DE1139908B - Number function generator - Google Patents

Description

Number function generator The invention relates to a number function generator with a pulse source for generating several series of control pulses that are used for Controlling the movement of a work head of a machine along a path is used derived from operational data with regard to coordinate axes, which are stored in registers linked to counters that determine the operating principle of the generator, with each series of control pulses relating to the movement controls on a specific axis.

An arrangement for generating pulse trains has already been developed, which can be used to control machine tools such that a desired work can be done. For example, it may be desirable move the table of a milling machine so that the cutting tool of the machine cut out a desired outline from a workpiece clamped on the table. In other words, a desired movement path can be achieved by means of these pulse trains which consists of one of the outlines on the workpiece based on a blueprint. This device derives impulses for controlling a rectilinear movement as well Pulse trains for controlling movement in curved paths. When deriving this Pulse trains for a two-coordinate system become a group of periodic or switching pulses two devices are supplied, one of which is referred to as a division by means of a Method the number of pulses received from the source through the differential the equation of the desired movement path with respect to the one movement coordinate Splits. The second device simultaneously divides the pulses received from the source by the differential of the equation of the desired path of movement with respect to the other coordinate of movement. The output pulses from the two devices can either be used directly or preferably recorded for later use will. The data for finding the differential for each path is obtained from the Coordinates of the beginning and the end of the path if it is a straight line Line exists, received. If there is a circle, the coordinates are also included the center of the circle is required. With each pulse train, each pulse represents a movement step along the coordinate axis. Each pulse train contains as many pulses as there are movement steps along the coordinate are required so that the result of the simultaneous control movement along the coordinates gives a resultant movement that is the desired Path is. In a machine tool, such as a milling machine, the table is therefore controlled so that it describes a desired cutting path on a workpiece will.

i With this older system, the necessary Division of counting circles used. Although the plant works satisfactorily and its job Fulfilled in the manner described, however, it has been shown that the counting circles need time to count up to a predetermined number or to fill, when they work as a preset counter to get the desired number of pulses to deliver. Therefore, a large number of pulses are required or are intervals between the pulses required to move the movement along a coordinate properly it can be a considerable period of time before this train of pulses has been generated.

The object of the invention is to create an improved number function generator of the above type, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated and in which despite Circuit simplification the pulse generation is accelerated.

This is achieved according to the invention by means which, when pulses from the pulse source occur, introduce a number into each counter which is equal to the differential of the equation of said path with respect to a specific coordinate, and by a reduction factor selector which is connected to the counters stands and influences their work in such a way that control pulses are obtained at the highest possible speed. The invention is illustrated in the drawing. It shows Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a line control pulse generator to assist the understanding of the invention, Fig. 2 A and 2 B are block diagrams of an embodiment according to the invention, Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram of a Leitungswählschaltung in the inventive Ausführungsforin, Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a line control pulse generator according to 5 is a block diagram of a circuit control pulse generator which is modified according to the invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the device for automatically determining a correct division factor for the embodiment according to the invention.

Elementary algebra shows that the formula for a straight line is y = mx + b . The slope of a straight line can be obtained by differentiating y with respect to x, where is obtained; Then m is the value of the slope, which is a constant for any given straight line. Let us now consider a right-angled coordinate system with the coordinates x and y , a line with the inclination m extending between two points, one of which is x, y and the other is x, y . It can easily be proven that is what the same is.

Therefore A y = y, - yL and A x = x2 - x ,. From this it can be concluded that in order to get from one end of a straight line to the other end, simultaneous movement along the x- and y-axes according to the relationship gives a resultant movement corresponding to that desired Path follows.

If, for example, a milling machine is to be controlled so that it performs a desired cut on a workpiece, and the coordinates of the start and end of the cutting path are known, the machine table can be controlled so that it moves simultaneously over stretches along the corresponding two coordinate axes , expressed by the differences (x, - x,) and (y, - y,), moved to describe the desired resulting cutting path. Such a control of the table movement can be carried out by simultaneously driving the tension spindles for each coordinate corresponding to the pulse trains. For a pulse, a step of table movement Accordingly, for example in the order of 1 / "mm effected. Comprises a pulse train as many pulses as moving steps are required. For example, if a straight section along the x-axis mm with a length of 250 required , so the pulse train requires 10,000 pulses. In the same way, 5000 pulses are required for a straight cut along the y-axis with a length of 125 mm in the pulse train for the y-axis Cut with a desired inclination both coordinate movement spindles are operated simultaneously by separate pulse trains In the example mentioned, a simultaneous movement over 125 mm along the y-axis and over 250 mm along the x-axis would be a straight line with an inclination of 0.5 to be discribed.

According to the older method, a desired section on a blueprint can be related to two baselines that form a right angle with one another. These serve as coordinate axes from which x, -x, and y, -y ,. can be easily determined. It is known that the output of a pulse generator can be easily divided by means of a counter. If, therefore, pulses from one pulse generator are fed to two counters, then that pulse train can be derived from each counter which is equal to the input power divided by the number of the counter. In other words, the generator's pulse rate is divided by the meter's scale. If one counter is set in such a way that it divides its input power f by dy, while the other counter divides its input power by Ax due to its setting, the Ax counter emits a pulse train consisting of a number of pulses occurring at equal intervals while from the Ay counter a pulse train of pulses occurring at equal intervals in a different number occurs. The ratio between the two quantities is: This is exactly the inclination of the desired section between the points x " y, and x #, y ..

The two output pulse trains from the corresponding division counters can be recorded on two special tracks on a magnetic tape. These both tracks are scanned at the same time and the output powers the motors that control the tension spindles that drive the milling machine table. Therefore two things are important for the impulse trains. First must be the exact number derived from impulses for movement over the correct distance, second since the x and y movements occur together, for proper control the inclination, the relative occurrence of the impulses is important.

It should be noted that the frequency of the switching pulse generator has the tendency no effect and can be seen from the mathematical line as waste, is canceled out in the final equation. However, the frequency of the switching pulse source is important for determining the time required to generate the pulse trains. Therefore, in the above example, the time required to generate a pulse train of 10,000 pulses is that which determines the minimum time allowed for generating control pulses. This means that, in a work of the switching pulse generator with a frequency of 500 kHz and at a setting of a counter (the J x counter) to 10 000 of these f or generates an output each counted 10,000 pulses while instellung at a E of d y counter 5000 this ÜR f each counted 5000 pulses generates an output power. The output power of the Ay counter represents the pulse train for controlling the movement along the x-coordinate axis and the output power of the Ax counter represents the pulse train for controlling the movement along the y-coordinate axis. The Ax counter generates an output pulse every fiftieth of a second, and since ten thousand of them are required, it takes 31 / .minutes of working time in total. From this it can be seen that where a long series of different paths have to be described, the operating time of the plant is not as short as desired. Increasing the generator frequency to speed up the operation of the plant is not a very effective method because the amount of correction that can be made is limited by the speed of the counters, locks and other associated equipment required.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a straight line control pulse generator used to explain the invention. This control pulse generator for straight lines has already been described in connection with the older system. As noted, the information required to generate the coordinate pulse trains (x and y) which can be used to control machine tools is taken from the blueprints which contain the desired path, the edge of the particular piece to be machined, or the line between the centers of holes to be drilled can be. In either case, the path has a beginning and an end. The beginning of the path is determined by the coordinates x " y, and the end by the coordinates xp" y . The slope of a straight line can be negative as well as positive. This can easily be determined from the sign of the remainder when subtracting x, from x. A machine such as an adder can be used to calculate the value of x2-xl and Y2-Yl. This is referred to as input machine 10 in FIG. 1 . First, for example, x2-x i is calculated and the switch 12 is operated so that this value is entered in the (x, -x,) register 14. In order to determine whether the sign of this difference is positive or negative, it is introduced into the sign sensor 16. If the sign is positive, the sign detector 16 opens the PlusX lock 18. Is it negative, the sign detector 16 prepares a minus x barrier 20 before or opens it.

