What is GlassMaker?

GlassMaker is a programmable interface for the Litton Automated Glass Blowing Lathe.  The abilities of the individual components that comprise the lathe are presented in one common language.  From GlassMaker, a user may control the I/Os (inputs and outputs) of the Litton Serial Controller, the analog I/Os of the Litton Serial Analog Controller, the CompuMotor motor indexers used for motor control as well as the Litton Serial DC Motor Controller for spindle control.  All controller specific languages are incorporated into the GlassMaker control language.  GlassMaker performs all calculations for the controller languages based on parameters entered by the user in configurations and GlassMaker code.  Once configured, any aspect of the lathe can be controlled through immediate control or automated control using GlassMaker code.

How does GlassMaker work?

GlassMaker has two control perspectives, design time and run time.  GlassMaker can control every aspect of the lathe with the click of a button in design time.  This can be useful for testing the lathe and finding a starting position.  GlassMaker can also create and interpret a set of commands to control the lathe automatically in a programmed sequence during run time.  All commands are available in a set of menus on the main program screen.  When the commands are selected from the menus, GlassMaker will prompt the user for the required parameters to complete the desired command; an in-depth understanding of the GlassMaker code is not required.  Once the GlassMaker Code is written it is compiled into Run Time Code; a combination of custom commands and controller commands.  GlassMaker uses the more powerful, lower profile Run Time Code to determine code execution and lathe control during run time.  The user is not required to have an understanding of how the Run Time Code functions.

How does the automation of the lathe work?

Litton Engineering configures all lathes before shipping based on the needs of the user.  The configuration of GlassMaker must be identical to the configuration of the lathe.  Each controller in the machine has a particular number based on the order in which it appears in the serial connection.  This unique numeric identification is used by GlassMaker to send and receive commands from the controllers that make up the machine.  GlassMaker can determine the type of device in the serial loop and configure the I/Os for immediate control.  Parameters must be entered for motors and analog devices because there is no way to determine what the motors are connected to or what voltage modules are connected to the analog controller.

Once a particular aspect of the lathe is configured, it can be controlled through programmed code or immediate control.  For both run time control and design time control GlassMaker sends a sequence of commands through the serial loop.  Some of the commands are unique to specific controllers and others are universal.  The numeric device number in the command determines what controller executes the command.

During initialization, GlassMaker uses existing information to establish communications with the lathe, preparing it for operation.  If there is nothing currently configured within GlassMaker, it will determine what the controller device types are and configure them as much as possible.  Each device in the serial loop will be assigned a number by the previous device in the serial loop, increment the number and send in to the next device in the serial loop.  Each command sent to the lathe is sent into the serial loop, through each device and back to the computer.  If a command requires a response, the response is extracted from the stream of information returning to the computer.

Typical Serial Loop.  The blue arrows represent the flow of the serial commands through a lathe’s serial loop.  The red numbers represent the device numbers as they appear in the serial loop to GlassMaker.   All commands sent by GlassMaker and all responses from the controllers are returned to GlassMaker.

What is GlassMaker Code?

GlassMaker code is a set of easy to understand commands used by GlassMaker to control all aspects of a lathe.  The GlassMaker language replaces the multiple cumbersome languages required to operate the controllers individually.  With the GlassMaker language, all the devices within the machine work together.  GlassMaker is able to make several controllers, behave as objects that apply to a glassblowing lathe.  For example, a burner or a swing arm is not a device that appears in the serial loop, they are created using devices within the serial loop together.

The individual commands of the GlassMaker code can be renamed using aliases, all devices including controller I/Os, motors, burners, swing arms and lathe properties can be named according to their application, allowing the user to adjust the GlassMaker language to suite their personal preference, language and lathe. 

The GlassMaker Code can be created using a series of user prompts that will ask the user to enter the parameters required to complete the command.  An in-depth understanding of GlassMaker code is not required to control a lathe.  Selecting a command from a menu will initiate a series of dialog boxes that will ask the user what the command should do.  The menus containing commands for GlassMaker code are “Local” and “Remote”.  GlassMaker code may also be entered directly into the program text box, though it is not recommended incase conflicting information is entered inadvertently.  If a GlassMaker command is not entered correctly, the command may not be compiled or executed properly.  GlassMaker is able to detect most errors during compile and will prompt the user to fix the problem to continue compiling the command.  The GlassMaker Code Definition provides a complete list of commands including proper syntax, parameter descriptions, a command functionality description, examples and related topics.  All GlassMaker commands are preceded by an asterisk (*), comments are preceded by a semi-colon (;) and all other commands are sent directly out the serial port into the serial loop.

What is Run Time Code?

Run Time code is used by GlassMaker to control the lathe during run time.  GlassMaker creates Run Time code by compiling GlassMaker code.  Run Time code is a set of commands unique to GlassMaker in combination with controller commands specific to the devices in the serial loop.  The Run Time commands are shorter in length, represented by a letter or character with specific length parameters.  Many GlassMaker commands are compiled into multiple command combinations.  The Run Time Code is executed faster and is more powerful than the GlassMaker Code but it is not as easy to read.  Run Time Code can also be entered directly into the Run Time Code text box to achieve functionality that may not be provided by GlassMaker code. The Run Time Code Definition contains proper syntax, parameter descriptions, command functionality descriptions, examples and related topics.  All Run Time commands are preceded by an asterisk (*). The other commands that make up the Run Time Code are the CompuMotor indexer commands (See “CompuMotor Software Reference Guide” for more information.), Litton Serial Controller Commands, Litton Analog Controller Commands, and Litton Serial DC Motor Commands.  An in-depth understanding of Run Time Code is not required to operate GlassMaker.  Run Time Code can be compiled automatically and completely hidden from the user’s view, making it appear as though the GlassMaker code is being executed.  Comments can also be compiled, giving the user the ability to associate a line of GlassMaker code with a series of lines of Run Time Code.