Abstract: A potentiometer is driven by one of the serpentine arm assemblies used to maintain apron tension during formation of a round bale so that the output of the potentiometer continuously provides an indication of the size of a bale being formed in the baler. A microprocessor based control circuit senses the output of the potentiometer, converts it to a digital value, and compares the digital value with a value representing a desired bale size. When the two values are equal, the microprocessor computes the number of revolutions of a net feed roll that is required to wrap the bale a preselected number of times, energizes the net feed roll mechanism to feed net into the bale forming chamber, and counts the revolutions of the net feed roll. When the required amount of net has been dispensed, the microprocessor stops the net feed roll and activates a mechanism to cut the net. The size of a "full bale" is selected by actuating keys on a control panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creating a complex curved surface (CPS) comprising at least two three-dimensional curved surfaces (10a, 10b), particularly a method of creating a complex curved surface in which roundness is provided at a portion where first and second curved surfaces intersect. In the curved surface creation method, rounding is performed by obtaining normal vectors V.sub.1, V.sub.2 of first and second curved surfaces (10a, 10b) at a point of intersection P.sub.0 of first and second section curves (11, 12) obtained when the first and second curved surfaces are cut by a section (13) perpendicular to the XY plane, calculating an angle .theta. defined by V.sub.1 .times.V.sub.2 and a normal vector V of the section (13), calculating R' in accordance with the equationR'=(1+1/.vertline.cos.theta..vertline.).multidot.R/2when roundness of radius R is commanded, and inserting a circular arc of radius R' at the portion where the first and second curved surfaces intersect.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system parameter based on controlling a setpoint for a process control variable includes measuring the rate of input to and output from a vessel. The difference between the input and output rates is determined to provide an expected rate of accumulation in the vessel. The actual rate of accumulation in the vessel is measured. The difference between the expected rate of accumulation and the actual rate of accumulation is determined to provide a bias term. A value for the setpoint for the process control variable is calculated by solving one of a material or energy balance equation which includes the bias term and a term representative of a predetermined time period during which the controlled parameter is to reach a desired value. The setpoint for the process control variable is then controlled based on the calculated setpoint value. An apparatus is disclosed for carrying out the disclosed method.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a simplified solid state controller for flexible use in controlling many individual watering stations that make up an automatic irrigation system. The operator input panel provides switches the operator can use to initiate a number of parameterization logic sequences for the controller system. Through the input panel, the operator can cause the stored information data to be displayed and to be selectively advanced to a new desired value on a step-by-step basis. When the newly displayed value equals the value desired by the operator, the operator signals the logic of the controller through the input panel and the current, stored value is updated to the displayed value. Once entered, the signals are stored in memory and acted upon automatically at the times specified to activate various individual irrigation valves at the times, and on the days, and for the duration, so stored.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of teaching a moving part to trace a path, the method comprising the steps of determining a curved condition of the teaching path on the basis of a difference between a path length and a straight distance from a first point to a second point on the teaching path and an angle made by the first and second points and a third point, and selectively storing the first, second and third points in accordance with the results of the determination. The first, second and third points are stored as path data in a memory when the difference is greater than a reference length and the angle is smaller than a reference angle. On the other hand, the first and second points are stored therein when the difference is greater than the reference length and the angle is greater than the reference angle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of monitoring yarn package offtake performance comprising withdrawing yarn from a package, for a predetermined period of time continuously measuring the tension of said yarn at predetermined time intervals throughout said withdrawal and updating the obtained tension distribution data with each tension measurement. The method also includes noting the maximum and minimum tensions measured and the limiting values of a range of tensions outside which range only a predetermined proportion of said measured tensions fall, and determining an offtake performance factor from said maximum, minimum and limiting values of tensions.

Abstract: A data input/output system for an application system (AS) which is provided with a processor (6) and a memory (8) therefor and is connected to numerical control equipment (NC) to take partial charge of its NC functions. The data input/output system makes it possible for the application system (AS) to input thereinto and output therefrom a program via an input/output interface (5) provided on the NC side, and to command the NC from the application system (AS) side. A receiving circuit (9 to 15) receives a program delivered from an NC processor (3) and a transmitting circuit (9 to 15) transmits to the NC processor (3) the program stored in the memory (8) of the application system. Data is input to and output from the application system (AS) via the input/output interface (5) provided in the numerical control equipment (NC).

Abstract: An external system for preparing information tables is connected by a connector to a digital valve control system which controls a digital valve by driving a pulse motor according to the information tables. The digital valve control system stores in the memory a first information table for determining the control amount for the digital valve and a second information table for determining the interval between the generation of motor driving pulses. The first information table for determining the control amount is fixedly stored in the memory and the second information table for determining the type of control pattern is stored in the memory which is capable of writing and reading the information which can be freely prepared, corrected and modified by the external system. The second information table is prepared by the keyboard of the external system, transferred to the digital valve control system and written in the memory.

Abstract: For reliably and easily judging whether or not a cutting locus is correct, which locus has been set in a cutting locus or tool path control program, which program has a step of commanding the rotational angle of a rotary table carrying a workpiece and a step of commanding the locus of a cutter corresponding to each rotational angle commanding step. A rotational angle range for displaying the locus of the cutter is set through a keyboard or the like. A CPU causes a display only if the locus of the cutter is within the set range.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based spark ignition gas burner control system includes program logic to ensure compatibility of spark ignition and a microcomputer. The program logic provides for periodically re-defining the I/O (input/output) ports so as to negate the adverse effect of any electrical noise generated in the system. The program logic also provides, during ignition, a cyclically re-occurring finite time period during which sparking occurs followed by a finite time period during which flame detect circuit means is enabled. The system further includes a fault-tolerant spark generating circuit to ensure that sparking is inhibited during times that the combustion chamber is being purged of any combustible mixture.

