Abstract Apparatus for controlling a line of power presses of the type including a flywheel driven by a direct current motor and having a clutch for selectively connecting the flywheel to its respective press drive shaft. The disclosed method comprises energizing the motors and rotating the flywheels while the clutches are disengaged. Thereafter, the speed of rotation of the flywheels is monitored and the excitation of the motors is varied to bring all flywheels to the same rotational speed. The crank or eccentric of each press is positioned at a location so that, considering the inertia of the driven parts of each press, simultaneous actuation of the clutches will cause each press to attain the same rotational speed at substantially the same position of rotation. With the presses rotating at the same rotational speed all the clutches are simultaneously actuated and, thereafter, the angular position of each press crankshaft is measured. After a predetermined time period, variation of the excitation of the motors in response to flywheel speed is discontinued and the excitation is varied in a manner to maintain the presses within a predetermined angular position relationship.
An improved control system providing for a line of presses each including a flywheel driven by a direct current motor and having a clutch for selectively connecting the flywheel to its respective press drive shaft, said system includes: a. master control means selectively connectable for monitoring the speed of rotation of each flywheel and varying the excitation of its respective motor to cause the flywheels to rotate at a predetermined synchronized speed; b. first circuit means for generating a first signal indicative of a desired positional relationship for each press during its operation; c. monitoring means connected with each press for receiving said first signal and generating a second signal indicative of the deviation of the actual position of each press from the desired position; d. second circuit means operable when said master control means is disconnected for varying the excitation of said motors to maintain said desired positional relationship; and, e. third circuit means for simultaneously engaging the clutches when the flywheels are rotating at a synchronized speed and, if the presses are in the desired positional relationship after a predetermined time period, disconnecting the master control means and connecting the second circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An improved control system providing for a line of presses each including a flywheel driven by a direct current motor and having a clutch for selectively connecting the flywheel to its respective press drive shaft, said system includes: a. master control means selectively connectable for monitoring the speed of rotation of each flywheel and varying the excitation of its respective motor to cause the flywheels to rotate at a predetermined synchronized speed; b. first circuit means for generating a first signal indicative of a desired positional relationship for each press during its operation; c. monitoring means connected with each press for receiving said first signal and generating a second signal indicative of the deviation of the actual position of each press from the desired position; d. second circuit means operable when said master control means is disconnected for varying the excitation of said motors to maintain said desired positional relationship; and, e. third circuit means for simultaneously engaging the clutches when the flywheels are rotating at a synchronized speed and, if the presses are in the desired positional relationship after a predetermined time period, disconnecting the master control means and connecting the second circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the master control means includes a variable speed motor driving a tachometer generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the third circuit means includes means for disengaging said clutches if said presses are out of position synchronism by more than a predetermined amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the first circuit means includes means for providing predetermined individual variations in the first signal sent to each respective monitoring means.