Abstract: A carriage conveying apparatus is provided to efficiently circulate push carriages (110) even in a limited space. The apparatus includes forward and return paths (PH1, PH2) for push carriages (110). The return path (PH2) is provided immediately below the forward path (PH1). The push carriages (110) are made transferable from one to the other of the paths (PH1, PH2) by a pair of elevated conveyors (120, 140). In addition, the return path (PH2) is inclined so that the push carriages (110) return from an upstream side of the return path (PH2) to a downstream side thereof by the action of gravity.

Abstract: A method for determining lengths of electric wires to be used in constructing a wire harness takes into account curvature of the wires as the wires pass through a jig, an extent to which the ends of each wire extend into a connector housing, and a location of the cavity within the connector housing. Thus, the method helps avoid excess wire length exceeding a given tolerance.

Abstract: A subassembly M is produced on a board 201 of a subassembly line SL in a compressed mode of its layout mode on a wire laying board 11 of a main line ML. The subassembly M in the compressed mode is temporarily held on the board 201. The temporarily held subassembly M is arranged on the wire laying board 11 while being extended to its final mode.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing a work distribution, and in particular, to the optimization of work distribution along an assembly line or in a production process. A difficulty level is set for each task to be performed and a skill level is set for each respective worker. A time variation factor is set based upon the ranked work difficulty and the skill level of the workers. A compensation value is provided in accordance with the worker to whom an operation time of each element work is distributed, based upon a time variation factor. An assigned operation time per worker is maintained in equilibrium among respective workers by distributing each task in a preferential order, based on the compensated operation time.

Abstract: A carriage conveying apparatus is provided to efficiently circulate push carriages (110) even in a limited space. The apparatus includes forward and return paths (PH1, PH2) for push carriages (110) are. The return path (PH2) is provided immediately below the forward path (PH1). The push carriages (110) are made transferable from one to the other of the paths (PH1, PH2) by a pair of elevated conveyors (120, 140). In addition, the return path (PH2) is inclined so that the push carriages (110) return from an upstream side of the return path (PH2) to a downstream side thereof by the action of gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for introducing at least one cable C connected with a connector 20 into or through a grommet 30 having openings provided therefor. The apparatus has a second element 12 for at least partly accommodating the cable C and the connector 20 and a first element 18 for at least partly accommodating the cable C and the grommet 30. The elements 12,18 surround the cable C over its entire length and are movable with respect to each other while holding the connector 20 and the grommet 30 in respective positions to introduce the cable C into or through the grommet 30.