Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Mechanized store
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-20
2001-04-17
Frech, Karl D. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Mechanized store
C235S385000, C235S462010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216948
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to electronic identification of parts in an automated manufacturing arrangement, and more particularly to a rail having mounted thereon sensors for reading part identifiers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Automated manufacturing arrangements often use electronic sensors, for example, bar code readers, to track parts and work pieces as they move through the manufacturing process. Such arrangements also include track systems for transporting parts and work pieces from is one machine to another and unloading apparatus for removing the parts from the track system for processing by the various machines.
One problem that arises is that the automatic loading and unloading of parts to and from a track system sometimes interferes with the electronic sensing of the parts. Arrangements for manufacturing semiconductors typically include cassettes in which wafers are transported. The cassette loaders of some machines, for example, the wafer sorter from Kensington Labs, Inc., tilt out beyond the frame of the machine. The problems created are that the motion of the cassette loaders makes difficult the automatic reading of bar codes on cassettes. Instead of an automatic sensing of the cassette in the loader, an operator may be required to manually scan the bar codes on the cassettes once placed in the loaders. Furthermore, when the cassette loaders are tipped out from the machine they are prone to damage from accidental collisions with operators and with other equipment being moved about the factory floor.
Therefore, an apparatus that addresses the aforementioned problems is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In various embodiments, an apparatus is provided for identification of work pieces and protection of equipment used to operate on the work pieces in a computer controlled manufacturing arrangement. The equipment to be protected includes at least one receptacle for holding a work piece, and the apparatus comprises a rail and an electronic sensor mounted to the rail. The rail is shaped to generally to surround a selected portion of the equipment and is arranged to be supported proximate the equipment to deflect objects from the equipment. The electronic sensor is mounted to the rail at a location to sense a work piece in the receptacle and arranged to be coupled to the computer.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description which follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments.
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Conboy Michael R.
Shirley Russel
Advanced Micro Devices , Inc.
Franklin Jamara A.
Frech Karl D.
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