Abstract: An assembly machine which has a plurality of work stations for performing operations on articles is disclosed. The machines includes means for conveying articles between work stations, a tool plate adapted to support tooling to perform operations at a plurality of work stations, and means for reciprocating the tool plate in synchronism with the movement of the conveying means wherein the reciprocating means are mechanically independent from the conveying means.

Abstract: An in-line assembly machine is disclosed which is capable of commonly actuating tooling associated with the machine at a plurality of work stations. The machine includes a camshaft with a plurality of cams fixed thereto. Upper and lower elongated tool plates are also included. These elongated tool plates are reciprocated by first and second lifting rods, respectively, which are driven by the cams via followers. The rotation of the camshaft thus causes the upper and lower elongated tool plates to reciprocate, thereby commonly actuating tooling to perform operations on parts to be assembled.