Abstract: The apparatus for preparing quartz micropipettes includes a pair of carriers mounted on a linear ball bearing guide which grasp opposite ends of a quartz glass capillary tube. A pair of miniature torches fueled by a mixture of oxygen and propane simultaneously heat a portion of the center of the capillary tube and an inverted U-shaped bar disposed between the torches in propinquity to the capillary tube. A cable having one end attached to one of the carriers and the other end attached to the core of a solenoid, the intermediate portion of the cable being wound around a pulley and attached to the second carrier, is used to pull the capillary tube in opposite directions as the tube softens. The cable is also wound around the axle of an optical encoder assembly which sends an electrical signal to a computer based upon either the distance or velocity at which the tubing is pulled apart.

Abstract: A semi-convective forced air system for heating glass sheets during a heating cycle. The system has a heating chamber, and a longitudinal conveyor extending lengthwise through the heating chamber. A plurality of longitidinally-extending air manifolds are located within the chamber and are in fluid connection with a compressed air source. The manifolds are arranged in at least one widthwise-extending column. Each of the manifolds are oriented parallel to the length of the conveyor and are constructed and arranged to create a downward flow of heated air toward the conveyor to convectively heat the entire length of selected widthwise portions of a sheet of glass on the conveyor. A controller supplies or restricts the flow of compressed air to selected manifolds within a column at predetermined times during the heating cycle.

Abstract: A press head drive cylinder control having a force sensing, force signal providing load cell on the drive cylinder of a glass molding press. The glass molding press having a base, a mold table rotatably mounted on the base, a plurality of mold positions on the table for locating from one to a plurality of molds thereon, at least one mold at a mold position, a press head, a press head tower, and a press head drive cylinder supporting the press head and being reciprocally mounted on the press head tower for movement of the press head to and from a mold aligned at a molding station. The press head drive cylinder control responds to force signals from the load cell to control the press head drive cylinder location, movement, and pressing force, during glass molding.

Abstract: In an individual section (IS) glassware forming system that includes a plurality of operating mechanisms for performing cyclic motions, an electronic controller for controlling cyclic motion of at least one of the operating mechanisms includes an electronic memory for storing a plurality of motion profiles for the one operating mechanism, with each of the profiles including a set of motion data versus time data. Each of the profiles has a piecewise linear contour determined by a plurality of control points, with each of the control points having associated motion and time data values. The operator may selectively display one of the profiles as a table of time values for the control points, with the time values preferably being in units of IS machine degrees.

Abstract: Controlled movement of the pneumatically operated plunger in the narrow neck press and blow process of manufacture of glass containers is achieved by use of a pressure regulating valve in the air supply to the plunger which determines the pressure supplied according to the magnitude of a control signal which is determined by set point means operating in response to timing pulses from a timing control of the machine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the delivery of multiple gobs to the blank molds of a glass forming machine having multiple cavities or sections, wherein multiple gobs are delivered from a glass feeder to plural scoops that are oscillated to deliver the gobs in multiples to aligned troughs and funnels in a timed sequence. An infrared gob sensor at each exit detects passage of a gob, and a computer controls application of air under pressure to control the velocity of delivery of each gob to the scoops in order to influence gob exit timing at the deflectors that are positioned adjacent the mold cavities.

Abstract: A closed loop control system for a hydraulically actuated glass sheet press bending platen. Flow of fluid supplied to the cylinder operating the press platen is controlled through a servo solenoid valve. A linear motion transducer associated with the platen and sends appropriate signals to a programmable motion controller. The motion controller controls a position module operatively coupled to a servo solenoid valve which regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid from a pump to the cylinder. The motion controller utilizes data from the linear motion transducer for making necessary corrections to insure that the platen cycles precisely in accordance with a predetermined program. In a second embodiment of the invention, the closed loop control system for the hydraulically operated platen is combined with a precision control of a variable speed glass sheet conveyor means for improved registry of the glass sheet being bent with the platen member.

