Abstract: Disclosed is a welding device, which includes a drive unit, a first connecting rod, a second connecting rod, a welding head and a welding base. The drive unit is in driving connection to one end of the first connecting rod and one end of the second connecting rod; another end of the first connecting rod is in driving connection to the welding head, and is configured for causing, being driven by the drive unit, the welding head to move in a direction close to or away from the welding base; and another end of the second connecting rod is in driving connection to the welding base, and is configured for causing, being driven by the drive unit, the welding base to move in a direction close to or away from the welding head. The present application can ensure the synchronous movement of the welding head and the welding base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fixing device 1 for a position-adjusting jig, the fixing device 1 including: a driving cylinder 100 which includes a piston having a predetermined stroke; a jig-position-fixing unit 200 which is coupled to the piston of the driving cylinder 100; a guide block 300 which fixes and assists the jig-position-fixing unit 200 operated by the stroke of the piston of the driving cylinder 100; and a position-fixing bracket 400 which is coupled to a position-adjustable jig B so that the position-adjustable jig B is fixed by the jig-position-fixing unit 200. Therefore, the present invention is applied to various working processes in which a jig A is used, such that it is possible to reduce time required to fix the jig A to the existing predetermined position to produce products with higher quality and perform an operation, and as a result, it is possible to prevent a loss of labor productivity, thereby ensuring and improving productivity of the products.

Abstract: In a fence having a plurality of posts, vertically-spaced rails extend across the posts. Horizontally-spaced union strips are extended across the rails, and sheeted infill material is positioned within the open faces of the union strips, so that the sheeted infill material extends from the first union strip to the second union strip.

Abstract: Provided are a vehicle body assembling method and a vehicle body assembling device that are space-saving and economical. The vehicle body assembling method includes: a first holding step (S2) for holding a floor complete 1 by a first jig 9; a second holding step (S3) for holding a roof arch by a second jig; a jig connecting step (S4) for connecting the first jig and the second jig; a third holding step (S5) for holding side inner completes by the first jig and the second jig; and welding steps (S6 to S9) for forming an inner frame by welding.

Abstract: A weld validation system and method for a battery module are provided. The battery module has first and second battery cells and an interconnect member welded to first and second tabs of the first and second battery cells, respectively. The system includes a gripping device having first and second gripping fingers contacting the interconnect member. The system further includes a temperature sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a temperature of the interconnect member when a battery cycling device is discharging the battery module. The system further includes a computer that determines a first temperature value indicative of the temperature of the interconnect member based on the first signal.

Abstract: A welding system for welding small precious metal firing tips to spark plug electrodes, such as ground and/or center electrodes. According to one embodiment, the welding system includes a firing tip storage assembly and a firing tip welding assembly, where the firing tip storage assembly uses pressurized gas introduced at the bottom of a part container to float or lift the firing tips so that the firing tip welding assembly can more easily acquire them with a vacuum-driven nozzle that also doubles as a welding electrode. The firing tip welding assembly is mounted to a robotic apparatus that can index or move the firing tip welding assembly between the firing tip storage assembly, a welding station and/or any other suitable positions.

Abstract: A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exchange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.

Abstract: A method is provided for welding in an automated way a sphere onto a metal sheet. The method includes the following steps: providing a sphere; providing a first electrode; picking up the sphere by use of the first electrode; providing a metal sheet; providing a second electrode; pressing the metal sheet and sphere together such that the sphere is pressed against the metal sheet by the first electrode, and the metal sheet is pressed against the sphere by the second electrode; and welding the sphere and the metal sheet together by generating a welding current between the two electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding a projection bolt includes a control unit which outputs an actuating signal for an advancing pressurizing means in response to at least a signal indicating completion of insertion of the projection bolt into a receiving hole and a signal indicating completion of movement of a steel plate part. Electrodes are provided for welding the projection bolt, and advancement of the electrodes from a retracted state is started in response to the actuating signal.

