Patent ID: 6438460
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: H01L,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of using an end effector to determine a thickness dimension of a specimen stored in a container having an open end through which the specimen can be placed in and removed from the container, the thickness dimension defined by first and second opposed major surfaces of the specimen, comprising:providing an end effector having a body operatively connected to a light source and a light receiver, the light source and light receiver having spaced-apart respective source light path and receiver light path openings between which a light beam propagates along a straight line light transmission pathway; causing the specimen to intersect the light transmission pathway and thereby interrupt the light beam; imparting relative motion between the specimen and the body in either of first and second measurement directions along a travel path that is transverse to the straight line light transmission pathway the first and second directions being opposite to each other; recording for the first and second measurement directions of relative motion along the travel path respective first and second position information corresponding to spatial coordinate positions at which the light transmission pathway is restored; and using the first and second position information to determine the thickness dimension defined by the first and second opposed major surfaces of the specimen.