Abstract: Provided is a transport vehicle system SYS1 in which: an overhead transport vehicle includes a main body, a holder, a lift driver, and a lateral extender; a port pitch P is less than the overall length VL of the overhead transport vehicle in an extending direction D; and a first portion, which is raised or lowered by the lift driver moved in a lateral direction by a lateral extender, of an overhead transport vehicle stopped at a first position P1 on a first track for transferring an article W to a first transfer location S1 is offset in the extending direction D from a second portion, which is moved in a lateral direction by means of the drive of a lateral extender, of an overhead transport vehicle stopped at a second position P2 on the second track for transferring an article W to a second transfer location S2.

Abstract: A crossbow correction device 16 for correcting crossbow of a steel strip S by a magnetic force during conveyance includes a plurality of electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d arranged in a strip width direction of the steel strip S and facing each other so as to sandwich the steel strip S in a strip thickness direction, a moving mechanism 51 to 54, 61 to 64 capable of moving the electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d relative to the steel strip S, and a controller 17 configured to operate the moving mechanism 51 to 54, 61 to 64, based on a current value flowing through the electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d.

Abstract: The invention provides an autonomous vehicle with a video camera that merges images taken a different light levels by replacing saturated parts of an image with corresponding parts of a lower-light image to stream a video with a dynamic range that extends to include very low-light and very intensely lit parts of a scene. The high dynamic range (HDR) camera streams the HDR video to a HDR system in real time—as the vehicle operates. As pixel values are provided by the camera's image sensors, those values are streamed directly through a pipeline processing operation and on to the HDR system without any requirement to wait and collect entire images, or frames, before using the video information.

Abstract: A substrate gripping hand which grips a substrate with a disc shape, includes a base plate, and a guide member provided at the base plate, and having a L-shape when viewed from a horizontal direction, the guide member having a shape in which a base end portion of a bottom surface has a horizontal portion and a first corner portion which is a corner portion formed by the bottom surface and an inner wall surface has a curve line shape.

Abstract: In a substrate processing apparatus, a transport robot which transports a substrate between an indexer part and a substrate processing part is installed in a substrate transport part. The transport fan filter unit is provided in an upper part of the substrate transport part. An exhaust port is provided in the substrate transport part. The circulation piping allows the exhaust port of the substrate transport part and the transport fan filter unit to communicate with each other. The exhaust pipe is connected to the circulation piping. The inert gas supply part supplies an inert gas to the circulation piping. The circulation fan filter unit is disposed downstream of a connecting portion of the circulation piping with the exhaust pipe to be parallel to a flow path of the circulation piping.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods of manufacturing an article using electroadhesion technology for the pick-up and release of materials, respectively.

Abstract: Wafer alignment with restricted visual access has been disclosed. In an example, a method of processing a substrate for fabricating a solar cell involves supporting the substrate over a stage. The method involves forming a substantially opaque layer over the substrate. The substantially opaque layer at least partially covers edges of the substrate. The method involves performing fit-up of the substantially opaque layer to the substrate. The method involves illuminating the covered edges of the substrate with light transmitted through the stage, and capturing a first image of the covered edges of the substrate based on the light transmitted through the stage. The method further includes determining a first position of the substrate relative to the stage based on the first image of the covered edges. The substrate may be further processed based on the determined first position of the substrate under the substantially opaque layer.

Abstract: A deviation amount is a difference between a first error that occurs when an article is placed on a first transfer destination by a first transport vehicle and a second error that occurs when the article is placed on a second transfer destination by the first transport vehicle. An nth error that occurs when the article is placed on an nth transfer destination other than the first transfer destination and the second transfer destination is acquired. In an mth transport vehicle other than the first transport vehicle, a stop position of an mth traveling body is corrected by the nth error and an mth-1 error occurring when the article is placed on the first reference platform, or by the nth error and an mth-2 error as well as the deviation amount, the mth-2 error occurring when the article is placed on the second reference platform.

