Electrostatographic reproduction machine including optics assembly realignment tool

In an electrostatographic reproduction machine having a charged imaging member and an optics assembly for forming a properly registered latent image on the charged imaging member, a quick and precise optics assembly realignment tool mounted removably within the machine for realigning the optics assembly, after repair or remanufacture of such optics assembly. The realignment tool includes a generally rectangular frame having four sides forming four corners, and three non-adjustable position leg members, that are formed integrally with the frame at three of the four corners for initially locating and referencing the frame relative to a reference surface within the machine. The tool also includes one adjustable position leg member mounted slidably for adjustable movement at a fourth corner for initially compensating for any runout of the reference surface, so as to achieve a properly aligned optics assembly within the machine. The tool further includes first and second adjustable position finger members mounted slidably on a first and a second, opposite sides, of the four sides, and between leg members, for firmly setting an aligned position of a second carriage of the optics assembly relative to a first carriage thereof. The first and the second adjustable position finger members, and the adjustable position leg member, are mounted slidably within a first and a second slot portions in a bottom surface of the frame. Further, the adjustable position leg member and the first and the second adjustable position finger members, each include means for firmly binding each to the frame so as to cooperatively with the non-adjustable position leg members, firmly set positions of the first and the second carriages respectively, when properly aligned, relative to the reference surface within the machine.

BACKGROUND 
The present invention relates generally to electrostatographic reproduction 
machines, and more particularly concerns a quick and precise optics 
assembly realignment tool, for use, for example, in the field, for 
realigning the optics assembly of such a machine after replacement 
following repair or remanufacture of such optics assembly. 
In an electrostatographic document reproduction machine, an original 
document containing an image to be reproduced is typically placed on a 
stationary platen of the machine and illuminated by an incremental 
line-scanning optical system or assembly. Reflected light rays from the 
document travel along an optical path and are projected by a lens, and in 
proper registration, onto a fixed path image frame of a charged 
photosensitive imaging member of the machine to form a latent image. The 
latent image of the document formed on the imaging member is then 
developed by appropriate marking or toner material, and the developed 
image is thereafter transferred in proper registration to a recording 
medium, such as a copy sheet of paper. 
Various types of optics assemblies are known in the art, but the most 
widely used optics assemblies utilize scanning components, including 
elongated illuminated lamps and scan mirrors, which are typically 
supported onto a pair of guide rails mounted in a parallel plane beneath 
the document platen of the machine. The scanning components usually are 
contained in one or more movable scan carriages which are driven by a 
cable or belt arrangement so as to be movable back and forth on the guide 
rails beneath the platen. Examples of such prior art scan assemblies or 
systems, utilizing an elongated illuminated lamp and scan mirrors to 
scan/illuminate document images, are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 
4,367,945, 4,155,641 and 4,603,963. 
The document image to be reproduced may also be scanned by a raster input 
type scanner (RIS), typically a CCD sensor array. The RIS type scanner is 
supported for movement beneath the document platen and is moved in the 
scan, re-scan direction by a scan assembly basically similar to the ones 
used in the above-identified patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,197, for 
example, discloses a RIS type scanner or scanning system. 
In general, each prior art scanning system can be characterized as being 
secured to, and supported by, the sides of a frame assembly. Thus, U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,367,945 to Abe discloses a scanning support structure for an 
electrostatic copying machine comprising a guide rail and a guide rod 
which together support and absorb the loads of two movable carriages while 
being supported by frame members. U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,641 to Sagara et al. 
discloses a scanning apparatus comprising three parallel guide rods that 
are attached to a beam member, which supports the loads imposed by two 
movable optical scanning carriages. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,963 to Hinton et 
al., and 4,710,017 to Watanabe et al. are references which disclose 
scanning systems comprising a pair of frame supported parallel guiding 
members that absorb the shock and loads of a moving carriage apparatus 
within an electrostatic copying machine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,197 to 
Dannatt discloses a support structure for a flat bed scanner comprising a 
pair of parallel, elongated guide rods fixed to left and right end plates 
which form rigid support for the loads imposed by a movable RIS optical 
scanning carriage assembly. 
