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Precise transport positioning apparatus using a closed loop controlled, non-direct drive or friction drive system with absolute positioning encoder

  • US 7,108,189 B2
  • Filed: 06/30/2004
  • Issued: 09/19/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for positioning a workpiece carrier with respect to a workstation comprising:

  • a single encoder reader located in a fixed position at a workstation for generating a signal in response to interaction with at least one encoder strip;

    a workpiece carrier movable along a path of travel through the workstation, and having an encoder strip connected thereto, the encoder strip operably interacting with the encoder reader located at the workstation; and

    a non-direct friction drive engaging the workpiece carrier for moving the carrier along the path of travel through the workstation, the non-direct drive responsive to the signal from the encoder reader in a closed loop feedback control system for precisely locating the workpiece carrier at a predetermined stationary position relative to the workstation, the encoder strip including a plurality of different information segments, one segment comprising a carrier position information segment and another segment comprising an indentification information segment.

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