Abstract: A method for compensating springback of a part includes running a finite element analysis (FEA) simulation of forming a panel using a model of forming die such that a panel with springback is simulated, determining at least two zero springback locations on the panel where hanging apertures are simulated, running an FEA simulation of the panel hanging from the hanging apertures, and comparing a geometry of the hanging panel to a geometry of a reference panel such that a difference between the geometry of the hanging panel and the geometry of the reference panel due to the springback is determined and compensated.

Abstract: A varnish application system includes an electric motor, a clamp, and a varnish injector. The clamp includes a beam, a first end plate fixed to the beam and engageable to a first end of the electric motor, and a second end plate releasably connected the beam and engageable to a second end of the electric motor. The varnish injector is arranged to apply varnish to the electric motor when the clamp engages the electric motor.

Abstract: A locator tool for a headliner assembly includes a base, first finger, second finger, and magnet. A proximal end portion of the first finger is fixedly coupled to a top portion of the base. The first finger extends in a first direction from the proximal end portion of the first finger to a distal end portion of the first finger. A proximal end portion of the second finger is fixedly coupled to the top portion of the base. The second finger extends in the first direction from the proximal end portion of the second finger to a distal end portion of the second finger. The second finger is spaced apart from the first finger by the top surface. The second finger extends in the first direction a lesser distance from the top surface than the first finger. The magnet is coupled to the distal end portion of the first finger.

Abstract: A method of monitoring operation of a shredder or health of a shredder component includes: setting a profile of a selected parameter of the shredder, wherein the profile includes a nominal value, a tolerance of the nominal value, and a predetermined range of the selected parameter outside the tolerance; obtaining an actual value of the selected parameter; comparing the actual value with the profile of the selected parameter; determining the operational condition of the shredder based on a comparison between the actual value and the profile of the selected parameter. The profile is obtained based on experimental data, statistics, or machine learning.

Abstract: A thermoforming apparatus includes a mold with a plurality of sections. Each section is independently movable. The thermoforming apparatus further includes a set of electromechanical actuators. Each electromechanical actuator is attached to a screw that moves each section of the plurality of sections to specific positions. The mold is configured to press against a blank to form a product with a shape corresponding to the specific positions of the plurality of sections.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a threadless positioning pin includes a head end, a pilot end, a positioning shank, a retainer shank, and a keyway. In another embodiment, a threadless positioning retainer includes a first end, a second end, an exterior, and an interior with a key extending from an inner surface proximate the first end. In another embodiment, a threadless positioning fastener includes a threadless positioning pin and a threadless positioning retainer, including an interior with a key configured to ride in a keyway of the threadless positioning pin. In another embodiment, a method of joining assembly elements includes providing a primary element, advancing a threadless positioning pin through a positioning hole so that a key rides along a keyway, and rotating the threadless positioning pin so that the key engages the keyway to trap the primary element between the threadless positioning pin and a threadless positioning retainer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic atomization material applicator includes a material applicator with at least one transducer and an array plate with an array of micro-applicators. Each of the micro-applicators has a material inlet, a reservoir, and a micro-applicator plate with a plurality of apertures. At least one supply line is in communication with the micro-applicators and configured to supply at least one material to each of the micro-applicators. The at least one ultrasonic transducer is mechanically coupled to the at least one array of micro-applicators and configured to vibrate the at least one array of micro-applicators such that atomized droplets of the at least one material are ejected from each of the micro-applicators. A movement device configured to cyclically move the at least one array of micro-applicators back and forth about at least one axis of the at least one array of micro-applicators can be included.

Abstract: A hanging trolley system includes a body, a plurality of first support wheels, and a brake system. The body includes upper and lower portions. The first support wheels are coupled to the upper portion of the body for rotation relative thereto about corresponding first axes that are parallel to each other. The first support wheels are configured to roll on an upward facing first surface of a rail to support the body on the rail. The brake system includes a traction wheel, a first component, and a second component. The traction wheel is coupled to the lower portion of the body for rotation relative thereto about a second axis and is configured to roll along a second surface of the rail. The first component is coupled to the traction wheel for rotation therewith. The second component is configured to selectively inhibit rotation of the first component.

Abstract: A stamping tool includes a lower pad, upper pad, forming steel, and sub-pad. The lower pad includes a lower forming surface recessed in a first direction between a first lower pad surface and the second lower pad surface. The upper pad is movable along a second direction. In an extended position, the upper pad holds a workpiece against the first lower pad surface. The forming steel includes a first forming surface and is movable along the first direction. In an extended position, the forming steel is received in the recess. The sub-pad is coupled to the forming steel such that the forming steel moves the sub-pad in the first direction as the forming steel moves from the retracted position to an intermediate position in which the sub-pad holds the workpiece against the second lower pad surface while the forming steel continues to move to the extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a sheet metal panel in a die set. A grinding tool including a grinding wheel driven by a rotary drive is used to grind away a shear affected zone from the trimmed edge formed by the trim steel. The grinding tool is disposed within a cavity defined by the reciprocating die and is oriented to grind away a shear affected zone as the reciprocating die moves the grinding tool into engagement with the trimmed edge.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining stamping system data from a stamping system data controller and vibration data from one or more vibration sensors disposed at the conduit; selecting a baseline vibration threshold and a frequency filter from among a plurality of frequency filters based on the stamping system data; generating a plurality of measured vibration values based on the vibration data and the frequency filter, where each measured vibration value from among the plurality of measured vibration values is associated with a given iteration from among a plurality of iterations of a stamping process; determining whether the conduit is in an obstructed state based on a comparison between a set of measured vibration values from among the plurality of measured vibration values and the baseline vibration threshold; and performing a corrective action in response to the conduit being in the obstructed state.

