Abstract: An ultrasonic cutting system for stock material temporarily bonds the stock material to an anvil incorporated in a processing table and cuts the stock material at a low angle with an ultrasonic cutting tool. The ultrasonic cutting tool is mounted on a carriage assembly which traverses the width of the stock material. The ultrasonic cutting tool includes a cutting blade mechanically coupled thereto. The cutting blade resonates in response to ultrasonic energy travelling axially therealong. As the carriage assembly moves across the stock material, the stock material is first adhesively bonded or secured to the anvil by at least two rollers. The rollers are mounted on the carriage assembly at a position slightly ahead of the cutting blade. The rollers apply pressure in a downward direction on the stock material to temporarily bond the material to the anvil and to prevent it from moving or vibrating during the cutting process.

Abstract: Digital data, in the form of serial station bit frames which exclude protocol information, are communicated bidirectionally over a plurality of serial transmission channels to peripheral devices in a digital process control system. Data enters and leaves a process control computer input-output section serially in response to software-generated control signals. Serial-to-parallel station interfaces are located along each channel. Each interface has a multifunctional shift register responding to the control signals to provide not only bidirectional data flow through each station, but simultaneous parallel loading of each peripheral device. One software control logic arrangement eliminates modems and portions of hardwired data flow control logic elements in each station interface, yet operates with a station bit frame which excludes protocol information. Also provided are true interrupt capability at each interface; verification of every bit of input and/or output of each station interface; diagnostics.