Abstract: Apparatus (20) and a method for securing a clinch nut (24) to an AHSS sheet (26) as an assembly (22). In one embodiment, a parallel kinematic machine (PKM) (88) sequentially performs the operation, while another embodiment includes a nut ram assembly (112) that attaches clinch nuts (24) to the AHSS sheet (26), and a further embodiment includes a C frame (114) that supports the apparatus and is moved by a robot (130) to sequentially attach clinch nuts (24) to the AHSS sheet (26) at different locations. The attachment of the clinch nuts is performed in a manner that contains laser beam radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus (20, 22) and a method for mechanically joining a steel sheet portion (28 or 32) of advanced high strength steel to a metallic sheet portion (30 or 34) is performed to a light-safe extent by a detector assembly (106) during the mechanical joining that may be clinching, clinch riveting, full-punch riveting or self-piercing riveting.

Abstract: A method and assembly station (12) for assembling vehicle body doors (22) utilizes sensing of vehicle body hinge members (26) and door hinge members (28) with the door positioned by a robot (16) to provide assembly with reduced labor cost.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) and a method for securing a clinch nut (24) to an AHSS sheet (26) as an assembly (22). In one embodiment, a parallel kinematic machine (PKM) (88) sequentially performs the operation, while another embodiment includes a nut ram assembly (112) that attaches clinch nuts (24) to the AHSS sheet (26), and a further embodiment includes a C frame (114) that supports the apparatus and is moved by a robot (130) to sequentially attach clinch nuts (24) to the AHSS sheet (26) at different locations. The attachment of the clinch nuts is performed in a light-safe manner.

Abstract: A method and assembly station (12) for assembling vehicle body doors (22) utilizes sensing of vehicle body hinge members (26) and door hinge members (28) with the door positioned by a robot (16) to provide assembly with reduced labor cost.

Abstract: Apparatus (20, 22) and a method for mechanically joining a steel sheet portion (28 or 32) of advanced high strength steel to a metallic sheet portion (30 or 34) is performed to a light-safe extent by a detector assembly (106) during the mechanical joining that may be clinching, clinch riveting, full-punch riveting or self-piercing riveting.

Abstract: Apparatus (20, 22) and a method for mechanically joining a steel sheet portion (28 or 32) of advanced high strength steel to a metallic sheet portion (30 or 34) is performed to a light-safe extent by a detector assembly (106) during the mechanical joining that may be clinching, clinch riveting, full-punch riveting or self-piercing riveting.

Abstract: Vehicle body assembly apparatus (10) includes a sensor assembly (11) having a lateral Y axis slide assembly (20), a longitudinal X axis assembly (22) and a vertical Z axis assembly (24) that respectively include magnetostrictive type linear sensors for sensing X, Y and Z locations of a vehicle body to control vehicle body assembly. Signals of the X, Y and Z locations are sent to a controller (12) that operates a robot (14r) that supports an end effector.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a vehicle closure member (62) on a vehicle body (40) utilizes vision sensing of a master gauge location (42) of the vehicle body, of coordination formations (48) on the vehicle body, and of opening extremities of a closure member opening of the vehicle body, and the sensing is used by a controller (34) to provide mounting of a hinge at a proper location.

Abstract: Vehicle body assembly apparatus (10) includes a sensor assembly (11) having a lateral Y axis slide assembly (20), a longitudinal X axis assembly (22) and a vertical Z axis assembly (24) that respectively include magnetostrictive type linear sensors for sensing X, Y and Z locations of a vehicle body to control vehicle body assembly. Signals of the X, Y and Z locations are sent to a controller (12) that operates a robot (14r) that supports an end effector.

Abstract: A system and method for mounting a vehicle closure member (62) on a vehicle body (40) utilizes vision sensing of a master gauge location (42) of the vehicle body, of coordination formations (48) on the vehicle body, and of opening extremities of a closure member opening of the vehicle body, and the sensing is used by a controller (34) to provide mounting of a hinge at a proper location.

Abstract: A broach (20) includes a rough broach section (32) having toothed broach inserts (38) and guides (40) that provide rough broaching of gear teeth, and a shave ring section (34) of the broach includes annular shave rings (60) having internal teeth (62) for providing final shaving of the gear teeth and also having guides (70) that maintain the gear radially centered during the final shaving.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and programmable apparatus for the assembly of body components to an automotive body that has undergone a progressive series of framing and welding steps so as to produce a structurally rigid body frame, termed a body-in-white. More specifically, this invention relates to creating a new net locating scheme (X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinate system) for a body-in-white to direct associated tooling to create net attachment features on a rigid body frame with respect to a new net locating scheme so that components may be attached to a automotive body at a net location eliminating the need for any slip plane attachment techniques.

Abstract: A broach (20) includes a rough broach section (32) having toothed broach inserts (38) and guides (40) that provide rough broaching of gear teeth, and a shave ring section (34) of the broach includes annular shave rings (60) having internal teeth (62) for providing final shaving of the gear teeth and also having guides (70) that maintain the gear radially centered during the final shaving.

Abstract: Apparatus (12) for storing robotic tooling for vehicle body sheet metal robotic assembly operates a robot to transfer robotic tooling between an assembly station and a rotary storage rack (56) of a storage rack assembly (28). The storage rack (56) has vertically spaced storage locations and is rotated about a vertical axis to provide circumferentially spaced storage locations.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for performing robotic vehicle body assembly with cyclical temperature calibration using laser position sensing.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly line locator assembly (16) includes locators (18) driven by horizontal longitudinal X, horizontal sideways Y and vertical Z power operated actuators (50. 58. 72) and having locator pins (82) received by vehicle body positioning holes (84) upon upward movement to provide accurate positioning. As the locator pins (82) are moved upwardly and initially move into the vehicle body positioning holes (84 ), the horizontal power operated actuators (50,58) are back driven. The upward movement is continued so that vertical rest surfaces (80) of locator heads (78) contact the vehicle body (20) and provide lifting thereof upwardly off a system conveyor, and the power operated actuators then move the vehicle body to the proper positioning for further assembly.

Abstract: A method and assembly line (10) for vehicle door mounting provides initial door installation for painting and subsequent reinstallation as previously positioned.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly line locator assembly (16) includes locators (18) having locator pins (82) received by vehicle body positioning holes (84) upon upward movement to provide accurate positioning. As the locator pins (82) are moved upwardly and initially move into the vehicle body positioning holes (84), horizontal power actuators (50,58) are deactuated to permit back driving of the locator pins to permit full insertion. The upward movement is continued so that vertical rest surfaces (80) of locator heads (78) contact the vehicle body (20) and provide lifting thereof upwardly off a system conveyor, and the power actuators then move the vehicle body to the proper positioning for further assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing robotic tooling for vehicle body sheet metal robotic assembly operates a robot to transfer robotic tooling between an assembly station and a rotary storage rack (56) of a storage rack assembly (28). The storage rack (56) has vertically spaced storage locations and is rotated about a vertical axis to provide circumferentially spaced storage locations.