US3868758A

US3868758A - Method for cell plate assembly

Info

Publication number: US3868758A
Application number: US327018A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrance W Wightman; Howard C Gebhart
Original assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Current assignee: Emerson Electric Co
Priority date: 1973-01-26
Filing date: 1973-01-26
Publication date: 1975-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-04

Abstract

A method for automated cell plate assembly is provided utilizing minimum fixture arrangement compatible with continuous feed from a plate manufacturing machine, such as a punch press. The method utilizes two fixtures for holding the plates. One fixture is loaded directly from the punch press while the second fixture containing plates has successive operations performed on it. The two fixtures are moved alternately between a loading station and a successive operation station. Consequently, a single loading station may be used in conjunction with a pair of successive operation stations.

Description

Llited tates atent 1191 Wightan et all,

Mar. 4, 1975 METHOD FOR CELL PLATE ASSEMBLY 175] Inventors: Lawrance W. Wightman, St. Louis;

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 613,472 11/1948 Great Britain 29/202 R Howard C- Geb a es e ie 613,502 11/1948 Great Britain 29/202 R both of M0. 613,503 11/1948 Great Britain 1 29/202 R Assigneez Emerson Electric St. s MO 1,076,185 10/1954 France 113/1 C [22] Filed: Jan. 26, 1973 Primary E.\'amt'ner-C. W. Lanham ,1 Assistant Examitter-Dan Crane [21] Appl' 3270l8 Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Polster and'Polster [52] U.S. C1 29/430, 29/202 R, 29/464, [57] ABSTRACT Km Cl ig 3% A method for automated cell plate assembly is pro- I o I s e I s I e u n u v 1 I I a s s s. [58] Flew of g g? 9 202 f ble with continuous feed from av plate manufacturing 9/20 33 4 269/56 machine, such as a punch press. The method utilizes 55/138 143K145 113/1 118 118 C two fixtures for holding the plates. One fixture is loaded directly from the punch press while the second [56] References cued fixture containing plates has successive operations UNITED STATES PATENTS performed on it. The two fixtures are moved alter- 2,181.108 11/1939 Przyborowski 29/202 R nately between a loading station and a successive 0p-' 2,258,618 10/1941 Larkin 29/202 R eration station. Consequently, a single loading station 86.35 8/1954 wolosilmskim 29/202 R may be used in conjunction with a pair of successive 2,688.178 9/1954 Boyd et a1 29/202 R Operation Station, 3.482.299 12/1969 Davidson et al. 29/202 R 3.581.470 6/197l Aitkenhead et a1. 29/202 D 111 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures INSERTING PUNCHING LOADING smrrme AND V REMOVING I smrrms POSITIONING f EXPANDING 1 ,J .1 g 5 f (9 c I l t '1 I L 1 :ROTATING ROTATING: REPEAT I 1 1 1 1.2g .1 1.5.. l

PATENIEDNAR M915 SHEET 1 BF 3 ozEQtwom QZEUZDA PATENTED 4W5 3.868.758

' SHEET 2 0f 3 2 P es PATENTEU 41975 sum 3 o 3 FIG.8.

FIG.9.

1 METHOD FOR CELL PLATE ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the construction of cells formed from a plurality of parallel plates; While the invention is described with particularity in regard to the construction of electronic air filter cells, those skilled in the art will recognize the wide applicability of the concept of our invention to other cell constructions.

It is conventional, in the construction of electronic air filter cells, to fabricate a series of plates having a plurality of openings in them. The plates conventionally are constructed from sheet aluminum, generally being formed by some type of punch press operation. The press punches both a predetermined plate size and a plurality of openings through these plates. For example, it is conventional to have a large diameter and a small diameter opening adjacent one another on each end of a substantially rectangular plate. Plates are placed alternately in cell construction so that a passage through a series of plates is provided on each end of the cell comprising sequential large and small diameter openings. Thereafter, at least two metal tubes, which act as electrical conductors for the cell, are inserted through the passages.

The tubes conventionally are cylindrical, tubular structures constructed from a material capable of conducting electricity. Aluminum tubes work well from both a cost and a handling ease standpoint. After insertion of the tubes in the passages, the tubes are expanded by some form of expanding means. The expansion process causes the tubes to engage alternate plates along and about the small diameter openings in those plates. Expansion of the tubes conventionally is all that is required to form the plates and tubes into an integral unit. That is, after expansion, the tubes and plates form an integral unit containing a plurality of parallel plates, each plate being engaged by a tube. By providing the proper distance between alternate plates, it becomes possible to electrically charge sequential plates to opposite polarities by applying a voltage across the tubes. The use of these oppositely charged plates is well known in the art of electronic air filters.

