US3642016A

US3642016A - Fluidic system for controlling operation of an apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3642016A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mieczyslaw Budzich; Western Electric Co Inc
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: AT&T Corp
Priority date: 1969-09-15
Filing date: 1969-09-15
Publication date: 1972-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-15

Abstract

A fluidic control system includes a plurality of monostable and bistable fluidic devices arranged to control the operation of a braiding apparatus for placing several layers of braiding material over selected portions of a core.

Description

United States Patent Budzich et al.

FLUIDIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN APPARATUS Filed:

Inventors: Mieczyslaw Budzich, Dundalk, Md.;

Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, NY.

Sept. 15, 1969 Appl. No.: 857,735

US. Cl. ..l37/81.5, 235/201 ME Int. Cl.

Field of Search ..137/8l.5; 235/201 ME, 201 PP,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS NR SUPPLY Smith et al. ..235/20l ME ...23S/20l PF ...235/201 PF Kay ..235/20l ME Feb. 15,1972

Bauer et al. ..235/20l PF Vockroth, .lr... ..l37/8 l .5 Sowers ..l37/8l.5 Bowles et al. ..137/81.5 X

Machmer 137/8 1 .5 Martin ....137/8l.5 X Gianuzzi et al. ...l37/8l.5 X Hatch, Jr. et al. ...l37/8l.5 Harota et al. l37/8l.5 X Rexford ....l37/8l.5 X ONeill ..l37/8l.5 X

Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott AttorneyW. M. Kain, R. P. Miller and Don P. Bush ABSTRACT A fluidic control system includes a plurality of monostable and bistable fluidic devices arranged to control the operation of a braiding apparatus for placing several layers of braiding material over selected portions of a core.

9 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures /8&

PATENTEDFEB 15 I972 3642.016

SHEET 1 [IF 4 /Nl EN 70/? M BUDZ/CH ATTORNEY PATENTEUFEB 15 I972 SHEU 3 [IF 4 X G s PAIENTEBFEB 15 1972 SHEU l 0F 4 wow vi EN OWN FLUIDIC SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION tions switchboard cords, a plurality of insulated conductors are held .together in a substantially parallel grouped arrangement to form a center core for the cord. The parallel grouped conductors are passed axially through a braiding apparatus whereat strand textile material is braided about the conductor core in order to-maintain the conductors in the parallel grouped arrangement in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,997,210 which issued to B. K. Ford and L. L. Weaver on Apr. 9, 1935. Selected lengths of the braided switchboard cord are then assembled with switchboard plugs.

Generally, a single layer of the braided textile material is placed over the conductor core. However, the portions of the braided conductor core which are assembled with the switchboard plugs, require additional layers of braiding material to provide substantial strength for these portions of the braided conductor core and to further provide a product having a diameter which fits substantially snugly within an accommodating sleeve portion of the switchboard plug.

The conductor core is passed through a sleevelike mandrel and adjacent to an area where the textile material is braided onto the moving core. Subsequently, the mandrel is moved with the core to a position adjacent to the braiding area so that portions of the textile material are braided around a tapered tip of the mandrel. Thereafter the mandrel and the conductor core are reciprocated to move the portion of the conductor core, which is immediately forward of the tapered tipof the mandrel, adjacent to the braiding area to effect the application of two additional layers of the textile material onto selected lengths of the conductor core. Successive, spaced lengths of a continuous length of the conductor core are formed with the plurality of braided layers of the textile material with intermediate portions of the conductor core having a single layer of textile material braided thereabout. The continuous lengths of the braided conductor core are taken up onto a reel which is thereafter positioned adjacent to an operators plug-assembly station. The operator, withdraws and severs selected lengths of the braided conductor core from the reel and assembles switchboard plugs with the cords.

In the past, mechanical mechanisms were utilized to move the mandrel through one cycle to facilitate the application of two additional braided layers of the textile material over a first layer of the material which was braided previously about the conductor core. When the conductors of the core were made substantially smaller by utilizing flat ribbon-type conductors rather than round conductors, the size of the conductor core was reduced substantially. Therefore, the conductor core having the single layer of braided textile material is substantially smaller than the previous conductor core having a single layer of braided textile material. Due to the configuration and accommodating components of a switchboard, the miscellaneous plugs used with the switchboard have to be retained at the same original size. Therefore, the portions of the braided conductor core, which are assembled with the switchboard plugs, has to be of substantially the same diameter as was previously required to provide the snug fit of the multilayer braided conductor portion within the associated portion of the plugs.

In order to provide a braided conductor core of sufficient size to be assembled snugly within the'associated sleeve portion of theswitchboard plugs, several layers of the textile material have to be braided over the conductor core to obtain the required product diameter. If the mechanical concept of 2 providing the previous additional layers of braiding material over the conductor core was utilized to provide the several layers now required, the space required and the mechanism necessitated would tend to make the braiding operation less desirable. In addition, the wear of the many mechanical parts which would be required for applying the several layers of braiding material 'about the conductor core and for the time required to operate these mechanical elements would also make such a mechanical system undesirable. Therefore. a need arose for an efficient, fast and economical system for controlling the existing braiding apparatus to braid the plurality of layers of textile material over a. moving core.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide new and improved fluidic systems for controlling the operation of an apparatus.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved fluidic systems for controlling the movement of a core adjacent to a braiding apparatus to facilitate the application of several layers of strand material about selected portions of the core.

Still another object of this invention is to provide new and improved fluidic systems for controlling a braiding apparatus to braid several layers of strand material about selected portions of a continuous length of axially moving core material.

A fluidic system illustrating certain principles of the invention may include a plurality of fluidic devices controlled by a fluidic program disc for controlling the sequential movement of mechanical elements of a braiding apparatus to reciprocate a core selectively adjacent to an area whereat several layers of strand material are braided about selected portions of the core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a communications plug with parts broken away for clarity and having a cord assembled therewith;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a communications cord having a plurality of layers of textile material;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a communications cord showing a plurality of layers of textile material braided about a conductive core;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing an apparatus for applying braided textile material about a moving core;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing features of a mandrel of the apparatus of FIG. 4 for facilitating the application of the several layers of textile material about the moving core;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5 showing the location of cutting element withrespect to the mandrel of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7 through 12 are views showing different positions of the mandrel and adjacent portions of the core with respect to the braiding apparatus during a period when the several layers of textile material are being braided about the conductive core;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are views showing portions of cutting blades with respect to the mandrel to facilitate the release of the textile material from the mandrel so that the braided cord can be moved away from the braiding area;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatical view of a fluidic circuit for controlling the operation of the movement of the mandrel, cutting blades and associated equipment during the braiding of several layers of the textile material onto selected portions of a continuous length of communications cord, and

FIG. 16 is a side view of a program disc used to control the operation of the fluidic circuit.