The switch 12 is then switched over and connects the input machine to the (Y2-Y1) register 22 and to the sign sensor 24 for (Y2-y,). The difference between Y2-Y1 is entered into register 22 and its sign into sign sensor 24. Therefore, depending on the sign of the difference Y2-y, either the plusy lock 26 or the minus y lock 28 are prepared. The number introduced into the (X2-x,) re-ister 14 is also fed to a first (x2-x,) coincidence lock 30 and a second coincidence lock 32. The number in the (Y2-yl) register 22 is also fed to a first (y, -y,) coincidence lock 34 and a second coincidence lock 36. The coincidence lock 30 monitors the number in the totalizer for the x-channel 38 and generates an output power as soon as the totalizer 38 reaches a number which is equal to x.-x in the coincidence lock 30 . In the same way, the (y, -y,) coincidence lock 34 monitors the number in the totalizer for deny channel 140. It generates an output power when the number in the totalizer 40 is equal to the number Y2-Yl iSt- The second coincidence lock 32 monitors the number in a division counter 42, which as referred to as. If this counter has counted up to the number in the (x, - x,) register, the coincidence lock detects this and outputs an output power which is fed to a reset circuit 44 which resets the division counter 42. The output of the coincidence lock 32 is also supplied to the totalizer 40 and increments it by one, and is also supplied to the plus-y and minus-y locks. The coincidence lock 36 monitors the number in the division counter 46, which as referred to as. If the number in the division counter 46 equals the number y, -y ", the coincidence lock 36 generates a pulse which is fed to the reset circuit 48 which resets the division counter to zero. This reset pulse is also sent to the total counter 38, the number of which is increased by one , and further fed to the plus and minus x locks 18 and 20.

This system works as follows: After the values of X2-XI and Y2-Yl have been entered into the corresponding registers 14 and 22 and after their corresponding signs have been entered into the sign sensors 16 and 24, a switch-on signal source, which can consist of an exciter switch, leads a switch-on signal to a pulse generator 52 which operates at a frequency f. The pulse generator 52 is sometimes referred to herein as a switching pulse generator. Its output power is fed to the two division counters 42, 46 at the same time. The counters increase their number by one for each switching pulse introduced. There Assume, for example, the number in the (x, -x) - Register amounts to 10,000, then is the coincidence barrier 32 when the counter 42 reaches the number 10000, an output pulse which resets the dividing counter 42 to zero, which Output pulse increases the number of the totalizer by one. If the sign of Y2-Yl (as stored in the sign detector 24) is positive, the plus-y-block is prepared and conducts its output pulse, depending on the request of the control device or a recording device to. It is further assumed that the number of y, -yl is 5000, then the coincidence lock determines this state when the totalizer 40 finally counts 5000 pulses and feeds its output power to the switch-off lock 54. If the number in the (Y2-y,) register is equal to 5000, the coincidence lock 36 emits, when the counter 46 reaches the number 5000 , a pulse which enables the reset circuit 48 to reset the reset counter 46 and that of the number im Sum counter 38 adds a one and which is sent out by either the plus-x or the minus-x lock, depending on the sign of the number X2-x.

If the totalizer 38 counts 10,000, then the coincidence lock 30 determines this state and feeds its output power to the switch-off lock 54. Since the output power of the (Y2-y,) coincidence lock 34 also occurs at this point in time, the switch-off lock 54 is prepared to supply the pulse generator with a pulse which stops it so that no further pulses are supplied to the division counters. For the next path, the input machine 10 is again used to introduce the next set of differences and their signs, and the system is re-energized to generate the two required control pulse trains.

In the embodiment of the invention still to be described, it is proposed that the two division counters 42, 46, the two coincidence locks 32, 36 and the two reset circuits 44, 48 be replaced by the inventive structure still to be described. This enables the required control pulse trains to be generated in a much shorter time than is possible with the device described.

It is now referred to FIGS. 2 A and 2 B, containing a block diagram of the arrangement according to the invention can be used as described above. The system to be described uses a number of tubes known as magnetron beam switching tubes. Each switching tube represents a decade counter. The switching tube has ten outputs or electrodes which can be excited one after the other by applying pulses to the ten switching grids one after the other. In order to switch the excitation from one electrode to an adjacent one, a pulse is fed to the switching grid belonging to this adjacent electrode. In order to avoid the complexity of external connections for each switching grid, these are alternately connected to two collecting lines. By means of a pulse feed changeover circuit, such as the known flip-flop circuits, which have two stable operating states and are switched from one to the other by successively feeding pulses, switching pulses are first one and then the other of these bus lines fed. It can be seen from this that each of these beam switching tubes can work as a decade counter and generates successive output powers in accordance with the supply of successive pulses.

FIGS. 2 A and 2 B show a block diagram of the invention with a switching pulse generator 100 whose output is fed to a manifold 102, and a monostable multivibrator 103 and a Kippventilkreis 104. This is connected by means of diodes so as to be in accordance with the switching pulse generator is switched successively. The two output powers of the tilt valve 104 are fed to the two grid collecting lines of the jet switch tube 106 , which can be referred to as a distribution jet switch tube. Of the ten output powers of the distribution beam switch tube, nine are collected according to a system to be described and four distribution lines A, B, C and D are supplied.

Line A is connected to the fourth output electrode of the distributor beam switching tube via a cathode follower stage 108 . Therefore, line A is energized by a single pulse every time the manifold reaches four. Line B receives two output pulses when the beam switch tube reaches the number one or seven. These two outputs are connected to an OR block 110 , the output of which is connected to line B via a cathode follower 112. Line C is energized four times. The outputs 0, 2, 6 and 8 of the beam switching tube are connected to an OR block 114, the output power of which is fed to the bus line C via a cathode follower 116. Line D is energized six times, via outputs 0, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 8 of the distributor beam switch tube.

These output powers are fed to the OR block 118 , the output of which is connected to the bus line D via a cathode follower stage. The OR block and cathode follower arrangement described can also be viewed as a premixer which distributes the output power of the distributor beam interrupter to four collecting lines. The same four busses are used for all coordinate axes along which movement is to be controlled.

Each collecting line is connected separately to each of six circles, each of which is represented by rectangles labeled "line selector" 121 to 126. The task of each line selector is to select one or more bus lines according to the input information and to generate an output power consisting of the pulses from the selected lines. The input to the line selector 121 in the straight line calculator shown in Figure 1 is the number in the ones place in register 14 (if this arrangement were used to replace the division counter 46 and associated devices) or in the ones place in register 22 if this arrangement were used to replace the dividing counter 42 and associated facilities. The line selector 122 would receive the number in the tens in one of the aforementioned registers as input information, the line selector 123 would receive the number in the hundreds as input information, and the line selectors 124, 125 and 126 would receive the numbers in the thousands, tens of thousands as input power - or hundreds of thousands in the relevant registers. If the number in the register belonging to this device is 560, 322, for example, then the input information supplied to the corresponding line selectors 126 to 121 would be 5-6-0-3-2-2 accordingly. The number of output pulses from the appropriate line selectors would be 5-6-0-3-2-2 pulses for each group of ten pulse inputs to the distribution beam switch tube 106.

For a more detailed explanation of the mode of operation of the line selector, reference is now made to FIG. 3 , which shows the required circuit as a block diagram. Each line selector shown in the drawings, the circuit shown in FIG. 3. The four collecting lines, which represent the outputs A, B, C, D of the premixer arrangement, are correspondingly connected to one input of the four AND gates 131, 132, 133 and 134. The other inputs to the respective AND gates, which are required before the AND gates are prepared to allow the pulses from the respective busses to pass, consist of the outputs from the four OR gates 141, 142, 143 and 144. The OR gate 141 is energized and provides an output power when the number in the digit in the associated register is either 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 . The OR gate 142 is energized and emits an output power when the number in the associated digit is 2, 3, 8 or 9 . The OR gate 143 produces an output power when the number in the associated digit position is 4 or 5 . The OR lock produces an output power when the number in the associated digit is a 6, 7, 8, or 9 . The outputs of all the AND Block 134 to 131 are collected by an OR lock 145 whose output is the output of the line selector.