Abstract: A supply chute 11 has a nut send-in port 14 at its upper end, and is composed of an inclined chute 12 inclined obliquely downward, and a curved chute 13 coupled to the lower end of the inclined chute 12 and curved like an arc obliquely downward. A nut support mechanism 40 is disposed at a nut send-out port 15 provided at a terminal end of the curved chute 13, for supporting the nuts 60 being forwarded so that their bonding side 62 may be in an oblique downward position nearly orthogonal to the axial line of a guide rod 20. The inclined chute 12, the curved chute 13, the guide rod 20, and driving means 25 for moving the guide rod 20 back and forth in an oblique downward direction are mounted on a stand 22 installed rotatably on a support member 33 by way of a horizontal support shaft 35, and the support member 33 is coupled and fixed to a main body arm 2 of the bonding machine 1.

Abstract: An automotive body framing system includes a setter supported by parallel spaced tracks for movement from a work position to a standby position and to a gate change position and driven by corresponding racks and synchronized pinion drive units. Opposing gate storage belt shuttles are located at the gate change position for receiving the setter therebetween, and a gate staging cart is supported in back of the setter by parallel tracks and is also moved between opposing gate storage belt shuttles by synchronized rack and pinion drive units. Power operated registration units are positioned on the setter to register each gate received at precise horizontal and vertical positions, and the setter, staging cart and gate storage belt shuttles each have a series of resilient guide and support rollers to provide for quiet operation during rapid transfer of the gates on the setter, staging cart and belt shuttles.

Abstract: A multiple welding gun system includes a plurality of welding guns, simultaneously performing welding operations, mounted to a robot arm of a welding robot and a pitch changing device as a space adjusting device disposed between the plurality of welding guns. The pitch changing device is configured to change a gun pitch so as to adjust a space between the welding guns by rotating one of the welding guns relative to other one of the welding guns to thereby move the welding guns closer to or separate from each other.

Abstract: The assembly of body components using a geometry box (1) and clamping frames (7, 8) is described. At least for the larger components (9, 10), in particular the side wall parts of the body, a multipart clamping frame (8a, 8b) is used. The component (9, 10) is grasped and fed to the geometry box (1) using one clamping frame part, while the other clamping frame part is fed empty. Using both clamping frame parts, the component (9, 10) is then fixed precisely in position using positioning and fixing units acting between the geometry box (1) and the clamping frame (7, 8) in such a way that the components (6, 9, 10) to be connected to one another may be connected to one another, in particular welded.

Abstract: A supply chute 11 has a nut send-in port 14 at its upper end, and is composed of an inclined chute 12 inclined obliquely downward, and a curved chute 13 coupled to the lower end of the inclined chute 12 and curved like an arc obliquely downward. A nut support mechanism 40 is disposed at a nut send-out port 15 provided at a terminal end of the curved chute 13, for supporting the nuts 60 being forwarded so that their bonding side 62 may be in an oblique downward position nearly orthogonal to the axial line of a guide rod 20. The inclined chute 12, the curved chute 13, the guide rod 20, and driving means 25 for moving the guide rod 20 back and forth in an oblique downward direction are mounted on a stand 22 installed rotatably on a support member 33 by way of a horizontal support shaft 35, and the support member 33 is coupled and fixed to a main body arm 2 of the bonding machine 1.

Abstract: A roof panel (31) is pre-set on the left and right side members (4) fixed to an underbody of a car. A roof panel spot welding station (7) includes a pair of frames (34) and two joisted-locating jigs (35, 36) bridging the frames. Each of the joisted-locating jigs is furnished with a clamp mechanism for holding the roof panel. The roof panel is located to the side members by the locating jigs, and spot-welded to the side members.

Abstract: Each of a pair of side members (4) is located relative to an underbody (3) using two locators (16). Each locator is lowered by a lifter (15) and placed on a slide base (18). The slide base is movable along a slide guide (17) toward and away from a transfer conveyor (11).

Abstract: A motor vehicle car body framing apparatus for use at a welding station, the apparatus including a gate having a frame structure and a plurality of tooling members carried by the frame structure for use in positioning components of the vehicle body at the welding station for welding. The tooling members are mounted on the frame structure by a plurality of mounting brackets. Each mounting bracket includes a base member mounted on the frame structure and a riser mounted on the base and mounting a respective tooling member. The riser is fixedly mounted on the base by a single central fastener bolt which may include a reduced diameter portion sized to breakaway in response to predetermined impact against the riser. The interface between the riser and the base comprises a plurality of contact points arranged in concentric relation with respect to the fastener bolt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interconnection between two overlapping end sections of metallic strips (10, 20) in which a quick and economical interconnetion should be produced. To this end, the invention provides that several annular welds (30) are provided in the overlapping area (15) which are situated at a distance from the face ends of both strips (10, 20).

