Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor is connected to an output shaft and has more than one pair of magnetic poles. A stator has three phases connected in Y-connection including a first phase, a second phase, and a third phase. Each phase has as many series-connected coils as there are pairs of the poles of the magnet rotor. A timer circuit outputs a first signal for a predetermined length of time when a target angular position of said rotor is selected. On the basis of a present angular position of the rotor and the target angular position of the rotor, a rotation direction commanding circuit outputs a second signal indicative of the rotation direction of rotor. In accordance with the signal, a current polarity control circuit supplies a first current to the first phase (subcoils) in accordance with the first signal and a second current to the second and third phases (main coils) in accordance with the second signal so as to drive the rotor into rotation to the target angular position.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system is provided for regulating the slew rate of a servovalve driven actuator within design parameters despite widely varying load conditions. The servovale flow is maintained constant in accord with the integration of the difference between a set slew rate command signal and a measured slew rate feedback signal. Where a plurality of such actuators are driven from a single hydraulic pump, this regulation of servovalve flow also enables the pump supply pressure to remain constant despite widely varying load conditions on the individual actuators in the system.

Abstract: A servo control apparatus comprising: a unit for generating a required position value; an actuator adapted to drive a load and having its maximum displacement in one direction and its minimum displacement in the other direction; a drive unit for driving the actuator; a position detecting unit for detecting a displacement of the actuator; and a control unit for correcting the required position value on basis of the maximum and minimum displacements of the actuator and for computing a deviation between an output of the position detecting unit and the corrected required position value; the load being controlled by the deviation.

Abstract: An operation control device for a construction machine is constructed of a remote control valve having a member moveable in proportion to an operating lever stroke and having a plurality of devices engaged with the member and operable in association therewith. A part of the plural devices include a proportional hydraulic signal generator for reducing a hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pressure source in proportion to a moving quantity of the member and generating a signal as a pilot pressure, and a part or the other of the plural devices including a proportional electric signal generator for generating an electric signal proportional to the moving quantity of the member.

Abstract: In a servo control system having a coarse control unit and a fine control unit, a differential gain is changed temporarily during a short period at an initial state of fine control to shorten a settling time and to reduce overshoot. The servo control system includes a controlled system including a controlled object and a drive unit, a unit for controlling a speed of the controlled object to move and position the same to or adjacent a reference position, and a unit having a differential control circuit and for controlling a position of the controlled object to position the controlled object to the reference position, after the speed control unit moves the controlled object to or adjacent to the reference position. A differential gain of the differential control circuit is selected from at least two values, a first of which is used at an initial state and a second of which is used after the initial state. The servo control system is applicable to a disc system, a printer, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a numerical control apparatus for controlling drive spindle heads in a rectangular coordinate system of machining apparatuses such as a lathe, a miller, a laser beam machining apparatus, an electric discharge machining apparatus, a robot and the like, to thereby perform positioning control.

Abstract: A device for controlling positioning of a movable object includes a system for storing therein a provisional target position for the movement of the movable object, the storing system being arranged to store therein the provisional target position by providing an offset with respect to a final target position at which the movable object is to be finally positioned, and a control unit for controlling movement of the movable object, the controlling unit being effective to move the movable object so that, at least during a particular section of the movement, the movable object aims at the provisional target position, and the controlling unit being also effective to introduce, at a predetermined timing, the final target position so that the movable object is moved while aiming at the final target position.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a specimen stage of a microscope suitable for handling specimens of a known shape or internal structural configuration. A coordinate position (Xd, Yd) on a two-dimensional coordinate designating means is made to correspond to coordinate positions (Xs, Ys) of a plurality of specimens of the same configuration on the specimen stage independently and selectively, thereby ensuring that correspondence between each of the plural specimens of the same configuration and a layout drawing of the specimen placed on the two-dimensional coordinates designating means can be set up accurately. A part desired to be observed of a specimen can therefore be moved quickly and easily into a very small field of view of the microscope.

Abstract: A numerical control apparatus for controlling a machine which includes a movable element and a servomotor for moving the element. The numerical control apparatus includes memory means for storing numerical data representing parameters such as amount and rate of movement of the element. The numerical data are expressed either or both in a first and second system of measurement. Codes are stored in the memory means for some of the numerical data which are expressed in the first system to define basic movements of the element. The numerical control apparatus is settable to be operable for data expressed in either the first or second system of measurement. The numerical data expressed in the second system of measurement are automatically converted into the first system when the numerical control apparatus is set to be operable for data expressed in the second system of measurement.

