Method and apparatus for automated docking of a test head to a device handler

US5600258A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• inTEST Corporation · US

Inventors

• Daniel J. Graham · Marlton, US
• Alyn R. Holt · Cherry Hill, US
• Robert E. Matthiessen · Cherry Hill, US
• I. Marvin Weilerstein · Abington, US
• Christopher L. West · Medford, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 1994
• Grant date: Feb 4, 1997
• Expiry date: Dec 12, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G05B2219/49117
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A positioner facilitates docking and undocking of an electronic test head with a device handler. The positioner provides for rotation of the test head about a first axis. The positioner includes a linkage arm structure for moving the test head along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. Using motors, sensors and a processor, the linkage arm structure accurately docks the electronic test head with the device handler.