Method for automatic conveyor width adjustment

A computer controlled assembly line having multiple independently adjustable-width conveyors, comprising:

• sensing means for sensing the size of a workpiece;
• a machine having an adjustable width conveyor comprising first and second parallel conveying means, the distance between the first and second conveying means adjusted to a first width in response to the sensing means to accommodate the workpiece;
• a work cell containing a conveyor having third and fourth parallel conveying means, the distance between the third and fourth conveying means being adjustable;
• a sensor mounted on one of the four parallel conveying means for sensing the location of one of the upstream or downstream parallel conveying means;
• and
• an adjusting means in the work cell responsive to the sensor, to adjust the distance between the third and fourth conveying means at least just prior to transfer of the workpiece from the first and second conveying means to the third and fourth conveying means so that said distance is equivalent to the first width.

A computer controlled assembly line having multiple conveyors that can independently adjust widths, comprising:

• first and second conveyors arranged to pass a printed circuit board from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, each conveyor having a first rail parallel to a second rail;
• a scanner to acquire information relating to a size of the printed circuit board;
• the first conveyor having an adjusting means, responsive to the information relating to the size of the printed circuit board, for adjusting the distance between the first and second rails to a first width;
• and
• one of the first and second conveyors having a sensor responsive to the location of a rail on the other of the first and second conveyors, and having an adjusting means responsive to said sensor, for adjusting the distance between the first and second rails to match the first width at least just prior to transfer of the printed circuit board from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.