A machine for assembling fence panels, the machine comprising:
- a plurality of rail supports, the plurality of rail supports positioned parallel to each other, each rail support adapted to support at least one rail;
- a plurality of rail transport assemblies, one rail transport assembly disposed for each rail support, each rail transport assembly comprising:
- a rail conveyor, the conveyor adapted to move the at least one rail in a longitudinal direction to an assembly position;
- a push bar secured to each rail conveyor, the push bar adapted to contact the rail in the rail support such that the rail is advanced along the conveyor;
- the push bar configured to center the rail on the conveyor;
- a centering assembly positioned proximate the assembly position, the centering assembly adapted to position a lead end of the at least one rail on the conveyor at the assembly position, the centering assembly comprising:
- a pair of centering arms movable between an open position and a closed position;
- wherein in the closed position the centering arms contact the at least one rail on the conveyor such that the rail is positioned at the assembly position;
- and wherein in the open position the centering arms do not contact the at least one rail on the conveyor;
- a cylinder adapted to move the centering arms between the open position and the closed position;
- a picket hopper adapted to support a plurality of pickets, the picket hopper positioned to support the plurality of pickets substantially perpendicular to the plurality of rail supports, the picket hopper comprising:
- at least one ledge adapted to support the pickets in the hopper;
- at least one picket push bar;
- and a cylinder operatively connected to each picket push bar;
- a picket transport assembly adapted to move the pickets from the hopper to the assembly position, the picket transport assembly comprising:
- a picket conveyor;
- and
- a conveyor guide positioned at an acute angle to the rail conveyors, the conveyor guide defining a delivery angle for the pickets at the assembly position;
- a drive shaft operatively connected to the rail conveyor and the picket conveyor:
- a picket spacing assembly comprising:
- a spacing guide, the spacing guide movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
- wherein in the engaged position the spacing guide increases the delivery angle for the pickets at the assembly position;
- and
- a second cylinder adapted to move the spacing guide between the engaged position and the disengaged position;
- a picket skewing assembly comprising:
- a pinch roller, the pinch roller movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position;
- wherein in the engaged position the pinch roller contacts the pickets proximate the assembly position;
- and
- a skew cylinder adapted to move the pinch roller between the engaged position and the disengaged position;
- and
- a nailing system comprising:
- a plurality of nail guns disposed to secure at least one of the pickets to the at least one rail.