Abstract: A control system is provided for allowing complex shapes to be machined on a workpiece at high speed. The control system is computer controlled and receives workpiece profile data which are converted into a succession of tool position signals during machining. Not all the digital signals are calculated at one time, a number of future digital signals are calculated during a succession of time intervals. In each time interval, a tool position signal is outputted which is of a constant amplitude corresponding to the required tool position and which is fed to a signal processor where it is converted into a continuous signal which so changes progressively that at successive time intervals, equal to the time intervals of the tool position signals, the amplitude of the continuous signal is related to the successive values of the tool position signals. This continuous signal is fed to a closed-loop control system which controls the movement of the tool holder in accordance with the continuous signal.

Abstract: A numerical controller of the type in which acceleration or deceleration processing is performed by an acceleration/deceleration circuit (7) prior to an interpolation by an automatic mode distributor (1); a smooth acceleration or deceleration is carried out when a distribution pulse from a manual mode distributor (2) is superimposed by an adder 3 on a distribution pulse from the automatic mode distributor (1). To achieve this, the command pulse to be superimposed is also subjected to independent acceleration or deceleration processing by an acceleration/deceleration circuit (10).

Abstract: A differential torquer servo loop having means for comparing the balance between a torquer position related signal and a signal indicative of the difference in the magnitudes of the currents in the differential torquer and for rebalancing any difference therebetween is disclosed. Total current in the torquer is maintained at a constant level to provide a quiet control loop which promotes temperature stabilization.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to make it possible to enlarge or reduce, as desired, a preset tracing range in a tracer control unit by actuation of a control switch (36) externally provided. To this end, according to the present invention, the tracer control unit is arranged so that it ignores a sequence changeover during actuation, that is, the ON state of the control switch (36) for inputting a sequence changeover signal and executes a sequence changeover which has been or is to be ignored when the operation of the control switch (36) is released, that is, turned OFF.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic servo control system responsive to a load acceleration or velocity command input signal wherein the input command signal is integrated and compared with position feedback from the valve actuator and load to obtain an error signal which controls the actuator. The velocity command input may be multiplied by an exponential factor to compensate for system following error. Another modification contemplates resetting of command signals to compensate for following error and to eliminate dead time upon change of direction of the load by the operator.

Abstract: A control system for a hydraulic circuit having a variable displacement hydraulic pump, and an actuator driven by the pump, in which a pump control controls a displacement volume varying member of the pump based on an operating signal giving a command with respect to the position thereof and a detector signal indicative of the actual position thereof while restricting the operating speed of the member to a level below a predetermined maximum speed.

Abstract: In order to appropriately position a specimen within a view finder of a microscope, the stage supporting the specimen must be quickly and smoothly moved in all directions of two dimensions X and Y. According to the present invention, this can be accomplished by dividing a tilt angle of an operation lever of a joy stick into three regions, an insensitive band, a low velocity region and a high velocity region. For each of latter two regions, a relevant signal is produced by the joy stick and transferred to a microcomputer which controls stage driving motors by sawtooth pulse voltages. The velocities of X- and Y-stages are generally setted in the microcomputer so as to be high for the high speed region and low for the low speed regions, and movements in X- and Y-directions alternate by a short time interval, thus quick and smooth movements of stages being enabled.

Abstract: A method for restarting a tool on a workpiece contour in a numerically controlled processing machine of the type having a display unit for alphanumerical and/or graphical representation of processing information. After a program interruption, the program is executed anew in a control mode without machine movement from a predetermined starting point, and the resulting workpiece contour is continuously, graphically represented on the display unit. The operator utilizes this graphic display to determine an end point of the control mode program execution. The machine is then transferred into its axial positions and its function state to the program state of the end point, and the processing program with machine movements is continued from this end point, thereby starting the tool onto the desired tool path.

Abstract: Each of some automatic machines, such as an industrial robot of the type having a servo-amplifier (4) controlled by a central processing unit (1) through a servo-control (3), has a plurality of control modes for moving a movable part (50), for example, teaching and playback modes. In the specified control mode, for example, the teaching mode, the velocity or driving force of the movable part (50) is restrained directly via a man-machine interface (7) by controlling either or both of the servo-amplifier (4) and a power source (5) to regulate driving energy supplied by a servo-motor (8) to the movable part (50) so as to mitigate danger to a person who is near the movable part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the feed speed of a machine in a numerical control system having a manual pulse generator for generating pulses in response to a manual operation. The numerical control system numerically controls the machine by supplying the machine with the generated pulses as feed pulses in a manual feed mode and with feed pulses corresponding to a commanded feed speed in modes other than the manual feed mode. The commanded feed speed is modified in accordance with an override quantity stored in a register. The method includes selectively designating the modes other than the manual feed mode, changing the override quantity, which is stored in the register, based on the pulses generated by the manual pulse generator and in accordance with the designated mode, and modifying the commanded feed speed in accordance with the override quantity stored in the register.