Abstract: There is provided a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate, including: a storage part provided on an uppermost portion of the substrate processing apparatus and on which a substrate accommodation container for accommodating the substrate is placed; and a first transfer device configured to directly or indirectly deliver the substrate accommodation container between the storage part and a loading/unloading part, wherein the loading/unloading part is configured to place the substrate accommodation container thereon in the substrate processing apparatus and to load and unload the substrate into and from a processing part of the substrate processing apparatus, and the first transfer device is configured to deliver the substrate accommodation container with respect to an overhead hoist transport that moves above the substrate processing apparatus.

Abstract: A tape drive system as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device and a method for operating the tape drive system. A tape drive is connected to a native connector disposed in a wall of a housing. The native connector enables an external connection to the tape drive. A single board computer is operated in a dimension of a credit card. The single board computer includes at least one integrated communication interface selected from Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, and combinations thereof. Data is transferred to and from the tape drive via the at least one integrated communication interface, wherein if the at least one integrated communication interface includes Ethernet and/or USB, then a connector related to the Ethernet and/or USB is provided in a wall of the housing. The tape drive, the single board computer, the native connector and the related connector are provided in the housing.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an apparatus, system and method for providing an end effector. The end effector may be capable of accommodating semiconductor wafers of varying sizes, and may include: a wafer support; a bearing arm capable of interfacing with at least one robotic element, and at least partially bearing the wafer support at one end thereof; a plurality of support pads on the wafer support for physically interfacing with a one of the semiconductor wafers; and a low friction moving clamp driven bi-directionally along a plane at least partially provided by the bearing arm, wherein the low friction moving clamp retractably applies force to a proximal edge of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A production line for making tangible products by layerwise manufacturing. The production line comprises: (i) a first and a second building platform for carrying a tangible product; (ii) a deposition head for providing a layer of construction material onto the building platforms; (iii) a conveyor for conveying the building platforms in a conveying plane towards and away from the deposition head repeatedly; and (iv) height adjustment means to adjust the distance between the deposition head and the building platforms by displacing the building platforms relative to the conveyor in a direction perpendicular to the conveying plane. The production line may further comprise a picking unit for picking a product from the building platforms.

Abstract: A production line for making tangible products by layerwise manufacturing. The production line includes: first and second movable carriers, each carrier comprising a transporter for transporting the carrier, and a building platform for supporting a tangible product, one or more deposition heads for depositing construction material in a deposition direction onto the building platforms, and a conveyor for conveying the first and second building platform towards the deposition head and away from the deposition head repeatedly. The first and the second transporter are movable at variable speeds relative to each other along a trajectory of the conveyor. Optionally, the height of the building platforms can be adjusted.

Abstract: A touch panel module includes a substrate, a sensor layer disposed on the substrate, a first glue layer disposed on the sensor layer and an anti-electromagnetic interference layer disposed on the first glue layer. The touch panel module with anti-electromagnetic interference can be formed independently, and may be combined with other electronic device to form a touch device, thereby reducing the thickness of the touch device and simplifying the process steps.

Abstract: Described in detail herein are methods and systems for an intake and transport system. A computing system can identify a physical object based on an attribute associated with the physical object. The computing system can determine a storage location of the physical object in the facility based on the attribute. In response identification of the physical object computing system can transmit an identifier to an autonomously controlled cart. The identifier corresponds to at least one of the attribute or the storage location. In response to receipt of the identifier activating an autonomously controlled cart can generate an indicator to indicate that the physical object is to be placed in the autonomously controlled cart. The autonomously controlled cart can autonomously navigate to the storage location in response to determining that the threshold capacity has been satisfied.

Abstract: The supply device includes a rotating table. The supply device includes a plate-shaped member configured to move bolts placed on the table and a plate-shaped member configured to discharge bolts to the outside of the table. A replenishment region to which bolts are replenished is set in a first rotation region of the table. A discharge region from which the bolts are discharged is defined in a second rotation region. The plate-shaped member is configured to move bolts from the first rotation region to the second rotation region.

