Augat Inc.

Idexx Laboratories, Inc.

David C Giroux

David W Mendenhall

Nathanael Williams

A method of measuring the degree of Z-axis variability in a chemical reagent test slide, which includes the steps of placing a Z-axis measurement fixture on a surface of a gauge block of an optical measurement system having a camera, mounting the chemical reagent test slide on the Z-axis measurement fixture, and positioning the chemical reagent test slide mounted on the Z-axis measurement fixture in optical communication with the camera.

Z-axis measurement fixture and method of determining the planarity of objects using the fixture

A Z-axis measurement fixture used for testing whether a chemical reagent test slide exhibits Z-axis variability, which may affect measurements performed by an automated chemical analyzer using such test slides, includes a planar main body that holds three stainless steel balls, each ball having a known and calibrated diameter. Portions of the stainless steel balls extend outwardly from the top wall and the bottom wall of the planar main body. A chemical reagent test slide is placed on the fixture to rest on and be supported at three points by the portions of the stainless steel balls which project outwardly from the top wall of the planar main body. The fixture is placed on the surface of a gauge block of an optical measurement system such that the lower portions of the three stainless steel balls will rest on the gauge block of the optical measurement system.

The fully programmable DIN connectors constructed in accordance with the present invention have housing bodies comprised of a plurality of like cells that are each capable of receiving shorting clips and that, when shorting clips are selectively received therewithin, enable the same housing body to be programmed to satisfy the requirements of all possible applications. The shorting clips are preferably top loadable into the housing body, plural sockets are preferably bottom loadable therewithin and a top cover is attached to the fully programmable housing body.

Fully programmable din connector

A fully programmable connector is provided in which selected ones of the connector contacts can be electrically shorted within the same connector housing body. The housing body includes a plurality of identical cells each containing an electrical contact and each configured to contain a shorting clip. One or more shorting clips are retained in intended cells of the housing body to short circuit the corresponding contacts.

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Gorham, ME, United States of America

David C Giroux