Abstract: A coil assembly includes a mounting structure and a coil member. The mounting structure includes at least one surface and at least one locking member disposed on the at least one surface. The coil member is wound around a central axis of the mounting structure and secured to the at least one surface of the mounting structure by the at least one locking member.

Abstract: A retainer that includes a body portion. The body portion defines a first aperture open through a first side of the body portion, a second aperture open through a second side of the body portion, a third aperture open through a third side of the body portion, and a fourth aperture open through a fourth side of the body portion. The first aperture is in communication with the second aperture to define a first pathway through the body portion in which a strap is receivable. The third aperture is in communication with the fourth aperture within the body portion to define a second pathway through the body portion in which the strap is receivable. The body portion defines a fifth aperture and a sixth aperture in communication with the fifth aperture within the body portion to define a third pathway through the body portion in which the strap is receivable.

Abstract: A method for activating a wake-up module of an autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) when the AGV is operating in a standby state, determining whether a global wake-up command was broadcasted by a fleet management system, and activating an on-state associated with the AGV in response to determining that the global wake-up command was broadcasted by the fleet management system.

Abstract: A tooling assembly for a machine having an automatic tool changing system includes a tool body disposed about a rotational axis and defining an internal passage operable to flow a fluid therein. The internal passage includes an inlet, stem channel, first and second curved channels, and first and second transition portions. The inlet is configured to receive the fluid from the machine. First and second outlets are open through an exterior of the tool body. The stem channel is in fluid communication with the inlet and ends at a beginning of the first and second transition portions. The first curved channel extends from the first transition portion to the first outlet. The second curved channel extends from the second transition portion to the second outlet.

Abstract: A method of applying a marking to a part in a stamping die includes moving a component of the stamping die, the component having a mechanical application device secured thereto. A controlled volume of a marking medium flows through the mechanical application device during the moving such that a volume of the marking medium is controlled by the moving of the component during a stamping die operation. In one form, the component is an upper die of the stamping die.

Abstract: An alignment tool for positioning an end plate on a core shaft of a stator core includes a central shaft disposed about a central axis and an outer body. The central shaft has a proximal end and extends in an axial direction therefrom to a free distal end. The outer body includes a base portion, a support portion and a push portion. The base portion is coupled to the proximal end of the central shaft. The support portion is spaced apart from the central shaft and extends from the base portion in the axial direction to the push portion. The push portion is arranged around the central shaft and has a lower surface defining a plane to which the central axis is normal.

Abstract: A device for deburring edges of a pile of metal blanks includes a first roller, a second roller, at least one motor, and a main body. The first roller is supported for rotation about a first axis. The second roller is supported for rotation about a second axis. The at least one motor is drivingly coupled to the first and second rollers to rotate the first roller in a first rotational direction and the second roller in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction. The main body supports the first roller, the second roller, and the at least one motor. The main body is movable about a periphery of the pile of metal blanks and is configured to permit contact between the first and second rollers and the edges of the pile of metal blanks.

Abstract: A material applicator for controlling application of at least one material on a substrate includes a housing and an array plate with an applicator array positioned within the housing. The applicator array has a plurality of micro-applicators and each of the plurality of micro-applicators has an ultrasonic transducer, a material inlet, a reservoir, and a micro-applicator plate with a plurality of apertures. The applicator plate is in mechanical communication with the ultrasonic transducer such that at least one material is ejected through the plurality of apertures as atomized droplets when the ultrasonic transducer vibrates the micro-applicator plate.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a vehicle includes a funnel-type wheel alignment system and an infrastructure system. The infrastructure system is configured to autonomously control a movement of the vehicle within the funnel-type wheel alignment system based on an autonomous marshaling routine and selectively adjust one or more parameters of the autonomous marshaling routine based on one or more calibration metrics generated by the funnel-type wheel alignment system. The funnel-type wheel alignment system is configured to: obtain steering wheel angle data from one or more vehicle sensors, determine a vehicle steering pinion angle offset based on the steering wheel angle data, perform a physical alignment of one or more wheels of the vehicle as the vehicle moves through the funnel-type wheel alignment system, generate the one or more calibration metrics based on the vehicle steering pinion angle offset and the physical alignment, and broadcast the one or more calibration metrics.