Patent GB-1258344-A (GB)
IPC: G05B19/18
Filed: 1969-02-17
Abstract: 1,258,344. Programmed electric control. SUNDSTRAND CORP. Feb. 17, 1969 [Feb. 19, 1968], No.35540/71. Divided out of 1, 258, 342. Heading G3N. The subject matter is identical to that disclosed in Specification 1, 258, 342 but the claims are directed to a control system for a machine in particular a machine tool comprising a data processor including an input and output channel for data, said data process coupling blocks of machine part instructions data to said output channel for controlling the operation of the machine, language translator means for converting source language instructions data into blocks of machine part instructions data, and said data processor interpreting and acting upon control instructions data including said source language instructions data for controlling the data coupled to said output channel, machine control apparatus including means connectable with said output channel for interpreting said blocks of machine part instructions data and controlling the operation of the machine in accordance therewith and means connectable with said input channel for generating control instructions data including source language instructions data identifying prescribed operations; and a data link coupled between the input and output channel and said machine control apparatus for transmitting instructions data in both directions between said data processing means and said machine control apparatus to cause said machine when so enabled to immediately perform said prescribed operations. The data link may include a data display for visually displaying data to an operator and data entry means for allowing the operator to manually generate messages; data processing means coupled with said machine tool control apparatus and said link and including program means for storing a sequence of blocks of machine part instructions defining a program, processor means for processing the stored blocks to control transmission of blocks to the machine tool control apparatus and to control storage of blocks in the program means to allow future use of the program, instruction routine means effective during processing of the program for generating instructions data coupled to said data display to visually display an instruction requiring the operator to manually generate a response message before allowing further processing by said processor means, and analysis routine means responsive to the response message for controlling the processor means and thereafter causing continuation of the program. A particular feature of the system is that communications can flow in both directions between the data processor and the machine apparatus. Such communications include instructions which control and alter the performance of the machine to which the instructions are flowing. An operator may create new programs for machining a part, or change existing programs for machining a part, and cause the same, if desired, to be immediately performed by the machine tool. Moreover, the operator can create an error-free program for machining a part during the first time that the program is run, and may over-ride a pre-existing program. The system may control a plurality of machines in a time division manner each machine having a store for part instructions which control the machine while the common data processor is in communication with other machine stores.