Workpiece configuration detection system and method

An assembly for determining the configuration of a part, comprising:

• a platform having a longitudinal axis for supporting and moving the part along said longitudinal axis to various workstations;
• a first detection assembly for transmitting a first signal around and the part in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis and for receiving the transmitted first signal passed around the part;
• a controller for evaluating said first signal received from said first detection assembly thereby determining a first configuration of the part;
• a second detection assembly for transmitting a second signal around and the part in the direction transverse to the direction of said first signal and for receiving the transmitted second signal around and the part;
• said second detection assembly being operably connected to said controller for determining a second configuration of the part whereby said controller integrates said first and second signals for determining a third configuration of the part thereby identifying the part as the part is moved to a subsequent workstation;
• and
• said controller having a comparative program for integrating said first configuration and said second configuration thereby establishing a third configuration of the part used to identify the part being evaluated from said controller programmed with said third configuration for directing said subsequent work station to perform work relative to the identified part.