It is desirable, from a cost standpoint, to provide for automated construction of the cell assembly. Certain criteria must be met to effectuate automation. For example, in an efficient automation process, it is desirable that plates be fed directly from a punch press to some form of plate holding and assembly fixture. Likewise, efficient operation requires that an empty fixture always be available for loading the plates as they are delivered from the punch press.

A number of efforts are known in the prior art which attempt to provide an automated plate process assembly. In general, these automated plate processes utilize a plurality of plate holding fixtures which move turntable fashion between various secondary stations until the completed cell assembly is removed from the fixture. A series of fixtures are provided so that the first fixture of the series is emptied and returned to the punch press for reloading as the last fixture of the series completes loading. While apparatus utilizing a serial production process work well for their intended pun poses, they possess inherent disadvantages. In general, any fixture utilized to receive and hold the plates of an electronic air filter cell is expensive. In the serial, endless chain or roundtable form of automation process,

terms used synonymously for the purposes of this specification, a considerable number of these fixtures must be provided in order to have an empty fixture available for reloading at the punch press. The very number of fixtures and the equipment necessary for the secondary operations performed on the plates in manufacturing the cells greatly increases the area required for the manufacturing process. Our process eliminates these prior art disadvantages by utilizing only two fixtures to receive the plates. The fixtures alternate between positions. Succeeding operations performed in manufacturing the cells are timed in relation to punch press operation so that an empty fixture always is available after the loading of the other fixture.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an improved, low cost method of automated cell construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automated method of cell construction requiring only two fixtures for receiving and assembling plates.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a method of cell construction requiring a minimum of floor space for method employment.

Other objects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, generally stated, a method of plate cell construction is. provided which method is adapted to utilize a minimum number of plate receiving fixtures in an automated process for manufacturing plate cells. The preferred method utilizes two plate receiving fixtures. The movement of the fixtures is coordinated with punch press operations to permit loading of a second fixture while succeeding manufacturing steps are accomplished on a first fixture. Upon loading completion of the second fixture, the first fixture has had the cell structure removed from it and is positioned to replace the second fixture at the plate loading position. The cycle is then repeated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. I is a flow chart indicating a preferred method of cell plate construction, discretionary steps being in dicated in phantom connection lines;

FIG. 2 is an expanded flow diagram showing a two fixture, three position flow chart for accomplishing the method indicated in FIG. 1, discretionary steps being indicated in phantom lines;

FIG. 3 is a combined flow chart. for the process illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away, of an apparatus arrangement for practicing the method of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of a plate assembly after removal from the fixture used in conjunction with the method of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the plate assembly formed after tube insertion and tube end alignment; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the plate assembly formed after tube insertion but prior to tube end alignment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. ll, reference numeral 1 indicates the initial step in cell construction in the method of this invention. In the step I, plates later used in forming an electronic air filter cell, for example, are manufactured by a punch press. The punch press used in the process of this invention is conventional and may comprise any of a variety of commercially available machines. Normally, the cell plates are manufactured on a punch press utilizing a progressive die. That is, sheets of rolled aluminum which either have been manufactured to a predetermined size or preslit to a desired size are inserted into the punch press. The press continually feeds the rolled aluminum sheeting through the die which sequentially punches a set of characteristics in the plate, the final step being a cut-off operation which severs the completed plate from the rolled sheet aluminum. For example, the punch press can be programmed, by die selection, to punch a plurality of openings in each plate. Conventionally, there are at least one large and one small opening on each end of a substantially rectangular plate. While the plates in an electronic air cell may be manufactured identically, they must be rotated with respect to one another in order to provide the sequential large and small diameter openings through the plate series. In our process, we find it desirable to accomplish this alternation by the above mentioned die selection. By proper die selection,

I we reverse punch alternate plates so that the plates may be later processed without actual physical rotation.

As the completed plate comes from the punch press it is loaded into a suitable fixture in a step represented by the numeral 3. Preferably loading is accomplished directly from the punch press. That is, the'most efficient method of our invention is one in which a fixture for holding the plates is positioned in proximity to the punch press so that it may receive the plates as they come from the press.