In order for an electrostatographic machine that includes a scanning 
assembly as above to be capable of producing high quality images, the 
optics assembly must be properly aligned and registered to a fixed path 
image frame of the photoreceptor or photoconductive member. In particular, 
the carriages as above, which contain the optical components, each need to 
be parallel to a start of scan position line, and to each other. 
Additionally, these carriages need to be perpendicular or squared to the 
optical path of movement thereof in order to produce an image that is 
properly aligned to the fixed path image frame of the photoreceptor. 
A properly aligned or realigned optics assembly will form a latent image on 
the photoreceptor that when properly transferred to a copy sheet of paper, 
will place the image on the copy paper so that it is parallel to a lead 
edge of the paper. Additionally, the image on the paper will be parallel 
to the side edges of the paper, and overall will be properly registered on 
the particular size of paper sheet. 
During initial manufacture and assembly of a machine including such an 
optics assembly, proper alignment of the optics assembly is usually 
achieved by trial and error, and means of expensive tooling and fixtures. 
What is proper alignment for the optics assembly of a machine of a 
particular machine model is usually thus attained by trial and error 
settings and result testing, and hence will vary by individual machine. 
From machine to machine each optics assembly will therefore have its own 
particular carriage positions, due to differences in lens conjugate 
lengths and other minor variables. 
Unfortunately however, the optical components in one or in both of a two 
carriages of the optics assembly of each machine do tend to, and actually 
do fail in the field, thus requiring repair or remanufacture thereof, and 
reinstallation or replacement in the same machine. Trial and error methods 
of attempting to realign an optics assembly of the sort, after repairs or 
remanufacture, are ordinarily tedious and time consuming. For example, 
positions of the carriages are initially only set approximately or 
nominally, and copies are then run and evaluated for proper registration. 
Adjustments are then made to the positions of the reinstalled carriage or 
carriages, and final positions are thus reached only by trial and error. 
Even so, the actual trial and error results from such methods are usually 
only close to, but rarely ever as good as the initial production-quality 
alignment of that optics assembly. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to the present invention, there is provided in an 
electrostatographic reproduction machine having a charged imaging member 
and an optics assembly for forming a properly registered latent image on 
the charged imaging member, a quick and precise optics assembly 
realignment tool mounted removably within the machine for realigning the 
optics assembly, after repair or remanufacture of such optics assembly. 
The realignment tool includes a generally rectangular frame having four 
sides forming four corners, and three non-adjustable position leg members 
that are formed integrally with the frame at three of the four corners for 
initially locating and referencing the frame relative to a reference 
surface within the machine. The tool also includes one adjustable position 
leg member mounted slidably for adjustable movement at a fourth corner for 
initially compensating for any runout of the reference surface, so as to 
achieve a properly aligned optics assembly within the machine. The tool 
further includes first and second adjustable position finger members 
mounted slidably on a first and a second opposite sides of the four sides, 
and between leg members, for firmly setting an aligned position of a 
second carriage of the optics assembly relative to a first carriage 
thereof. The first and the second adjustable position finger members, and 
the adjustable position leg member, are mounted slidably within a first 
and a second slot portions in a bottom surface of the frame. Further, the 
adjustable position leg member and the first and the second adjustable 
position finger members, each include means for firmly binding each to the 
frame so as to, cooperatively with the nonadjustable position leg members, 
firmly set positions of the first and the second carriages respectively, 
when properly aligned, relative to the reference surface within the 
machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
While the present invention will be described in connection with a 
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not 
intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is 
intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may 
be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the 
appended claims. 
