Abstract: The present invention relates to the precise control of components in a glass forming machine. The components are driven through mechanical linkage to digitally responsive motor modules. Data corresponding to the desired motion envelope of the component is then stored in a storage means. The digitally responsive motor modules are under the control of a component controller which is actuated by a conventional electronic controller. The component controller provides inputs to the digitally responsive motor modules in accordance with the stored data to provide precise and repeatable control over the motion envelope of the component.

Abstract: A special purpose lathe apparatus, especially adapted for machining automotive components, such as brake drums and discs, is disclosed. The lathe includes a housing rotatably supporting a workpiece spindle driven by an electric motor. A pair of substantially identical tool slide modules are mounted on the housing at right angles to each other. Each slide module has a slide element which is movable selectively manually by a handwheel or automatically by a servomotor independently of the spindle drive motor. Only one servomotor is operable with the drive motor at any time.

Abstract: The invention involves a system for detecting power failures in a glass ware forming machine and for effecting either a programmed stop of the machine which permits removal of all molten glass in the machine prior to a shutdown or a more rapid emergency stop. Also a machine speed monitoring system shuts down the machine when the speed slows below a predetermined limit. A supplemental battery system is provided to maintain power during emergencies to permit a sequenced shut down. The programmed control is organized to shut down the elements of the machine to initialized positions.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating a section of a glassware forming machine having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating cycle clock pulses in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the cycle clock pulses provide an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A random access memory (RAM) stores the relative times during each cycle of machine operation when each of the plurality of machine components are to be enabled and/or inhibited. When the time elapsed in a cycle corresponds to a component actuating time stored in the running storage, an actuating signal is generated by a comparator. This signal is coupled to a machine component addressing arrangement which provides a component enable or inhibit command signal to the addressed component whose actuating time compared to the cycle time elapsed.

Abstract: A programmable control signal generator controls the overall speed of an I.S. machine, the timing of sequential functions of each individual section, and the relative phasing of the IS machine sections. A time-based drive signal, derived from the time base signal of the programmable control signal generator, is applied to a stepper motor which is coupled to a gob feeder and plunger mechanism and a conveyor mechanism through respective gear reducers. The pulse repetition rate of the drive signal is controlled manually from an operator's speed control station or automatically from a computer to establish and vary the machine speed. The programmable control signal generator also provides a timing signal, coordinated with the drive signal, to time the sequential functions of the sections as a function of the number of elapsed time increments into which a machine cycle is divided. The timing signal has a pulse repetition rate which is preferably a calculated ratio of the repetition rate of the drive signal.

Abstract: A dual-mode takeout mechanism is provided for use in, for example, an individual section glassware forming machine. In the normal mode of operation, the formed ware is transported in a fixed radius vertical arc from a molding station to a cooling station and released for further processing. In the reject mode of operation, defective formed ware is transported in an enlarging vertical arc from the molding station to a disposal station. An arm of the takeout mechanism is capable of extending in telescoping fashion, and is activated in the reject mode so as to begin the extension process as the takeout mechanism begins to transport ware from the molding station. A controller is provided to detect when the reject mode has been commanded. The reject mode can be entered for a desired number of cycles by computer command, sensor command, or operator command (manual entry). If the reject mode has been entered, the controller operates a solenoid controlled valve which extends the arm pneumatically.

Abstract: A glass forming machine having a plurality of sections each of which includes a plurality of movable components which operate in timed relationship with respect to one another. An electronic control system effects the automatic synchronous operation of the various sections of the machine to thereby automatically and continuously form hollow glass articles. An automatic override system monitors each of the plurality of sections to determine whether each of the plurality of movable components are in the proper position at any given time. If the aforementioned movable components are not in the proper position at any given time, the machine is either stopped or the operation thereof modified to appropriately correct the operation of the machine.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating a section of a glassware forming machine having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating a digital signal in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the digital signal provides an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A random access memory (RAM) stores the status of every section component at each increment of time during each cycle of machine operation. The digital signal addresses the RAM so that the statuses of all components for the corresponding time are directed to drivers which provide component enable or inhibit command signals.Control means for adjusting the actuation and deactuation times of the section components provide information of a computer which updates an internal memory table organized similarly to the RAM.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining the mass of a moving molten glass gob. The gob is directed along a curved channel having a force measuring device over which the gob passes for measuring the force exerted by the gob normal to its path. The velocity of the gob is determined both before and after the normal force is measured by means of two sets of two position sensors, one set located on each side of the force measuring device, and a timer which determines the time period for the gob to move between the position sensors of each set. The timer also determines the time between velocity measurements. The data is used to calculate a value of acceleration which is substantially proportional to the acceleration normal to the path. The acceleration value and the output of the force measuring device are then interrelated in order to calculate the mass of the gob.

Abstract: A multi-step glass forming machine having a plurality of mechanically actuated valves adapted to initiate the various steps in the operation of the machine is disclosed herein and includes an electronically controlled valve block assembly for mechanically actuating the aforestated valves. The valve block assembly includes a plurality of piston and cylinder arrangements, the pistons of which are pneumatically movable from a retracted position to an extended position for actuating respective ones of the valves. In this regard, the pistons are moved to their respective extended positions in response to the energization of an associated electrically actuated control valve and by a common pressurized air supply which is preferably independent of the glass forming machine.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating machines having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating cycle clock pulses in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the cycle clock pulses provide an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A COS/MOS running storage means stores the relative times during each cycle of machine operation when each of the plurality of machine components are to be enabled and/or inhibited. When the time elapsed in a cycle corresponds to a component actuating time stored in the running storage, an actuating signal is generated by a comparator. This signal is coupled to a machine component addressing arrangement which provides a component enable or inhibit command signal to the addressed component whose actuating time compared to the cycle time lapsed.

Abstract: A programmable automatic controller for operating machines having a plurality of components which operate in a timed or sequential relationship with one another. The controller includes a timing means for generating cycle clock pulses in synchronism with the operation of the machine, wherein the cycle clock pulses provide an instantaneous indication of the time elapsed in each cycle of operation of the machine. A COM/MOS running storage means stores the relative times during each cycle of machine operation when each of the plurality of machine components are to be enabled and/or inhibited. When the time elapsed in a cycle corresponds to a component actuating time stored in the running storage, an actuating signal is generated by a comparator. This signal is coupled to a machine component addressing arrangement which provides a component enable or inhibit command signal to the addressed component whose actuating time compared to the cycle time lapsed.