Abstract:
Control circuitry for record pressing equipment is provided, and is characterized by ease of shifting between automatic and manual operational modes, and at any stage, as well as by simplicity and ease of operation. The flow control of cooling a heating fluid for the die means is integrated with the control circuitry.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the control of phonograph record pressing equipment, and more specifically concerns circuitry to achieve such control. 
     In the past, circuitry to control phonograph record pressing equipment has been unduly complex, making difficult the effective control, repair and adjustment of such equipment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is major object of the invention to provide relatively simple and easily operated control circuitry for record pressing equipment, and which may be easily shifted between automatic and manual operational modes, and at any stage; also, the operation of fluid cooling and heating control equipment for the die member or members is integrated with such controls, as will be seen. 
     Basically, there are provided first circuit means to control other means which supplies a resin blank to the opened die means, closes and opens the die, removes the record and processes same; second circuit means to control heating and cooling fluid flow control means in timed relation to the automatic opening and closing of the die means, and to control the first circuit means; and third circuit means, including manually operable switches to control said other means, thereby to independently control resin blank supply, die opening and closing, and removal and processing of the record; and a mode control switch to enable one or the other of the first and third circuit means. As will appear, the second circuit means may include steam flow and water flow controls, the operation of one of which controls the first circuit means. 
     Further, manual switches and indicator lights are provided at a control panel to enable the operator to manually control the equipment in proper sequence as related to the stage of automatic control achieved prior to manual control take-over. 
     In addition various multiple safety switches are provided, as will be described, to facilitate safe, non-jamming and non-destructive operation of the equipment in either manual or automatic mode. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, in which: 
    
    
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS. 1a to 1c define an electrical diagram; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation schematically showing record pressing die means in open condition, and along with fluid heating and cooling equipment; 
     FIG. 3 is a view like FIG. 2 showing the die means in closed condition; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the pressing die means, a reciprocating slide, a gripper and record cake or blank holder, in one position of the slide; 
     FIG. 5 is a view like FIG. 4 showing the position of the elements in another position of the slide; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic side elevation of cake or blank supply means, and labeling means; and 
     FIG. 7 is an elevation showing the front panel of a control box. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Description of the invention, which primarily resides in the circuitry, along with associated apparatus will proceed in stages, as follows: 
     GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, record pressing die means 10 includes a fixed position upper die member 11, and a vertically reciprocable lower die member 12. The latter is movable between lower position (in which the die means is open) in FIG. 2, to raised position (in which the die means is closed) in FIG. 3. The ram 13 to raise and lower the member 12 is actuated by fluid actuator 14 to which fluid is transferred from a source 15 via a four-way valve 16. An &#34;UP&#34; solenoid 17 displaces the valve in one direction to supply fluid from source 15 to the actuator to raise the ram, and a &#34;DOWN&#34; solenoid 18 displaces the valve in the opposite direction to supply fluid from source 15 to the actuator to lower the ram. These solenoids also appear in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 2 also shows a two-way valve 19 controlled by solenoid 20 to move between OPEN position, in which steam is supplied from a source 21 to circulate within member 11 via inlet and outlet ports 22 and 23 and return via valve 19 to exhaust; and CLOSED position, in which steam supply to member 11 is shut off. Another two-way valve 24 is controlled by solenoid 25 to move between OPEN POSITION, in which cooling water is supplied from a source 26 to circulate within member 11 via inlet and outlet ports 22 and 23, and return via valve 24 to exhaust; and CLOSED position, in which water supply to member 11 is shut off. A dump valve 50, when closed, blocks fluid exit from the exit port 23, and a solenoid 51 controls opening and closing of that valve. 
