Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring, automating and controlling the various operations performed on different products, e.g. the testing and/or repair of printed circuit boards, is presented. The apparatus includes one or more work stations and conveyor units to transport products and other components required to perform the operations on such products between such stations. The products are mounted in standardized carriers which facilitate intermixing different sizes and shapes of products without requiring adjustment to the conveyor units. The other components are adapted to also be transportable by the same conveyor units. The apparatus further includes buffering stages associated with each station for temporarily storing products and other components, and a distributed control system to facilitate the parallel processing of different types of products in accordance with a dynamic priority rating system and a preemptive scheduling technique.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring, automating and controlling the testing and/or repair of printed circuit boards is presented. The apparatus includes one or more test and/or repair stations and conveyor units to transport PCB's and other components required to test and/or repair such printed circuit boards between such stations. The printed circuit boards are mounted in standardized carriers which facilitate intermixing different sizes and shapes of boards without requiring adjustment of the conveyor units. The other components such as the fixture assemblies required to electrically access the printed circuit boards are adapted to also be transportable by the same conveyor units.