Abstract: A module for use in a system for processing articles, in which the system includes a plurality of machine tools for processing articles, a pod for carrying the articles to be processed by the machine tools from one machine tool to another, a host processing controller associated with the machine tools for controlling the operation thereof, a robot connected to each machine tool for receiving a pod, opening the pod and for transporting the articles from within the pod into position on the machine tool for processing. An identification device is carried by the pod for identifying a particular pod and the articles carried in the pod. The module includes a single wire connection between the identification system, the host controller and the robot. The module has a microprocessor to identify the source of a signal and for routing the signal between the identification system and the host controller and between the host controller and the robot depending on its source.

Abstract: The width of bands to be laminated on a mill train is adjusted by vertical upsetting rollers, resulting, however, in a narrowing at the band ends due to the asymetric material flow there. In order to solve the problem, the upsetting rollers are so designed as to move at the passage of the band ends in keeping with a curve defined according to specified parameters. The parameters are based on neuro-computer made predictions related to the milling process.

Abstract: A method for scheduling the allocation of resources in a semiconductor object processing tool. The method comprises identifying a conflict in a resource allocation schedule for the processing of a plurality of semiconductor objects through the tool over time. The schedule utilizes a fundamental period for scheduling the periodic introduction of the objects into the tool for processing. A conflict arising when a transport mechanism adapted to move the objects to and from the resources in the tool is scheduled to execute more than one transport action in a given time interval. The time blocks associated with the conflict are rescheduled from a present time interval to a different time interval such that the rescheduling of the time block does not violate a post-processing residency constraint for a residency time that the object spends in the resource whose time block is rescheduled.

Abstract: A universal recipe editor is for off-line viewing and editing of semiconductor-manufacturing recipes. The universal recipe editor can read recipes from a wide variety of semiconductor-manufacturing machines from different manufacturers using recipe distributed object model (R-DOM) files. An R-DOM file is generated for each kind of recipe-file format to locate process parameters within proprietary recipe-file formats. The sequence of parameters in the R-DOM file matches the sequence in the recipe data file so that parameters may be mapped from recipe data files for display and editing. ASCII or binary recipe file formats are mapped from the recipe data file using R-DOM objects. Revision and authoring information is kept in a recipe information file for each recipe. Each line of the recipe data file can specify a different process parameter. Security or access rights for each parameter is added for each parameter by including security codes on each line in the R-DOM file.

Abstract: A multiple sensing technology-based occupancy sensor. Ultrasonic and infrared sensors are used to produce first and second occupancy estimator signals that are combined using a fusion based detection algorithm to produce a combined estimator signal. The combined estimator is then used to switch electrical loads when the combined estimator signal is above a predetermined threshold. The result is an occupancy sensor that has a very high probability of occupancy detection and a low probability of false tripping.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling the flow of wafer lots in a semiconductor fabrication facility having multiple storage locations and a fabrication facility employing such techniques are provided. A process and system for controlling the flow of wafer lots within a semiconductor fabrication facility, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, includes determining a first storage location for a wafer lot, determining, prior to moving the wafer lot, an availability condition of the first storage location based on a condition level of the first storage location and a priority of the wafer lot, and storing the wafer lot in the storage location if the location is available and storing the wafer lot in an alternate location if the storage location is unavailable. The storage location may, for example, be a stocker.

Abstract: A paperless tablet automation apparatus and method which utilizes a plurality of portable computer tablets assigned to operators, a central server wirelessly communicating with the tablets, and one or more transceivers connected to the server. The server maintains a plurality of databases. The tablets are in wireless communication with the server through the transceivers. Information for a plurality of jobs assigned to a plurality of operators is collected, processed, stored and accessed. Job information is stored for the plurality of jobs on the server. A tablet is allocated to each operator. At least one of the jobs is assigned to an assigned operator. The operator accesses job information for the job using the allocated tablet. Manufacturing information for each of the jobs is entered by the operator on the allocated tablet and collected, stored and processed on the server.

Abstract: A system for machining a component part having a race groove a along which ball elements run include a machine tool 3 for performing a machining operation on the component part, an acquisition unit 8 for acquiring information related to the machining operation, a control unit 4 for controlling the machine tool 3 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 8, a remote information processor 10 installed at a site remote from the control unit 4, and a communication system 9 for connecting the control unit 4 and the remote information processor 10 through a communication line 12. The remote information processor 10 has a capability of acquiring the information, acquired by the acquisition unit 8, through the control unit 4 and the communication line 12 and transmitting such information to the control unit 4 so that the component part can be machined to suit to a particular machining condition while satisfying a stabilized dimension.

Abstract: A device operable to apply an identification mark to a semiconductor wafer and inspect the applied mark immediately after its application. Engraving information and wafer thickness data are suppled to an engraving device and the engraving operation applies the mark to the wafer accordingly. A camera then reads the applied mark as read information and a comparator compares the read information to the engraving information and an error is determined in an information processing device. In order to maintain efficient operation of the mark application process, the error determined in the information processing device is then used to control the engraving device as it applies identification marks.

Abstract: A method for determining the center (62) of a silicon wafer (54) on a wafer table (14) is provided. The method includes measuring silicon wafer data with a sensor (22). The silicon wafer data is received at a wafer center computing system (38). The coordinates of the wafer center (Xw,Yw) in a wafer table Cartesian coordinate system (72) are computed. The coordinates of the edge of the silicon wafer (54) are then determined from the wafer center coordinates (Xw,Yw).