     In addition, a pin member 27 is controlled by fluid such as air operated actuator 28 to move between up or retracted position as shown, and a down position in which it centrally penetrates a record cake or blank 29 to keep it in position while the blank holder 30 is removed from between the open die members. Note the down position of the pin seen in FIG. 3. A four-way valve 31 controls fluid flow to the actuator, and solenoids 32 and 33 respectively displace the valve to pin up and pin down positions. Such solenoids also appear in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 6 shows the cake or blank holder 30 removed or retracted from between the die members, and in a DOWN position to receive the cake 29. An actuator 36 controls movement of the holder between DOWN position and UP position in which the cake is lifted to engage a label 34 held by suction against suction cup 35. After the label adheres to the cake, the latter is lowered to DOWN position, by actuator 36 connected with holder 30, so as to be displaced by arm 37 between the die members, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. A four-way valve 39 controls fluid flow to the actuator, and solenoids 40 and 41 respectively displace the valve to cake UP and DOWN positions, such solenoids also appear in FIG. 1. An actuator 42 connected with label holder 42a advances a stack 43 of labels to a position beneath cup 35 so that the top label may be suction attached to the cup, after which the actuator retracts the label stack to the position shown. A valve 44, controlled by solenoid 45, controls the fluid flow to the actuator, and a return spring may retract the actuator plunger. Solenoid 45 appears in FIG. 1. 
     A slide mechanism 54 carrying record grippers 55 is movable between IN or FORWARD position as seen in FIG. 4, and OUT or HOME position seen in FIG. 5. Actuator 56 controls such movement, and is in turn controlled by four-way valve 57. Solenoids 58 and 59 respectively rotate the valve between slide FORWARD and HOME position, and are seen in FIG. 1. Movement of the slide also actuates the arm 37 for the cake holder 30, and for that purpose the actuator 56 may also be used to operate arm 37 as indicated by link 60. Grippers 55 may be operated between record edge gripping CLOSED position, and OPEN position, as by actuators 61. The latter are controlled by valves 62 which are in turned controlled by CLOSE and OPEN solenoids 63 and 64, also seen in FIG. 1. The grippers grip opposite flash edges of the pressed record when the slide moves to FORWARD position, so as to remove the record from between the die members when the slide is moved to OUT from HOME position. At the latter position, the grippers release the record to be supported and turned by a turntable 65 rotated by motor 66. In that position, a finish knife 67 is advanced by solenoid 68 to finish cut the record edge, removing the flash, as the record turns. Subsequently, when the slide is in HOME position, a set of vacuum cups 69 grip the center of the record on the turntable, to transport the record to a stack position indicated at 70 when the slide moves to FORWARD position. At that point, he vacuum cups 69 release the record, for stacking. 
     In FIG. 1, supply current input and output terminals appear at 72 and 73. Such current is supplied to vacuum pump motor 77 via fuse 78. When both movable contacts 75 and 76 of main switch SM1 are closed to connect fixed contacts 3 and 4, and 5 and 6 of the switch, the circuitry is in MANUAL mode, current then being supplied to bus 79 at the bottom of the diagram via lead 80, contacts 1 and 2 of RESET switch SM9, lead 81, and lead 82. 
     In MANUAL mode, each of switches SM2, SM3, SM4, SM5, SM6, SM7 and SM8 may be manually independently operated, according to the following table, current flowing to the indicated solenoids, to return line 86, and outlet terminal 73. 
