Glass cutting is generally carried out on an XY table by a glass scoring wheel automatically oriented to point in the current
cutting direction by the AMC . This is achieved by configuring the AMC tool rotation axis to be
tangential to XY movements. Automatic cutter lift at corners is controlled by separate AMC parameters, specified in degrees.
Rectangular and complex shapes can be accurately cut; these are generally programmed on a remote computer using a CAD program.
No special commands have to be embedded into the part programs; the AMC continually looks ahead
through the part program data, to compute the optimum cutter speed.
Manual and automatic glass cutter 'load/unload' machines are available. Automatic loading and unloading machines utilise PLC sequences
that make use of built in AMC Programmable Logic Control 'PLC' inputs and outputs. These monitor and control associated machine
status signals, actuators, and conveyors. Glass that is already cut is conveyed off the cutting table to a break out table. New
glass sheets are then dropped on to the loading conveyor, then transported to the cutting table and precisely positioned prior
to being cut.
PLC sequences are generated using the AMC Event Subroutine Editor supplied with each AMC controller at no extra cost. PLC sequences generally comprise of; output commands, input monitoring commands,
labels, conditional execution commands implementing conditional jumps to labels, machine movements, and messages for operators. Other commands
are also supported.
PLC event subroutines are essentially macro programs that are automatically invoked by the AMC as the respective
event occurs. Currently 24 different events are supported, some have associated conditions e.g. tool number. Supported events include: Execution
Start, Execution End, Execution Stop, Tool Down, Tool Up, Pre Datum, Post Datum, Analog On, Analog Off, Key Press, and Input Level. |