If, therefore, it is assumed, for example, that the register informing the line selectors consists of beam switching tubes, with one beam switching tube representing the units position and the second beam switching tube representing the consumption point, etc., a value introduced into a beam switching tube excites one of the ten output electrodes. If this output is the fifth electrode, then the OR gates 141 and 143 emit an output power which prepares the AND gates 131 and 133 to pass received pulses when the respective bus lines A and C are energized. From the description so far it can be seen that the bus line A is energized once at the number 4, while the line C is energized four times at the numbers 0, 2, 6 and 8. Thus, the output of OR gate 145 is five pulses occurring within the ten pulse count of the manifold beam switch tube.

From this it can be seen in what way when the output power the corresponding decades of the registers that represent the contents of the registers, are fed to the circuit of the line dialer, one from each line selector Output power is obtained for each group of ten pulses from the switching pulse source is a number of pulses corresponding to the number in the digit position of the register, to which the line selector belongs. There is no output power from the line selector obtained if the number in the digit position is a zero. The output power of each line voter is within the period of occurrence of ten received counted pulses from the distributor beam switch tube. As from the following Description is apparent, the output powers from the various line selectors introduced into the beam switching tubes working as counters.

The meter, into which the output powers of the various line selectors are introduced, comprises six beam switching tubes 151 to 156. The last tube 156 is also referred to as collector decade 156 . Each of the decades 151 to 156 belongs accordingly to the rankings from the ones to the hundreds of thousands. Therefore, when the output power of the line selector is input in parallel, the number that was used to inform the line selector enters the counter decades.

In order to bring about such a parallel entry, the output power of the line selector 121 is fed to an OR block 160 , the output power of which is fed via a cathode follower stage 162 . The output power of the cathode follower stage 162 is fed to an AND block 164, which is prepared each time a switching pulse is fed to the distribution line 102, to which the other input is connected. The output of the AND lock is fed to a toggle valve 166 which switches the output of the AND lock from one to the other of its successive operating states. The output of the tilt valve 166 advances the number in decade 151 in accordance with the number of pulses applied to the tilt valve. This shows how, for example, two output pulses received from the line selector 121 introduce a two into the ones position 151. The arrangements which connect the outputs of the remaining line selectors 122 to 125 with the associated switching tube decade stages 152 to 155 are identical to one another and therefore do not need to be described further.

When excited by a switching pulse supplied, the monostable multivibrator 103 supplies an output power via a cathode follower stage 105 to a bus line 107 . The line is connected to the inputs of the cathode follower stages 162 via individual diodes. The purpose of this arrangement is that the output power of the cathode follower stage 162 can only arise when the output power of the monostable multivibrator has been added to the output power of the line selector. In this way, the switching pulse for the toggle valves is reduced to a narrow form and occurs at the most favorable point in time within the duration of the output pulse of the line selector.

The output power of the cathode follower 162 is also fed to an AND gate 168. The other input power of this AND-lock consists of the output power of the decade counter when it reaches the number 9 . As soon as the next pulse from the line selector appears at the cathode follower stage 162 , the output of the AND block is prepared and a toggle valve 170 switches over. Thereafter, the tilt valve 170 supplies an AND gate 172 with an output. The output power of this AND lock is fed to the OR lock of the following decade stage, here designated 160 A , in order to show that its function corresponds to that of the OR lock 160. The arrangement just described serves to supply a transmission pulse from a decade stage of the lower order to the decade stage of the next higher order when the tenth input is made to the decade stage of the lower order. All transmissions occur during the ninth distribution pulse at a time when no line selector pulses can be present. The toggle valve is required to store the fact that a transmission has occurred and hold it until the ninth distributor pulse. At this point in time, the tilt valve 170 is switched over and the decade 151 is returned to the zero position.

Upon receipt of the transmit pulse, the following cathode follower 162 A advances the number of the folo, ending decade 152 in the same way as it would introduce a pulse received from the line selector. The carrier tilting valves 170, 170 A and 170 D are all switched back to a count pulse and the number nine of the distributor beam interrupter 106 occur simultaneously. The switching pulse is supplied as an input power to the AND locks 171-171 D. The number nine of the distributor beam switch tube 106 is fed to a cathode follower stage 109 , the output power of which is fed via a distributor line 111 to the carrier barriers 159 and 172 A to 172 D and the corresponding AND barriers 171 to 171 D. The output power from these AND blocks can then switch back the transfer, -, skippventile.

The output of the line selector 126 is introduced into the collector decade by the same means as described for the other counter decades. This includes an OR gate 180, the output power of which is fed to an AND gate 184. The output of the AND gate 184 operates a toggle valve 186, the output of which subsequently operates the decade 156 . The transfer toggle valve 170 D, which receives the transfer output of the decade 155 , supplies its switching output to the AND gate 172 D , which when prepared by the bus 111 and the input from a switch 200 S, its output to the OR gate 180 feeds.

From the previous description it can be seen that the number in the input register the system prepares the line selector for the corresponding digits the number corresponds to a number of pulses within the ten-pulse output power of the switching pulse generator. This corresponding number of pulses for each digit is then introduced into a counter, so that this counter contains a number equivalent of the original number in the register. Every time after if ten pulses from the switching pulse generator are fed to the distributor, the number introduced into the numerator is added to the total of the previously introduced Numbers to be added. Therefore, the collector system shown performs a parallel one Addition function by, with a transfer being provided in the event that one of the decade levels fills up. Except for independent use as a parallel adder this can also be used as a multiplying device because the multiplication as repeated parallel addition of a multiplicand as often as required can be performed by the multiplier. Hence the multiplicand into the meters with the help of the input power of the line selector Selection can be introduced, and the multiplier can switch the pulse generator cause a number of switching pulses to be generated which is equal to ten times d.-s is multiplier. The number accumulated in the counter is then the product.

For the purposes of this invention it is necessary to generate a pulse train which is equal in number to the value in the register and in the appropriate time relation to the pulses of a second pulse train which is generated simultaneously by the same device to the longitudinal movement a second coordinate to control. This can be achieved in that an output pulse is fed to the totalizer and the x and y locks each time the total in the counter, which comprises the beam switching tubes 151 to 156 , exceeds a preselected number. The preselected number must be the same for both of the circuits generating the pulse trains in order to maintain the correct timing relationships between the pulses within the corresponding pulse trains. The selected number is a number that is based on the larger of the numbers in the registers of the device shown in FIG. 1.

In order to get the control pulse trains at the highest possible speed, the number is chosen so that the highest number in the registers goes into it at least once, but not more than ten times. Such a number can be chosen manually or automatically. The work is carried out by the arrangement to be described. This includes a reduction factor selector 200, which permits the single excitation of preparing input power for one of the AND-locks 201 to 205. The Untersetzungsfaktorwähleinrichtung in reduction ratio selector 200 can be made to 205 S from the six switches 200 S. Any of the switches 201 to 205 S S may be actuated by one of the AND-Block is fed 201 to 205, a preparatory bias. It will be described that the other input power for each of the AND Block 201 to 205 which generates the output power, the same input power, as it is fed to 151 to 155 to the corresponding beam interrupter decades. All of these AND gate outputs are fed to an OR gate 206 , the output of which is a third input to an OR gate 180 which, will be recalled, is the input OR gate to the decade beam switch tube 156 .

