Abstract: A fastener system for multi-piece swage type fasteners, including a pin and a collar, and providing a stump type fastener constructed to be set as a pull type fastener with the fastener pin having a threaded gripping portion and including a compact installation tool having a swage anvil and a rotary threaded member adapted to be threaded onto the threaded pull portion of the pin whereby a relative axial force is applied between the pin and the collar via the rotary threaded member and swage anvil to cause the anvil to radially overengage the collar to swage it into locking grooves on the pin and the pull portion remaining on the pin after installation and with the swage anvil being connected to a piston rod of a piston for axially reciprocating movement for swaging the collar with the rotary threaded member being axially fixed and with the swage anvil and rotary threaded member being offset from the remainder of the tool whereby the tool can be used to install such fasteners in applications of limited clearan

Abstract: In order to remove a plate made from a material that can be heated by electromagnetic induction and retained on a supporting member by a heat-fusible adhesive, an inductor is displaced facing at least one strip of the plate in order to heat the strip by induction and heat the adhesive by conduction until the adhesive softens, and a tearing tool is driven so as to tear out the heated strip by hot-peeling. The inductor and the tearing tool are displaced jointly relative to the plate and the supporting member by means of a mobile frame, which is displaced on a stationary frame on which the supporting member and the plate are fixed.

Abstract: A production organizing method and a method and apparatus for assembling vehicle body are provided. The production line organizing method comprises the steps of classifying all parts for all types of vehicles to be assembled into groups of main part, synchronous subparts, and non-synchronous subparts, and the manhour for the non-synchronous subparts are assigned to the difference in manhours for assembly of main parts and synchronous subparts. In addition, a vehicle body assembly method and a vehicle body assembly line are also provided, which are capable of reducing a length of a main line and increasing the productivity by classifying all of the parts used for all vehicle types into three groups of main parts and two groups of subparts including non-synchronous main parts and subparts, and by assembling and storing the non-synchronous main parts and subparts in the separate section and supplying the sub-assembled non-synchronous subparts to the main line when necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically inserting insulating material into the slots of armatures of electric motors generally includes means for feeding a continuous web of insulating material beyond a cutting device, cutting the insulative material at a predetermined length, bending the insulative material to comport with the shape of an armature slot, inserting the insulative material into the slot, and indexing the armature for further insertion of insulative materials. The apparatus further comprises electronically programmable device for automatically determining and communicating the length of the insulative material to be cut based on the dimensions of the armature, automatically feeding, cutting, bending, and inserting the insulative material into the armature slot, and automatically indexing the armature for the insertion of additional insulative materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to press tools for the connection, by cold forming, of tubular workpieces (2, 3) whose connection regions are provided with circular external cross-sectional shapes and are pushed one into the other. The press jaws (10) of the press tool have, in the closed state, approximately the external cross-sectional shape of the workpieces and can be provided with recesses (13, 17). Such a press tool may also have only two press jaws (10) and one bearing bolt (4). As a result of drive forces (F) introduced into the tool, cold-forming forces are exerted on the workpieces (2, 3) via said tool. Depending on manufacturing tolerances of the workpieces (2, 3), the distance (A) between the press jaws (10) varies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning and heat staking a plurality of stackable junction box components having pilot holes normally used only for registration and alignment purposes. A heat stakable element is inserted through the pilot holes and used to secure the stacked components through the pilot holes. This eliminates the need for heat stake and stake hole structure built into the various junction box layers, thereby freeing up valuable junction box layout space for additional bus bar runs and electrical component receptacles. In a preferred form the heat stakable element is formed in the shape of a pilot pin to engage the pilot holes and simultaneously register and heat stake them together.

