Abstract: An apparatus for shaping a workpiece of a super-plastic metal has a shaping die assembly for holding the workpiece therein to shape the workpiece with a pressurized gas while the workpiece is being heated, and a furnace assembly surrounding outer surfaces of the dies. The shaping die assembly includes a plurality of dies separable from and joinable to each other, the dies having flanges extending from mating surfaces thereof. The furnace assembly includes a plurality of furnaces separable from and joinable to each other, the furnaces being detachably mounted on the dies, respectively. The shaping die assembly is housed in the furnace assembly with the flanges projecting out of the furnace assembly when the dies are joined to each other. Heaters for heating the shaping die assembly are mounted on inner wall surfaces of the furnaces in a space defined between the furnace assembly and the shaping die assembly.

Abstract: In a vehicle assembling line in which parts are assembled to a vehicle body while the body is passed through each of working stations by a plurality of transporting means, the vehicle body is positioned and supported by a pallet and transported by each of the transporting means, wherein transferring of the body between the transporting means is carried out through the pallet. A transporting path, on which a self-travel carriage as the transporting means travels, is laid within a pit concavely provided below a floor plate of a working floor. Arranged above the floor plate are a carriage frame, a lift table and a turn rest for supporting the pallet, which constitute an upper portion of the self-travel carriage. The transporting path is disposed substantially along the assembling line from its starting point to its terminal point, and an automated assembling zone and a manually assembling zone are coexistently disposed along the assembling line.

Abstract: A system for assembling bottom parts for vehicles, in which the bottom parts are transported to a position below a vehicle body positioned and fixed and are assembled to the vehicle body. The system includes a transporter for circulating a pallet member holding thereon bottom parts and a plurality of threaded parts for fastening the bottom parts to the vehicle body, so that the pallet member is stopped below the vehicle body. A first feeder is disposed in the vicinity of the transporter to feed the threaded parts to the pallet member. A second feeder is also disposed in the vicinity of the transporter to feed the bottom parts to the pallet member. A lifter is disposed below the vehicle body to raise the lower the pallet member relative to the vehicle body. A turning machine is also disposed below the vehicle body for turning the threaded part to fasten the bottom part to the vehicle body when the pallet member is in its raised position.

Abstract: Alignment adjustment apparatus for holding the subsidiary frame of a vehicle suspension sub-assembly and the suspension components in the same position they would assume when attached to and supporting a vehicle body includes sensors for detecting the relative position of wheel mounting members and knuckle arms thereby permitting alignment adjustment relative to previously measured locations of attaching means on a vehicle body to which the suspension sub-assembly is to be attached.