As already mentioned, the working of the reduction factor selector merely to excite a desired one of AND Block 201 to 205 and the switch 200 S. These AND-locks lead to a pulse of the OR-lock 206 for whole multiples of the numbers 1, 10, 100, 1000 and 10,000 accordingly. Assuming the scaling factor selector selected the AND lock 203 as one to prepare, then each time the number entered in the counter exceeds 99 , a pulse would be applied to decade 156. The number 560, 332 initially chosen as an example would not require any of the scaling AND gates to be energized, since each time the number is entered into the counters, the output of the line selector 126 is also fed into the accumulator decade stage 156 . The switch 200 S is normally open to all numbers below 100,000 and limits the introduction to the collection decade only Untersetzungsfaktorwählungen that would not take place if transfers were imported from the decade 155 likewise. The switch S 200 is closed, however, f or numbers that contain six significant digits, which allow insertion of the transmission power output from the AND lock 172 D.

The use of the reduction factor can be viewed either as a type of multiplication by a number greater than one or as dividing the number in the numerator by the value of the reduction factor. As an example of the operation of the arrangement described so far, it is assumed that the number actuating the line selector is 756 and that the AND lock 203 is selected so that the OR lock 206 generates seven pulses when the first ten input pulses are supplied to the distributor beam switch tube after seven pulses during each ten switching pulses and an extra pulse is supplied each time when a transfer between the decades-ray tubes are switching 152 and 153 would be supplied. In other words, every time the sum increases by another hundred, a pulse is applied to decade 156.

For any number that is used to control the line selectors and that has a value up to 9 , it is desirable that the first AND lock 201 be selected by the reduction factor selector. For numbers between 10 and 99 , the second reduction factor AND lock 202 should be selected. For numbers between 100 and 999 , the third reduction factor AND lock 203 should be selected. From this it can be seen in which way the suitable reduction factor can be selected with increasing numerical values. Reference is now made to the outcome of decade 156 . It can be seen that outputs 1, 3, 5 and 7 are all interconnected and connected to an AND gate 210.

The second input power to this AND gate is the output power of cathode follower 182, which is the same as the input power for decade 156. The third input power that must be applied to AND gate 210 in order for it to produce an output is one Input power referred to as the output power p of the pq reduction selector 212. The output power q of the pq reduction selector is fed to an AND gate 214, which is also connected to the output of the cathode follower stage 182 and receives the output power of the fourth number of the decade 156 as the third required input power. The third AND lock 216 can be viewed as a transmit AND lock in that it produces an output power when the decade 156 leaves its number nine. The outputs of the AND gates 210, 214 and 216 are collected by an OR gate 218 , the output of which is fed to the totalizer and the gates controlling the recording channels. In the arrangement described, an output power is obtained from the AND gate 210 when the second, fourth, sixth and eighth pulses at decade 156 occur. The AND gate 214 emits an output power when the fifth pulse to be counted is supplied, while the AND gate 216 produces an output power when the tenth output power is supplied to the decade 156.

If neither of the AND gates 210 or 214 is prepared, then an output power is obtained from the beam switch tube 156 each time it is filled. Should the fill occur relatively quickly, neither the p-speed AND gate 210 nor the q-speed AND gate 214 will be energized, since the output obtained from the OR gate 218 suitably occurs quickly to avoid excessive time delays . This case occurs when the number in the register that controls the line selector consists of a number that, with a suitable selection of the reduction factor by the selector 200 of the decade 156, receives an input pulse for practically every possible transmission from the line selectors 121 to 126 into the counter feeds. These are the numbers 5-9, 50-99, 500-999 , and so on. The q AND latch 214 is energized when the number transmitted into the counters by the line selectors consists of a number that encompasses the decade 156 does not fill up as quickly as desired. These numbers can be thought of as mid-range numbers, such as 2-4, 20-49 or 200-499, etc. These are the numbers that will ordinarily require at least a third of the ten pulses to be supplied to the beam switching distributor 106 before any pulse output power from the OR gate 218 is obtained. Thus, the use of the q-reduction selector goes a long way in keeping the amount of pulses derived at the output of the OR gate 218 fairly high.

For numbers such as 1, 10-19, 100-199 , etc., which require at least six sets of ten pulses to be supplied to the beam switch tube 106 , the p-reduction select AND gate 216 is energized. This allows an output power to be derived from the OR gate 218 on virtually any other number. Therefore, even if the number that energizes the line selectors, along with making the best use of the reduction factor selector 200, causes pulses to be introduced slowly into decade 156 , the amount of output pulses exiting OR latch 218 is kept high. It is understood of course that the reduction selector 212 is the same for all control pulse generation processes in a plant such as that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the modification which is required for the line control pulse generator shown in FIG. 1 when the embodiment of the invention is introduced.

The devices of FIG. 4, which have the same function as those in FIG. 1, have the same reference numerals. Accordingly, the input power from the input machine 10 to the register 14, the register 22 and the corresponding sign sensors 16 and 24 are the same as previously described. The work of the (y, -y,) - coincidence lock 34 in determining the coincidence of the count of the totalizer 40 with the number in the (y, -yl) register remains as already described. Likewise, the work of the (x, -xl) coincidence lock 30 when determining the number coincidence of the value in the totalizer for the x-channel 38 with the (x, -x,) register 14 is the same as already described. Both coincidence lock output powers are fed to the switch-off lock 34, which stops the switching pulse generator at the appropriate point in time.

The changes made to the control pulse generator by the invention include the use of a manifold 106 similar to that shown in FIG. Its four-bus output is supplied to the line selectors 250 for the y-coordinate and the line selectors 254 for the x-coordinate.

This line selector devices contain the same shown to those in Figs. 2 and 3. The information input power for the line selectors 250 is taken from the (y, -y,) register 22. The information input powers for the line selectors 254 are derived from the output power of the (X2-X.) Register 14. It should be pointed out that the corresponding registers can either consist of an electronic circuit, such as the known decade counters or decade tubes of the design described as beam switching tubes, or of relay registers. In any event, as shown in Figure 3 , the number in each digit is used to instruct each line selector to emit a number of pulses equal to the number in the relevant digit.

The line selector outputs are introduced into the collectors 252,256 . Each collector includes those in the Fi'-. 2, consisting of the six beam switching tubes 151 to 156 and the associated circuit. The output of each collector is fed to the respective totalizers 38 and 40 and the respective plus and minus x locks and the plus and minus y locks. The selection of the reduction factor is carried out by the reduction factor selector 200 and by the pq reduction selector 212. The selected reduction factors must be the same for both collectors. As noted, the information to manually adjust the reduction factor selector 200 and the pq reduction factor selector 212 is available because the value of the largest number computed by the input machine 10 in the registers is known.

It should be noted that in Fig. 1, the for the required number from the (x, - x,) register and the number required for the required number has been set by the (y, - y,) register. The outcome of the supplied impulses for the control of the movement along the y-coordinate, while the output of the Provided impulses for the control of the movement along the x-coordinate. In FIG. 4, the collector, whose output power is used for the y-coordinate partial movement control pulses, receives the control information from the (y2-y,) register, while the control pulses used for controlling the movement along the x-coordinate come from a collector 256 which receives the control information from the (x.-xl) register.

The system shown can also be used to generate control pulses can be expanded for more than two coordinate axes. With the three-dimensional Each division counter is arranged again by the collector and its associated Circuit replaced.

