August 28th, 2008

SemiAuto

Overview

The SemiAuto positioning system is an upgrade to the micrometer based, manual positioners that come standard with MultiProbe’s AFP II nanoProber. SemiAuto uses high precision, high torque stepper motors to control the position of all movable axes in the system including the focus block for the optical microscope (up to 17 axes total). This software and hardware upgrade provides position control via on-screen controls and/or joystick input.
Once configured, SemiAuto provides one-button controls for sample exchange, microscope retraction, and head retraction (for easy tip exchange). When the system is ready to have all its tips exchanged, one button will lift the microscope out of the way and retract all the probing heads for unhindered tip access. Screen controls allow the memorization of up to four different positions per axis for rapid return to important locations.
For increased productivity, the software incorporates a 3-point alignment procedure to calibrate the SemiAuto’s coordinate system to the sample’s CAD coordinates. Once enabled, sample navigation can be performed by entering the feature’s CAD coordinates and pressing GO. (Sample coordinates must be manually supplied by the user.)
SemiAuto also provides full, remote operation of the AZoom optical microscope including light brightness, optical zoom level, and focus. The SemiAuto software incorporates the set-point buttons found on the AZoom digital controller to store pre-defined light/zoom combinations.
The image captured by the AZoom is displayed directly on the SemiAuto screen where it can be saved as .bmp images or recorded as .avi movies. In addition the software has tools for placing reference markers on the image as well as performing basic measurements of features.

Features

SemiAuto is available in two configurations:
SemiAuto SO: provides control only for the sample stage and optics. The probe stages retain their micrometer drivers.
SemiAuto Complete: provides complete motorized control for all the axes in the system. Currently SemiAuto supports a maximum of 4 probing heads.
Hardware Features
  • High torque, high resolutiion stepper motors
  • Micro stepping controller (250 micro-steps/step)
  • Motorized XYZ positioning of the probe tips at up to 6mm/sec
  • Motorized XY positiioning of sample at up to 6mm/sec
  • Motorized XY positioning and Z focusing of optics at up 2.1mm/sec
  • Travel range up to 39mm for all axes and 160mm for focus
  • Low backlash and high accuracy without feedback mechanism

Software Features
  • On screen positon contol
  • Joystick position control
  • One button optics and probe retraction
  • Memorization of up to four location per positioner
  • Software control of all AZoom features
  • Display of optical image
  • Frame and movie capture of optical image
  • Feature measurements with screen tools

Tech Specs

  Focus Block All Other Axes
Max Velocity (mm/sec) 2.1 6
Max Travel Range (mm) 160* 39*
Resolution (µm) 1.0 0.2
Accuracy (µm) [10µm move] 1.0 0.2
Accuracy (µm) [2000µm move] 1.0 1.0
* travel distance reduced via software in some axes to prevent hardware collisions