Abstract: A panel assembly for transferring fluids from one location to another comprises a panel structure with openings, a nozzle projecting through each opening and a sleeve affixed between the nozzle and its respective opening. Each nozzle includes a tubular portion with a connection end adapted for connection to a transfer conduit. The connection ends of the nozzles are preferably aligned with a common reference plane. Each sleeve has an outer surface with a length that is greater than a combination of a thickness of the panel and any deformity on the panel. With this arrangement, alignment of the connection ends with the common reference plane is independent of any deformity on the panel. A method of constructing a panel assembly includes determining if any defects are present on the inner surface of the tubular portion before installing the nozzle on the panel, and precluding potential inner surface defects during installation of the nozzle on the panel.

Abstract: A vertical assembly table is designed to automatically assemble an insulated glass window structure consisting of two identical glass lites and an edge seal. The seal is added to one glass lite after washing, but prior to conveying to the vertical assembly table. The vertical assembly table includes two independent conveyor tables, each having a plurality of conveyor rolls. A pivotable subframe is associated with each roller table, with each subframe having a plurality of support arms coupled to a common pivot shaft. Each support arm is positioned between the rolls of the associated roller table. Each subframe is moved between a retracted position below a pass line of the roller table and a transfer position adjacent the other subframe in the transfer position. A transfer mechanism is provided for transferring a glass workpiece from one subframe to the adjacent subframe when the subframes are in the transfer position.

Abstract: The preferred orientation, or planar oscillation plane, of a golf club shaft is located by measuring the oscillation of the shaft when a horizontal impulse is applied and from those measurements determining an orientation in which the oscillation would be substantially planar. In a preferred embodiment an iterative process is used to converge on the preferred orientation. The location of the preferred orientation may be marked on the shaft and used to assemble a golf club with the planar oscillation plane in a predetermined orientation. The assembly of the golf club can be done manually—e.g., in a refitting situation—or automatically—e.g., in a new club manufacturing setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an apparatus for restricting access to ports that may be disposed in a bonnet that houses valves on a railcar. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of using a template that may be lowered over the bonnet of the railcar wherein the template has a plurality of differently-sized holes to allow access to specially-sized nozzles. In addition, the valves may be eduction valves and/or vapor valves, and the apertures may allow a specific-sized nozzle to have access to the eduction valves, the vapor valves or both. The template may lower onto the bonnet via a frame that may be pivotally attached to a structure. Further, joints and bearings may be provided to allow the template to be movable so as to precisely fit over the bonnet of the railcar.

Abstract: The preferred orientation, or planar oscillation plane, of a golf club shaft is located by measuring the oscillation of the shaft when a horizontal impulse is applied and from those measurements determining an orientation in which the oscillation would be substantially planar. In a preferred embodiment an iterative process is used to converge on the preferred orientation. The location of the preferred orientation may be marked on the shaft and used to assemble a golf club with the planar oscillation plane in a predetermined orientation. The assembly of the golf club can be done manually—e.g., in a refitting situation—or automatically—e.g., in a new club manufacturing setting.

Abstract: A method for regulating a device (2) used for fixing aircraft airframe pieces in connection with assembly of airframe parts (21, 22), where the device consists of a rig (3) comprising a matrix of rails (7, 8) that can slide in such a way that a number of fixing elements (9) attached to the rails (7, 8) can be positioned freely along three co-ordinates x, y, z in space within a given volume, where a manipulator (1) grasps a fixing element (9) after which the fixing element (9) is moved by the manipulator (1) to the given co-ordinate, and where the rails on which a fixing element (9) is arranged is locked in relation to the rig (3) by an automatic locking function initiated by the manipulator, thereby fixing the fixing element's (9) position in space and the setting procedure is repeated for a predetermined number of fixing elements (9) on the rig.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a cylindrical test body with one or more spherical cavities for testing the function and defect recognition quality of systems for the automatic recognition of defects in castings and method for the manufacture thereof. All the prior art testing possibilities are not in accordance with practice and suffer from different advantages. The invention surprisingly obviates this problem by the use of a cylindrical test body with one or more spherical cavities for testing the function and defect recognition quality of systems for the automatic recognition of defects in castings and which is fixed on or in the casting to be tested. Thus, the invention has created test bodies or objects, which better approximate the shape of natural defects and which are simple and inexpensive to manufacture in reproducible manner. These test bodies contain one or more spherical cavities optionally having different sizes and positions.