A number of conventional apparatus are available to feed plates from the press to the plate holding fixture. A properly timed conveyor works well, for example. The plates must be positioned parallel to and spaced from one another. Placement can be accomplished either by plate movement, fixture movement or a combination of both. We find it preferable to move the fixture in relation to the feeding mechanism. The loading fixture in turn may be moved horizontally or vertically with respect to the plates. Although either arrangement is acceptable, the preferred embodiment using the process of our invention moves flat lying plates carried by a horizontally moving conveyor so as to feed the plates into a downwardly moving, vertical fixture. After loading, the fixture is shifted to a second area operating station, represented by the numeral 4. The fixture is designed to hold the plates in proper relationship to one another, once they are loaded. Thereafter, the metal tubes are inserted through the passages in the plates and the tubes are expanded to engage alternate plates in the cell structure. Insertion and expansion are represented by the numeral 5 in FIG. 1.

Prior to tube insertion and expansion we sometimes find it conveneint to rotate the plate loaded fixture to a horizontal position, and this step is indicated by the numeral 6. The metal tubes, of course, may be inserted through the plates regardless of whether the fixture is in the horizontal or vertical position. Again, however, we prefer to rotate the fixture to a horizontal position. Rotation of the fixture enables it to better support the plates during tube insertion and expansion. Where these fixtures initially are horizontal in the loading step 3, the step of rotating the fixture is unnecessary.

Insertion and expansion conventionally are all that is required to attach the plates and tubes to one another. After expansion, the cell is removed from the fixture, a step represented by the numeral 7 in FIG. 1. Removal may be automated or a manual operation. Where the fixture has been rotated to a horizontal position, cell removal can be accomplished by automated first and second arms. The first arm merely lifts the now integral plate-tube combination from the plate holding fixture. The second arm sweeps the cell clear of that fixture. Clearing also may be used to transfer the cell to another operation station. For example, the second arm may be used to place the plate-tube combination on an adjacent conveyor which carries it to the other station or to storage.

Assuming the fixture is rotated to a horizontal position for tube insertion and expansion, the now empty fixture is returned to a vertical attitude in a step 8 and shifted in a step 9. The rotation provided in step 8 is eliminated where vertical positioning is maintained for the insertion and expansion procedures. After the fixture is shifted, it is positioned properly in a step 10 to provide for the vertically downward movement necessary for plate placement as those plates are fed to the fixture from the punch press.

' The process above described is that utilized on a single cell fixture. It may be observed, by referring to FIG. 2, that the use of two fixtures would enable one of the two fixtures to be loaded while the other of the two fixtures has the steps of tube insertion and expansion, and cell removal being accomplished on it. An expanded form of this latter fixture arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 2. As there shown, an initial position for the fixture pair is represented by the numerals l0 and 10., which represent the initial position for a first and a second fixture. As a first fixture proceeds from position 10 through the loading step 3, it is fed plates from an associated punch press. The fixture is then shifted to a second station in the step 4, and rotated in the step 6. Step 5, tube insertion and expansion are accomplished after rotation of the fixture. The cell is removed and the fixture rotated, shifted and returned to the position 10 for reloading. The numerals 10', 3', 4' and 6' correspond to the same steps for a second fixture.

The particular steps described in conjunction with FIG. 2, are shown superimposed in FIG. 3. It is there observed that a two fixture, three position method of cell assembly is disclosed which compacts the process indicated in FIG. 1. Numerals used in preceding figures are utilized in FIG. 3 for like steps, the prime numerals indicating positions for the second fixture.

As indicated, two fixtures may be moved through the process shown in FIG. 1. A first fixture is loaded while a second fixture has the remaining operations performed on it. The second fixture is unloaded and returned to position as the first fixture is sent to a second station. The respective pattern may be continued duringthe entire production run.

A machine for accomplishing the process of this invention is shown, somehwat diagrammatically, in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings. As there illustrated, a plate manufacturing means 20 has an output side, generally indicated by the numeral 21, which feeds a conveyor 22.

Plate manufacturing means 20 may comprise, and preferably is, a conventional punch press. Plates are fed from the output side 21 of the punch press to the conveyor 22. Conveyor 22 also is conventional and may comprise any of a variety of commercially available devices operated by drive means, not shown. The conveyor 22 feeds the manufactured plates to a fixture structure 23.

