Abstract: Disclosed is a nut welding automation system configured to automatically weld different types of nuts to holes formed in a metal-processed product using a robot. The system may reduce an error rate with respect to products by preventing omission of a nut or welding of a wrong type nut so that reliability in administration of the welding process may be secured and overall productivity may be improved.

Abstract: A method of producing a catheter includes a step of arranging a lead wire in the lumen of a thermoplastic outer-layer tube such that the lead wire extends in the longitudinal direction of the outer-layer tube; a step of exposing one end of the lead wire out of an opening of the outer-layer tube; a step of joining the one end of the lead wire exposed out of the opening with the inner wall of a ring electrode; a step of covering the opening of the outer-layer tube with the ring electrode; an step of inserting a thermoplastic inner-layer tube in the lumen of the outer-layer tube; and an integrating step of heating the outer-layer tube and the inner-layer tube to integrate the outer-layer and the inner-layer tubes to form an electrode tip such that the lead wire is interlaminarly embedded and fixed between the outer-layer and the inner-layer tubes.

Abstract: The automatic joining system includes: a fixing device; a friction stir device; a measuring unit; and a controlling device, in which a rotating tool includes a base end side pin and a tip end side pin formed continuously to the base end side pin, the controlling device sets a target moving route along which the rotating tool moves when friction stir joining of a butting portion is performed, based on a ridge line position before the friction stir joining is performed, and also sets a modified moving route at a position displaced toward a first metallic member side in substantially parallel with respect to the target moving route, and the friction stir device controls the rotating tool to move along the modified moving route and thereby performing the friction stir joining along the target moving route.

Abstract: Connection systems and methods for connecting cross-frames to girders in skewed structure. A Tee section can be welded to a girder, and cross-frame members can be welded to the flange of the Tee section. The flange of the Tee section can have main cut-outs to separate the web of the Tee section from the flange of the girder. The flange of the Tee section can optionally have edge cut-outs for providing airflow, such as in humid regions with high potential for corrosion.

Abstract: This work machine is provided with a clutch mechanism which is provided on a motive power transmission path between a drive source and a wheel. The clutch mechanism is provided with: a drive shaft with which drive force from the drive source is transmitted; a key member which is provided so as to be capable of moving relative to the drive shaft; a driven member which is driven by the drive shaft via the key member; an impelling member which impels the key member towards the driven member; and a ratchet holder which is provided with an engagement groove and a guide part, and which is provided so as to be capable of rotating coaxially with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A chassis welding device for welding brackets as standard members to a body of a chassis includes a frame, a first transferring member, a plurality of loading mechanisms, a plurality of carriers, a conveying member, a shifting member, and a spot welder. The loading mechanism transfers standard members to individual preset positions on the carrier to face the solder joints on the standard members away from the carrier. The first transferring member transports the carrier to the shifting member. The shifting member transfers the carrier from the first transferring member to the spot welder. The conveying member transfers the body into contact with the solder joints. The spot welder applies heat to melt the solder joints to bond the standard members to the body.

Abstract: A method for producing a sandwich metal part (1) having a non-developable shape. The part including a metal honeycomb core (2) and two metal skins (4) arranged to either side of the core. The method including: a step of plastically deforming metal sheets (4?) for obtaining the two metal skins (4); then, a step of rigidly connecting the two metal skins (4) to the core (2).

Abstract: An assembly apparatus is constituted to include positioning mechanisms for aligning the positions of side panels and a roof panel. For example, a front positioning mechanism includes a first base portion disposed on a first distal end arm of a front side robot, roof positioning members and side panel positioning members supported displaceably by the first base portion, a right front beam member and a left front beam member extending along a vehicle widthwise direction from the first base portion, a first left marking member and a first right marking member disposed at respective distal ends of the beam members, and a left visual sensor and a right visual sensor for detecting positions of each of the first left marking member and the first right marking member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a testing machine for accurately controlling looseness of a transverse load, and belongs to the technical field of mechanical testing devices. The testing machine for accurately controlling looseness of the transverse load uses a motor to control the generated transverse displacement, controls the generated transverse load by controlling the motor, and controls the motor through signal feedback from the sensor to keep the generated transverse load basically stable within a small range of a fixed value. Unlike the existing testing machine for looseness of the transverse load that can only provide one fixed transverse displacement load, the present invention can provide a desired stable transverse displacement load and can provide a desired stable transverse force load to adapt to simulation experiments for different bolt loading conditions.

