Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are related to polycrystalline textured materials exhibiting heterogeneous templated grain growth, methods of forming such materials, and related systems. An example of a method of forming a polycrystalline textured material exhibiting heterogeneous templated grain growth includes providing a plurality of seeds. The method also includes aligning at least some of the plurality of seeds (e.g., single-crystal seeds) so that a selected crystallographic orientation of at least some of the plurality of seeds are substantially aligned with each other. Additionally, the method includes positioning the plurality of seeds in a powder matrix. The method then includes pressing the plurality of seeds and the powdered matrix to form a green body. Further, the method includes sintering the green body at a temperature that is sufficient to grow a plurality of grains from corresponding ones of the plurality of seeds to form the polycrystalline textured material.

Abstract: A system for detecting a status of a pocket of a tray includes a tray having a plurality of pockets that hold an integrated circuit device, a vision mechanism, a light line generator, a reflective device, and a controller. The vision mechanism images the tray along a first optical axis. The light line generator emits a light line along a second optical axis. The reflective device reflects the light line onto the tray along a third optical axis. The third optical axis has a different angle relative to the first optical axis than an angle between the first optical axis and the second optical axis. The controller receives an image of the tray from the vision mechanism, detects the light line reflected onto the tray along the third optical axis, and determines a status of a pocket based on the detected light line along the third optical axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device holder including a device placement area configured to hold an electronic device, and a shoulder extending peripherally around the device placement area; a laser line generator configured to generate a laser line that includes (i) a device placement area laser line portion, and (ii) a shoulder area laser line portion; a camera configured to obtain an image of at least the laser line; and a processor configured to: receive the image from the camera, determine (i) an angle of the device placement area laser line portion, and/or (ii) an offset between the location of the device placement area laser line portion and the location of the shoulder area laser line portion, and determine whether an electronic device is positioned in the device placement area or positioned incorrectly in the device holder.

Abstract: A system for detecting a status of a pocket of a tray includes a tray having a plurality of pockets that hold an integrated circuit device, a vision mechanism, a light line generator, a reflective device, and a controller. The vision mechanism images the tray along a first optical axis. The light line generator emits a light line along a second optical axis. The reflective device reflects the light line onto the tray along a third optical axis. The third optical axis has a different angle relative to the first optical axis than an angle between the first optical axis and the second optical axis. The controller receives an image of the tray from the vision mechanism, detects the light line reflected onto the tray along the third optical axis, and determines a status of a pocket based on the detected light line along the third optical axis.

Abstract: A vision alignment system for a test handler system includes a transfer mechanism that transfers a device from an input side to a test side, a contactor array positioned at the test side, and a pick-and-place device that moves the device from the transfer mechanism to the contactor array. An engagement mechanism on the pick-and-place device engages with alignment devices on the transfer mechanism and contactor array. To avoid positioning the vision alignment system in the test side, a first vision mechanism is positioned away from the test socket and determines the position of the device in a common local coordinate system, a second vision mechanism is positioned at an output side and determines a position of the contactor array in the local coordinate system, and the correction mechanism corrects a position of the device based on an offset between the positions in the coordinate system.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional inspection of leads mounted on an integrated circuit device includes an integrated circuit device, a first light source having a first color, a second light source having a second color different from the first color, a RGB color camera and a processor. The first light source is disposed at an acute angle to the integrated circuit device, and is configured to illuminate the leads such that lead shadows are created in a first color plane. The second light source is disposed in front of a surface of the integrated circuit device on which the leads are mounted, and is configured to illuminate the leads in a second color plane. The camera is configured to image the illuminated leads and lead shadows. The processor is configured to analyze the first and second color planes of a single image to detect three-dimensional bent leads.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a device holder including a device placement area configured to hold an electronic device, and a shoulder extending peripherally around the device placement area; a laser line generator configured to generate a laser line that includes (i) a device placement area laser line portion, and (ii) a shoulder area laser line portion; a camera configured to obtain an image of at least the laser line; and a processor configured to: receive the image from the camera, determine (i) an angle of the device placement area laser line portion, and/or (ii) an offset between the location of the device placement area laser line portion and the location of the shoulder area laser line portion, and determine whether an electronic device is positioned in the device placement area or positioned incorrectly in the device holder.

Abstract: A system for detecting characteristics of a surface includes multiple sources of lights, a platform structure configured to support the surface, a lens aligned with the platform structure, a cropping aperture, and an image receiver. The platform structure is configured to receive light from the source of light and the lens is positioned such that the source of light is not in focus, but the detected surface is in focus. The cropping aperture is configured to crop light reflected from the surface, and the image receiver is configured to receive the light conditioned by the cropping aperture.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional inspection of leads mounted on an integrated circuit device includes an integrated circuit device, a first light source having a first color, a second light source having a second color different from the first color, a RGB color camera and a processor. The first light source is disposed at an acute angle to the integrated circuit device, and is configured to illuminate the leads such that lead shadows are created in a first color plane. The second light source is disposed in front of a surface of the integrated circuit device on which the leads are mounted, and is configured to illuminate the leads in a second color plane. The camera is configured to image the illuminated leads and lead shadows. The processor is configured to analyze the first and second color planes of a single image to detect three-dimensional bent leads.

