System and method for calibrating an automated materials handling system

A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, the materials handling system including multiple stations for carrying out tasks, the materials handling system further including a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations;
• moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points;
• contacting the calibration points with the carrier or with a tool grasped by the carrier;
• recording the locations of the calibration points contacted in the contacting step;
• adjusting the position of the carrier after the contacting and recording steps;
• repeating the contacting, recording and adjusting steps until adjusting of the carrier causes no contact to be made with the calibration point;
• and
• determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points contacted in the contacting step.

A method of calibrating positions within a materials handling system, the materials handling system including multiple stations for carrying out tasks, the materials handling system further including a carrier that is movable between the multiple stations, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing calibration points at a plurality of the multiple stations;
• moving the carrier to at least some of the calibration points;
• contacting the calibration points with the carrier or a tool grasped by the carrier;
• recording the locations of the calibration points contacted in the contacting step;
• and
• determining locations of key components of the stations based on the locations of the calibration points contacted in the contacting step;
• wherein at least one of the calibration points is located within a groove included in one of the multiple stations, and wherein the method further comprises:
• adjusting the position of the carrier after the contacting and recording steps;
• and
• repeating the contacting, recording and adjusting steps until adjusting of the carrier causes contact to be made with an edge of the groove at the same location for two consecutive contacting steps.