Abstract: A method of defining a toleranced process based on a nominal process, applicable to any manufacturing process wherein the output is dependent on a process having a number of input factors which are subject to variation, and have a mean and standard deviation. The method comprises the steps of: representing the variability of the response of a system to the current variability of at least one of the factors and at least one tightening factor; evaluating the components against a schedule of tightening factors in an array; modeling the output of the evaluation using interpolation to determine a mathematical function defining the toleranced process; and applying at least one of the models to a fabrication system to complete the toleranced process.

Abstract: Controllers and methods of operating the same are introduced for use with a process facility that includes a plurality of associated processes. An exemplary controller includes circuitry that maintains a range of possible values of at least one measurable characteristic associated with at least one process of the plurality of associated processes, and a processor. The processor is capable of selecting at least one value of the range of possible values from the circuitry in response to one of an input or an output of the at least one process, and generating control data as a function of the selected at least one value of the range of possible values and the input or the output of the at least one process. The controller is capable of using the control data to manage the at least one process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a user interface to a computer-based control system for controlling hydraulic and/or electro-mechanical actuators, or electrical actuators on a power machine. The user interface provides one or more features to increase functionality or usefulness in the user interface. In one illustrative embodiment, the user interface includes a display device, such as a bit-mapped liquid crystal display screen which displays the status of a number of vital functions associated with the power machine. In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the control system senses a number of parameters and records warning conditions associated with the sensed parameters. The user interface can allow the user to view active warning conditions, scroll through active warning conditions and view help screens designed to enhance trouble shooting associated with the active warnings.

Abstract: A computerized medication dispensing station that addresses anesthesia medication management and tracking problems is disclosed. Medications, including narcotic and non-narcotic, and supplies for use in anesthesia, are stored in secured, semi-secured, and unsecured containers of a mobile station. A computer housed in the station is used to track the anesthesiology items that have been removed from the station. For each item removed, the time of removal, who removed it, and to whom it was administered is tracked. Items that are not administered to a patient are returned to the pharmacy or wasted (i.e., disposed in accordance with regulations). Each type of event (administration to a patient, return, or waste) is documented so that a health care institution can track usage of items, including narcotic medications, for use in anesthesia.

Abstract: A production plan is made for a production line for producing finished products from a raw material. Based on the stock number of works in respective process steps at a planning time, the number of works processed at the respective process steps up to the planning time is calculated as the current cumulated processed works of the respective process steps. The target of the stock number of works in the respective process steps at a planned time following a passage of a plan period is calculated based on a target production representing the number of finished products outputted up to the planned time and an average cycle time of production from the raw material to finished products. The target cumulated processed works of the respective process steps at the planned time is calculated based on the target of the stock number of works in the respective process steps.

Abstract: A technique is provided for utilizing a computer system to generate tool paths for the computed aided machining (CAM) in at least four axis of a selected workpiece or part, particularly a complex part having hidden surfaces. The technique involves storing in the computer system both a surface point representation of a workpiece, which representation contains a unique code for each surface point, and a representation of the tool for which the paths are to be generated. The workpiece surface is viewed from a discrete number of orientations and a map of surface points visible from each of the orientations is generated. The map is then used to obtain selected most promising access directions for access to voxels in the delta volume to be removed or for access to surface points for a finishing operation. Such most promising access directions may for example be obtained by thinning an access cone for the voxel/point.

Abstract: While reading and analyzing embroidery data for sewing, when an X-direction moving amount and a Y-direction moving amount are at most predetermined small amounts and seam stop data indicating a finish stitch-concentrated portion where embroidery operation is repeated over three stitches for a seam stop, is detected, an X-direction moving amount of a second one of finish stitch data is changed, the X-direction moving amount of a third one of the finish stitch data is changed, and finish stitch concentration of the seam stop is resolved by dispersing finish stitch positions. As a result, not only cutting of thread and swelling of a seam can be prevented but also a thread tightening operation can sufficiently be carried out by reducing moving distance of embroidery thread during thread tightening.

Abstract: A process change control apparatus that performs a control function based on information from a manufacturing process is provided in a manufacturing process control system. The change control apparatus includes a recorder which records a change item for which a manufacturing process change control is to be performed, information required for a making judgment, a judgment method, an for extracting date from a manufacturing process and recording required information before and after a change point for each change item recorded in the, a statistical comparison judging device which performs a statistical comparison judgment of the information extracted by the information extractor before and after the change point for each change item, and an output device which outputs the result of the comparison judging device.

Abstract: A control device controls to move a chucking mechanism part to a first stop height 451 at a first speed, then at a second speed lower than the first speed before the chucking mechanism part comes in touch with a part from the first stop height, and stop when the chucking mechanism part touches the part, thereby to hold the part. So, a shock to the part when the part is held is reduced in the constitution, and the apparatus becomes light-weight because of the elimination of a shock-absorbing mechanism, hence realizing high-speed mounting.

Abstract: A method for compensating for static friction in an actuating device includes the steps of generating an actual signal y2(t) corresponding to a quantity which is controllable by the actuating device, generating a set value signal y1(t) generating a control signal s1(t) based on the set value signal y1(t) and the actual value signal y2(t), and supplying the control signal to the actuating device for controlling the same. The method also includes the steps of generating an intermittent signal s2(t) compensating for friction, sensing the sign of the derivative with respect to time of the control signal s1(t), giving the signal s2(t) compensating for friction the same sign as the derivative, and adding the signal s2(t) compensating for friction to the control signal s1(t) before supplying the same to the actuating device.