third, the product hits the first stage of a twenty-stage conveyor array. this array consists of individually operating conveyor stations linked together with an astonishing computer program. this program is significant in many ways. most importantly the program allows each individual stage to communicate with all of the other stages to control the flow of the product along the array. the program also empowers stepper motors to perform like servo motors as they speed-up and slow-down to push and pull the items away from each other. as the product proceeds along the array it is gradually spaced in relation to the item ahead of it, allowing an ordered stream of product to be discharged from the machine.