Abstract: A process for controlling the temperature of glass inside a forehearth for the formation of gobs comprises the steps of: determining a set temperature of the glass in the zone No. 1 by effecting a fuzzy inference based on a preset membership function and a preset inference rule of a preset fuzzy set by using two variables, i.e., a deviation between a measured temperature and a set temperature of glass in the spout portion and a timevarying change amount between a temperature measured at a current measurement and a temperature measured at a previous measurement with respect to the glass in the spout portion, as an antecedence; determining a set temperature of the glass in each of zone Nos. 2 and 3 through a fuzzy inference based on a preset membership function and a preset inference rule of a preset fuzzy set through taking two variables, i.e., a deviation amount between a temperature of the glass measured in each of the zone Nos.

Abstract: A glass production system that includes a glass forming machine having a multiplicity of operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into glassware, a plurality of solenoid valves responsive to valve drive signals for operating the multiplicity of operating mechanisms, and an electronic controller for generating the valve drive signals to operate the mechanisms in sequence to produce the glassware. The electronic controller includes an operator panel having a plurality of electronic switches responsive to an operator in a manual mode of operation for generating valve drive signals to operate selected ones of the mechanisms associated with the individual switches. A plurality of electronic displays are disposed on the operator panel each adjacent to an associated one of the electronic switches, and are responsive to the controller for displaying to an operator the operating mechanism of the machine associated with the adjacent switch during the manual mode of operation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for controlling the free deformation of thermoplastic material in an automated process for processing the material to form articles. These articles are especially ampules, small bottles and the like produced from glass tubes. In this method, in order to obtain a high dimensional accuracy of the article, a corrective action is carried out by applying heat to the starting material in the deformation region in the heating phase. This corrective action takes place in dependence on a desired-value/actual-value comparison of the deformation of a workpiece achieved in a predetermined working step. In order to exclude interference influences in the development of the deformation, the measurement of the deformation achieved, the desired-value/actual-value comparison and the corrective action are carried out in situ on one and the same workpiece during shaping of the deformation in the heating phase.

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: A system for manufacturing glass and plastic containers is disclosed which has at least two computers connected by a network or more than one network. Each computer has a local virtual network process which establishes a connection with the other node, notifies that other node when its database(s) are open or closed and establishes a connection of its own database(s) so that a node can transparently communicate with any other node on its network or on any connected network.

Abstract: A glass production system includes a glass forming machine having a multiplicity of operating mechanisms for converting gobs of molten glass into hollow glass containers, a plurality of solenoid valves responsive to valve drive signals for operating the multiplicity of operating mechanisms, and a plurality of valve driver circuits individually coupled to the solenoid valves and responsive to control signals to operate the valves and operating mechanisms in synchronism and in sequence for manufacture of the glass containers. An electronic controller has prestored control programming for generating valve control signals in synchronism and sequence, and a configurable or programmable logic array connected between the controller and the valve driver circuits for providing the controller-generated control signals to the valve driver circuits during normal operation.

Abstract: An integrated system for selecting, ordering and manufacturing art glass panels is provided. An artistic art glass design is combined with a set of design rules specifically applicable to such art glass design to produce a digitized data file uniquely identifying the art glass design. The digitized data file information is used to reconfigure the initial art glass design, according to the entered set of design rules, to conform the art glass design to the unique panel size and shape requirements of a customer. A data file of the reconfigured art glass panel information is forwarded to the manufacturer. The digitized reconfigured file data includes all of the information regarding component sizes, shapes and cutting and assembly instructions required to enable automated assembly and costing for the art glass panel fabrication.

Abstract: A method of distributing molten glass gobs in an IS machine whereby gob scoops are positioned beneath associated gob discharges for motion independently of each other. Each scoop is driven by a three-phase electric servo motor to swing through an arc independently of the other scoops while maintaining a position beneath the associated gob discharge.