Structure 23 includes a frame 24 which supports a number of operational elements, not shown, for operating a first fixture 25 and a second fixture 26. it is observed, by referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, that the structure 23 has moving means 27 which is adapted to move the

fixtures

25 and 26 between the

positions

10, 3 and 4 and 3' and 6'. That is, moving means 27 is carried by the structure 23 and is designed to operate the'fixtures 25 and 26 which are the movable portion of the apparatus. the in addition, the means 27 are capable of rotation about a pivot 28 in order to rotate the fixtures 25'and 26 to a horizontal position for the insertion and expansion of at least one structure 29. A fixture that is particularly suitable for use in the method disclosed herein is shown and described in the co-pending Wightman U.S. application, Ser. No. 327,083, filed Jan. 26, 1973, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,135. It is desirable, in automated cell plate construction, to provide a fixture for receiving and holding the plates as those plates are manufactured. it also is desirable to provide a single fixture both for receiving the plates from the punch press and for the several constructional steps following plate manufacture. The prior art exhibits a number of fixtures useful in electronic air filter cell construction. An example of prior art fixtures is shown and described in the U.S. Pat. to Aitkenhead, No. 3,581,470, issued June 1, 1971. While these prior art fixtures work well for their intended-purposes, they have proved inadequate in a number of important features. At best, prior art fixtures generally are not designed to permit use of a single fixture with a variety of cell plate sizes. Nor are the fixtures designed to automatically lock the plates in position for the succeeding operations necessary in cell construction. Nor are the fixtures designed to receive pairs of plates in abutting relationship.

The invention disclosed in the above-referenced Wightman U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,135, eliminates deficiencies found in the prior art fixtures by providing a simply constructed, yet efficient plate receiving fixture. By placing pairs of plates between the fingers of the combs of the plate fixture, several major advantages are possible. First, the spacing between adjacent fingers 511 of an individual combs 55 can be increased. As shown in the drawings, and in particular FIG. 6, the combs 55 are grouped in individual comb sets 56. Second, the strength of each of the fingers also can be increased, enabling the fingers to withstand the forces encountered in the tube expansion manufacturing step, for example. Finally, the overall size and weight of the fixture can be reduced substantially. After insertion and expansion of the structure 29, the integral plate and tube combination may be removed from the first of the

fixtures

25 and 26 by an actuator 30. The other of the

fixtures

25 and 26, in accordance with the method of this invention, receives plates from the consteps are performed on the first fixture. Expansion of the tubes may be accomplished by any convenient method. For example, bullet expansion is one form of tubular expansion well known in the art. Thereafter, the two

fixtures

25 and 26 alternately are returned to the vertical position (6, 4') shifted (9) and raised to the initial position (l0, l0) and lowered downwardly (3, 3') with respect to FIG. 5, as plates are fed to them by conveyor 22. Although a variety of moving means 27' are compatible with the broader aspects of this invention, certain operational features of apparatus particularly useful with the process of this invention are shown and described in the co-pending Gebha'rt et al. U.S. application, Ser. No. 334,893, filed Feb. 22, 1973. FIG. 6 demonstrates a view of the plate loaded fixture, showing a typical hole pattern in the plates prior to insertion and expansion of the tubular structure 29. Fixtures similar to that disclosed in the Wightman U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,135, are extremely simple to use in the manufacturing process disclosed herein. For example, in the cell plate operation described above, each of a predetermined number of the comb sets is placed within an opening of a frame 52 and each is secured to the frame. The fixture is then placed in the initial position (l0, 10') for receiving the plates which eventually form the cell. The comb sets include a plurality of fingers or teeth 51 which define receptacles for receiving the plates. It is convenient to insert two plates between each of the teeth 51 of the comb sets 50. The purpose of dual plate placement is explained below. However, single plates may be inserted between the teeth 51 if desired. The plates, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, are manufactured identically and each plate has a predetermined hole pattern punched in it. Alternate plates are rotated 180 with respect to the immediately preceding plate in the cell so that a channel through a plate series is provided, comprising alternate large and small diameter openings. The particular fixture of Wightman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,135,

uses a combination of movable and stationary combs to lock a predetermined number of plates within the fixture. Thereafter, all later constructional steps necessary to form the parallel plates and metal tubes into an assembly may be performed, without removing the plates from the fixture. For example, the metal tubes 29 may be inserted through the channels in the plates and expanded. As previously described, expansion is all that is required to attach the tubes in the plates. Since veyor 22 as the insertion, expansion and cell removal the plates have alternate size hole patterns in them, each tube will engage an alternate plate. After expansion, the now integral unit may be removed from the fixture by any convenient method.

