Abstract:
In a production method and system, a set of camera frame assemblies are partially assembled and a film unit is loaded. Each camera frame assembly is disposed on a pallet. Each pallet has a unique machine-readable designator. Defects are found in one or more members of the set of camera frame assemblies and a record is made of the respective designators of the pallets bearing the camera frame assemblies having defects. Assembly of the camera frame assemblies is then concluded. Afterward, camera frame assemblies on pallets having designators in the record of defects are culled. The assembly has the pallets, a transporter, a plurality of assembly devices, a series of defect inspectors, and an alteration unit that prepares for culling film rolls of camera frame assemblies having defects. The alteration unit transmits camera frame assemblies that are free of the defects without the preparing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the manufacture of photographic equipment and more particularly relates to methods and systems providing camera film loading with delayed culling of defective cameras. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recyclable cameras, commonly referred to as “single use” or “one-time use” cameras, are becoming increasingly popular in the field of photography. Today&#39;s one-time use cameras generally use prewound film. In such cameras, a roll of unexposed photographic filmstrip is contained in a film supply chamber of a light-tight camera body. The filmstrip is sequentially advanced for picture taking, frame by frame across an exposure chamber and into the canister of the film cartridge, which is separately contained in a film cartridge chamber of the camera body. The camera frame assembly includes an anti-backup feature that permits movement of the film in only the advance direction. After all of the exposures have been taken by the camera user, the film cartridge is removed from the film cartridge chamber of the camera body by a photofinisher for processing. The camera body includes a frame sandwiched between front and rear covers. The frame is shaped so as to define the exposure chamber and the film chambers. A majority of the photographic components are attached to the frame. In recycling, the camera frame is commonly reused, since the components attached to the frame, such as the viewfinder and the film advance mechanism, can be reused for a number of film cartridges. 
     In assembling one-time use cameras, using recycled and new parts, it is desirable to test for defects. Testing can be automated and can be performed during camera assembly. Defective cameras can be removed when tested or can be physically marked for removal at the end of the assembly process. Both approaches have shortcomings. Removing defective cameras immediately, tends to slow down the manufacturing process. Marking for later removal adds a risk that the mark will later be missed. If a defect is unrelated to the film cartridge (otherwise referred to here as a “non-film defect”), then removal of a defective camera after film loading results in an unusable camera loaded with otherwise usable film cartridge. Retrieval of the cartridge from the defective camera frame assembly requires the return of the filmstrip to the canister of the film cartridge while protecting the filmstrip from exposure to light. 
     It would thus be desirable to provide an improved production method and system in which film cartridges from defective cameras are easily and automatically reclaimed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is defined by the claims. The invention, in its broader aspects, provides a production method and system, in which a set of camera frame assemblies are partially assembled and a film unit is loaded. Each camera frame assembly is disposed on a pallet. Each pallet has a unique machine-readable designator. Defects are found in one or more members of the set of camera frame assemblies and a record is made of the respective designators of the pallets bearing the camera frame assemblies having defects. Assembly of the camera frame assemblies is then concluded. Afterward, camera frame assemblies on pallets having designators in the record of defects are culled. The assembly has the pallets, a transporter, a plurality of assembly devices, a series of defect inspectors, and an alteration unit that prepares for culling film rolls of camera frame assemblies having defects. The alteration unit transmits camera frame assemblies that are free of the defects without the preparing. 
     It is an advantageous effect of the invention that an improved production method and system is provided in which film cartridges from defective cameras are easily and automatically reclaimed at the end of film winding and other production and testing steps. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a semi-diagrammatical view of an embodiment of the production system which performs an embodiment of the method. 
     FIG. 2 is a semi-diagrammatical cross-sectional view of a one-time-use camera produced by the method of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a semi-diagrammatical view of the transporter of the production system of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged semi-diagrammatical view of some steps of the first and second stages of the embodiment of the method of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged, partial semi-diagrammatical view of another embodiment of the system having a modified unloading portion which performs another embodiment of the method. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged semi-diagrammatical view of some steps of the second and third stages of the method of FIG.  5 . 