3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a communications cord, designated generallyby the reference numeral 11, having a-plug, designated generally by the reference numeral 12, connected to one end thereof. I T

The plug12 includes a eenter pin 13 having a tip end 14, an -inner sleeve 16 having a forward end 17 and an outer sleeve 18 having a reduced forward end 19. The center pin 13, inner sleeve 16 and outer sleeve 18 are heldin a spaced relation and separated by'an insulating material.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a portion of the communications cord 11' which includes a core, designated generally by the'reference numeral 21, comprising three insulated, tinsel conductors 22-22 and three stranded lengths of numeral 24, which is braided about the core'in a single layer along selected portions thereof and in multiple layers along other selected portions thereof. The portion of the cord 11 illustrated in FIG. '3 includes several layers 26 through 32 of the braided nylon serving material 24. The

layers

26, 28 and 30 of the nylon serving'material 24 are braided in a coarse weave.

The layers 27, 29and 31 of the nylon serving material 24 are braided in an intermediate weave. The-outer layer 32 of the nylon serving material 24 isbraided in a fine weave.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a section of the communications cord 11 wherein the forward end of the section of the cord is shown with the single coarse layer 26 braided about the core 21, an enlarged intermediate portion, designated generally by the reference numeral 35, of the cord section which includes the multiple layers 26 through 32 and the remaining trailing portion of the section of the cord having the single fine layer 32 braided about the core 21 (FIG. 3 )."When the communications cord 11 is to be assembled with the plug 12 (FIG. 1), the single coarse layer26of the nylon serving material 24 is strippedfrom the cord to expose the insulated tinsel conductors 22-22 and the strands of cotton serving material 23-23 whereafter the exposed cotton serving material is removed and the free ends of the tinsel conductors are connected to tips 33-33 (FIG. 1'). v

Referring again to FIG. 1, the tipped ends of the conductors '22-22 are inserted into an open end of the outer sleeve 18 of theplug 12. The inner wall of the open end of the sleeve 18 is the communications cord 11, which includes the layers 26 through 32 of the braided nylon serving material 24, is insert'ed into the opening, the cord is turned about its axis so that the leading end is literally threaded into the open end of the cotton serving'material 23-23. The core 21' is covered with a nylon serving material, designated generally by the reference threaded. Whenthe leading end of the enlarged portion 35 of sleeve. The tipped conductors 22-22 are then secured to associated ones of the pin 13, inner sleeve 16 and outer sleeve 18. A plastic sleeve 34 is positioned overopen portions of the I

sleeves

16 and 18 and is secured to the assembly of the plug 12 to protect the connections of the conductors 22-22 to the respective elements of the plug. A grommet 36 is positioned over theenlarged portion 35 of the communications cord 11 to serve-as a strengthening member for the portion of the cord conductors 22-22. Therefore, only two additional layers of nylon serving material 24 were required to provide an en-. larged portion of the communications cord 11 which was sufficient to be inserted threadedly into the open end of the sleeve 18. When the tinsel conductors 22-22 are used, the two additional layers previously required are insufficient to provide the necessary diameter in the section of the communications cord 1 1 which has to be assembled threadedly with the sleeve 18 of the plug 12. Consequently, facilitieshad to be provided for the existing braiders to provide the additionally required layers of the nylon serving material 24. In addition, it is desirable to provide a communications cord 11 having an outer layer of nylon serving material 24 whichprovides a tapered appearance from the enlarged portion 35 to the-subsequently trailing portion having the single layer 32 braided about the core 21. The tapered portion of the communications cord '11 provides a neatly braided cord as well as a gripping area for operators who subsequently use the cord while inserting the plug 12 associated therewith into a switchboard receptacle.

Referring now to FIG. 4', there is illustrated a portion of 'an apparatus, designated generally by thereferencenumeral 37, for manufacturing a plurality of the communications cords 11-11 in a single continuous length, It is noted that the apparatus 37 of the type described generally in the previously mentioned US. Pat. No l ,997,'2 10. The apparatus includes a housingj38 and a rotatable platform 39 which supports a plurality of cops 41-41 of the nylon serving material 24.,lt is noted that the platform 39 rotates at a constant speed during the entire operation of braiding the continuous length'ofcords ll-11. The strands of .the nylon serving-material 24 are drawn from the associated cops 41-41 on the rotating platform 39 and into a braiding'area which includes a braiding head, designated generally by the reference numeral 42. The core2l (FIG. 3) of the communications cord 11 is drawn through a hollow mandrel, designated generally by the reference numeral 43, which is positioned axially'within a tube 44 for axial movement relative thereto.'Normally,the core 21 is drawn axially through the mandrel 43 by a capstan 46 so that the strands of the nylon serving material 24 are braided about the moving core in the braiding area. The single continuous length of the plurality of cords 11-11 is subsequently taken uponto a-reel (not shown). 3 I

Referring now to FlG. 5, there is illustrated the tube 44 with portions broken awayto show the mandrel 43 The upper end of the tube,44 is designed to support four radiallyarranged, equally'spaced cutting blades 45-45 (FIG. 6). The mandrel 43 is formed'withaplurality of longitudinal'grooves 47-47 (FIG. 6).formedin the periphery thereof which are, equally spacedthereabout to support-forrelativesliding movement edge portions of associated ones of thecuttingblades 45-45. The upper end of the mandrel 43 is formed with at'apered tip 48, a reduced portion 49 and asho ulder sl which adjoins the tapered tip and the reduced portion. The lower end of the mandrel 43 is formed with external threads to facilitate the adjustable connecting of the mandrelto a chain 52 which is driven selectively by a conventional driving mechanism through a gear ratio box and a selectively controllable clutch mechanism' (all not shown) so that the mandrel can be selectively raised and lowered. The lower end of the tube 44 is connected toan air cylinder 53 so that the tube can be raised and lowered selectively.

