Abstract: A package pacer is configured for use with an automatic strapping machine having a strap chute through which strap material is fed and from which strap material is tensioned onto a package. The strapping machine has an in-feed conveyor defining a plane and is configured to automatically move a package into a packaging region bounded by the chute. The pacer includes a frame that is mountable to the strapping machine. A plurality of rollers are mounted to the frame in a stationary plane about coplanar with the in-feed conveyor plane. The rollers extend forwardly of the strapping machine and permit conveyance of the package therealong and onto the in-feed conveyor. A pacing element is movable between a stop position in which the pacer element is out of the in-feed conveyor plane and interferes with movement of the package onto the in-feed conveyor and a feed position in which the pacing element resides about coplanar with the planar stationary rollers and the in-feed conveyor.

Abstract: A strapping machine feed system for automatically detecting a strap error or fault, thereby stopping strap retraction or take-up, and refeeding the strap into the strapping head following the error or fault. The feed system includes a pair of tensioning wheels disposed along a strap path proximal a strap supply, and a pair of feed wheels, defining a nip therebetween, disposed along the strap path proximal the strapping head. A feed wheel drive and a tensioning wheel drive are respectively connected to the feed wheels and the tensioning wheels. A sensor disposed along the strap path generates a signal to the feed wheel drive and tensioning wheel drive, indicating movement or lack of movement along the strap path, thus causing the feed wheels or tensioning wheels to rotate in both a forward and reverse direction.

Abstract: A method and control system for a strapping machine restarts the strapping machine at a point of interruption of the strapping machine cycle. The system and method determines the presence of a foreign object proximal the strapping machine during the strapping cycle, interrupts the strapping cycle upon determining the presence of the foreign object proximal the strapping machine during the strapping cycle, determines a point of interruption of the strapping cycle and restarts the strapping cycle at the point of interruption through the use of retained program timers.

Abstract: A feed system for a strapping machine automatically detects a strap error or fault, stops strap retraction or take-up and refeeds the strap into the strapping head following that error or fault. The system is used in a strapping machine of the type having a strap supply, a strap chute and a strapping head disposed between the supply and the chute. The feed system includes a strap path from the supply to the head, a pair of tensioning wheels disposed along the strap path proximal the strap supply and a pair of feed wheels disposed along the strap path proximal the strapping head. The feed wheels define a nip therebetween. A feed wheel drive is operably connected to one of the feed wheels and a tensioning wheel drive is operably connected to one of the tensioning wheels. A sensor is disposed along the strap path for generating a signal to indicate a movement or a lack of movement of the strap along the strap path.

Abstract: A method and control system for a strapping machine restarts the strapping machine at a point of interruption of the strapping machine cycle. The system and method determines the presence of a foreign object proximal the strapping machine during the strapping cycle, interrupts the strapping cycle upon determining the presence of the foreign object proximal the strapping machine during the strapping cycle, determines a point of interruption of the strapping cycle and restarts the strapping cycle at the point of interruption through the use of retained program timers.

Abstract: A door control system, particularly suited for multiple door rapid transit vehicles wherein car operating parameters including car speed sensing (5), traction propulsion sensing (7), and other indications of internal circuitry establish and continuously test for predetermined conditions under which a power operated door can be opened. A low speed detector (1) incorporates a micro-processor (8) and a no motion relay (3) to evaluate car and circuit operating conditions, providing control of all transit car doors. The micro-processor and associated control equipment also recognize predetermined failure modes. Occurrence of predetermined failure modes results in the overall system (1) reverting to a more conservative state. Coded indication (2) of failure modes is provided for easy indentification and corrective action by train operating crews.