Abstract: The invention relates to an NC data creation method for machining a curved surface (101) having a cutting boundary surface (102) in the depth direction. Data specifying the three-dimensional curved surface (101) and the curved surface (102) of a cutting boundary in the depth direction are inputted. When the three-dimensional curved surface (101) is defined by a set of a plurality of point-sequence paths (11i), a point sequence Q(i,j) of a tool nose corresponding to a point sequence A(i,j) is determined. Next, there is determined a projected point sequence B'(i,j) obtained by projecting the point sequence Q(i,j) of the tool nose onto a reference plane (103), as well as a projected point sequence C(i,j) obtained by projecting the first-mentioned projected point sequence onto the curved surface (102) of the cutting boundary.

Abstract: A material processing system comprising a plurality of material processing stations, a base material processing station, and means directing material to be processed serially through the plurality of stations in a given order to the base station; the improvement wherein each of the plurality of stations and the base station comprises a separate data and control processor, and further comprising a communication loop interconnecting the processors of the plurality of stations in the given order to the processor of the base station and interconnecting the processor of the base station to the processor of the first of the plurality of stations; the processors of the plurality of stations comprising means responsive to a determined signal from the processor of the base station to the processor of the next succeeding station of the identification data that the respective station has assigned to itself, whereby the processor of the base station receives data from the last of the plurality of stations corresponding t

Abstract: An air-fuel ratio programmable control method for a fuel burner installation, and a fuel burner installation adapted to operate by the control method. In the method, an error (Ep) is determined by subtraction of an input (Po) representative of the existing firing rate and an input (Pn) representative of the required firing rate; depending on whether Ep is positive or negative, fuel and air supplies to the burner are modulated in either air-led or fuel-led manner, respectively, to set the firing rate to the desired value (Pn); in addition, the error (Ep) is compared to a predetermined breakpoint (Xp) so that if Ep exceeds Xp fuel and air supplies to the burner can be modulated simultaneously for fast control action.

Abstract: A multiple error processor in an automatic work handling apparatus includes controlling a number of operating mechanisms individually by the operation of control devices corresponding thereto. The operating mechanisms are controlled to stop for errors arising thereon according to stop mode data which corresponds to the errors. The operating mechanisms are controlled to restart-up according to restart-up data corresponding to a first generated error and also for ensuing errors occurring after the first error and before all of the operating mechanisms come to a stop. The errors are stored in an error code memory in an error recovery device.

Abstract: A machine tool is controlled by means of a data processing unit in a manner such that the optimum machining data may be determined by an operator having neither special programming skills nor specific knowledge concerning the variables affecting the machining data. All technical variables related to the given machine tool, the workpiece, different processing methods and boundary conditions are stored in a data base and taken into account. The operator is provided with a ranking of possible cutting edge geometry/bit material pairings, from which the most favorable pairing may be selected.

Abstract: The present invention provides productivity aids for ladder logic programs for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). The present invention discloses a software package embodying a method of creating custom screens for displaying the values and status of bits and words in a PLC as a ladder logic program executing therein is monitored. Any combination of bits and words can be displayed by the custom screens. This Custom Data Monitor function is designed to simplify troubleshooting by giving the user the tools to develop screens that act as windows into user-selected Data Table locations in the PLC.

Abstract: A sintering machine for applying heat and pressure to a die retained between two plate sets, includes a temperature sensor, a position sensor and a pressure sensor which are all connected to a computer for sensing the temperature of and pressure applied to the die, as well as the position of a movable one of the plate sets. This information is used to control a power supply unit which supplies current through the die to heat the die, and a hydraulic press for moving the movable one of the plate sets. Pressure and temperature are controlled in a discontinuous fashion during discrete intervals until a selected final temperature and pressure are reached. This more closely controls the sintering process over earlier systems which applied continously increasing temperature and pressure to the die.

Abstract: A signature analysis control system for a stamping press is disclosed which does not require a multiplicity of sensors or reconfiguration upon changing the die. An upper and lower reference signature corresponding to desired force values at particular sampling points during the ram cycle is developed based on a known good sample signature. The force signature for successive cycles of the press is then compared to the upper and lower reference signatures, and the press is inhibited in the event that any sampling point deviates from the corresponding point in the reference signatures.