     FIGS. 7 a-   7   j  are semi-diagrammatical views of a pallet and camera frame assembly and corresponding look-up table entries at different steps of the method of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged semi-diagrammatical view of some steps of the second stage of the embodiment of the method of FIG.  1 . 
     FIGS. 9 a-   9   c  are the same views as FIGS. 7 e-   7   g,  but show a defective camera. 
     FIG. 10 is a semi-diagrammatical perspective view of a portion of another embodiment of the production system. A pallet and reader are shown. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the production method and system  10 , cameras are assembled, loaded with film cartridges  22 , and tested for defects. The system  10  has components divided among a number of different stations  12 . A transporter  14  conveys pallets  16  carrying camera frame assemblies  18 , from station  12  to station  12 . The term “camera frame assembly” is used here to refer to a complete camera or an incomplete camera or subunit of a camera that will later be assembled with other parts to form a complete camera. At the stations  12  of the first portion  20  of the system  10 , camera frame assemblies  18  and film cartridges  22  are loaded onto pallets  16 . In the second portion  24  of the system  10 , the transporter  14  extends through a light-tight enclosure, also referred to herein as a “dark enclosure  28 ”. (The light tight enclosure  28  is indicated by a dashed line in some of the figures.) At the stations  12  of the second portion  24  of the system  10 , film is prewound and the camera frame assemblies  18  are rendered light-tight. At the stations  12  of the third portion  26  of the system  10 , the completed cameras are sorted. Camera frame assemblies  18  are tested for defects in one or more portions  20 , 24 , 26  of the system  10  and defective camera frame assemblies  18  are culled following the sorting. Camera frame assemblies  18  identified as being defective, while within the dark enclosure  28 , cannot be removed unless provision is made to protect other camera frame assemblies  18  within the dark enclosure  28  from admission of light. This is undesirable, since it would add delay and complexity. Camera frame assemblies  18  identified as being defective, while within the dark enclosure  28 , and, optionally, while in the first portion  20  of the system  10  are therefore left in the queue. Instead of being removed, pallets  16  bearing camera frame assemblies  18  having defects are indicated in a defect record  30  (illustrated in FIGS. 9 a-   9   c ) and are removed at the end of assembly. The pallets  16  after removal of cameras are returned to the first portion  20 . This procedure is indicated, in the figures, by arrows  31 , 33  and can be provided by any conventional means, including manual transport of empty pallets. 
     The method and system  10  are used for cameras in which a filmstrip  32 , prewound into a roll  34 , is advanced back into the canister  36  of a film cartridge  22  during use, by a film transport (illustrated as box  37  in FIG.  2 ). FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a one-time-use camera  38 . The camera  38  has a front cover  40 , a back or back cover  42 , and a frame unit  44  located between covers  40 , 42 . During camera  38  use, a first film chamber  46  can contain a coreless film roll  34  or can have a film roll  34  held by a spool (not illustrated). A  30  second film chamber  48 , during use, holds the film cartridge  22 . The end of the filmstrip  32  is attached to a cartridge spool  50  within the canister  36 . A thumbwheel  51  is joined to the cartridge spool  50 . The frame unit  44  defines a film path (indicated by arrow  52  in FIG. 2) along which the photographic filmstrip  32  travels as the filmstrip is advanced during use. The film path extends from the first film chamber  46 , across an intermediate section  54  to the second film chamber  48 . The intermediate section  54  includes an exposure area to which light is directed by an exposure unit  56 . The exposure unit  56  includes sub-components such as a baffle, a lens system, a shutter, and a shutter release (not separately illustrated). The camera  38  can include a variety of other well-known camera features. For example, the intermediate section  54  can include frame rails for supporting the film during camera use. Discrete camera constituents, such as, a flash system  47 , a viewfinder, and a battery (not separately illustrated); can also be installed in the camera during assembly. 
