Patent ID: 7121400

Claim:
An apparatus for controlling at least one conveyance element in real time in an assembly line environment, comprising: a guide defining a path, the guide having a first guide edge and a second guide edge; a chain capable of moving in the path, the chain coupled to the guide; at least one conveyance element fixedly coupled to the chain, the at least one conveyance element located between the first guide edge and the second guide edge, each conveyance element having a first conveyance element edge on the same side of the guide as the first guide edge and a second conveyance element edge on the same side of the guide as the second guide edge; a first rail located a uniform distance from at least a portion of at least one first conveyance element edge; and a magnetic field generator capable of generating a magnetic field encompassing at least a portion of the apparatus, the magnetic field applying attractive force between; a) the chain and the at least one conveyance element to hold the at least one conveyance element level with the guide at the location nearest the chain; and b) the first rail and at least one first conveyance element edge to hold the at least one first conveyance element edge level with the guide.