An apparatus and method for randomly interchanging up to four pairs of side framing
gates at a framing station of a vehicle assembly line while maintaining a predetermined
build cycle time interval of the assembly line. The system employs first and second
carousels positioned on opposite sides of the assembly line upstream of the framing
station and third and fourth carousels positioned on opposite sides of the production
line downstream of the framing station. The system further includes a first linear
track structure extending from the first carousel to a first side of the framing
station, a second linear track structure extending from the second carousel to
a second, opposite side of the framing station, a third linear track structure
extending from the third carousel to the first side of the framing station, a third
linear track structure extending from the third carousel to the first side of the
framing station, and a fourth linear track structure extending from the fourth
carousel to the second side of the framing station. The carousel includes at least
two sides, possibly three sides, four sides or more, each side capable of receiving
a framing gate. The framing gates positioned at the framing station are randomly
interchanged by a combination of rotary movements of the carousels and linear movements
of framing gates along the linear track structures.