Abstract: An apparatus and method use closed loop control processes to automatically adjust a command signal used to change an operating state of a fluid dispensing gun. Proportional, integral and/or derivative control processes are used to determine an operating parameter comprising on time compensation, off time compensation and/or a fluid pressure compensation. An adjustment is made to the operating parameter if a number of consecutive measurements of an adhesive bead characteristic are outside of a predetermined tolerance range. A sensor for producing a feedback signal is used to communicate a measurable difference between an actual and a desired bead characteristic. The feedback signal applied in real time is used when determining the operating parameter, reducing substrate waste and increasing efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method use closed loop control processes to automatically adjust a command signal used to change an operating state of a fluid dispensing gun. Proportional, integral and/or derivative control processes are used to determine an operating parameter comprising on time compensation, off time compensation and/or a fluid pressure compensation. An adjustment is made to the operating parameter if a number of consecutive measurements of an adhesive bead characteristic are outside of a predetermined tolerance range. A sensor for producing a feedback signal is used to communicate a measurable difference between an actual and a desired bead characteristic. The feedback signal applied in real time is used when determining the operating parameter, reducing substrate waste and increasing efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method use closed loop control processes to automatically adjust a command signal used to change an operating state of a fluid dispensing gun. Proportional, integral and/or derivative control processes are used to determine an operating parameter comprising on time compensation, off time compensation and/or a fluid pressure compensation. An adjustment is made to the operating parameter if a number of consecutive measurements of an adhesive bead characteristic are outside of a predetermined tolerance range. A sensor for producing a feedback signal is used to communicate a measurable difference between an actual and a desired bead characteristic. The feedback signal applied in real time is used when determining the operating parameter, reducing substrate waste and increasing efficiency.

Abstract: A reflector for use in an ultraviolet or other type of lamp system having a plasma bulb. The reflector includes one or more longitudinally extending reflector panels having a characteristic shape that advantageously reflects ultraviolet radiation emanating from the bulb to provide a uniform irradiance over a relatively large surface area of a substrate. A substantial portion of each reflector panel has a characteristic shape described by the equation (x/a)(2+n)+(y/b)(2+m)=1, where a and b are constants and n and m are exponents that range between 0 and 2.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.

Abstract: A powder spray coating system includes a spray gun for spraying powder in a spray pattern onto a part. The spray gun includes an electrode connected to a power supply, the electrode charging powder as the powder is dispensed from the gun toward the part. A first current sensor measures gun current from the power supply to the electrode. An ABI probe or ion collector is mounted with the gun for collecting free ions produced by the electrode. The collector has a forward portion positioned near the spray pattern and spaced from the electrode. A second current sensor measures return current from the ion collector. A regulating assembly regulates the return current from the ion collecting device. A controller is connected to the first and second current sensors and to the regulating assembly for operating the regulating assembly in accordance with a predetermined setting representing the difference between the gun current and the return current.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing control for controlling the dispensing of a fluid by a metering valve through a nozzle onto a workpiece. An initial value of a flow characteristic of the fluid is determined that is correlated to the relationship between the flow rate of the fluid and nozzle pressure. Desired nozzle pressure values are periodically determined by evaluating a model of flow rate of the fluid through nozzle in response to the initial value of the flow characteristic and a desired flow rate value. Thereafter, the control provides command signals to the metering valve as a function of the desired nozzle pressures. A new value of the flow characteristic is determined as a function of the measured volume of fluid dispensed during the dispensing cycle to the measured nozzle pressure. During a subsequent dispensing cycle, the control determines the desired nozzle pressures by evaluating the model of flow rate of the fluid through the nozzle as a function of the new value of the flow characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the gas content of dispensed hot melt thermoplastic adhesive foam. Air or another relatively inert gas is mixed with molten thermoplastic adhesive, and the mixture is pressurized to form a gas and molten adhesive "solution". When the molten adhesive and gas "solution" is dispensed at atmospheric pressure, the gas is released from "solution" and becomes entrapped in the adhesive in order to form a homogeneous closed cellular adhesive foam. In order to control the gas content of the dispensed adhesive and gas "solution", in accordance with one preferred embodiment, the pressure drop across a restriction in the flow path of the solution is sensed, and a control circuit controls the addition of gas to the adhesive to maintain the sensed pressure drop at a desired level.

Abstract: A rip detector system having electrically conductive antennae imbeddedly spaced along the direction of movement of the belt and extending from edge to edge of the belt for carrying signals thereacross to detect rips in the belt. The system includes inserts of rubber made electrically conductive by having 10% to 30% by weight of electrically conductive carbon black within the inserts extending from the surface of the belt to a point adjacent the edges of the belt where the antennas are positioned.

Abstract: A rip detector system accurately monitors the integrity of a conveyor belt or the like substantially as a function of signals that establish a variable time frame determined according to belt speed and a further signal representing integrity. The belt includes rip sensors or antennas, for example embedded therein. Three detectors at related spaced apart locations relative to the conveyor belt system monitor the integrity of the antennas as an indication of the integrity of the belt. Two of the detectors are located upstream, i.e. relative to the belt travel direction, of a location frequently prone to encountering rips to produce information indicating both that an integral antenna has been detected and the effective speed of the belt, i.e. a speed relative time frame in which presence of that antenna at the third detector can be expected. The third detector is located downstream of the rip-prone location of the conveyor belt system.

Abstract: The frequency of the AC signal used to detect the integrity or lack of same in a conveyor belt is reduced to be in the 25 KHz. to about less than 200 KHz. and most preferably in the 50 KHz. to 100 KHz. frequency range. When such AC signals are capacitively coupled to antennas carried by a conveyor belt past a rip detector station, the ratio of the magnitude of such signal relative to that of the cross coupled noise, in particular, and other electrical noise in general is significantly increased. The invention relates to an apparatus and method in which signals in such frequency range are used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling vibrational chatter in a machine tool operation wherein a workpiece and a tool are mounted in a manner to permit controlled and forced engagement of the tool and workpiece to remove material from said workpiece. A first transducer is spatially disposed from the tool-workpiece interface and generates an electrical signal representative of the applied cutting forces on the workpiece. This force signal is applied to a workpiece movement synthesis circuit for continuous calculation of the workpiece displacement in response to cutting forces and in accordance with continuously updated static and dynamic characteristics of the machine structure and the workpiece. Simultaneously, another transducer on the machine structure continuously provides a tool acceleration signal for use in deriving an electrical signal representing the actual displacement of the tool.