Abstract: In a tracer control system which controls tracing based on displacement signals from a tracer head tracing the surface of a model, there are provided position detectors for detecting the positions of a tracing machine along the X, Y and Z axes and angle correcting means. The difference between a set trace direction and the actual trace direction detected by the position detectors is obtained for every other fixed distance of movement along the X-axis or Y-axis direction and a trace velocity along the X-axis or Y-axis direction is corrected by the angle correcting means so that the above difference may be reduced to zero, thereby controlling tracing to be performed in the set trace direction.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of microprocessors, comprising a common memory which can be selectively switched to exclusive buses which are connected to the plurality of microprocessors, respectively, and a priority control circuit which determines the priority of the microprocessors. According to the system of the present invention, it has a common memory that is selectively connected to the buses, data is transmitted without affecting the operation of the microprocessors on the receiving side, data transfer between the microprocessors having different cycle times is carried out at speeds that are adapted to the cycle times of the individual microprocessors, and the degree of the exclusive use of the bus by the microprocessor is prevented from being reduced when the direct memory access transfer is carried out. Consequently, a system for controlling a plurality of microprocessors having an improved performance is obtained in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A robot hand provided for an industrial robot used in association with a machine tool for carrying out a manipulating operation of attaching a workpiece to and detaching a workpiece from a workpiece chucking means of the machine tool, said robot hand being characterized by including means for removing chips and other foreign materials attached to the workpiece holding means during the manipulating operation.

Abstract: A method for rotating a workpiece at a constant peripheral speed when the workpiece is cut as on a lathe. Before a cutting tool is moved to a cutting position under a rapid-advance command, the number n of RPM for the spindle is computed from the following equation, based on the distance x between the cutting position and the axis of the spindle and based on the commanded periphery speed V for driving the spindle at the computed number of RPM thereof:n=V/2 xAccordingly, the actual peripheral speed of the spindle becomes the same as or approximates the commanded peripheral speed when the cutting tool reaches the cutting position.

Abstract: A programmable sequence controller which enables display of the contents of a storage means for storing input and output data to and from a machine, and which permits numerical values to be set in the storage device from an external unit. The programmable sequence controller utilizes a sending and receiving unit for an exchange of commands and other data with a numerical control device in order to transfer display content and numerical values which have been set. This allows the contents to be displayed on display means provided in the numerical control device, and permits the setting of numerical values which are entered from a data setting means provided in the numerical control device.

Abstract: In a wire-cut, electric discharge machine equipped with an automatic wire electrode threading mechanism, a straightening guide having a curved surface which guides thereacross a wire electrode while straightening it out. The straightening guide is positioned directly in front of feed-up rollers which grip the wire electrode released from a supply reel and guide it into a machining starting hole of a workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable tape reader characterized in that a lid provided with a handle is integrally formed on the upper portion of a body provided with a reading head, the body is contained in a container box so that the body can be drawn out upwardly, and when the body is drawn out, the container box is held in the lower portion of the body and an opening of the container box is located below the reading head. In the portable tape reader having the above-mentioned structure, a tape which has been read is securely received and stored in the container box.

Abstract: An addressing system for use with a computer system having a plurality of processing units connected to independent address buses and a plurality of memories connectable to any of the address buses and given a series of addresses. Each processing unit is connected to an address modification register and an adder connected to its address bus. The address content outputted from the processing unit and the content of the address modification register are added together by the adder. The added output is sent on the address bus to address a desired one of the memories. This system permits easy modification of memory allocation and enhances the operation speed of each processing unit.

Abstract: A wire-cut, electric discharge machine which is provided with auxiliary wire feed means for feeding a wire in a backward direction when the wire is broken, and a wire detector for detecting, at a predetermined position, the extreme end of the broken wire fed in the backward direction. When detecting the extreme end of the broken wire by the wire detector, the feed of the broken wire by the auxiliary wire feed means is stopped to position the extreme end of the broken wire at a predetermined position.

Abstract: In a tracer control equipment which calculates a trace direction and a trace velocity using signals from a tracer head tracing the model surface and performs tracer control in accordance with the calculation results, there are provided a memory for storing numerical command data and means for reading out the numerical command data by a processor from the memory, whereby to add a numerical control function for positioning control to the tracer control equipment.

Abstract: A rotary electric motor of a sealed type comprising a heat pipe in a rotor shaft and a plurality of air vents in a stator. In the operation of this motor, a rotor mounted on the rotor shaft is cooled by the heat pipe and simultaneously, the stator is cooled directly by the air flowing therethrough.