Abstract: A substrate conveyance robot is provided with a robot arm capable of elevating; a substrate holding device mounted to the robot arm; and a substrate detection unit for detecting a substrate held by the substrate holding device. The substrate detection unit has a substrate sensor for detecting the substrate and a sensor elevating unit for scanning a region including a position where the substrate is arranged by elevating the substrate sensor without elevating the robot arm. Thus, the substrate in a device provided with an opening having a small dimension can be detected without hindrance while preventing collision of the robot and the device.

Abstract: A substrate transfer device for transferring a first substrate and a second substrate to a bonding apparatus configured to bond the first substrate and the second substrate, includes a first holding part configured to hold the first substrate from an upper surface side, a lower surface of the first substrate serving as a bonding surface, and a second holding part provided below the first holding part and configured to hold the second substrate from a lower surface side so that the second substrate faces the first substrate, a upper surface of the second substrate serving as a bonding surface to be bonded to the lower surface of the first substrate.

Abstract: There is provided a component supply device for supplying a component to a component mounter, including: a transporter that transports a carrier tape in which the component is stored and of which an upper surface is sealed with a cover tape, along a transport path; a peeler that peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape via an opening portion disposed above the transport path; and a cover that makes an open state of the opening portion variable. The cover sets the open state of the opening portion to be any of a first open state allowing the peeler to capture the cover tape and a second open state where an opening size of the opening portion is smaller than that of the first open state and passage of the cover tape peeled off from the carrier tape is not impeded.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring cargo conditions, includes at least one environmental sensor (50) to monitor at least one environmental parameter associated with the cargo (30), a controller (60) to log a plurality of readings from each of the at least one environmental sensors (50), and a sensor interface (51) to facilitate communication between the at least one environmental sensor (50) and the controller (60).

Abstract: During a position deviation detection operation, a hand of a transport mechanism is moved to a true target position in a substrate supporter. A substrate supported at a preset reference position by the substrate supporter is received by the hand of the transport mechanism. A positional relationship between the substrate received by the hand and the hand is detected by a position detector. A deviation amount between the reference position and the true target position in the substrate supporter is acquired based on the detected positional relationship. An alarm is output in the case where the acquired deviation amount is larger than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Material management systems and methods include material storage vessels with information (e.g., electronic information) storage. Information may be communicated from a storage device to a process tool controller and employed to set or adjust a process tool operating parameter. Material information may be determined by remote analysis and subsequently communicated to an electronic information storage device of a vessel containing such material. Location and movement of material storage vessels within a customer facility may be automatically tracked, with further transfer of material-specific information. Product information may be associatively stored with material-specific information utilized in product manufacture.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body and a surface for receiving a semiconductor wafer carrier is provided. A nozzle and a venting hole are provided on the surface. The semiconductor wafer carrier has at least one selectively closable capped opening at a bottom, top and/or side surface thereof. The capped opening is configured to couple to, and be accessible by, the nozzle and receive gas output from the nozzle so as to create a substantially oxygen free environment within the semiconductor wafer carrier. The vent hole is configured to allow gas to flow out of the semiconductor wafer carrier. In addition, the apparatus includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to monitor an ambient condition in the semiconductor wafer carrier, and the controller is configured to adjust a control valve based on the ambient condition so as to control the gas flow or output from the nozzle.

