Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. A locking mechanism on each base prevents movement of the support element when in the desired position. To configure the pallet for another version of the component the locking mechanism is released, the support element is moved to another base and the locking mechanism for that base is secured.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.

Abstract: A vent includes a vane configured for spatial movement, and at least one actuator in operative communication with the vane configured to spatially move the vane in at least one direction, wherein the actuator comprises an active material configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to selectively change an orientation of the vane.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. A locking mechanism on each support element allows for selectively preventing vertical movement of the support element relative to the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has several linkage assemblies to position a support element in a desired location for each version of a component. The linkage assemblies each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in the desired location. Securing a locking mechanism on the linkage assemblies prevents movement of the support element when in the desired position. To configure the pallet for another version of the component the locking mechanisms are released, the support elements are moved to another base and the locking mechanisms are secured again for each of the support assemblies.

Abstract: A fixture device generally includes a base member, a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece, and an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material.

Abstract: A cable adapted for use as an actuator, adaptive structural member, or damper, includes a plurality of longitudinally inter-engaged and cooperatively functioning shape memory alloy wires.

Abstract: A lift system for lifting and moving heavy parts in an assembly environment. The system includes an overhead cart that travels along a rail. A cable connected to the cart is coupled to the part to lift and move the part. The cart includes a braking device and a controller that controls braking of the cart on the rail. When the cart is moving along the rail, and the worker wishes to stop the part at the assembly location, the worker can initiate the braking operation of the cart by pressing a button. The braking device and the controller control the braking of the cart by applying and releasing the brake in a manner determined by the mass of the cart and the mass of the part so that as the cart is being stopped, the part is prevented from swinging.

Abstract: A system and method for self-piercing riveting including an alignment mechanism comprising laser diodes and sensors for facilitating alignment of a rivet gun and a back-up located on opposite sides of sheet metal parts to be joined, and an oscillation piercing technique for reducing force loads on structures, particularly robotic structures, carrying the rivet gun and the back-up.

Abstract: An improved spot welding tip is adapted for welding a set of adjacent members within a heated zone during a welding program, wherein a quantity of energy is produced, and for reducing the final base temperature of the heated zone. The tip presents a distal engaging surface for contacting one of the members and defines a preferably inner space located a preferred distance from the surface. A phase changing body is releasably retained within the space. At least a portion of the body changes from a first phase to a second phase by absorbing at least a portion of the heat energy during the welding program.

Abstract: A reconfigurable clamp is provided, where the clamp includes: a clamp body including a plurality of through holes formed within the clamp body; a plurality of movable pins which slidably fit within the through holes in the clamp body; wherein the movable pins incorporate a tapered section to facilitate locking of the movable pins; and wherein the clamp is reconfigurable by movement of the pins to conform to a surface geometry of an object of arbitrary shape through contact with that object. The clamped surface is represented as a series of discrete points corresponding to the ends of the plurality of pins.

Abstract: A friction stir nut is disclosed. The friction stir nut includes a body, a cap, and an anti-rotation feature. The body has an elongated cylindrical shank extending between a first end and a second end, the cap being disposed at the second end, and the anti-rotation feature being disposed at the cap and/or an outer surface of the body. The body and cap have a blind axial hole extending from the first end to the second end, the first end being blind and the second end being open. The outer surface of the first end has a flat surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis of the shank, and the body has a cylindrical wall thickness suitable for receiving internal threads. In response to a mandrel tool friction stir welding the friction stir nut to a workpiece and then being extracted, uniform internal threads result at the body. The anti-rotation feature bonds to the workpiece by metallurgical bonding and/or mechanical bonding.

Abstract: Reconfigurable containers which may adopt two stable configurations are described. In the first configuration, the container is suitable for the storing and transport of goods. When in a second, collapsed configuration, the container occupies a lesser volume than the first configuration and thus requires less shipping space. This is accomplished through the use of at least one deformable active material member that is preferably a shape memory polymer and, optionally, releasable fasteners.

Abstract: A self-presenting device includes, a member in physical communication with a vehicle surface, wherein the member is configured to have a first form and a second form, wherein the first form is configured to store the member and the second form is configured to present the member, and an active material in operable communication with the member, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the member from the first form to the second form.

Abstract: A tailor weld blank assembly and method for making the blank assembly include providing a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet having at least one different characteristic from the first sheet. Complementary interlocking structures are provided on adjoining edges of the first and second sheets and the sheets are mechanically interlocked together by making a weld along the adjoining interlocked edges. Thereafter the permanently affixed together sheets are formed to make a formed sheet metal product. The provision of both a mechanical interlock and a weld provide a blank assembly that is strong for forming into a stamped product, and a metal product that is strong for its intended use.

Abstract: Remotely engageable and releasable suction cups include a pliable body and an active material in operative communication with the pliable body and configured to create and/or eliminate a partial vacuum through the activation of stiffness or geometry changes in the active material. Suitable active materials include shape memory materials such as shape memory alloys, ferromagnetic shape memory alloys, and shape memory polymers (SMP). A second class of active materials include materials that exhibit a change in at least one attribute when subjected to an applied field but revert back to their original state upon removal of the applied field. Active materials in this category include piezoelectric materials, electroactive polymers (EAP), magnetorheological polymers, and the like.

Abstract: A fastener is provided for attachment to a workpiece by a friction stir process. The fastener includes a base having an underside adapted to seat upon the workpiece and a fastener portion attached to the top side of the base. An anchor portion projects from the underside of the base and is adapted to be rotated and advanced at high speed and inserted into the workpiece by friction stirring of the workpiece. The anchor portion is embedded in the workpiece upon cooling of the workpiece. The anchor portion has an indent in the surface thereof enabling the softened stirred material to flow into the indent and thereby mechanically capture the anchor portion within the solidified workpiece.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a plunger having a ramp and a lip, with a support member defining an opening through which the plunger extends. A support surface partially defines the opening and supports the plunger. The plunger is selectively movable between an extended position, in which the plunger protrudes a first distance from the opening, and a retracted position, in which the plunger protrudes a second distance from the opening, with the second distance being less than the first distance. In the extended position, the ramp and the lip are on a first side of the opening. In contrast, in the retracted position, the ramp and the lip are on a second side of the opening, with the lip engaging the support member to maintain the retracted position.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is provided for monitoring the installation of a blind rivet to attach together top and bottom members. The blind rivet installation tool includes a housing having an anvil seated on the rivet head. A collet is reciprocable within the tool housing and carries jaws for gripping the mandrel of the blind rivet. Retraction of the jaws by the collet displaces the jaws and the mandrel axially and causes the mandrel head to axially collapse and radially expand the hollow shank of the blind rivet into engagement with the bottom member so that the rivet attaches the top member and the bottom member. A cut off tool is actuated by an actuator to cut off the mandrel flush with the rivet head. Transducers and a process controller monitor the installation process and actuate the cut off blade upon determining that the blind rivet is properly installed.