Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus transfers a workpiece between a plurality of transport media moveable along a path of travel. The plurality of transport media define at least two groups of different transport media. The apparatus includes a lift workstation located along the path of travel for transferring a workpiece carried by one transport media to another transport media. At least two vertically extending frame members are positioned on opposite sides of the path of travel through the lift workstation. A reciprocal member is moveable vertically along each of the two vertically extending frame members for lifting a workpiece from one transport media and for delivering the lifted workpiece to another transport media. A controller operates at least one motor in response to arrival and departure of transport media to the lift workstation. A sensor senses whether a transport media is located in a ready position at the lift workstation, and generates a signal corresponding to a sensed condition of the transport media. The lift workstation can include a conveyor with a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in fixed locations spaced along a path of travel. At least one motor drives at least one of the rollers in rotation. At least one transport media is supported on the rollers for movement along the path of travel in response to rotation of the roller by the motor. Each transport media has at least one elongate support member continuously engageable with at least two rollers simultaneously while the transport media moves along the path of travel.

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First Claim