mandrel 43 by the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) in a forward direction and at a slow speed. The core 21 is moved adjacent to the area where the strands of nylon serving material 24 are braided about the core to normally form the single layer 32 about the trailing portion of the core of a particular cord 11. It is noted that the singlelayer 32 of nylon serving material 24 is normally braided over the moving core 21 in a fine weave due to the slow speed at which the core passes the braiding area. At some time when it is desirable to apply the several layers 26 through 32 over the core 21, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is controlled to pull the completed portion of the cord 11 through the braiding head 42 (FIG. 4) at a faster 7 rate to initiate a FAST operation so that a short section of the cord which precedes the multiple layer section is provided a with the layer 26 of the nylon serving. material 24 having the coarse weave as illustrated in FIG. 2. 1 1

Referring now to FIG. 8, the mandrel 43 tively by operation of the clutch mechanism which is associated with the chain 52 (FIGS) to move the mandrel up wardly at the fast rate of speed so that the tapered tip 48 of the mandrel passes the braiding area where the strands of nylon 1 serving material 24 are braided about the moving core 21. As

Referring now to FIG. 7, the core 21 is pulled through the is controlled selecthe tapered tip 48 of the mandrel 43 moves past the braiding area, the strands of nylon serving material 24 are braided about the tapered tip and about a portion of the reduced section 49 of the mandrel so that the braided material is formed snugly about the shoulder 51 of the mandrel. It is noted that the portion of the core 21 which precedes the tapered tip 48 of the mandrel 43, as viewed in FIG. 8, is formed with the single layer 26 of coarse braiding as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Subsequently, the clutch mechanism which is associated with the chain 52 is controlled to start a REVERSE operation to move the mandrel 43 downwardly at an intermediate speed to a position as illustrated in FIG. 9. The capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is operated in a reverse direction to permit the mandrel 43 to pull the previously braided portion of the cord 11 in a reverse I direction through the braiding area so that the second layer 27 of nylon serving material 24 is braided about the selected portion of the core 21. It is'noted that the reverse or intermediate speed of the core 21 is adjacent to the braided area as controlled by the pulling movement of the mandrel 43 is at a speed between the slow and fast forward speeds of the core which provide the fine and coarse braiding. Therefore, the reverse speed as accomplished by the retracting movement of the mandrel 43 facilitates the application of the nylon serving material 24 in an intermediate weave such as illustrated in

layers

27, 29 and 31 of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 10, the clutch mechanism associated with the chain 52 (FIG. 5) is again controlled to permit the mandrel 43 to move upwardly and the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is operated in the forward direction so that the coarse layer 28 of nylon serving material 24 is braided over a major portion of the intermediate layer 27 of the nylon serving material. It is noted that the mandrel 43 is not moved to the uppermost position which is illustrated in FIG. 8 so that the layer 28 of the nylon serving material 24 does not cover completely the layer 27.

Referring to FIG. 11, the clutch mechanism which is associated with the chain 52 (FIG.: 5) is again controlled to retract the mandrel 43 and the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is operated in the reverse direction to permit the portion of the core 21 having the layer 28 of nylon serving material 24 braided thereabout to move past the braided area at the reverse speed so that the layer 29 of intermediate weave is braided over the layer 28.

Referring to FIG. 12, the clutch mechanism which is associated with the chain 52 (FIG. 5) is then controlled to move the mandrel 43 upwardly to a position which is lower than the previous upper position illustrated in FIG. 10. The capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is also operated in the forward direction so that the layer 30 of the nylon serving material 24 is braided in a coarse weave about a major portion of the previous layer 29.

Referring to FIG. 13, the mandrel 43 is retracted by control of the clutch mechanism which is associated with the chain 52 (FIG. 5) and the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is operated in the reverse direction to permit the portion of the core 21 having the layer 30 of the nylon serving material 24 braided thereabout to move pass the braiding area so that the intermediate layer 31 of the nylon serving material is braided about the previous layer 30. As the mandrel 43 beings the retracting movement, which is illustrated in FIG. 13, the air cylinder 53 (FIG. 5) is controlled to move the tube 44 upwardly so that the cutting blades 45-45 are moved to an upper position.

Referring to FIG. 14, as the mandrel 43 approaches the retracted position, the prepositioned cutting blades 45-45 engage and cut the strands of the nylon'serving material 24 which have been braided about the tapered tip 48, the shoulder 51 and the reduced portion 49 of the mandrel thereby forming a fishtail section 54 of the trailing end of the

layers

26 and 27 of the nylon serving material. It is noted that tensioning facilities (not shown) are provided to insure that the forward portions of the particular cord 11 remains taut when the strandsof nylon serving material 24 are cut to prevent sudden forward movement and to preclude the application of erratic braiding at this time. The mandrel 43 is then retained in the retracted position and the air cylinder 53 (FIG. 5) is controlled to move the tube 44 to the retracted position. The capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is operated in the forward direction to pull the core 21 pass the braided area at the normal forward slow speed whereby the layer 32 (FIG. 3) of the nylon serving material 24 is braided over the layer 31, the trailing portions of the

layers

27 and 29, the fishtail section 54 of the

layers

26 and 27 and subsequently over the exposed trailing portion of the core 21.

The capstan 46 (FIG. 4) continues to, pull the core 21 through the braided area for a given period of time whereafter the capstan is operated at the faster speed to initiate the FAST operation to facilitate the application of the coarse layer 26 over the core 21 to begin the process of applying the multiple layers of nylon serving material 24 over another selected portion of the core.21. This process is continued whereby numerous selected portions of a continuous length of the core 21 are formed with the multiple layers 26 through 32 of the nylon serving material 24. The takeup reel of the continuous length of braided communications cords 11-11 is positioned adjacent to an assembly bench where an assemblyman cuts selected lengths of the cord from the supply where the leading end of each cord includes the single layer 26 of coarse braiding. The intermediate enlarged portion 35 of each length includes the multiple layers 26 through 32 and the trailing portion of the selected length includes the single layer 32 of fine weave braided over the core 21.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a fluidic control circuit, designated generally by the reference numeral 56, which facilitates control of the speed and direction of the movement of the mandrel 43, the speed and direction of the rotational movement of the capstan 46 and the movement of the cutting blades 45. The circuit 56 facilitates the provision of the two forward speeds, slow and fast, and the reverse or intermediate speed for the core 21 during the braiding of the multiple layers 26 through 32 of the nylon serving material 24 onto the moving core. A program disc 57 is mounted on the end of a shaft 58 and is rotated between spaced portions of a sensing head 59. The spaced portions of the sensing head 59 supports a plurality of pairs of spaced fluidic feedlines which facilitate the control of the fluidic circuit 56. A conventional driving means (not shown) drives a shaft 60 which is connected to a conventional magnetic clutch-brake mechanism 65. The clutch-brake mechanism 65 is connected to the shaft 58 to facilitate normal rotation of the disc 57 when the mechanism is operated to engage a clutch and release a brake and stopping when the brake is engaged and the clutch is released.

