Abstract: A method of assembling one or more bearings includes calculating a displacement of an inner ring and an outer ring based on measured geometric properties, mechanical properties, and a predetermined load on the one or more bearings, and pairing inner and outer rings based on the calculated displacement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an auto mounting system of a door hinge for a vehicle and a method thereof, and more particularly, to an auto mounting system of a door hinge for the vehicle and a method thereof capable of automatically mounting the door hinges on side panels of the vehicle using an auto mounting apparatus of a door hinge to automatically mount the door hinges for front and rear doors on the side panels of the vehicle, thereby improving operation convenience due to the minimization of the number of workers, assembling quality, operating ratio.

Abstract: To provide a method and a device for manufacturing a connection structure (1) and a wire harness (2). The connection structure connects an insulated wire (100) comprising a wire tip portion (103), an insulating covering (102) being stripped from the tip thereof, to a crimp terminal (200) comprising a closed-barrel-type crimping portion (230) allowing crimp connection with the wire tip portion (103) and has stable conductivity by crimping an aluminum core wire (101) by the crimping portion (230). The method comprises a carrier cutting step for separating crimp terminals (200) from a terminal connecting belt (300) comprising the crimp terminals (200) attached to a carrier (250) in a longitudinal direction, a wire insertion step for inserting wire tip portions (103) into the crimping portions (230) of the separated crimp terminals (200), and a crimping step for crimping the crimping portions (230) with the inserted wire tip portions (103).

Abstract: A mounting method performed by an electronic circuit component mounting machine that includes a tape feeder which is mounting-machine-main-body-side feeder held by a mounting machine main body, and a bulk feeder which is head-side feeder moved to any position on a movement plane covering a circuit-substrate conveying and holding device and the mounting-machine-main-body-side feeder is improved. A reception order is determined, so as to reduce the number of times a mounting head moves between the circuit-substrate conveying and holding device and the mounting-machine-main-body-side feeder and the receiving of first type components supplied from the tape feeder and the receiving of second type components supplied from the bulk feeder are respectively performed together as a batch.

Abstract: Method for decreasing the number of assembly workstations, comprising: providing a first workstation at a first location, supplied with power from a first source; providing a product to the first workstation and supplying the product with power from the first source; providing a second workstation at a second location, supplied with power from a second source; transporting the product from the first workstation to the second workstation including disconnecting the first source from the product; connecting the product to the second power supply at the second workstation and, before supplying the product with power from the first source, placing the product in a device capable of supplying the product with battery power; disconnecting the first source from the device; and supplying the product with battery power, so that the product remains supplied with power between disconnecting the first source and connecting the product to the second source.

Abstract: An apparatus, tool and method for clearing a rivet from an automated riveting tool. The riveting tool has a nose that supports the rivet as the rivet is installed by a punch. A clamping ring engages a work piece while installing the rivet. A clamping ring engages a block, but defines a clearance area into which the rivet is ejected when an unsuitable rivet is detected. A sensor monitors the rivets in the nose and prevents installation of the rivet when the rivet in the nose is not suitable for installation. System controls are provided to stop insertion of an unsuitable rivet while the robot continues to move the rivet tool through the complete cycle without inserting rivets until the unsuitable rivet is cleared.

Abstract: A wired circuit board assembly sheet has a plurality of wired circuit boards, distinguishing marks for distinguishing defectiveness of the wired circuit boards, and a supporting sheet for supporting the plurality of wired circuit boards and the distinguishing marks. Each of the distinguishing marks has an indication portion for indicating a specified one of the wired circuit boards.

Abstract: A fixturing system (10) for use with a frame-straightening repair bench (30) that assists in properly positioning fixture bases and providing verification of repairs. The fixturing system includes fixture bases, support assemblies (14), locating members (16), designed to couple with specific control points, and securing mechanisms to secure the vehicle during repair. The alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the fixturing system and replacement parts are properly positioned. If a repair cannot be made by pulling, the damaged areas of the vehicle can be removed and the fixturing system can help position and hold replacement parts until the repair is made substantially permanent, and the alignment targets and verification system provide proof that the repair is accurately made.

Abstract: A wired circuit board assembly sheet has a plurality of wired circuit boards, distinguishing marks for distinguishing defectiveness of the wired circuit boards, and a supporting sheet for supporting the plurality of wired circuit boards and the distinguishing marks. Each of the distinguishing marks has an indication portion for indicating a specified one of the wired circuit boards.

