Fault detection in a thermoplastic injection molding process using neural networks

Injection molding technology should assure a high level of quality control of the molded parts in an automated way. Inherent complexities of the process make mathematical modeling di¢cult, hindering the control quality demands of conventional methods. Neural networks adaptive data based technology has been successfully applied in industrial applications since these rely on highly nonlinear models and are able to provide enough rich data for modelling the required process relationships. Neural networks are used herein in a ...rst step for fault detection in the injection molding process, the next step being the development of a system for automatic tuning of machine setups.