Abstract: A system and method for synchronization of a supplier's production with a manufacturer's production is disclosed. A manufacturer's supply orders are submitted to suppliers during the manufacturer's production taking into account the time required to manufacture, transport, unload, stage, and move the supplies to a location at a production line. Associated with each supply order is a production delivery time that indicates when the supplies are needed at the manufacturer's facility. The supplier, upon receipt of the supply order, starts its manufacturing process to produce the requested supplies to meet the manufacturer's production delivery time. The supplies are then shipped from the supplier to the manufacturer's facility for use in the manufacturer's production line. Upon arrival at the manufacturer's facility, some supplies may be moved immediately to the production line. Other supplies may be moved within minutes or hours of arrival at the manufacturer's facility.

Abstract: A positioner includes a cantilever arm that defines a first axis and has a first end and a second end. A support arm defines a second axis and has a first end and a second end. The support arm is attached to the cantilever arm second end. A mounting head engages the workpiece and is attached to the support arm second end. The support arm rotates around the second axis, and the cantilever arm rotates around the first axis. A counterweight is attached to the support arm to balance the workpiece. A first brake assembly engages the cantilever arm to control rotation of the cantilever arm around the first axis. A second brake assembly is disposed between the cantilever arm and the support arm and controls rotation of the support arm around the second axis. A brake actuator assembly communicates with the first and second brake assemblies and causes the first and second brake assemblies to engage or disengage the cantilever and support arms.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for delivering supplies from a loading dock to a production line using a supply delivery computer system that interfaces with a conveyor computer system to control transportation of supplies from a conveyor system to pickup stations and a vehicle facility manager computer system to control automated guided vehicles that transport supplies from pickup stations on the conveyor system to delivery stations on a production line. Supplies are labeled with barcodes indicating production line delivery location (i.e., an identifier for a delivery station), load sequence number, load quantity, and lot number to facilitate tracking and routing from the time they are unloaded at the manufacturing plant loading dock on to the conveyor system until they delivered to delivery stations on the production line.

Abstract: A kickoff socket assembly includes a socket and an insert member that fits closely inside the socket. The insert member includes a body portion and a projection. The projection integrally extends from the body portion, and has a distal end disposed a predetermined distance from the open end of the socket, and is narrower in diameter than the body portion of the insert member. In use, a nut is placed over the projection such that the projection extends partially through the nut. The nut is engaged with a threaded shaft and the socket is rotated to drive the nut onto the shaft. Rotation of the nut is stopped by engagement of the distal end of the projection with the shaft when the nut is threaded the predetermined distance on the shaft.

Abstract: A securable protective seat cover, system and method. For a manually adjustable vehicle seat, a securable protective seat cover apparatus includes a seat cushion and an adjustor bar. The apparatus also includes a plastic film shaped to cover the vehicle seat. The film includes a front portion that includes a first seal portion, a second seal portion, and a surrounding portion. The first and second seal portions are directly secured to one another at a side of the adjustor bar so as to attach the surrounding portion to the adjustor bar. For a power adjustable vehicle seat, a temporary plastic protective seat cover system includes a front cover mounted below the power adjustable vehicle seat. The front cover includes a hook. The system also includes a plastic film that is shaped to cover the vehicle seat and is adapted to be secured to the hook.

