Abstract: A controller for use in connection with a central control for a glass sheet processing system including an operator interface and a master computer, the controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a position encoder corresponding to each of the movable components monitored by the controller, and a port for communicating a digital signal representative of the position of the movable component, issued by the position encoder, to the slave computer. The slave computer includes logic for receiving position information from the position encoders and continuously comparing this information to preselected position parameters downloaded from the master computer to determine whether an unsafe condition exists, sending a signal for deactivating the power switch to the drives for the affected components, and sending an error condition message back to the master computer.

Abstract: A position controller for a glass sheet processing system having a central control system including an operator interface and a master computer, the position controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of multi-character command and data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a digital to analog converter, a variable speed drive for driving a movable component in the glass processing system, a port for communicating a signal from the slave computer through the digital to analog converter for driving the variable speed drive, and absolute position encoder associated with the movable component in the system, and a port for communicating the digital signal representative of the position of the movable component to the slave computer.