Abstract: A system for verifying the quality of a pressing operation of a press-fit part onto a receiving portion of a receiving assembly. The system is applicable to the installation of a bearing cup onto a shaft, or a valve seat into a cylinder head. A probe measures a predetermined dimension of the press-fit part to establish a first measurement value. In the case of a valve seat installed a receiving pocket of a cylinder head, a measuring probe is inserted into the receiving pocket of the cylinder head to measure its depth. The depth is recorded as a second measurement value. The valve seat is then pressed into the pocket, and the residual depth is measured to determine the distance between the outermost surface of the pressed in valve seat and the outer surface of the receiving pocket. A computation compares the depth of the pocket against the thickness of the valve seat to determine a difference which is then compared to the residual depth.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for the assembly of body components to an automotive body that has undergone a progressive series of framing and welding steps so as to produce a structurally rigid body frame, termed a body-in-white. More specifically, this invention relates to creating a new net locating scheme (X-Y-Z coordinate system) for a body-in-white to direct associated tooling to create net attachment features on said rigid body frame so that components may be attached to said automotive body at a net location eliminating the need for any slip plane attachment techniques.

Abstract: In an automated method for mounting a valve stem to the rim of an automotive vehicle wheel, rims are supplied in series by a conveyor to a gauging station where the location and alignment of a hole for receiving the valve stem is determined by a machine vision system. An electronic control system directs a robotic manipulator to grasp the rim, move it to a mounting station where a valve stem is retained, position the rim such that the hole is in alignment with the valve stem, and urge the rim toward the valve stem to insert the valve stem through the hole in the rim. If necessary, a power-actuated nut runner, mounted on the robotic manipulator or adjacent the mounting station, is used to tighten a nut over the valve stem to secure. As an alternative to the machine vision system, the gauging station may utilize a rotating table which rotates the wheel about its central axis, and an “electric eye” optical sensor which directs a beam of infrared light onto the rim.

Abstract: Three-dimensional large scale bodies such as jumbo aircraft fuselages (14) are assembled in body sections around a central longitudinal assembly core (1) which itself is mounted at its ends and accessible all around along its length. Robots carrying tools for holding, transporting and precisely positioning pre-assembled wall shell sections, are movable along the central core (1). First, at least one floor grid (2 or 3) is releasably mounted to the core. Then, side wall shell sections (4, 5) are secured to the floor grids. Then, top and bottom wall shell sections (10, 8) are secured to the side wall shell sections (4, 5) to form a body section (BS) of the large scale body (14). Neighboring body sections are secured to each other along cross-seams. Upon completion, the floor grids are released from the core (1) and the core is removed preferably withdrawn longitudinally from the assembled large component or body.

Abstract: A control system and method of use for aligning a piston assembly with a cylinder of an engine block. The control system enables the piston assembly to be properly aligned with the cylinder prior to inserting the piston assembly into the cylinder. The control system includes an apparatus which compares positional information associated with the piston assembly and an apparatus which instructs movement of the piston assembly with respect to the cylinder in response to the positional information.

Abstract: A plug cap and a method for attaching the plug cap which prevents the occurrence of depressions on a spark plug screw thread and in a cylindrical section of the plug cap. The plug cap includes a spring pin having a straight section which engages a groove in the conductive cylindrical section of the plug cap. The plug cap also has an identifying part on its exterior which indicates the direction in which the straight section is oriented. The plug cap is installed on the spark plug in a way which orients the straight section of the spring pin in a direction parallel to the principle vibration axis of the engine. The base of the plug cap groove may also be cut to a width which dampens the effect of vibrations causing translation of the straight section within the groove. The groove sidewalls may be angled to aid in removal of the plug cap.

