Abstract: A glass production system that includes a glass forming machine having a multiplicity of operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into glassware, a plurality of solenoid valves responsive to valve drive signals for operating the multiplicity of operating mechanisms, and an electronic controller for generating the valve drive signals to operate the mechanisms in sequence to produce the glassware. The electronic controller includes an operator panel having a plurality of electronic switches responsive to an operator in a manual mode of operation for generating valve drive signals to operate selected ones of the mechanisms associated with the individual switches. A plurality of electronic displays are disposed on the operator panel each adjacent to an associated one of the electronic switches, and are responsive to the controller for displaying to an operator the operating mechanism of the machine associated with the adjacent switch during the manual mode of operation.

Abstract: A glass production system includes a glass forming machine having a multiplicity of operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into hollow glass containers, a plurality of solenoid valves responsive to valve drive signals for operating the multiplicity of operating mechanisms, and a plurality of valve driver circuits individually coupled to the solenoid valves and responsive to control signals to operate the valves and operating mechanisms in synchronism and in sequence for manufacture of the glass containers. An electronic controller has prestored control programming for generating valve control signals in synchronism and sequence, and a configurable or programmable logic array connected between the controller and the valve driver circuits for providing the controller-generated control signals to the valve driver circuits during normal operation.

Abstract: The machine has a plurality of individual glassware forming sections each having a plurality of glassware forming mechanisms and means for distributing gobs of molten glass to each of the individual sections in an ordered sequence over one machine cycle consisting of a fixed number of clock pulses by cycling the forming mechanisms in a predetermined sequence of forming steps. Each individual section has an electronic control system responsive to each clock pulse for providing a load signal and forming signals to actuate the forming and a circuit for providing a gob load signal in response to a load signal from any one of the control systems and means responsive to the absence of a gob load signal for deflecting a gob from being distributed to an individual section.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating clock pulses to an electronically controlled glassware forming machine from the variable frequency power present in a power selsyn multiple motor drive system is disclosed. The frequency of the power present in the selsyn rotor windings is subtracted from the frequency of the power present in the selsyn stator windings to generate a difference frequency signal. The difference frequency signal has a frequency which is directly proportional to the speed of the rotating selsyn rotors. The difference frequency signal can be scaled to provide a desired number of clock pulses and reset pulses per machine cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically stopping an automatic glassware forming machine in an orderly sequence of steps. When it is desired to start the machine, a start routine is initiated to move the various glassware forming mechanisms into the appropriate starting positions such that the glassware forming cycle can begin. A stop routine is provided to cycle the glass from the machine and to move the various glassware forming mechanisms into a stationary position where they can be easily accessed. In accordance with the present invention, if the stop routine is intiated before at least one predetermined exit point in the start routine, the stop routine will be entered at an intermediate step such that only those steps concerned with moving the forming mechanisms into the final stationary position will be performed.

Abstract: A starting safety control circuit for preventing automatic starts after a stop is accomplished in a glassware forming machine. When the machine start switch is actuated, a flag is reset. When the start switch is released, the flag is set. If the machine undergoes a stop, the subsequent actuation of the start switch and the presence of the flag will enable the machine to enter its start and run routines respectively. If the start switch fails in the on mode, the reset flag is not set and, after a stop, the machine is disabled by the presence of the reset flag even though the start signal is being generated by the failed start switch. The resetting and setting of the flag can be delayed by different predetermined times to prevent stray siganls or inadvertent momentary actuation of the start switch from changing the status of the flag. The machine stop can result from the actuation of an emergency stop switch, a programmed stop switch, or a sample switch.

Abstract: A control system for a glassware forming machine which has a plurality of individual machine sections each capable of individually forming glassware articles. The control system includes a machine supervisory control means connected to a separate section control means for each of the individual sections and to a data storage means. The machine supervisory control means loads each section control means with a control program and timing data from the storage means for forming a specific article of glassware. As the individual sections form the glassware under the control of the section control means, the machine operator can change any of the timing data for each individual section. The machine supervisory control means obtains the current timing data from each of the section control means at predetermined intervals and sends it to the storage means. Thus, in the case of a power failure, for example, the current timing data is available and can be loaded into the section control means to resume operation.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine including means for distributing gobs of molten glass to individual sections of the machine at a predetermined rate, drive means responsive to electrical power of a selected frequency generated by a power source for driving the gob distributing means at the predetermined rate and an automatic control means responsive to timing signals for controlling each of the individual sections in a predetermined timed sequence of steps for forming the glassware wherein the power source generates the timing signals at a frequency proportional to the selected frequency of the power source. Each piece of glassware is formed during a machine cycle which is related in duration to the gob distribution rate and typically is defined in terms of 360.degree.. The power source includes a timing pulse generator which synthesizes the timing signals from the power source electric power frequency at the frequency required for defining 360.degree. per machine cycle.

Abstract: A glassware forming machine including means for distributing gobs of molten glass to individual sections of the machine at a predetermined rate, drive means responsive to electrical power of a selected frequency generated by a power source for driving the gob distributing means at the predetermined rate and an automatic control means responsive to timing signals for controlling each of the individual sections in a predetermined timed sequence of steps for forming the glassware wherein the power source generates the timing signals at a frequency proportional to the selected frequency of the power source. Each piece of glassware is formed during a machine cycle which is related in duration of the gob distribution rate and typically is defined in terms of 360.degree..