Referring to FIG. 16, the disc 57 is formed with a plurality of selectively positioned slots, for example slot 61, which are purposely located to operate the circuit 56 (FIG. 15) in a precise manner and which extend clear through the disc. When the slots of the disc 57 are positioned adjacent to spaced, aligned feedlines, which are supported by the sensing head 59, air is permitted to travel from one feedline on one side of the head, through the slot and into the associated feedline on the opposite side of the head. This facilitates a control of the fluidic circuit 56 in a programmed manner. When the disc 57 is in a rest position, the slot 61 is positioned so that air flows from an input feedline 62 through the slot and into a control feedline 63. The control line 63 is connected to a control input port 64 of a monostable fluidic device 66. Power pressure is applied to a power input port 67 of the fluidic device through a feedline 68 and normally exits into the atmosphere through an output port 69. When air pressure passes through the control line 63, the power pressure of the fluidic device 66 is directed through another output port 71 to a transducer 72 which, in response to a pressure input, provides an electrical signal to be applied to a control coil 73 of a device such as a solenoid. When an electrical signal is applied to the coil 73, the magnetic clutch-brake mechanism 65 is controlled to prevent the disc 57 from rotating.

At this time, when the disc 57 is in a rest position, a slot 76 (FIG. 16), which is formed in the program disc, is also positioned to permit the flow of air from a feedline 77 to a control line'78. The control line 78 is connected to one control input port 79 of a bistable fluidic device 81. Power pressure normally enters an input port 82 of the fluidic device 81 and, due to the pressure input to the control port 79, the power pressure is directed through an output port 83 and into a line 84. The line 84

feeds lines

86 and 87. Line 86 is connected to one control input port 88 of a bistable fluidic device 89 and facilitates the directing of the power pressure from an input port 91 to an output port 92 of the device. The output of the fluidic device 89 is fed to a transducer 93 through a line 94 and the transducer responds to the pressure input by applying a potential to a coil 96 which facilitates the control of the operation of the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) and the takeup reel to insure that both are running at a slow, forward speed to provide a fine weave braid of the single layer 32 of the nylon serving material 24 over the portions of the core 21 which are being braided at the time the disc 57 is in the rest position.

The air pressure, which is directed through the line 87 from the line 84, is connected to one control input port 97 of a bistable fluidic device 98. The input power pressure of the device 98 is directed from an output port 99 to an input port 101 and into the atmosphere. This insures that no power pressure is applied to a transducer 102 which controls a coil 103 for movement of the mandrel 43 (FIG. 7). Therefore, the mandrel 43 is prevented from moving during the period when the disc 57 is in the rest position.

A sensor 104 is connected to an input pressure line 106 and an output pressure line 107 and facilitates the directing of air from the input line to the output line through a space 108 defined by the sensor. The output line 107 is connected to a control input port 109 of a monostable fluidic device 111 and normally directs power pressure, which enters at an input port 112 of the device, into the atmosphere through an output port 113. Another sensor 114 is connected to an input pressure line 116 and facilitates the coupling of the air pressure from the input line to an output line 117 through a space 118. The output line 117 is coupled to an input port 119 of a passive OR fluidic device 121 which is provided with a pair of

output ports

122 and 123. The

output ports

122 and 123 are connected to pressure lines 124 and 126, respectively. The output line 124 is connected to one control input port 127 of a monostable fluidic device 128 and normally directs the power pressure of the device from an input port 129, through an output port 131 and into the atmosphere. The output line 126 is connected to a control input port 132 of a monostable'fluidic device 133 and normally directs the power pressure of the device from an input port 134, through an output port 136 and into the atmosphere. I

An electronic counter (not shown), such as the Series 1836 Predeterming Counter sold by Veeder-Root, Electronics Controls Division of Danvers, Mass, includes an automatic reset and delay and is operated and controlled by the application of a potential to a coil 137. The counter is preset manually to a desired count which corresponds to the procedure for making one cord 11 of the continuous length of the plurality of cords wherein the one cord includes, as shown in FIG. 2, the short leading section having the layer 26 of coarse braiding, the intermediate enlarged section 35 having the multiple layers 26 through 32 and the trailing section having the single layer 32.

The counter starts the control of the rotation of the disc 57 at a ZERO count by electrically disengaging the brake and engaging the clutch of the mechanism 65 for a predetermined length of time to permit the-disc to rotate until the slot 61 (FIG. 16) has cleared the space between the input line 62 and the output line 63 to thereby block the passage between the lines. ,The control pressure'isthus removed from the fluidic device 66 and the power pressure of the device is then directed into the atmosphere through the output port 69. Therefore, the potential is no longer applied to the coil 73 so that the magnetic clutch-brake mechanism 65 is then controlled independently of the electrical control of the counter to permit the disc 57 to continue to rotate under the driving power transmitted through the shaft 60, the clutch-brake mechanism and the shaft 58 until the slot 61 again permits the flow of air between the input line 62 and the output line 63 at the end of the cycle. An electric motor 138 is provided for resetting the disc 57 when the disc has not completed one revolution and it is desired to reset the disc to start a new cycle of operation.

