Apparatus for controlling position of a plurality of machining shafts each including a machine tool fitted thereto

Claim 1

A setup apparatus for use with a wood-working machine for controlling positions of multiple machining shafts to which machine tools are selectively fitted, comprising: servomotor means for moving each of said machining shafts, and comprising a plurality of servomotors, each driving at least one of said multiple machining shafts, and each having an input terminal; signal generator means, comprising a plurality of signal generators, one for each of said plurality of servomotors and corresponding thereto, for detecting said positions of said multiple machining shafts and for generating position signals corresponding thereto; first selection switch means responsive to setup operation of said servomotors, moving corresponding said machining shafts to setup positions, resulting in generation of setup position signals by said signal generator means in correspondence to said setup positions, for selecting, in succession, the setup position signals from said signal generator means, and for providing same, in succession, as successive setup position signal outputs; memory means, responsive to said successive setup position signal outputs from said first selection means, for memorizing the setup position signals generated by said signal generator means in correspondence to said setup positions together with an information showing the kind of each machining operation, as setup position data; operating panel means for selecting a desired machining operation; central processing means for reading out, in succession, from said memory means said setup position data of each machining shaft for the desired machining operation selected by said operating panel means, and for producing successive control signals successively designating corresponding said servomotors; controller means for generating output signals based on the setup position data read out by said central processing means; servo-amplifier means having an output terminal and responsive to the output signals from said controller means for generating, at the output terminal thereof, an output signal which controls the operations of said servomotors; and second selection switch means responsive to said successive control signals generated by said central processing means for selectively connecting the output terminal of said servo-amplifier means to the input terminal of said successively designated servomotors, each said servomotor being thus controlled so as to move said at least one of said multiple machining shafts to said setup positions.