Abstract: Machining apparatus wherein the cutting tool is controlled to follow a path defined by successive splines, the geometry of a spline being described as a function of a parameter other than arc length along the spline and which is related to time. At a present position along a spline, the change in such parameter corresponding to a change in arc length is explicitly determined by approximation and used to determine an incremented position on the spline. A desired constant tool speed can thereby be maintained. By using only the first or the first two terms of a Taylor series approximation, a change in the parameter can be explicitly approximated as a linear or quadratic predictor. Alternatively, polynomial or rational approximations may be employed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production method for handling plates to be cut out of a plate blank. The production method is effected via a production system by carrying out a variety of working operations in an integrated manner, at a so-called plate working center, with a shearing mechanism, an unloading and handling mechanism, as well as a single or multi-section conveyor mechanism serving as a buffer conveyor storage therebetween, the mechanisms being computer controlled.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digitizing method of sensing an amount of displacement of each axis applied to a stylus by a tracer head, profiling a model surface while controlling the stylus in such a manner that the amount of displacement is made equal to a reference amount of displacement, sequentially fetching positional data by a predetermined method, and outputting NC data, wherein a difference between the amount of displacement and the reference amount of displacement is monitored, and the difference is added to the positional data and a specific positional data obtained when the difference exceeds a predetermined value is output. Although the amount of displacement of each axis is controlled to be equal to the reference amount of displacement when a gently inclined configuration is profiled, at the moment when a corner is reached, a phenomenon that the stylus is spaced apart from a model arises so that the difference between the amount of displacement and the reference amount of displacement is increased.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plant operation supporting method whereby a body of simulation data simulating the data admitted from a plant in error state is used along with a previously prepared body of knowledge to simulate various modes of plant operation and to have appropriate operation guides displayed for verification of the knowledge.

Abstract: A method of preparing pattern information for a jacquard fabric produced on an electronically controlled knitting machine is disclosed. Yarn color information that is to be fed to yarn feeders for the courses in a knit fabric is prepared. This information is resolved into information for knitting and welting which is to be fed to different wales for each yarn feeder. Tucking information for the different colored yarns is separately prepared. This tucking information is resolved into tucking and welting pattern information. The knitting and welting information which is to be fed to different wales for each yarn feeder is combined with the separately prepared information on tucking and welting to form synthesized pattern information for knitting, welting, and tucking.

Abstract: This process models production integrated processing equipment, also known as cluster tools, modular equipment, track systems, etc. Further, the model produced by this invention is a real-world model, i.e., it is realistic and validatable. In addition, the invention provides a process for developing machine-specific implementations for PIPEs performing such complex processes as plasma etching, plasma deposition, chemical-vapor deposition, physical-vapor deposition, photolithography, photo-resist processing, rapid thermal processing, and oxidation, as well as other processes. The PIPE-specific model can be used for performance analysis. The effect of changes in process times, process recipes, and process mixtures on cycle time, throughput, resource utilization, and bottlenecks can be analyzed. These PIPE models may be used in the design or redesign of PIPEs. Further, the PIPE-specific model can be used to control material movement in the PIPE, including buffer dynamics to avoid machine lock-up.

Abstract: There is provided a pattern forming system of the present invention comprising a reticule on which a pattern is formed on one or more chips, an apparatus for preliminarily arranging a plurality of shot regions of a main surface of a wafer in a matrix manner in a case where regions where the pattern is formed by one shot are used as shot regions, an apparatus for calculating the number of the shot regions, which constitutes the matrix after sequentially moving the position of the shot regions to be a center of the matrix in a state that wafer is fixed, and the number of the chips wherein the pattern is completely formed on the main surface of the wafer, an apparatus for selecting a case in which the number of the shot regions constituting the matrix is the smallest and the number of the chips in which the pattern is completely formed on the main surface of the wafer is the largest, and an apparatus for forming the pattern, which is formed on the reticule, on each shot region constituting the matrix.

Abstract: A tube bending machine in which a tube detecting sensor detects an amount of bending a tube during the bending process and a controlling unit performs control so that the amount of bending detected by the sensor becomes a value corresponding to the program stored in a memory beforehand; thus, the second and subsequent tubes are bent accurately and efficiently by a drive command from the memory.

Abstract: In an adaptive apparatus for adaptively adjusting parameters in a system, the parameters of the system are adjusted in accordance with an integral relationship. At that moment, one or both of a scalar and a matrix which depend on time are used as gains. Furthermore, adjustment in accordance with a proportional relationship is used together. Also in this adjustment, one or both of a scalar and a matrix which depend on time are used as gains.

Abstract: In a method and a system for restarting sequentially controlled equipment installed in a production line when the equipment is out of order, operations of the equipment are divided into a plurality of operation blocks, operations of each of which are executed independently of those in any other block. Each of the operation blocks are further divided into one or a series of operation steps to be sequentially executed in a predetermined order under a normal condition. At least one home position from which the equipment can be restarted is set in each operation block. An output element which has caused failure and is now stopped is restored to the home position after a cause of failure is removed.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a climate control device, such as an HVAC device within a premise, utilizes real time price tier data supplied by the utility company to achieve economical temperature regulation of the premise. The control system regulates temperature based on time of day data and desired temperature data supplied by the user wherein the user may program different desired temperatures depending upon the relative cost of electricity. The system also provides billing information to the user for current usage and projected usage. The control system additionally controls appliance modules and regulates operation of the hot water heater.