Abstract: A production system to facilitate the commonization of front chambers among a plurality of production devices that are different in the kind of a process to be performed for a processing substrate. Control units are provided separately in a processing chamber and a front chamber of a small production device. When the processing-chamber control unit outputs a load request signal, the front-chamber control unit loads a processing substrate to the processing chamber, and outputs a load acknowledgment signal. When the load acknowledgment signal is input, the processing-chamber control unit performs a process for the processing substrate, and outputs an unload request signal after the completion of the process. When the unload request signal is input, the front-chamber control unit unloads the processing substrate, and outputs an unload acknowledgment signal. When the unload acknowledgment signal is input, the processing chamber starts the preparation of the next process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laboratory product transport element for a laboratory transport system with an energy receiver and/or energy accumulator to provide drive power, at least one signal receiver to receive control signals, a control unit to generate drive signals as a function of at least one control signal obtained from the at least one signal receiver, movement devices for independent movement of the laboratory product transport element on a transfer path as a function of the drive signals of the control unit, in which the drive devices are driven by the drive power and at least one holder to hold a laboratory product being transported. The invention also concerns a laboratory transport system with at least one laboratory product transport element according to an embodiment of the invention and a transfer path arrangement. The invention also concerns methods for operation of laboratory transport systems according to an embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: A clean stocker includes an orientation adjustment device that includes a pivot device which pivots a placing base, a reticle carrier device which holds an article without changing an orientation of the article, and a controller which controls the pivot device and the reticle carrier device. The controller is programmed to cause the article to be held in a state in which the article is separate from the placing base held by the pivot device, the placing base in the state in which the article is separate therefrom to be pivoted from an initial position to an intended position, the article to be placed on the placing base which has been pivoted to the intended position, and the placing base having the article placed thereon to be pivoted from the intended position to the initial position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network of participants connected through a website and thereby forming a virtual cold chain, and wherein the participants can make proposals and/or bids to shipment owners, shippers, receivers, and customers, to provide services or products to keep the shipment at desired conditions (especially, temperature conditions) during a period of the remaining shipment. The shipment can be monitored en route by agents acting for the website or by either the same participants making proposals, or other participants.

Abstract: A processing facility includes transport management means for managing a transport vehicle which transports a processing target object by traveling along a transporting route which extends along a plurality of processing devices and a storage device for storing the processing target objects. The transport managing means: monitors process advancement information which is transmitted from the processing device to the primary managing means; selects, as advance transport origin and before the transport command information is transmitted from the primary managing means, a processing device, among the plurality of processing devices, in which a process performed on the processing target object has been completed, or is nearly completed; and performs advance transport control in which the transport vehicle is caused to travel to the processing device selected as the advance transport origin in order to carry out the processing target object from the processing device.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to accurately deal with a variety of processing conditions and variations thereof, and to improve total throughput by efficiently operating a conveyance arm device in accordance with the processing conditions, even during cleaning. When a first wafer is loaded on a load-lock chamber, a conveyance-sequence category for operating each of a number of steps for a conveyance arm device capable of operating during cleaning is selected in accordance with processing conditions of the wafer, and a plurality of operation patterns are selected, combined and scheduled. The conveyance arm device is controlled in accordance with the scheduled conveyance sequence to control substrate conveyance.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate treating apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes: a transfer chamber conveying a substrate; a process chamber disposed adjacent to the transfer chamber and performing a treating process o the substrate; and a drive assembly supplying a power by which a component of the transfer chamber or the process chamber operates, wherein the drive assembly includes: a cylinder connected to pipes; a piston disposed to be movable inside the cylinder and connected to the component by a drive shaft; and a pipe control unit automatically adjusting a moving speed of the piston.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a stacker configured to stack planar workpieces into stacks, and a cutter configured to cut preforms out of planar workpieces. The cutter is located downstream of said stacker on a manufacturing line, and a conveyor exists between said stacker and cutter. The apparatus comprises a conveyor controller, which is configured to, after transferring a stack from said conveyor to a feeder section of said cutter; rewind the conveyor to place a foremost free location after existing stacks on the conveyor to a position where it is ready to receive a stack from said stacker.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus including a frame, a first SCARA arm connected to the frame, including an end effector, configured to extend and retract along a first radial axis; a second SCARA arm connected to the frame, including an end effector, configured to extend and retract along a second radial axis, the SCARA arms having a common shoulder axis of rotation; and a drive section coupled to the SCARA arms is configured to independently extend each SCARA arm along a respective radial axis and rotate each SCARA arm about the common shoulder axis of rotation where the first radial axis is angled relative to the second radial axis and the end effector of a respective arm is aligned with a respective radial axis, wherein each end effector is configured to hold at least one substrate and the end effectors are located on a common transfer plane.

