MPX Communication Requirements

1. MPX Communication Requirements Overview

2. MPX Communication There are 2 levels of communication possible with the MPX system • Data acquisition of Analog & Digital signals (Shotscope & MPX) • Controller communication to allow MPX to read and adjust settings on the Machine Controller

3. A9800 MPX Data Acquisition Receives digital signals to trigger data collection. Receives analog signals to monitor & record process data. Ability to output digital signals to trigger auxiliary devices (optional) MPX Computer MMS Data Acquisition Device

4. MPX Analog Signal Requirements Analog Signals (-10 to +10V) • Hydraulic Pressure (or melt pressure) • Screw Position (also called screw displacement, ram position) • Injection Velocity (not screw rpm) (also called ram velocity) (if unavailable, this signal can be determined directly from screw position)

5. MPX Digital Signal Requirements Digital Signals (0-24V) • Automatic / Manual Cycle Mode signal • Start of Injection (going high at the start of injection, low anytime before the end of packing) • Packing Signal* - Start & End (going high at fill/pack transfer, and low at the end of packing or during screw recovery) * If the packing signal is not available, then a start of plastication signal can be used.

6. Data Acquisition – Digital Output • Digital (trigger signals) can be sent from MPX to activate the Injection Molding Machine or an ancillary device, e.g. a warning device or message service • These signals are optional

7. A9800 MPX Controller Communications (MPX Only) Injection Molding Machine Controller Control IMM Read initial controller settings Write new settings to controller

8. Controller – MPX Communications • The IMM controller must have the ability to output and receive IMM settings from an external computer • This output is often referred to as the Host Computer Interface (HCI) • Without this interface the controller will not be able to communicate with MPX • The communication to the controller interface is achieved through a communication protocol such as Serial, Euromap15, Euromap63, OPC, etc. This is specified by the HCI and not MPX.

9. MPX – Controller Communications • If an interface to the controller exists then it is possible for MPX to communicate to the controller through the communication protocol used by the controller interface • Moldflow must then develop a controller specific driver to enable MPX to communicate to the controller interface • The driver enables the controller settings to be read and adjusted by MPX

10. IMM settings - MPX Driver • The following IMM settings must be accessible by MPX from the controller’s host computer interface (HCI) • The injection stroke - The distance and velocity of each step • The packing phase - The pressure and duration of each step • The change over point between the filling and packing phases • The charge (plasticizing) profile - rotational velocity, back pressure and distance of each step. • The cooling (cureing) time • The nozzle & barrel temperature by zone • It must be possible to write revised values for each of the above parameters to the IMM controller.

11. Controller -IMM • The IMM is controlled directly by the existing IMM controller • MPX does not bypass the existing controller and only valid IMM settings can be sent to the IMM • Safety mechanisms are not overridden by MPX

12. A9800 MPX Controller Communications – MPX Download Example 4. Value on the Controller is adjusted. 3. HCI processes the message from MPX and performs the action on the controller. Controller Host Computer Interface HCI 2. Message is transferred by the communication protocol to the Controller HCI. E.g. Serial communication. 1. MPX sends messages in the format expected by HCI via the communication protocol. E.g. sends ‘U0259065’ to change the variable #259 (e.g. Charge Position) to the value 65. The format is not defined by MPX but by the controller HCI.

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