Automated fastener inspection system

In an assembly operation in which a mechanical fastener is used, said fastener being moved along a feed path to said assembly operation, a device for inspecting said fastener prior to use in said assembly operation, comprising:

• a body positioned in said path, and having a chamber through which said fastener travels;
• a cam member pivotally connected to said body, said cam member being rotatable between a fastener stopping position and a fastener releasing position, wherein when said cam member is in said fastener stopping position a blocking portion of said cam member projects into said chamber, to stop fastener travel and to hold said fastener at a certain preselected location in said chamber, and when said cam member is in said releasing position said blocking portion of said cam member is moved out of said chamber, in a manner so that said fastener may travel therethrough;
• spring means, connected to said cam member, for normally rotating said cam member into said fastener stopping position;
• cam member release means operable for rotating said cam member in opposition to said spring means and in a direction from said fastener stopping position to said fastener releasing position;
• camera means operable for producing an image showing the actual dimensions of said fastener;
• and
• image analyzer means operable for comparing said actual fastener dimensions provided by said camera means with certain preidentified desirable fastener dimensions, wherein said cam member is further operable to release said fastener after said camera means produces said image, and wherein if said actual dimensions of said fastener substantially match said preidentified desirable dimensions said fastener is known to be acceptable for use in said assembly operation.