Inventors:
Daniel B. French - Florence KY
Richard E. Brookshire - Cincinnati OH
Joseph W. Schnelle - Cincinnati OH
Assignee:
Cincinnati Milacron Inc. - Cincinnati OH
International Classification:
G06F 1546, G05B 1942
Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for controlling the execution of functions associated with the automatic operation of a manipulator. While traditional function execution has been associated with arrival of a workpoint at or proximate to a predetermined point, the present invention provides for plural function execution between predetermined points. Two alternative embodiments are provided: a first embodiment controls a single output interface type and is unrelated to functions associated with predetermined points; a second embodiment provides multiple executions of any function normally associated with a predetermined point. Spacing between function executions associated with either embodiment is controlled as a function of distance specified by the operator. To produce a desired spacing, feedrate reduction is automatically effected in the event a programmed feedrate is incompatible with a specified function execution interval.