Abstract: Opposed mold supports of a mold opening and closing mechanism are driven by electronic motors between retracted and advanced positions. The motors are electronically geared together and follow a feed program which initially advances the associated mold supports a set distance which is half the separation distance. When the displacement of both supports stops, both motors are operated at a slow velocity. When it is determined again that both supports have stopped, the location of each is verified to be within an acceptable range and each motor is then operated to apply a desired clamping load.

Abstract: An invert and neck ring holder mechanism having an opposed pair of neck ring holders displaceable from a blow station to a blank station of a section of an I.S. machine. The invert and neck ring holder mechanism has a pair of an opposed pair of pneumatically operated cylinder assemblies extending between a gear housing a gear and side brackets including a cylinder housing supporting a neck ring holder support rotatable with the gear and axially displaceable from an open position to a closed position. Each of the cylinder housings includes a target sensed by a sensor when the neck ring holder support is at the closed position. Each of the targets is configured so as to be sensed by the associated sensor for a selected angular range when the neck ring holder support is at the closed position.

Abstract: An invert and neck ring holder mechanism for displacing a parison from a blank station to a blow station. The invert and neck ring holder mechanism has an opposed pair of side brackets, a worm gear housing supporting a worm gear, and a motor/worm housing for supporting the worm gear housing intermediate the opposed side brackets. The invert and neck ring holder mechanism also has a pair of cylinder assemblies extending between the sides of the worm gear and the side brackets. The cylinder assemblies include a cylinder having an in support. Each cylinder is axially displaceable from a first location adjacent the worm gear to a second location adjacent the associated side bracket and rotationally displaceable to displace its neck ring holder support from a first position at the blank station to a second position at the blow station.

Abstract: Opposed mold supports of a mold opening and closing mechanism are driven by electronic motors between retracted and advanced positions. The motors are electronically geared together and follow a feed program which initially advances the associated mold supports a set distance which is half the separation distance. When the displacement of both supports stops, both motors are operated at a slow velocity. When it is determined again that both supports have stopped, the location of each is verified to be within an acceptable range and each motor is then operated to apply a desired clamping load.

Abstract: A mold opening and closing mechanism for an I.S. machine having a plurality of individual sections each having a pair of opposed mold support mechanisms displaceable between a separated retracted position whereat each mold support mechanism is located at a start position and an advanced position whereat molds carried by the mold support mechanisms will forcefully engage. The drive which is operatively associated with each mold support mechanism includes an electronic motor. A predetermined torque is applied to the motors for a period of time when the opposed pair of mold support mechanisms are at the advanced position. To return the mold support mechanisms to the start position the electronic motors are operated to displace the mold support mechanisms at a slow velocity for a predetermined period of time and then operated to displace the mold support mechanisms to rapidly displace the mold support mechanisms to the start position following the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An H-28 machine for forming glass containers comprising a cylindrical timing drum having inner and outer surfaces and a timing cam having a circumferentially extending inner surface for matingly engaging the outer drum surface. A pair of elongated circumferentially extending slots are cut in the timing drum. A slider matingly engages the inner surface of the drum and is held against the outer surface of the timing drum by first and second spring biased studs supported by the slider. A motor driven horizontally extending linear actuator which extends between the timing drum and the slider horizontally displaces the slider to horizontally circumferentially displace the timing cam.

Abstract: Opposed shear assemblies are conjointly driven via a rack and pinion assembly by a servo motor which follows a displacement profile. When the cycle rate exceeds a selected limit the profile is scaled to reduce peak motor velocity and a shorter stroke is defined.

Abstract: An H-28 machine is a glassware making machine having a plurality of glass making sections which rotate about a vertical axle. The complete process takes one revolution. Individual section mechanisms are controlled by electronically setable cams on a central timing drum and whenever two mechanisms sequentially occupy the same space in a section, machine speed is determined and the cam settings are checked to make certain that the mechanisms will not interfere.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electronically controlling a servo motor drive for glass gob distribution apparatus, to provide accurate high speed motion of one or more scoops. At the set-up stage, the operator adjusts the scoop position with respect to each trough to align scoop and trough in a straight line. During automatic operation, upon receipt of a MOVE command a motion control computer provides digital output signals to move the scoops through a prescribed motion profile, such profile having suitable characteristics to move the scoops over various distances without vibration or overshoot. A digitalized cubic-parabolic-cubic (CPC) curve or similar cam profile is scaled to the amplitude and direction of the required motion, and the motion profile computer outputs command signals on a point-by-point basis over the time span of this stored motion profile. Such time span is designed to provide sufficient dwell time to allow the gobs to traverse the scoops.