Feed indexing for material handling apparatus and process therefor

A process for feed indexing and processing of elongated stock with a material handling apparatus, which process comprises:

• gripping and moving an elongated stock with a first vise at a desired travel velocity so that the first vise moves toward a first final position, wherein said elongated stock but not said vise is supported by an array of paraxial and coplanar rollers;
• accelerating an open second vise from a second home position until reaching said desired travel velocity;
• thereafter gripping and moving said stock with said second vise once said second vise is at said desired travel velocity while said first vise is gripping said stock;
• releasing said first vise from said stock and recycling said first vise to a first home position while said second vise moves said stock, wherein said first vise recycles to said first home position at a speed greater than said desired travel velocity;
• repeating said sequential steps until said elongated stock has travelled a desired distance;
• and
• stopping movement of said elongated stock and performing a machining process on said stock between said first vise and said second vise.