Apparatus for outputting data corresponding to a metal mold of a die casting machine and method for outputting the data therefor

• US 5,222,026 A
• Filed: 12/28/1990
• Issued: 06/22/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Nakamoto, Toshinori
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Assistant Examiner(s): GORDON, PAUL P
• Application Number:
  US07/635,229
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 364/476, 364/188, 364/189, 364/473, 364/146
• US Class Current: 700/146
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2045/1796 Moulds carrying mould related information or codes, e.g. bar codes, counters
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4097 characterised by using design data to control NC machines, e.g. CAD/CAM G05B19/4093 takes precedence

Abstract

An arrangement for automatically providing data for controlling a die casting machine that would otherwise have to be entered by an operator each time a mold of the die casting machine is changed. In a first embodiment, the operator inputs only data indicating which mold is to be used and the appropriate operational data is retrieved and sent to the die casting machine. In a second embodiment, the identification of the mold is handled automatically, to totally eliminate the need for an operator to input data.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing data corresponding to a die casting machine metal mold for use by a main controller of the die casting machine for controlling its operation, comprising:

input means for operator inputting operation control data corresponding to each type of metal mold to be used in the die casting machine;

specifying means for manually specifying which metal mold is to be used for a given operation of the die casting machine;

memory means for storing the operation control data input by the operator; and

output means for outputting the operation control data previously stored in the memory means and corresponding to the metal mold specified by the specifying means to the main controller;

metal mold classification setting means, attached to the metal mold, for identifying the metal mold; and

metal mold classification recognition means for automatically recognizing the metal mold classification specified by the metal mold classification setting means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metal mold classification setting means includes a concave-convex element attached on the metal mold.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the metal mold classification recognition means includes a limit switch attached near the metal mold, and actuatable by the concave-convex element.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metal mold setting means includes a short circuit having an electric wire.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the metal mold recognition means includes a connector acting with the short circuit so as to decode the metal mold classification.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory means includes a semiconductor memory.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory means includes an IC card memory.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory means includes a flexible disk arrangement.