Programmable limit switch with distributed intelligence

A programmable limit switch for establishing a timing of events in a workpiece treatment process carried out as a workpiece traverses through a production field, comprising:

• a plurality of output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an advance of the workpiece through the production field, and for producing device actuation signals, each of the plurality of output channels connectable to an output device responsive to the respective device actuation signals and located in the production field;
• an output controller in each of the plurality of output channels, each output controller individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals;
• and wherein at least one output controller is individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values;
• and
• a brake input operably connectable to a brake;
• and wherein
• one of the output controllers is programmable to start a counter when the brake input de-energizes and stop the counter when the output channel does not receive a change in position value.

A programmable limit switch for establishing a timing of events in a workpiece treatment process carried out as a workpiece traverses through a production field, comprising:

• a plurality of output channels for receiving position data, each position value of the position data representing an advance of the workpiece through the production field, and for producing device actuation signals, each of the plurality of output channels connectable to an output device responsive to the respective device actuation signals and located in the production field;
• and
• an output controller in each of the plurality of output channels, each output controller individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals;
• and wherein at least one output controller is individually programmable to change a state of the respective device actuation signals in response to reaching selected position values;
• and wherein one of the output controllers is programmable to change a state of a respective device actuation signal when a first sample of position data indicates a predetermined speed of travel through the production field and to change a state again if a second sample of position data indicates a speed of travel slower than the predetermined speed of travel.