Abstract: An apparatus for assembling multiple automotive body styles on a single assembly line. The apparatus includes a workstation with multiple geometry fixtures, at least one geometry fixture for each automotive body style to be processed at the work station. One geometry fixture is at a ready position of the work station to support an automotive component during a processing operation. The geometry fixtures can be exchanged at the ready position so that a production rate of the assembly line can be maintained. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring an automotive component from an overhead transport system to the geometry fixture at the ready position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a plurality of automotive body styles along an assembly line. The apparatus includes a plurality of antler nests, at least one antler nest for each automotive body style to be processed on the assembly line. Each antler nest is transported along the assembly line by a carriage. An exchanging station is provided to exchange one antler nest for another. The antler nests can be exchanged while a rate of production on the assembly line is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line.

Abstract: A lowerator for an assembly system of the type including at least one rail defining a path of travel with respect to at least one workstation, and a conveyor for transporting a workpiece along the rail. The conveyor includes a trolley moveable along the rail and a carrier moveable with respect to the trolley. The carrier supports a workpiece during movement with respect to the workstation. The carrier is vertically positionable between a raised position and lowered position with respect to the trolley. The lowerator moves the carrier between the raised and lowered positions and cycles a latch for securing the carrier to the trolley when in the raised position. The lowerator includes at least one lifter or actuator defining a path of travel in at least a first direction, where the lifter actuates the latch to uncouple the trolley and carrier before moving the carrier into the lowered position at the workstation so that one or more processing operations can be performed on the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a workpiece support structure where a fixture component such as a locating pin, clamp or mounting structure is held in a desired position by a robotic arm. The fixture is then built from the floor of the manufacturing facility to the fixture component. The apparatus can also include a position sensor system and control means for the robotic arm. The position sensor can detect the position of the fixture component relative to a support structure for the fixture and emit a signal to the controller corresponding to the position of the fixture component. The controller can receive the signal and move the robot arm to position the fixture component in a desired position. The surface can be the floor of the manufacturing facility or a moveable surface.

Abstract: A weld gun having a pair of opposing arms movable relative to each other to apply pressure to a workpiece during a welding operation. The opposing arms of the weld gun can be rotatable or translatable relative to each other. The opposing arms are moved relative to each other by an inverted roller screw linear actuator. The weld gun can include an electric control for controlling the operation of the actuator. The actuator can be mounted on either of the opposing arms.

Abstract: A clamping and locating fixture includes a hollow body, a pin mountable to the body, a locking arm positionable within the body locatable between two positions and a drive pin moveable within the body to engage the locking arm. A workpiece can be directed to a clamping position by the guide pin. The pin includes an aperture allowing a locking projection of the locking arm to extend therethrough and over a workpiece to clamp the workpiece for a processing operation. The locking projection can be retracted through the aperture while the workpiece is being located or is being removed. The drive pin can be moved within the body to engage a cam follower of the locking arm. The drive pin can be supported during movement by one or more rollers mounted in the body. The drive pin can include a pin body and a pin member moveably associated with one another to selectively define the position of a cam surface.

Abstract: A weld gun having a pair of opposing arms movable relative to each other to apply pressure to a workpiece during a welding operation. The opposing arms of the weld gun can be rotatable or translatable relative to each other. The opposing arms are moved relative to each other by an inverted roller screw linear actuator. The weld gun can include an electric control for controlling the operation of the actuator. The actuator can be mounted on either of the opposing arms.

Abstract: A rotatable frame mounted on a base with trunnions. The frame can support a workpiece on more than one surface and can have workpiece engaging devices such as clamps, locating pins or nesting fixtures on both sides. The engaging devices can be different on different sides of the frame. The frame can be rotated by an electric motor, a pneumatic motor or a hydraulic motor. The frame can be expandable to accommodate frames of different sizes. The workstation can have a plurality of trunnion mounted fixtures positioned next to each other and a robot moveable between the fixtures. The frames can be replaced with a lifting device moving along an overhead rail. The frame includes an aperture positioned along the rotational axis of the frame for communicating power from an external power source to workpiece engaging devices.

Abstract: A clamping and locating fixture includes a hollow body, a pin or angled plate mountable to the body, a locking arm positionable within the body locatable between two positions and a drive pin moveable within the body to engage the locking arm. A workpiece can be directed to a clamping position by the guide pin or angled plate. The pin or plate includes an aperture allowing a locking projection of the locking arm to extend therethrough and over a workpiece to clamp the workpiece for a processing operation. The locking projection can be retracted through the aperture while the workpiece is being located or is being removed. The drive pin can be moved within the body to engage a cam follower of the locking arm.