A device has been developed which generates pulse trains to control movement along a circular path. At any point in time, the ratio between the frequencies of the pulse trains coming from the division counter is inversely proportional to their division factors. If, instead of repeated division by the same value as in the case of the line generator, the value by which each division counter divides the pulses from the generator is changed over time in accordance with a suitable function, then pulse trains can be generated which the description of a Cause a circle. In the modification contemplated by the invention, the value controlling the line selectors can be changed over time in accordance with a suitable function so that the output power from the collector is pulse trains which cause the description of a circle. Since the general equation for a circle whose center is at point a, b in a coordinate system is known and is equal to (x - a) 2 + (y - b) 1 = rl, the instantaneous inclination at any point on this circle becomes obtained by differentiating this equation, where results. If the quantities (x - a) and (y - b) are made available for the line selector, the output powers from the collectors are the control pulse trains that can be used to generate the curve.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a number function generator for generating control pulse trains which can be used to describe a circle. In fact, FIG. 5 is essentially a component of the aforementioned older system which has been modified according to the invention. In order to generate pulse trains for controlling the movement along two coordinates for the description of a circular path, the location of the center of the circle on the periphery of which the circular path lies, as well as the beginning and the end of this path, must be known. This information is taken from the workshop drawings if such a circular path has to be described. The coordinates for the center of the circle can be denoted by a, b , while the coordinates for the beginning of the circular path are represented by x, y, and the coordinates for the end of the circular path by x, y .

During commissioning of the illustrated embodiment of the invention in FIG. 5 EADERSHIP example of the input machine 300 is first used for calculating the value of x, -a. This is the projection of a radius of the circle drawn between the beginning of the circular path and the center of the circle onto the x-axis. This value and its sign are entered into the value-and-sign register 302 . This register can consist of a beam switch tube counter of the type already described. A representation of the sign is easily obtained as one or the other of the two stable operating states of a tilt valve circuit. The value and its sign are introduced from the register into the x-summing reversing counter 304 and into a sign counter 306. The value of the variable is introduced into the reversing counter. The sign of the variable is introduced into the sign sensor. After the content of the value-and-sign register 302 has been transferred to the x-totalizing counter and the sign sensor 304 or 306 , the connection between the totaling counter and the register is opened. The value of x, -a is calculated according to size and sign and entered into value-and-sign register 302 . This variable is the projection of the radius connecting the end of the circular path with the center of the circle onto the x-axis. This variable is not transferred to the totalizer and the sign sensor, but retained ü-n registers and in the coincidence lock 308. This coincidence lock determines the value of the variable in the x totaling counter 304 and its sign in the sign counter 306 as well as the sign of the number in the y- $ ummierzähler in the sign sensor 316. If the value and sign match those from the value-and-sign register 302 and the sign introduced from the register, then the coincidence lock 308 outputs an output power which this fact of a second coincidence lock 310 and a lock 350 indicates. As a result, lock 350 is closed and further output of pulses to locks 320 and 322 is prevented.

Then the quantity y, -b, the projection of the radius connecting the beginning of the circular path with the center of the circle on the y-axis is calculated and entered into the y-value-and-sign register 312 . From there, the value and the sign are transferred to a y-summing-reversing counter 314 or to the sign sensor 316 . Then the connection between the y-summing counter and its register is opened and the quantity y, -b, the projection of the radius connecting the end of the circular path with the center of the circle onto the y-axis, is calculated. The value of this quantity is then introduced into the coincidence lock 318 from the value-and-sign register 312. If the coincidence lock 318 examines the contents of the sign sensor 316, the sign sensor 306 and the totalizer 314 and determines their equality with the value introduced from the value-and-sign register 312 and the sign register 302, it supplies the coincidence lock 310 with its output power. Thereafter, the coincidence barrier 310 generates a barrier output to turn off the pulse generator 301 and disable the barrier 352, thereby preventing further pulses from being supplied to the barriers 324 and 326.

The locks 320 and 322 feed any input power drawn directly to either the plus or minus channel of the recording medium for the pulse train. The sign sensor 316 determines which of these two locks is opened by its output power representing the sign of the number. The sign sensor 306 controls the plus and minus locks 324 and 326. It should be noted that the sign counter for the x-totalizer the channels for the y-coordinate and the sign sensor for the y-totalizer the channels for the x-coordinate controls. It should also be noted that the output of each sign sensor 306, 316 which controls the respective locks is first applied to a double pole two-way reversing switch 307, 317, respectively. The task of these switches is to determine the direction of movement in which the curved path is to be described. If a clockwise movement is required, both switches are switched to position c, otherwise both switches are switched to position ce. These switches determine which lock and thus which track is opened on which a pulse is recorded. Since the pulse-controlled device works on the basis of pulses in the positive channel in one direction and on the basis of pulses in the negative channel in the opposite direction, the switches at the outputs of the sign sensor can determine the direction of movement.

These sign sensors can consist of toggle valve circuits that from one to the other stable operating state as a representation of a plus or Minus sign and which are actuated when the totalizer, the sign of which the content they represent runs through the zero state. At the The transition from a positive to a negative number will therefore change the number im Reduce the totalizer to zero and then increase it again, and vice versa the number in the totalizer when changing from a negative to a positive Reduce the number to zero and then increase again.

To enable the totalizer to operate in the manner described, i. H. Increase in the manner of 0-1-2-3-4 in going from a positive number through zero to the negative range in place of the usual operation of reverse counters, i.e. H. If a three-digit counter is assumed to go from + 1 through zero to 999 , a reverse lock 305 is provided for the x-totaling counter and an identical reverse lock 315 for the y-totalizing counter. These reverse locks supply the totalizers with pulses of the appropriate polarity to be added to the number in the counter if this is positive and the pulses come from the plus lock or if this number is negative and the pulses are obtained from the minus lock and which are subtracted from the number in the counter when the number is positive and the pulses derived from the minus-lock or if the number is negative and the pulses of the positive lock be obtained.

According to the invention, the pulses for the x-coordinate control are taken from a collector 330 , which is similar to that shown in FIG. Pulses are introduced into the collector from a line selector 332 which receives the dialing information from the y-summing counter (314). To control the movement along the y coordinate, the pulses representing the required movement steps are taken from a collector 334. This collector receives pulses from a line selector 336, the information of which is obtained from the number in the x-summing counter 304. The reduction factor selector 338 serves to divide the output powers of the collector, as does the pq reduction factor selector 340. If the start source 303 is actuated, the pulse generator is enabled to supply the distributor 342 with pulses. The output of the distributor is fed to line selectors 332, 336 which select the pulses and transfer them to the appropriate collectors 330, 334, as previously described. Since the numbers in the corresponding x and y summing counters are constantly changing, the requirement made previously for a curve, namely that the control information for the line selectors be changed according to the requirements of the inclination of the circular path, is fulfilled.

Another requirement for accurate circular interpolation is that the x collector 330 receive a single pulse which is added each time the y summing counter 314 increases the absolute value of the number it contains, while symmetrically the y collector 334 get a single pulse which is added each time the x summing counter increments the absolute value of the number it contains. An AND lock 159 is shown in FIG. 2B, one of whose inputs is connected to the collecting line which distributes the last number of the distributor 106 . The other input power to this AND gate 159 consists of the signal just discussed. The output of the AND gate 159 is fed to the OR gate 160 for addition in one decade. Therefore, a number is added by the collector for every ten counts of the distributor 106 if the other input of the AND gate 159 has been energized at this point in time.

An increase in the absolute value of the number in the totalizer is intended to express that when the number is positive, the positive value of the number increases. If the number is negative, the negative value of the number increases. Reference is now made to FIG. 5 . Uni to determine whether an output power from a collector is to be added or subtracted from the content of a totalizer or not, the locks 305, 315 were controlled according to the previous description in such a way that their output power to or from the value in the associated x- and y-totalizers were added or subtracted depending on the signs of the values in both totalizers. In short, the absolute value in each totalizer is incremented when the output of the associated reverse blocking device is to be added to the value of the totalizer. Therefore, the addition output terminal of the invertor lock 305 is connected to the reset input of a Kippventilkreises 354 and the addition output terminal of the reverse lock 315 to the switching input of a tilt valve 354th If the tilt valve 354 is switched over, its output is fed to the AND gate 159 in the x-collector, and if it is switched back, its output is fed to the AND gate 159 in the y-collector. Since a curve either increases the x coordinate value as the y coordinate value decreases, or vice versa, but never together, the tilt valve 354 is properly operated by the addition outputs of the reverse locks.