Abstract: A wired circuit board assembly sheet has a plurality of wired circuit boards, distinguishing marks for distinguishing defectiveness of the wired circuit boards, and a supporting sheet for supporting the plurality of wired circuit boards and the distinguishing marks. Each of the distinguishing marks has an indication portion for indicating a specified one of the wired circuit boards.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic removal of scrap elongated window component stock from a conveyor includes a path of travel altering mechanism, a translating mechanism, and a controller. The path of travel altering mechanism is positioned along the path of travel that selectively facilitates movement of scrap elongated window component stock off the path of travel. The translating mechanism is in communication with the path of travel altering mechanism for moving the scrap elongated window component stock off of the path of travel.

Abstract: A method of disassembling a washing machine is a disassembling method for a washing machine including a reduction-gear unit secured on the outside of a water tub and a dehydration tub disposed in the water tub, and the method includes a release step of applying force, along the axial direction of a rotary shaft, in the direction of separating the reduction-gear unit and the dehydration tub from each other to release connection between the reduction-gear unit and the dehydration tub. This scheme can be employed to provide a method of disassembling a washing machine that can recover resin included in the washing machine at a high recovery ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for replacing a defective PCB unit formed on a PCB panel with a nondefective PCB unit, in which the location of the nondefective PCB unit disposed on a location correcting table is corrected by a location correcting driver via the location correcting data read by a vision camera, realizing a precise alignment in replacing the defective PCB unit without using a precise mechanical jig.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus that may easily conform to increase in production volume and change in specifications of parts, and exhibits high production efficiency is provided. The assembly apparatus 1 includes a part-supplying station 2 in which an operator 8 supplies parts to a conveyor pallet 5, a part-assembling station 3 in which assembly robots R1, R2 assemble the parts in the conveyor pallet 5, and a conveyor means 4 that conveys the conveyor pallet 5 from the part-supplying station 2 to the part-assembling station 3. After the assembly robots R1 have finished assembling the parts on one conveyor pallet 5 in a work area A1, the conveyor means 4 conveys the one conveyor pallet 5 from the work area A1, and concurrently conveys the next conveyor pallet 5 following the one conveyor pallet 5 in the work area A1.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A mounting head unit for an electronic component for making a pick-up operation of the electronic component and loading operation thereof is removably attached to a head mounting bracket of an electronic component mounting device. Each mounting head unit is provided with a control board for controlling the a mounting mechanism including a plurality of unit mounting heads each equipped with an adsorption nozzle for holding the electronic component. In the mounting operation, on the basis of the operation command from a main unit control section for controlling the entire operation of the electronic component mounting device, the control board controls the operation of each of the unit mounting heads. In this way, the replacement of wirings in replacing the mounting head can be easily made and the time delay in signal processing can be removed to realize the high speed operation.

Abstract: An inspection fixture and line is used to accurately determine the geometry and dimensional accuracy of a circular recuperator core. The fixture and line inspects a length, an inner diameter and an outer diameter. The fixture and the line further insures the concentricity of a donor inlet duct and a donor outlet duct.

Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to fabricating semiconductor die packages including a mounting substrate and dice attached thereto. The mounting substrate includes multiple die attach sites and a designator having substrate identification information. The die attach sites are evaluated and categorized as either good or defective die attach sites, wherein the evaluated information is saved in an electronic file as mapped information. A die attach apparatus attaches dice to the die attach sites in accord with the mapped information, wherein known good dice are attached to the good die attach sites and known defective dice are attached to the defective die attach sites. The assembly is then encapsulated in a transfer molding operation. Since each die attach site includes a die attached thereto, the structural integrity of the mounting substrate is maintained and there is greater volume control of encapsulation material in the transfer molding operation to prevent waste and shortage of the encapsulation material.

Abstract: When any of facilities of a film producing and packaging system suffers a failure, a film processing controller shuts off the film producing and packaging system. The operator repairs a failing facility and manually discharges a length of an elongate film which may possibly be defective. After the failing facility is repaired, the film processing controller is restarted to operate the film producing and packaging system, which then automatically discharges a length of the elongate film corresponding to a preset number of sized films. It is possible to easily and quickly discard a portion of the elongate film which has been made defective by the facility failure.

Abstract: When any of facilities of a film producing and packaging system suffers a failure, a film processing controller shuts off the film producing and packaging system. The operator repairs a failing facility and manually discharges a length of an elongate film which may possibly be defective. After the failing facility is repaired, the film processing controller is restarted to operate the film producing and packaging system, which then automatically discharges a length of the elongate film corresponding to a preset number of sized films. It is possible to easily and quickly discard a portion of the elongate film which has been made defective by the facility failure.

