Patent ID: 7019259
Filing Date: 2006-03-28
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A conveyor system for delivering, successively, two sets of blanks of different dimensions along a travel path to a downstream processing station and for orienting each blank to arrive at the station in a precisely controlled orientation, comprising: a first continuous magnetic conveyor configured to receive, successively, each blank in a first set, and a second continuous magnetic conveyor configured to receive, successively, each blank in a second set, the first and second sets of blanks for producing a first article; a first pair of opposed lateral positioning arms, each incrementally driven by a first servo positioner for positioning opposed side edges of each blank of the first set, and a second pair of opposed lateral positioning arms, each incrementally driven by a second servo positioner for positioning opposed side edges of each blank of the second set; the first and second servo positioners being movable between an inoperative position and an operative blank-engaged position, wherein the blank-engaged position is selected to locate each blank of the first set in a precisely controlled first orientation and each blank of the second set in a precisely controlled second orientation, respectively; a pair of longitudinal positioning assemblies, each being incrementally driven by a third servo positioner and operable for positioning either a leading edge or a trailing edge on the blanks in the first and second sets; servo control means for controlling the first, second and third servo positioners, said control means being operative in: a first phase to adjust the operative and inoperative positions according to the dimensions of the blanks in the first and second sets, a second phase to shuttle the first and second servo positioners between their inoperative and operative positions, and to actuate the third servo positions for the longitudinal positioning assemblies to receive, one by one, the corresponding blanks of the first and second sets; a third phase to adjust the operative and inoperative positions according to the dimensions of a third set and a fourth set of blanks to form a second article; and a fourth phase to shuttle the first and second servo positioners between their inoperative and operative positions, and to actuate the third servo positioners for the longitudinal positioning assemblies to receive, one by one, the blanks of the third and fourth sets.