Edge device interface system and method for monitoring and modifying control and response signals transmitted to and from injection-molding machines and robots

{
  "publication_number": "US12194614B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Edge device interface system and method for monitoring and modifying control and response signals transmitted to and from injection-molding machines and robots",
  "abstract": "An edge device interface system and method for monitoring, recording, and calculating control and response signals generated by and between an injection molding system including an injection-molding machine and a robotic handling device. The edge device interface system of the invention includes an edge device interposed between the connector of the injection-molding machine and the connector of a robotic handling device using standardized connectors. The edge device interface system may be interposed between the connector of the injection-molding machine and the connector of a robotic handling device to emulate the function of either device as desired. The edge device interface system and method utilizes data observed both from standardized connectors and auxiliary inputs to provide insight into molding process steps and equipment, including what components of the injection molding system that may be contributing to any molding process instability or inefficiency, and for generating signals for real-time adjustment of the molding process.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An edge device interface system apparatus for receiving, processing, analyzing, and transmitting signals generated before, during, and after operation of injection-molding machines, comprising: a) an injection-molding machine; b) a robotic handling device; c) a control mechanism whereby data signals may be generated to and received from said injection-molding machine and said robotic handling device; d) an edge device interfacing said injection molding machine and said robotic handling device whereby said data signals may be received and captured; and e) an analysis system in communication with said edge device whereby said received and captured data signals are delivered, stored, processed, and analyzed.",
    "2. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said received and captured data signals are transmitted wirelessly.",
    "3. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said analysis system includes a cloud-based analysis system.",
    "4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said edge device interfaces with said injection-molding machine and with said robotic handling device by Euromap standard compliant connectors.",
    "5. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising sensors with said injection-molding machine whereby molding process information data signals are monitored and captured.",
    "6. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein adjusted control signals are generated to said control mechanism from said analysis system.",
    "7. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said adjusted control signals include control signals for said injection-molding machine or for said robotic handling device.",
    "8. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a plurality of injection-molding machines and a plurality of robotic handling devices each interfacing with said edge device.",
    "9. An edge device interface system apparatus for receiving, processing, analyzing, and transmitting signals generated before, during, and after operation of injection-molding machines, comprising: a) an injection-molding machine having an injection-molding machine control mechanism whereby injection-molding machine data and control signals may be generated to and received from said injection-molding machine; b) a robot having a robotic controller whereby robot data and control signals may be generated to and received from said robotic controller; c) an edge device interfacing said injection molding machine and said robot whereby said injection molding machine data and control signals generated to or received from said injection-molding machine control mechanism and robot data and control signals from said robotic controller may be received and captured; and d) an analysis system in communication with said edge device whereby said received and captured injection molding machine data and control signals and said received and captured robot data and control signals are delivered, stored, processed, and analyzed.",
    "10. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said edge device is incorporated within said robotic controller.",
    "11. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said edge device is incorporated within said injection-molding machine control mechanism.",
    "12. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said edge device, said robotic controller, and said injection-molding machine control mechanism are incorporated within a common control mechanism.",
    "13. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said edge device, said robotic controller, said injection-molding machine control mechanism, and said common control mechanism are incorporated within said analysis system.",
    "14. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said analysis system is a cloud-based analysis system.",
    "15. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said analysis system is a cloud-based analysis system.",
    "16. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said injection molding machine data and control signals and said robot data and control signals are transmitted wirelessly.",
    "17. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said injection molding machine data and control signals and said robot data and control signals are transmitted via an ethernet.",
    "18. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said analysis system generates adjusted control signals to said injection-molding machine control mechanism and to said robotic controller through said edge device.",
    "19. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said analysis system generates adjusted control signals to said injection-molding machine control mechanism and to said robotic controller through said edge device.",
    "20. The edge device interface system apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said analysis system is a cloud-based analysis system."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The subject invention relates to the field of injection molding of plastic and, more particularly, to an edge device interface system, and more particularly a device and method for monitoring, recording, analyzing, and manipulating the control and response signals used in conjunction with injection-molding machines and robotic systems.\n\nRobots and robotic arms are commonly used in conjunction with a plastic injection-molding machine (IMM) to provide an automated injection molding system. A robotic handling device, such as a robot or a robotic arm, in combination with an IMM is used for a variety of applications including robotic loading of product components into an IMM, robotic removal of molded products from an IMM, and robotic placement of molded products in a desired location such as onto conveyer belts where finished products are conveyed for inspection, further assembly, or for packaging as desired. An injection molding system employing one or more robots or robotic arms has multiple advantages including a reduction of variations in the molding process, increased product consistency, reduced waste, increased IMM utilization and production time, and reduced labor costs. The combination of robotic handling devices with one or more IMMs provides for a fluster and more efficient injection molding process, increased productivity, and a reduction in the cost of manufacture.",
  "cpc": [
    "B25J 11/005",
    "B25J 9/1664",
    "B29C 2945/76993",
    "B29C 45/42",
    "B29C 45/766",
    "G05B 19/0423",
    "G05B 19/41825",
    "H04L 67/1097",
    "H04L 67/125",
    "Y02P 90/02"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B25J 11/00",
    "B25J 9/16",
    "B29C 45/42",
    "H04L 67/1097"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Donald Scott Rogers"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2023-03-27",
  "publication_date": "2025-01-14",
  "grant_date": "2025-01-14",
  "priority_date": "2019-06-07",
  "application_number": "US-202318126801-A",
  "family_id": "73650280",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
  "citations": [
    "US6078272A",
    "US7225065B1",
    "US20080152752A1",
    "CA2713702A1",
    "US9842034B2"
  ]
}