Abstract: A method and a device for assembling an air-craft wing incorporating at least two of the operations drilling, riveting and fitting of anchor nuts (20), where a robot (7) is mobile relative to the wing in a plane parallel to the wing and where the robot (7) is equipped with an arm (9) designed to accommodate a tool holder (15), where the tool holder (15) is primarily equipped with tools for performing a single work operation, whereby the robot is moved so that the robot arm (9) is positioned at the first work position on the aircraft wing unit, where the robot (7) carries out the first work operation at the said first work position, where the robot arm (9) is manoeuvred in the correct order to new work positions on the wing unit within a work area (10) reachable by the robot arm (9), and carries out the first work operation at these new work positions.

Abstract: A control system and method for automatic fastening machines wherein a multi-axes motion controller is utilized in place of the conventional PLC or CNC control to provide for virtually an immediate change in system response when the systems feedback devices indicate the need for variance. The major advantage of the process control approach of the present invention is that all system feedback information is controlled via a single on board processor thus eliminating any communication lag associated with multi controller applications. This also provides for an improvement in fastener installation cycle time. An additional advantage to the approach of the present invention is the elimination of many mechanical hard stops and their respective electrical position switch indicators, which in turn reduces the chance for machine breakdowns resulting in a greater increase in productivity.

Abstract: A machine and a method for assembling a vehicle body is disclosed as including a locating pin (26) formed with a seating flange portion (35) having a work seating surface (35a) and a clamp arm (39) contained in the locating pin to be operable in a clamping or unclamping movement responsive to an extrusion and retraction of a clamp cylinder (34). A detection pin (47) is mounted for an extruding and extracting movement from the work seating surface (35a), with the detection pin (47), a shaft (44) ad a proximity switch (48) forming a work seating detection mechanism (49). A mutual engagement between the locating pin (26) and a locating bore (R) allows a panel W3 to be positioned, simultaneously detecting the presence of seating of the panel W3 responsive to a movement of the detection pin (47).

Abstract: A system for adjusting an adjustable spacer is provided. A high-compression section is adapted to receive the spacer for a bearing assembly. A low-compression section is adapted to receive the bearing assembly. In one aspect, a transfer frame can serve as a mechanical interface between the high-compression section and the low-compression section. Also, the transfer frame can be adapted to transfer to the low-compression section a first travel indicative of a first compression of the spacer with the high-compression section. A sensor can be coupled with the high-compression section and the low-compression section. Further, the sensor can serve to limit the first compression according to a second travel indicative of a second compression of the bearing assembly with the low-compression section. Additionally, the first travel and the second travel are preferably related to provide a desired adjustment (e.g., preloading) to the spacer.

Abstract: In assembling a vehicle body frame for a motorcycle by welding front and rear frame subassemblies to each other, the following steps are carried out: a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the front frame subassembly by a pair of front positioning device movable at least in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping a head pipe by a front clamp device which is capable of being moved in vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle body frame and is capable of being tilted longitudinally, a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear positioning device movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping left and right front portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear clamp means movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, and a step of welding the front and rear frame subassemblies to each other.

Abstract: A method of marrying a rear axle assembly to a vehicle body is provided. The axle assembly includes parallel-spaced trailing control arms connected together by a transverse twist beam. The trailing control arms have a sleeve at a forward end and a spindle plate adjacent a rear end. The spindle plate along its lower end having V-shaped notches which are vertically and fore and aft aligned with one another. The axle assembly is connected with a tool tray, having two fore and aft aligned and vertically aligned elevated first and second pins projecting toward one another and third and fourth pins for contacting said trailing control arm sleeves to set the vertical height of the forward end of the trailing control arms. The axle assembly is set on the tray by placing the spindle plate V-shaped notches on the first and second pins to set the axle assembly fore and aft position and rear end vertical position with respect to the tray.

