unit of the robot controller (17).

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding single grains to one or more processing machines comprising at least one singulating device, a granular material reservoir for a bulk material, and a feeding device for feeding the singulated bulk material to the injection molding machine. The singulating device is formed from a singulating disk provided with suction openings distributed over the pitch circle. On one side of the singulating disk, the granular material reservoir is arranged to hold bulk material. Via the shaft, the singulating disk is mounted to be rotated with the suction openings for receiving and dispensing grains. Furthermore, a grain scraper and/or a grain aligner for the bulk material or grains is arranged on the singulating disk in order to scrape off the grains and/or align the grains, or a stirring or carry-along element is arranged on the singulating disk for receiving the bulk material or on the shaft.

Abstract: A device for dosing bulk material, in particular plastic granules, for machines that process plastic granules, in particular for injection molding machines. The invention provides a bulk material feed (1), a material hopper (3) formed by multiple, preferably four, individually removable material hopper containers (2) and arranged under the bulk material feed (1) and ending in a dosing base device (4), and, optionally, a weighing container with a scale in the dosing base device (4). The individual material hopper containers (2) are arranged on a support spider (5) and the support spider (5) is formed by support spider plates (11) arranged vertically and perpendicular to one another. The support spider is mounted on the housing of the dosing base device (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling and/or transporting workpieces (5), in particular for removal of injection-molded items from an injection-molding machine, wherein a handling robot (4) having a programmable control and regulating unit (10) is provided that comprises a gripper (6) having at least one suction nozzle (7) for grasping of the workpiece (5) or fixating it by suction. In the gripper (6) of the handling robot (4) a distance-measuring device (8) for detection of the distance (a1+a2) from the gripper (6) to a reference point or a reference surface (9), for example to the mold tool half (2), which is preferably movable, with the workpiece (5), is provided. The measured value of the distance-measuring device (8) is fed into the control and regulation unit (10). The distance-measuring device (8) can be a light-transit time measuring device, in particular a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor.

Abstract: A device for dosing bulk material, in particular plastic granules, for machines that process plastic granules, in particular for injection moulding machines. The invention provides a bulk material feed (1), a material hopper (3) formed by multiple, preferably four, individually removable material hopper containers (2) and arranged under the bulk material feed (1) and ending in a dosing base device (4), and, optionally, a weighing container with a scale in the dosing base device (4). The individual material hopper containers (2) are arranged on a support spider (5) and the support spider (5) is formed by support spider plates (11) arranged vertically and perpendicular to one another. The support spider is mounted on the housing of the dosing base device (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for metering bulk material, in particular plastics granulate, for machines processing plastics granulate, in particular for injection molding machines, wherein at least one material funnel (2) into which bulk material can be filled and which has a material valve is provided. A weighing container (4) connected to weighing scales is optionally arranged below the material valve. A control unit is provided for the weighing scales and material valves. The material valve is designed as a metering valve (3), in particular as a flap-type metering valve. The metering valve (3) consists of a part, a closure (7), movable via a horizontal axis (6) and a fixed part, a scraper (8). The movable part has an operating arm (9) for an actuator (5) and at the end facing towards the fixed part has a closure plate (10) having a scraper projection (11). In the closed state of the metering valve (3) the scraper projection (11) touches the scraper (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying bulk goods, in particular solids, such as granular materials, powders, grains, films, shreds, or the like, preferably plastic granular material, in a drying silo (9) by means of an air flow. The exhaust air flow (5) that is discharged from the drying silo (9) is dried in a wheel dryer (1). The adsorbent is regenerated and cooled in the wheel dryer. A rotatable drum (2) of the wheel dryer (1) is divided into at least three wheel segments, wherein the region of a wheel segment is used for drying or dehumidifying the exhaust air flow, the region of the second wheel segment is used for heating the adsorbent, and the region of the third wheel segment is used for cooling the adsorbent. The drying or dehumidifying phase (14) for the exhaust air flow (5) and preferably the adsorbent cooling occur in parallel, in particular in a continuous manner during the operation. The regenerating phase (15) with the adsorbent heating is carried out at intervals during the operation.

