Soft-wired machine tool control
AssigneeHurco Manufacturing Company, Inc.
InventorsGerald V. Roch, James P. Wiles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microprocessor unit (MPU), together with appropriate memory devices of the read only (ROM) and random access (RAM) type, and peripheral interface adapters (PIA), light emitting diode (LED) displays, and back lighted information displays, is included in a pendant control cabinet having on the front thereof a control panel with arrays of push-buttons for entering data and instructions, and windows displaying data and operational information. The pendant control is mountable as original equipment or as a retrofit installation to a machine tool, such as a press brake or milling machine, to control tool or gauge slide drives for positioning as needed during the desired sequences of operation.
Claims10
In positioning apparatus for machines, the improvement comprising:
- a machine drive means, and a workpiece material locating gauge;
- a controller having read-only memory means therein and random access memory means therein and a microprocessor therein and a numerical keyboard for sequential entry into said random access memory means of a group of gauge and machine drive position data numbers to identify gauge and machine drive position to be achieved, and additional keys for entry of instructions to said random access memory means and microprocessor for processing said data numbers according to said instructions to produce output control signals in a desired sequence;
- said controller supplying first control signals for controlling said gauge positioning and second control signals for controlling said machine drive, said controller being programmed to produce control signals to automatically drive said gauge and machine drive to positions in accordance with said position data in sequence according to said instructions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.