Abstract: A method of teaching a robot off-line having a traveling axis, by which the final position and final posture are determined when a robot having a traveling axis stops at an arbitrary position on a traveling axis. The method is able to take an arbitrary posture at the arbitrary position, change from the arbitrary position and arbitrary posture, and move a control point of the robot until it agrees with a movement target point. This position on the traveling axis of the robot is determined so as to minimize the distance between a coordinate origin of the robot a movement target point.

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 plurality of robots are positioned on a rotatable table for transporting parts to be processed through a plurality of work stations positioned around the periphery of the table. Each robot can carry a workpiece from one work station to the next. The rotation of the table moves the robot from one workstation to the next while carrying a part to be processed. Each robot can be independently movable relative to the other robots and each robot can be independently movable relative to the table. Each robot can include a welder for processing the workpiece independent of the workstation or during movement between work stations. Each robot can carry a plurality of differently configured workpieces between the work stations.

Abstract: The present invention can weld two parts of component metal fitting constituting the parts as a welding apparatus used in manufacturing automotive parts such as a strut mount upon positioning and laminating. Furthermore, a welded part can be easily recovered to improve the operationality of welding. This welding apparatus has support tables to support two parts of component metal fitting. The support table has thereon a positioning pin provided standing in a position corresponding to the penetration holes possessed in the both parts of component metal fitting and a lower electrode to support the two parts of component metal fitting in their joining points. In a position further above thereof, an upper electrode is provided that is held vertically movable. The positioning pin in its upper end is made in a tapered form. The pin is supported elastically pressed down by spring means. Furthermore, urging means is provided to press down the pin against the spring means separately from the upper electrode.

Abstract: An installation for positioning and welding body parts of different types of motor vehicles. The installation includes a mounting frame (5) which is guided on a conveyor line and which has receiving elements for at least some vehicle body parts. Positioning devices (8) are provided for the vehicle body parts (6) and at least one robot is provided for carrying out welding work. The invention is very flexible in terms of product modifications. The mounting frame (5) has positioning devices for at least some vehicle body parts (6) and clamping devices for the vehicle body parts. An additional (lower) conveyor line (10) is located under the first conveyor (2). One of several auxiliary mounting frames (12) is guided on the additional conveyor line. Parking positions (13) for the auxiliary mounting frames (12) are provided next to the lower conveyor line (10).

Abstract: A vehicle body welding system includes a work station for welding components of a preassembled body with respect to one another. The body is moveable along a fixed path of travel through the work station. At least two moveable pillars are located on each side of the fixed path of travel through the work station for synchronized reciprocation between first and second end limits of travel toward and away from the fixed path of travel of the body. At least one gate is connectible in a repeatable located position with respect to the moveable pillars on each side of the fixed path for synchronized reciprocation between first and second positions toward and away from the fixed path of travel of the body. Locating members are engageable between each pillar and the corresponding gate for locating the gate with respect to the moveable pillar in at least two dimensions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for feeding, clamping, and processing, particularly for geometric welding of automobile body components in a work station. The invention method consists of side-section clamping frames which, after receiving a body side section with the help of portal robots which travel along an elevated four-axle portal in the X-Y axis, are brought into the geometrical welding station, positioned at both sides of the body conveyer system for geometrical welding. The device is characterized in that a four-axle portal (2) is arranged above the geometrical welding station and along which four-axle portal (2), on each side of the body conveyer system (1), at least one portal robot (3), from which side-section clamping frames (9) are hung, can travel in the X-Y axis between a position for receiving the body side sections (8) and a position for clamping and welding the body.

Abstract: An electromagnetic relay structure having a plate spring and a yoke secured to a base by forming a vibration damping portion integral with a terminal and by securing the terminal to the base by insertion molding. The vibration damping portion is disposed between an L-shaped yoke, an end of which is secured to the base, and the terminal, which is also fixed to the base. The vibration damping portion is spot welded to a plate spring, which is secured to the yoke. A spot welding machine is provided for fixing the plate spring to the vibration damping portion. The spot welding machine has electrodes that are rotated by motors while effecting spot welding of the material.

