Abstract: A morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The change in at least one attribute is a change in a shape dimension, a shape orientation, an expansion, a contraction, a morphing, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus or a combination. Preferably, the change in at least one attribute in the morphable vehicle member is reversible. Also disclosed herein are methods for the morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute on demand in response to an activation signal.

Abstract: A morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute in response to an activation signal. The change in at least one attribute is a change in a shape dimension, a shape orientation, an expansion, a contraction, a morphing, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus or a combination. Preferably, the change in at least one attribute in the morphable vehicle member is reversible. Also disclosed herein are methods for the morphable vehicle member utilizing at least one active material to change at least one attribute on demand in response to an activation signal.

Abstract: A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material.

Abstract: A process generally includes contacting a surface of at least one workpiece with a reconfigurable pad of a fixture device, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to conform to the surface of the at least one workpiece, and fixturing the contacted workpiece.

Abstract: A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece.

Abstract: Reconfigurable clamps, clamp systems are disclosed herein that are suitable for a flexible manufacturing process such as, for example, in the manufacture of automotive body panels. The reconfigurable clamp generally includes a body comprising a sleeve extending into a stationary portion and through a rotatable portion, wherein the rotatable portion includes a slot opening coaxially aligned with the sleeve, and wherein the slot opening comprises a termination point; a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable portion; and a pin disposed in sliding engagement with the sleeve, wherein the pin comprises a head, a shaft extending from the head, and a compression spring in operative communication with the shaft and the stationary portion, wherein the shaft further comprises an engageable portion adapted to lockingly engage the termination point upon rotation of the rotatable portion.

Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp for providing support for a variety of different body panel configurations employed in the vehicle assembly without requiring manual adjustment or reprogramming. The clamp includes an adjustable contact portion comprising a plurality of pins slidably engaged within sleeves formed in a body portion. The pins include a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion, wherein the shaft portion has an engageable portion. The clamp further comprises a plurality of slidably mounted rods disposed generally transverse to the movement of the pins within the sleeves. The slidably mounted rods have a complementary engageable portion that lockingly engages the engageable portion of the shaft portion upon contact therewith to selectively prevent further movement of the pins within the sleeves, such as may be desired once a workpiece is loaded onto the clamp.

Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp for a flexible manufacturing system comprises a body portion, a plurality of pins slidably engaged within sleeves formed in the body portion, a compression spring attached to each shaft of the plurality of pins, a reservoir comprising a magnetorheological fluid in operative communication with the plurality of pins, and an electromagnet in operative communication with the magnetorheological fluid, wherein the electromagnet selectively increases a yield stress property of the magnetorheological fluid; and a matching pressure foot.