Electronic control of a glass forming machine

Abstract

Each section of a multi-section glass forming machine contains a plurality of mechanisms for moving functional members in sequence for forming gobs into glass containers and for sweeping the containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor. A plurality of reversible, electric motors are provided for each section to operate the rotation of the sweepout mechanism and for operating the other mechanisms, namely, the parison mold opening and closing mechanism, the funnel operating mechanism, the baffle operating mechanism, the invert arm operating mechanism, the blow mold operating mechanism, the blowhead operating mechanism and the take-out mechanism. Each motor is coupled directly to the drive shaft of the mechanism and the rotation of each motor is controlled by a programmable controller which permits the adjustment of the timing and velocity during machine operation of each motor independently of the other electric motors. The programmable controller is capable of storing several pre-programmed timing patterns easily selectable by switching. Also, the motors are coupled with velocity and position-sensing means which may provide feed-back signals for control of the motor. While the motors are described as reversible motors, stepping motors could be used where it is not necessary or desirable to have velocity feed-back sensors such as tachometers. The stepping motors can be operated from pre-programmed controllers that have, in effect, electronic cams therein that can control the motor speed and time of operation. It might be advisable that limit sensors be provided, however, to give an indication of the arrival of the mechanical mechanism into the extremes of movement thereof in performing the various functions.