Abstract: A jig for strength test of a side door of a motor vehicle for supporting a side outer component product includes a jig frame, a first roof rail jig unit installed in an upper rear end of the jig frame and configured to support a roof rail of an upper end portion of a center pillar of a product, a second roof rail jig unit installed in an upper central portion of the jig frame and configured to support a roof rail of the center pillar of the product, a cowl crossbar jig unit installed in a front upper end of the jig frame and configured to support a front roof and a hinge portion of the product, and a plurality of side seal jig units installed in a lower end portion of the jig frame and configured to support a lower end portion of the product.

Abstract: A vehicle body positioning and locking devices for use in assembling a vehicle body positioned on a movable vehicle support positioned at a vehicle build station. The locking device includes a remote vehicle locking device for selectively securing and locking a vehicle body to a support pallet. The support pallet is accurately and precisely positioned at a build station through alignment and inserting engagement of locating pads in at least one four-way and at least one two way receiver mounted to a build station foundation. A compliant body clamp design is included to provide a desired clamping force between the pallet and a vehicle body across a range of motion of the body clamp to accommodate vehicle build variances.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for attaching conductive tabs to photovoltaic structures. The apparatus includes a cassette configured to store a plurality of conductive tabs and a pick-and-place apparatus configured to obtain a conductive tab from the cassette and place the conductive tab at an edge of a photovoltaic structure. The pick-and-place apparatus further includes a tab holder configured to pick up and release the conductive tab and a substantially horizontal track coupled to the tab holder. The tab holder is further configured to move back and forth along the track.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric arc-welding welding head comprising a contact device and one or more wire feeder units, the contact device encompassing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising at least two fusible continuously-fed wire electrodes arranged in a contact device. An electrically insulated duct is provided for electric insulation of at least one of the electrodes so that the electrode is electrically insulated from other electrodes in the electrode assembly. The invention also relates to an electric arc-welding contact device and an electric arc-welding welding head assembly.

Abstract: A fixture assembly for welding a plurality of stator wire end pairs may include an anvil, a movable clamp configured to translate between an unclamped state and a clamped state, a first grounding electrode, and a second grounding electrode. The movable clamp may be configured to urge the plurality of stator wire ends against the anvil when in the clamped state. The moveable clamp includes a separator feature that generally extends toward the anvil. Each of the first grounding electrode and second grounding electrodes may be configured to translate between a clamped state and an unclamped state. When in the clamped state, each of the first and second grounding electrodes is configured to urge a pair of the plurality of stator wire end pairs against the separator feature.

Abstract: A vehicle body manufacturing apparatus includes: a jig frame structure in which an upper jig frame out of multiple upper jig frames is replaceably disposed according to a vehicle type; a clamp jig that clamps a work of a vehicle body supported by the jig frame structure; an articulated arm that supports the clamp jig movably relative to the vehicle body; a fitting member provided in the clamp jig; and a fitting receiving member that is provided in the upper jig frame and guides the clamp jig to a predetermined clamp position of the vehicle body by fitting to the fitting member.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a coil terminal is electrically connected to a coil being wound around an electromagnetic block and connected to a coated wire. The coil terminal includes a connection portion electrically connected to the coil, and a terminal body portion extending from the connection portion and connected to the coated wire. The terminal body portion includes a slit formed in the longitudinal direction of the coated wire from one end to the other end of the terminal body portion, a base portion formed on the other end of the coil terminal, and a pair of parallel beam portions extending toward one end of the coil terminal from the base portion with the slit interposed between the pair of beam portions. The pair of beam portions may protrude in a thickness direction of the terminal body portion. The coated wire may be disposed within the slit and a core wire at the tip end of the coated wire may be soldered to the base portion.

Abstract: An embodiment of a robotic welding apparatus comprises a robot having a welding torch and a base, where the base rotates about an axis of rotation. The embodiment further comprises an indexing table including a plurality of workpiece holding positions, where the indexing table is fixedly connected to the base substantially at a center position of the indexing table, and where the indexing table rotates about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.

