Workpiece moving methods
First Claim
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1. A method for moving a workpiece having a first plurality of alignment features and a second plurality of alignment features, the method comprising:
- attaching said workpiece to a workpiece advancer using at least a portion of said first alignment features such that the workpiece can move incrementally relative to said workpiece advancer; and
shifting said workpiece using said workpiece advancer.
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Abstract
A method for moving a workpiece having a first plurality of alignment features and a second plurality of alignment features. The method comprises attaching the workpiece to a workpiece advancer using at least a portion of the first alignment features such that the workpiece can move incrementally relative to the workpiece advancer. The method also includes shifting the workpiece using the workpiece advancer.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for moving a workpiece having a first plurality of alignment features and a second plurality of alignment features, the method comprising:
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attaching said workpiece to a workpiece advancer using at least a portion of said first alignment features such that the workpiece can move incrementally relative to said workpiece advancer; and
shifting said workpiece using said workpiece advancer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
aligning said workpiece using a corresponding portion of said second alignment features without disengaging the workpiece from the workpiece advancer.
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8. The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching comprises suspending the workpiece from the workpiece advancer.
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9. The method of claim 8 wherein said suspending comprises hanging the workpiece from a plurality of protrusions on the workpiece advancer.
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10. The method of claim 9 wherein said hanging comprises inserting pins protruding from the workpiece advancer into corresponding holes in the workpiece such that at least a portion of the workpiece is suspended from the pins.
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11. The method of claim 1 further comprising supporting another portion of the workpiece on a track located adjacent to the workpiece advancer.
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12. The method of claim 1, wherein said shifting comprises moving the workpiece advancer in an orbit.
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13. The method of claim 12 wherein said moving comprises:
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supporting an endless workpiece advancer on at least a pair of rotatable support members; and
rotating at least one of the rotatable support members to drive the endless workpiece advancer in the orbit.
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14. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing a tooling function on the workpiece after said shifting.
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15. The method of claim 14 wherein said performing comprises trimming material from the workpiece.
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16. A method for moving a workpiece defining at least two alignment features comprising:
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inserting a plurality of alignment holes in the workpiece onto corresponding protrusions on an endless belt; and
rotating the endless belt a predetermined distance along an orbital path. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification