Abstract: A method for coupling a sunroof glass apparatus includes the following steps: (a) moving a fixture toward a roof portion of a vehicle body in order to insert a plurality of pins of the fixture into locating holes formed in the vehicle body; (b) coupling net plates to the arms of an actuating mechanism of the sunroof assembly; (c) decoupling the fixture from the net plates while maintaining the net plates coupled to the arms of the actuating mechanism; and (d) coupling the flanges of the sunroof glass apparatus to arms of the actuating mechanism via the net plates in order to movably couple the sunroof glass apparatus to the vehicle body. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed method may additionally include coupling the net plates to the fixture before moving the fixture toward the roof portion of the vehicle body.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the presently disclosed method for coupling a sunroof assembly to a structural frame of a vehicle includes the following steps: (a) moving a sunroof module and a bond frame of the sunroof assembly through a windshield opening of the structural frame and toward a roof portion of the structural frame; (b) securing the sunroof module to the roof portion of the structural frame; (c) moving a locating fixture downwardly toward the roof portion of the structural frame; (d) inserting the frame pins of the locating fixture in frame pockets of the structural frame; (e) applying a first clamping force to the structural frame and the locating fixture; (f) inserting the sunroof pins of the locating fixture in the sunroof pockets of the bond frame; (g) applying a second clamping force to the bond frame; and (h) securing the bond frame to the sunroof module.

Abstract: A method for coupling a sunroof glass apparatus includes the following steps: (a) moving a fixture toward a roof portion of a vehicle body in order to insert a plurality of pins of the fixture into locating holes formed in the vehicle body; (b) coupling net plates to the arms of an actuating mechanism of the sunroof assembly; (c) decoupling the fixture from the net plates while maintaining the net plates coupled to the arms of the actuating mechanism; and (d) coupling the flanges of the sunroof glass apparatus to arms of the actuating mechanism via the net plates in order to movably couple the sunroof glass apparatus to the vehicle body. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed method may additionally include coupling the net plates to the fixture before moving the fixture toward the roof portion of the vehicle body.

Abstract: In an embodiment, the presently disclosed method for coupling a sunroof assembly to a structural frame of a vehicle includes the following steps: (a) moving a sunroof module and a bond frame of the sunroof assembly through a windshield opening of the structural frame and toward a roof portion of the structural frame; (b) securing the sunroof module to the roof portion of the structural frame; (c) moving a locating fixture downwardly toward the roof portion of the structural frame; (d) inserting the frame pins of the locating fixture in frame pockets of the structural frame; (e) applying a first clamping force to the structural frame and the locating fixture; (f) inserting the sunroof pins of the locating fixture in the sunroof pockets of the bond frame; (g) applying a second clamping force to the bond frame; and (h) securing the bond frame to the sunroof module.

Abstract: A modular sunroof frame assembly and method for a vehicle having a body structure is provided. The modular sunroof frame assembly is attachable to the body structure and includes right and left side rails, front and rear cross beams, and a plurality of corner attachment couplings. The right and left side rails have respective cross-sections throughout their length, front rail ends, and rear rail ends. The front and rear cross beams have respective cross-sections throughout their length, right beam ends, and left beam ends. The corner attachment couplings are fixed to the respective side rail end and to the respective cross beam end.

Abstract: A modular sunroof frame assembly and method for a vehicle having a body structure is provided. The modular sunroof frame assembly is attachable to the body structure and includes right and left side rails, front and rear cross beams, and a plurality of corner attachment couplings. The right and left side rails have respective cross-sections throughout their length, front rail ends, and rear rail ends. The front and rear cross beams have respective cross-sections throughout their length, right beam ends, and left beam ends. The corner attachment couplings are fixed to the respective side rail end and to the respective cross beam end.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source for directing light energy through an object scanning zone toward and to a photo responsive array having a plurality of linearly arranged photo detectors that provide an electrical output in response to light energy thereon. The electrical output of the photo responsive array is representative of the exterior dimensions of the scanned object. The light source is mounted in a scanning head that is rotated about the object and advanced relative to the length of the object to enable scanning of the entire peripheral surface of the object. The invention is suitable for scanning the peripheral surface of both an object having a discrete axial length as well as an object having an indeterminate length.