Abstract

Transfer machine apparatus is provided, which includes a load station for receiving parts during at least some of the part reception periods in a succession of part reception periods, and which further includes a number of selectively located work units for performing prespecified work tasks upon received parts. A transfer mechanism is provided for moving a given one of the received parts from the load station to each of the work units in a prespecified sequence, the given received part being moved from one work unit to another during a part transfer cycle in a succession of part transfer cycles. A digital code storage device receives a digital code during each of the part reception periods, a first digital code being received if a part is received by the load station during a part reception period, and a second digital code otherwise being received. The storage device is provided with a number of discrete digital code storage positions, each of the work units uniquely corresponding to one of the storage positions. A component coupled to the storage device shifts the received digital codes so that at the conclusion of a selected number of part transfer cycles, the digital code contained in a given one of the storage positions comprises a first digital code if a received part is located at the work unit corresponding to the given storage position, and otherwise comprises a second digital code. A component responsive to the contents of each of the storage positions of the digital storage device enables the work unit corresponding to the given storage position to perform its prespecified work task if a first digital code is contained in the given storage position at the conclusion of the selected number of part transfer cycles, and prevents such work unit from performing its prespecified work task if a second digital code is contained in the given storage position.