Position controller for glass sheet processing system

Abstract

A position controller for a glass sheet processing system having a central control system including an operator interface and a master computer, the position controller including a slave computer, a port for two-way communication of multi-character command and data signals between the master computer and the slave computer, a digital to analog converter, a variable speed drive for driving a movable component in the glass processing system, a port for communicating a signal from the slave computer through the digital to analog converter for driving the variable speed drive, and absolute position encoder associated with the movable component in the system, and a port for communicating the digital signal representative of the position of the movable component to the slave computer. The slave computer system includes logic for receiving data and command input from the master computer in the central control system, processing this information as required, generating a signal capable of operating a vehicle speed drive, and reporting an echo back signal to the master computer indicating that the driven component has reached the desired position. The slave computer also includes logic for transmitting current position and stored end point and velocity profile information back to the master computer for output to the monitor at the operator's request.