Computer control for glassware forming machine

• Main Author: CROUGHWELL; WILLIAM J
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.09.1975
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; CONTROLLING; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GLASS; MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES; METALLURGY; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS ORELEMENTS; PHYSICS; REGULATING; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

A control system for operation of the individual sections of a glassware forming machine includes a shaft position encoder associated with the mechanical drive for the feeder, and a digital computer for programming various events in the machine cycle in accordance with certain boundary event timings. The shaft encoder output is converted to binary coded decimal (BCD) form and is fed to the digital computer through a priority program which permits routine starting and stopping of the machine and its various sections, and which also includes manual means for setting up the desired cycle of operation for the various mechanisms associated with a given section and for later transferring these settings to the other sections of the machine with operation of each section being phase delayed in accordance with a predetermined "firing order". These settings can be revised during operation of the machine as a result of the program stored in the digital computer. In addition, limits may be imposed upon the revisions which will be permitted.