Abstract: Method, system and program product are disclosed for determining productivity for a tool including a plurality of processing modules. The invention provides an understanding of a relationship between measured variables and overall tool speed by calculating computational components for any empty module, any module speed diversity and any idle tool event, i.e., the potential productivity detractors for the tool. An overall productivity based on each of the computational components may also be determined.

Abstract: This invention entails a data analysis system and method that was developed to specifically address the unique issues in understanding the capacity components of multi chamber systems. The analysis system expresses all components of capacity loss for all chambers in each tool in terms of a full tool equivalent (FTE). The analysis system measures how long the tool is available with only 1 chamber, 2 chambers, etc. working. It then combines that data with the WIP states to accurately determine the production, idle-no-WIP, idle-no-operator, and down components of a full tool.

Abstract: A computer system, computer program product and method for evaluating manufacturing line performance includes determining tool status, determining lot status and combining the tool status and the lot status to produce status codes. The status codes include a running code a tool down code a no operator code; and a no work-in-process code.

Abstract: This invention entails a data analysis system and method that was developed to specifically address the unique issues in understanding the capacity components of multi chamber systems. The analysis system expresses all components of capacity loss for all chambers in each tool in terms of a full tool equivalent (FTE). The analysis system measures how long the tool is available with only 1 chamber, 2 chambers, etc. working. It then combines that data with the WIP states to accurately determine the production, idle-no-WIP, idle-no-operator, and down components of a full tool.

Abstract: A process for optimizing a manufacturing line comprises determining work center raw processing times of a plurality of work centers in the manufacturing line, summing the work center raw processing times to produce a manufacturing line raw processing time, determining work center cycle times of the work centers, dividing the work center cycle times by respective ones of the work center raw processing times to produce work center X-factors, weighting each of the work center X-factors by a percentage that a corresponding one of the work center raw processing times represents of the manufacturing line raw processing time to produce X-factor contributions for each of the work centers and modifying at least one work center of the work centers having an X-factor contribution higher than others of the X-factor contributions to reduce the X-factor contribution of the at least one work center.

Abstract: An improved centrifuge, including a main wheel for rotating objects to be subjected to centrifugal force about a main axis of rotation, is disclosed. Such objects are simultaneously rotated about a second axis of rotation from a first to a second position, and the centrifuge is improved by the inclusion therein of multiple reversing induction motors including a stationary stator and multiple induction rotors attached to the main wheel that eliminate electrical slip rings or mechanical linkages as controls for effecting the rotation of the objects from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A teleprinter includes a carriage for conveying a dot matrix-type print head along an operating path parallel to a print-receiving surface. The carriage is mounted on parallel-spaced support rods by means of spaced bearings slidably engaged to one of the support rods, and a pair of perpendicularly-aligned guide rollers which engage the other guide rod. The carriage is advanced by a drive belt which extends along the carriage operating path and is attached to the carriage at either end. A stepper motor coupled to one of the pulleys drives the belt to position the carriage. A removable cartridge on the carriage contains an inked ribbon which is advanced with movement of the carriage by a drive gear engaged to the drive belt. A unidirectional clutch prevents the inked ribbon from moving in a reverse direction during carriage return.

Abstract: A dot matrix-type print head for forming a character-defining array of individual dots on a print-receiving surface includes a plurality of parallel-spaced print wires arranged in a vertical plane perpendicular to the print receiving surface. The print wires are individually actuated by respective actuator assemblies which each include a stationary portion consisting of an end plate, a bobbin, a solenoid winding, and a spring, and a movable portion consisting of a magnetic armature attached to the associated print wire. Upon energization of the solenoid winding the resulting magnetic flux displaces the magnetic armature and causes the print wire to impact the print-receiving surface.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a motor having a plurality of electromagnetic field windings adapted to be separately energized by switching circuitry to control rotation of a rotor in the motor. Digital circuitry generates a plurality of logic signals, one for each respective motor field winding to cause the switching circuitry to energize the field windings in a two phase on mode, a one phase on mode, or in one of a plurality of fractional phase on modes. A signal command source provides a plurality of digital signals to select or gate the desired phase on energization mode of the field windings in response to a feedback signal derived from detecting rotary movement of the rotor. Related methods of controlling a multi-phase motor with digitally generated variable phase modes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor control system for use in a high speed teleprinter or the like for controlling the rotational position and movement of a rotor, and apparatus driven by the rotor, by detecting back EMF induced into an unenergized field winding by rotational movement of the rotor. The output and input terminals of a first amplifier responsive to a first motor control signal, and a second amplifier responsive to a second motor control signal, are reactively coupled such that the amplifiers respond to either motor control signal to develop a signal simulating the signal into an unenergized winding of the motor due to mutual inductance with an energized winding. A differential voltage comparator provides a feedback signal indicative of motor performance upon comparing the simulated signal with the signal actually induced.

Abstract: A descender printing system for a dot matrix printer, comprising a detector for detecting code words representative of descender characters (lower case letters, punctuation, fractions, etc.) prior to printing, and shift means for actuating the line feed mechanism of the printer to advance the paper by two or more dot heights and thereby print the descender elements of such characters below the normal base line. The shift means again actuates the line feed mechanism to return the paper to its original position when the next non-descender character is to be printed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the print rate of a column-sequential dot matrix printer actuated by an input signal comprising a sequence of code words occurring at a given maximum input rate, a print head and a print head drive operating at a speed determined by the frequency of a print rate timing signal, and a multi-stage FIFO input storage register. A multiplicity of constant-frequency print rate timing signals are generated, ranging in frequency from substantially below to substantially above a normal print rate frequency Fn approximately matched to the input rate, and a variable print rate timing signal progressively increasing in frequency from well below Fn to well above Fn is also generated; these signals are applied to the printer in accordance with a predetermined schedule, determined by the number of code words in storage at the beginning of each spacing character cycle, and in accordance with a program affording relatively smooth acceleration and deceleration of the print head.