The APFS (Automatic Plate Feeder System) has the capacity to handle 7x9 railway crossties in lengths of 8'-0", 8'-6" and 9'-0". With an approximate 6-second cycle time and a 4-second bypass time, the APFS can keep up with any end plating machine in the industry. The plate hopper can hold up to 50 of the end plates. The APFS process begins when a single plate is dropped from each hopper simultaneously and is held in position magnetically on each platen. A tie is then positioned at the automatic plate feeder stops by the infeed conveyor. The two opposing cylinders fire and tack the plates into the end of the tie. The tie is them moved by conveyor on to the press system.