After the value of (x, -a) has been introduced into the x-channel totalizer 304 and the value of (x, -a) has been introduced into the x-channel value-and-sign register 302 , and after the value of (y , -a) has been entered into the Y summing counter and the value of (y.-a) has been entered into the value-and-sign register, the reduction factor selectors 338, 340 must then be set. These can be set by setting the largest number that is found in one of the totalizers in the course of the generation of control pulses for the circular path. This largest number can easily be found in the shop drawing that contains the coordinate information for the curve, since it is the point at which the value of either (xa) or (yb) is a maximum. Since a and b are constant, the two points along the curved path at which x and y have their maximum values are the points from which the value can be calculated. This value can then be used to select the reduction factors.

After the reduction factor has been introduced, the device shown in FIG. 5 is ready for operation. The starting source 303 is then energized, after which the pulse generator can begin supplying pulses to the manifold 342. Line selectors 332 and 336 introduce the instructed number of pulses into the collectors which produce output pulses when the sums in the meters within the collectors are equal to or greater than integral multiples of the values determined by the reduction factors. The collector output powers are fed to the x and y channels in accordance with the plus and minus locks. These locks are prepared according to the information derived from the sign sensors 306 and 316. The output powers from the energized barriers are then the required pulse trains that can be recorded. The sign sensors determine the sign of the number in counters 304 and 314. The sign sensors also control the respective reverse locks 305 and 315 so that the outputs from the plus and minus locks are properly added to or subtracted from the numbers in the totalizers .

If the values in the x and y totalizers reach the values of (x, -a) or (y, -b), this is perceived by the corresponding coincidence locks 308, 318 , which then supply the coincidence lock 310 with an output power which lock stops the pulse generator. It should be noted that not only must the value in the totalizers match the values in the registers, but the sign information contained in the sign sensors 306 and 316 must also be the same as the signs of the values in the register.

The improved line and curve function generators work faster in that control pulses can be emitted from essentially ten to twenty-five switching pulses each. Until now, you had to wait until the number of switching pulses was either the same as the number in the register or the number in the totalizer.

According to the previous description, the manually set values for the reduction factor selector as well as for the p and q selector were based on the information available for the input power of the system. Reference is now made to FIG. 6 , which shows an arrangement with the aid of which an automatic selection of the reduction factor is possible, if desired. The arrangement used comprises the regularly used switching pulse generator 400 and a distributor 402 of the type already described, which is operated by the tilting valve 404. The output powers of the distribution beam switching tube, which occur at the first nine output electrodes, are transmitted via collecting lines to the line selectors 406, 408, with which the collectors 410 and 412 are connected. One of these line selectors and collectors can be used to generate output pulses representing the movement steps along one coordinate and the other collector can be used in the same way to generate output pulses representing the desired movement steps along a second coordinate. If further coordinates are to be controlled, further line selectors and Sanmilers can be arranged within the scope of the invention. The reduction factor circuit is represented by the rectangle "Reduction factor 414", when actuated one of the AND locks, as described in FIG. 2, is actuated. The pq reduction factor operator 416 is also used to actuate the pq reduction factor AND locks when required. A set of reduction factor actuators is used for all of the headers in the plant. Different numerical values are fed to the various line selectors 406, 408.

In the event of a straight line, one of these line selectors is ultimately supplied with a control value that is greater than the others. For the best work performance, a reduction factor must be set for the system, at which a maximum of one pulse output to a totalizer is obtained for every ten switching pulse inputs to the distributor 402. This is the basic idea behind an automatic reduction factor selector.

The output power of the switching pulse generator 400 is fed to the two AND gates 420, 422 at the same time. A second input power required for the AND lock 420 consists of the switch-back output power of a toggle valve 424. This is switched back on the basis of an output power from the AND lock 422. The output power from the AND gate 420 is fed to an amplifier 426, the output power of which is fed, among other things, to the tilting valve 404, which operates the distributor beam switch tube 402. If it is to be reduced, a switch 428 is closed for a moment with the effect that a toggle valve 430 is switched over. The output power of this tilt valve is fed to a cathode follower stage 432, the output power of which is fed to an AND gate 434 and a second AND gate 436. AND gate 436 receives a second required excitation input from the output of amplifier 426 and a third excitation input from distributor 402 when it reaches its transition value or nine.

The AND gate 436 leads its output to toggle the Tilt valve 424 and also the AND lock 434, which energizes the AND lock and its output power to the zero reset circuit 438 of the collector counter feeds. This reset circuit is merely an arrangement for resetting all of them Beam switching tubes in all collectors of the system to zero. The reset circuit is described in the literature of the tube manufacturers. In other words, everyone Beam switching tubes in the collectors are switched back to their numbers zero. After switching back, the next switching pulse is generated by the switching pulse generator the AND latch 422, given its out of the zero reset circuit 438 of the collector meter supplied input power is excited and the tilt valve 424 switches back. When the tilt valve 424 is switched back, its output energizes the AND lock 420, with switching pulses derived from the output of the amplifier 426 can be. These switching pulses are fed back to the distributor 402. the The output power of the distributor is fed to the various line selectors, whose output power is introduced into the collector. This way of working is correct with the method of operation described in FIG.

The output of the cathode follower is when the tilt valve 430 is switched, a monostable multivibrator 440 is fed. This drives a tilt valve 442 in its switching state. The output power of the monostable The multivibrator is also fed to a beam switch tube 444 and switches it when they return to their counting state one, a p-reduction factor tilting valve switches 446 µm and a q-reduction factor toggle valve circuit 448 via an OR lock 450 back.

The task of the beam switch tube 444 is to take care of the reduction in storage. If it is switched to its initial state one, an AND gate 452 is supplied with an output power. The second excitation input power for this AND gate 452 is obtained from a further AND gate 454. In order for this lock to be able to generate an output power, it requires the input power from the switching output of the toggle valve 442 and the input power from the cathode follower stage 432. Since both are present, the output power is obtained from the AND lock 452 and fed to a cathode follower stage 456. Their output power is fed to four OR gates 457, 458, 459 and 460. The outputs of these four OR barriers are the decimation input powers for the second, third, fourth and fifth scaling factor AND lock, which are respectively designated in Fig. 2 as an AND Block 202 to 205.

The remaining outputs of the beam switch tube used for the step-down storage and used in the circuit are outputs 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Outputs 1, 2, 3 and 4 are connected to two sets of AND gates. These two AND-locks are the locks for output 1 452 453, for the output 2, the locks 462, 467, the locks 466, 465 and for the output 4, the locks 464 and 463. f or the output 3 The AND The lock to which the fifth output is connected has the reference numeral 468. The sixth output power is derived without an AND lock being required.

The AND gate 452 supplies its output power to all of the OR gates 457-460 via the cathode follower 456. Therefore, the reduction inputs when the counting state one is excited, the beam interrupter excited to AND Block 202 to 205. If the AND gate 462 is supplied with an output power from the beam switch tube in its second counting state, then a cathode follower stage 472 supplies the OR gates 458, 459 and 460 with an output power, the reduction factor AND gates 203, 204 and 205 being energized. If the third counting state of the beam switch tube 444 is reached, then the cathode follower stage 473 is energized from the AND lock 466. As a result, the OR gates 459 and 460 are supplied with an output power with the effect that the AND gates 204 and 205 of the reduction factor selector are energized. If the AND lock 464 receives an output power from the beam switching tube 444 in its fourth counting state, this output power is fed to the OR lock 460, which then excites the AND lock 205 in FIG. From what has been said above it can be seen that the counting state in the beam switch tube at this time of the operation of the system excites the reduction factor AND locks of a higher order than those associated with this counting state.