Abstract: The invention provides a spring product manufacturing line comprising: a manufacturing area 2 at which a formation device 50 attached to a base mount 52 plastically processes a spring material into a spring product; a formation device switching area 3 at which one formation device 50 is removed from the mount 52 and switched with another forming device 50; and a formation device transport line 4 that conveys a formation device 50 attached to a base mount 52 at the device switching area 3 to a manufacturing area 2; wherein the formation device 50 is provided with a plurality of formation units 54 that perform a bending process on the spring material by fluid pressure; the base mount 52 is provided with a pressure fluid line 62 that supplies pressure fluid to the formation units 54 provided at the formation device 50, and that is removably connected to each of the formation units 54; and the attachment or removal of the pressure fluid line 62 with respect to the formation device 50 is performed at the device sw

Abstract: A method for producing contact materials being employed in electric/electronic circuits consists of a step 1-1 for supplying a spring base strip 1, a step 2-1 for supplying a noble metal wire 2, a seam welding step 3-1 for welding the metal wire 2 to the spring base strip after the spring base strip 1 and the noble metal wire 2 are held together, and a step 4-1 for winding a welded product. The method further includes a testing step 8-1 for determining a preciseness of a welded position and for determining a welded strength to peel the noble metal wire 2 from the spring base strip 1, which are performed between the seam welding step 3-1 and the winding step 4-1. Specimens for the testing step 8-1 are sampled at the beginning of and at the end of a production lot of the contact material.

Abstract: A seam welding apparatus and a seam welding method perform a seaming process on workpieces of various shapes having flange sections, by preventing a welding track formed by upper and lower rotary electrodes from becoming displaced from a welding reference line established on the flange section. The seam welding apparatus includes two rotary electrodes for gripping the flange section therebetween while seam-welding the flange section, a support for synchronizing movements of the two rotary electrodes with each other in a widthwise direction of the flange section, a turning mechanism for pressing at least one of the two rotary electrodes toward the workpiece body, a roller that abuts against an end face of the flange section, and roller adjusting means for positionally adjusting the roller.

Abstract: An automotive body framing system includes a setter supported by parallel spaced tracks for movement from a work position to a standby position and to a gate change position and driven by corresponding racks and synchronized pinion drive units. Opposing gate storage belt shuttles are located at the gate change position for receiving the setter therebetween, and a gate staging cart is supported in back of the setter by parallel tracks and is also moved between opposing gate storage belt shuttles by synchronized rack and pinion drive units. Power operated registration units are positioned on the setter to register each gate received at precise horizontal and vertical positions, and the setter, staging cart and gate storage belt shuttles each have a series of resilient guide and support rollers to provide for quiet operation during rapid transfer of the gates on the setter, staging cart and belt shuttles.

Abstract: A method for holding together an electrically non-conductive stack of objects, such as a stack of magazines or foil strips includes forming the stack of objects; and applying to one side of the stack a static polarity with a planar, semi-conductive electrode.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus with a first conveyor and a second conveyor is used a the welding apparatus and a welding method for container bodies and in particular can bodies between which conveyors the object to be welded is handed over. A control unit determines the take over position and/or the conveying travel of the second conveyor and controls the conveyors accordingly, so that the take over occurs at the determined position and/or with the determined conveying travel of the second conveyor. This allows an easy and swift changing of the welding apparatus to different sizes of the objects to be welded.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a module and process for automatically attaching a junction box to a composite solar cell structure during the fabrication of a completed solar cell device. The electrical connection module further provides a thermode assembly including heating elements for forming a soldered connection between the junction box and the composite solar cell structure and a temperature sensing device in thermal communication with the heating elements for detecting a temperature profile during the connection process. The heating elements and temperature sensing device are linked to a controller configured to monitor and compare the energy input into the heating elements with the temperature near the tip of the heating elements throughout the connection process. The controller is further configured to compare the actual energy versus temperature profile to an expected profile throughout the connection process and verify whether a quality bond is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an automated solar cell electrical connection module that is positioned within an automated solar cell fabrication line and is configured to ensure a robust and reliable bond is formed during the electrical connection process. The electrical connection module generally provides a module and process for automatically attaching a junction box to a composite solar cell structure during the fabrication of a completed solar cell device. The electrical connection module further provides a thermode assembly including heating elements for forming a soldered connection between the junction box and the composite solar cell structure and a temperature sensing device in thermal communication with the heating elements for detecting a temperature profile during the connection process.