A counter disc 139 is formed with a plurality of equally spaced, radially arranged apertures (not shown) adjacent to the periphery thereof which extend clear through the disc. The disc 139 is linked mechanically to the shaft 60 for continuous rotation so that the apertures of the disc pass through a space of a sensor 141. As the apertures of the disc 139 pass through the sensor 141, air passes through successive apertures and the sensor from an input pressure line 142 to an output pressure line 143 so that a train of pressure pulses are developed thereby and is fed into a control input port 144 of a monostable fluidic device 146. Power pressure is supplied to the device 146 through an input port 147 and, as a result of the train of pressure pulses fed to the control port 144, is directed periodically to an output port 148, through a feedline 149 and into a transducer 151. The periodic application of pressure to the transducer 151 facilitates the application periodically of an operating potential to the coil 137 to operate the counter for one count in response to each pressure pulse. Each pulse corresponds to one-half inch of travel of the core 121. Therefore, the electrical counter is controlled by the disc 139 so that, when a predetermined count is obtained, the counter is automatically reset. Whenthe preset count is reached by the counter, the cycle of making a single cord 11 in the continuous length of the plurality of cords beings by forming the single coarse layer 26 (FIG. 2) of the nylon serving material 24 at the leading end of the particular cord. At this time, the counter is reset to .ZERO and starts counting toward the'preset count again. The counter also provides a signal at this time which controls the clutch-brake mechanism 65 to permit the disc 57 to begin the cycle until the slot 61 moves past the line 62 whereafter the coil 73 is deenergized to facilitate continued rotation of the disc. When the counter reaches the preset count again, the particular cord 11 is completed with the intermediate portion of the cord having the multiple layers 26 through 32 of the nylon serving material 24 and the single fine layer 32 of the nylon serving material covering the trailing portion of the core 21. The counter is again reset to ZERO and again begins to count toward the preset count as the next cord 11 is being formed with the braided nylon serving material 24. This procedure is continued until the continuous length of the plurality of cords 1111isformed. i

As the disc 57 is rotated, a slot 152 (FIG. 16) in the disc is positioned to permit the flow of air between an input line 153 and an output line 154. In addition, another slot 156 (FIG. 16) in the disc 57 is positioned to permit the flow of air between an input line 157 and an output line 158. The output line 154 is connected to one control input port 159 of the fluidic device 81 and directs the power pressure of the device through an output port 161 and into a feedline 162. The feedline 162 is connected to another feedline 163 which is connected to-one control input port 164 of the fluidic device 89 and directs the power pressure of the device to an output port 166 and into a feedline 167. It is noted that this facilitates the removal of the power pressure of the fluidic device 89 from application to the transducer 93 whereby the potential is removed from the coil 96 so that the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is not operating at a slow control input port 171 before the power pressure from the output port 166 of the device 89 reaches the power input port 168 of the device 169 to insure that the power pressure is directed immediately in the proper direction as it enters the device 169. This can be accomplished by placing a delay device, such as a long tube section or a fluidic capacitor (not shown), in the line 167.

When the power pressure enters the input port 168 of the fluidic device 169, it is directed immediately into a feedline 172 through an output port 173 of the device and into one control input port 174 of a bistable fluidic device 176. However, the power pressure has not been applied to the fluidic device 176 at this time. The air pressure in the line 162 is also coupled through a feedline 177 to a control input port 178 of a monostable fluidic device 179. The application of the power pressure to the device 176 can be delayed by using a long tube section or a fluidic capacitor (not shown) in the line 177. This insures that the control pressure applied to the control port 174 reaches the device 176 before the power pressure is applied to the device. The power pressure of the device 179 enters an input port 181 and is directed through an output port 182 and into a feedline 183. The feedline 183 is connected to a power input port 184 of the fluidic device 176 and, since control pressure has been applied to the device through the feedline 172, the power pressure of the device is directed through an output port 186 and into afeedline 187 and into a transducer 188. The transducer 188 facilitates the application of the operating potential to a coil 189 which facilitates the operation of the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) in the forward direction at a fast speed to initiate the FAST operation.

The operation of the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) at the fast speed permits the core 21 to move adjacent to the braiding area at a fast speed sufficient to facilitate the application of the coarse layer 26 of the nylon serving material 24 over the core of the particular cord 11 being formed at that time. Even though the controlling pressure is subsequently removed from the various bistable fluidic devices, the devices remain in the set condition. For example, with the application of pressure through feedline 154 to the control input port 159 of the fluidic device 81, the power pressure of the device is coupled to the line 162 through the output port 161 and remains in this state after the disc 57 has rotated sufficiently to move the slot 152 past the spacing between the

lines

153 and 154 to remove the pressure from the line 154. Thus, the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) has been controlled to operate at a fast speed in the forward direction to provide the coarse layer 26 of the nylon serving material 24 over the core 21 of the cord 11 even though the disc 57 continues to rotate.

Eventually, a slot 191 (FIG. 16) formed in the disc 57 is positioned to permit air to flow from an input line 192 to an output line 193. The output line 193 is connected to a control input port 194 of the fluidic device 98 and directs the power pressure of the device through an output port 196 into -a feedline 197 and subsequently into the transducer 102. The transducer 102 facilitates the application of a potential to the coil 103 which facilitates the operation of the solenoidoperated clutch which links a selected portion of the continuously driven gear box to the chain 52 (FIG. to start the upward movement of the mandrel 43 (FIG. 8) at a speed which is compatible with the speed of the capstan 46 (FIG. 4). As the mandrel 43 reaches an uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 8, the nylon serving material 24 is braided around the tip 48, shoulder 51 and reduced section 49. A plate (not shown) which is associated with the movement of the mandrel 43, is moved into the space 108 of the sensor 104 to block the space between the input line 106 and the output line 107. Since the air pressure in the line 107 has been removed, the power pressure of the fluidic device 111 is now directed to an output port 198 and into a feedline 199. The feedline 199 is connected to a port 201 of a passive OR fluidic device 202 which couples the power pressure through another port 203 of the device and into a feedline 204.

The feedline 204 is connected to a control input port 205 of the fluidic device 169 and directs'the power pressure of the device through an output port 206 and into a feedline 207. The feedline 207 is connected to a control port 208 of the fluidic device 176 and directs the powerpressure of the device through an output port 209 and into a feedline 211. The power pressure, which passes through the feedline 211, is directed into a transducer 212 which facilitates the application of a potential to a coil 213. When the potential is applied to the coil 213, a solenoid is operated to control a reverse drive portion of the gearbox so that the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is stopped and permitted to move in the reverse direction at an intermediate (reverse) speed and thereby initiate the REVERSE operation. In addition, the mandrel 43 (FIG. 9) is also retracted tothe down position. The speeds of the capstan 46 and the mandrel 43 are of such values to maintain, in a ram condition, the portion of the core 21 moving adjacent to the braiding area.

Since the coarse layer 26 of the nylon serving material 24 has been braided around the tapered tip 48, shoulder 51 and reduced section 49, of the mandrel 43, the selected section of the continuous length of the core 21 is pulled back through the braiding area by the retracting mandrel at the intermediate speed to facilitate the application of the layer 27 of intermediate weave of the nylon serving material 24 onto the core as shown in FIG. 9. Since the

fluidic devices

169 and 176 are of the bistable type, the devices remain in the state to which they have been set even though the space 108 of the sensor 104 has been opened by the retraction of the mandrel 43 (FIG. 9) and the pressure has been removed from the feedline 204.