As indicated above, preferably two plates are placed in the receptacles defined by the teeth 51. Dual plate placement enables the fixture to be smaller in its overall dimension than would the case where a single plate is placed between each of the teeth 51. In addition, the tooth structure can be enlarged so that the teeth are able to withstand the expansion forces in the remaining operational steps of cell construction.

Proper spacing between plates is accomplished after tube insertion and expansion. That is, the metal tubes 29 are inserted and expanded and the integral cell is removed from the fixture. Thereafter, the ends of the tubes are adjusted. Since the plates are attached only to certain of the tubes, adjustment of the tube ends automatically gives proper plate spacing. The pictorial representation of this description is shown in FlGS. 8 and 9.

Use of our process increases both production and efficiency of cell production. The process is relatively easy to automate, which in turn has lowered unit product cost. A particular benefit of the automated process is that cells can be manufactured and stored for later use in production of air filters, for example. Cell production in the endless chain method, for example, is tied to the remaining production procedures.

Numerous variations, within the scope of the appended claims, will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. The process of this invention may be used to produce cell structures other than those used in electronic air filters. For example, condensor units finding application in various size air conditioning units are constructed similarly to the cells of an electronic air cleaner. Generally, however, the plates in the air conditioner condensor each are attached to fluid carrying conduits. Other steps in the process may be automated. Thus cell removal or tube insertion may be accomplished automatically. These variations are merely illustrative.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A method for automated cell plate assembly comprising the steps of:

punching a plurality of plates including punching at least one small diameter opening and one large diameter opening in individual ones of said plate plurality;

arranging said plates on a conveyor means so that alternate successive plates are rotated 180 with respect to one another;

feeding said plates into one of at least two fixtures,

each of said fixtures including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding said plates, at least two of said successive plates forming a pair, said individual pairs being positioned in one of said receptacle means, successive ones of said pairs being selectively spaced apart by said fixture; coordinating said punching step with said two fixtures such that a first fixture is loaded with plates from said punching, arranging and feeding steps, while said second fixture has the following steps accomplished on it; inserting at least one pair of tubular structures through said opening pair in said plates, expanding said tubular structures so as to mount alternate plates to alternate ones of said tubular structures, thereby forming an integral cell unit; and removing said cell unit from said fixture.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said each of said first and said second fixtures is in a vertical position during loading.

3. The method of claim 2 including the step of rotating said first and second fixture to a horizontal position prior to said tubular structure inserting step.

4. The method of claim 3 further characterized by the step of rotating said first and said second fixtures to a vertical position after said cell unit removal step.

5. A method for automated cell assembly comprising the steps of:

punching a plurality of plates including punching at least two pairs of spaced, diametrically different openings in each of said plates;

feeding said plates into one of at least twofixtures, said fixtures including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding said plates, individual ones of plates being inserted as pairs within a single receptacle of said fixture, each individual plate of said plate pairs being rotated l with respect to the other plate of said plate pairs so that at least two channels through said plates are provided, each of said channels comprising alternate large and small diameter openings, individual plates of said plate pairs being held adjacent one another in said receptacle means, each of said plate pairs being spaced discretely and isolated from all contact with other plate pairs;

coordinating said punching step with said two fixtures so that a first fixture is from with plates form said punching step while a second fixture previously loaded from said punching step has the following steps accomplished on it;

inserting a plurality of tubular structure through the openings in said pairs of spaced, isolated plate pairs;

expanding said tubular structures so as to mount alternate plates to alternate ones of said tubular structures, thereby forming an integral cell unit; and

removing said cell from said fixture.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said plate rotation is accomplished during said punching step by reverse punching successive ones of said plate plurality.

7. The method of claim 6 including the additional step of rotating each of said fixtures to a horizontal attitude piror to the insertion of said tubular structure.

8. The method of claim 7 including the additional step of rotating each of said fixtures to a vertical attitude following said cell removal step.

-9. The method of claim 8 wherein said feeding step is accomplished during vertical movement of said fixtures.

