Glassware forming system with star network communication configuration

In a glassware forming system that includes a plurality of electronic devices for performing operations on articles of glassware, a network interconnecting said devices for intercommunication among said devices comprising:

• a star network hub and means connecting said hub to said plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication among said devices through said hub, said star network hub including:
• a hub controller for controlling said bidirectional communication among said devices with each other according to a CANbus communication protocol,
• means for sensing a communication transmitted from one of said devices, and
• means responsive to said sensing means and to said hub controller for blocking transmission of communication to said one of said devices and for enabling communication from said one of said devices through said star network hub to all other devices connected to said hub,
• said means responsive to said sensing means comprising a plurality of channels, one for each of said devices, with each said channel including a gate having an output for enabling communication from the associated device, one input for receiving communication from the associated device, and a second input coupled to said output through delay means for delaying enablement of communication from said associated device.

In a glassware forming system that includes a plurality of electronic devices for performing operations on articles of glassware, a network interconnecting said devices for intercommunication among said devices, comprising:

• a star network including a network hub connecting said plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication with each other among said devices through said hub, said star network hub including:
• a hub controller for controlling said bidirectional communication among said devices with each other according to a CANbus communication protocol,
• first electronic gates for sensing a communication transmitted from one of said devices, and
• second electronic gates responsive to said first gates and to said hub controller for blocking transmission of communication to said one of said devices and for enabling communication from said one of said devices through said star network hub to all other devices connected to said hub,
• said first electronic gates form a plurality of channels, one for each of said devices, with each said channel including an enabling gate having an output for enabling communication from the associated device, one input for receiving communication from the associated device, and a second input coupled to said output through delay gates for delaying enablement of communication from said associated device.

In an individual section machine glassware forming system that includes an individual section machine with a plurality of individual sections for forming glass gobs into articles of glassware, a conveyor for receiving and transporting articles of glassware from the machine, and a plurality of electronic devices responsive to operating conditions in said system for controlling at least one aspect of system operation, a network interconnecting said devices for intercommunication among said devices comprising:

• a star network hub and means connecting said hub to said plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication with each other among said devices through said hub, said star network hub including:
• a hub controller for controlling said bidirectional communication with each other among said devices according to a CANbus communication protocol,
• means for sensing a communication transmitted from one of said devices, and
• means responsive to said sensing means and to said hub controller for blocking transmission of communication to said one of said devices and for enabling communication from said one of said devices through said star network hub to all other devices connected to said hub,
• said sensing means and said means responsive to said sensing means comprising a field programmable gate array,
• said means responsive to said sensing means comprising a plurality of channels, one for each of said devices, with each said channel including a gate having an output for enabling communication from the associated device, one input for receiving communication from the associated device, and a second input coupled to said output through delay means for delaying enablement of communication from said associated device.