Method and apparatus of controlling an automatic inspection device

A method of controlling positioning of an automatic inspection device, arranged to be installed in a field of alignment holes and shifted by using the alignment holes, and which device has a frame, a first carrier body mounted on said frame for shifting in an X-direction, a second carrier body mounted on said frame for shifting in mutually perpendicular X-Y-directions, clamping means on both carrier bodies clampingly engageable in the alignment holes, arm means pivoted on said second carrier body and having a free end for mounting an inspection means, and obstacle detection means:

• said method comprising the steps of assigning respective X-Y addresses to the alignment holes;
• indicating, on an objective counter in terms of its address, the location of said automatic inspection device;
• providing a preset counter for instructing the shifting direction of said device in terms of an address to which said device is to be moved;
• responsive to supplying instructions to said preset counter, comparing the address of such instructions with the address contents of said objective counter;
• responsive to such comparison, shifting said device in a direction to reduce the difference resulting from such comparison;
• and, during such shifting, utilizing said obstacle detection means to avoid any obstacles in the shifting path of said device.