Abstract: A system and method for processing, i.e., sampling and tracking, plant material requires the ability to identify each plant in a plurality of plants. Initially, samples are taken from selected plants and are collected in respective storage locations in a magazine. During sampling, the identity of the plant source for each plant sample is stored. Further, the identity of each storage location receiving a plant sample is stored. Subsequently, the samples are transferred from the storage locations and are placed in respective wells of a receiving member for further downstream processing. Again, the identity of each well receiving a plant sample is stored. As a result, a plant sample in a well can be traced back to its plant source.

Abstract: A system for detecting characteristics of a surface includes multiple sources of lights, a platform structure configured to support the surface, a lens aligned with the platform structure, a cropping aperture, and an image receiver. The platform structure is configured to receive light from the source of light and the lens is positioned such that the source of light is not in focus, but the detected surface is in focus. The cropping aperture is configured to crop light reflected from the surface, and the image receiver is configured to receive the light conditioned by the cropping aperture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing plant material samples and a transfer station designed for use in such systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, a plant-material sampling device, and a transfer station. The plant-material sampling device is configured to communicate with the controller and to read an identifier of a plant. The sampling device also has a removable magazine, and is designed to take at least one plant sample from multiple plants, place such samples in the magazine, and track the identity of the plant from which each sample is taken. The transfer station is configured to hold, at multiple positions, multiple magazines and multiple trays such that the positions of the magazines are mirrored by the positions of the trays, read an identifier of each magazine, read an identifier of each tray, map storage locations for each one of the magazines to storage locations of one of the trays, and sequentially unload plant samples from the magazines to the trays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a device with a contactor is provided. The apparatus includes a pick and place device, for transporting the device. A first camera acquires an image of the device relative to device holder fiducials of the pick and place device. A second camera detects the location of the contactor relative to fiducials positioned on an alignment frame plate. A third camera to image frame and device holder fiducials to correlate the first and second camera coordinates. Given a processor determines the alignment difference between the device and the contactor. A plurality of actuators align the device with the contactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing plant material samples and a transfer station designed for use in such systems and methods. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, a plant-material sampling device, and a transfer station. The plant-material sampling device is configured to communicate with the controller and to read an identifier of a plant. The sampling device also has a removable magazine, and is designed to take at least one plant sample from multiple plants, place such samples in the magazine, and track the identity of the plant from which each sample is taken. The transfer station is configured to hold, at multiple positions, multiple magazines and multiple trays such that the positions of the magazines are mirrored by the positions of the trays, read an identifier of each magazine, read an identifier of each tray, map storage locations for each one of the magazines to storage locations of one of the trays, and sequentially unload plant samples from the magazines to the trays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a device with a contactor is provided. The apparatus includes a pick and place device, for transporting the device. A first camera acquires an image of the device relative to device holder fiducials of the pick and place device. A second camera detects the location of the contactor relative to fiducials positioned on an alignment frame plate. A third camera to image frame and device holder fiducials to correlate the first and second camera coordinates. Given a processor determines the alignment difference between the device and the contactor. A plurality of actuators align the device with the contactor.

Abstract: A system and method for processing, i.e., sampling and tracking, plant material requires the ability to identify each plant in a plurality of plants. Initially, samples are taken from selected plants and are collected in respective storage locations in a magazine. During sampling, the identity of the plant source for each plant sample is stored. Further, the identity of each storage location receiving a plant sample is stored. Subsequently, the samples are transferred from the storage locations and are placed in respective wells of a receiving member for further downstream processing. Again, the identity of each well receiving a plant sample is stored. As a result, a plant sample in a well can be traced back to its plant source.

Abstract: An automated drill bit sharpening and verification system employing one or more electronic optical assemblies for gathering orientation data of a drill bit to be sharpened. The drill bit is rotated and aligned to a grinding assembly based on the orientation data. The orientation data of the drill bit may be gathered by illuminating a cutting tip of the drill bit with an illumination ring. Additionally, the orientation data of the drill bit may be gathered by capturing two views (e.g., orthogonal views or front and side views) of the cutting tip of the drill bit.

Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

Abstract: A completely automated apparatus for verifying the identity and geometry of drill bits, re-sharpening the cutting tip of a drill bit and re-positioning a locating ring upon the shank portion of the drill bit subsequent to the re-sharpening of the cutting tip thereof. The apparatus comprises a housing having a pair of cassette trays, a pair of grinding assemblies, a pair of optical assemblies, a pair of primary cleaning assemblies, a pair of secondary cleaning assemblies, a pair of inversion assemblies, a pair of workhead assemblies, a bumping assembly, and a loader assembly attached thereto. The workhead and loader assemblies are used to transport drill bits between the cassette trays and other assemblies in a selected sequence which is controlled and coordinated by a programmable control device. The control device is electrically interfaced to each of the assemblies and allows the cutting tip re-sharpening and locating ring re-positioning processes to be conducted simultaneously on at least two drill bits.

Abstract: A spout control system controls and aims a spout and a spout cap of a crop harvesting vehicle with respect to a separate crop hauling vehicle moving with the harvesting vehicle. The control system includes a video camera which is mounted on the cap and which views a field of view which includes a portion of the hauling vehicle. An image signal generated by the camera is received by an image processing unit. The image processing unit processes a digitized form of the image signal and automatically generates spout and cap control signals as a function thereof. Actuators automatically aim the spout and the cap in response to the control signal.