Referring first to FIG. 1, an exemplary electrostatographic reproduction 
machine 8 according to the present invention is illustrated. As shown, the 
machine 8 has conventional image processing stations associated therewith, 
including a charging station AA, an imaging/exposing station BB including 
an optics assembly 28, a development station CC, a transfer station DD, a 
fusing station EE, and a cleaning station FF. Importantly, the machine 8 
includes an optics assembly realignment tool in accordance with the 
present invention, shown generally as 200, for quick and effective, 
non-trial and error realignment, after repair or remanufacture of the 
optics assembly of the machine, (to be described in detail below). 
As illustrated, the machine 8 has a photoconductive belt 10 with a 
photoconductive layer 12 which is supported by a drive roller 14 and a 
tension roller 15. The drive roller 14 functions to drive the belt in the 
direction indicated by arrow 18. The drive roller 14 is itself driven by a 
motor (not shown) by suitable means, such as a belt drive. 
The operation of the machine 8 can be briefly described as follows. 
Initially, the photoconductive belt 10 is charged at the charging station 
AA by a corona generating device 20. The charged portion of the belt is 
then transported by action of the drive roller 14 to the imaging/exposing 
station BB where a latent image, corresponding to the image on a document 
positioned on a platen 24, is formed via a properly aligned optics 
assembly 28 of the imaging/exposing station BB (to be described in detail 
below), on the belt 10. It will also be understood that the light lens 
imaging system can easily be changed to an input/output scanning terminal 
or an output scanning terminal driven by a data input signal to likewise 
image the belt 10. As is also well known, the document on the platen 24 
can be placed there manually, or it can be fed there automatically by an 
automatic document handler device 25 that includes a multiple document 
sheet holding tray 27. 
The portion of the belt 10 bearing the latent image is then transported to 
the development station CC where the latent image is developed by 
electrically charged toner material from a magnetic developer roller 30 of 
the developer station CC. The developed image on the belt is then 
transported to the transfer station DD where the toner image is 
transferred to a copy sheet fed by a copy sheet handling system 31. In 
this case, a corona generating device 32 is provided for charging the copy 
sheet so as to attract the charged toner image from the photoconductive 
belt 10 to the copy sheet. The copy sheet with the transferred image 
thereon is then directed to the fuser station EE. The fuser apparatus at 
station EE includes a heated fuser roll 34 and backup pressure roll 36. 
The heated fuser roll 34 and pressure roll 36 rotatably cooperate to fuse 
and fix the toner image onto the copy sheet. The copy sheet then, as is 
well known, may be selectively transported to a finishing area GG, or to a 
duplex tray 40 along a selectable duplex path 42 for duplexing. 
The portion of the belt 10 from which the developed image was transferred 
is then advanced to the cleaning station FF where residual toner and 
charge on the belt are removed by a cleaning device such as a blade 44, 
and a discharge lamp (not shown) in order to prepare the portion for a 
subsequent imaging cycle. 
When not doing duplex imaging, or at the end of such duplex imaging, the 
copy sheets upon finally leaving the fusing rolls 34, 36, are passed to 
finishing area input rolls 46 and 48. From the input rolls 46, 48, the 
copy sheets are fed, for example, individually to an output tray (not 
shown) or to a bin sorter apparatus 50 where the sheets can be arranged in 
a collated unstapled set within the tray or within each bin 52 of the bin 
sorter apparatus. A machine user or operator making such a set of copy 
sheets on the reproduction machine 8 can thus manually remove each such 
set at a time, and insert a corner or edge of the set into a convenience 
stapler assembly 60, for convenient stapling. As shown, the convenient 
stapler assembly 60 is built into a portion 62 of the frame of the machine 
8, and at a location conveniently close to the bin sorter apparatus or 
output tray. 
The various machine stations and subsystems described hereinabove are 
typically regulated by an electronic subsystem (ESS) 80 which is 
preferably a controller such as a programmable microprocessor capable of 
managing all of the machine functions. Among other things, the controller 
provides a comparison count of the copy sheets, all necessary counting 
including the number of documents being recirculated, the number of copy 
sheets selected by the operator, machine timing and time delays, jam 
indications and subsystem actuation signals. Conventional sensors or 
switches may be utilized to keep track of the positions of moving parts 
such as moving optical carriages, moving documents and moving sheets in 
the machine. In addition, the controller regulates the various positions 
of gates and switching depending upon the mode of operation selected. 
