The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 07, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 08, 2001
Richard A. Kusmierczyk, Windsor, CA;
Dale A. Ritthaler, Fraser, MI (US);
Unova IP Corp., Woodland Hills, CA (US);
Abstract
A transfer line apparatus for performing multiple machining operations on each of a plurality of workpieces in a transfer line. The apparatus includes a plurality of different kinds of machining units disposed at respective machining stations along a transfer path. A workpiece transporter moves workpieces along the transfer path to position each of the workpieces at each of the machining stations and allow each of the machining units to machine each of the workpieces as the workpieces move along the transfer path. A controller connected to the machining units responds to an inspection command by causing all machining units downstream from a designated machining unit along the transfer path to allow a workpiece selected for inspection to pass by without being machined by the downstream units. This allows the workpiece to be inspected in a form that the remaining machining units have not altered.