Abstract:
A press brake control system and apparatus including a vertical ram extension controller and back gauge system which together determine respectively the angle and location of successive sheet metal bends according to a stored operating sequence. The control system and apparatus is attached to an existing and unmodified press brake to which the press brake control system automatically adapts its control functions according to the mechanical parameters and conditions of the particular press brake. Futhermore, the press brake control system elements communicate according to a communication system having redundancy and error-checking features to be operable in hostile electrical and physical environments.
Abstract:
An arrangement for monitoring the operation of a numerically controlled machine tool in which a motor drives an encoder whose pulses represent the angular displacement of the motor. Counters respond to the drive signal from the numerical control to the motor and the sensing signal resulting from the encoder to provide a first detection signal in the event of a deviation between the drive and sensing signals while additional counters are responsive to the numerical controller for generating a second detection signal when the extent of drive of the motor is not reached. From these detection signals, an error signal is derived.
Abstract:
A stationary base programmed manipulator arrangement is provided for cooperation with workpieces on a continuously moving conveyor. The manipulator arm is mounted for movement about a vertical axis to follow a workpiece on the conveyor and execute a predetermined pattern of operations on each workpiece as it moves past the manipulator station. The manipulator may be programmed by successively stopping the workpiece at different closely spaced locations along the conveyor path, successively moving the manipulator arm to positions corresponding to different points on a representative workpiece when said workpiece is positioned at said different locations, and recording said corresponding positions to which said arm is successively moved. In the alternative, the manipulator arm may be programmed in a so-called ''''limp hand'''' mode of control, wherein the manipulator arm is programmed to move rapidly to each new point on the workpiece at which an operation such as a spot weld, is to be performed. While the spot weld is being made and the welding jaws are clamped to the moving workpiece the actuators of the manipulator are disabled so that the arm is permitted to move in synchronism with the workpiece by virtue of the connection of the welding jaws to the moving workpiece. As soon as the spot weld is completed, control is restored to the manipulator arm actuators and the manipulator arm is moved ahead to the next programmed spot weld point. A compensating arrangement may also be provided to overcome the frictional drag of the manipulator arm actuators so that the limp arm may be moved by engagement with the moving workpiece without damaging the workpiece. A disabling arrangement may also be provided for the manipulator arm actuators whenever the manipulator arm deviates from a desired work path by a predetermined amount. With either type of programming, the recorded program may be shifted from one program step to the next under the control of a conveyor synchronizing signal derived from and representative of the movement of the conveyor even though the manipulator arm has not completed the movements called for in each axis by the previous program step.
Abstract:
When tapping is effected by a tap driven by a built-in spindle motor (12) and another motor (22), which built-in spindle motor directly drives the tap (14) to rotate without a transmission mechanism, and which other motor drives the tap (14) with the built-in spindle motor (12) to proceed along a longitudinal direction (Z), the two motors (12, 22) are synchronously controlled, and the difference between a commanded rotational speed output to the built-in spindle motor (12) from a synchronous control unit (36) and an actual rotational speed of the built-in spindle motor detected by a detector (16) is calculated by a difference calculator (32), and an alarm is output, for example, by a light-emitting diode (40), when the difference is higher than a prescribed value. Thereby, a high-speed tapping can be effected, the number of defective products can be reduced, and the threads accurately tapped.
Abstract:
In machine tools it is necessary to monitor the track of a cutter tip on a tool post. A predetermined tolerance scope is given to sampling positions during the model cutting, and only the data of the points and distance defining the tolerance scope is stored. During the actual cutting, a determination is made as to whether or not a sampling position is within the tolerance scope and the track is thereby securely monitored.
Abstract:
An individual section glassware forming machine comprises generating means (29) for generating an electrical command signal which is used to control transfer means (2) of the machine. The transfer means (2) is used for transferring a parison (P) from a blank station (A) at which the parison is formed in an inverted position and presenting the parison (P) in an upright position at another station (B). The magnitude of the electrical command signal varies in accordance with the desired position against time curve for the movement of the parison (P) and is used to operate an electrical or hydraulic servo-mechanism (32; 42) for controlling the movement of the transfer means (2).
Abstract:
This invention relates to controlled apparatus having a tool including a plurality of directions of movements with the directions interrelated, such as an arc welding unit having an electrode for contouring of similar work parts along a seam contour. The apparatus includes a logic system and memory such as a computer and a tracer to follow an original contoured curve or shape in space and generate a position-related signal. The computer includes a self-programming program in memory in which control program particulars of a contour are generated and introduced by an initial movement of the tracer over an original contour under a closed-loop position control program in a trace-record mode. During the trace-record mode the computer reads the necessary inputs and creates a set of data at points along the contour. The data sets are fitted together by a spline function (third-degree polynominal) to produce a close approximation of the weld seam in its multi-dimensions. Thereafter, such self-generated control program, in the absence of the tracer, directly moves the tool to reproduce the same contour for welding a part. The trace-record mode may be at a slow feed other than playback speed and the computer may complete data reduction and storage for each point. Various other modes of operation such as manual mode, a set-up mode, a test mode may also be provided. In the playback mode, the tracer may be used to detect out of tolerance parts.
Abstract:
A transfer system for an automatic press line which includes a gripper for transferring workpieces between presses. The gripper is supported on the ends of a pair of transfer arms projecting from a corresponding pair of pantographs. The pantographs are manipulated by a pair of ball screw assemblies operated by a corresponding pair of servo motors. The servo motors are electrically connected to the press drive for synchronizing movement of the transfer assembly with the press line. A pair of cams connected to the press drive are associated with a tachometer and a resolver for generating electrical input signals for the control system associated with the servo motors.