Abstract: A radiant furnace for firing ceramic material provides for accurate control over the rate of increase of the ceramic material temperature during a firing operation. Heat is radiated in the furnace from an electrically controlled heater. A first programming signal is produced to represent a manually selected rate at which the temperature is to be raised, and a second programming signal is produced to represent a manually selected target temperature beyond which the ceramic material temperature is not to be raised. Circuitry responsive to the first and second programming signals produces a command signal varying in magnitude to define a ramp having a peak value. The command signal is applied to a closed-loop heating control subsystem employing a thermo-sensitive transducer for providing a feedback signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operation of a pivoted member. A pivoted arm such as provided in an apparatus for bonding leads in electronic components is controlled by means of a torque motor during bonding and non-bonding intervals to provide control of forces exerted by the pivoted member during the bonding interval and forces exerted on the pivoted member during non-bonding intervals. Motion cams to complement the operation of the torque motor may also be utilized.