Abstract: The device comprises a first section, which comprises logic circuit device which generate the law of motion along the machine operative trajectory arc, and a second section with a set of three digital polynomial generators, each of which receives from the motion law generator the instantaneous value of the curvilinear coordinate and, from an external processing unit, the polynomial coefficients related to the trajectory arc to be generated and the sampling and sub-sampling pulses; the polynomial generators of the second section are suitable for providing, on the respective outputs, the corresponding components of the instantaneous speed vectors of each point of the trajectory, generated by adding and multiplying the polynomial coefficients and the curvilinear coordinate.

Abstract: A cylindrical interpolation system for machining a cylindrical surface of a cylindrical workpiece, wherein a tool diameter correcting means (104) obtains a tool center path by calculating a tool diameter offset vector for a machining shape specified with reference to an assumed orthogonal coordinate system, and an interpolating means (107) interpolates the tool center path and outputs an interpolation pulse (PCyi) related to an assumed linear axis and an interpolation pulse (PZi) related to a cylindrical axis. To effect a reverse conversion from the assumed orthogonal coordinate system to the cylindrical coordinate system, a pulse converting means (108) converts the interpolation pulse (PCyi) into an interpolation pulse (PCi) for rotating the rotary axis. A block-start correction component calculating means (105) and synchronous correction component calculating means (109) calculate correction components (Vcy, .DELTA.Vcy), and these correction components (Vcy, .DELTA.

Abstract: A dynamic trip level setting apparatus is described for changing the comparison ratio with which products are optically sorted using first and second reflectance color values. The reflectance ratio for each image sorted is supplied to a RAM to update the RAM's memory. The dynamic values in the RAM are periodically employed to update a color sensitivity factor supplied to a battery-backed RAM. The battery-backed RAM value is employed in a logic device employing an algorithm and produces a variable output against which the ratio of "breaker" products (neither above a first color acceptance level nor below a second color reject level) is compared to produce a reject signal when the comparison results in an output indicating reject is appropriate.

Abstract: The program for a numerical control device for controlling a numerically controlled lathe includes translation commands for translating the tool and the machining mode switching commands for switching between the normal mode by which only the tool is translated and the Swiss mode by which both the tool and the work are translated. A machining program analyzer unit analyses the program commands into translation commands and the machining mode switching commands. In response to the machining mode switching commands, the interpolation data generator unit converts the commands for translating the tool two-dimensionally into translation data for the tool along a first axis and a translation data for the work along a second axis. Thus, the programming for the machine tool capable of operating both in the normal and the Swiss mode is made easier.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a loom machine by a computer equipped with a data input unit incorporating a display imparted with a function for generating a first list of weaving conditions at least for a weft insertion apparatus and a function for generating an alteration confirmation list when the conditions in the first list are altered. Upon inputting of data representing a desired fabric parameter, weaving conditions corresponding to the fabric parameter are selected from those previously stored in the computer, whereupon the selected weaving conditions are displayed in the first list. Before the selected weaving conditions are validated for controlling the loom operation, a confirmation list is again displayed for allowing the weaving conditions to be altered. When altered, the updated list containing the altered conditions is again generated for confirmation.

Abstract: An improved irrigation controller of solid state design utilizes a microcomputer which retains and executes a watering schedule input by a user through data input means. A rain delay push button may be pressed a number of times to suspend operation of the watering schedule for a number of days equal to the number of times the button is pressed. A blinking LED will indicate the remaining days in the rain delay period to the user. In addition, the controller includes an LCD display which normally displays the current day and time, but which will temporarily display a new irrigation parameter being input into the schedule by manipulation of one of the data input means. The controller also includes a self test feature in which the watering schedule execution is suspended and the operability of various controller components is verified.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: A mailing machine base adapted to have a postage meter mounted thereon, wherein the meter has a postage printing drum having a home position, and the base comprising, structure for moving the drum, a d.c. motor for driving the drum moving structure, a microprocessor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for driving the d.c. motor, a power switch connected between the d.c. motor and microprocessor for dynamically braking the d.c. motor, a comparator connected between the microprocessor and d.c. motor for receiving therefrom a signal corresponding to the back e.m.f. voltage thereof and providing a comparison signal to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor programmed for, energizing the braking switch for a first time interval predetermined to cause the d.c.

Abstract: In a fractional distillation process which performs a binary or limited multicomponent separation, and in which it is desired to maintain composition set points for dual product streams, a computer is programmed for applying model based control. Multivariable, noninteracting control of the distillation process is achieved by utilizing a nonlinear model, which calculates process vapor and distillate flow rates required to maintain product set points. The model, which applies tray-to-tray calculation essentially derived from a McCabe-Thiele analysis, is periodically updated by adjusting tray efficiency based on steady state composition measurements to keep the model in pace with changing process conditions.