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 control for a glass forming machine having at least one controlled mechanism which will generate position feedback signals representative of its position, comprising control profile means for generating a profile for each mechanism to be controlled, means for transforming the profile either into control signals for the mechanisms to be controlled or into simulated position feedback signals, a screen, and display means for receiving either the position feedback signals or the simulated position feedback signals and for generating display signals for the screen, and means for commanding operation either in a machine mode wherein the transforming means will transform the profile into the control signals and the display means will receive feedback position signals from the controlled mechanisms or in a simulation mode wherein the transforming means will transform the profile into the simulated feedback position signals and the display means will receive the simulated positoin feedback signals.

Abstract: Opposed shear assemblies are conjointly driven via a rack and pinion assembly by a servo motor which follows a displacement profile. When the cycle rate exceeds a selected limit the profile is scaled to reduce peak motor velocity and a shorter stroke is defined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating apparatus for a glass-sheet bending station. The apparatus includes an array of elongated heating elements, the heating elements being positioned side by side, so as to form a heating element field covering an area of a glass sheet to be bent. A control mechanism is provided for switching heating elements on and off. The heating elements are separately and independently controllable. The heating elements are positioned in succeeding heating element fields in a longitudinal direction of the heating elements. The control mechanism selectively switches on heating elements so as to form at least one heat exchange area that generally covers the area of the glass sheet being bent and that extends at a desired angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the heating elements.

Abstract: A bottle making machine includes a gob distributing apparatus in which a plurality of molds are arranged in a plurality of rows with equal spaces with each other and a plurality of chutes are arranged at entrance portions of respective molds. The apparatus comprises a plurality of rotation shafts of the numbers corresponding to the numbers of the rows of the molds, a plurality of scoops secured to the respective rotation shafts for distributing gobs to the chutes, respectively, a plurality of servo-motors having output shafts of the numbers corresponding to the numbers of the rotation shafts and a plurality of link mechanisms connecting the output shafts of the servo-motors to the rotation shafts, respectively, to independently drive the rotation shafts by the corresponding servo-motors.

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: A machine for forming glass containers from discrete gobs of molten glass comprising a mechanism displaceable between retracted and advanced position. A pneumatic actuator having upper and lower chambers controlled by a servo pneumatic valve controller, controls the displacement of the pneumatic actuator. A position lead based upon the actual position of the mechanism is calculated and differenced with a position demand to define a position delta. A position lag is calculated based on the position delta. The pressures within the upper and lower chambers are sensed and based thereon a force representative of the force being applied to the piston is calculated and differenced with the position lag to define a force error and a lag force is calculated based on the force error. The servo pneumatic valve controller is driven with the lag force.

Abstract: A method of controlling the exit glass temperature and the thermal homogeneity of the glass exiting from a glass forehearth having at least two temperature control zones and having in each temperature control zone at least one temperature regulating means responsive to the difference between a set point signal and an actual value signal for each temperature control zone. The temperature control method includes adjusting the set point signal of each temperature control zone as a function of the temperature of the glass entering the glass forehearth and as a function of the temperature of the glass exiting the glass forehearth.

Abstract: A timing and control system for a glassware forming machine includes a ship computer system resident within a control room and a hot end console on the shop floor adjacent a multi-section glassware forming machine. The shop computer system executes a number of subroutines which permit configuration of the shop and of each IS machine section, such as routines for identifying on and off angles for the several mechanical devices associated with the sections. The hot end display includes a touch screen which permits the floor operator to implement certain changes in the timing and sequence of operation of the machine mechanical devices. The shop computer system implements subroutines which test for and detect potential conflicts or collisions between machine devices due to changes in the event times for the devices. The conflict testing occurs when the operator inputs the timing change information, issuing warning messages and disallowing the configuration change in the event of a conflict.

Abstract: The width of glass ribbon at the hot end of a float bath is controlled to a constant value by raising and lowering a tweel for adjusting the flow of molten glass blank from a smelting furnace to the float bath. The controlled value of the tweel is obtained from predetermined control variables through fuzzy inference. This method is carried out in a float-bath ribbon-width control system using a fuzzy inference means that obtains the controlled value of the tweel from predetermined control variables through fuzzy inference.

