Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a component assembling method capable of assembling a plurality of components in a successive manner, in which method faces of each component are contacted successively with two or more reference planes by using the known servo float function as a method for controlling each robot axis.The component assembling method uses a reference table 4 having at least two planes which are a first reference plane 5 and a second reference plane 6 different in the direction of normal line from each other, and a robot system for grasping and moving each component to a given position on the reference table 4.

Abstract: In a semiconductor manufacturing fabrication plant with production to-order type operation, hundreds of devices and various processes are managed. To provide short cycle time and precise delivery to satisfy customer expectations is a major task. A dispatching algorithm named "Required Turn Rate (RTR)" functions according to the level of current wafers in process (WIP) algorithm revising the due date for every lot to satisfy the demand from Master Production Scheduling (MPS). Further the RTR algorithm calculates the RTR of each lot based on process flow to fulfill the delivery requirement. The RTR algorithm determines not only due date and production priority of each lot, but also provides RTR for local dispatching. The local dispatching systems of each working area dispatch the lots by using required turn rate to maximize output and machines utilization.

Abstract: A semiconductor device transporting and handling apparatus is provided which provides for positively grasping and transporting an IC out of a tray loaded with ICs, even if the tray is tilted due to deformations an/or distortions, by the use of a carrier head which is vertically movable through constant strokes. The tilt of the tray is measured by attitude gauging means comprising four sets of optical sensors, the altitude differences of the top surfaces of ICs accommodated in the tray with respect to a reference level are calculated by altitude difference calculating means, and the calculated altitude differences are stored in altitude difference storage means. Once an IC being picked up has been identified, the altitude difference of the identified IC with respect to the reference level is read out, and the position of the tray is moved vertically to conform with the reference level by altitude difference correcting means to insure that the carrier head can pick up the IC.

Abstract: A control system for a sheet handling system having a mailboxing system with a mailbox bin subsystem is provided. The mailbox bin subsystem includes a print receiving bin set with a plurality of print receiving bins, the plurality of print receiving bins being corresponded with a set of bin users. The control system includes a user interface with which one or more print receiving bins of the plurality of print receiving bins are assigned to one of the bin set users, and a controller communicating with the mailbox bin subsystem. In practice the controller: (1) determines, for the one bin set user, a frequency of use value varying as a function of a degree to which the one bin set user uses the one or more print receiving bins to which the one bin set user is assigned, and (2) reassigns one of the one or more print receiving bins to which the one bin set user is assigned when the frequency of use value drops below a preselected threshold and a selected condition is met.