Abstract: A flexible system for welding motor-vehicle bodies or subassemblies thereof envisages a series of pairs of side frames provided with referencing and clamping devices for keeping in the correct position the structures to be assembled during welding. For each different type of body to be assembled a different pair of side frames is provided, equipped with referencing and clamping devices adapted to the respective type of body. Each pair of side frames is associated to a basic structure, with which it forms a unitary referencing and clamping module. Said modules can be moved through the assembly station to follow one another in the operative welding position, according to the type of body to be welded. The structure to be assembled, or at least part thereof, is fed to the welding station by means of a conveying line that is totally independent and separate from the basic structures of the modules.

Abstract: A flexible system for welding motor-vehicle bodies or subassemblies thereof envisages a series of pairs of side frames provided with referencing and clamping devices for keeping in the correct position the structures to be assembled during welding. For each different type of body to be assembled a different pair of side frames is provided, equipped with referencing and clamping devices adapted to the respective type of body. Each pair of side frames is associated to a basic structure, with which it forms a unitary referencing and clamping module. Said modules can be moved through the assembly station to follow one another in the operative welding position, according to the type of body to be welded. The structure to be assembled, or at least part thereof, is fed to the welding station by means of a conveying line that is totally independent and separate from the basic structures of the modules.

Abstract: In a welding system comprising a welding station and various pairs of side frames, which can be positioned selectively in the welding station for clamping in the welding position bodies of different types, are provided magazines of side frames both upstream and downstream of the welding station. There are moreover provided auxiliary guide means, which connect directly together at least one magazine upstream of the welding station and at least one magazine downstream of the welding station so as to enable transfer of pairs of side frames directly from a magazine upstream to a magazine downstream or vice versa, without passing through the welding station.

Abstract: A locating and locking unit for sheet metal parts which are to be assembled by electric spot-welding on a motor-vehicle body, comprising a base platform, for receiving the trolley of a positioning frame equipped with locating and locking devices for the parts to be welded. The base platform can be rotated between a non-operative horizontal position and an inclined position in which the positioning frame can engage the parts to be welded in a welding station along the assembly line. Locating elements are provided for defining the precise position of the positioning frame along two mutually orthogonal axes in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the line and along an axis parallel to the line.

Abstract: A locating and locking unit for sheet metal parts which are to be assembled by electric spot-welding on a motor-vehicle body, comprising a base platform, for receiving the trolley of a positioning frame equipped with locating and locking devices for the parts to be welded. The base platform can be rotated between a non-operative horizontal position and an inclined position in which the positioning frame can engage the parts to be welded in a welding station along the assembly line. Locating means are provided for defining the precise position of the positioning frame along two mutually orthogonal axes in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of the line and along an axis parallel to the line.

Abstract: A station for assembling motor-vehicle bodies or subassemblies thereof comprises an integrated system for detecting the micro-deflections of the side locating gates which engage the body during the assembling operation, with the resulting possibility of calculating the forces along a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the assembling station, to which the assembled structure is subjected.

Abstract: In a system for the automatic welding of motor vehicle bodies, adapted to operate on at least two different types of body, the parts of a loosely preassembled body accurately positioned, in order to be welded by programmable welding robots, by means of positioning tools carried by side gates located on both sides of the conveyor line for the bodies. At least two pairs of side gates are provided having positioning tools corresponding to two different types of body. The side gates are movable on guide means provided on the two sides of the conveyor line to allow the rapid replacement of the pair of side gates in the operative position at the welding station, in dependence on the type of body to be welded.