Abstract: A method for drawing glass objects from glass feedstock, wherein a dimension of the glass object is measured on-line and controlled by a control structure which compensates for the deadtime between a change to the drawing speed and the measurement of the effect of that change to the measured dimension. The model which compensates for the deadtime is preferably nonlinear, and the control gains and model parameters are preferably continuously calculated during the drawing process. The invention is particularly applicable to drawing optical waveguide cane from optical waveguide preforms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for automatically inspecting and rejecting glass articles during the continuous manufacture thereof. In particular, an optical pyrometer is provided for measuring the top of each glass article and generating signals representative of the residual temperature thereof. A computer includes software which processes the temperature signals and generates actuating signals if the temperature does not fall within a range of predetermined temperature setpoints. Generation of such actuating signals actuates a hammer which removes each defective glass article.

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: As an optical fiber (12) is being drawn, air (14) is directed at a portion of the fiber as a succession of air pulses, the pulses having a frequency near the natural frequency of the fiber portion. The frequency of the air pulses is then varied over a range of frequencies that includes the natural frequency of the fiber portion. When the air pulse frequency equals the natural frequency of the fiber portion, a resonance occurs which greatly amplifies the amplitude of the vibration of the fiber portion. The large deflection of the fiber that occurs at resonance is easy to detect, and the air pulse frequency which causes such maximum deflection is taken as being equal to the resonant frequency and therefore to the natural frequency of the fiber portion. Changes of the detected resonant frequency can be interpreted in a straightforward manner as changes in optical fiber tension which, in turn, are used to make compensatory changes of the temperature of the furnace (10).

Abstract: In a device for performing measurements on at least partly transparent objects such as optical fibres a radiation beam is directed on the object. The radiation deflected by the object is imaged by means of a lens system (321, 322) on a radiation-sensitive detection system (330). As a result of refraction on interfaces between areas having a different refractive index (311, 312) in the object and between the object and the surroundings (315), dark or light bands corresponding to the projection of the interfaces are produced on the radiation-sensitive detection system (330). Thus measurements can be performed on the internal structure of the object.

Abstract: A variable pressure gas jet system for lifting and forming glass sheets including a controller (32) for providing an electrical signal corresponding to a preselected pressure to an electrical-to-pressure converter (34) which converts the received signal to a corresponding pressure. A remotely operated gas flow regulator (36) receives a small volume of the pressurized gas from the converter and transmits a large volume of gas at a corresponding pressure through the system to a series of gas jets (42) comprising an array of nozzles (24) which direct the pressurized gas onto the lower surface of the heated glass sheet to lift the glass sheet from a conveyor to the downwardly facing surface of an upper mold (22).

Abstract: A method of collecting data to indicate certain internal conditions during the function of a glass container forming machine, and apparatus for the practice of the method including sensing devices within a plunger cycling mechanism of the machine for transmitting information from the mechanism during the operation of the machine.

Abstract: The improved distributor for gobs of molten glass is self-actuated by means of a brushless motor having continuous current with microprocessor logic. The distributor permits to modify electronically the schedule of delivery and carry out small corrections of the angles of delivery. The motor is connected to the scoops via a toothed belt and a rack and pinion device.

Abstract: A local heater is arranged in a heating furnace in which glass plates are continuously conveyed, and a bending line on each glass plate is forcibly heated. The local heater is elongated, and positions of both ends of the local heater are independently and digitally controlled in a widthwise (X-axis) direction of the heating furnace. Control point data along the bending line is obtained by interpolating coordinate values of both ends of the bending line. X-axis velocity control is performed such that the local heater is located on the glass bending line in synchronism with conveyance of the glass plate. A heating locus is linear, and the operation of the local heater is not stepwise. An offset of the actual heating locus from the bending line can be minimized.

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: A controller for use in connection with a central control for a glass sheet processing system including an operator interface and a master computer, the controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a position encoder corresponding to each of the movable components monitored by the controller, and a port for communicating a digital signal representative of the position of the movable component, issued by the position encoder, to the slave computer. The slave computer includes logic for receiving position information from the position encoders and continuously comparing this information to preselected position parameters downloaded from the master computer to determine whether an unsafe condition exists, sending a signal for deactivating the power switch to the drives for the affected components, and sending an error condition message back to the master computer.

