Test sample positioning system

A system for moving a sample holder within a machine, the sample holder having first and second side panels, comprising:

• a base pan having first and second side regions, said sample holder placed on and moved about said machine on said base pan;
• a first drive system engageable with said first side panel of said sample holder for moving said sample holder in a forward direction along said base pan aligned with said first side region, said first drive system positioned adjacent to said first side region of said base pan;
• a second drive system engageable with said second side panel of said sample holder for moving said sample holder in a forward direction along said base pan aligned with said second side region, said second drive system positioned adjacent to said second side region of said base pan;
• wherein said first and second drive systems are independently operable so as to move said sample holder about said base pan sequentially along said first and second side regions and without requiring the presence of other sample holders on said base pan to effectuate the movement of said sample holder about said base pan in said forward direction,
• wherein said first and second drive systems each comprise a paddle engaging said first and second side panels of said sample holder, respectively, said paddle slideably mounted to a shaft, the shaft axially fixed with respect to said base ban and extending parallel to said first and second side regions of said base pan, respectively, and
• wherein said shaft and paddle of each of said first and second drive systems are rotatable about an axis relative to said base pan as a unit to allow said paddle to be rotated into and out of engagement with said first and second side panels of said sample holder, respectively.