Abstract: A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.

Abstract: A production line includes at least one electronically controlled assembling station in which a chain conveyor device moves a plurality of part transporting pallets to be assembled in continuous movement along the production line. In one example, each assembling station includes an implement dedicated to the assembly station and freely movable in the assembly station along the transport direction of the pallets for use by an operator to execute manual assembling operations on the parts transported by each pallet. In one example, the production line assembling station further includes a plurality of automated drawers containing components for use in the manual assembly operations and a human machine interface accessible by the operator. In one example, the chain conveyor chain includes front and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line.