Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism for holding two pieces in position that are to be moved towards each other along at least two extreme coplanar docking directions that form a docking angle between them, the holding mechanism comprises firstly at least a male and a female V (19, 20) each provided with a mechanism for fixing to a respective one of the pieces so that each V is centered substantially on a direction parallel to the bisector of the docking angle and the female V possessing an inlet portion having an aperture angle not less than the docking angle, and secondly a mechanism (23, 24) for pressing the male V against the female V along said bisector. The invention also provides apparatus for assembling pieces of bodywork and incorporating the mechanisms.

Abstract: A method of holding a part (5, 16) in position in an assembly station (1), in which the part (5) is put into a determined position in the frame of reference of the assembly station (1) by way of a handling robot (7), at least one clamp (2, 3, 4) is closed onto a portion (5a, 5b) secured to the part, the clamp being mounted to slide freely in a guide (12) of the assembly station (1) extending parallel to its own clamping direction, and the clamp is blocked against sliding when it is clamped onto the part.

Abstract: A method of holding a part (5, 16) in position in an assembly station (1), in which the part (5) is put into a determined position in the frame of reference of the assembly station (1) by means of a handling robot (7), at least one clamp (2, 3, 4) is closed onto a portion (5a, 5b) secured to the part, the clamp being mounted to slide freely in a guide (12) of the assembly station (1) extending parallel to its own clamping direction, and the clamp is blocked against sliding when it is clamped onto the part.

Abstract: A method of holding a part (5, 16) in position in an assembly station (1), in which the part (5) is put into a determined position in the frame of reference of the assembly station (1) by means of a handling robot (7), at least one clamp (2, 3, 4) is closed onto a portion (5a, 5b) secured to the part, the clamp being mounted to slide freely in a guide (12) of the assembly station (1) extending parallel to its own clamping direction, and the clamp is blocked against sliding when it is clamped onto the part.

Abstract: A method of making car bodywork, the method including a step of assembling body sides (4a, 4b) to an underbody (1), the underbody (1) including a rigid engine compartment (2) at one end and being placed in an assembly station in a precise position determined in an orthogonal frame of reference having directions X, Y, and Z, the method consisting: in putting the body sides (4a, 4b) into position and holding them in position in the frame of reference of the station by means of two parallel tools (13, 14) each co-operating with a respective body side (4a, 4b), and at least one transverse tool (11) extending transversely to said parallel tools, the three tools being connected to one another and to the X, Y, Z frame of reference of the station in such a manner that the transverse tool (11) is placed and held in a position that is precise and locked in the frame of reference and that it forms a spacer and bracing tool in the Y direction for the two parallel tools (13, 14) in a zone that is remote from the engine co