Abstract: A method for handling a stator bar at a braze station including lifting the stator bar from a platform, wherein the stator bar is in a substantially horizontal orientation on the platform; turning the stator bar from the horizontal orientation to an orientation at least 45 degrees off horizontal; aligning an upper end of the bar with a brazing station and positioning a lower end of the bar in a pit; turning the bar to reverse positions of the ends of the bar, and returning the stator bar to a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A panel gripping jig for gripping a panel, regardless of the size and shape of the panel, includes a welding unit for temporarily holding the panel. A separation unit releases the coupling state of the panel and the welding unit. A mounting arm has the welding unit mounted thereon, moves the welding unit in a longitudinal direction thereof, and has a connection part to connect the mounting arm to a working robot. A displacement unit adjusts the position of the welding unit on the mounting arm. A control board outputs control signals to operate the welding unit, the separation unit, and the displacement unit according to a user input.

Abstract: Provided are a welding method and a welding apparatus capable of appropriately starting the advancement of an electrode based on the positioning of a welding point on a steel plate part to which a projection bolt is to be welded and on the state of completion of feeding of the projection bolt to the electrode. A bolt (10) held by a feed rod (17) is inserted into a receiving hole (20) of an electrode (6), and an air blast is applied from a holding head (18) to complete the insertion of the bolt into the receiving hole (20). Then, the feed rod (17) is retracted. Subsequently, the electrode (6) is advanced to weld the bolt to a steel plate part (30) by electric resistance welding. In this case, the electrode (6) is advanced toward the steel plate part (30) in response to a signal generated upon insertion of the bolt and a signal generated after a welding point on the steel plate part (30) is adjusted. Subsequently, pressurization and energization are carried out.

Abstract: A roof panel (31) is pre-set on the left and right side members (4) fixed to an underbody of a car. A roof panel spot welding station (7) includes a pair of frames (34) and two joisted-locating jigs (35, 36) bridging the frames. Each of the joisted-locating jigs is furnished with a clamp mechanism for holding the roof panel. The roof panel is located to the side members by the locating jigs, and spot-welded to the side members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a welding system. The welding system comprises: a fixing jig for securely fixing any one of a plurality of to-be-welded objects; a movable jig for moving another of the plurality of to-be-welded objects a movable block for horizontally moving the movable jig; a block driving mechanism for driving the movable block; a position sensor for detecting the position of the movable jig; and a control device for receiving position data from the position sensor to control the block driving mechanism. According to a welding system of the present invention, it is possible sequentially identify the positions of the to-be-welded objects after the melting and shrinkage thereof using a position sensor and determine an optimal welding position of the to-be-welded objects during the welding to thereby realize an optimal finished product.

Abstract: Each of a pair of side members (4) is located relative to an underbody (3) using two locators (16). Each locator is lowered by a lifter (15) and placed on a slide base (18). The slide base is movable along a slide guide (17) toward and away from a transfer conveyor (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonding method or an apparatus for projecting a conductive element from a nozzle onto an object to be bonded and electrically bonding the object to be bonded and the conductive element. The method of invention comprises the steps of: preparing the conductive element having an outer diameter with a curvature radius larger than a curvature radius of a portion of an opening of the nozzle which is in contact with the conductive element; pressurizing and attaching the conductive element to the opening of the nozzle; and supplying a compressed gas into an inner space of the nozzle and projecting the conductive element in a solid phase state onto the object to be bonded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel system for inserting or mounting nuts in workpieces by means of welding. Said system comprises a welding station to which the nuts are fed via a conveying section.

