Here Bill Otto is shown with the portable keyboard/display terminal that has been used in all 200 previous control systems installed over the past 12 years. All new systems are downward compatible both from use and functionality of this terminal. The terminal is connected to the computer via a long cable such that its position can be in close proximity of a fixer (running diagnostic programs), as well as the operator at the machine.

These same functions and displays are operational via the computer keyboard and color monitor, with obvious additional features available with the color monitor, displaying additional information, patterns, for example.

As mentioned, the portable keyboard/display functions are the same as older models, but also old pattern (diskette) files; older patterns will run on the newer control systems. The portable terminal functions are also operational via the computer keyboard / monitor.

From the rear of the cabinet, the back of the monitor is shown in the top, then the computer, then the interface card rack – cables can be seen at the top of the cabinet. These connect the circuits in the interface card rack to the solenoids on the machine.

Some systems have a servo system under the interface card rack (not shown here) that controls a servo motor on the machine. The servo system operates in sync with the rug pattern such that the backing is advanced in fixed steps. The backing motion begins on the needle upstroke when the needles clear the backing, with motion completion before the needles reenter the backing on the downstroke. The step distance is part of the pattern, and determines the stitch count, as well as eliminating backing motion when the needles are in the fabric.

In the bottom are power filtering, isolation and regulating components. The coil of cables at the bottom connect to position sensors on the machine.

An air system can be seen on the rear door.

The (coiled) ribbon cable shown is connected to the back of the card rack and has a machine wiring interface at the other end, depending upon the application. In this case, there is a solenoid interface pc board with a terminal strip to which machine solenoid wires are terminated.

Any pc board plugs into any slot in the rack. Each pc board has an on-board power supply (regulator/rectifier) for both the pc board power and solenoid power, so as to eliminate the need for two large power supplies that could take out the entire system.