Alan J Fleming

US Patent:

41005970, Jul 11, 1978

Filed:

Apr 2, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/673161

Inventors:

Alan J. Fleming - Poughquag NY
Larry W. Holmstrom - Boca Raton FL

Assignee:

International Business Machines Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1546

US Classification:

364474

Abstract:

A system for controlling a plurality of machine tools in which the central processor communicates data transactions to and from a plurality of tool controllers, each of which is operatively associated with a machine tool. Each of the controllers comprises at least one machine tool control unit which is adapted to provide a digital output to the associated machine tool for controlling a particular tool function and/or for receiving from the machine tool a digital input indicative of a particular tool condition. The central processor has connected thereto a main multiple-channel data bus for conducting data transactions by transferring parallel bits of data to and from the processor. The system also includes a plurality of multiple-channel unit data buses, each of which is connected to one of the tool control units. Data distribution apparatus in the system couple the unit data buses to the main data bus from the processor and serve to distribute the processor transactions to and from the specific tool functions of the controlled machine tools. This data distribution apparatus includes means responsive to a set of of distribution signals from the central processor for selectively activating one of the tool control units and for selectively activating only the data path from the main data bus through the unit data bus which is connected to the particular selected tool control unit.

US Patent:

40694887, Jan 17, 1978

Filed:

Apr 2, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/673011

Inventors:

Robert M. Fiorenza - Shelbourne VT
Alan J. Fleming - Poughquag NY
Ralph J. Gerlach - Austin TX
Larry W. Holmstrom - Boca Raton FL
John C. Pace - Wappingers Falls NY

Assignee:

IBM Corporation - Armonk NY

International Classification:

G06F 1546

US Classification:

364474

Abstract:

A system for controlling a plurality of machine tools in which the central processor communicates data transactions to and from a plurality of tool controllers, each of which is operatively associated with a machine tool. Each of the controllers comprises at least one machine tool control unit which is adapted to provide a digital output to the associated machine tool for controlling a particular tool function and/or for receiving from the machine tool a digital input indicative of a particular tool condition. The central processor has connected thereto a main multiple-channel data bus for conducting data transactions by transferring parallel bits of data to and from the processor. The system also includes a plurality of multiple-channel unit data buses, each of which is connected to one of the tool control units. Data distribution apparatus in the system couple the unit data buses to the main data bus from the processor and serve to distribute the processor transactions to and from the specific tool functions of the controlled machine tools. This data distribution apparatus includes means responsive to a set of distribution signals from the central processor for selectively activating one of the tool control units and for selectively activating only the data path from the main data bus through the unit data bus which is connected to the particular selected tool control unit.