Abstract: A welding machine, operating by the electric resistance welding method, for producing wire grid mat of longitudinal and transverse wires (L, Q) crossing one another and welded together at the crossing points, having a plurality of welding units (1, 1?), located transversely to the production direction, which at least for each longitudinal wire have one upper welding head (2) with an upper electrode, located above the grid production plane (X-X), and one lower welding head (5) along with a lower electrode movable counter to the upper electrode, the lower welding head being located below the grid production plane (X-X), having a common rail system (26, 28, 31) with at least two common rails extending along the welding line (S-S), for delivering the welding current to the welding electrodes, in which for continuously variable positioning of all the welding units transversely to the production direction (P1) along the welding line, adjusting devices (56, 57) and clamping devices (64, 65, 66; 64?, 65?, 66?) as wel

Abstract: A locating and locking unit for sheet metal parts which are to be assembled by electric spot-welding on a motor-vehicle body, comprising a base platform, for receiving the trolley of a positioning frame equipped with locating and locking devices for the parts to be welded. The base platform can be rotated between a non-operative horizontal position and an inclined position in which the positioning frame can engage the parts to be welded in a welding station along the assembly line. Locating elements are provided for defining the precise position of the positioning frame along two mutually orthogonal axes in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the line and along an axis parallel to the line.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing articles to be included in cans, a metal strip (1) is fed to an article forming unit (11), in which it is punched and stamped to form the articles. Before the article forming operations, the strip (1) is provided with laser engravings on one of its upper and lower surfaces, or on both these surfaces. The laser engravings form indicative marks on the articles. In addition to the article forming unit (11), an apparatus for manufacturing such articles has a metal strip supply (8), means (13) for feeding the strip (1) and a laser unit (9) for providing the indicative laser engraved marks on the articles.

Abstract: A plurality of robots are positioned on a rotatable table for transporting parts to be processed through a plurality of work stations positioned around the periphery of the table. Each robot can carry a workpiece from one work station to the next. The rotation of the table moves the robot from one workstation to the next while carrying a part to be processed. Each robot can be independently movable relative to the other robots and each robot can be independently movable relative to the table. Each robot can include a welder for processing the workpiece independent of the workstation or during movement between work stations. Each robot can carry a plurality of differently configured workpieces between the work stations.

Abstract: The present invention can weld two parts of component metal fitting constituting the parts as a welding apparatus used in manufacturing automotive parts such as a strut mount upon positioning and laminating. Furthermore, a welded part can be easily recovered to improve the operationality of welding. This welding apparatus has support tables to support two parts of component metal fitting. The support table has thereon a positioning pin provided standing in a position corresponding to the penetration holes possessed in the both parts of component metal fitting and a lower electrode to support the two parts of component metal fitting in their joining points. In a position further above thereof, an upper electrode is provided that is held vertically movable. The positioning pin in its upper end is made in a tapered form. The pin is supported elastically pressed down by spring means. Furthermore, urging means is provided to press down the pin against the spring means separately from the upper electrode.

Abstract: A device for mutually connecting by laser welding of sheet-metal objects laid flat against each other at least in determined zones, for instance two or more flat or previously profiled plates, for instance stainless steel or other objects for mutual connection by laser welding, comprising: a welding station comprising a laser and an optical device for performing a laser welding operation using a laser beam via a preselected path consisting for instance of a plurality of sub-paths; clamping means, for instance a lower clamping plate and an upper clamping beam for clamping against each other at least said regions, of the objects at the location of the welding station; transporting means for supplying and carrying successive assemblies of objects laid on top of each other according to a chosen displacement pattern along the welding station, which transporting means comprise two separate conveyors, wherein the welding station is a collective one for both conveyors and respective individual clamping means are adde

Abstract: A device for fusing a shank and a cutting edge to form a bit is composed of a bottom plate on which a shank locating apparatus, a heater, a cutting edge locating apparatus, a collection apparatus, and a pneumatic-electro control apparatus are mounted. The device can be manually or automatically operated through the pneumatic-electro control apparatus such that a plurality of shanks are arranged and located one after another at a first fusion position, and that a plurality of cutting edges are arranged and located one after another at a second fusion position. The shank located at the first fusion position is heated by the heater before the shank is fused with the cutting edge located at the second fusion position.

