Automated screw driving machine

An automated screw driving machine comprising:

• a hopper adapted to hold associated fasteners having shanks and heads;
• a chuck assembly adapted to hold an individual fastener in position with respect to an associated component part;
• a feeder assembly adapted to convey the fasteners from the hopper to the chuck assembly;
• and,
• a driver assembly that takes fasteners from the chuck assembly and attaches them to the associated component part;
• wherein:
• (A) the feeder assembly comprises:
• (1) a transport surface having first and second distinct locations;
• (2) a first fastener conveyance structure operable to convey the fasteners out of the hopper to the first location on the transport surface;
• and, (3) a second fastener conveyance structure operable to convey the fasteners from the first location on the transport surface to the second location on the transport surface;
• (B) the feeder assembly comprises a fastener orientation structure comprising:
• (1) a groove formed in the transport surface that receives fastener shanks but not fastener heads;
• and, (2) a confinement device;
• (C) the confinement device comprises an opening positioned above the groove that is shaped and positioned to:
• (1) permit fasteners with fastener heads in a predetermined orientation to move along the groove from the first location to the second location;
• and, (2) prevent fasteners in any other orientation from moving along the groove;
• and,
• (D) the confinement device moves misaligned fasteners from the transport surface to the hopper.