Apparatus, system, and method for maintaining part orientation during manufacturing

摘要

A method for maintaining orientation of a part during manufacturing includes feeding a carrier a supply apparatus. The carrier includes a flexible material and supports a plurality of manufactured parts and includes indexing parts and the supply apparatus stores the carrier. The method includes feeding the carrier into a part forming module to form a manufactured part, forming a plurality of manufactured parts onto the carrier and determining a position of the carrier by sensing the indexing marks. The carrier includes a plurality of parts formed onto the carrier and each manufactured part is connected to the carrier with connectors that hold the part from the carrier. The width of the connector less than or equal to the connector at a connection point to the carrier. Each part maintains orientation with respect to the carrier where the part is formed and maintains orientation during a subsequent operation.