摘要 |
<p>A relative motion generator (10, 20) capable of dynamically varying an acceleration, velocity, displacement, dwell time and/or location of the dwell of a continuously moving line (11, 24) within a working region (16, 26). The relative motion generator (10, 20) is particularly suited for indexing the continuously moving line (11, 24) past one or more work stations (17, 50, 52, 54, 56). The continuously moving line (11, 24) may be either a conveyor belt, a parts handling system containing discrete components, a chain drive, or a continuous web, with or without discrete components. The relative motion generator (10, 20) includes first and second support member (13, 14, 34, 36) mounted to the slider assembly (10A, 32) adapted to support a working region (16, 26) of the continuously moving line (11, 24). A programmable actuator system (40) is adapted to move the slider assembly (10A, 32) along the translation path (18, 38) to generate a working region motion different from a nominal motion. The working region motion is the same as a nominal motion when the slider assembly (10A, 32) is stationary relative to a fixed location (17). The translation path can be circular, linear or curvilinear.</p> |