Abstract: A process station for a machine includes a conveying system, where the conveying system includes a carrier, a driving device; and a first control unit and the conveying system can convey a load in a specific conveying direction by magnetic force provided by the driving device. The first control unit can control the driving device. The process station further includes a robot configured to handle or pick and place the load conveyed by the carrier. The process station further includes a second control unit configured to control movement of the robot in a moving direction different from the specific conveying direction.

Abstract: In recent years, frames have gotten larger in size and thinner, and warping of the frames has posed a problem. If a warp of a frame is large, there is a high possibility that fetching the frame may fail. If fetching the frame fails, that is, if the frame cannot be fetched, the lead time of mounting gets longer. Further, the frame that cannot be fetched has to be manually removed by an operator. Therefore, a man-hour increases. According to the present invention, before a loader feeder fetches a frame from a frame magazine, a loader lifter is moved in a Y direction. Thereafter, the loader feeder fetches the frame from the frame magazine.

Abstract: The apparatus (1) according to the invention for packing bulk material into a container (2) comprises a provisioning device (3) for the container (2). The container (2) has a filling side with a filling opening arranged therein. The apparatus (1) further comprises a gripping device (4) for gripping of the substantially closed and empty container (2) by the provisioning device (3). The apparatus optionally comprises a conveying device (5) for conveying the container (2) to a packing device (6). The apparatus further optionally comprises a container-opening device (9) for opening the container (2). The gripping device (4) has a detection device (7) for detecting the position of the container on and/or in the provisioning device (3). The apparatus (1) additionally has a positioning device for positioning the container on the basis of said detected position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (20) for providing consumable material (24) for a packaging machine (30). The device (20) comprises a magazine (22) for the consumable material (24). The consumable material (24) for the ongoing operation is removed from the magazine (22) and fed via a feed device (26) to the packaging machine (30). The device (20) comprises a detection device (40) for determining an actual quantity (Va) of consumable material (24) in the magazine (22). The invention further relates to a method (20) for providing consumable material (24) for a packaging machine (30). The consumable material (24) is provided as bulk material in a magazine (22) and is removed from said magazine (22) by means of at least one conveyor device (26) and fed to the packaging machine (30). The magazine (22) can accommodate a defined maximum quantity (Vmax) of consumable material (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of determining, at a point during shipment, whether the solid phase refrigerant in a shipment is sufficient to preserve the shipment cargo, which is blood or other biological products, for the remaining shipment period, by: monitoring the temperatures encountered to said point and estimating the temperatures likely to be encountered during the remaining shipment period; determining the likelihood that the remaining refrigerant can maintain the shipment cargo within a specified temperature range during the remaining shipment period; and if the risk that the remaining refrigerant cannot maintain the shipment cargo within said range during the remaining shipment period is above a cut-off level, then taking action to preserve the value of the cargo.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) glass substrate storage tray includes a frame. Each surface of the frame is configured with a plate, the frame and the plates enclose to form a closed box, and the plate on surface of the frame where an opening for the LCD glass substrate to be selected and placed is located forms a box door that is installable or removable from the frame.

Abstract: A substrate loading device having a frame, a cassette support, and a user interface. The frame is connected to a substrate processing apparatus. The frame has a transport opening through which substrates are transported between the device and processing apparatus. The cassette support is connected to the frame for holding at least one substrate holding cassette. The user interface is arranged for inputting information, and is mounted to the frame so that the user interface is integral with the frame.

Abstract: A device for combining cards and card supports in an application area, in which cards and card supports are united via an industrial manipulator, includes a card supplying element for supplying cards to the application area and a card support channel for supplying card supports to the application area, the device being designed as compact as possible. At least one card processing station, a measuring station and/or a reversible temporary storage area are arranged in the range of the manipulator.

Abstract: Machine (10) and method for treating containers (12) of liquids comprising in succession at least a loading station (15), into which the containers (12) to be treated are loaded, and all disposed according to a determinate first orientation, and a washing station (17), in which the containers (12) are subjected at least to washing and are disposed in a second orientation able to promote the fall due to gravity of the dirt and/or washing liquid present in the containers (12). The machine (10) comprises, downstream of the washing station (17) and outside it, a manipulator device (41) which automatically rotates the containers (12) exiting form the washing station (17) so as to reposition the containers (12) according to the first determinate orientation.

