Manufacturing system and transport assembly

Abstract

A system capable of accommodating variations in individual work station operation, and a method of achieving and maintaining a desired predetermined manufacturing system rate utilizing integrated work station and dual conveyors. First and second conveyors are provided adapted to transport pallets thereon, and the conveyors are mounted so that they are generally parallel to and spaced from each other permitting the integration of automatic work stations between the independent conveyor. The conveyors are powered to run in the same direction, pallets being transported by the first conveyor being transported generally parallel to pallets being transported by the second conveyor. Workpiece acting stations are disposed between and extend between the first and second conveyors for acting upon workpieces brought into an dpositioned therein and retained generally in a static mode for the duration of the operation. Structures are provided for moving pallets independently from the first conveyor to a work station and then to the second conveyor or vice-versa. After completion of the desired activity upon each workpiece at a station, the respective pallet is moved from the station unto the opposite conveyor, and the series of activities is repeated for each station set until all desired operations have been completed for each pallet-fixtured workpiece.