Sensory System and Method Thereof

• US 20080038395A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avalon Vision Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Avalon Vision Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Nicol, William A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,585,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 425/170
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/7604 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/7629 Moulded articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76394 Mould opening
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76461 Optical, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76561 duration
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76892 Solidification, setting phase
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/7626 the ejection or removal of moulded articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/766 the setting or resetting of moulding conditions, e.g. before starting a cycle
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/78 of temperature

Abstract

A sensory system and method for optimizing the cycle time of a part-forming process, wherein the temperature status of a molded part is ascertained and utilized to enable minimization of mold close time.

Claims

1. A machine for forming parts, comprising:

a mold;

means for opening and closing said mold;

an infrared sensor in view of said mold, wherein at least one of the parts formed by said machine is assessable by said infrared sensor;

means for analyzing the assessment data from said infrared sensor, said analyzing means generating an indication of the optimization of the length of time the parts have cooled, said analyzing means in communication with said means for opening and closing said mold, wherein said means for opening and closing said mold is responsive to said indication.

2. A sensory system and method comprising:

at least one sensor, wherein data is obtained regarding the status of a formed part within a mold by said at least one sensor;

means for analyzing said data from said at least one sensor for determination of the thermographic status of the formed part;

means for communicating said data analysis to direct a course of action of a process.

3. A method of inspecting the status of a molded part, comprising the steps of:

b. utilizing said infrared thermograph to report the temperature of the outside of the part;

C. transferring said temperature data to an analyzer;

C. analyzing said temperature data; and

d. sending a signal to a controller, wherein said controller is responsive to said signal from said analyzer.