Patent ID: 8727099

Claim:
A workpiece conveyance system comprising: a first transfer with a first workpiece support surface and a first longitudinal axis, the first transfer configured to transport a workpiece in a first direction of flow, the first workpiece support surface comprising a plurality of lugs disposed at regular intervals along the first workpiece support surface, and the workpiece having an initial orientation on the first transfer relative to the first direction of flow; a feed roll assembly operatively coupled to the first transfer and configured to transport the workpiece in a second direction of flow that is transverse to the first direction of flow while maintaining the workpiece in said initial orientation, the feed roll assembly further comprising a support having a first side and an opposite second side, and a first feed roll coupled to the support and extending outwardly from the first side of the support and spaced apart from an opposing feed member by a gap, the first feed roll being rotatable in a first rotary direction and having a first end portion, a second end portion with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first end portion, and a first axis of rotation, and one or more of the first feed roll and the opposing feed member being repositionable to adjust the gap between the first feed roll and the opposing feed member, the opposing feed member comprising a second feed roll coupled to the support and having a second axis of rotation, the first and the second axis of rotation extending perpendicular to the second direction of flow and laterally skewed by 10 to 50 degrees relative to the first longitudinal axis, the first feed roll positioned to engage a first surface of the workpiece, the second feed roll positioned to engage an opposite second surface of the workpiece, and the first workpiece support surface having a first portion positioned proximal to the first end of the first feed roll and the first end of the second feed roll; and a scanner positioned transverse to the first workpiece support surface, the scanner configured to scan the workpiece on the first workpiece support surface and to generate scan data representing one or more characteristics of the workpiece.