Abstract: Device for controlling a plurality of servomotors on a printing machine having a plurality of printing units with the servomotors respectively assigned to individual zones of the printing units, a control unit connected to the servomotors for switching the servomotors on and off, and a power supply for supplying operating current to the servomotors, including a current-measuring module located in a connection between the power supply and the control unit for measuring a control current corresponding to the operating current supplied to the servomotors, the current-measuring module being controllable by a microprocessor for limiting the number of operating servomotors.

Abstract: Disclosed is an industrial robot having a function for controlling a current of a motor for driving, which comprises a circuit (41) for summing a plurality of input signals to which input signals of speed command, speed feedback, current command and current feedback are supplied, a switching circuit (23) for selectively switching the input of speed command to the inputs of current command and current feedback by a switching command signal and an operational amplifier (38) to which the switched signal is supplied. In this industrial robot, the position control is switched over to the current control by a switching command signal from a robot control device (22), and by the position control, an article to be held is shifted to a predetermined position and by the current control, driving electric motors (Mr, M.theta.

Abstract: To render the mixing relationship of mixed actual pulling force signals and actual positioning signals independent of the level of the respective individual signals, and thus avoid resetting of a manual positioning command element (7) upon change of respective relationships of pulling force and position, for example depth of furrow of a plough upon change of soil consistency, the force signal is normalized or rendered of equal value with respect to the position signal, preferably in accordance with predetermined events, such as change in the positioning command element, sensing of excessive pulling force, or the like, so that the normalized force signal and the actual position signal will be in balance, and relative change thereof in the mixer will not cause uncontrolled change in the position of the load, for example the plough, without resetting of the command element (or, conversely, require resetting of the command element upon change in relationship of the mixed signals).

Abstract: A system for controlling the rotation of a spindle includes a motor, a speed detecting circuit for detecting the speed of the motor and for producing a signal indicative of the actual speed thereof, a speed control circuit for controlling the motor so as to narrow to zero a deviation between the actual speed thereof and a commanded speed, a spindle driven by the motor, and a position control circuit for producing a position deviation signal on the basis of a commanded stopping position and the rotational position of the spindle. The spindle is rotated at a commanded speed by the speed control circuit and is rotationally controlled by an orientation command signal so as to make the position deviation signal zero.

Abstract: A system employed in a machine tool of the type in which a gear mechanism disposed between the spindle and spindle motor transmits the rotational motion of the motor to the spindle. The system allows the spindle to be brought to a stop at a predetermined rotational position in a shorter period of time when the gear mechanism is set in low gear, that is, while the rotational speed of the motor is being reduced by the gear mechanism as it is being transferred to the spindle. This permits the spindle to be stopped at the predetermined position in the same amount of time which is required when no reduction in speed takes place between the motor and spindle. When the spindle arrives at a region where it is to be controlled in order to stop at the predetermined rotational position, a position deviation signal for guiding the spindle to the position is applied as an input signal to a speed control loop for controlling spindle rotation.

Abstract: A numerical control system comprising a numerical control device, a machine tool for machining a workpiece under the control of the numerical control device, and a robot for executing various tasks such as mounting the workpiece on the machine tool or demounting the workpiece therefrom. The numerical control device, in addition to the hardware which it possesses for controlling the machine tool, is further provided with a teaching control panel, a heavy current circuit which handles the exchange of data between the numerical control device and the robot, and a switching control circuit for switching over the output side of a pulse distributing circuit so that the pulse distributing circuit can be used in controlling both the robot and the machine tool. Machining data for control of the machine tool and data for commanding the robot are stored in a memory device incorporated in the numerical control device, or in a storage medium which is located externally of the system.

Abstract: In automated press systems it is desirable to be able to control the actuators of an automation system associated with the press based on the speed of the press. To accomplish this, a circuit arrangement is provided which includes a pulse generator for producing a coded signal indicating the position of the press based on a press speed signal. An evaluation circuit having a parallel arrangement of a converter and a process control circuit receives these coded position signals. The outputs of the converter and process control circuit control the actuators of the automation system through pulse converters and positioning control circuits (e.g. speed and position control loops). Information as to the number of press strokes is also provided to the pulse converters through a generator. The converter can be an electronic curve shaper which controls the actuators when the press ram is moving, while the process control circuit can be a CNC control circuit which controls the actuators when the press ram is stopped.

Abstract: A spindle control system which is provided with a first motor for rotating a spindle, a second motor for positioning the spindle, a pulse generator for generating pulses proportional in number to the rotational angle of the spindle, a counter for counting the pulses from the pulse generator in order to detect the rotational position of the spindle, and circuitry response to the counter means to control positioning of the spindle by the second motor.