Abstract: Change in outputs from a pair of distance sensors mounted on a pair of gun arms is monitored to determine whether or not the gun arms have started to move toward opening to activate the robot carrying the welding gun. If no change in output occurs in either sensor when an instruction is given to open (generally because a fusion weld of the electrode to the workpiece has occurred), an alarm is activated and the robot is not.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing a neural network having N nodes coupled to one another by interconnections having interconnect weights T.sub.ij that quantify the influence of node j on node i. The apparatus comprises a node circuit for each node and a data processor. The data processor receives one or more library members, and transmits the interconnect weights to the node circuits. The data processor also stores a current state vector, and receives input data representing a library member to be retrieved. The data processor then performs an iteration in which the current state vector is sent to the node circuits, and an updated state vector is received from the node circuits, the iteration being commenced by setting the current state vector equal to the input data. Each node circuit comprises one or more stochastic processors for multiplying the state vector elements by the corresponding interconnect weights, to determine the updated state vector.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of correcting for repeatable positioning errors in an X-Y table is provided. An accurate mask is provided having a plurality of repetitive recognizable patterns thereon which is placed in the field of view of a pattern recognition system of a semiconductor processing machine to be calibrated. The semiconductor processing machine is programmed to perform a series of steps which steps the X-Y table to positions which are supposedly accurate relative to a fixed point. At each of the stepped points, the plurality of repetitive recognizable patterns on the mask are electronically scanned by the pattern recognition system and the deviation of the position of the pattern relative to the desired position is calculated to provide X and Y deviations from the theoretical position of the X-Y table.

Abstract: A superheater spray water control system for variable pressure applications produces an output signal representative of expected superheater absorption as a function of measured steam flow, compensates the signal for temperature variations within the superheater and adjusts it for over/under fire transients. An output signal representative of required superheater absorption from the drum to the superheater outlet, together with a spray water enthalpy signal obtained as a function of measured stem flow, is used with the compensated and adjusted actual superheater absorption and measured steam flow signals to produce a spray quantity demand signal.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus is provided, including a for storing a plurality of approach patterns related to hand movement for when workpieces gripped by a robot hand are stacked and unstacked at predetermined locations. Approach pattern from a position at which movement of the robot hand starts to a motion position at which a workpiece is stacked or unstacked, and from this motion position to a position at which movement of the robot hand ends can be selected at will depending upon the type of workpiece and the motion position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adaptive control of the path of movement of a working tool during a working process wherein an acoustic signal is generated responsive to contact of the working tool with the workpiece and wherein stochastic signals are picked up during the course of the working process. On the basis of characteristic features of these signals the path of the working tool is corrected in order to maintain required conditions of the working process.

Abstract: A method of inference using frame-based knowledge representation which enable the simultaneous realization of high accuracy and high speed in the process of inference is disclosed. The method includes the steps of accompanying each slot with procedure information which indicates procedure for deriving the slot value of the slot from the other slot values, providing pointer information indicating the slots related to each other by the procedure indicated by the procedure information, accompanying each slot with sign information which indicates the validity of the slot value currently given, deriving the slot value in accordance with the procedure indicated by the procedure information when the slot value is missing and when the slot value is indicated by the accompanying sign information as invalid, changing the indication of the sign information accompanying the slots which are indicated by the pointer information as being related to the slot whose slot value is derived, and caching in the derived slot value.

Abstract: An element which serves as the terminal or end point for a control system which uses a controllable plant to interface the environment, the plant is controlled by an actuating signal generated within the terminal element by three distinct algorithmic process; a real time plant simulator, a true-to-life output adjuster and a control signal processor.

Abstract: An improved method for interfacing a human user to the combination of an expert system and a computer aided design system, characterized in that the expert system advice is provided in various formats, the expert system provides for interrupted operation with usable intermediate advice, and expert system advice is transportable in relative correspondence into the computer aided design system schematic display environment.

Abstract: A correlation pulse generator used in a receiver of a spread spectrum communication system comprises peak hold circuit for holding peak values of positive and negative correlation spikes, threshold setting circuits for generating thresholds based on the peak values, and a comparing circuit for comparing the threshold with a correlation spike to generate a correlation pulse, so that when a level difference exists between positive and negative correlation spike levels of a correlation output, their peaks can be held independently, and thresholds based on the peaks can be generated independently.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for constraint-oriented inference provides improved knowledge base formation efficiency and an ability to maintain consistency among slots. Constraints indicating relationships among slot values of frames are stored collectively, pointers which make the constraints accessible by relevant slots are attached automatically, and the constraints are simplified by inserting slot values determined by processes of inference.

Abstract: A motor control for controlling current in an induction motor. A microcomputer generates three inputs to control an inverter circuit that energizes the three phase windings of the motor. A speed control modulates the three inputs to adjust motor speed and voltage. A current sensing circuit also modulates the three inputs to reduce motor current using a technique that over rides the speed control. By monitoring the current sensing circuit the microcomputer adjusts the speed control to force motor current to a level near a set threshold value.