Abstract: For holding a plurality of different, in shape, workpieces, a holding unit comprises a laminated body with a number of thin identical shaped elongate plates which have one ends forming a workpiece supporting surface, a vibrator unit for moving the elongate plates so as to vary the shape of the workpiece supporting surface to create a new one, and a bias mechanism for clamping the laminated body, so the newly created shape of the workpiece supporting surface is maintained.

Abstract: A bar-code control for a manufacturing process employs a bar-code label with a combination of narrow and wide slots constituting a bar code in combination. The bar-code label is attached to a base component to which various other components are to be assembled in an assembly process and a painting process. In the assembly process, information and instructions represented by the bar code are optically read to identify the components to be assembled to the base component and to control the assembly operations. In the painting process, the bar code is read to identify the required color to be painted and to control the painting operation.

Abstract: Control of an automotive vehicle component assembling system having one or more series of assembly lines used in common for assembling various models, standards and/or specifications of vehicle component is provided by converting information and instructions relating to various models, standards and/or specifications of vehicle component into a sign. The sign is fitted onto one of the part of the component. Information and instructions from the sign are detected automatically to control picking up of parts and assembling operations in each assembly line.