Abstract: Suspensions for a heavy-duty trailer are mounted by first locating parallel and equidistantly-spaced mounting points. A laser apparatus, including a laser source, laser targets, and laser beam diverters, is utilized to locate and mark the mounting points along an undercarriage frame of the trailer such that the suspensions, when mounted, are aligned and the ride characteristics of the heavy-duty trailer are optimized.

Abstract: An apparatus for the maintenance of a needle-bearing plate of a needle-punching machine equipped with an operating head movable in two perpendicular directions in a parallel relation to the plate mounted on the apparatus. The operating head includes a unit for extracting a damaged or worn needle, a unit for positioning a new needle in the respective seat of the plate, a data processing and storage unit for the operating control and for storing the needle map of each plate. The apparatus further has a unit for detecting the position of the needle seats cooperating with the data processing unit for carrying out the mapping of each plate. The apparatus also has a unit for detecting the presence of a needle in the respective position on the plate to indicate whether the needle is damaged or not.

Abstract: To manufacture a film unit, a filmstrip is advanced out of a cartridge shell by rotating a spool of the cartridge shell through a spool drive shaft. The spool drive shaft stops when the filmstrip is advanced a predetermined length out of the cartridge shell. A rotational position of the spool at the stop of the spool drive shaft is detected based on a rotational position of the spool drive shaft. The cartridge shell is disengaged from the spool drive shaft while the rotational position of the spool and the advanced length of the filmstrip are maintained unchanged. The spool of the cartridge shell is engaged with a film supply shaft, after adjusting a rotational position of the film supply shaft to the rotational position of the spool, while the leading end of the filmstrip is secured to a winding shaft. The filmstrip is wound into a roll by rotating the winding shaft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fastening anchoring devices having a screw aperture therethrough to a portions of panels devoid of openings including fastening the anchoring device to a one side of the panel, and forming an anchoring device locating indicium on another side of the panel opposite the anchoring device and in alignment with the aperture thereof without forming an opening through the panel.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for compliant positioning of an object during an assembly operation wherein the apparatus includes a base plate, a locator plate for mounting an object such as a clamp or a tool spaced from the base plate and a plurality of linear actuators connected between the base plate the locator plate by universal joints providing six degrees of freedom of movement. According to the apparatus and the method a control is connected to the actuators for selectively moving the locator plate to a predetermined position relative to the base plate for contacting a component to be assembled with an object mounted on the locator plate. Two or more of the actuators can be mechanically coupled to move the locator plate with less than six degrees of freedom. The control is responsive to a force applied to the locator plate through the object during assembly of the component for actuating the linear actuators to change the applied force.

Abstract: A method of inserting a piston assembly into a cylinder of an engine block. The method eliminates the need for a technician to individually lift and insert the piston assemblies into the respective cylinders. The method for inserting the piston assembly into the cylinder aligns the piston assembly with the cylinder and inserts the piston assembly into the cylinder by pivoting the piston assembly from an upright position to a horizontal position, and inserting the piston assembly into the cylinder of the engine block.

Abstract: A method of assembling pipe joints in a pipe string allows the circumferential orientation of a first pipe in the pipe string to be determined relative to a second pipe in the pipe string. Each pipe joint has a coupling member and at least one pin member, the pin member being threadingly connected to the coupling member to create the pipe joint. Threads are created for the pin member and the coupling member of each joint, and each pin member and coupling member is marked with an alignment mark. The threads for each pin member are created so that they are identical to the threads on the other pin members in the pipe string. This is done by gaging the overall rotational capacity of each pin member with a coupling marking gage and adjusting a thread depth as needed. The threads for each coupling member are created so that they are identical to the threads on other coupling members in the pipe string.

