Abstract: A timing and control system for a glassware forming machine includes a ship computer system resident within a control room and a hot end console on the shop floor adjacent a multi-section glassware forming machine. The shop computer system executes a number of subroutines which permit configuration of the shop and of each IS machine section, such as routines for identifying on and off angles for the several mechanical devices associated with the sections. The hot end display includes a touch screen which permits the floor operator to implement certain changes in the timing and sequence of operation of the machine mechanical devices. The shop computer system implements subroutines which test for and detect potential conflicts or collisions between machine devices due to changes in the event times for the devices. The conflict testing occurs when the operator inputs the timing change information, issuing warning messages and disallowing the configuration change in the event of a conflict.

Abstract: An electronic timing control system for a glassware-forming machine includes a mini-computer master controller which controls the timing and sequence of operation of each of the individual section glassware-forming machine components. The master controller includes a plurality of control modules for section timing, conveyor motion, etc., each module of which outputs information to a corresponding serial multiplex I/O module. Each of the I/O modules connected to the master controller feeds data to a common data cable, according to a multiplexing scheme administered by the master controller. Data from the data cable is fed to each of the sections of the I.S. glassware forming machine, and particularly to a plurality of serially connected serial multiplexer modules. Each of the serial multiplexer modules corresponds to a section functional component operable to receive and form molten glass gobs into glassware articles. Each serial multiplexer module has a unique address.