Interfaces form the basis for every process monitoring and closed-loop process control system. It goes without saying that without interfaces to the injection molding machine, the hot runner control unit, the peripherals or other components, the process parameters cannot be transferred.

There are two types of interface in injection molding technology: hardware interfaces and communication interfaces.

Status information about certain events, such as «valve gate nozzle open», «automatic switchover to holding pressure» or «remove reject part» is transmitted via hardware interfaces. These events are transmitted between the PRIAMUS system and the machine, robot or peripheral device.

The events usually comprise a physical voltage level (e. g. 0 V/ 24 V) representing the logical state «0» and «1». In future, this will also be possible entirely digitally via a real-time bus.

Communication interfaces are used to read and write setting parameters that are based on a communication protocol such as Euromap, SPI or other manufacturer-specific protocols. Possible setting parameters are injection profiles, holding pressure profiles or hot runner nozzle temperature control.

In principle, all parameters defined in the communication protocol can be read and written. Physically, the data can be transmitted via interfaces (RS-232, RS-485 or Ethernet), for example to the hot runner control unit or the master computer of the machine.

It has always been a matter of course for us to provide a mature and standardized interface concept for alarm, status and switching signals instead of open cable ends. Our standardized interfaces are therefore offered by many machine manufacturers with their own order number for PRIAMUS systems.

For the communication of setting parameters - for example with the hot runner control device or with the master computer of the injection molding machine - PRIAMUS has been offering ready-made solutions for many years which can be selected from a database at the touch of a button - almost like connecting a printer to a computer.