Patent GB-932715-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to systems for collecting and presenting data relative to quality control
IPC: G07C3/14
Filed: 1960-02-17
Abstract: 932,715. Monitoring machine production. INDUSTRIAL NUCLEONICS CORPORATION. Feb. 17, 1960 [April 15, 1959], No. 5676/60. Class 106 (4). A system for collecting data relating to the quality of a product produced by a plurality of machines, comprises the combination of: (a) a process controller 10 a to n, to control each machine and continuously produce a voltage v1 representing a variable characteristic of the product of each; (b) a computer 25 periodically producing a voltage v2 representing the variance of the voltage v1 during a first predetermined time interval, say 2 minutes; (c) a potentiometer 24 adjusted to give a voltage v3; (d) a detector 22 emitting a voltage v4 whenever v2 exceeds v3; (e) a variance goal setter generating a voltage v5; (f) a computer 40 receiving voltages v2, v4 and v5 and operating on them to compute the average of v2 over a second longer predetermined time interval, say one hour, to indicate the frequency of emission of v4, to compare the voltage v5 with the average of v2 and to transmit voltages representing each to a monitor D where the resulting information is read out. The invention is applied to the quality control of the production of cigarettes by five lines each of n machines making two brands. The variable characteristic taken to represent the quality of the product is the weight per unit length of a continuous cigarette rod emanating from a machine. Pulses emanating from switches 14a to n associated with the cigarette rod cutting wheel of each machine are counted by counters 17a to n only when a corresponding sensor 16a to 16n detects the actual production of cigarettes and counters 18a to 18n similarly count regular time pulses so long as cigarettes are being produced. These counts are represented by voltages v6 and v7. There is a process control centre B for each line A of n. controllers comprising five output lines 16, 19, 21, 23 and 27 for presenting the voltages v6, v7, v2, v3 and v4 to multiplexer 34 in a production data centre C. The multiplexer 34 described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown) time shares the n groups of voltages from the five centres B at the analogdigital converter 36 for subsequent insertion in the digital computer 40. The computer 40 summarizes the information required and the typewriter 32 at each process control centre B and typewriter 52 at the production data centre C print out a " Variance Report " 30 and " Quality and Production Report " 60 respectively and multiplexer 48 switches information to the monitor D for read out in response to signals received from master programmer 50. When an individual machine product gives rise to a variance greater than the limit set an immediate alarm 26 is given at its process control centre B. Each centre B produces a " Variance Report " 30 every two minutes and the centre C produces a " Quality and Production Report " 60 every hour. The production count is normally presented automatically once an hour but may be read out at any time by operating a manual control circuit, Fig. 5a (not shown). Specifications 853,139, 887,267, 887,268 and 887,269 are referred to.