     The transporter  14  conveys the pallets  16  from station  12  to station  12 . In the first portion  20  of the system  10 , the transporter  14  can be linear or can be arranged in two or more branches  58 . The transporter  14  combines the two or more branches  58  at an intersection  60 . The use of multiple branches  58  accommodates differences in processing speed of different portions  20 , 24 , 26  of the system  10 . The system  10  is illustrated and generally described herein in relation to an embodiment having two branches  58  in the first portion  20  and unbranched second and third portions  24 , 26 . It will be understood that the number of branches  58  in the different portions  20 , 24 , 26  can be varied, in any combination, to meet the process speed limitations of particular embodiments. 
     In the second portion  24  of the system  10 , the filmstrips  32  are prewound out of the film cartridges  22  and into film rolls  34 , within the dark enclosure  28 . The camera frame assemblies  18  are light-tightly closed over the film rolls, transported out of the dark enclosure  28 , and completed. The film  32  is protected, by the dark enclosure  28 , from actinic light during film winding and closure of the camera frame assemblies  18 . The method can be fully automated or can have one or more manual steps. The transporter  14  moves the pallets  16  from station  12  to station  12 , but is otherwise not critical. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the transporter  14 . In the first portion  20  of the system  10  are a pair of spaced apart conveyer belts  62 . Each belt  62  is driven by a motor  64 . Motors  64  for conveyer belts  62  and other components are indicated by boxes in FIG.  3 . The two conveyer belts  62  lead into a low friction chute or table  66 . Powered rollers  68  propel the pallets  16  along the chute  66  toward and then through the intersection  60 . The table can have nonpowered rollers or skids or the like (not shown) to reduce friction and more easily allow for movement of the pallets  16  and can be inclined to provide a gravity assist. 
     The intersection  60  of the first portion  20  of the transporter  14  delivers pallets  16  to a stub conveyer belt  70  within an entry section  72  of the dark enclosure  28 . Outer and inner doors  74 , 76  (indicated by dashed lines) of the entry section  72  are alternately opened and closed to permit pallets  16  to pass through, and yet exclude light from the main section  78  of the dark enclosure  28 . The stub conveyor belt  70  leads to a main conveyor belt  80  within the main chamber. The dark enclosure  28  has an exit chamber  82  beyond the main section  78 . The exit chamber  82  includes a stub conveyer belt  70  and inner and outer doors  76 , 74  which function in the same manner as like features of the entry section  72 . The intersection  60 , stub conveyer belts  62  and a main conveyer belt  80  within the main section  78  of the dark enclosure  28 , are all positioned close enough together for the pallets  16  to bridge gaps through which the doors  74 , 76  move (not shown). 
     Beyond the dark enclosure  28 , in the third portion  26  of the system  10 , is a chute or table  84  that has a swingable gullet  86  that provides for selective movement of pallets  16  between a first outlet  88  for non-defective camera frame assemblies  18  and a second outlet  90  for defective cameras, as referred to herein as “culls”. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a linear motor  64   a  swings the gullet  86  between the two different outlets  88 , 90 . The chute  84  can operate by gravity or can have a powered roller or other propulsion device (not shown). 
     The movement of the pallets  16  along the transporter  14  is coordinated as required by the components of the stations  12  and can be intermittent or continuous. If desired, pallets  16  can be located within stations  12  by stops  92 . A stop is illustrated in FIG. 3 for one of the stations  12  (indicated by a dashed box) by a swingable bar  92   a  and associated drive  94 . Suitable components for the transporter  14  are well-known to those of skill in the art. The transporter  14  can also be simplified is desired, by leaving out motors  64 , and instead providing manual movement of the pallets  16  from station  12  to station  12 , in all or only part of the system  10 . For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the conveyers can be replaced by tables and the pallets can be moved manually from one station to another along the tables. Both chutes can be unpowered and can operate by gravity, with or without a manual assist. 