It has already been stated that the p and q tilt valves 446 and 448 are switched and switched back, respectively, when the monostable multivibrator 440 is operated. This enables the turn-on output of the tilt valve 446 to be supplied to the AND gate 447. If the tilt valve 448 is switched over, its output power is fed to the AND lock 449. A second input power required for these two AND gates is output from the output of the toggle valve 442 when the latter is switched back, which case does not occur until the appropriate reduction factor has been obtained.

In fact, the situation at the beginning when the scaling factors are searched such that pulses of the beam interrupter can be supplied to 156 in FIG. 2, simultaneously with the occurrence of which in one of the decades 152-155. In the first phase of the step-down, each pulse applied to the decade tube 156 is delivered to the output via an AND gate 190 (FIG. 2A) . If the toggle valve 442 is switched back at the end of the first phase, the lock 190 is blocked and only transmission pulses derived from the decade 156 are available.

If the reduction factors are set as described, if one of the number presented to line selectors 406 and 408 exceeds nine (000.009) , an output power from the corresponding collector 410 or 412 occurs via an OR block in the collector (block 192 in FIG 2A) within the first nine switching pulses supplied to the distributor 402. The output of this OR lock is fed to a toggle valve 482 for switching back. The downshift output of this toggle valve is fed to an AND gate 486 via a delay circuit 484. A second input power required for this AND lock consists of a switching pulse from the amplifier 426. A third input power required consists of the output power of the cathode follower stage 432 due to the fact that the reduction toggle valve 430 is in its switching state. The final input power required to AND latch 486 is the output power of distributor 402 when it reaches its ninth count state. At this point in time, the lock 486 emits an output power which is fed to a further AND lock 488.

The AND lock 488 has already been primed by the output of the toggled toggle valve 442. The output of the AND gate 488 is fed to the driver tilt valve 490 for the beam switch tube 444 and switches it to its second counting state. The output power of the AND gate 486 is also fed to the two AND gates 492, 494. The AND gate 492 is energized when it receives the output of the switched-back toggle valve 442 as the second required input. The output of the AND gate 492 switches when the tilt valve 442 is switched back and a pulse is available from the barrier 486, the p-type tilt valve switches back and the q-type tilt valve uni with the q-reduction input power available. It should be noted, however, that the output of the switched-back p-type tilt valve energizes the AND gate 494, whose other two required input powers, which are the same as the inputs to the AND gate 492, are already present. In this case, the AND lock 494 can switch the q-tilt valve 448 back. Therefore, the q reduction input power is removed. If none of the numbers presented to line selectors 406, 408 exceeds nine, then there is no output power from OR latch 480 and the reduction beam switch tube does not advance to its second count state.

The result of the switching operation of the beam interrupter in its second count state excite an input in the decade 156 (Fig. 2A), when the offered a Leitunggswähler number exceeds the value 99 during the next ten distributor pulses as a series of work procedures such as those just discussed j a new trial reduction factor is performed. The collectors are switched back to zero after every ten pulses from the distributor 402. The output power nine of the distributor is fed to the AND gate 436, the other two required input powers consist of the output power of the cathode follower stage 432 and the switching pulse from the amplifier 426.

The output of the AND gate 436 switches the tilt valve 424 around. The output of the AND gate 436 is also passed through the AND gate 434 the zero reset circuit 438, which puts the samplers in their zero state switches back. If the "collector counter zero reset" circuits have switched back the samplers, so the AND gate 42, a preliminary output power is supplied, whereby the Output power of this AND lock when I hit the next switching pulse the tilting valve 41 switches back, after which the distributor 402 receives again switching pulses can be fed. It should be further noted that the output power Neur of distributor 402 was also fed to an AND gate 496, the other of which required input power consists of a switching pulse, which at hiserr. When the output of the AND lock 496 is activated, the toggle valve 482 is switched will.

When an output pulse within dei next counted from the distributor nine pulses spiell off the same operation, as loading wrote. This time the switching tube is switched to its third counting state, which process increases the reduction factor by ten. This sequence can continue until the switch tube reduction memory reaches its sixth count, which would mean that at least one of the numbers presented to the line selectors is 100,000 or greater.

In the event that, in the examination of a consecutive experiment - 480 no output is obtained from the reduction factors OR lock, the tilt valve 482 is switched. Its output power is fed to an AND lock 504, the other two input powers of which consist of the output power of the cathode follower stage 432 and the switching pulse input, which last-mentioned input power for exciting this AND lock for the purpose of outputting an output power is the transmission or output power Nine from the distributor 402. The output of AND gate 504 causes tilt valve 442 to switch back, and AND gates 454 and 488 are no longer energized. This process ends the setting of the appropriate number in the beam switch tube reduction memory and initiates the determination of the appropriate states for the p and q reduction factors.

It should be noted that when the toggle valve 442 is switched back, the cathode follower stage 508 supplies an excitation input power to the AND gates 453, 467, 465, 463 and 468. The AND latch 500 will not output power if the tilt valve 442 is down at this time, since the output will be removed from the AND latch 504 before the downshift is completed. Therefore, the I, # flip valve 430 remains toggled and the delivery of number-representing pulses to the collectors can continue in the manner described. The AND gates 453, 467, 465, 463, 468 are supplied with an exciter output power via the cathode follower stage 508 , so that the already selected reduction factor is effective during the selection of the p or the q reduction factor.

It has already been stated that the output power from each collector (FIG. 2A ) is first derived via an AND gate 190 , the output power of which is fed to an OR gate 192. Furthermore, this lock 190 is prepared by the switched over tilt valve 442. After switching back the toggle valve 442, an output of the collector is obtained from the output of the beam switch tube 156 instead of its input. It was previously noted that the output of the monostable vibrator 440 left the toggle valves 446 and 448 in the toggled and downshifted states, respectively. Since the manifold 402, the collectors 410, 412 and the tilt valve 482 and the associated arrangement continue to operate in the manner already described, the jet switch tube 444 is not advanced because the AND gate 488 is closed.

If the most significant digit in the larger of the numbers fed to line selectors 406 or 408 is one, the OR gate 480 does not emit an output pulse from the distributor 402 before the next ninth count occurs, and the toggle valve 482 remains switched, followed by the AND gate 504 is prepared and the tilt valve 430 can switch back via the AND lock 444 and the AND lock 502 . This process ends the pq reduction process, leaving the AND lock 447 prepared and thus keeping the p lock 210 open.

Is the most significant digit in the larger of the line voters 406 or 408 supplied numbers greater than one, then the OR lock 480 is at least an output pulse before the occurrence of the next. ninth count from the distributor 402 off, and with the toggle valve 482 switched back, the output power is then the AND latch 486 that reaches the ninth count, the AND latches 492 and 494 supplied. The second required input power for the AND lock 492 consists of the downshift output of the toggle valve 442. Thus, can the AND gate 492 supply its output power and the toggle valve 446 switch back and toggle the tilt valve 448. These operations prepare the AND lock 449 and q-lock 214 before, while AND-lock 447 and p-lock 210 are closed will.

If the most significant digit in the larger of the numbers supplied to line selector 406 or 408 is greater than four, then OR gate 480 emits at least one output pulse prior to the occurrence of the next ninth count of distributor 402, which results in an output from the AND gate 486 leads. This output power is used to switch back the tilt valve 448 via the AND lock 494 and the OR lock 450. At the same time, there is an effort to switch the tilt valve via the AND lock 492, but the downshift effect prevails because it is a change from the previous one Is the state of a tilt valve. This prevents the q-lock from becoming effective, which is why an output power from the beam switching tube 156 is only obtained when it is filled.