     
                                           TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________       contactswitch      affected     function__________________________________________________________________________SM2   movable contact 83 displaced                  power applied via(STEAM &amp; to engage fixed contact 5 and                  lead 84 to steamWATER) 6                valve solenoid 19, (normally, contact 83 engages                  and also to panel automatic mode contacts 1                  light (1) and 2 as shown) movable contact 87 displaced                  power applied via to engage fixed contacts 7                  lead 88 to water and 8            valve solenoid 24, (normally, contact 87 engages                  and also to panel automatic mode contacts 1                  light (3) and 2 as shown)SM3   movable contact 89 displaced                  power applied via(RAM) to engage fixed contacts 5 and                  lead 90, contact 91 6                of relay RR3, lead 92, (normally, contact 89 engages                  SPDT switch E2, actuator mode contacts 1 and                  contact 93 of relay 2 as shown)      RR2, and lead 94 to                  ram UP solenoid 17,                  and also to panel                  lights (9) and (10).                  Safety switch E2                  is closed when the                  slide 54 is in                  completely home                  position, failing                  which the ram cannot                  rise up. movable contact 95 displaced                  power applied via to engage fixed contacts 7                  lead 96 to ram and 8            DOWN valve solenoid (normally, contact 95 engages                  18, and also to panel automatic mode contacts 1                  light (6) and 2 as shown)SM4   movable contact 100 displaced                  power applied via(SLIDE) to engage fixed contacts 5                  lead 101 to slide and 6            HOME valve solenoid (normally, contact 100 engages                  59, and also to panel automatic mode contacts 1                  light (18), provided and 2 as shown)  switch K is closed.                  Switch K is closed by                  the gripper arm when                  the grippers are                  CLOSED, sending the                  slide HOME. movable contact 102 displaced                  power applied via to engage fixed contacts 7 and                  lead 103 and switches 8                F and I to slide (normally, contact 102 engages                  FORWARD valve solenoid automatic mode contacts 1 and                  58, and also to panel 2 as shown)      lights (11) (12) and                  (14). Switch F is                  located at the bottom                  of the label stack 43                  in FIG. 6, in order to                  close when the label                  holder returns to                  retracted position.                  Switch I, at the top of                  the cake cup, indicates                  whether or not the cake                  cup is open.SM5   movable contact 106 displaced                  power applied via(CENTERPIN)  to engage fixed contacts 5 and                  lead 107 and RR1 6                to pin DOWN valve (normally, contact 106 engages                  solenoid 32, and also automatic mode contacts 1 and                  panel light (16). 2 as shown)      Arm 198 of relay RR1                  is maintained in UP                  position, or OPEN, to                  prevent the down movement                  of the PIN, when the                  die members are not                  closed (unbroken light                  beam of photocell P1                  causes current                  energization of relay                  coil 110) and vice versa. movable contact 111 displaced                  power applied via to engage fixed contacts 7 and                  lead 112 to pin UP 8                valve solenoid 33. (normally, contact 111 engages automatic mode contacts 1 and 2, as shown)SM6   movable contact 113 displaced                  power applied via(GRIPPER) to engage fixed contacts 5 and                  lead 114 to gripper 6                OPEN valve solenoid (normally, contact 113 engages                  63, and also to panel automatic mode contacts 1 and                  light (17) 2, as shown) movable contact 115 displaced                  power applied via to engage fixed contacts 7 and                  lead 116 to gripper 8                CLOSE valve solenoid (normally, contact 115 engages                  64. automatic mode contacts 1 and 2, as shown)SM7   movable contact 118 displaced                  power applied via(CAKE) to engage fixed contacts 6 and                  lead 119 to cake DOWN 7                solenoid 41, and also (normally, contact 118 engages                  to panel light (19). automatic mode contacts 1 and 2, as shown) movable contact 120 displaced                  power applied via to engage fixed contacts 7 and                  lead 121 to cake (UP) 8                solenoid 40. (normally, contact 120 engages automatic mode contacts 7 and 8, as shown)SM8   movable contact 122 displaced                  power applied via(LABEL) to engage fixed contacts 7 and                  lead 123 to label 8                solenoid 45 and to (normally, contact 122 engages                  panel light (19A) automatic mode contacts 1 and 2, as shown)SM9   reset switch     when applied in                  manual mode, SM9                  resets most mechanical                  motions to START, and                  will also allow the                  automatic cycle to                  start from the beginning                  when SM1 is moved to                  automatic mode.__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     AUTOMATIC OPERATION 
     When manual start switch SM10 is momentarily closed (movable contacts 126 and 127 displaced to respectively engage fixed contacts 5 and 6, and 3 and 4), automatic operation is commenced, provided main switch SM1 contacts 75 and 76 are moved to respectively engage fixed contacts 1 and 2, and 7 and 8 of SM1. Current is then supplied to bus 130. 
