Abstract: A diagnostic method and apparatus for use in an electronic printer or reproduction machine having a movable imaging member capable of receiving an image from a modulated light source. A plurality of light sources are mounted adjacent the imaging member. Each light source is illuminated in parallel with the activation of a corresponding machine component. The activation of the light sources results in a plurality of timing marks on the imaging member and subsequently on the printed sheet such that the length of each line corresponds to the time the parallel machine component was activated.

Abstract: A bi-directional pen plotter includes two pen stables and a pen holder located between the two pen stables for snatching a pen from either pen stable and for inserting a pen into either pen stable. There are four distinct stops to the motion of the pen holder at each pen stable depending on the four possible combinations of pen locations. Measuring the relative distances travelled by the pen holder in an initialization procedure the positions of all of the pens in the system may be determined uniquely.

Abstract: A method of detecting the lengths of normal operation time and downtime, and at least approximate causes for downtime, of a printing press during each preassigned period of production time. During the progress of each production period there are derived from the printing press its electrical control signals which are indicative of the printing operation and at least approximate downtime causes. The control signals are sequentially recorded in the form of corresponding, visually identifiable marks. A visual examination of the marking provides the desired data. There is also disclosed herein a recorder of typical construction for recording the signals in the practice of the inventive method.

Abstract: A memory device is provided for measuring the displacements of a table movable in two directions mutually perpendicular to each other and storing the displacements. In case of the measurement of table positioning data, the data measurement may be made without stopping a part insertion machine and keeping the continuous operation of the machine. Conditions under which positioning of part insertion apertures is made are judged from the enlarged insertion apertures displayed on a television monitor so that better workability may be attained, an operator feels no fatigue and correct positioning may be accomplished, whereby a numerical control tape having correct positioning information recorded thereon may be prepared.

Abstract: There is described a method of guiding a machine as it moves relative to a surface, which is preferably the surface of a workpiece on which the machine is working, by selectively magnetizing a layer of magnetic material provided at or close to the surface so as to define a path of movement, producing guidance signals during the relative movement by detecting the selective magnetization, and using the guidance signals to automatically guide the relative movement, so that the defined path is followed. Data other than guidance data may be provided on the layer by selective magnetization.

Abstract: An acoustic velocity logging tool employs a transmitter and a pair of receivers. Acoustic pulses from the transmitter pass through the formation surrounding the borehole to the receivers. The received signals, along with control signals, are transferred to an uphole recording system. A record unit operates to apply these receiver and control signals to a magnetic tape recorder. A playback unit transfers the recorded receiver signals to the intensity modulation input of a cathode-ray oscilloscope and, in response to the recorded control signals, applies a trigger pulse to the sweep input of the cathode-ray oscilloscope. A film recorder makes a continuous film recording of the receiver signals as they appear as variable-density traces on the face of the cathode-ray oscilloscope.