Abstract: A lowerator for an assembly system of the type including at least one rail defining a path of travel with respect to at least one workstation, and a conveyor for transporting a work piece along the rail. The conveyor includes a trolley moveable along the rail and a carrier moveable with respect to the trolley. The carrier supports a work piece during movement with respect to the workstation. The carrier is vertically positionable between a raised position and lowered position with respect to the trolley. The lowerator moves the carrier between the raised and lowered positions and cycles a latch for securing the carrier to the trolley when in the raised position. The lowerator includes at least one lifter or actuator defining a path of travel in at least a first direction, wherein the lifter actuates the latch to uncouple the trolley and carrier before moving the carrier into the lowered position at the workstation so that one or more processing operations can be performed on the work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a plurality of automotive body styles along an assembly line. The apparatus includes a plurality of antler nests, at least one antler nest for each automotive body style to be processed on the assembly line. Each antler nest is transported along the assembly line by a carriage. An exchanging station is provided to exchange one antler nest for another. The antler nests can be exchanged while a rate of production on the assembly line is maintained.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling multiple automotive body styles on a single assembly line. The apparatus includes a workstation with multiple geometry fixtures, at least one geometry fixture for each automotive body style to be processed at the work station. One geometry fixture is at a ready position of the work station to support an automotive component during a processing operation. The geometry fixtures can be exchanged at the ready position so that a production rate of the assembly line can be maintained. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring an automotive component from an overhead transport system to the geometry fixture at the ready position.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling an automotive body on an assembly line having a right-hand body subassembly line, a left-hand body subassembly line and an underbody subassembly line, for delivery to a pallet transport system for movement through a body framing subassembly line. The apparatus includes an overhead transport system for transporting automotive components along at least one of the subassembly lines and for conveying the automotive components along a pallet transport system on the body framing subassembly line. The overhead transport system includes a trolley movable along a single overhead rail, a carriage slidably movable relative to the trolley, and a plurality of antler nests. Each antler nest is individually engageable with the carriage. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring components from the overhead transport system to a geometry fixture at a workstation along the subassembly line.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying panels, such as vehicle body side panels to and from work stations located at spaced locations along a conveyor includes a panel support frame mounted on the conveyor for movement along the conveying path with the support frame in an elevated generally horizontal conveying position. The support frame carries a plurality of mechanically actuable releasable clamps adapted to retain a panel engaged against a group of locator pads fixedly mounted on one side of the support frame. A second group of locator pads movably mounted on the frame are normally biased into engagement with the panel at spaced locations around its periphery to hold the panel in a predetermined position laterally of the support frame. The support frame mounts an actuator member coupled to all of the clamps to position all clamps in a panel clamping position when the actuator member is in a first position and to position all clamps in a panel release position when the actuator is in a second position.

Abstract: A part loading apparatus is disclosed for transporting a workpiece from a first position generally in a first plane to a second position generally in a second plane for transfer to another work station. The part loading apparatus includes a rail for transporting the workpiece between the first and second positions. A shuttle is disposed on the rail for reciprocally moving between the first and second positions. A drive motor is provided for harmonically driving the shuttle between the first and second positions, wherein the shuttle decelerates when approaching the first and second positions, and accelerates when leaving the first and second positions. A frame carries the workpiece from the first position to the second position and is supported on the shuttle for pivotal movement from the first plane to the second plane while the shuttle moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: An automotive body framing system includes a clamping frame assembly for accurately positioning and clamping loosely assembled main body panels and header members in accurate alignment with each other to be welded into a rigid permanently assembled relationship. The loosely assembly panels and members are mounted upon a conveying sled upon which the floor panel of the assembly is accurately located. A clamping frame assembly including front and rear frame sections pivotally connected in end-to-end relationship with each other is movable into a clamping position overlying the body from front to rear and supported in an inverted V configuration by support posts which support the front and rear ends of the frame assembly. Clamps mounted on the front and rear frame sections are actuable to clamp the various components in accurately assembled relationship to each other while leaving the entire opposite sides of the body accessible to welding devices.

Abstract: A carrier is mounted for movement along a conveying path defined by a pair of conveying rails, one of which has a relatively short gap at a work station. A manipulator device is located at the work station and includes a relatively short conveying rail section which may selectively located to span the gap in the one rail or located in a position displaced from the rail. An article support frame is mounted upon the carrier for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the rails between conveying position and a transfer position. A rail gripping device fixed to the support frame slides along the one rail to support the support frame in its conveying position during movement of the carrier along the rails.