Injection Molding Press

[dougpdf 0]

I've installed several plc's, micrologixs 1200 an 1500's in older injection molding presses in my shop replacing relay logic. I've used the same program as a base line and changed it to adapt to different machines particulars. After recently finding this site, I realize what an infant I am to programming. Does anyone have any programs I can see to compare to mine. I recently started using analog inputs and outs for position and pressure. Thank you in advance Doug

[Chris Elston 78]

Have you been to the Download Code section of MRPLC? There are TONS of example programs in there. Check it out! Please post questions, we love answering them! This program would be a good one for you to look at: Indirect Addressing - Pallet Tracking "Brick Yard 500" 1.0 It's in the Allen Bradley PLC section of Download Code, scroll down to find it.

[dougpdf 0]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have been there. Guess I was greedy"lazy?" and was hoping for an actual Inj press program example. Will look at brickyard and try to generate intelligent questions Thanks again

[Gerry 13]

A-B have several specialised modules for the plastics industry: Hydraulic pressure & position control for clamp & screw Barrel temperature control Modules ( and some software, too) available for SLC500 and PLC5 I can vouch for the temperature control modules - they work very well (used on one moulding machine and one extruder).

[Chris Elston 78]

Gerry, I happen to have an AutoJector Mold machine program. I did not write this, but you can check it out. It uses a PLASTIC module. Or a mold inject module card that Allen Bradley makes. I forgot the part number, you could probally open the program and view the I/O config to see which card it is. The password to access the program is 1248. We might have hacked at the program a bit, so I doubt it's original from AutoJectors anyway, but atleast you can see what you want. The file is a zip attached to this reply.

[dougpdf 0]

Chris This was exactly what I was hoping for. I see it's a verticle/shuttle press, but still very similar. I can learn a lot from this. Thank you so much.

[Chris Elston 78]

I do know that Autojectors tried to make ONE PROGRAM to fit all...a concept that is hard to write code for. So there are bits you turn on in MAIN program to enable certain sub programs. For instantance: Ours is a ROTARY table, so the bits are turned on to enable the logic to control a rotary table. If we had a shuttle instead of a rotarty table, then bits in the main would have to be changed to enable that portion of the program so that a shuttle device would function. Good Luck.

[dougpdf 0]

I know what you mean. We have been converting thermoplastic injection presses to thermoset. That's one of the main reasons for changing the controls. Thermoset molding needs additional sequences, degas, gate cutting off ejector system, stuffer control, etc, that original equipment didn't have. I do have a question though. Does it increase or decrease response time having multiple ladder files, or is it written like that to save a lot of time scrolling up and down when troubleshooting and changing program?

[Chris Elston 78]

Well again, I did not write it, but from my observation of the program it does not slow the PLC at all because if you disable a SUB ROUTINE at the "Main" ladder, the PLC will not even scan the section "sub routine" of ladder. However you do EAT more memory in the PLC to retain all that extra code that is not being scanned. So if you are crunched for memory space in your PLC, you might have a problem, otherwise there should be no effect of scan time in your PLC program based on what I see Autojectors has done to their program.

[Jay Anthony 118]

How about making a .pdf so we can all see what you're talking about? Remember, code is code.

[Chris Elston 78]

Sorry Jay , here you go!

[Jay Anthony 118]

Kewl!

[dougpdf 0]

You guys are great. I hope someone asks an easy question one day, so I can answer it while you guys are asleep

[Gerry 13]

I couldn't see any evidence of specialty modules in the I/O config - just standard digital and analogue stuff. A-B make a special version of the SLC with some internal firmware algorithms for controlling injection moulding machines. They're intended to work with "fast" versions of analogue I/O cards to control clamp and screw when you have proportional valves on the hydraulics and analogue position feedback from clamp and injector. Barrel temperature control uses a separate module that can be used with a regular SLC. For the PLC5, the hydraulics & position control and algorithms are all in a specialty 1771 I/O module. Temperature control is another separate module.

[Chris Elston 78]

By golly Gerry is correct! I thought this was the program that had the plastics AB module inside. I'll take a look around and see if I can find another program we hacked into. Generally we hack these programs up to intergrate our automation, like robotics that handle LOAD and UNLOAD to the mold machines....oh well...Gerry got me with my pants down.... ....At least you still got to see the general layout of the program.

[dougpdf 0]

That would be great. I'm going to control my robot with the AB, I install on this press. Robot controller is shot.

[edomiredo 0]

uummm, i'm sorry but i cant see the attachment above. where can i download sample program for injection molding machine?