     Current is then supplied from bus 130 and via lead 135 to terminal 9 of steam timer 136. The steam timer then starts to run; movable contacts 137 and 138 are then moved to engage timer terminals 10 and 8, respectively. Current then flows via contacts 137 and 145 to motor M, starting the steam timer. Current is also supplied via contact 138, path 139 and lead 84 to the steam valve solenoid 19, moving the steam valve to OPEN position and passing steam to the die. Also, current supplied via line 139 to terminal 2 of the DUMP DELAY 140 passes to terminal 7 via an appropriate delay coil, which magnetically shifts contact arm 141 down to engage contact 142, whereby current is then supplied via leads 139 and 143 to DUMP solenoid valve 51, closing valve 50 after the delay interval. This provides a faster steam heating of the upper die member 11. 
     When the steam timer motor M runs out, contact arms 137 and 138 return to the positions shown, and contact arms 145 and 146 move upward, with arm 146 engaging fixed contact 3. Accordingly, the steam solenoid 19 is deactivated and the steam valve 19 closes, the dump solenoid 51 is deactivated and the dump valve 50 opens, and the DUMP DELAY re-sets (contact 141 moves to up-position shown). Also, current flows via path 148 to terminal 2 of the WATER DELAY 149, and passes to terminal 7 of the latter via an appropriate delay coil; the latter after an appropriate interval magnetically shifts arm 150 to engage contact 151, whereby current is then supplied via path 152 to terminals 1 and 9 of the WATER TIMER 153. The delay interval corresponds to a small delay between cessation of steam supply and initiation of water supply, to the die 11, resulting in a boost in die temperature. 
     Supply of current to the WATER TIME energizes coil 154 causing movable contacts 155 and 156 to shift into engagement with contacts 10 and 8, respectively. Accordingly, current is supplied via arm 156, path 157, arm 155, path 158 and lead 88 to the water valve solenoid 24, opening the water valve 24, and allowing cooling water to run through die 11. When the water timer runs out, contacts 155 and 156 will return to the positions shown, and contacts 160 and 161 will move up, whereby current is then supplied via path 135, 162, arm contact 160, and path 163 to coil 164 of relay RY2, starting the automatic mechanical motion cycle. Notice that the water timer will be prevented from operating if the J switch is not closed, i.e. contact arm 165 engaged with terminal 166, i.e. off terminal 167 (which shorts current around coil 154). The J switch is located between die elements 11 and 12, as seen in FIG. 2, and will close when the dies close together; thus, it will prevent operation of the water timer if the press did not close completely. Energization of coil 164 of relay RY2 (when the water tuner times out) shifts movable contacts 170 and 171 into engagement with fixed contacts 6 and 3 of RY2. Accordingly, power is then supplied from bus 130 to leads 174 and 175. From lead 174, current flows via movable contact 176 of STOP emergency switch 177 to lead 178, and through coil 179 of relay RY1 and then to outlet bus 86. RY1 thus latches, movable contacts 180 and 181 engaging fixed contacts 6 and 3 of RY1. Accordingly, power is supplied via bus 130, lead 182, contact 180 to bus 183, causing the ram to move DOWN (opening the die), closes the grippers, and brings the cake up, with reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6. See in this regard, current path 184 from bus 183 to SM3 contact 95, and path 96 to RAM DOWN solenoid 18; current path 185, from bus 183 to SM6 contact 115, and path 116 to gripper CLOSE solenoid 64; and current path 186 from bus 183 to SM7 contact 120, and path 121 to cake UP solenoid 40. From lead 175, current flows to SM5 switch contact 111, and via path 112 to center pin UP solenoid 33, for raising the center pin 27 as seen in FIG. 2. 
     As the die lower member 12 bottoms out, it operates switch A, by moving contact 188 to engage fixed contact 189, thereby completing the slide FORWARD circuit path 190. The slide will then move FORWARD, provided the F and I switches are &#34;made&#34;, i.e. contacts 191 and 192 respectively engage fixed contacts 193 and 194. In this regard, F switch is made if the label holder 42a has been completely retracted out from under the suction cup 35. The I switch is made if cake cup is completely open. 