After the appropriate reduction factors have been selected using the method described above, a feeder duty cycle occurs which causes no output from the OR latch 480 so that the toggle valve 482 is not switched back until the next count nine of the feeder 402. When the next count nine occurs, the AND lock 504 is then energized and passes the next switching pulse coming from the amplifier 426, with the output power of the AND lock 504 running through the AND gates 444 and 502 (both of which were prepared beforehand) and the tilt valve 430 switches back. As a result, amplifier 432 no longer energizes AND gate 436. Shortly before the blocking, the AND lock 436 passes through a pulse, as already described, which switches the tilting valve 424 for the last time and which (via the AND lock 434) actuated the collector counter zero reset circuit 438 for the last time; however, if the toggle valve 424 is switched back (on the next switching pulse), it remains switched back for an indefinite period of time. This process terminates the reduction factor selection process and allows normal computation to continue.

From the description so far it can be seen that the automatic reduction factor selection device shown in FIG. 6 searches for the scale factor which does not generate any output power for the totalizer within the first ten pulses which are fed to the distributor. After determining the appropriate reduction factor, the tilting valve 430 is switched back, and the system can then proceed in the in the Fig. Manner described 4, to generate control pulse trains for describing a rectilinear path and in the in the Fig. Manner control pulse trains described 5 for describing a circular path. Since the straight line and circle generator uses essentially the same equipment but with different cross connections, switching arrangements can be provided so that the same equipment can perform all of these functions.

If in connection with the circular generator the highest number for Determination of the scale factor is to be found automatically, is a trial run carried out. Since the value of the highest number only needs to be known approximately, to set a scale factor by dividing the pulses into tens or hundreds of decades the totalizer of the circular generator instead of being introduced into the unit decade, the counters count tens or hundreds instead of ones. This takes place the trial run much faster than using the ones count. The biggest Counting amount received during the trial run can be displayed on a display device can be read for the meter, or a record can be made, and the highest value reached by the counter can be read from the recording. This value can then be used in the automatic reduction factor selection system Getting the correct reduction factor for the circle must be introduced.

In addition to the possibility of using it to generate control pulse trains for controlling desired movement paths, the arrangement shown in FIG. 2 also represents a block diagram of an adding and / or multiplying device Inputs to the line selectors are added in accordance with the values of these quantities. The decades 151 to 156 give a representation of the sum. In multiplication, the multiplicand is used to energize the input of the line selector, while the multiplier is used to monitor the number of groups of ten pulses generated by the switching pulse source 100. Therefore, if 562 is to be multiplied by 35 , the input power for the line selector 562, after which the switching pulse source is energized, is to deliver 350 output pulses or 35 groups of ten pulses each. There has been described a novel, useful, and improved arrangement of function generating means for generating control pulses for controlling a desired path. The arrangement means progress in that it enables faster work than before. The arrangement is novel and useful, not only for the generation of control pulse trains but also for the rapid implementation of decimal additions and / or multiplications.

Claims (2)

CLAIMS: 1. Numerical function generator with a pulse source for generating several series of control pulses which can be used to control the movement of a working head of a machine along a path which, with respect to coordinate axes, is derived from operating data, which data are stored in registers coupled with counters which determine the operation of the generator, each series of control pulses controlling the movement with respect to a particular axis, characterized by means (121 to 126) which are entered in each counter (151 to 156) when pulses from the pulse source (100 ) introduce a number which is equal to the differential of the equation of said path with respect to a certain coordinate, and through a reduction factor selector (200, 212), which is connected to the counters and affects their operation in such a way that control pulses with the highest possible Speed can be obtained. 2. Number function generator according to claim 1, characterized in that each counter (151) comprises a decade for each digit and that means (160, 162, 164, 166) are provided which convert said selected numbers of pulses into the corresponding corresponding to the digits Introduce decades to set the counter to the stated value. 3. number function generator according to claim 1, characterized in that said number introducing means comprises a counter (106) with a special output for each counting condition and that means (104) is provided which the output power from said pulse source said counter for the purpose of Counting feeds. 4. Number function generator according to claim 3, characterized in that the output of the counter is connected to devices (108, 109, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120), the input powers of different numbers of pulses of different bus lines (A, B, C, D) , which pass the pulses to the line selectors (121 to 126) within a predetermined time interval. 5. Number function generator according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling device supplies selected output powers to different bus lines connected to the line selector, said different bus lines carrying different numbers of pulses within a working sequence of said decade counter. 6. Numerical function generator according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that each of the decade levels is assigned to a different decimal place and has devices which connect each of the outputs of said line selector to the inputs of that decade level which is assigned to the same decimal place. 7. Number function generator according to claim 6, characterized by means (210, 214, 216, 218) for optionally deriving an output power from the last decade (156) of the counter when it reaches a predetermined counting state. 8. Number function generator according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the reduction factor selector (200) supplies the input power supplied to one of the least significant decades of the most significant decade of said counter. 9. number function generator according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that the reduction factor selector (212) automatically controls the devices (212, 214, 216) so that an output power from said most significant decade (156) is only obtained when said individual decade counter level has completed a work sequence. 10. Number function generator according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the working head moves along a straight line which is determined by the data entered in a register (14, 22), which data correspond to the projection of said desired straight path onto a coordinate axis, and in that the output pulses of the most significant decade comprise the train of control pulses for movement along the coordinate axis, the projection value of which was used to energize the line selectors which supply pulses to the counter comprising the most significant decade. 11. Number function generator according to claim 10, characterized by means (10) which in said first register the value of the projection of said path on the first coordinate axis and in said second register the value of the projection of said path on the second coordinate axis introduces, through first and second groups of line selectors (250, 254), each digit in said first and second registers being assigned a line selector and wherein each line selector has means which respond to the value of a supplied number signal and during a counting sequence of the said buses derive an equal number of pulses by first and second counters (250, 254) each comprising a decade associated with each digit position in said respective first and second register, by means for outputting the first and second line selector in said introduce first and second counter decades, the significance relationship between the decades and the line selectors being maintained, by means (200) which sets a reduction factor value for said first and second counters, upon which an output pulse is derived from each first and second counter , by a first and a second totalizer (40, 38), which counters are supplied with input powers from the first and second counters (34, 30) , an output power being generated when the numbers in the first and second totalizers equal the values in the first and second registers, respectively, and by means (54) responsive to said output power for terminating the supply of further pulses, the outputs from the first and second decade counters being the control pulse trains for controlling movement along the first and represent the second coordinate axis. 12. Number function generator according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the working head moves in a circular path which is determined by the data introduced into the register (312, 302) , which data is the value of the projection of the between the center of the circular path and its starting point extending radius correspond to the coordinate axis that the output pulses of a decade of the highest order represent the control pulse train for the movement along that coordinate axis that differs from the coordinate axis whose projection value was used to excite the line selector, which the counter with of said decade of the highest order supply pulses, and that means are provided which supply said output pulses to be counted to a reversing counter which is assigned to the coordinate along which the output pulses control the movement. 13. Number function generator according to claim 12, characterized by a device (300) which introduces the desired data into the register, through first and second sign-and-value registers, to which first and second reversing counters are assigned, through a first and a second sign sensing means (316, 306) for determining the sign of the values in said first and second registers which produce a corresponding output power by first and second groups of line selectors (336, 332), one of which is a line selector of the first and second groups, respectively is assigned to a number position in the first and second reversing counters and is excited by them, each line selector having a device which responds to the value of a number signal fed to its input and derives an equal number of pulses from said bus lines during a counting sequence a first and a second decimal counter, each of which comprises a decade ß, which is assigned to each digit in the corresponding first and second registers, by a device which introduces the outputs of the first and second line voter groups into the first and second decimal counter decades, the significance relationship between the decades and the line selectors being maintained by a Means (338) for setting a reduction factor value for said first and second counters, upon reaching which an output pulse is derived from each of the first and second decimal counters, by means (318, 308) which determine if the values and signs are in the relevant first and second registers equal to the values and signs in the first and second sign sensing means and the first and second reverse counters, and by means responsive to said determining means and further supplying pulses from the pulse source (303) to said ei Each decade counter ended, the outputs from the first and second decade counters representing the control pulse trains for controlling the movement along the first and second coordinate axes, respectively.