Background: In the manufacture of semiconductors, very precise amounts of corrosive liquid must be dispensed with extreme accuracy and repeatability. Our customer designed a pump to accomplish this task, but the pump required a computer and a pneumatic valve assembly to operate it.

Project: Product Resources was commissioned to design and build a microprocessor-based controller to operate the pump. The controller includes a microprocessor board, an electro-pneumatic control valve assembly, and a stepper motor drive with position feedback. The software for the embedded processor is written in assembly language using a special operating system and code developed by Product Resources to enable rapid development of application-specific control systems. A hand-held terminal with a four-line

LCD provides the operator interface. The complete controller includes a port for communications with a central computer, and it has the ability to store and execute 17 dispense routines. This product, measuring only 9" x 5" x 2", is presently being manufactured by Product Resources. The controller is packaged in the customer's final product packaging, and no further inspection is performed before shipment to the end user.

Technologies: embedded microcontrollers, software programming in assembly language, digital communications, stepper motor drivers, computer I/O to pneumatic interface, pneumatic logic, sheetmetal work, aluminum anodizing, laser etching

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