Abstract: An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining holes. The part holding assembly further includes a first clamping device movable along a first track for positioning the first clamping device relative to the part. The first clamping device is configured to engage the part to secure the part to the first clamping device. The part holding assembly also includes a first pin device movable along a second track for positioning the first pin device relative to the location of one of the holes of the part. The first pin is configured to be disposed through the one of the holes of the part when in a closed position for locating the part. The first pin is configured to expand in the one of the holes when in an open position for securing the part to the first pin device.

Abstract: A method of assembling a component includes gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool. The first tool is attached to a first robot arm and the first subcomponent defines a first plurality of locating holes. The second tool is attached to a second robot arm and the second subcomponent defines a second plurality of locating holes. After grasping, the method includes aligning at least one of the first locating holes adjacent to at least one of the second locating holes to set an initial position of the second subcomponent with respect to the first subcomponent without releasing the first and second subcomponents. After aligning, the method includes forming a joint between the first and second subcomponents with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the component. A component assembly system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tooling pivot is configured to pivot and to hold a tool in a plurality of operating positions. The tooling pivot includes a bracket, a tooling plate, a motor, a brake, and a controller. The tooling plate is connected to the bracket, connectable to the tool, and rotatable. The motor is connected to the bracket and to the tooling plate and is configured to rotate the tooling plate to an operating position. The brake is connected to the bracket and is configured to hold the tooling plate in the operating position. The controller is connected to the motor and to the brake and is configured to control the motion and position of the tooling plate and to control the holding of the tooling plate. The brake is configured to release the tooling plate when the motor rotates the tooling plate to the operating position.

Abstract: An expanding locating and clamping pin assembly configured to locate and clamp a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws radially movable in the radial jaw guides, extending past the part rest face, and configured with a part clamping feature. The actuating mechanism is connected to the housing and the jaws and is configured to synchronously move the jaws to a radial position and to apply the clamping force. The controller controls the radial position of the jaws and the clamping force. The part rest face and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position and to clamp the part in the located position via the clamping force.

Abstract: An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.

Abstract: An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining a plurality of holes. The assembly includes a frame having a track. The assembly includes a first device and a second device each supported by the frame. One of the devices is movable along the track for positioning the devices relative to each other and relative to the location of the holes of the part. The first device includes a first pin and the second device includes a second pin. Each of the pins is movable between a closed position and an open position. The pins are configured to be disposed through respective holes of the part when in the closed position for locating the part. The pins are configured to expand in the respective holes when in the open position for securing the part to the devices.

Abstract: An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining holes. The part holding assembly further includes a first clamping device movable along a first track for positioning the first clamping device relative to the part. The first clamping device is configured to engage the part to secure the part to the first clamping device. The part holding assembly also includes a first pin device movable along a second track for positioning the first pin device relative to the location of one of the holes of the part. The first pin is configured to be disposed through the one of the holes of the part when in a closed position for locating the part. The first pin is configured to expand in the one of the holes when in an open position for securing the part to the first pin device.

Abstract: An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.

Abstract: An expanding locating and clamping pin assembly configured to locate and clamp a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws radially movable in the radial jaw guides, extending past the part rest face, and configured with a part clamping feature. The actuating mechanism is connected to the housing and the jaws and is configured to synchronously move the jaws to a radial position and to apply the clamping force. The controller controls the radial position of the jaws and the clamping force. The part rest face and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position and to clamp the part in the located position via the clamping force.

Abstract: A method of assembling a component includes gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool. The first tool is attached to a first robot arm and the first subcomponent defines a first plurality of locating holes. The second tool is attached to a second robot arm and the second subcomponent defines a second plurality of locating holes. After grasping, the method includes aligning at least one of the first locating holes adjacent to at least one of the second locating holes to set an initial position of the second subcomponent with respect to the first subcomponent without releasing the first and second subcomponents. After aligning, the method includes forming a joint between the first and second subcomponents with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the component. A component assembly system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly system and a part holding assembly are configured to locate and secure a part defining a plurality of holes. The assembly includes a frame having a track. The assembly includes a first device and a second device each supported by the frame. One of the devices is movable along the track for positioning the devices relative to each other and relative to the location of the holes of the part. The first device includes a first pin and the second device includes a second pin. Each of the pins is movable between a closed position and an open position. The pins are configured to be disposed through respective holes of the part when in the closed position for locating the part. The pins are configured to expand in the respective holes when in the open position for securing the part to the devices.

Abstract: A fixture includes a stand having a first and second end; a first arm attached to the stand at the first end and stationary with respect to the second end; and a first effector attached to the first arm. The first effector has a first plurality of pins and a first cap defining a first plurality of channels. Each of the first pins is retractable into and translatable out of a respective one of the first channels. The tool includes a second arm attached to the stand between the first and second ends, wherein the second arm is translatable along the stand; and a second effector attached to the second arm. The second effector has a second plurality of pins and a second cap defining a second plurality of channels. Each of the second pins is retractable into and translatable out of a respective one of the second channels.

Abstract: A tooling pivot is configured to pivot and to hold a tool in a plurality of operating positions. The tooling pivot includes a bracket, a tooling plate, a motor, a brake, and a controller. The tooling plate is connected to the bracket, connectable to the tool, and rotatable. The motor is connected to the bracket and to the tooling plate and is configured to rotate the tooling plate to an operating position. The brake is connected to the bracket and is configured to hold the tooling plate in the operating position. The controller is connected to the motor and to the brake and is configured to control the motion and position of the tooling plate and to control the holding of the tooling plate. The brake is configured to release the tooling plate when the motor rotates the tooling plate to the operating position.

Abstract: An irrigation power system is provided for use with a conventional irrigation conduit having water flow therethrough as a source of hydro energy. In order to convert the hydro energy of the water flow to electrical energy, a power generation module is provided along the irrigation conduit. The electrical energy provided by the power generation module is then provided to a power conditioner to alter the electrical energy to produce a predetermined current. The predetermined current is then sent to a storage device for later use. An irrigation system component then communicates with the storage device to receive electrical power for selective operation of the component.

Abstract: An irrigation power system is provided for use with a conventional irrigation conduit having water flow therethrough as a source of hydro energy. In order to convert the hydro energy of the water flow to electrical energy, a power generation module is provided along the irrigation conduit. The electrical energy provided by the power generation module is then provided to a power conditioner to alter the electrical energy to produce a predetermined current. The predetermined current is then sent to a storage device for later use. An irrigation system component then communicates with the storage device to receive electrical power for selective operation of the component.