The foregoing description is believed to be sufficient for the purposes of 
the present application for patent to illustrate the general operation of 
an electrostatographic reproduction machine incorporating the features of 
the present invention. As previously discussed, the electrostatographic 
reproducing machine or apparatus may take the form of any of several well 
known systems including various printing and copying machines manufactured 
by Xerox Corporation. Variations of specific electrostatographic 
processing subsystems or processes may be expected without affecting the 
operation of the present invention. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the properly aligned optics assembly 28 of 
the machine 8 is located within an optics housing 100. The optics housing 
100 includes a top panel part of which is the platen 24, a floor shown as 
102, and vertical walls, particularly including a reference wall 104 
having an inside surface 106 nearest a home position for the optics 
assembly 28. As further shown, the optics assembly 28 includes a first 
carriage 110 spaced from the inside surface 106 and containing an elongate 
illumination lamp, a mirror and an exposure slit 116, along with 
appropriate openings for optimal optical system performance. The optics 
assembly 28 also includes a second carriage 120 that is also spaced from 
the inside surface 106 of wall 104, but has a position between the first 
carriage 110 and the inside 106. As illustrated, the second carriage 120 
includes a pair of mirrors as shown, appropriate openings an upper right 
side (per FIG. 1) tie rod 122, and an upper left side (per FIG. 1) tie rod 
124 that support the second carriage and are perpendicular to the path of 
movement of the carriages. As shown, both the first and second carriages 
110, 120 respectively, are reversibly movable from their home positions 
(FIG. 1) in a scanning direction as shown by the arrows, along an optical 
path 119 under the platen 24, and back along the path 119 to such home 
positions. 
As further shown in FIG. 1, the machine 8 includes the optics assembly 
realignment tool 200 of the present invention, for quick and effective, 
non-trial and error realignment, after repair or remanufacture, of the 
optics assembly 28. In accordance with the present invention, the tool 200 
is mounted removably, for example by means of a screw 142, to a holding 
block 140 located within the optics housing 100. 
As pointed out above, in order for the machine 8 to produce high quality 
images, the first carriage 110 and the second carriage 120, each need to 
be parallel to each other, and to be perpendicular or squared to the 
optical path 119 so as to produce an image that is properly aligned to a 
fixed path image frame of the of the photoreceptor 10, below the optics 
assembly. 
A properly aligned or realigned optics assembly 28 will form a latent image 
on the photoreceptor 10 that when properly transferred to a copy sheet of 
paper, will place the image on the copy paper so that it is parallel to a 
lead edge of the paper. Additionally, the image on the paper will be 
parallel to the side edges of the paper, and overall, will be properly 
registered on the particular size of paper sheet. 
In order for an optics assembly 28 of a machine to be properly aligned or 
realigned, both the first carriage 110 and the second carriage 120 have to 
each be parallel to an optics datum or start of scan position line as 
determined by an activated start of scan sensor 134. In addition, both the 
first carriage 110 and the second carriage 120 must be set to proper home 
positions so as to assure that overall conjugate length of the lens 118 is 
achieved. Each lens 118 has a slightly different conjugate length for each 
machine, thus carriage position settings for each optics assembly are 
unique. 
In particular, the set position of the first carriage 110 in relation to 
the optics datum or start of scan position line is critical because it 
directly determines the proper or improper registration of each image 
formed, and because other machine functions are timed from movement of the 
first carriage relative to the start of scan position line. 
Therefore, it is critical to set the positions of the carriages properly 
and precisely. During machine manufacture, such positions are achieved 
tediously, by trial and error, and with expensive tools. Once carriage 
positions are achieved as such, the first carriage 110 and the second 
carriage 120, are each locked into place for reciprocal movement along the 
path 119 by respective drive belts 126, 128, and 130, 132 (FIG. 2). As 
illustrated particularly in FIG. 2, the first carriage 110 is coupled to 
and driven by long belts 126, 128, and the second carriage 120, is coupled 
to, and driven by the short belts 130, 132. 