When the mandrel 43 (FIG. 9) reaches the lowermost position, the space 118 of the sensor 114 is blocked so that the air pressure of the line 116 is not coupled to the line 117. Therefore, there is no pressure appearing in the line 124 and the power pressure of the fluidic device 128 is directed through an output port 214 and into a feedline 216. The feedline 216 is connected to a control input 217 of the fluidic device 169 and directs the power pressure of the device through the output 173 and into the feedline 172. The pressure in the feedline 172 then facilitates the directing of the power pressure of the fluidic device 176 through the output port 186 of the device and into the feedline 187. The pressure is then directed into the transducer 188 which facilitates the application of operating potential to the coil 189 to operate the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) in the forward direction and at the fast speed. In addition, the switching of the power pressure of the device 176 to the output port 186 facilitates the removing of the operating potential from the coil 213 to conclude that portion of the reverse movement of the mandrel 43 (FIG. 9) and the reverse speed and movement of the capstan 46 (FIG. 4). This permits the mandrel 43 to be moved upwardly at the fast speed in the forward direction with the forward movement of the capstan 46. The pressure is also removed from the output line 126 whereby power pressure of the device 133 is directed to an output port 218 of the device and into a feedline 219.

The feedline 219 is coupled to a control input port 221 of a monostable fluidic device 222 and normally would direct the power pressure of the device, which enters an input port 223, through an output port 224 and into a feedline 226. However, before the power pressure can be applied to the fluidic device 222, a monostable fluidic device 227 must have control pressure applied to a control input port 228 of the device 227 which would then direct the power pressure of the device 227 from an input port 229 thereof to an output port 231 and into a feedline 232. The feedline 232 is connected to the power input 223 of the fluidic device 222. If more than one reversal is required, there is no control pressure applied to the control input port 228 of the fluidic device 227 and the power pressure of the device is directed through an output port 233 and into the atmosphere. Therefore, when the space 118 of the sensor 114 is blocked, the only reaction of the fluidic circuit 56 at this time is the changing of the direction and speed of the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) from the reverse direction and intermediate speed to the forward direction and the fast speed. In addition, the mandrel 43 (FIG. is again moved in the forward direction with a speed which, in cooperation'with the speed of the capstan 46, keeps the core 21 in a taut condition, At this time, the coarse layer28 is braided about a major portion of the layer 27 leaving only a small trailing portion of the layer 27 exposed.

Before the mandrel 43 (FIG. 10) can reach an upper position which corresponds with the upper position shown in FIG. 8, another slot 234 (FIG. 16) of the disc 57 is positioned to permit the passage of pressure from an input line 236 to an output line 237. The output line 237 is connected to a port 238 of the passive OR fluidic device 202 and facilitates the control of the

fluidic devices

169 and 176 as previously described when an input pressure is applied through the line 204 to the device 169. This facilitates the removing of the operating potential from the coil I89 and the application of the potential to the coil 213. The capstan 46 (FIG; 4) is therebystopped from operating in the forward direction and at the fast speed and again operates in the reversedirection and the reverse or intermediate speed. In addition, the mandrel 43 (FIG. 11) is retracted again, whereby the layer 29 of nylon serving material 24 is braided over the previous layer 28.

As the mandrel 43 (FIG. 11) reaches the lowermost position, the space 118 of the sensor 114 is blocked and the fluidic device 133 is controlled to direct the power pressure of the device to the control input port 221 of the device 222. However, since the fluidic device 227 does not have control pressure applied to the control input port 228, the power pressure of the device continues to be directed into the atmosphere through the output port 233. Therefore, there is no power pressure applied to the fluidic device 222 and the application of control pressure to the control input port 221 of the device has no effect on the fluidic circuit 56 at this time.

In addition, when the space 118 of the sensor 114 is blocked, the power pressure of the fluidic device 128 is permitted to exit from the output port 214 of the device and is coupled to the control input port 217 of the fluidic device 169. This facilitates the switching of the power pressure of the fluidic device 169 from the output port 206 of the device to the output port 173 of the device. The power pressure is then coupled to the control input port 174 of the device 176 and directs the output pressure of the device to the transducer 188 to control the coil 189 whereby the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) is controlled to rotate in'the forward direction and at the fast speed and the mandrel 43 (FIG. 12) is controlled to move upwardly at a corresponding speed to retain the moving core 21 in a taut condition between the mandrel and the capstan. During this period of forward travel, another layer'30 (FIG. 12) of the nylon serving material 24 is braided over a major leading portion of the previous layer 29 leaving only a small trailing portion exposed.

The disc 57 continues to rotate and subsequently positions a slot 239 (FIG. 16) adjacent to the

lines

236 and 237 to control the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) and mandrel 43 (FIG. 13) for the reverse operation procedure which is identical to that previously described when the slot 234 (FIG. 16) of the disc 57 was positioned adjacent to the spaced ends of the

lines

236 and 237. The latter reverse operation facilitates the application of the layer 31 of the nylon serving material 24 over the previously applied layer 30. It is noted that the location of the slot 239 limits the upward movement of the mandrel 43 (FIG. 12) to prevent the mandrel from moving the same distance as the previous upward movement of the mandrel so that the stepped rearward portions of the alternate layers'27 and 29 may be formed.

Another slot 241 (FIG. 16) could be formed in the disc 57 and would, if required, eventually control the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) and the mandrel 43 (FIG. 12) for reverse operation procedure of the mandrel and the capstan after the sensor 1 14 has been controlled to facilitate the forward operation procedure of the capstan and mandrel. However, in the application of multiple layers 26 through 32, the slot 241 would not be required.

It is noted that the disc 57 includes the plurality of

slots

234, 239 and 241 which cooperate with the sensor 1 14 to facilitate the direction and distance of travel of the mandrel 43 as well as controlling the capstan 46 during these periods whereby the stepped trailing portions of the cord 11 are established. The disc 57 can include various combinations of similar types of slots which facilitate the manufacture of selective multiple layers of braided sections in a variety of combinations of stepped arrangements.

