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 method for drying bulk material, in particular solids, preferably for plastics-processing machines, in drying devices and containers, interconnected to form an assembly. Depending on the material used, the drying time specified, is transmitted or set by the operator or i-s-present in the controller. A consumer transmits the material consumption or the shot weight per production cycle, respectively, or the individual or cumulated shot weights for several production cycles or other values indicative of the material consumption to the drying device(s) and/or material container(s). Each material container consists, on the control side, of several loading batches, preferably with time stamps, and the drying or residence time, respectively, for the respectively lowest loading batch in the material container results from the difference between the current time of the respective material removal by the consumer and the time stamp associated with the oldest loading batch.

Abstract: A method for the representation and operation of production resources, in particular for the plastics-processing industry, on one or several central operating units, preferably a computer or control station. Symbols for the production resource connected via a network or the management tools associated with the production resource, such as configuration systems or database systems, are present and selectable on the central operating unit, wherein after selection of one or several symbols on the screen of the operating unit, the visualization, in particular the visualization component from the associated production resources or management tool is started or executed on the operating unit. Subsequently, complete representation and operation is possible through the cooperation of the visualization software available at the operating unit and a control software running decentrally in the production resources.

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.