Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus having two identical assembling jigs. One assembling jig is attached to a robot arm and the assembling jig is then moved by operation of a robot from a setting site to an assembling site for assembling a plurality of parts set thereon at the setting site to an article place at the assembling site. Simultaneously, the plurality of parts are set on the other assembling jig. The two units are alternately attached to the robot arm at the setting site. Two receiving tables, each of which is for mounting thereon each of the assembling jigs, are provided alongside of each other at the setting site. A transfer device is provided to transfer each assembling jig from one receiving table to the other receiving table. The assembling jig attached to the robot arm is detached from the robot arm and placed on the one receiving table and the other assembling jig mounted on the other receiving table is then attached to the robot arm.

Abstract: A hinge pin couples a first hinge receiver mounted on a vehicle body and a second hinge receiver mounted on a door to be installed on the vehicle body. The hinge pin is removed from the vehicle body and the door to separate the vehicle body and the door from each other after the vehicle body and the door have been coated, and the removed pin engages in a hinge pin engaging member. The hinge pin is fed to a position where the vehicle body and the door are to be assembled together, and the hinge pin is removed from the hinge pin engaging member. Then, the removed hinge pin is pressed into the first and second hinge receivers which are aligned with each other, thereby coupling the vehicle body and the door to each other.

Abstract: A robot hand changer has a first joint member mounted on a robot arm, a second joint member mounted on a robot hand, and an engaging member mounted on the first joint member and angularly movable with respect to the second joint member for coupling the first and second joint members against each other. The robot hand changer also has an optical signal transmission device including sets of optical fibers disposed in confronting relation out of contact with each other for transmitting control signals across mating surfaces when the robot arm and the robot hand are coupled to each other, and photoelectric transducer circuits for converting electric signals to optical signals and vice versa. The robot hand arm further includes a detecting device for detecting dirt on the mating surfaces.

Abstract: A method for modifying an existing production line apparatus for adaptation to a new type of workpiece, when the apparatus includes a standardized general-purpose member and a special-purpose member which is exchangeable according to type of workpiece to be handled. A master apparatus is prepared which is mechanically identical with the general-purpose member. A special-purpose member is made that is compatible with a new type of workpiece. The special-purpose member is attached to the master apparatus and a trail operation is performed. Programming data from the trail operation necessary for operating the special-purpose member, and including teaching data for the general-purpose member are prepared and stored in a memory of the special purpose member. The programmed special-purpose member is then to attached to the general-purpose member and the production line apparatus having now incorporated the special-purpose member is operated according to the programming data.

Abstract: A robot hand changer has a first joint member mounted on a robot arm, a second joint member mounted on a robot hand, and an engaging member mounted on the first joint member and angularly movable with respect to the second joint member for coupling the first and second joint members against each other. The robot hand changer also has an optical signal transmission device including sets of optical fibers disposed in confronting relation out of contact with each other for transmitting control signals across mating surfaces when the robot arm and the robot hand are coupled to each other, and photoelectric transducer circuits for converting electric signals to optical signals and vice versa. The robot hand arm further includes a detecting device for detecting dirt on the mating surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for properly locating and positioning a vehicle body carried by a conveying hanger to a work station which includes a pair of locating pins on the hanger and locating the vehicle body relative to the hanger. A pair of depending standard pins are also provided on the hanger and clamp means provided at the work station clamp the depending standard pins to properly position the hanger and vehicle body relative to the work station.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling a motorcar body from the component parts of a floor panel, a roof panel and side panels. A set carrier can reciprocate between a setting station and a welding station having a welding jig mechanism including welders. The set carrier has floor panel holding members for positioning and holding the floor panel and side panel holding members for pressing the side panels against and fixing the side panels to the floor panel, with the roof panel solely being held between receiving upper edges of the side panels. The thus-formed and held predetermined car body framework is conveyed to the welding station on the set carrier and is there transferred as-is to the welding jig mechanism to be welded.