Abstract: A load cell alignment apparatus for aligning a load cell during an axial tension test of a brake cable. The apparatus includes a mounting structure, an alignment structure, a biasing device, and the load cell. The alignment structure is connected between the mounting structure and the biasing device. The biasing device is connected to the load cell and applies a tension preload to the load cell, and the alignment structure, in response to the tension preload, properly aligns the load cell with an axis for subsequent measurement of applied tension on the brake cable. The alignment structure permits only linear axial tension to be applied to the load cell in response to application of a further tension load on the load cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a velocity of a part through a part feeder tube. The part feeder tube defines an axis. The apparatus includes first and second sensors spaced axially from each other by a predetermined distance (d). The first sensor sends a first signal in response to sensing the part and the second sensor sends a second, subsequent signal in response to sensing the part. The velocity of the part is based on the distance (d) and the first and second signals.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for ordering, receiving, staging, and delivering supplies to assembly line locations in an assembly plant. Cross-dock and staging functions are combined at one facility—a super cross-dock—so that suppliers to a large-scale manufacturer with multiple assembly plants may make deliveries of supplies to a single facility that services the multiple assembly plants. Supplies from multiple suppliers are received at the super cross-dock and staged for distribution to the assembly plants that comprise a manufacturing operation. Supply order requests are submitted from assembly plant computer systems that consolidate the orders before submitting an order to a supplier. Orders are consolidated based on when supplies are required at the various assembly plants. A bar code labeling system at the suppliers supports the super cross-dock inventory and distribution of supplies according to delivery time and assembly plant.

Abstract: A die lube recovery and recycling system includes a weir tank, a filtration assembly, and a holding tank. The weir tank receives used, dirty die lube and filters large particles therefrom. Preliminarily filtered die lube is pumped through the filtration assembly and reconditioned die lube is delivered to the holding tank. A level of reconditioned die lube in the holding tank is monitored and, the die lube is replenished with fresh die lube from a fresh die lube source when the level falls below a predetermined level. A die lube pressure booster is used to withdraw die lube from the holding tank, pressurize the withdrawn die lube, and spray the pressurized die lube on a die in a casting machine.

Abstract: An adaptor for actuating a valve by rotating a handwheel, the handwheel including a series of radially extending spokes. The adaptor includes a socket, an adaptor body, and a plurality of pegs. The socket and pegs are aligned with an axis of rotation of the body, but extend in relatively opposite directions. The pegs are adapted to engage lateral surfaces of the spokes such that, when a ratchet is inserted into the socket and used to rotate the adaptor about the axis of rotation, the pegs cause the adaptor handle to rotate with the adaptor, actuating the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for automatically realigning an end effector of an automated equipment after an undesired contact of the end effector to prevent a crash of the end effector. The present invention includes a plurality of contact detectors, and each of the contact detectors is disposed at a respective location with respect to the end effector. In addition, each of the contact detectors generates a respective signal for indicating direction of force on the end effector that results from the undesired contact. Furthermore, the present invention includes an end effector controller that is coupled to the plurality of contact detectors and to the end effector. The end effector controller causes the end effector to move to a reset position after the undesired contact when any of the respective signals from the plurality of contact detectors is greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for ordering, receiving, staging, and delivering supplies to assembly line locations in an assembly plant. Cross-dock and staging functions are combined at one facility—a super cross-dock—so that suppliers to a large-scale manufacturer with multiple assembly plants may make deliveries of supplies to a single facility that services the multiple assembly plants. Supplies from multiple suppliers are received at the super cross-dock and staged for distribution to the assembly plants that comprise a manufacturing operation. Supply order requests are submitted from assembly plant computer systems that consolidate the orders before submitting an order to a supplier. Orders are consolidated based on when supplies are required at the various assembly plants. A bar code labeling system at the suppliers supports the super cross-dock inventory and distribution of supplies according to delivery time and assembly plant.

Abstract: A method is provided for testing and setting the position of a position sensor for a transmission. A shift control shaft is provided, and the position sensor is positioned to align with the shift control shaft, and provide a shift position output. A position sensor testing device is installed to test position rotation of the position sensor as the shift control shaft is moved through shift positions. The tested position rotation of the position sensor is compared with a predetermined window of accurate positioning for the position sensor. Finally, the position of the position sensor is set based on the comparison.