Abstract: A programmable automatic assembly system is provided which may be employed to assemble small parts. Each assembly station includes cooperating manipulator arms which are programmable to assemble parts on a centrally located work table. Improved facilities are provided for teaching the manipulator arms at each station, these facilities including a computer which assists the teaching operator in setting up the programs required for assembly of small parts to close tolerances. Each manipulator arm includes closed loop teach facilities for maintaining the arm at a previously located position during the teaching mode of operation. The computer is employed as a teach assist facility in performing a number of tasks during the teaching operation which are extremely difficult for the operator to perform manually. All of the assembly stations may be controlled during playback from a common disc storage facility so that the control circuitry and memory storage facilities at each manipulator are minimized.

Abstract: An electronic circuit with an output that may be used, for example, to control a servo system which positions grinders of a tire grinding machine to correct tires with large cleats is disclosed. The electronic circuit is responsive to an analog electrical signal to detect whether or not the rate of change in amplitude of the analog electrical signal equals or exceeds a preselected limit. If the rate of change in amplitude of the analog electrical signal does not equal or exceed the preselected limit, the output of the electronic circuit has a characteristic that is similar to the analog electrical signal. If the rate of change in amplitude of the analog electrical signal equals or exceeds the preselected limit, the output of the electronic circuit preferably remains constant at an amplitude which the analog electrical signal attained prior to the change in amplitude at a rate equal to or in excess of the preselected limit.

Abstract: A speed detector produces a spindle speed signal proportional to the revolving speed of a spindle. A specified position detector provides a specified position signal when the spindle assumes a specified rotational position. A spindle motor speed control unit controls the spindle motor so that the motor speed agrees with a speed command. When spindle orientation is requested, one integrator circuit responds to the specified position signal to integrate the spindle speed signal. The output from the integrator circuit is applied to the speed control unit in place of the speed command.

Abstract: An analog speed error signal, developed by comparing actual and desired speeds, is processed into a control voltage through a two condition circuit network. When the error signal is more than a predetermined percentage of the desired speed, the network has a unity gain and the control voltage equals the error signal. When the error signal becomes less than the predetermined percentage, the network is shifted into a hybrid form by inserting an integrator loop into the gain circuit so that the control voltage and error signal are not directly proportional. The control voltage is converted into a series of proportional width pulses which are applied to vary the generator output to control locomotive speed. The pulse width varies in part from the error signal variation but also in part from an acceleration signal to anticipate the achievement of desired speed. When the hybrid network is in use, the pulse width speed control feeds back to drive the error signal to zero.

Abstract: A system for directing sequential commands to a plurality of device control circuits, each of which is capable of being individually addressed and controlled to perform one of a plurality of modes of energization by the input commands. The control circuits are used to control energization of devices, such as peripheral devices of numerical control machines and may utilize feedback status signals from the devices, in some modes, to regulate the receiving of further input commands. The commands may be each acted upon sequentially or some may be grouped to be acted upon simultaneously.

Abstract: This application discloses cable length measuring apparatus for accurately determining the length of cable at spaced locations by utilizing at least two sets of measuring devices driven by the cable. Electronic switching means receive the length data from each of the measuring devices and processes that data into a command to a cable length marking means. The circuitry of the switch means automatically determines the most favorable instant to cause switching of the measurements of one of the measuring devices to create the command to the marking device to the other of the measuring devices in order to avoid any damage to the cable's jacket because of the switching between the two measuring devices.

Abstract: The pulse torque rebalancing feedback applied to a gyro, or other inertial sensor, is selected to be a low current for low angular rates (or other outputs) and is selected to be a high current, such as eight times greater than the low current, for high angular rates. Digital integration in an up/down counter is similarly controlled by a low frequency clock for low angular rates and a high frequency clock (which is eight times greater) for high angular rates. Mode switching includes hysteresis and time delay. The sensor outputs are compared against a ramp, the first half of the ramp being negative and the second half being positive, early in the first half being high rates and late in the second half being high rates; high and low outputs are sensed by comparing against strobe signals, a high rate strobe appearing very late in the cycle, and a low rate strobe appearing near the center of the cycle; rates sensed within either strobe causes the mode to shift (from high to low or vice versa).

Abstract: A sensor including means for operating the sensor in angular rate measuring and stabilization or rate integrating modes. When operating in the rate measuring mode, a loop is closed through an amplifier and torquer to null the sensor and when operating in the stabilization mode said loop is open and another loop is closed through a load to maintain the sensor at null. In the stabilization mode, the amplifier is used to apply command rate and drift correction signals to the sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling the weight per unit area of a tire fabric and changing from one code to another uses the difference between the nominal calender roller gaps for the old and new codes to preset the gaps for the new code before feedback control is resumed.