Abstract: An industrial robot with a safeguard mechanism for mechanically preventing occurence of any uncontrolled movement of a movable part of the industrial robot, the safeguard mechanism having mechanical engagement means which provides a disengageable mechanical lock between the movable part of the industrial robot and the stationary part of the industrial robot or another stationary member different from the industrial robot.

Abstract: A system for stopping a spindle, which is provided in a machine tool, in such a manner that a specified point on the spindle is stopped at a predetermined rotational position. The system includes device for detecting the direction of spindle rotation. When the spindle arrives at a region where it is to be controlled in order to stop at the predetermined rotational position, a position deviation signal is applied as the input signal of a speed control loop for controlling the rotation of the spindle. This signal turns the specified point on the spindle to the predetermined rotational position, in the same direction in which the spindle is rotating, on the basis of the direction signal from the detecting means. That is, the specified point on the spindle is rotated to the predetermined rotational position in a direction which is the same as the direction of rotation during tool operation.

Abstract: A control circuit for stopping a spindle at a predetermined rotational position, of the type having a position sensor for producing a zero volt signal when a specified point on the spindle arrives at the predetermined rotational position, and for producing a voltage which is positive or negative when the specified point on the spindle is in the vicinity of the predetermined rotational position on either the left or right side thereof. The control circuit includes an orientation control circuit for stopping the spindle drive motor when the output signal from the position sensor attains the value of zero volts, thereby stopping the specified point on the spindle at the predetermined rotational position. The control circuit further includes a position adjustment circuit for adjusting the rotational position, of the specified point on the spindle, at which the output signal from the position sensor crosses the zero volt line.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a cutting work using the numerical data obtained from a tracing of a model by stylus means, said numerical data being obtained by applying a proportional allotment to a first and second numerical data related to a first and a second stylus, in accordance with the radius of the cross-section of a cutting tool.

Abstract: A spindle orientation control system having a speed control circuit and a position control circuit for rotating the spindle of a machine tool at a commanded speed and for stopping the spindle at a designated position with a high accuracy, the speed control circuit decelerating the spindle drive motor on the basis of a spindle stopping command. When a predetermined speed has been attained, a counter contained in the position control circuit is triggered by a one-revolution pulse generated whenever the spindle makes one full revolution, whereby the counter begins to count up position pulses which are generated whenever the spindle rotates by a predetermined angle. After a preset predetermined number of pulses have been counted, operation shifts from the speed control mode to a position control mode, and said counter is preset to a number of pulses corresponding to the angle from the present position of the spindle to the desired stopping position.

Abstract: A position control system for a closed loop type numerical-controlled machine tool in which detected position information is fed back to the input side from a movable machine part or a motor driving it. In the closed loop there are provided an integrating element and a device for compensating for unstableness of the closed loop caused by the integrating element. The integrating element and the compensating device serve to improve the position deviation characteristic of the closed loop, thereby permitting accurate position control.

Abstract: A method of preparing and executing a sequence program for effecting the sequence control of a sequence controller for a machine tool by executing a subroutine program. A sequence diagram is prepared, which diagram expresses a function command for a subroutine as data divided into control conditions and parameters. From the sequence diagram a sequence program is prepared, which program includes a command for reading data indicative of a control condition, and parameter data of which a subroutine is informed. The sequence program so prepared is then executed.

Abstract: A power source circuit for use with an electric discharge machine which machines a workpiece by a discharge produced between an electrode and the work. When an arc forms in a working gap defined between the electrode and the work, the OFF period of a switching element inserted in the charging path of a capacitor for storing discharge energy is increased so that current flowing across the working gap is cut off for a longer period of time than in the case of a normal operation, thereby quickly restoring the insulating qualities of the gap following arcing.

Abstract: A method and system for rewriting data in a non-volatile memory of the type which requires a comparatively long period of time for the rewriting of stored data. The occurrence of an interruption in power can be detected on the basis of the content of the non-volatile memory, and detection takes place after the resumption of power even if the interruption in power takes place during the rewriting operation. The non-volatile memory is provided with a flag area in which information indicating the initiation of a modification is written prior to the rewriting operation, and in which information indicating the termination of a modification is written after the rewriting operation, whereby an interruption in power which has occurred during rewriting is readily detected by reading out the information from the flag area after the restoration of power.