Patent ID: 6516935
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B23P,B23Q,B65G

Abstract:
A system for temporarily storing and subsequently reintroducing parts into an industrial assembly line comprising:a first conveyor and a second conveyor, each conveyor having first end and a second end, a robot manipulator positioned adjacent the assembly line and adjacent said first ends of said conveyors, said robot manipulator being configured to selectively engage and release parts, a plurality of containers, each container adapted to receive a plurality of the parts in predetermined positions within the container, a first and second alignment rail, said first alignment rail positioned adjacent the first end of said first conveyor and said second alignment rail positioned adjacent the first end of said second conveyor, a first actuator movable between and extended position in which said actuator engages one container at said first end of said first conveyor and moves said one container against said first alignment rail, and a retracted position, a second actuator movable between and extended position in which said actuator engages one container at said first end of said second conveyor and moves said one container against said second alignment rail, and a retracted position, a controller which controls the activation and direction of movement of said conveyors, the activation of said actuators and said robot manipulator to selectively move parts between the assembly line and containers on said first conveyor and selectively move empty containers between said first conveyor and said second conveyor.