Abstract: A method for implementing an overhead rail guided transport system includes the following steps: a vehicle transport system is provided, which includes an upper rail guided transport system, a lower rail guided transport system, a vehicle exchange equipment, and a plurality of vehicles operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport system; respective vehicle utilizing rates in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems are provided; the vehicle exchange equipment is used to interchange the vehicles respectively operating in the upper and lower rail guided transport systems in order to equilibrate the respective vehicle utilizing rates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of determining, at a point during shipment, whether the solid phase refrigerant in a shipment is sufficient to preserve the shipment cargo, which is blood or other biological products, for the remaining shipment period, by: monitoring the temperatures encountered to said point and estimating the temperatures likely to be encountered during the remaining shipment period; determining the likelihood that the remaining refrigerant can maintain the shipment cargo within a specified temperature range during the remaining shipment period; and if the risk that the remaining refrigerant cannot maintain the shipment cargo within said range during the remaining shipment period is above a cut-off level, then taking action to preserve the value of the cargo.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a positioning device for a polarization plate. The positioning device is disposed adjacent to a transferring roller for receiving the polarization plate transferred from the transferring roller and further roughly positioning the polarization plate. The positioning device includes a positioning platform, a driving mechanism; and a conveying mechanism located under the positioning platform and connected to the driving mechanism. The conveying mechanism is capable of being driven to move upwards relative to the positioning platform by the driving mechanism to be partly exposed above the positioning platform. The positioning device of the present disclosure ensures that the whole polarization plate can enter the positioning platform from the transferring roller and be transferred to the target position.

Abstract: A component sorting and wasting device is provided with a plurality of waste boxes having respective IDs and arranged at predetermined locations for receiving components to be wasted therein and a component mounting mechanism being capable of picking up components from a component supply device in mounting the picked-up components on circuit boards and of sorting and wasting each of components which are recognized as being unable to be mounted on the circuit boards, in one of the waste boxes selected for the component to be wasted.

Abstract: Embodiments of substrate handling systems capable of heating and/or cooling batches of substrates being transferred into and out of various substrate processing chambers are provided. Methods of substrate handling are also provided, as are numerous other aspects.

Abstract: An apparatus for picking and placing or for picking and transferring or for picking, placing and pressing semiconductor components (10) is disclosed. The apparatus (10) comprises a motor for generating power to rotate a turret (6) which holds a plurality of pick up heads (7), a plurality of pressers (8), wherein each of said pressers (8) is a voice coil assembly (3) which consist of voice coil actuator assemblies (31), at least one stationary frame (1, 2) to secure said voice coil assemblies (3) and a controller means to control the direction and magnitude of displacement of said voice coil actuator assemblies (31). When current flows into voice coil in said voice coil actuator assembly (31), electromagnetic force is generated in vertical direction, forcing said actuators to press said pick up heads (7) located directly below said actuators at a particular moment, which in turn reaches to and press on wafers or semiconductor components located below said pick up heads.

Abstract: A method of transferring storage devices within a storage device testing system includes actuating an automated transporter to retrieve multiple storage devices presented for testing, and actuating the automated transporter to deliver each retrieved storage device to a respective test slot of the storage device testing system and insert each storage device in the respective test slot.

Abstract: A system for storage and retrieval of items includes a shelving rack configured to store the items. The shelving rack has a plurality of vertical levels. The system includes at least one robotic carriage operable to move horizontally. The robotic carriage includes an extendable arm that extends horizontally and vertically to lift the items from an input slot and to carry and place the items on the shelving rack. The robotic carriage is also operable to lift the items from the shelving rack and to carry and place the items on a workstation. The workstation is positioned in close proximity to the shelving rack. By locating the workstation in close proximity to the shelving rack, the items may be transferred from the shelving rack to the workstation without requiring conveyors and ram drives.