International Business Machines Corporation

David L Schmoke

Ray A Reyes

Uldis Artis Ziemins

Nicholas Frank Ciminello

Edward Sherwood

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.

Overhead traveling vehicle testing and calibration

A reticle SMIF pod includes a dome having a plurality of latchkeys and a cassette having a plurality of primary engagement locations thereon into which the latchkeys are intended to engage when sealing the cassette to the dome. A plurality of secondary engagement locations are positioned in the cassette above the plurality of primary engagement locations to prevent the cassette from falling should the plurality of latchkeys fail to engage in the primary engagement locations.

Secondary latchkey mechanism and method for reticle SMIF pods

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.

Hoisting apparatus

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.

Test fixture for evaluating RF identification system and related methods

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.

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Verbank, NY, United States of America

David L Schmoke