Electronic timing system for glassware-forming machines

Abstract

An electronic timing control system for a glassware-forming machine includes a mini-computer master controller which controls the timing and sequence of operation of each of the individual section glassware-forming machine components. The master controller includes a plurality of control modules for section timing, conveyor motion, etc., each module of which outputs information to a corresponding serial multiplex I/O module. Each of the I/O modules connected to the master controller feeds data to a common data cable, according to a multiplexing scheme administered by the master controller. Data from the data cable is fed to each of the sections of the I.S. glassware forming machine, and particularly to a plurality of serially connected serial multiplexer modules. Each of the serial multiplexer modules corresponds to a section functional component operable to receive and form molten glass gobs into glassware articles. Each serial multiplexer module has a unique address. Information conveyed by the data cable includes a specific address for the module to which the data being transmitted is to be provided. Thus, although control data from the master controller is provided serially to all of the multiplexer I/O modules, only that module corresponding to an address transmitted by the controller is permitted to receive the data.