Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to accurately provide three-dimensional rotary tool point compensation by evaluating a CNC machining center's geometric condition with respect to a trunnioned spindle mechanism of the machining center as it applies to the degrees of freedom of motion that affect the rotary tool point positioning of a cutting tool mounted in a tool holder of the spindle mechanism. The present invention evaluates the geometric condition of the trunnioned spindle mechanism by positioning the tool point in contact with a reference point or datum and recording a first coordinate position, then rotating the spindle mechanism 90.degree. about a trunnion axis and positioning the tool point in contact with the same reference point a second time. A second coordinate location is recorded when the tool point contacts the reference point the second time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for an automatic warehousing facility. Receipt into and disbursement from racks capable of storing goods in a plurality of lots are carried out by a goods handling device. A control panel disposed at the ground side controls the handling device to control incoming and outgoing handling of goods. Inventory control is carried out by manipulating a plurality of switches provided on the control panel.Maintenance and abnormality control of goods entry and delivery equipment are also carried out.

Abstract: An improved micro-computer operated control device for an air conditioning system which is specially characterized in that the air volume produced by the air conditioning system can be automatically varied in correspondence to the temperature of a closed space is disclosed. A number of temperature sensing components are constantly monitored by a processing unit of the temperature data thereof which are compared with predefined temperatures provided by a function setting unit; the results of the comparisons are transformed into corresponding signals which are then transmitted to an output control unit; and a voltage regulator is actuated in accordance to the signals to adjust the voltage of the motor of a fan supplied by a power source so that the operation speed of the fan can be constantly varied in correspondence to the external temperatures, resulting in the air volume delivered by the fan varied accordingly.

Abstract: A synchronized operation system by which a plurality of independently controlled numerical control apparatuses (CNCs) are made to carry out a synchronized operation. An external signal generation circuit (1) supplies an external timing signal to respective CNCs (2,3), from the outside, and internal signal generation circuits (10, 20) generate internal timing signals for independently operating the CNCs (2, 3). Selection circuits (9, 19) select one of the external timing signals and the internal timing signal, and when the external timing signal is selected, the respective CNCs (2, 3) are operated by using the selected external timing signals as basic timing signals. Therefore, no time lag occurs between the basic timing signals of the respective CNCs (2, 3) an and thus the respective CNCs (2, 3) can carry out an extremely a closely synchronized operation, such as an interpolation, based on the basic timing signals.

Abstract: An improved system for tuning process control equipment applies a load change of amplitude .delta.q to the process to effect a change in it and, therefore, in the controlled variable. Monitoring the response of the controller to that change, the system identifies an observed overshoot, OVS.sub.o, in the manipulated variable signal. From that overshoot signal and a predetermined theoretical overshoot signal, OVS.sub..tau., the system generates an optimum gain, K.sub.opt, as a function of the mathematical expression K.sub.opt =K*(1+OVS.sub..tau.)/(1+OVS.sub.o), where K is the current gain of the automatic control subsection, OVS.sub.o is the observed overshoot, and OVS.sub..tau. is the predetermined overshoot.

Abstract: The present invention is an embroidering data production system for reading image data from an original image pattern by means of an image input device and producing embroidering data from the image data, and characterized by comprising an image reader for optically reading the original image pattern to convert it to image data of electrical signals, image data storage means for storing said image data, data processing means for processing said image data, embroidering data conversion means for converting the processed image data to embroidering data, and a RAM card for storing the converted embroidering data. Also, incorporated into the embroidering data conversion means of the embroidering data production system is means for allowing crossover lines occurring between image blocks after the sewing to easily be cut off or to be made unnoticeable, thereby enabling the production of sewing data which causes no degradation in the embroidery pattern quality.

Abstract: An improved high resolution method and apparatus are described for sensing and determining the spatial coordinates of a movable object with respect to a energized conductive surface. The coordinates of the object are precisely measured with respect to a two-dimensional coordinate system independent of the third orthogonal dimension, thereby avoiding significant measurement errors due to variations of the object position in the third orthogonal dimension. The system also ascertains the coordinate position of the object in this third dimension, which can then be utilized as an independent control variable in the system. Further, the system can accommodate a number of energized conductive surfaces over which the object may be positioned and can determine the spatial coordinates of the object with respect to any such surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an NC system (apparatus and method) for updating a machining program having more than one teaching mode. The present invention enables a machine operator to selectively replace blocks of the preexisting machining program with machine code data produced in one of the teaching modes during use of the machine. The teaching modes are changeable between an automatic teaching mode, a manual mode and an a manual data input (MDI) teaching mode. After the operation of the machine in one of the teaching modes is complete, the machining program is updated and stored. Thus, the machining program can be updated with minimal effort by the operator.

Abstract: A system and method for compensating for torque overshoot in a rotary power tool wherein the tool is shut off at an adjusted set point value of torque which is below the target value of torque by the amount of torque overshoot. While the tool is operated to perform a fastening job, the relationship between the torque rate in the fastening job to overshoot in the tool is determined, the torque rate in the job is monitored while the tool is setting the job, and the torque set point is adjusted while the tool is setting the job to compensate for the torque overshoot determined from the foregoing relationship.

Abstract: A method for producing two or more products from a production site such as an air separation plant to satisfy a given demand for each of the products in which energy consumption and the rate of product production are correlated so that product production may be determined from a conventional mixed integer linear programming model the solution of which will provide an optimum production schedule for producing product to meet total product demand at minimum energy cost over a given time horizon.