Abstract: A controller for use in connection with a central control for a glass sheet processing system including an operator interface and a master computer, the controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a position encoder corresponding to each of the movable components monitored by the controller, and a port for communicating a digital signal representative of the position of the movable component, issued by the position encoder, to the slave computer. The slave computer includes logic for receiving position information from the position encoders and continuously comparing this information to preselected position parameters downloaded from the master computer to determine whether an unsafe condition exists, sending a signal for deactivating the power switch to the drives for the affected components, and sending an error condition message back to the master computer.

Abstract: A numerical control system including an input unit, a control unit, a memory, a processing unit, a setting and display unit, and an output unit, the memory unit including a first ROM region for storing and edited program produced by editing a machining program entered through the input unit in the memory, and a second ROM region for storing a program for writing the edited program into the first ROM region under a writing command entered through the setting and display unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an area cutting method in which a tool is moved along a plurality of paths (CP3-CPo, LP5-LP1) successively offset in an inward direction from a closed curve (OFC) specifying an area (AR), or in other words, in which the tool is moved in a spider web-like pattern, to cut the interior of the area. More particularly, the invention relates to an area cutting method in which, when an area is divided into a plurality of convex polygons, the number of cutting paths in each convex polygonal portion is decided in dependence upon the size of the convex polygon and the cut-in pitch (path interval) of each convex polygonal portion is made substantially the allowable cut-in pitch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an area cutting method for cutting the interior of an area (AR) by moving a tool along a plurality of offset paths successively offset in an inward direction from a closed curve (AR) specifying the area. The area cutting method includes determining whether the area (AR) bounded by the closed curve (OLC) is to be divided, obtaining, if division is necessary, division suitability a division value for all sets of apices, in which any two apices form a set, by using an evaluation function indicative of a preset division suitability or value, dividing the area by a straight line connecting the two apices (P5, P7) of the set having the maximum suitability, executing similar processing for each divided area (PG1, PG2), deciding tool paths on the basis of the final divided areas, and performing area cutting by moving a tool along the tool paths.

Abstract: A digital controller includes a microprocessor for receiving a signal indicating a process variable from a process and calculating a manipulated variable in accordance with a predetermined algorithm in order to cause the manipulated variable signal to follow a desired setpoint variable. An operation data output system delivers an output signal to the process which holds the operation output value from the microprocessor. The controller also has on an electronic indicator for displaying the process variable, the setpoint variable, and the manipulated variable, and a driver for receiving the process variable signal and the setpoint variable to drive the electronic indicator. The driver further receives the manipulated variable from the operation data output system for driving the electronic indicator, whereby the controller is capable of displaying the manipulated variable on the electronic indicator should the microprocessor fail.

Abstract: A robot positioning apparatus for use with robot devices having a movable portion, wherein the movable portion may be spatially oriented to, and controllably spaced from, a reference surface. Initial locating of the reference surface is accomplished by an approximate positioning subsystem using multiple, angularly oriented units which send and receive acoustic orientation positioning signals in search of the reference surface. Once a return signal is received, switching logic indentifies the necessary reorienting of the movable portion to achieve approximately the proper facing relationship of the movable portion to the surface. For precise positioning and ranging after the facing relation is established, a precision positioning subsystem emits an acoustic signal toward the surface, and a response signal is received back from the surface by at least two, and preferably three, receivers mounted upon the movable portion of the robot device.

Abstract: A master station in a supervisory control system comprises a console (3) having a card reader (5) and control switches (9, 11, 13), a card (7) being inserted into the card reader. Information specifying a substation (271-27n) and a device (D11-Dnm) included in the substation is recorded in machine and human readable form on the card. A signal from the card reader is applied to an output control (23) through an input control (17), the output control reading the contents of a status memory (21) and a pattern memory (25) associated with the substation and device specified by the card, and providing a pattern display on a video display (1) based on the read information. The display of the selected device is flashed on the video display. An operator's actuation of the control switch causes the input control to send the control command to a line interface (19), and the line interface transmits the control command to a substation containing the selected device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting and indicating the balance of a rotating body such as a grinding wheel, a spindle or the like in a machine tool such as a grinding machine. The apparatus comprises an original-point detecting means for detecting an original point on the rotating body, a vibration detecting means for detecting vibration caused by an unbalanced condition of the rotating body, an arithmetic means for computing, from the detected vibration, a deviation of said rotating body in each of a plurality of index positions on the rotating body which are angularly spaced from said original point as a reference, a deviation display means for displaying the maximum value of the deviations, and an unbalanced position indicating means for indicating one of the index positions based on the computed deviations.

Abstract: Control and monitoring instrumentation for a high speed double rotary tablet press mechanism is disclosed. Each tablet press side has strain gauges producing signals indicative of table compression. The strain gauges generate control signals received by a peak detector, which holds the maximum strain signal. The peak signals are converted to digital form and provided to a microprocessor that first controls operation of the reject gate and regulates tablet consistency by controlling powder fill into the dies, and second, passes information to RAM. The RAM is shared by a master CPU, clocked 180.degree. out of phase with the microprocessor. The master CPU produces either a CRT or printed output of both raw and statistically abstracted tablet press data.

Abstract: A numerical controller is provided wherein each time one data block of a numerical control program is transferred from a second buffer register to an active register, another data block successive thereto is transferred from a data storage device to a first buffer register and wherein a plunge infeed between a cylindrical workpiece and a grinding wheel of a grinding machine is effected in accordance with data block being stored in the active register. The numerical controller halts an automatic machining operation in response to a halt command of a data block in the active register. Compensation data is input during the halt of the automatic machining operation whereafter a restart command is input. The numerical controller modified feed command data of the numerical control program stored in the data storage device, based upon the compensation data.