Abstract: Disk drive suspension load beam and flexible circuit components are juxtaposed and properly located relative to each other before welding by a series of areally distributed locator structures that intersect across the common plane between the components in aligning relation.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing rivets or other fasteners through a workpiece includes an automated machine disposed on one side of the workpiece and a hand-held tool that is manipulated by a single worker located on the opposite side of the workpiece. The automated machine includes an end effector supporting tools such as a drill and a riveter. The automated machine also includes a guide structure adapted to be releasably affixed to the workpiece, and a carriage that travels along the guide structure and supports the end effector so that the end effector can be positioned in various locations along the surface of the workpiece where fasteners are to be installed. The end effector includes an electromagnetic clamping device, and the hand-held tool includes a magnetic clamping block that is attracted by the clamping device to clamp the workpiece therebetween. The end effector generates a positioning signal and the hand-held tool includes a detector for detecting the positioning signal.

Abstract: Automated parts assembly station comprising positioning means (11) having surfaces (15a, 16a) defining the desired mutual position of the parts to be assembled and assembly means (13) connecting the parts. At at least some of said surfaces (15a, 16a) there are measurement means (18) for the distance between said at least some surfaces and facing surfaces of the parts being assembled.

Abstract: A machine for automatically applying snap fasteners on a support, such as a fabric, comprises a sensor for sensing the instantaneous value of the riveting pressure applied to the machine punch elements.

Abstract: A positioning method for a registration portion of an molded item capable of improving the accuracy of a product using the molded item at low cost. The positioning method for a registration portion of the molded item for positioning registration portions W2a, W3a and W4a of the molded item in order to improve the positioning accuracy of the molded item to another member, wherein the registration portions W2a, W3a and W4a are heat-deformed by ultrasonic vibration to thereby position the registration portions.

Abstract: An automated parts assembly station includes positioning means (11) having surfaces (15a, 16a) for defining a desired mutual position of the parts to be assembled and assembly means (13) connecting the parts. At some of the surfaces (15a, 16a) there are measurement means (18) for measuring a distance between the surfaces and facing surfaces of the parts being assembled. A method is provided for the timely detection of the assembly tolerances. The method includes the steps of performing with the positioning means a permanent positioning of the parts being assembled, operation of the assembly means for connecting the parts, and releasing of the positioning means. Additionally, there is a measurement of the distance between the assembled parts and some of the surfaces. This measurement includes a comparison of the measured distances with maximum admissible distances.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling multiple automotive body styles on a single assembly line. The apparatus includes a workstation with multiple geometry fixtures, at least one geometry fixture for each automotive body style to be processed at the work station. One geometry fixture is at a ready position of the work station to support an automotive component during a processing operation. The geometry fixtures can be exchanged at the ready position so that a production rate of the assembly line can be maintained. The apparatus also includes a lowerator for transferring an automotive component from an overhead transport system to the geometry fixture at the ready position.

Abstract: An unbalance mass at the front side of a single wheel unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a primary component amplitude of radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a phase angle of the primary component of the radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a contribution coefficient in which the radial run-out of the single wheel unit is transmitted to an RFV, an unbalance mass at the front side of a single tire unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, an RFV primary component amplitude of the single tire unit, and a phase angle of the RFV primary component of the single tire unit are measured and the measured values are input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a processor bracket to a system board. The apparatus includes: a) a driver base, b) a plurality of air drivers secured to the driver base, c) a screwdriver rod, with a screwdriver head, extending from each air driver, and d) a positioning guide attached to the driver base. The method includes the steps of: a) positioning a processor bracket, having a processor bracket slot and having multiple bracket nuts, on a system board, b) positioning a positioning guide of a multiple nut driver within the processor bracket slot, c) contacting the bracket nuts with the corresponding screwdriver heads of the multiple nut driver, and d) exerting downward pressure on all the screwdriver heads.

Abstract: A method of constructing trusses includes providing a laser jigging system that projects the location of the jigging hardware so that an operator can easily, quickly, and precisely position the jigging hardware on the work-surface prior to positioning any truss members on the work-surface is described. More particularly, the system projects puck and other jigging hardware alignment or location guides on the table work-surface. With the alignment guides projected on the table, the pucks and other jigging hardware are located in alignment with the projected guides, and secured to the table. The truss members are located on the table in accordance with the pattern defined by the jigging, and connector plates are then engaged with the truss members.