Abstract: An automotive framing system for positioning a lower body component and at least two upper body components together at precise positions relative to each other prior to fixedly securing the body components together. The framing system includes a conveyor for sequentially moving body preassemblies to a predetermined assembly station. A frame of integral construction is positioned around the body at the assembly station. A lifter at the assembly station lifts the lower body component and upper body components from the conveyor together with the frame to a predetermined elevated position in which the lower body component abuts against the upper body components. With the body preassembly positioned within the assembly station, clamps on the frame engage predetermined location points on the upper and lower body components to hold the upper and lower body components together at preset positions relative to each other whereupon the body components are fixedly secured together.

Abstract: A modular robotic welding station comprises a base skid to which is mounted robotic welding equipment. The base skid defines one or more docking stations. Satellite modules can have either stationary tables or turn tables that hold the workpieces to be welded. The satellite modules are detachably and interchangeably docked to selected base skid docking stations to thereby create customized workstations for the workpieces. The docking stations, satellite modules, and tables are designed to accurately locate the workpieces relative to the welding equipment. By detaching the satellite modules from the skid base, the satellite modules and skid base are easily transported individually from one location to another. A safety fence secured to the skid base can be arranged in different configurations to suit whether or not a satellite module is docked at a docking station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in a butt joint or an overlapping lap joint configuration and the blanks are welded together along a weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a mash welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration and the lap joint is welded along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: A relatively simple and inexpensive apparatus and method for providing high quality and aesthetically pleasing continuous resistance welded hollow metal articles at constant speed comprises an article workpiece conveying guide means for guiding the article workpiece through a welding means under controlled, stable, vibration free conditions in a predetermined path. The path has linear and non-linear portions. A sensor interactively connected to a programmable controller which functions to move the workpiece quickly and accurately through the welding means under stable conditions at a high uniform rate of speed. A first guide provides a weld edge reference guide, and a simple pivotal tracking system provides a weld path guide during non-linear travel of the workpiece. The tracking system exerts its force on the workpiece generally through the center of percussion of the article workpiece whereby no vibration is imparted by the force to the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for affixing heads to headless fasteners to form webs thereof, wherein the headless fasteners are equally spaced apart a given spacing. The web of headless fasteners is conveyed to and disposed so that each of a first set of headless fasteners is disposed in an aligned relationship to corresponding ones of a plurality of "n" head affixing devices. The head affixing devices are spaced from each other a distance equal to the product of the given spacing and ("n".+-.1). The plurality of head affixing devices are actuated to fasten "n" heads to their aligned fasteners of the web. Thereafter, the web is moved with respect to the plurality of "n" head affixing devices a distance equal to the product of "n" and the given spacing to align each of a second, different set of fasteners of the web to corresponding ones of the plurality of "n" head affixing devices.

Abstract: A pair of sheets are supported on a support assembly having skewed support rollers disposed on opposite sides of an elongate guide having a pair of sidewardly opening and vertically overlapping guide grooves. The pair of sheets are disposed on opposite sides of the guide and are urged inwardly into the guide grooves so that adjacent edges of the sheets are vertically overlapped. A shuttle moves the overlapping pair of sheets toward the nip of a weld roller assembly, with the sheets being engaged by driving skewed rollers disposed directly adjacent the weld roller assembly. The sheets are drivingly moved through the nip of the weld roller assembly, with the weld roller assembly having upper and lower weld rollers which pressingly and drivingly engage the overlapping edges of the sheets therebetween to create a seam weld as the sheets move through the nip.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a motorcar body assembling line for setting car body components including a floor panel, a roof panel, and side panels on a set carrier in a predetermined positional relationship in a setting station at a starting end of the assembling line. The apparatus has a floor panel setting device for transporting a floor panel to, and setting it on, the set carrier; a pair of right and left side-panel setting devices for receiving a pair of right and left side panels which are transported to an upper position of the setting station by a hanger and for setting them on the set carrier; and a roof panel setting device for setting a roof panel between roof side rails of the right and left side panels which have been set on the set carrier.

Abstract: In a welding station, particularly for motor-vehicle bodies, the elements to be welded are locked in a precise position by locking devices carried by locating gates. There are provided a number of parts of locating gates, corresponding to the number of different types of structures to be welded on which the station must operate. The gates are mounted on powered carriages which are guided longitudinally on both sides of the conveyor line to allow the pair of gates which are in the operative position to be rapidly interchanged. The elements of the structure to be welded reach the work area suspended to a hook, without being preliminarly connected to each other.