Abstract: A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably engaging a wheel of the OTV such that the wheel can rotate but the OTV remains stationary. The bearing set is held in a raised position, similar to the operational position of the OTV, by a raised support. The test fixture may also include a reflective tape for use with an optical sensor(s) of the OTV. In this fashion, operation parameters of the OTV such as drive servomotor velocity, current gain, current offset, OTV travel profile, optical sensor op-amp gain, etc., can be tested and calibrated.

Abstract: A computing system for monitoring activity in an automated fabrication facility includes a computer operably coupled to an MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) database having data relating to manufacturing operation events; and the computer also being operably coupled to an AMHS (Automated Material Handling Systems) database having data relating to movement of the work-in-process material lots between the manufacturing operations and the storage operations; and a solver product operatively installed on the computer for processing information regarding timing of the events and information regarding operation of the automated material handling system to generate a report regarding performance of the automated fabrication facility, wherein the report identifies information regarding a sequence of events having occurred in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably engaging a wheel of the OTV such that the wheel can rotate but the OTV remains stationary. The bearing set is held in a raised position, similar to the operational position of the OTV, by a raised support. The test fixture may also include a reflective tape for use with an optical sensor(s) of the OTV. In this fashion, operation parameters of the OTV such as drive servomotor velocity, current gain, current offset, OTV travel profile, optical sensor op-amp gain, etc., can be tested and calibrated.

Abstract: A computing system for monitoring activity in an automated fabrication facility includes a computer operably coupled to an MES database having data relating to manufacturing operation events; and the computer also being operably coupled to an AMHS database having data relating to movement of the work-in-process material lots between the manufacturing operations and the storage operations; and a solver product operatively installed on the computer for processing information regarding timing of the events and information regarding operation of the automated material handling system to generate a report regarding performance of the automated fabrication facility, wherein the report identifies information regarding a sequence of events having occurred in the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably engaging a wheel of the OTV such that the wheel can rotate but the OTV remains stationary. The bearing set is held in a raised position, similar to the operational position of the OTV, by a raised support. The test fixture may also include a reflective tape for use with an optical sensor(s) of the OTV. In this fashion, operation parameters of the OTV such as drive servomotor velocity, current gain, current offset, OTV travel profile, optical sensor op-amp gain, etc., can be tested and calibrated.

Abstract: A method of monitoring activity in an automated fabrication facility in which work-in-process material lots undergo manufacturing operations and storage operations includes tracking processing load and unload times of the lots at each of the manufacturing operations; tracking processing start and stop times of each of the manufacturing operations performed on the lots; tracking movement of automatically guided vehicles and cassettes containing the lots for purposes of transferring the lots between the manufacturing and storage operations; tracking storage load and unload times of the lots stored in the intermediate storage operations; tracking requests for the automated transfer of lots and a time each automated transfer request is made; and combining the processing load and unload times, the processing start and stop times, the storage load and unload times, the times associated with the requests for automated transfer, and information regarding the movement of the guided vehicles to generate a report.

Abstract: A cable attachment assembly, a hoist and a transportation system using the cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly including: a plate pivotable about a first axis; first and second pivot assemblies pivotable about respective second and third axes, the first, second and third axes parallel to each other; a first cable retainer in the first pivot assembly, the first cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a first cable in the first cable pivot assembly, the first cable rotatable about a fourth axis; a second cable retainer in the second pivot assembly, the second cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a second cable in the second pivot assembly, the second cable rotatable about a fifth axis; wherein the fourth and fifth axes parallel to each other and the fourth and fifth axes are perpendicular to the first, second and third axis.

Abstract: A cable attachment assembly, a hoist and a transportation system using the cable attachment assembly. The cable attachment assembly including: a plate pivotable about a first axis; first and second pivot assemblies pivotable about respective second and third axes, the first, second and third axes parallel to each other; a first cable retainer in the first pivot assembly, the first cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a first cable in the first cable pivot assembly, the first cable rotatable about a fourth axis; a second cable retainer in the second pivot assembly, the second cable retainer adapted to rotateably retain an end of a second cable in the second pivot assembly, the second cable rotatable about a fifth axis; wherein the fourth and fifth axes parallel to each other and the fourth and fifth axes are perpendicular to the first, second and third axis.