     As the slide moves forward, the B switch is made, i.e. movable contact 196 is moved by the slide into engagement with fixed contact 197. This completes the pin DOWN solenoid circuit, sending the center pin down, if relay RR1 has been actuated to close movable contact 198 thereof against fixed contact 5 of RR1. Such actuation of RR1 occurs if coil 110 thereof remains energized. In this regard, photocell P1 controls energization of coil 110; thus, when the completely pressed record is moved by the grippers on the slide from between die members 11 and 12 to the flash cutter turntable 65, the transfer of the record momentarily blocks the photocell beam whose axis is seen at 201 in FIG. 4 as vertical to the plane of FIG. 4. If such momentary interruption does not occur, it means that the record remains in the press and not transferred by the grippers. The unbroken beam then prevents energization of coil 110, and prevents lowering of pin 27. Light sources for photocells P1 and P2 appear at L1 and L2. 
     As the center pin comes DOWN, a collar on the pin trips the C switch, opening movable contact 202 away from fixed contact 203, which de-energizes coil 179 in relay RY1, which in turn effects opening of the grippers; i.e. current flows to grip OPEN solenoid 63 via bus 130, lead 204, contact arm 181, lead 205 and lead 114. The gripper actuator arm, which opens the grippers, then closes the K switch, which completes the slide HOME solenoid circuit, and sends the slide HOME. (The grippers are closed by the closing operation of the press.) 
     When the slide arrives HOME, both switches E1 and E2 make. Current than flows via path 206, E1 switch arm 207, path 208, SM7 contact 118 and lead 119 to cake DOWN solenoid 41, to send the cake holder down. If arm 210 of vacuum switch D2 is in &#34;no vacuum&#34; position, current will be supplied via path 119, arm 210, path 211, SM8 contact 122 and lead 123 to the label solenoid 45. The latter effects displacement of the label holder 42a and stack 43 to move the stack to top label pick-up position as respects suction cup 35. If the label is successfully picked up, vacuum will build up in the vacuum system associated with cup 35, switch D2 opens (arm 210 moves off terminal 213, and the label feeding operation stops. Switch E1 also operates as a safety for the ram UP displacement. Thus, when E1 and E2 are both made, they should send the ram up, if relay RR3 was not actuated (no record was dragged back into the press by the grippers, etc.), and if RR2 relay is closed (there is cake in the die pressing space). In this regard, RR2 is associated with photocell P2, whose beam traverses the space between the die members when they are open (see beam axis 214 vertical to the plane of FIG. 2). Thus, the beam determine whether or not a plastic cake was delivered into the die; if the beam is not blocked by the cake (indicating absence of the cake), P2 connected to RR2 will prevent UP travel of the ram and die member 12. When the press is opened, and if the record was dropped by one of the grippers, the beam of P2 will be blocked, and RR2 will not allow the slide to go FORWARD, and will stop the press. 
     The cycle is completed as the ram travels Up and after pressing of a new record, a new cycle will start when RR2 is actuated. 
     When the cake comes down, G switch is made, contact 218 closing against contact 219. This will turn ON the turntable motor 66, energize solenoid 68 to advance trim knife 67, and also the drive 221 for extruder 222. When the extruder completes its operation to fill the holder 30 with plastic cake 29, the latter is moved toward breaking G switch, stopping the turntable motor, retracting knife 67, and stopping the extruder drive 220. 
     All switches SM1-SM10, and all indicator lights (1)-(20) are located on a front panel at a control box, as seen in FIG. 7. Thus, the operator knows at all times the stage to which automatic operation has proceeded; also he can easily carry out manual control as may be needed during servicing, repair and in case of possible malfunction. If manual operation is desired at any stage, SM1 is operated, as described, and the operator will know which of the switches SM2-SM10 to manually operate, since the light associated with the function solenoid just previously operated will be ON. As described, the fluid cooling and heating mechanism will also be disabled by SM1 by conversion to manual mode.