Abstract: A cyclical machine for forming at least one glass container each machine cycle comprising a plurality of controllers for controlling regulators and/or profiled motion actuators, at least one displaceable structure, controllers controlling the operation of all the other controllers, each of the controllers including repetitive sequencer and operable in any of a plurality of states, the one controller determines the critical time when each of the states should begin, and instructs each of the other controllers to begin any of the states at the associated determined critical time.

Abstract: An I.S. machine system has a number of mechanisms which are driven by an inverter drive and a number of machine and section mechanisms which are driven by profiled motion actuators which are controlled by repetitive sequencers associated with each actuator. These repetitive sequencers are synchronized by taking the reference signal from a master clock which supplies the reference signal to the inverters and converts it to a once/cut sync signal for the machine mechanisms operated by profiled motion actuators and to a once/cycle sync signal for the section mechanisms and controllers.

Abstract: A cyclical machine for forming at least one glass container each machine cycle comprising a plurality of controllers for controlling regulators and/or profiled motion actuators, at least one displaceable structure, controllers controlling the operation of all the other controllers, each of the controllers including repetitive sequencer and operable in any of a plurality of states, the one controller determines the critical time when each of the states should begin, and instructs each of the other controllers to begin any of the states at the associated determined critical time.

Abstract: An I.S. machine is made up of a plurality of independent individual sections for receiving gobs of molten glass and for forming the gobs into glass containers. A gob distributor delivers gobs to the sections. The controller of these sections and the gob distributor are synchronized by means for generating a once per cut signal, a divide by N circuit where N is the number of sections which are to have gobs distributed to them, means for defining N, means for applying N to the divide by N circuit, means for supplying the once per cut signal to the divide by N circuit, and means for distributing the output signal of the divide by N circuit to each of the section and gob distributor controllers.

Abstract: A gob distributor is disclosed having a deflector which will be operated whenever gobs should be prevented from entering the gob distributor. The deflector is operated by an interceptor valve which is controlled by an air operated four-way pilot valve. A pilot valve maintenance circuit is provided to periodically blow collected water and oil out of the pilot valve. This circuit inlcudes a frequency timer which will periodically operate a solenoid valve and a duration timer which controls the duration of this operation. Means are provided for preventing the operation of these timers beyond selected ranges which assures that any water or oil collected in the pilot valve will be cleared.

Abstract: Gobs of molten glass are sheared and fall by gravity to a gob distributor which redirects the gobs to individual glassware forming sections. The location of the gob as it drops is monitored and at the time when the interceptor must be actuated if a gob is to be deflected into a cullet chute, the gob request is verified and section status is determined. If the specific section has not been enabled or if an out of sequence request has been received, the gob interceptor is actuated at this time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electronically controlling a servo motor drive for glass gob distribution apparatus, to provide accurate high speed motion of one or more scoops. At the set-up stage, the operator adjusts the scoop position with respect to each trough to align scoop and trough in a straight line. During automatic operation, upon receipt of a MOVE command a motion control computer provides digital output signals to move the scoops through a prescribed motion profile, such profile having suitable characteristics to move the scoops over various distances without vibration or overshoot. A digitalized cubic-parabolic-cubic (CPC) curve or similar cam profile is scaled to the amplitude and direction of the required motion, and the motion profile computer outputs command signals on a point-by-point basis over the time span of this stored motion profile. Such time span is designed to provide sufficient dwell time to allow the gobs to traverse the scoops.