Archimedes and the Foundations of Industrial Engineering

A work station module which includes a buffer storage area for the transitory storage of workpiece carriers which are received at non-specific intervals and an escapement station to facilitate performance of some operation of a workpiece carried by each carrier. The buffer storage area includes a conveying surface which is defined by a plurality of fibers and which is vibrated to move the carriers longitudinally therealong. The resiliency of the fibers permits carriers which are adjacent the escapement station to remain stationary even though the conveying surface is vibrating. At the escapement station, the workpieces are coarsely positioned, lifted from the conveying surface, and accurately positioned and oriented to facilitate performance of the operation. Following the operation, the carrier is returned to the vibrating conveying surface for conveying to the buffer storage area of the next module.