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: An improved fiber glass bushing control system. One aspect of the system has a weighing means for weighing complete collections of glass fiber strands produced from forming from a bushing through attenuation, a monitoring means for the time of attenuation at constant strand speed and a program computer means that receives signals from the weighing means and the monitoring means. The program computer means has a means for establishing a database of the weights and times, a means for determining the throughput of the glass from the bushing from the weights and times, a means for determining average throughputs and including these averages in the database, a means for comparing the average throughputs to a standard set throughput, and a means for initiating an adjustment to the main bushing temperature controller, when the average throughput deviates from the set point throughput by a value greater than the sensitivity factor of the bushing.

Abstract: In a pressing machine for the manufacture of glass articles, which comprises, a base; a gyratory table composed of mold supporters equidistantly laid out around the table, thereby carrying the molds from one station to the next as the table gyrates intermittently, said table comprising a number of stations, among which are stations of charging, stations for pressing and cooling articles, extracting stations and stations for the cooling of the molds, wherein such stations includes a series of mechanisms; means to drive the rotating table coupled to said table to rotate the same; and a feeder in combination with said machine which provide a gob of glass to the station of charging by each cycle of the machine, a method and an apparatus is provided to controlling the cycle of operation of the machine and the operation of the diverse mechanisms including: a sensor to determine the instant in which a gob of glass is cut from said feeder and position sensors to detecting the real position of the diverse mechanisms o

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.

Abstract: The drive system comprises a motor (10) to drive a glass gob producing feeder, a motor (18) to drive a gob distributor for distributing the gobs to sections of a glass container manufacturing machine of the individual section type, and a motor (34) to drive a container-removing conveyor. The drive means supplies electrical signals to cause the motors to operate at desired speeds. The drive system comprises a source (52) of a basic frequency signal which can be varied by varying means (54) to determine the speed of the entire production line, means (58) for producing a gob distributor controlling signal by dividing the basic frequency by a factor reflecting the number of machine sections, and means (62,66) for producing a conveyor system controlling signal by multiplying the basic frequency by a factor reflecting the number and spacing of the containers.

Abstract: In a multi-section I.S. glassware article forming machine including handling and forming means such as a molten glass feeder, a glass gob cutting mechanism, glass gob distributor, article molding means, a take out apparatus to bring the green articles out of the molding means, a 90.degree. push out apparatus to bring the finished articles to a carrier conveyor, and a transfer apparatus for transferring the finished articles to a cross conveyor in order for a pusher apparatus to transfer rows of articles to a lehr; synchronizaiton of the velocity of both the 90.degree. push-out apparatus and of the carrier conveyor of each and every section of said I.S. glassware article forming machine is set and controlled at will by sensing the velocity of operation of the glass gob cutting mechanism, of the 90.degree.

Abstract: An improved electronic control system for glassware forming apparatus having a heirarchy of machine level supervisory controllers (including a machine controller and an operator communications controller), section controllers, and individual mechanism controllers. The mechanism controllers may be dedicated to the control of a variety of functions admitting of automated control, such as servo-control of electrical motors, sequencing of solenoid valves, generating alarm signals, etc. The mechanism controllers include separate control programs designed for their associated forming mechanisms, and are subject to on-off timing control in real time from the section level controllers. In general, the machine controller and operator I/O controller handle set-up, operator modifications during operation, and other "non-real-time"interactions with the mechanism controllers; the machine controller also coordinates the operation of a plurality of mechanism controllers in accordance with machine-level parameters.

