Abstract
The objectives of this thesis is to investigate the process of replacing conventional injection molding PLC controller with PC-based controller with open structure characteristics and integration of various units on a single hardware controller. The implementation of this process would save the cost in hardware and time in software design time. In the traditional injection molding industry, most of the controllers are developed for specific machines which have core control technology totally controlled by the developers. Users are only allow to purchase the specific machines typically not compatible to other models and brands so that the upgrade in control functions are hard to be circumvented. Therefore, OSACA was established in Europe to promote new control technology and improve the difficult situations. In this study, the applications of PC-based controllers on hydraulic actuated injection molding machines have been implemented for molding of optical products. First, the sequential motion and dynamic performance of each actuator was simulated with the help of professional hydraulic simulation software. Hence, interface diver programs were tested and later embedded into the control modular programs. Finally, higher man-machine interface modules with data collection function were completed and experimentally verified on a machine made by Battenfeld Inc., Germany. The simulations have confirmed to the experimental results on closed-loop control system so that the high performance control technology in injection molding would be profoundly established.