Test head actuation system with positioning and compliant modes

Details Test head actuation system with positioning and compliant modes Test head actuation system with positioning and compliant modes

2005-01-04

2005-01-04

Nguyen, Vinh P. (Department: 2829)

Electricity: measuring and testing

Measuring, testing, or sensing electricity, per se

With rotor

Reexamination Certificate

active

06838868

ABSTRACT:
A system for positioning a test head for compliantly docking the test head with a prober, handler, or other peripheral for automatically testing electronic components. The system includes a plurality of backdrivable linear actuators. Each actuator has a first end mechanically coupled to the test head and a second end mechanically coupled to a support for holding the test head, for example, a manipulator. In a first mode, a control system applies inputs to the actuators for variably extending the actuators to establish a desired position of the test head relative to the support. The desired position is generally a centered position of the test head within a compliance range; however, it may also be a non-centered position that tends to align the test head with the peripheral. In a second mode, the control system stops varying the input to the actuator. The actuator tends to maintain its position, but complies with external forces applied to the test head. In the second mode, the actuators can be driven in compliance with external forces both forward and backward, and provide only slight resistance to movement in both directions. The disclosed system for positioning a test head is particularly useful for providing compliant docking with extremely heavy test heads.

REFERENCES:
patent: 5828223 (1998-10-01), Rabkin et al.
patent: 5949002 (1999-09-01), Alden
patent: 6166552 (2000-12-01), O'Connell

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