The disc 57 (FIG. 16) can be formed with oneor more slots such as

slots

242, 243 and 244 each of which accomplishes the same result and facilitates the terminating of the braiding of the multiple layers of nylon serving material 24 onto the core 21 even though the disc will be permitted to continue to rotate until the slot 61 is positioned to facilitate the stopping of the disc. Input lines 246, 247 and 248 are associated with

feed lines

249, 250 and 251, respectively, and are controlled by the positioning of the

slots

242, 243 and 244, respectively. For example, when the disc 57 is positioned so that the slot 242 is adjacent to the lines 246 and 249, air is permitted to flow from the line 246 and into the line 249. However, the

lines

249, 250 and 251 include

pneumatic switches

252, 253 and 254, respectively, which must be opened manually before the associated

slots

242, 243 and 244, respectively will have any effect upon the circuit 56. The feed lines249, 250 and 251 are each connected to feed line 256 so that the portions of the fluidic circuit 56 which are controlled by the positioning of the slots 242,243 and 244 function identically regardless of which one of the slots is positioned to facilitate the control of the circuit. Therefore, the operation of this portion of the circuit 56 will be discussed with respect to the positioning of the slot 244 which would actually be used to manufacture the particular cord 11 in accordance with movement of the mandrel 43 as shown in FIGS. 7 through 14. However, it is to be understood that the circuit 56 will function in the same manner when either of the remaining

slots

242 and 243 is positioned to control the circuit.

As previously noted, the positioning of the slot 239 (FIG. 16) adjacent to the line 248 facilitates the downward movement of the mandrel 43 as viewed in FIG. 13. The switch 254 has been opened previously while the

switches

252 and 253 remain closed. As the disc 57 continues to rotate, the slot 244 is positioned adjacent to the spaced adjacent ends of the

lines

248 and 251 so that air is directed through the line 256 and into a transducer 257 to facilitate the application of the operating potential to a coil 258 which controls the air cylinder 53 (FIG. 5) to move the tube 44 which supports the four cutting blades 45-45 (FIG. 13) to the upper position. In addition, the air pressure passing through the line 256 is fed into the control input port 228 of the device 227 which facilitates the directing of power pressure through the output port 231 and into the line 232.

The power pressure appearing in the line 232 is fed into the power input port 223 of the device 222. When the mandrel 43 (FIG. 14) reaches the lower portion, the sensor 114 is blocked at this time. Therefore, the power pressure from the fluidic device 133 is directed into the control input port 221 of the device 222 which facilitates the directing of the power presand REVERSE operations, respectively. Also, when pressure is fed into the control port 88 of the device 89, operating potential is applied to the coil 96 to start the SLOW and FOR- WARD operation. The device 98 is controlled to direct the power pressure of the device into the atmosphere to preclude further control of the mandrel 43 at this time. Therefore, the clutch associated with the chain 52 disengages the chain from the gearbox so that the mandrel is now precluded from moving. This procedure establishes the operation of the capstan 46 in the forward direction and at the slow speed and further insures that movement of the mandrel 43 is precluded at this time.

It is noted that, as the mandrel 43 (FIG. 14) approaches the lower position, the cutter blades 45-45 cut the nylon serving material 24 from the tip 48 of the mandrel so that the core 21 and the multiple layers 26 through 31 could be pulled by the capstan in the forward direction and at the slow speed adjacent to the braiding area to apply the fine layer 32 over the multiple layers 26 through 31 and subsequently over the trailing core 21 of the particular cord 11.

The power pressure appearing in line 256 is also coupled to a control input port 261 of the device 128 which facilitates the directing of the power pressure of the device into the atmosphere. This removes the application of the pressure from the device 128 to the control input port 217 of the device 169. Even though the upper sensor 118 is subsequently blocked, the device 128 is still controlled by the air pressure fed to the control input port 261 of the device through the line 256 to prevent the device 169 from being controlled.

The disc 57 continues to rotate until the slot 61 (FIG. 16) is positioned to permit air pressure to How from the line 62 to the line 63 whereby the fluidic device 66 is controlled to facilitate the application of the operating potential to the coil 73 so that the disc ceases to rotate. In addition, the slot 76 (FIG. 16) of the disc 57 is positioned to facilitate the passing of air pressure from the line 77 to the line 78 which is coupled to the control input port 79 of the device 81. This insures that the power pressure of the device 81 continues to be directed to the output port 83 and subsequently into the control input port 88 of the device 89 whereby the power pressure of the device is coupled to the transducer 93. The transducer 93 facilitates the application of the operating potential to the coil 96 which insures that the capstan 46 (FIG. 4) continues to move in the forward direction and at the slow speed. In addition, the power pressure of the fluidic device 81 continues to be coupled to the control input port 97 of the device 98 to direct the power pressure of the device 98 through the output port 101 and into the atmosphere. This condition insures that the coil 103 will not have operating potential applied thereto during the period when the disc 57 has been stopped in the rest position whereby the mandrel 43 is precluded from moving.

It is noted that each of the transducers used in the fluidic circuit 56 include a diaphragm which is moved when the air pressure is applied to the particular transducer. Movement of the diaphragm causes an electrical switch to be closed to connect the output of a potential source to the output terminals of the particular transducer.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluidic control circuit for controlling the speed and direction of movement of a workpiece and at least one movable work element associated with the workpiece, which comprises:

a first fluidic means for controlling the movement of the work element;

a second fluidic means for controlling the speed of the workpiece and the associated work element;

program means for operating the first and second fluidic means during selected periods, and

counter means for selectively initiating at least one cycle of operation of the program means at a predetermined time to move the work element in selected directions and speeds at predetermined intervals during the cycle and to move the work element with the workpiece in selected directions and speeds during at least one of the predetermined intervals of movement of the workpiece.

2. A system for controlling the speed and direction of an article adjacent to a work station to permit the article to be worked upon, which comprises:

first means for normally pulling the article in a first direction in a path adjacent to the work station;

second means for normally pulling the article in a direction opposite to the first direction and in the path adjacent to the work station;

the second means normally precluded from movement;

first fluidic means for controlling the second means to permit the second means to move;

second fluidic means for controlling selectively the first and second means to move the article in a reciprocating fashion in the path adjacent to the work station;

counter means for selectively initiating at least one cycle of operation of the program means at a predetermined time to control the first and second fluidic means to move the article in selected directions and speeds at predetermined intervals adjacent to the work station during the cycle.