Abstract: An improved electronic control system for glassware forming apparatus having a hierarchy of machine level supervisory controllers (including a machine controller and an operator communications controller), section controllers, and individual mechanism controllers. The mechanism controllers may be dedicated to the control of a variety of functions admitting of automated control, such as servo-control of electrical motors, sequencing of solenoid valves, generating alarm signals, etc. The mechanism controllers include separate control programs designed for their associated forming mechanisms, and are subject to on-off timing control in real time from the section level controllers. In general, the machine controller and operator I/O controller handle set-up, operator modifications during operation, and other "non-real-time" interactions with the mechanism controllers; the machine controller also coordinates the operation of a plurality of mechanism controllers in accordance with machine-level parameters.

Abstract: An electronic system for automatically controlling the weight of glass gobs in a molten glass feeder, through the regulation of the height of the rotatory tube with respect to the feeder orifice; the electronic system includes, in combination, a finished article, a weight detector, a tube position detector attached to said tube, at least a temperature detector and glass level detector at the feeder, each of which respectively providing signals representative of the weight of the finished article, of the height of the tube with respect to the feeder orifice, of the molten glass temperature in said feeder and of the glass level in the same; a data processor which receives and processes the signals of the detectors, in order to compare the weight of the finished articles with a predetermined weight for the same and relates the weight deviations with the temperature and level of the glass and the height of the tube, in order to provide synergistic tube height compensation signals in order to allow an adequate flo

Abstract: A system for a multiple condition sensing and ware rejection for a computer controlled glass ware forming apparatus including mold temperature detectors, smoke detectors mounted to monitor each mold and gob cutting detectors mounted to control the overall speed of the apparatus and wherein control means are provided to respond to the temperature detector to lubricate the particular hot mold and other control means mounted to respond to a smoke signal to program the ware rejection means to reject the particular glass ware formed in the smoke containing molds.

Abstract: An electronic system to control the cooling of molds in glassware forming machines, wherein the articles and/or the molds in which said articles are being produced, are subjected to a suitable cooling to control the thermal relation therebetween so that the articles can be suitable handled and shaped. In this system, the velocity of the machine, the heat profile of the glass gobs and the gob weight are continuously detected and fed as signals to a microprocessor which determines the heat exitation of the molds when receiving the glass gobs, in order to control the necessary cooling air flow rate and compensate for variations in the thermal conditions of the molds.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a furnace, a forehearth channel (10) through which molten glass flows to a feeder (14, 16) which forms gobs (12) of molten glass, a gob distributor (24) which distributes the gobs to the sections (30) of a glassware forming machine of the individual section type (26) and control means (50) operable to determine operating parameters for the apparatus to allow a particular article to be manufactured. The parameters including the number of sections (30) which are to receive gobs and the speed at which those sections are to be operated, the parameters being determined from the available melting capacity of the furnace, the weight of the particular article and the speed at which it can be formed.

Abstract: An improved system of speed control for glass article forming machines includes an operator's control panel which is provided with controls to feed to the system the geometry parameters of the glass article to be manufactured as well as the timing of the manufacturing cycle; a data processor capable of calculating the speed of each mechanism of the machine in response to the data received by said operator's control panel; an EPROM-erasable programmable read-only memory which is used to contain tables including sequence profiles for the opening of actuating valves and speed mechanism profiles; a table selector circuit which is coupled to said programmable memory and the said data processor to select sequence tables from said programmable memory and which is able to solve the speed equations by using the speed information that it receives from the said data processor, and which is also able to provide the starting times of the various mechanisms; a random access memory coupled to said table selector circuit and

Abstract: A test apparatus for measuring activation and deactivation times of solenoid-operated pilot and air-operated cartridge valves in a valve block assembly for an air-operated IS glassware-forming machine. The test apparatus includes pressure transducers for selective individual connection to the outputs of the solenoid and cartridge valves of a valve block assembly, and an array of electrical switches for selectively energizing the solenoid of a solenoid valve to be tested. A first pair of counters measure activation and de-activation times of the solenoid valve under test, and a second pair of counters measure activation and de-activation times of a solenoid/cartridge valve combination under test. The measured times are displayed in milliseconds at associated numeric displays. A flow meter is connected to the exhaust port of a cartridge valve under test for measuring leakage of air past the seals and seats of the cartridge valve.