Abstract: An automotive framing system for positioning a lower body component and at least two upper body components together at precise positions relative to each other prior to fixedly securing the body components together. The framing system includes a conveyor for sequentially moving body preassemblies to a predetermined assembly station. A frame of integral construction is positioned around the body at the assembly station. A lifter at the assembly station lifts the lower body component and upper body components from the conveyor together with the frame to a predetermined elevated position in which the lower body component abuts against the upper body components. With the body preassembly positioned within the assembly station, clamps on the frame engage predetermined location points on the upper and lower body components to hold the upper and lower body components together at preset positions relative to each other whereupon the body components are fixedly secured together.

Abstract: In a welding station, particularly for motor-vehicle bodies, the elements to be welded are locked in a precise position by locking devices carried by locating gates. There are provided a number of pairs of locating gates, corresponding to the number of different types of structures to be welded on which the station must operate. The gates are mounted on powered carriages which are guided longitudinally on both sides of the conveyor line to allow the pair of gates which are in the operative position to be rapidly interchanged. The elements of the structure to be welded reach the work area suspended to a hook, without being preliminarly connected to each other.

Abstract: In a welding device for motor vehicle bodies there are provided a number of pairs of locating gates adapted to operate on different models of body. In the work position, each pair of locating gates can be selectively coupled to a plurality of auxiliary fixtures depending upon the specific version (for example hatchback, sedan, station-wagon) of the model of body to be welded.

Abstract: In a vehicle body assembly line is disposed a jig unit having a mechanism for aligning and clamping a side inner panel and a mechanism for aligning and clamping a front header and a rear header of a roof panel. Each of the mechanisms is movable between a position of aligning and holding the member for structuring a vehicle body and a position of evacuating the mechanism from the vehicle body sections. The vehicle body assembly line has nine stations for subassembling the structuring members. In the second station, the side inner panel is set to the jig unit which is transferred to the third station with a welding robot disposed therein, in which the front and rear headers are set to the jig unit and they are temporarily welded to the side inner panel. The jig unit is transferred to the fourth station where the headers are permanently welded to the side inner panel. The side outer panel is aligned on the basis of the side inner panel in the fifth station and it is welded in the sixth station.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a motorcar body assembling line for setting car body components including a floor panel, a roof panel, and side panels on a set carrier in a predetermined positional relationship in a setting station at a starting end of the assembling line. The apparatus has a floor panel setting device for transporting a floor panel to, and setting it on, the set carrier; a pair of right and left side-panel setting devices for receiving a pair of right and left side panels which are transported to an upper position of the setting station by a hanger and for setting them on the set carrier; and a roof panel setting device for setting a roof panel between roof side rails of the right and left side panels which have been set on the set carrier.

Abstract: In a flexible manufacturing system for assembling various types of vehicle bodies, there is employed a work piece carrier on which a work piece positioning device is mounted. The work piece positioning device has a plurality of position changeable work piece holders which are grouped into a plurality of groups each having its own power input device. When the carrier comes to a type switching state together with the work piece positioning device, a power source installed in the type switching stage is brought into connection with the power input device of one of the groups thereby to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders. Then, the power source is brought into connection with the other power input device of the other group to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders.

Abstract: A bushing forming machine including:a metal strip delivery system including a metal strip wound on a drum; a forming mill for forming the metal strip to a shape; a first conveyer carrying the metal strip to the forming mill; and a punch provided on a passage of the metal strip for cutting the metal strip to a length;a filler delivery system including a filler wound on a drum; a cutter for cutting the filler to a length; a second conveyer carrying the filler to the cutter; a gripper feeder holding and feeding the filler after cut by the cutter;a mold rotatably receiving and driving the metal strip and the filler;a pair of compression rollers being actuated to compress the metal strip and the filler wound on the mold; thea welder radially provided beside the mold for welding the metal strip.

