In a method for operating machines (138) with a plurality of shafts (102,
110, 111), in which the shafts (102, 110, 111) are each driven, synchronized
with one another, by individual drive mechanisms (103) belonging to them,
in accordance with an electronic, chronological guide shaft function, which corresponds
to an instantaneous position of a guide shaft L, and the motions of a plurality
of derived shafts (102, 110, 111) are derived from the guide shaft L in
accordance with conversion functions that correspond to respective predetermined
mechanical conversions (106, 107, 108, 109) with respect to the guide shaft
L, it is proposed, in order to improve the method in such a way that-particularly
when there is a large number of shafts to be regulated-simple startup at comparatively
little expense for equipment is permitted, that all the shafts (102) of
at least one group (117) of shafts, which correspond to one another in terms
of the conversion (106, 107, 108, 109), obey an electronic, chronological
following guide shaft function, which corresponds to an instantaneous position
of a following guide shaft F and is formed by linking the applicable conversion
function and the guide shaft function.
