GB1305993A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1305993 Monitoring processes T TSUGAMI 2 April 1970 [11 April 1969 (2)] 15779/70 Heading G4H In a data processing system for use with a number of production machines, the system distinguishes the particular workpiece being operated upon and feeds the data via a processing unit to a computer in which various parameters connected with the production process such as machine operating time, may be determined. The workpiece being machined by machine tool M1 at a given time, is identified either by the setting of a rotary switch by the operator, or from the control tape for a numerically controlled machine. The code instruction from M1 operates switches C1 which in turn control the output of voltage divider unit B1 which is fed with D.C. power from A. The units C1, B1 comprise a digital to analogue converter which consists of a number of resistors arranged in the form of a ladder (see Fig. 13). The output from units B1 is a voltage level whose value is indicative of the workpiece. This voltage is fed via gates g1 through channel ch1 to gate v1. Gate g1 is open whenever a D.C. voltage is present on one input and whenever a signal from machine M1 is received on the other input. Gate vl is opened by a signal on terminal 3 derived from ring counter 2. The ring counter 2 operates in response to clock pulses generated by pulse generator 4 so that the gates vl, v2 ... vn associated with various machine tools are opened in turn. The output of gate v1 thus comprises a pulse whose voltage height is indicative of the workpiece being operated upon. The pulses from the various machine tools pass through an analogue to digital converter G. The output from G is fed to a code converter H which changes the code into a form suitable for use with a computer. The output of H is fed via an amplifier I to magnetic recording head K and tape punched unit J. Magnetic tape p or punched tape n then carries the information to computer L.