3. A fluidic control circuit for controlling a first article moving means to move an article in a first direction in a path adjacent to a work station at least at a first predetermined speed and a second article-moving means to move the article in the opposite direction in the path, at least at a second predetermined speed wherein means are provided for precluding the second article moving means normally from moving the article, which comprises:

first fluidic means for controlling the precluding means to permit the second article-moving means to be moved;

second fluidic means for controlling the first and second article-moving means to reciprocate the article in the path at a first and second predetermined speeds, respectively, selectively;

program means for controlling selectively the first and second fluidic means at selected periods of a cycle of operation of the program means to reciprocate at least portions of the article in the path adjacent to the work station, and

counter means for initiating selectively at least one cycle of operation of the program means at a predetermined time to control the first and second fluidic means to reciprocate at least a selected portion of the article adjacent to the work station at predetermined intervals during the cycle.

4. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3, which comprises:

third fluidic means responsive to the movement of the second article-moving means adjacent thereto for controlling the first and second fluidic means to reverse the direction of movement of the first and second articlemoving means at selected intervals.

5. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3, which comprises:

third fluidic means controlled by the program means for precluding the program means from controlling the first and second fluidic means a predetermined period after the cycle of operation of the program means has been initiated.

6. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3 wherein the program means includes:

a sensor having a plurality of pressure lines connected in one face thereof and a corresponding plurality of pressure lines connected in an opposing face thereof;

the opposing faces of the sensor separated by a space therebctween and each pressure line connected in the one face being aligned with an associated one of the pressure lines connected in the opposing face so that air pressure flows normally from one pressure line, through the space and into the associated pressure line, and

a program element having at least one slot formed therethrough and positioned to be moved selectively within the space of the sensor to block the airflow between the associated pressure lines when the portions of the element other than the slot are adjacent to and between the associated pressure lines and to permit selectively the air to flow between selected associated pressure lines when the slot of the element is adjacent to and between the selected associated pressure lines.

7. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3 wherein the counter means includes:

16 ized to initiate the operation of the cycle of the program means. 8. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3 which comprises:

third fluidic means for operating the first article-moving means at a third predetermined speed during a predetermined period to move the article in the first direction along the path adjacent to the work station when the second article-moving means is precluded from movement.

9. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 8, which comprises:

fourth fluidic means for controlling the first and second fluidic means during the predetermined period when the third fluidic means is operating the first article-moving means to preclude the first and second fluidic means from controlling for movement the first and second articlemoving means during the predetermined period.

Claims

1. A fluidic control circuit for controlling the speed and direction of movement of a workpiece and at least one movable work element associated with the workpiece, which comprises: a first fluidic means for controlling the movement of the work elEment; a second fluidic means for controlling the speed of the workpiece and the associated work element; program means for operating the first and second fluidic means during selected periods, and counter means for selectively initiating at least one cycle of operation of the program means at a predetermined time to move the work element in selected directions and speeds at predetermined intervals during the cycle and to move the work element with the workpiece in selected directions and speeds during at least one of the predetermined intervals of movement of the workpiece.

2. A system for controlling the speed and direction of an article adjacent to a work station to permit the article to be worked upon, which comprises: first means for normally pulling the article in a first direction in a path adjacent to the work station; second means for normally pulling the article in a direction opposite to the first direction and in the path adjacent to the work station; the second means normally precluded from movement; first fluidic means for controlling the second means to permit the second means to move; second fluidic means for controlling selectively the first and second means to move the article in a reciprocating fashion in the path adjacent to the work station; program means for operating the first and second fluidic means during selected periods, and counter means for selectively initiating at least one cycle of operation of the program means at a predetermined time to control the first and second fluidic means to move the article in selected directions and speeds at predetermined intervals adjacent to the work station during the cycle.

3. A fluidic control circuit for controlling a first article moving means to move an article in a first direction in a path adjacent to a work station at least at a first predetermined speed and a second article-moving means to move the article in the opposite direction in the path, at least at a second predetermined speed wherein means are provided for precluding the second article moving means normally from moving the article, which comprises: first fluidic means for controlling the precluding means to permit the second article-moving means to be moved; second fluidic means for controlling the first and second article-moving means to reciprocate the article in the path at a first and second predetermined speeds, respectively, selectively; program means for controlling selectively the first and second fluidic means at selected periods of a cycle of operation of the program means to reciprocate at least portions of the article in the path adjacent to the work station, and counter means for initiating selectively at least one cycle of operation of the program means at a predetermined time to control the first and second fluidic means to reciprocate at least a selected portion of the article adjacent to the work station at predetermined intervals during the cycle.

4. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3, which comprises: third fluidic means responsive to the movement of the second article-moving means adjacent thereto for controlling the first and second fluidic means to reverse the direction of movement of the first and second article-moving means at selected intervals.

5. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3, which comprises: third fluidic means controlled by the program means for precluding the program means from controlling the first and second fluidic means a predetermined period after the cycle of operation of the program means has been initiated.

6. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3 wherein the program means includes: a sensor having a plurality of pressure lines connected in one face thereof and a corresponding plurality of pressure lines connected in an opposing face thereof; the opposing faces of the sensor separated by a space therebetween and each pressure line connected in the one face being aligned with an associated one of the pressure lines connected in the opposing face so that air pressure flows normally from one pressure line, through the space and into the associated pressure line, and a program element having at least one slot formed therethrough and positioned to be moved selectively within the space of the sensor to block the airflow between the associated pressure lines when the portions of the element other than the slot are adjacent to and between the associated pressure lines and to permit selectively the air to flow between selected associated pressure lines when the slot of the element is adjacent to and between the selected associated pressure lines.

7. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3 wherein the counter means includes: an electronic counter which produces an electrical signal output when electrical impulses to the counter reaches a predetermined number; means for generating a train of fluidic pulses where the time between each adjacent pair of pulses represents a desired distance of travel of the article, and fluidic means for receiving the fluidic train of pulses and for generating an electrical impulse for each fluidic pulse to be fed to the electronic counter so that when the predetermined number of electrical impulses are fed to the electronic counter the electrical signal output is utilized to initiate the operation of the cycle of the program means.

8. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 3 which comprises: third fluidic means for operating the first article-moving means at a third predetermined speed during a predetermined period to move the article in the first direction along the path adjacent to the work station when the second article-moving means is precluded from movement.

9. The fluidic control circuit as set forth in claim 8, which comprises: fourth fluidic means for controlling the first and second fluidic means during the predetermined period when the third fluidic means is operating the first article-moving means to preclude the first and second fluidic means from controlling for movement the first and second article-moving means during the predetermined period.