The start of scan sensor 134 is activated and deactivated by movement of 
the first carriage 110, first in the scan direction from a home position 
(FIG. 2), and on return to the home position. When activated, the start of 
scan sensor 134 starts timing movement of the exposure slit 116 of the 
first carriage 110 in relation to a platen registration scheme, and to the 
position of an image frame of the photoreceptor 10 under the platen. The 
actual scan length is established by encoder pulses from the servo motor 
136 of the optics assembly, which includes an encoder disc. An end of scan 
position is thus determined by encoder counts of the drive motor 136. 
In accordance with the present invention, the optics assembly realignment 
tool 200 of the present invention is useful for avoiding tedious and time 
consuming trial and error methods of attempting to realign an optics 
assembly 28 of a machine 8, after repairs or remanufactures of such 
assembly. The optics assembly realignment tool 200 of the present 
invention is adjustable to match a production-quality, proper alignment of 
a properly aligned optics assembly 28 of a machine. After such adjustment, 
the tool 200 is then firmly set and mounted within the machine, for 
necessary, subsequent realignment of the optics assembly following repairs 
or remanufacture thereof. 
The optics assembly realignment tool 200 of the present invention will 
therefore vary in its particular adjustment from machine to machine. The 
tool 200 for each machine will be adjusted and set to the optics assembly 
of that individual machine, and will be shipped as part of that individual 
machine. Subsequently, as for example in the field, the tool 200 for any 
such machine will enable a Technical Representative after repairing the 
optics assembly, or a remanufacturer of the optics assembly of that 
machine, to quickly, and without trial and error, achieve production-like 
quality results in realigning the optics assembly. 
The optics assembly realignment tool 200 is particularly useful for 
realigning at least one of the first carriage 110 and the second carriage 
120 of the optics assembly after repairs thereto. As illustrated in FIG. 
3, the optics assembly realignment tool 200 includes a generally 
rectangular frame 204 having four sides W, X, Y and Z which form four 
corners. The tool 200 importantly includes three non-adjustable position 
leg members 220, 222, and 224, that are formed integrally with the frame 
204 at three of the four corners. The three non-adjustable position leg 
members are for initially locating and referencing the frame 204 relative 
to a home position (FIG. 2) of the first carriage 110 of the optics 
assembly 28. 
The tool 200 also includes one adjustable position leg member 228 mounted 
slidably for adjustable movement at a fourth of the four corners for 
initially compensating for any runout of a reference surface, such as the 
inside surface 106 of the reference wall 104. Further, the tool 200 
includes a first adjustable position finger member 230 mounted slidably on 
a first side W of the four sides between two non-adjustable position leg 
members 222 and 224 for marking or firmly setting an aligned position of 
the second carriage 120 relative to the first carriage 110. It also 
includes a second adjustable position finger member 232 mounted slidably 
on a second side Y, opposite the first side W, and between a 
non-adjustable position leg member 220, and the adjustable position leg 
member 228, for marking or firmly setting an aligned position of the 
second carriage 120 relative to the first carriage 110, at the second end 
of the frame 204. 
The frame 204 as illustrated preferably includes a top surface, and a 
bottom surface. The bottom surface has a first slot portion 210 at the 
first end or side W of the frame 204, and a second slot portion 212 at the 
second end Y of the frame 204. The first and the second finger members 
230, 232 are mounted slidably within the first and the second slot 
portions, 210, 212 of the frame 204, respectively. The adjustable position 
leg member 228 is mounted slidably within the second slot portion 212 of 
the frame 204. The frame 204 includes a centrally located means, such as a 
screw mounting hole 214, for mounting the frame 204 to the holding block 
140 within the reproduction machine as shown in FIG. 1. 
