Abstract: A method of making at least partially foam-filled sandwich panels includes providing a panel shell, moving at least one of a portion of a first and/or second panel facer or a side member away from the panel volume, thereby defining an opening between the volume and an exterior area. A dispenser proximate the opening moves across at least a portion of the opening while dispensing an amount of a foam agent into the volume through the opening. A press has three platens, a third platen of which is secured to at least one of a portion of the first and/or second facer and the at least one side member and is moveable with respect to the first platen and the second platen in response to a control system.

Abstract: A method of making at least partially foam-filled sandwich panels includes providing a panel shell, moving at least one of a portion of a first and/or second panel facer or a side member away from the panel volume, thereby defining an opening between the volume and an exterior area. A dispenser proximate the opening moves across at least a portion of the opening while dispensing an amount of a foam agent into the volume through the opening. A press has three platens, a third platen of which is secured to at least one of a portion of the first and/or second facer and the at least one side member and is moveable with respect to the first platen and the second platen in response to a control system.

Abstract: A method of making at least partially foam-filled sandwich panels includes providing a panel shell, moving at least one of a portion of a first and/or second panel facer or a side member away from the panel volume, thereby defining an opening between the volume and an exterior area. A dispenser proximate the opening moves across at least a portion of the opening while dispensing an amount of a foam agent into the volume through the opening. A press has three platens, a third platen of which is secured to at least one of a portion of the first and/or second facer and the at least one side member and is moveable with respect to the first platen and the second platen in response to a control system.

Abstract: An automated sidewall assembly machine is provided for attaching a sidewall panel to a top and bottom rail of a wheeled trailer. The machine comprises a frame, a carriage for longitudinal movement relative to the frame, an automated punch mounted proximate the frame and an automated riveting press mounted proximate the frame so that the sidewall assembly is movable by the carriage with respect to the frame, the automated punching machine and the automated riveting machine so that holes can be punched through one or more of the sidewall, the bottom rail and the top rail and rivets can be inserted into the punched holes to be mashed. A sensor is operably mounted to the sidewall assembly machine so that information obtained by the sensor can be used to drive the carriage, the automated punching machine and the automated riveting press.

Abstract: An automated floor assembly machine is provided for attaching longitudinally aligned floor boards to transverse positioned cross-members of a wheeled trailer. The machine comprises a carriage for longitudinal movement relative to the floor boards, a drill mounted on the carriage so that the drill is vertically and laterally movable with respect to the carriage, a fastener driver mounted on the carriage so that the fastener driver is vertically and laterally movable with respect to the carriage, a sensor operably mounted to the carriage so that the transverse mounted cross-members are detectable by the sensor, a drive motor in communication with the carriage for moving the carriage longitudinally along the floor boards into alignment with the cross-members, and a control system having a processor in operative communication with the carriage, the drill, the fastener driver, the sensor, and the drive motor.

Abstract: An automated drill and rivet machine is provided for riveting a work piece. The machine is moveable with respect to the work piece, and sensors locate sequential rivet sites along the work piece. A control system directs the movement and operation of the machine at sequential rivet sites for drilling and mashing. A method for automatically fastening components is provided including the steps of indexing an automated drill and rivet machine at a first work site and placing the machine in a first mode in which the machine to repeatedly performs the steps of drilling, storing the work site location, sensing a next work site, and moving the machine to the next work site. The operator then inserts a fastener at the previous drilling work sites and places the machine in a second mode in which the machine repeatedly performs the steps of returning to a previous work site and mashing the rivets at the previous work site.

Abstract: An automated drill and rivet machine is provided for riveting a work piece. The machine is moveable with respect to the work piece, and sensors locate sequential rivet sites along the work piece. A control system directs the movement and operation of the machine at sequential rivet sites for drilling and mashing. A method for automatically fastening components is provided including the steps of indexing an automated drill and rivet machine at a first work site and placing the machine in a first mode in which the machine to repeatedly performs the steps of drilling, storing the work site location, sensing a next work site, and moving the machine to the next work site. The operator then inserts a fastener at the previous drilling work sites and places the machine in a second mode in which the machine repeatedly performs the steps of returning to a previous work site and mashing the rivets at the previous work site.