     Referring now particularly to FIG. 1, each of the stations  12 , except at the ends, is illustrated as having an active component  96 , a reader  98 , and an tester  100 . This is a matter of convenience in illustrating the system  10 . The various components  96 , 98 , 100  are provided at the different stations  12  as necessary to meet system  10  requirements. Each of the components  96 , 98 , 100  can include an actuation mechanism (not illustrated), such as a retraction-extension system for moving the respective component between a non-use position, in which the component is clear of the transporter, and a use or active position, in which a pallet  16  in the respective station  12  is accessible to the component. The actuation mechanism can also include other parts, such as rotary or linear drives, for imparting motion to components or parts of the camera frame assemblies or film cartridges. 
     Each of the components  96 , 98 , 100  is connected by a communication line  102  to a trunk  104  which then extends to a controller  106 . The trunk  104  can be a wiring harness connecting each of the in individual components, or the trunk  104  can be a common line for multiplexed or networked signals. The controller  106  can be a programmable logic controller or personal computer. 
     In the method, pallets  16  are placed on the transporter  14 , as indicated by arrows  109 . Camera frame assemblies  18 , that is, incomplete camera bodies, are then placed on respective pallets  16 . Film cartridges  22  are placed on the pallets  16  with the camera frame assemblies  18 . The two streams of pallets  16  are then brought together at the intersection  60 . The order of the pallets  16  leaving the intersection  60  can be indeterminate. In other words, pallets  16  need not be provided by the two branches  58  at the same rate and the rate for each branch  58  can vary with time. This is likely, for example, if the steps of the first portion  20  of the system  10  are done manually. After pallets  16  enter dark enclosure  28 , the film cartridge  22  is placed in the camera frame assembly  18  and the film is prewound out of the cartridge  22 . A back  42  is then placed over the camera frame assembly  18  light tightly closing the camera frame assembly  18 . The pallets  16  then leave the dark enclosure  28 . 
     At each station  12 , one or more parts are assembled and one or more functions are tested or both assembly and testing is performed. The pallets  16  each have a machine readable indicator  108 , which uniquely identifies the individual pallet  16 . The term “machine readable indicator” is inclusive of any form of information that can be detected without human intervention, including optical, magnetic, radio frequency, and tactile information. Symbols or alphanumeric indicators can be used, but it is generally more convenient to provide the indicator in the form of a pallet bar-code  108 . Suitable pallet bar-code  108  symbologies and appropriate readers are well known to those of skill in the art. 
     Referring now particularly to FIG. 10, another type of indicator that can be used is a radio frequency identification transponder  150 . The term “radio-frequency identification transponder” is used herein to refer to any of a class of compact radio receiver-transmitters which are powered by an ambient radio-frequency field. The transponder is accessed by modulating the field with an appropriate communication signal (indicated by wave pattern  152  in FIG. 10) from a reader  98 , 98   a,  in the form of a radio frequency transmitter-receiver. The transponder reacts, responsive to the communication signal and supplies an identification number or alphanumeric sequence or other indicator as a radio-frequency transmission (indicated by wave pattern  154  in FIG.  10 ). Radio-frequency identification transponders are widely available in a variety of forms. These devices include a non-volatile memory, such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) semiconductor component integrally contained in the transponder. Stored in the non-volatile memory are encoded data. Particularly convenient are inlay transponders that have a substantially flat shape. The antenna for an inlay transponder is in the form of a conductive trace deposited on a non-conductive support. The antenna has the shape of a flat coil or the like. Leads for the antenna are also deposited, with non-conductive layers interposed as necessary. Memory and any control functions are provided by a chip mounted on the support and operatively connected through the leads to the antenna. Inlay transponders have been used as layers of identification tags and labels to provide encodements that are accessible at a distance. Inlay transponders of this type are marketed by Texas Instruments Incorporated, of Dallas, Tex. as Tag-it™ Inlays. FIG. 10 illustrates a pallet bearing an inlay transponder. 