Abstract: A system and method for aligning aircraft coordinate systems includes determining a first coordinate in the first coordinate system from a first reflector using a first coordinate positioning device, and determining second and third coordinates in the second coordinate system from second and third reflectors, respectively, using a second coordinate positioning device. The second and third reflectors are disposed at predetermined distances from the first reflector. The system aligns the first and second coordinate systems based on the first, second, and third coordinates and the predetermined distances using a processor.

Abstract: Methods for assembling, handling, and fabricating are disclosed in which targets used on objects are located. The targets can be specifically applied to the object, or can be an otherwise normal feature of the object. Conveniently, the targets are removable from the object or covered by another object during an assembling process. One or more robots and imaging devices for the targets, especially for infrared radiation, are used. The robots can be used to handle or assemble a part, or a fixture may be used in conjunction with the robots. Conveniently, the CAD design system is used in designing the targets as well as for the assembly process using the targets. A plurality of targets can also be used to monitor and inspect a forming process such as on a sheet panel.

Abstract: A preventive maintenance method and apparatus for quickly and precisely replacing a backing-film of a CMP machine is provided. In comparison with a conventional backing-film, the backing-film according to the present invention is pre-drilled by laser in order to bypass the restriction set by a conventional manual drilling process on the backing-film. In addition, a PM apparatus for the backing-film comprises an aligning panel having a plural first pins in order to quickly check whether drilled holes of the backing-film are aligned with the corresponding air holes or not. Therefore, the CMP machine down time due to the PM can be reduced.

Abstract: Methods for assembling, handling, and fabricating are disclosed in which targets are used on objects. The targets can be specifically applied to the object, or can be an otherwise normal feature of the object. Conveniently, the targets are removable from the object or covered by another object during an assembling process. One or more robots and imaging devices for the targets are used. The robots can be used to handle or assemble a part, or a fixture may be used in conjunction with the robots. Conveniently, the CAD design system is used in designing the targets as well as for the assembly process using the targets. A plurality of targets can also be used to monitor and inspect a forming process such as on a sheet panel.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of producing an aircraft assembly tool for supporting an aircraft component comprising:

Abstract: To mount two semiconductor optical devices together such that a coupling face of one is aligned with and close to the coupling face of the other the devices are mounted on two different carriers. One of the carriers is flat and has a vertical edge and carries the optical device such that its coupling face is flush with the vertical edge. The other carrier is wedge-shaped and has a vertical edge and carries the other optical device such that its coupling face is flush with that vertical edge. A flat baseplate supports the flat carrier. The wedged carrier is supported on an inclined plane which may be formed on a separate wedge supported on the baseplate or which may be formed as an inclined surface portion on the baseplate. By sliding the flat carrier relative to the wedged carrier and sliding the wedged carrier up or down the inclined plane the coupling faces may be aligned. The application of liquid adhesive facilitates the sliding action and permits easy securing after alignment by curing the adhesive.

Abstract: An unbalance mass at the front side of a single wheel unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single wheel unit, a primary component amplitude of radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a phase angle of the primary component of the radial run-out of the single wheel unit, a contribution coefficient in which the radial run-out of the single wheel unit is transmitted to an RFV, an unbalance mass at the front side of a single tire unit, an unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, a phase difference between the unbalance mass at the front side and the unbalance mass at the reverse side of the single tire unit, an RFV primary component amplitude of the single tire unit, and a phase angle of the RFV primary component of the single tire unit are measured and the measured values are input.

Abstract: A core slider mount apparatus and method wherein: a core slider picked up from a core slider container is positioned while clamped in X- and Y-axis directions by first positioning catches of a core slider positioner and second positioning catches of a core mount chuck; a positioning error between an adhering portion of a work and the core slider is corrected based on position information of the work set on a work table; and the core slider is thereafter mounted on the adhering portion of the work.