Abstract: A framing station arrangement that includes a bottom plate support device to receive a bottom plate of the car body to be attached thereto. An engaging robot brings separate components of the car body into engagement with the bottom plate. Preassembly devices are used to preassemble the separate components of the car body to the bottom plate and/or to each other in order to obtain the external shape of the car body. A support system having multiple separate framing elements used to support the preassembled car body. At least one other engaging robot is used to bring at least a part of the framing elements into engagement with the support system and/or another framing element. A locking unit that joins at least two separate framing elements together and to the bottom plate support device or at least to three other framing elements to form a support net.

Abstract: A method for framing a car body from a plurality of separate body components includes the steps of attaching a bottom plate of the car body to a bottom plate support unit, then bringing at least a part of the separate body components into engagement with the bottom plate by a robot or similar apparatus. The body components are preassembled relative to the bottom plate and/or relative to each other so that a preassembled car body has an external shape of the car body. A support unit is formed from a plurality of separate support elements for supporting the preassembled car body such that at least a part of the support elements is brought into engagement with the bottom plate support unit and/or another support element by a robot or similar apparatus. The support elements are clamped to each other in order to form a support means net.