     For convenience, pallet indicators are generally identified herein as “pallet bar-codes  108 ” and the reader  98  optically reads the pallet bar code, but it will be understood that other types of indicators and readers could also be used such as those shown in FIG.  10 . 
     The pallet bar-codes  108  are read at some or, preferably, all of the stations  12 . Information determined about the camera frame assembly  18  and film cartridge  22  carried by the pallet  16  is sent to the controller  106  and is associated with the pallet bar-code  108  for that pallet  16 , in a memory unit (not separately illustrated) of the controller  106 . For convenience, the collected information is referred to herein as a “table”. 
     The camera frame assemblies  18  are illustrated as bearing identifiers  110 , in the form of bar-codes, at an early stage of the assembly process. Because the pallet bar-codes  108  are used to register information in the table, the camera identifiers  110  can be added whenever convenient. Defective cameras can be unnumbered, allowing continuous numbering of identifiers  110  of cameras packaged together for distribution. Monitoring is easier, since camera identifiers  110  can be provided in continuous blocks of numbers. The use of pallet bar-codes  108  also avoids any problems that could result from using film cartridge identifiers  112  to also identify cameras, such as possible confusion during reuse of film cartridges from defective cameras. 
     The tabulated information about each pallet  16  is used in culling defective camera frame assemblies  18  at the completion of the process. This is a particularly advantageous approach, in that testing can be provided in the dark enclosure  28 , without requiring access for culling of defective camera frame assemblies  18  at that time. Defective camera frame assemblies  18  can instead be tested for defects within the dark enclosure  28  and then be culled later after completing the assembly process. In the first portion  20  of the system  10 , camera frame assemblies  18  can be tested and defective camera frame assemblies  18  can be easily removed, since it is easy to do so within the daylight environment. On the other hand, the first portion  20  of the system  10  can be simplified by eliminating the removal of defective camera frame assemblies  18 . In this case, the camera frame assemblies  18  are tested, defects are recorded, and defective camera frame assemblies  18  are then allowed to continue through the assembly process for culling at the end. This approach also helps ensure the integrity of information in the controller. All pallets  16  enter and leave the system  10  only at the beginning and end, and all pallets  16  within the system  10  are continuously tracked in the table. 
     Access to camera frame assemblies  18  within the dark enclosure  28  is necessarily limited by the requirement that the film be protected from actinic light. As earlier indicated, this limited access to the dark enclosure  28  is accommodated, in the case of culls, by removing defective camera frame assemblies  18  later, using information recorded in the table. The limited access can also be used to help ensure that one or more alteration units  114  are not bypassed. Referring to FIG. 8, alteration units  114  are individual active components  96  or groups of active components that act only on defective camera frame assemblies  18  or act in a different manner on defective and non-defective camera frame assemblies  18 . The actions of alteration units  114  modify the completed defective camera frame assemblies to be different than the completed defect-free camera frame assemblies and are initial steps in the reclamation of reusable parts of the defective camera frame assemblies. In the embodiments disclosed herein, an alteration unit  114  includes a camera printer  116  and a film cartridge rewinder  118 . 
     The printer  116  prints defect indicators  120  (shown in FIGS. 5-6) on the outsides of camera frame assemblies  18 , for use in classifying defective camera frame assemblies  18  for recycling of usable parts and monitoring of production. The printer  116  can optionally print an identifier  112  of the film cassette in the camera, on the outside of the camera. The cassette identifier  112  can be human or machine readable and is illustrated as a bar code. 