Abstract: A system uses information taken from a sensing device sensing the dimensions of an existing fingernail structure and inputs this sensed information into a controller in machine usable form. The data is used by the controller to drive a variety of peripheral devices to cut a desired nail pattern in a material so that at least a part of the material snugly fits over the existing nail structure. The system is further capable of cutting a sheet of decorative material to the shape of a natural nail or one that is artificially placed on a nail. The decorative sheet may be formed of vinyl or mylar and has an adhesive layer which binds it to the involved nail.

Abstract: An equipment test program, stored and processed in a computer system, defines device termination procedures used for terminating devices used in a plurality of sets for performing a plurality of tests. The termination procedure for each device is associated with an ensemble, or group data structure. Each ensemble contains a set of termination task data structures for implementing the device terminations. Each task represents a device that operates with other devices in a test program module. Each task is linked to zero or more predecessor tasks in the ensemble. This linking represents the need to turn off the predecessor tasks' devices first before turning off any task's device. Within each test module, and before any device in the group is instructed to operate, the ensemble optimization procedure is invoked to pass a pointer to the module's ensemble data structure. The ensemble optimization procedure is used to optimally decide which device termination procedures should be invoked.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for defining complex geometries to transpose geometric surfaces accurately into tooling. The method for entering accurate position data defining geometric surfaces eliminates the entry of erroneous position data at the sharp edges and boundaries of geometric shapes, such as the intersections between geometric tooling surfaces and planar parting surfaces. The method further provides for the creation and interrelation of accurate design, manufacturing, and control data bases which are used to enhance the speed and accuracy with which tooling having geometric surfaces may be designed and produced. The method of the present invention further has a reverse engineering capability which accommodates design improvements, facilitates correction of manufacturing errors in tooling, and permits monitoring and repair of tooling wear more quickly and easily than known methods.

Abstract: A more efficient method of macro placement and graying for electron beam (e-beam) lithography. The e-beam field is divided into smaller subfields. Repetitious shapes or collections of shapes which are repetitious are represented by macros. Some shapes span or are intersected by subfield boundaries. After the shapes are converted to fill rectangles and the fill rectangles are proximity corrected, the macro containing the proximity corrected fill rectangles is grayed and placed without being unnested. First, the Macro Organization Step, the macro's fill rectangles are sorted. Tall-narrow macros are sorted top to bottom then left to right, short-wide macros are sorted left to right then top to bottom. After the sort, chains of rectangles are created and a shadow is generated for the macro and for each chain. Next, the Macro Placement and Graying Step, a determination is made of whether and where macro graying will be required.

Abstract: A method for transferring working conditions parameters of computer numerical control discharge machining devices comprises the steps of inputting the machining, editing the programmable ladder, using the ladder to simulate hardware and establishing the I/O port for transferring the working conditions parameters. Transferring working conditions parameters is done by two kinds of signals, data signals and a strobe signal. The number of the output terminals for these two signals are determined by the number of the working conditions parameters and the variations thereof. The ladder is edited in the programmable logic controller of the computer numerical control system and the working conditions parameters are on-line transferred out from the I/O port by using the combination of the data signals and the strobe signal so as to be able to use the least number of output terminals to transfer the most number of parameters and to be fit for all kinds of power supply systems made by different manufacturers.

Abstract: A fuzzy controller is provided which enables even an unskilled operator to easily adjust various conditions in a glass pipe sealing process. The fuzzy controller has a fuzzy control processor including an image processing unit for processing and calculating image information as a softened state change value of the glass pipe and a combustion state value of burner flame, and a fuzzy control processing unit for calculating and outputting, by receiving a result of this calculation, a suitable control value for controlling parameters relating to the burner flame by fuzzy inference. The fuzzy controller may further has a fuzzy diagnosis support processor which, if there is an abnormality in the sealed portion of the glass pipe and if the state of the glass pipe after sealing is input to the manipulation instruction data input support processor by the operator, automatically ascertains the cause of the abnormality by using fuzzy inference and displays it on a CRT.

Abstract: Apparatus or systems have function elements, for example final control elements as motors, generators as radiation generators, control/regulating means, etc. Their function, as well as satisfying their function, are monitored by processors. In particular, reliability-relevant or safety-relevant monitorings are undertaken. A processor is disclosed which generates a malfunction signal at an output when a malfunction of a function element occurs. A monitoring circuit responds to this malfunction signal, whereupon at least the function element is switched into a quiescent condition, and all processors are switched into the identical condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for permitting dual-mode configuration of an appliance control board preferably in conjunction with an external electronic programming device or by means internal to the appliance. Preferably, a set of selection switches are provided in an interior space of the appliance that are used to select desired operating parameters. By changing the setting of the switches, the operator may configure the appliance for many specific modes of operation. In addition, the appliance can be electronically reconfigured by use of a hand held data probe.

Abstract: An interface unit for interfacing a peripheral bus of a computer system with a dispensing system for dispensing a material, such as gasoline, and which includes a plurality of dispensers for controlling the dispensing of the material. The interface unit includes a controller and a first communication link for providing bidirectional communication between the controller and the material dispensers. A second communication link is connected with an internal bus on the interface unit and the peripheral bus of the computer system to provide bidirectional communication between the controller and the computer system. The second communication link includes a window memory for storing code and a bus interface.

Abstract: A method of determining luster characteristics of fiber filaments utilizing a mathematical model of filament cross sectional shape and simulated impinging light to determine light distribution after interaction with the fiber and thereby determine luster properties. The method also includes a method for deriving individual filament cross sectional shapes of fibers in a bundle of touching filaments and for deriving therefrom other fiber properties and controlling the manufacturing parameters affecting such properties as well as luster properties.