As further illustrated, the adjustable position leg member 228 and the 
first and the second adjustable position finger members 230, 232 each 
include means, such a set screw SS, for firmly binding each to the frame 
204, in order to cooperatively with the non-adjustable position leg 
members, mark positions of the first and the second carriages 110, 120 
respectively, when properly aligned, relative to the reference surface 106 
within the machine. The adjustable position leg member 228 and one, 224, 
of the three non adjustable position leg members each include a horizontal 
spacer portion 236 as shown, and are located at opposite corners of a 
third side Z of the frame 204 for contacting the reference surface 106 
within the reproduction machine, when the first and the second carriages 
110, 120 are properly realigned. Two of the three non adjustable position 
leg members 220, 222 each include a locating cylindrical tip portion 238 
as shown, and are located at opposite corners of a fourth side X, opposite 
the third side of the frame 204, for inserting into the aligned exposure 
slit 116 of the first carriage 110. As also illustrated, each of the 
adjustable position finger members 230, 232 includes a forked tip 240 for 
fitting over the right side (FIG. 3) aligned tie rod 122 on the second 
carriage 120 in order to align the second carriage 120 relative to the 
first carriage 110. 
Initially, in order to adjust and firmly set the tool 200 to a particular 
properly aligned optics assembly of a machine, the locking or set screws 
SS are loosened, thus leaving the first and second finger members 230, 
232, as well as, the adjustable position leg member 228, loose. The 
cylindrical tips 238 of the non-adjustable leg members 220, 222 are placed 
into the exposure slit 116 of a properly aligned first carriage 110. The 
tool 200 is located as such so that it is at a central position front to 
back (that is one end to the other of the elongate carriage) within the 
slit 116. A properly aligned second carriage should also be in its 
position relatively to the first carriage. The adjustable position first 
and second finger members 230, 232 are then moved adjustably relative to 
the second carriage, until the forked tips 240 thereto fit over the right 
hand tie rod 122 of the second carriage 120. The first and second 
carriages are then moved to their relative home positions (FIG. 2) 
adjacent the reference wall 104 so that the horizontal spacer portion 236 
of at least the non-adjustable position leg member 224 is in contact with 
the inside 106 of the reference wall 104. The adjustable position leg 
member 228 is then moved adjustably until it too is also in contact with 
the inside surface 106. 
The locking or set screws SS are then tightened in order to hold and firmly 
set the finger members 230, 232 over right tie rod 122, as well as the 
adjustable position leg member 228. The tool 200 as adjusted to the 
properly aligned first and second carriages of the optics assembly 28 and 
the reference wall 104, as such, is then included within the optics 
assembly housing 100, for example, by mounting it to the holding block 140 
(FIG. 1) using a removable fourth screw 142 (FIG. 1) through the screw 
hole 214. 
In order to use the tool 200 after optics assembly repairs or 
remanufacture, the repairer or remanufacturer leaves the locking screws SS 
as firmly set above, and does not loosen them. If the tool when matched to 
the optics assembly indicates that some realignment is necessary, then the 
repairer or remanufacturer will instead loosen either the first carriage 
110 or the second carriage 120 at an appropriate end thereof. The firmly 
set tool is placed centrally front to back on the carriages, with the 
cylindrical tips 238 of the leg members 220, 222 inserted into the 
exposure slit 116 of the first carriage 110, and the finger members 230, 
232 fitted over the right hand tie rod 122 of the second carriage 120. The 
loosened carriage is then moved and adjusted until the spacer portions 236 
of the leg members 224, 228 (as firmly set) are in contact with the inside 
106 of the reference wall 104. The realignment of the repaired or replaced 
and loosened carriage thus is achieved in a manner that is quick, easy and 
is non-trial and error. The loosened carriage is then retightened and 
locked into such a proper realignment position, thus achieving 
production-quality realignment quickly and easily without costly and time 
consuming trial and error. 