10. A method of automated cell plate assembly comprising the steps of:

punching a plurality of plates including punching at least one opening in said plates;

feeding said plates into a first fixture automatically at a feeding station, said feeding step including placing said plates on a conveyor after punching said opening in said plates, and moving said first fixture vertically downwardly to receive plates from said conveyor, said first fixture including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding at least individual ones of said plates, said plates being spaced discretely and isolated from all contact from one another by said fixture;

maintaining said plates separate and distinct from one another in said first fixture;

moving said first fixture horizontally to a second station and sequentially moving a second fixture in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to said feeding station, said second fixture including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding at least individual ones of said plates, said plates being spaced discretely and isolated from all contact with one another by said second fixture;

moving said second fixture vertically downwardly to receive plates from said conveyor;

first fixture to said feeding station by moving said first fixture in both a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction; and

performing a predetermined number of operations on said plates at said third station including removal of said plates from said second fixture while said first fixture is receiving plates.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 13683758 Dated March 1, 1975 Inv n fl Lawrance W. Wightman and Howard C. Gebhart It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 21, after "apparatus." delete the ----5 and Column 9, line 5, after "said" and before "fixture" insert first Signed and sealed this 6th day of May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer and Trademarks

Claims

1. A method for automated cell plate assembly comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of plates including punching at least one small diameter openiNg and one large diameter opening in individual ones of said plate plurality; arranging said plates on a conveyor means so that alternate successive plates are rotated 180* with respect to one another; feeding said plates into one of at least two fixtures, each of said fixtures including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding said plates, at least two of said successive plates forming a pair, said individual pairs being positioned in one of said receptacle means, successive ones of said pairs being selectively spaced apart by said fixture; coordinating said punching step with said two fixtures such that a first fixture is loaded with plates from said punching, arranging and feeding steps, while said second fixture has the following steps accomplished on it; inserting at least one pair of tubular structures through said opening pair in said plates, expanding said tubular structures so as to mount alternate plates to alternate ones of said tubular structures, thereby forming an integral cell unit; and removing said cell unit from said fixture.

5. A method for automated cell assembly comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of plates including punching at least two pairs of spaced, diametrically different openings in each of said plates; feeding said plates into one of at least two fixtures, said fixtures including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding said plates, individual ones of plates being inserted as pairs within a single receptacle of said fixture, each individual plate of said plate pairs being rotated 180* with respect to the other plate of said plate pairs so that at least two channels through said plates are provided, each of said channels comprising alternate large and small diameter openings, individual plates of said plate pairs being held adjacent one another in said receptacle means, each of said plate pairs being spaced discretely and isolated from all contact with other plate pairs; coordinating said punching step with said two fixtures so that a first fixture is from with plates form said punching step while a second fixture previously loaded from said punching step has the following steps accomplished on it; inserting a plurality of tubular structure through the openings in said pairs of spaced, isolated plate pairs; expanding said tubular structures so as to mount alternate plates to alternate ones of said tubular structures, thereby forming an integral cell unit; and removing said cell from said fixture.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said feeding step is accomplished during vertical movement of said fixtures.

10. A method of automated cell plate assembly comprising the steps of: punching a plurality of plates including punching at least one opening in said plates; feeding said plates into a first fixture automatically at a feeding station, said feeding step including placing said plates on a conveyor after punching said opening in said plates, and moving said first fixture vertically doWnwardly to receive plates from said conveyor, said first fixture including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding at least individual ones of said plates, said plates being spaced discretely and isolated from all contact from one another by said fixture; maintaining said plates separate and distinct from one another in said first fixture; moving said first fixture horizontally to a second station and sequentially moving a second fixture in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to said feeding station, said second fixture including a multiplicity of receptacle means for receiving and holding at least individual ones of said plates, said plates being spaced discretely and isolated from all contact with one another by said second fixture; moving said second fixture vertically downwardly to receive plates from said conveyor; maintaining said plates separate and distinct from one another in said second fixture; performing a predetermined number of operations on said plates at said second station including the removal of said plates from said fixture while said second fixture is receiving plates; moving said second fixture in a horizontal direction to a third station and sequentially returning said first fixture to said feeding station by moving said first fixture in both a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction; and performing a predetermined number of operations on said plates at said third station including removal of said plates from said second fixture while said first fixture is receiving plates.