Abstract: A fixturing pallet is removably registered on the table of a programmable routing machine and provides a platform to which tooling is registered and repositionably attached. The tooling is used according to registration, supporting, and routing requirements of each multi-board panel and its individual boards; and it serves to support and establish and maintain registration of each panel and/or board on the pallet during: (i) transporting of the multi-board panels from a load/unload station to the routing station, (ii) depaneling at the routing station, and (iii) transporting of liberated boards and scrap back to the load/unload station.

Abstract: Each board of a multi-board panel is gripped and registration is established by engagement with tooling of the transfer arm of an in-line machine in preparation for a routing process by which the boards are to be liberated from the panel (depaneled). The tooling supports each board and maintains registration therewith during liberation of the board from the multi-board panel and also during transfer of the liberated board to a selected one of several sites of a subsequent station via repositioning of the transfer arm. In one embodiment of the invention, registration is accomplished by inserting lengthwise-bifurcated locator pins into corresponding locator holes in the boards and expanding the bifurcated legs into locking engagement with the panel by longitudinal displacement of a tapered rod which is disposed between the legs.