Patent ID: 6101857
Filing Date: 2000-08-15
Classification: G05B,Y02P

Abstract:
A punch press apparatus for progressively manufacturing articles comprisinga punch press,a cooperating punch section and die section for creating said articles from sheet stock moving therethrough,a plurality of microcontroller boards secured to said punch section or said die section or both,said microcontroller boards having a plurality of logic chips secured thereto,sensor means for monitoring operation of said apparatus and providing input information regarding a plurality of monitored conditions to said microcontroller boards,said microcontroller boards have means for processing said input information and emitting responsive control signals to other said microcontroller boards and control portions of said apparatus, andcommunication means for effecting communication (a) between said sensor means and said microcontroller boards, (b) among said microcontroller boards and (c) between said microcontroller boards and control portions of said apparatus, whereby said microcontroller boards will through receipt and processing of said input information for a plurality of monitored conditions and communicating with other said microcontroller boards effect control of a plurality of monitored press apparatus conditions.