Glassware forming system with star network communication configuration

摘要

A glassware forming system (10) that includes a plurality of electronic devices (18a through 18d) for performing operations on articles of glassware (14). These devices may comprise devices for controlling the glassware forming operation by controlling one or more operating mechanisms of a glassware forming system, or may comprise devices for inspecting articles of glassware for commercial variations that may affect commercial acceptability of the glassware and call for possible adjustment or repair of the glassware forming system. A network interconnects the devices for intercommunication among the devices, and includes a star network hub (24) and conductors connecting the hub to the plurality of devices in a star network configuration for bidirectional communication among the devices through the hub. The star network hub includes a hub controller (26) for controlling operation of the hub according to a CAN bus communication protocol, circuitry (32, 38) for sensing initiation of communication from one of the devices, and circuitry (36, 38, 40 ) for blocking transmission of such communication to the device from which the communication is initiated and enabling communication from the device through the star network hub to all other devices connected to the hub.