     The film cartridge rewinder  118  rewinds film  32  from a film roll  34  back into the film canister  36  of the cartridge  22 . This rewinding is only done with defective camera frame assemblies  18 . This occurs within the dark enclosure  28 , thus when the defective camera frame assemblies  18  leave the dark enclosure  28 , the defective camera frame assemblies  18  can be opened and the film cartridges  22  can be removed in daylight for later reuse. For Advanced Photo System film cartridges, the rewinder  118  can include an active light lock closer (not shown). A closer can also be provided as part of the camera frame assemblies or active light locks can be closed manually within the dark enclosure after rewinding. 
     The operation of the printer  116  and rewinder  118  are illustrated in simplified form, in the figures. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4-8, an empty pallet  16  is initially placed on the transporter  14  and pallet bar-code  108  on the pallet  16  is read. The pallet  16  has nests  124 , 126  (illustrated as recesses) for a camera frame assembly  18  and a film cartridge  22 . An entry is created in the table in the controller  106 , indicating the identity of the pallet  16 . Entries are shown in the figures as words and numbers, but can be recorded in any form. Information can be compressed or encoded and absent entries can also be used to indicate default values. A camera frame assembly  18  is placed on the pallet  16  by a pick-and-place device  128 . (A clamping tool and part of an arm of this active component are illustrated.) A pallet bar-code  108  on the camera frame assembly  18  is read and that information is entered in the table in association with the pallet  16  number, as shown in FIG. 6 b.    
     Additional assembly operations can be performed at this time and tests undertaken. This is illustrated by a station  12   a  (shown in FIG. 4) in which rotation of the thumbwheel  51  is checked. A rotatable disk  130  driven by a motor  132  is brought into contact with the edge of the thumbwheel  51  and rotation is monitored by a tester  100 , such as an optical sensor. The disk  130  engages the rim of the thumbwheel  51 . The disk  130  can be toothed complementary to the thumbwheel or knurled or otherwise configured to provide a positive engagement with the thumbwheel  51 . Marks can be provided on the thumbwheel  51  to make it easier for the sensor  100   a  to detect movement of the thumbwheel  51 . Motion can alternatively be detected by a change in the load on the motor  132 . Suitable equipment to perform these functions is well known to those of skill in the art. A camera frame assembly  18  is considered defective, if the thumbwheel rotates with the application of a force that exceeds a predetermined value. The sensor  100   a  sends a signal to the controller  106 , which records in the table an entry indicating whether the camera frame assembly  18  is acceptable or defective. (Test results are indicated in the table shown in FIGS. 7 a-   7   j  and  9   a-   9   c,  by the terms “Pass” and “Fail”.) A film cartridge  22  is next placed on the pallet  16  by a put-and-place device  128 . An identifier  112  on the film cartridge  22  is read at this time and that information is entered in the table, as shown in FIG. 6 d . The pallet  16  then enters the dark enclosure  28  and additional assembly and testing operations are undertaken. 
     In the dark enclosure  28 , the film cartridge  22  is placed in the camera frame assembly  18  by an installation device  134 . The station  12  is illustrated in FIG. 4, as also having a sensor  100  that detects whether the cartridge  22  is seated in the camera frame assembly  18 . This test could provide a signal to the table in the controller  106 , but is not illustrated as doing so in the figures. The installation device can be a simple pick-and-place device or can also provide additional functions, such as opening a light lock door of an Advanced Photo System 10™ film cartridge  22 . These and other functions can also be provided by a combination of manual and automated stations. 
     In the dark enclosure  28 , assembly operations and testing are performed and the camera frame assembly  18  reaches the state, in which the leading portion  142  of the filmstrip  32  extends out of the canister  36 . Type  135  (35 mm) film cartridges  22  are in this state, as manufactured. Advanced Photo System  10  film cartridges  22  reach this state after the light lock door is opened and the leading portion of the filmstrip  32  is thrust outward. The leading portion  142  is attached to a mandrel  144  and the film roll  34  is wound. Sensors  100  detect the presence and required motions of the filmstrip  32 . 