Specifically, to use the tool for realignment of a second carriage 120, 
that is being installed after repairs or remanufacture thereof, the firmly 
set tool 200 is removed from the holding block 140. The second carriage 
120 and the first carriage 110 are moved towards the left side reference 
wall 104 of the optics housing 100. There the second carriage is loosened 
at its end drive supports to allow slight adjustments in its position. The 
two locating cylindrical tips 238 of leg members 220, 222 of the firmly 
set tool 200 are inserted centrally (front to back) into the exposure slit 
116 of the first carriage 110. The repairer or remanufacturer is clearly 
instructed NOT TO LOOSEN ANY SCREWS ON THE TOOL|. The loosened second 
carriage 120 is then moved adjustably towards the first carriage 110 until 
the forked tips 240 of the adjustable position fingers 230, 232 of the 
tool, fit over the right tie rod 122 of the second carriage 120. The 
second carriage 120 is then retightened and locked to its drive supports, 
and into this position with the adjustable position fingers 230, 232 over 
the tie rod 122, and the locating cylindrical tips of leg members 220, 222 
within the exposure slit 116. 
To use the tool for realignment of a first carriage 110, that is being 
installed after repairs or after remanufacture thereof, the firmly set 
tool 200 is removed from the holding block 140. The second carriage 120 
and the first carriage 110 are moved towards the left side reference wall 
104 of the optics assembly housing 100. There the first carriage 110 is 
loosened at its end drive supports in order to allow for slight 
adjustments in its position. The repairer or remanufacturer is clearly 
instructed NOT TO LOOSEN ANY SCREWS ON THE TOOL|. The adjustable position 
finger members 230, 232 are fitted over the right tie rod 122 of the 
second carriage, and centrally (front to back) over the tie rod. The 
second carriage is further moved gently leftwards towards the reference 
wall 104 until the spacer portions 236 of the leg members 224, 228 are in 
aligned contact against the inside 106 of the wall 104. The loosened first 
carriage 110 is then moved adjustably towards the second carriage 120 
until the two locating cylindrical tips 238 of leg members 220, 222 (of 
the firmly set tool 200) are inserted into the exposure slit 116 of the 
first carriage 110. The first carriage 110 is then retightened and locked 
to its drive supports, and into this position. The tool 200 can then be 
removed and restored on the block 140 for further subsequent use. 
To use the tool for realignment of a first carriage 110, and a second 
carriage 120 that have both been installed or replaced after repairs or 
after remanufacture thereof, the firmly set tool 200 is removed from the 
holding block 140. The second carriage 120 and the first carriage 110 are 
moved towards the left side reference wall 104 of the machine 8. There the 
first carriage 110 and the second carriage 120 are each loosened at one of 
their end drive supports at least in order to allow for slight adjustments 
in each of their positions. The repairer or remanufacturer is clearly 
instructed NOT TO LOOSEN ANY SCREWS ON THE TOOL|. The adjustable position 
finger members 230, 232 are fitted over the right tie rod 122 of the 
second carriage, and centrally (front to back) over the tie rod. The 
loosened second carriage 120 is (if necessary) further moved gently and 
adjustably leftwards towards the reference wall 104 until the spacer 
portions 236 of the leg members 224, 228 are in aligned contact against 
the inside 106 of the wall. The second carriage 120 is then retightened 
and locked to its drive supports, and into this position. The loosened 
first carriage 110 is then moved adjustably towards the second carriage 
120 until the two locating cylindrical tips of leg members 220, 222 (of 
the firmly set tool 200) are inserted into the exposure slit 116 of the 
first carriage 110. The first carriage 110 is then also retightened and 
locked to its drive supports, and into this position with the two locating 
cylindrical tips of leg members 220, 222 within the exposure slit 116, and 
the forked tips of the finger members 230, 232 still over the tie rod 122. 
While the invention has been described with reference to the structure 
disclosed, it will be appreciated that numerous changes and modifications 
are likely to occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to 
cover all changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and 
scope of the invention.