Abstract: A hydraulic overload control system for a mechanical power press having a flywheel driven eccentric shaft and one or more pitmen drivingly coupled to the eccentric shaft. The press has a slide drivingly coupled to the pitmen by corresponding hydraulic piston and cylinder connections.

Abstract: A control system for a press line containing a plurality of presses for performing successive operations on the same workpiece has a plurality of computer control units, each of which controls the movement of one of the presses and the workpiece transfer mechanisms associated therewith via repetitive automation cycles which correspond to and control repetitive press cycles. One of the computer control units selected as a reference unit, and all the computer control units, including the reference unit, produce a synchronizing signal at a common predetermined point in the automation cycles thereof. The synchronizing signal from the reference unit is compared with the synchronizing signal from each of the other units to determine whether the other units are lagging or leading the reference unit. The cycle times of the leading and lagging units are then adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A control system for a press having a synchronized feed mechanism includes a first drive motor for the press, a second drive motor for the feed mechanism, means responsive to the positions of the press and the feed mechanism for producing an output signal representing any change in the positional relationship between the press and the feed mechanism, control means responsive to the output signal for controlling the speed of the drive motor for the feed mechanism, and means for adjusting the control means to simulate a change in the press position and thereby effect a movement of the feed mechanism. An interlock is responsive to adjustments of the control means for enabling the startup of the press only when the control means is in a preselected position representing a desired positional relationship between the press and the feed mechanism.

Abstract: A power press arrangement including one or more workpiece handling mechanisms such as loaders, unloaders, turnover devices, conveyors, etc. The various workpiece handling mechanisms are controlled in synchronism with the press or presses through numerical control systems which are coordinated with press slide positions. For each axis of controlled movement, a discrete number of desired position locations are loaded into an associated press control memory, and the data is processed into a derived motion table for each axis and followed to effect axis motion in coordination with press slide position. During operation of the press, the associated control system continuously derives motion control parameters for the controlled axes based upon the tabular values. The actual position of each controlled mechanism is also monitored and compared with the desired position at repetitive time increments to detect any position errors.

Abstract: A dual motor drive for the turntable of a numerically controlled machine tool in which separate forward and reverse drive motors geared to the turntable are used for eliminating the effect of backlash. Circuitry, including amplifiers, is interposed between a source of numerical control signal and the motors for energizing the motors alternatively in the numerically controlled mode depending upon the polarity of the control signal and at a speed which depends upon the magnitude of such signal. For operation in the lathe mode, sources of auxiliary control signal of first and second polarity are provided.

Abstract: A counterbalance cylinder pressure control for a mechanical press which has a slide, a die punch mounted on the slide and a die shoe. A coded plug is attached to the die shoe and means are provided for reading the code on the plug which indicates the weight of the die punch associated with that die shoe. A voltage signal produced from the decoding of the plug is used in a servo system to control the air pressure in the counterbalance cylinders. When a new die set is placed in the mechanical press, the coded plug attached to the die shoe is read and the servo system operates to reset the counterbalance cylinder pressure to the correct value.