Abstract: A sensor device is used for sensing position of a movable component. The sensor device can be applied to multiple applications. For example, proper alignment between a shifter spline and a shifter position sensor of a transmission assembly can be confirmed by applying the sensor device of the present invention to confirm alignment of the transmission shifter with a transmission shifter position sensor during transmission assembly. A rotary sensor converts angular movement to a proportional electrical output. A converter then converts the proportional electrical output to an input which can be read. The location of the movable component is then determined, and displayed.

Abstract: A tappet screw adjuster having an outer sleeve, an inner shaft, a bearing block, a handle, and a rotary coupling disposed between the bearing block and the inner shaft. The rotary coupling is designed such that the bearing block and inner shaft rotate together when a load on the inner shaft is below a predetermined level and such that the bearing block and inner shaft do not rotate together when the load on the inner shaft exceeds the predetermined level. The rotary coupling includes a tension setting device, which is threadably secured to the bearing block, and a friction plate. The friction plate includes an annular projection that is received within a groove provided on the tension setting device.

Abstract: The present invention is an assembly line testing apparatus and method for automatically verifying proper connectivity of a plurality of components to a wiring harness within an article of manufacture, such as a vehicle engine, by electrically determining whether a closed circuit loop is formed with each component through two respective nodes of the wiring harness. A micro-controller controls application of a test voltage signal at a first node of the wiring harness to be coupled to one node of a component. The micro-controller then determines whether such a test voltage signal appears on a second node of the wiring harness to be coupled to the other node of the component to determine whether the component is properly connected to the wiring harness. In addition, the micro-controller determines and outputs an identification of any of the plurality of components that is not properly connected to the wiring harness.

Abstract: The water base adhesion promotos for polypropylene comprises: a grafted polypropylene chloride, which includes a polypropylene chloride moiety and a maleic anhydride moiety as bonded thereto, and which has a chlorine content of 15˜25 weight % and a maleic anhydride moiety content of 1˜5 weight %; an amine-neutralized water-soluble resin; a wettability-improving agent; and water; and is characterized by having: a combination ratio of 25˜90 weight % as of the grafted polypropylene chloride to the total of the grafted polypopylene chloride and the amine-neutralized water-soluble resin; a combination ratio of 2.5˜6.0 weight % as of the wettability-improving agent to the entirety of the promotor; and a solid content of 2˜10 weight % of the entirety of the promotor.

Abstract: A motion automatic datalink interface including a motion capture device, a motion data collection and analysis program and a motion data interlink program. The motion capture device senses movement of a subject and describes the movement as computer-readable data. The motion data collection and analysis program compiles movement data about the human subject. The motion data interlink program provides communication between the motion capture device and the motion data collection and analysis program. A first set of data is received by the motion data interlink program from the motion capture device and transformed into a second set of data that is used by the motion data collection and analysis program.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for ordering, receiving, staging, and delivering supplies to assembly line locations in an assembly plant. Cross-dock and staging functions are combined at one facility—a super cross-dock—so that suppliers to a large-scale manufacturer with multiple assembly plants may make deliveries of supplies to a single facility that services the multiple assembly plants. Supplies from multiple suppliers are received at the super cross-dock and staged for distribution to the assembly plants that comprise a manufacturing operation. Supply order requests are submitted from assembly plant computer systems that consolidate the orders before submitting an order to a supplier. Orders are consolidated based on when supplies are required at the various assembly plants. A bar code labeling system at the suppliers supports the super cross-dock inventory and distribution of supplies according to delivery time and assembly plant.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a low-pressure die casting machine wherein the pressure within the dies more accurately tracks the desired recipe pressure. The control system senses pressure in the dies and compares the sensed pressure to desired pressure. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a problem in the casting operation, subsequent casting cycles are prevented. Should the difference between the sensed pressure and the desired pressure be indicative of a potential catastrophic failure, the current casting cycle is immediately terminated, thereby minimizing the possibility of catastrophic failure. The control system has commercially available and easily replaceable components and, thus, can be quickly repaired to reduce machine downtime should any component fail.