Glassware forming apparatus with distributed control

Claim 1

In a glassware forming machine of the type including a plurality of machine sections each having a set of machine components for receiving gobs of molten glass and molding the glass into glassware articles, said sections operating in phased relationship within cycles of operation, an electronic control system for controlling the operation of said machine components comprising: a section controller, for generating a series of timing signals for at least one section to define actuation and deactuation times within the machine cycle; a machine controller for providing set-up parameters representative of operational set-up information for at least one of said machine components; at least one mechanism controller for a given machine section, for controlling the operation of a given machine component thereof, said mechanism controller containing: a control program for that component; a processor; timing input port means for receiving the timing signals from said section controller; set-up input port means for receiving the set-up signals from said machine controller; and input interface means for providing actuating signals to at least one machine component, wherein said control program processes said timing signals in accordance with the set-up parameters to produce at least one control signal for the machine component; a bidirectional asynchronous communications link between said machine controller and said mechanism controller, for passing set-up parameter signals from said machine controller to said mechanism controller, and for passing alarm signals from said mechanism controller to said machine controller (1) to signal alarm conditions identified by said control program or (2) to cause said machine controller to download said setup parameters.