International Business Machines Corporation

Robert M Fiorenza

Ralph John Gerlach

Alan J Fleming

Larry W Holmstrom

John C Pace

A system for controlling a plurality of machine tools in which the central processor communicates data transactions to and from a plurality of tool controllers, each of which is operatively associated with a machine tool. Each of the controllers comprises at least one machine tool control unit which is adapted to provide a digital output to the associated machine tool for controlling a particular tool function and/or for receiving from the machine tool a digital input indicative of a particular tool condition. The central processor has connected thereto a main multiple-channel data bus for conducting data transactions by transferring parallel bits of data to and from the processor. The system also includes a plurality of multiple-channel unit data buses, each of which is connected to one of the tool control units. Data distribution apparatus in the system couple the unit data buses to the main data bus from the processor and serve to distribute the processor transactions to and from the specific tool functions of the controlled machine tools. This data distribution apparatus includes means responsive to a set of distribution signals from the central processor for selectively activating one of the tool control units and for selectively activating only the data path from the main data bus through the unit data bus which is connected to the particular selected tool control unit. The data distribution apparatus also includes means for maintaining only this activated path open through said main data bus to the central processor and for maintaining all other data paths through unit data buses which are connected to unselected tool control units closed until the central processor issues the next set of distribution signals for selectively activating another tool control unit. In accordance with another aspect of the system, at least one of said tool controllers has means for completing a tool function initiated by a data transaction from the central processor after the data transaction is completed and the processor is no longer in communication with said tool controller.

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Shelbourne, VT, United States of America

Robert M Fiorenza