Line balance and jam prevention apparatus for parts conveyed between serially coupled manufacturing stations

摘要

An improved control apparatus that automatically maintains line balance and prevents part jam up in a manufacturing process by selectively removing parts from a conveyor line coupling successive manufacturing stations. The apparatus includes a stationary proximity sensor and air knife mounted with respect to the conveyor line, a timer, a solenoid-operated air valve for coupling the air knife to a source of compressed air, and an excess part bin adjacent the conveyor line. When the proximity sensor is closed for more than a first predetermined interval, an impending jam-up of parts is detected, and the timer activates the solenoid-operated air valve for a second predetermined interval, causing the air knife to blow one or more parts from the conveyor line into the excess parts bin. A manually operated switch may be provided for continually activating the air valve to remove all parts during maintenance operations. The apparatus is inexpensive and easily installed by simply clamping the proximity sensor, the air knife and the excess parts bin on a conveyor support structure. A control unit containing the solenoid operated air valve and the timer is placed adjacent the conveyor. The control apparatus is easily adapted to any conveyor line, operates reliably over extended periods of time due to the lack of moving parts, and is easily maintained due to its simplicity and small number of parts.