Patent ID: 8136804

Claim:
An automated assembly system for the assembly of a truss, the system comprising: a plurality of rail assemblies including: a first stationary rail assembly having a first pair of spaced and substantially parallel beams, the first stationary rail having first end, a second end opposite the first end, a midsection between the first end and the second end, a first segment between the first end and the midsection, and a second segment between the second end and the midsection; a second stationary rail assembly having a second pair of spaced and substantially parallel beams, the second stationary rail extending away from the midsection and substantially perpendicular to the first stationary rail assembly; a first moveable rail assembly having a third pair of spaced and substantially parallel beams, the first movable rail extending between the first segment of the first stationary rail and the second stationary rail assembly; a second movable rail assembly having a fourth pair of spaced and substantially parallel beams, the second movable rail extending between the second segment of the first stationary rail and the second stationary rail assembly; a plurality of trolleys supported by the rail assemblies and configured to move along the rail assemblies; a plurality of press assemblies, each of the press assemblies being supported by one of the trolleys, the press assemblies having a press head configured to embed connection plates into the truss; a plurality of ejector assemblies, each ejector assembly including: a frame; a vertical ejector supported by the frame and configured to raise the assembled truss in a substantially vertically upward direction; a conveyor system supported by the vertical ejector and configured to move the assembled truss in a direction away from the automated assembly system, the conveyor system including a conveyor belt supported by the frame and configured to rotate around the frame; and a rotary actuator configured to receive a pneumatic input and generate a force to raise and lower the conveyor system, and to generate a force to rotate the conveyor belt to advance the assembled truss; and a control system programmed to control the movement of the trolleys on the rail assemblies and programmed to control the operation of the press heads.