Thomas Fitzgerald Robbins

US Patent:

54916470, Feb 13, 1996

Filed:

Oct 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/320837

Inventors:

Michael J. O'Brien - Carrollton TX
Robert M. Carabbio - Highland Village TX
Bill Hemsath - Carrollton TX
Kevin D. Knussmann - Carrollton TX
Thomas C. Robbins - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Signature Technologies, Inc. - Carrollton TX

International Classification:

B30B 1526
G06F 1900

US Classification:

36455102

Abstract:

A process controller disposed to monitor and control a press. The controller monitors an appropriate variable at the press representative of the force produced at the workpiece upon which the press is operating, and compares this force to historical force data associated with the position at which the force was sampled. The historical data is stored in the form of control arrays, where the control arrays are calculated based upon one or more signature arrays stored during satisfactory press operations upon a similar workpiece. The calculation of the control arrays takes into account the deviations in the variables monitored at the press, which may include force and position. While monitoring the press based upon the HIGH and LOW control arrays, each force value is compared to the values in the HIGH and LOW control arrays at the time of sampling. The press controller is configured to monitor and control a high speed press and provides control functions during the particular press cycle in which unacceptable sample is taken.