Abstract: A conveyor for conveying a board into a zone wherein it is desirable to register the board in a longitudinal sense. A mechanism for conveying the board comprises two endless conveying elements spaced transversely, each mounting an endless series of pads. The board fits between two pads behind it and two pads ahead of it. A mechanism for registering the board comprises two elements spaced tranversely and arranged to be normally removed from and selectively insertable into the path of the board. In different arrangements, the elements are vertically insertable from above such path and pivotally biased, vertically insertable from below and longitudinally biased, or rotatably insertable from below and rotatably biased.

Abstract: An improved method for forming holes in a board and an improved apparatus for practicing the improved method. Two or three linear arrays of holes are punched through the board, through its expansive faces, in a punching zone. A punch and a die coacting with the punch are used to punch each punched hole, in a press comprising a pressing ram and a pressing bed, upon relative movement of the pressing ram and the pressing bed toward each other. The board is registered in the pressing zone, in a predetermined position, by engaging its opposite edges and its opposite ends. Plural holes are drilled into each end of the board in a drilling zone. A physical measurement is conducted in an inspecting zone, by inserting a probe into each drilled hole, so as to determine whether such drilled hole has been drilled to a minimum depth. These punching, drilling, and inspecting steps of the improved method are carried out in a series of automated operations of the improved apparatus.