Abstract: Method for removing injection-molded items from an injection-molding machine via a robot and device for performing method. The injection-molding machine and the robot each having a separate drive, and each drive is acted on by a separate open- and closed-loop control unit that is separately programmable. At least the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot contains a computing element, and the injection-molding machine is equipped with at least one signaling device for detecting a position of the mold. The method includes applying a signal of the signaling device to the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot, recalculating a motion sequence of the robot based of the open- and closed-loop control unit after each removal cycle, and for each next removal cycle, moving the robot from a start position by a timer at a recalculated start time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying bulk goods, in particular solids, such as granular materials, powders, grains, films, shreds, or the like, preferably plastic granular material, in a drying silo (7) by means of an air flow. The moistened returned air or the process air flow (10) that emerges from the drying silo (7) is dried in a drying cell containing a drying or adsorbent agent and returned in the form of a drying air flow (12) to the bulk goods again. The drying cell is preferably a wheel dryer (11) consisting of an air distribution cover and an air distribution floor having a rotatable drum arranged therebetween. The adsorbent agent is furthermore regenerated in the wheel dryer (11). The drum of the wheel dryer (11) is divided by the air distribution cover and the air distribution floor into two regions through which air is able to flow. One region (5) is used to regenerate the adsorbent agent and the other region (6) is used for drying or dehumidifying the process air flow (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for metering bulk material, in particular plastics granulate, for machines processing plastics granulate, in particular for injection molding machines, wherein at least one material funnel (2) into which bulk material can be filled and which has a material valve is provided. A weighing container (4) connected to weighing scales is optionally arranged below the material valve. A control unit is provided for the weighing scales and material valves. The material valve is designed as a metering valve (3), in particular as a flap-type metering valve. The metering valve (3) consists of a part, a closure (7), movable via a horizontal axis (6) and a fixed part, a scraper (8). The movable part has an operating arm (9) for an actuator (5) and at the end facing towards the fixed part has a closure plate (10) having a scraper projection (11). In the closed state of the metering valve (3) the scraper projection (11) touches the scraper (8).

Abstract: Method for automatically loading feed line with bulk material in suction delivery system having feed line, loading point, reservoir, and at least one material separator arranged at distance to reservoir. Method includes selecting target value for air speed for area of loading point, wherein for area of loading point, minimum target value and maximum target value for air speed are empirically determined from feed line parameters related to feed line and material parameters related to bulk material and values are stored in database. Method includes measuring in area of loading point one of air speed and quantity serving for determination of air speed in feed line and sending target value and measured value of air speed to controller. Method includes controlling air speed to target value via suction capacity, and adding bulk material in metered manner in dependence upon measured value of air speed when target value is reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for dosing bulk material, in particular plastic granulate, for machines processing plastic granulate, in particular for injection molding machines. Different amounts of different plastic granulates are filled in batches according to freely adjustable formulas and each individual type of a plastic granulate, such as for example virgin material, masterbatch, additives and/or material to be ground, is successively released into a weighing container from a material hopper (2) via a material valve. Weighing occurs in the weighing container (4) and the formula amount is subsequently blended into a mixer. The amount of plastic granulate, preferably the virgin material and/or material to be ground, disproportionately high for the formula is filled into the weighing container (4) from at least two material hoppers (2) by means of a parallel filling or multiple parallel filling.

Abstract: Method for removing injection-molded items from an injection-molding machine via a robot and device for performing method. The injection-molding machine and the robot each having a separate drive, and each drive is acted on by a separate open- and closed-loop control unit that is separately programmable. At least the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot contains a computing element, and the injection-molding machine is equipped with at least one signaling device for detecting a position of the mold. The method includes applying a signal of the signaling device to the open- and closed-loop control unit of the robot, recalculating a motion sequence of the robot based of the open- and closed-loop control unit after each removal cycle, and for each next removal cycle, moving the robot from a start position by a timer at a recalculated start time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying bulk goods, in particular solids, such as granular materials, powders, grains, films, shreds, or the like, preferably plastic granular material, in a drying silo (9) by means of an air flow. The exhaust air flow (5) that is discharged from the drying silo (9) is dried in a wheel dryer (1). The adsorbent is regenerated and cooled in the wheel dryer. A rotatable drum (2) of the wheel dryer (1) is divided into at least three wheel segments, wherein the region of a wheel segment is used for drying or dehumidifying the exhaust air flow, the region of the second wheel segment is used for heating the adsorbent, and the region of the third wheel segment is used for cooling the adsorbent. The drying or dehumidifying phase (14) for the exhaust air flow (5) and preferably the adsorbent cooling occur in parallel, in particular in a continuous manner during the operation. The regenerating phase (15) with the adsorbent heating is carried out at intervals during the operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying bulk goods, in particular solids, such as granular materials, powders, grains, films, shreds, or the like, preferably plastic granular material. In order to dry the exhaust air flow (5) exiting the drying silo (9), the drying silo (9), through which an air flow flows, is connected by means of a process fan (11) to a wheel drier (1) that contains a drying or adsorbing agent and that has a rotatable drum (2) having radial cells (21). The individual cells (21) of the drum (2) of the wheel drier (1) are formed by plates, wherein clamping plates (24) of a cell (21) lying against the radial outer (22) and inner (23) jackets of the drum (2) have a U-shaped cross-section and are arranged axially on the inner wall. The legs (25) of the U-shaped clamping plates (24) are tilted outwardly. Separating plates (26) are provided as partitions of the individual cells (21).