Abstract: A high-speed welding apparatus comprises a frame F along which a first conveying mechanism (20) moves a carrier member (11) having mounted thereon a holder (14) holding a connector (100) and a cable (103) to a welding station (30). A feed mechanism (30A) at the welding station (30) engages the carrier member (11) and continously feeds it at a specified speed along the welding station (30) so that a welding device (33) automatically welds electrical conductors of the cable (103) to respective electrical contacts of the connector (100). A second conveying mechanism (40) then moves the carrier member (11) away from the welding station (30) so that the welded connector and cable can be removed therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for automatically joining and machining assemblies consisting of several components each and retained on a work-piece carrier (4) in a transfer line with retoolable machining stations (3). In the machining station (3), the assembly components are first taken off the workpiece carrier, brought into the joining position relative to each other, retained there and machined, in particular tacked or finish-welded. To carry out these various activities and to make the machining station highly flexible, the latter has several tool carriers (22, 23) which can move in at least three axes. The tool carriers (22, 23) are each disposed in a parallel plane above or below the workpiece carrier (4) so they can travel freely. The tool carriers (22, 23) support individual tools which they can change automatically at stationary or movable tool magazines (31, 33, 34).

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric welding method and apparatus using resilient means such as springs for supporting a work to be welded. The work can be set at a desired level at which required welding is to be effected, by yieldingly compressing the springs with an upper electrode on the work until the work has been lowered to the desired level. If the work is thick or stiff, the work can be lowered simply by pushing down the work with the upper electrode against the resilient force of the springs. If the work is thin or easy to bend or deform, the work must be lowered by pulling down the work table and the work together with the aid of an appropriate pull-down piston-and-cylinder. Exact positioning of the work and satisfactory welding are assured despite the simple positioning device.

Abstract: A working line for performing certain operations on a side panel for a motorcar including, in order, a set station, a welding station, and a sealing station. A set carrier is reciprocatable on a first railway between the set station and the welding station and carries a set jig on which the side panel components are loadable in a standing posture. Holding members and welding robots are provided on one lateral side of the welding station to receive the side panel, hold it in place, and weld it, all in a standing posture. A discharging carrier is reciprocatable between the welding station and the sealing station on a second railway offset sideways in relation to the first railway and carries a discharging jig for receiving the welded side panel and conveying it in its standing posture to the sealing station. A sealing jig and a sealing agent application robot are disposed at the sealing station opposite one to another on both sides of the second railway.

Abstract: An automatic system for the production of metal sheet bodies, preferably car metal bodies, which is composed of a plurality of forming-welding assemblies contained in stores so that they can be preselected and carried each in correspondence with an assembly station where the body components are fed, handled and assembled by means of welding through the intervention of a pair of such assemblies respectively positioned on opposite sides of the body.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding a partly assembled vehicle body (13) includes a main framework structure (3) supported on two pairs of pillars (1), the structure being mounted about a horizontal pivot (5) on the rear pair of pillars for up and down pivotal movement. Mounted on the structure (3) are a pair of outwardly moveable inner frames (9) carrying clamps (11) which are isertable through the upper aperture(s) in the body (e.g. the space subsequently to be filled by the windscreens and/or roof panel), enabling the body to be clamped from inside to give free access to outside workers or robots (21). The frames may also carry dedicated tooling, such as a spot welder.

Abstract: A welding system for welding works such as floor parts of different models of automobiles has a first carrier passage provided at one end thereof with a loading stage and at the other end thereof with a welding stage where an automatic welder is provided, a second carrier passage which intersects the first carrier passage, a turn-over stage provided at the position where the first and the second carrier passages intersect each other, a plurality of jig unit carriages each carrying the parts to be welded and adapted to run along the first and the second carrier passages, linear motors arranged along the first and the second carrier passages, and a lifting device disposed at the turn-over stage and adapted for lifting the carriage as necessitated.

Abstract: A touch-up welding apparatus for welding such portions of a motorcar body which remain unwelded after the body has passed along a main welding portion of an assembly line. Plural welding gun magazines holding differing welding guns are disposed along side of a welding station into which the motorcar body is positioned. A framework surrounds the welding station and supports the main body of a welding robot which is movable laterally and longitudinally of the station. A turnable, swingable wrist portion is provided on a lower end of an upwardly and downwardly movable robot arm attached to the robot main body. The differing welding guns may be selectively attached to the wrist portion and moved about the motorcar body as desired to weld the remaining unwelded portions thereof.