Abstract: A contour-adaptive particulate material collecting system and method of utilization thereof employed in a facility for the cleaning of an overhead support rail for overhead transport (OHT) vehicles, utilizing a cleaning apparatus which is coupled to an existing overhead transportation vehicle so as to be towed thereby, and wherein the apparatus removes foreign or contaminant materials (FM) from the overhead support rail, which is produced during operation of the facility and by normal wear from internal moving components of the OHT vehicle during operation of the latter.

Abstract: A test fixture for evaluating an RF identification system and related methods for evaluating an RF tag and/or an RF antenna, are disclosed. The test fixture provides predefined RF tag positions that can be used to test: read position, distance and antenna capability and adjustments. By placing an actual RF tag in each of the predefined positions, a read of the tag information can be performed. A three dimensional plot can then be established for the sensitivity field of the antenna. By placing the RF tag in various positions and orientations, the antenna can be adjusted until an optimum field is produced. The invention can also be used to determine RF tag performance within the optimized field.

Abstract: A test fixture for evaluating an RF identification system and related methods for evaluating an RF tag and/or an RF antenna, are disclosed. The test fixture provides predefined RF tag positions that can be used to test: read position, distance and antenna capability and adjustments. By placing an actual RF tag in each of the predefined positions, a read of the tag information can be performed. A three dimensional plot can then be established for the sensitivity field of the antenna. By placing the RF tag in various positions and orientations, the antenna can be adjusted until an optimum field is produced. The invention can also be used to determine RF tag performance within the optimized field.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a method and system for providing dynamic verification and alignment of production tool loadports in an automated material handling system environment. The method includes transmitting light beams from a production tool loadport fixture to an overhead transport vehicle, reading values received from the light beams by a detector mounted on the overhead transport vehicle, calculating an offset value as a result of reading the values, and adding an identification for the production tool to a tool map. The method also includes adding the offset value for the production tool to the tool map and compensating for the offset values without taking the production tool offline by aligning the overhead transport vehicle with the production tool loadport fixture in accordance with the offset value.

Abstract: A hoisting method and device for use in an overhead traveling carriage system are disclosed. The hoisting device includes an engager for engaging an object and a linearly expandable structure coupling the engager to a base point. A single hoist member is coupled at a first end to the engager and at a second end to a motorized drum, coupled to the base point, for substantially vertically retracting and extending the single member. Since a single hoist member is used, the amount of precision machining and technician training are reduced. The linearly expandable structure includes at least one lazy-tong linkage or a telescoping structure, which provides sway stability and compactness. The invention may also include a six-degree adjustment structure that may include a feedback system for use with the linearly expandable structure to provide increased accuracy.

Abstract: A method, system and test fixture for allowing testing and calibration of various operation parameters of an overhead traveling vehicle (hereinafter “OTV”) are disclosed. The invention implements a test fixture that includes a rotatable bearing set for rotatably engaging a wheel of the OTV such that the wheel can rotate but the OTV remains stationary. The bearing set is held in a raised position, similar to the operational position of the OTV, by a raised support. The test fixture may also include a reflective tape for use with an optical sensor(s) of the OTV. In this fashion, operation parameters of the OTV such as drive servomotor velocity, current gain, current offset, OTV travel profile, optical sensor op-amp gain, etc., can be tested and calibrated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to align an invisible light beam sensor, such as an IR sensor, utilizing a visible light beam such as a visible LED or HeNe laser, and provide the ability to visually monitor when the sensor needs adjustment in real time and avoid off line adjustments. Various embodiments synchronize and position both the invisible light beam and the visible light beam to travel the same path to a common desired location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to align an invisible light beam sensor, such as an IR sensor, utilizing a visible light beam such as a visible LED or HeNe laser, and provide the ability to visually monitor when the sensor needs adjustment in real time and avoid off line adjustments. Various embodiments synchronize and position both the invisible light beam and the visible light beam to travel the same path to a common desired location.