     The operation of the thumbwheel  51  is tested and test results are signalled to the controller  106 , in the same manner as earlier described. There is a distinction in the two tests, in that the spool  50  of the film cartridge  22  is also tested for rotation in the second test. For this reason, it is preferred that the thumbwheel  51  be rotated, in this second test, only in the direction of thrusting the filmstrip  32  from the cartridge  22 . The direction of rotation of the disk  130  is indicated by an arrow  136 . The thumbwheel  51  can be rotated in either direction in the first test. In both cases, the camera frame assembly  18  does not have a functioning anti-backup mechanism. It is well known in the art to place an anti-backup mechanism on a later assembled part, such as a back cover  42 , or to defeat a previously assembled anti-backup mechanism using a tool. The results of the test, indicated as “Test  2 ” in the figures, are signalled to the controller  106 . 
     Additional assembly steps and testing are undertaken to complete the camera. FIGS. 7 f-   7   h  illustrate prewinding of the filmstrip  32  out of the canister  36  of the film cartridge  22  and into a film roll  34  and installation of the back cover  42 . 
     Referring now particularly to FIG. 6, the camera frame assemblies  18  are printed within the dark enclosure  28  by a print head  136  of the printer  116 . An ink jet print head  136  on a movable arm  138  is illustrated, but any type of printer  116  can be used. Labels can also be individually printed separately then attached (not illustrated). The latter approach is useful with complexly shaped camera bodies. In any case, it is preferred that when the camera frame assemblies  18  leave the dark enclosure  28 , defective camera frame assemblies  18  have printed defect indicators  120 , such as codes for particular defects, as shown in FIG.  5 . The defect-free camera frame assemblies  18 , in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-6 are printed with the identifier  112  of the film cartridge  22  before the camera frame assemblies  18  leave the dark enclosure  28 . Defective camera frame assemblies  18  can be printed with film cartridge identifiers  112  in addition to defect indicators  120 , but this is not useful and, is not preferred if there is any risk that the film cartridge indicator  112  could cause a mix-up of defective and defect-free camera frame assemblies  18 . In the third portion  26  of the system  10 , as shown in FIG. 6, defective camera frame assemblies  18  are culled and defect-free camera frame assemblies  18  are sent onward for additional handling, such as inspection, packaging, and the like. In FIG. 5, the output chute  84  delivers defect free camera frame assemblies  18  for further processing (indicated by arrow) and delivers defective camera frame assemblies  18  to a table  142  for manual sorting, reclamation of usable components, and disposal or recycling of remaining parts (indicated by arrow). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, automated stations perform the same activities and defect indicators  120  are usable, but unimportant. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 and  7   a-   9   c,  the filmstrip  32  of the film cartridge  22  is wound out of the canister in the second portion  24  of the system  10  in the dark enclosure  28 . In doing so, a main part of the filmstrip  32  is wound into a film roll. The film roll is housed in the camera and is protected from light, in the finished camera, by the camera frame assembly  18 . Film cartridges  22  can be reclaimed from defective camera frame assemblies  18 , but the filmstrip  32  must first be rewound into the canister  36  without exposing the filmstrip  32  to actinic light. The film rewinder  118  rewinds the filmstrips  32  of only the defective camera frame assemblies  18 . At a downstream station  12 , the bar code of the pallet  16  is read and the value obtained is compared to the defect record  30 , that is, a record in the table that indicates that the camera on a particular pallet  16  has one or more defects. If the pallet  16  is found in the defect record  30 , then a quill  146  engages the spool  50  of the film cartridge  22  and the filmstrip  32  is rewound back into the canister  36 . If the pallet  16  is not in the defect record  30 , then the filmstrip  32  is not rewound. In any case, the camera is completed, including installing the back, and, optionally, printing cartridge  22  identifiers and/or defect indicators as earlier described. 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.