초록 ▼

A multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system is shown and described herein having at least a first conveyor operating at a first speed and having a plurality of workpiece carriers thereon in a first spaced configuration. Operably communicating with the first conveyor is at least a second conveyor

A multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system is shown and described herein having at least a first conveyor operating at a first speed and having a plurality of workpiece carriers thereon in a first spaced configuration. Operably communicating with the first conveyor is at least a second conveyor operating at a second speed. Between the at least first conveyor track and the at least second conveyor track is a transfer mechanism, which allows movement of workpiece carriers therebetween. The second conveyor operating at the second speed allows a second spaced configuration of the workpiece carriers. When disposed in the second spaced configuration, less conveyor track is necessary to hold and move a number of carriers through an inclined and declined portion of conveyor track, as well as a through a workstation resulting in less manufacturing and operating costs.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of moving a workpiece carrier from a first conveyor to a second conveyor, comprising the steps of:operating a first conveyor system at a first speed;operating a second conveyor system at a second speed;operating a transfer station at said first speed; and,transferring at least one workpi

1. A method of moving a workpiece carrier from a first conveyor to a second conveyor, comprising the steps of:operating a first conveyor system at a first speed;operating a second conveyor system at a second speed;operating a transfer station at said first speed; and,transferring at least one workpiece carrier from said first conveyor system to said second conveyor system. 2. The method of claim 1, said operating a transfer station including rotating a plurality of workpieces and positioning a plurality of workpiece carriers from one of an openpack configuration or a closepack configuration to the other of an openpack configuration or a closepack configuration. 3. The method of claim 1 including varying spacing of a plurality of workpiece carriers from a first spaced configuration to a second spaced configuration between said first conveyor system and said second conveyor system. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second speed is less than said first speed. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said first speed is less than said second speed. 6. The method of claim 1, including moving one of said first conveyor or said second conveyor through a workstation. 7. The method of claim 1 said transferring including the step of engaging said at least one workpiece carrier with a pusher dog. 8. The method of claim 7, said pusher dog operating at said first speed and directing said at least one work piece carrier across said transfer station. 9. A method of transporting a workpiece carrier from a first conveyor to a second conveyor including the steps of:operating a first feed conveyor at a first speed;operating a second conveyor at a second speed;operating a transfer station at a speed at least equal to the feed conveyor;disengaging a workpiece carrier from said feed conveyor;forcing said workpiece carrier across said transfer station to said second conveyor;rotating a workpiece from one of an openpack configuration or a closepack configuration to the other of said openpack configuration or said closepack configuration along said transfer. 10. The method of claim 9 said operating a transfer including the step of engaging a workpiece carrier with a pusher dog and directing said at least one work piece carrier across said transfer station. 11. The method of claim 10, said pusher dog operating at said first speed. 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of varying the spacing between a plurality of workpiece carriers from the feed conveyor to the second conveyor. 13. A method of transporting a workpiece carrier from a first conveyor to a second conveyor including the steps of:operating a first feed conveyor at a first speed;operating a second conveyor at a second speed;operating a transfer station at a speed at least equal to the first speed;disengaging a workpiece carrier from said feed conveyor;forcing said workpiece carrier across said transfer station to said second conveyor;rotating a workpiece from one of an openpack configuration or a closepack configuration to the other of said openpack configuration or said closepack configuration along said transfer;varying the spacing between a plurality of workpiece carriers from said feed conveyor to said second conveyor. 14. A multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system, comprising:at least one first conveyor;at least one second conveyor; and,at least one transfer station disposed between said at least one first conveyor and said at least one second conveyor and providing operable communication therebetween, said first and second conveyors comprising a substantially T-shaped track. 15. The multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system of claim 14 including a plurality of workpieces disposed on at least one of said first conveyor or said second conveyor. 16. The multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system of claim 14, said T-shaped track defined by three U-shaped channels formed in a T-shaped configuration. 17. The multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system of claim 14, said T-shaped track including a chain channel and a chain slidably disposed in said chain channel. 18. The multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system of claim 14, said transfer station including a structural steel support and a transfer track depending from said structural support. 19. The multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system of claim 18, said transfer station including at least two sprockets and a crossover chain disposed about said at least two sprockets. 20. The multi-speed variable spacing conveyor system of claim 19 further comprising at least one pusher dog connected to said crossover chain.