Abstract: Sheet-metal members (10), particularly tear-open can members, can be moved rhythmically, one behind the other, through a welding station (19) by a sheet-metal conveyor (15) and located in a defined position (17) in the welding station (19) by a positioning device (17). A prestamped tongue (12) can be punched-off from a sheet-metal strip (58) each time by a punch (60) over one of a plurality of receivers (52) on a tongue conveyor (18). The receivers (52) can be moved in succession out of the range of action of the punch (60) into the welding station (19) as a result of which the tongues (12) can each be laid against a sheet-metal member (10) in the welding station (19) in time with the sheet-metal conveyor (15). The punch (60) for punching off the tongues (12) is preceded by a prestamping device (82) which impresses markings (84) in the sheet-metal strip (58) at fixed distances from the tongues (12).

Abstract: A blade fuse includes parallel blades (12 and 14) secured in a body (16). A fusible link (42) welded to the blades is located in a cavity (20) of the body that is covered by a window (61). The blade fuses are assembled by blanking the fusible element from a ribbon (90) and translating it into a fuse subassembly (64). Tabs (50 and 52) secure the fusible element in the subassembly (64) until it is spot welded to blades 12 and 14. The window (61) is then blanked and translated to cover cavity (20) and secured by ultrasonic welding. A connector strip (76) is then blanked from between blades (12 and 14) to provide the blade fuse.

Abstract: An automatic assembly and welding system is provided for carrying out the building of various shaped sheet metal members, particularly motor vehicle bodies. The system comprises a single welding station, horizontal conveyor means for conveying vehicle frames to the welding station, and a pair of endless vertical conveyor mechanisms located on opposite sides of the welding station. The vertical conveyor mechanisms are capable of selectively bringing to a vertically oriented position adjacent the welding station and removing from the welding station various different automotive frames or body members to enable a continuous circulation of the body members along a path established by the vertical conveyor mechanism operating to repeatedly deliver new body members to the welding station.

Abstract: An insulated welded wire structural building panel and a method for making such panels are disclosed. The panel has a plurality of parallel trusses joined together with cross wires. Each truss is triangular in cross section. A layer of polyurethane foam is provided in the panel spaced from both the front side and the back side of the panel. On one surface of the foam is a layer of solidified viscous material, such as asphalt or a thermoplastic. The cross wires on opposite sides of the panel are offset from each other along the axes of the truss runner wires to which they are welded.

Abstract: An automatic welding apparatus is comprising a replaceable jig table, a conveying device for carrying the jig table between a setting station and a welding station and temporary welding device mounted on the jig table for applying temporary welds to a workpiece while the jig table is being moved by the conveying device. At least one holding device at the welding station removes the temporarily welded workpiece from the jig table and holds the workpiece therein and an additional welding device is positioned with respect to the holding device for permanently welding the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the holding device and the jig table is being returned to the setting station by the conveying device.

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.

Abstract: A workpiece preset jig arrangement for a welding apparatus. The welding apparatus has an apparatus body, a welding jig mechanism on the body and clamps on the welding jig mechanism for clamping plural component parts for constituting a workpiece so that the workpiece may be welded to another workpiece by the welding jig mechanism. The preset arrangement includes a preset arrangement body positioned adjacent the welding apparatus body, a preset jig mechanism provided on the arrangement body, and preset clamps mounted on the preset jig mechanism for clamping the plural component parts. The preset jig mechanism is moveable between a set position facing the welding jig mechanism and a preset position away from the set position and the welding jig mechanism. The set position is such that the plural component parts may be transferred from the preset jig mechanism to the welding jig mechanism simply by releasing the clamps on the preset jig mechanism and engaging the clamps on the welding jig mechanism.

Abstract: A body assembly system for accurately locating and welding multiple component parts of different vehicle bodies and to interfix their assembled relation at a framing station wherein more than three pairs of interchangeable gates can be employed at a single framing station having programmable welding means adapted to accommodate different body styles associated with the various sets of gates. Means are provided for retrieving, storing and exchanging either pair of end gates of a three pair system while the other end pair is in use at the framing station thereby expanding the versatility of the previous system to accommodate five or more pairs of gates.

Abstract: An apparatus for welding through-the-partition intercell connections in a lead-acid battery container wherein each partition has at least two spaced apertures therein for making such intercell connections includes in the exemplary embodiment three weld stations and a crimping station through which the containers are sequentially conveyed, and the containers are aligned and retained at dual positions in each station so that the welding or crimping operation can be carried out. A microprocessor based programmable controller serves as a master control to operate the apparatus, and a slave control is associated with each welding station.