Abstract: A robotic tire mounter for mounting a tire to a wheel is disclosed. The robotic tire mounted comprises a robotic arm and a gripping unit. The gripping unit further comprises a plurality of gripping fingers that are selectively moveable between a releasing position and a gripping position. When in the gripping fingers are in the releasing position, the gripping fingers are positioned adjacent one another adjacent a center of the gripping unit. A method of mounting a tire to a wheel using a robotic tire mounter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robotic wheel cleaner configured for performing a cleaning operation on a wheel is disclosed. The robotic wheel cleaner comprises a selectively moveable arm that is operatively connected to a body portion at a first end thereof. A cleaning tool is operatively connected to a second end of the moveable arm. The cleaning tool further comprises cleaning pad configured for selectively engaging at least a first predetermined location of a wheel. The cleaning tool is selectively movable along a first predetermined pathway to clean at least a predetermined portion of the wheel. The robotic wheel cleaner can further be actuated to move the cleaning tool to position the cleaning pad at least a second predetermined location of the wheel and to selectively move the cleaning pad along a second predetermined pathway to clean at least a second predetermined portion of the wheel.

Abstract: A robotic wheel gripper unit that is configured for gripping and transporting a wheel to a predetermined position during an assembly operation with a tire is disclosed. The robotic wheel gripper unit comprises a selectively moveable arm that includes a gripper tool connected thereto. The gripper tool further includes a plurality of gripper fingers and at least one sensor. The gripper fingers are configured for selectively engaging a portion of a wheel. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined element on the wheel, such as a TPMS valve stem, to assist in placement of the wheel during an assembly operation.

Abstract: A feed and cutting unit for selectively cutting and dispensing individual weight material segments from a common strip of backing material is disclosed. The feed and cutting unit comprises a feed assembly, a sensor and a cutter member. The feed assembly includes a drive roller and a follower roller that frictionally engages first and second surfaces of a strip of weight material to selectively move the strip of weight material to a cutter member. The sensor is connected to a controller and measures an amount of segmented weight material on the backing material as the strip of weight material moves past the sensor. The cutter member is actuated to separate weight material segments from the backing material by cutting at least a portion of the backing material in a gap disposed between adjacent segments. Weight apply devices that receive the segments for application to an imbalanced member, are also disclosed.