System and method for calibrating an automated materials handling system
View Patent ↗A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, wherein the materials handling system includes multiple stations for carrying out tasks and a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, includes the steps of: providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations; moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points; contacting the calibration points; recording the locations of the calibration points; and determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points. In some embodiments, the method includes contacting the calibration points with a calibration tool, which may include: a cylindrical body; a groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and a cylindrical upper flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body. In this configuration, the tool can be gripped by the carrier and employed to perform a variety of calibration functions.
1. A calibration tool for an automated materials handling system, the materials handling system having a carrier that is configured to move between multiple stations within the system, the tool comprising:
a cylindrical body having a first diameter;
a cylindrical groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and;
a cylindrical flange positioned on an end of the cylindrical body having a second diameter, the second diameter exceeding the first diameter.
2. The tool defined in claim 1 , wherein the second diameter is between about 1.5 and 2.5 inches.
3. The tool defined in claim 1 , wherein the flange has a thickness of between about 0.1 and 0.3 inches.
4. The tool defined in claim 1 , wherein the body has a flat lower surface.
5. The tool defined in claim 1 , wherein the flange has a flat upper surface.
6. A calibration tool for an automated materials handling system, the materials handling system having a carrier that is configured to move between multiple stations within the system, the tool comprising:
a cylindrical body with a flat lower surface and having a first diameter;
a cylindrical groove in the cylindrical body sized and configured to receive jaws from the carrier; and;
a cylindrical flange positioned on an upper end of the cylindrical body, the flange having a flat upper surface and a second diameter, the second diameter exceeding the first diameter.
7. The tool defined in claim 6 , wherein the second diameter is between about 1.5 and 2.5 inches.
8. The tool defined in claim 6 , wherein the flange has a thickness of between about 0.1 and 0.3 inches.