Abstract: When any of facilities of a film producing and packaging system suffers a failure, a film processing controller shuts off the film producing and packaging system. The operator repairs a failing facility and manually discharges a length of an elongate film which may possibly be defective. After the failing facility is repaired, the film processing controller is restarted to operate the film producing and packaging system, which then automatically discharges a length of the elongate film corresponding to a preset number of sized films. It is possible to easily and quickly discard a portion of the elongate film which has been made defective by the facility failure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device includes placing a plurality of components on a printed wiring board (204), detecting a defect in a component (210) and, in response, producing a defect indication including a defect location on the printed wiring board. Subsequently, additional components are placed on the printed wiring board (220) but placement of all additional components having a location which has a predetermined relation with the defect location is suspended. The defective printed wiring board may then be repaired by a technician who subsequently places the additional components over the defect location. This reduces the need to apply a large amount of heat to the printed wiring board to remove subsequently placed components such as radio frequency shields. This further reduces the possibility of additional defects occurring during repair.

Abstract: An electronic parts mounting method in which chips in a plurality of parts feeders are picked up respectively by at least three nozzles, and a lowered mounting efficiency is avoided when any of the nozzles becomes bad, thereby mounting the chips on a board with a good operation efficiency. In a normal condition, the chips in the parts feeders are simultaneously picked up respectively by the first, second and third nozzles, and are transferred to and mounted on the board. When any of the three nozzles becomes bad, the mounting of the chips by this bad nozzle is stopped while the mounting of the chips by the other normal nozzles is effected as scheduled in a program, and thereafter those chips scheduled to be mounted by the bad nozzle are mounted by the normal nozzles. Therefore, the number of the pick-up operations is reduced as much as possible, so that the mounting efficiency can be enhanced.

Abstract: A process for producing packaged products from a film roll includes the steps of detecting whether an elongate film is defective or not, detecting whether a spool is defective or not, detecting whether an assembled cartridge is defective or not, and detecting whether a case is defective or not. Various defective products detected in these steps are removed without being fed to subsequent steps. By thus detecting various defects in the process for producing packaged products from a film roll, high-quality packaged products can efficiently be manufactured.

Abstract: A process for producing packaged products from a film roll includes the steps of detecting whether an elongate film is defective or not, detecting whether a spool is defective or not, detecting whether an assembled cartridge is defective or not, and detecting whether a case is defective or not. Various defective products detected in these steps are removed without being fed to subsequent steps. By thus detecting various defects in the process for producing packaged products from a film roll, high-quality packaged products can efficiently be manufactured.

Abstract: An automatic assembling system for assembling a product constituted by a plurality of parts, includes a group cell having a plurality of assembling cells and inspecting cells, pallets loaded with the same type of parts or products, at least one buffer for holding a plurality of pallets, and at least one pallet hand-over mechanism for transferring pallets between the buffer and each cell. At least one of the buffers is provided in common for a plurality of cells, and at least one of the pallet hand-over mechanisms is provided to the common buffer.

Abstract: A process for producing packaged products from a film roll includes the steps of detecting whether an elongate film is defective or not, detecting whether a spool is defective or not, detecting whether an assembled cartridge is defective or not, and detecting whether a case is defective or not. Various defective products detected in these steps are removed without being fed to subsequent steps. By thus detecting various defects in the process for producing packaged products from a film roll, high-quality packaged products can efficiently be manufactured.

Abstract: An automatic assembly and inspection system for optical connectors is provided, which is highly reliable and which can produce economical and highly-effective optical cords or cables with optical connectors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically supplying surface mount chip components from a bulk feeder and placing the chip components on a substrate. The apparatus includes a base frame, a substrate feeding mechanism, a placement head, and a placement head positioning system. The substrate feeding mechanism delivers substrates to a component receiving position on the base frame. The placement head is translationally movable with respect to the base frame and includes a component supplying and placing mechanism, to supply components and place components on a substrate in a desired location. The component supplying and placing mechanism includes a component transfer mechanism, a component feeder, and a vacuum spindle. The transfer mechanism includes a rotatable wheel with a plurality of component holding compartments, a plurality of angularly disposed stations, and a drive mechanism for sequentially moving the compartments to at least a component receiving station and a component delivery station.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for a photo-sensitive film magazine packed in a container is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of (a) assembling a photosensitive film magazine in a photosensitive film magazine assembly section (b) feeding successively the photosensitive film magazine to a container accommodation section from said photosensitive film magazine assembly section through a predetermined passage and (c) setting the photosensitive film magazine into a photosensitive film magazine container in the container accommodation section.

Abstract: A TAB carrier for film-mounted integrated circuits comprises a body member having a rectangular cavity for receiving a TAB segment of a flexible film strip and a retainer member shaped and sized to fit conformably within the cavity, each integrally molded of a resilient polymeric material. A fully automated TAB framer includes a pair of vertically-oriented pneumatic rams having vacuum operated pick up heads on the lower ends thereof. A cutting assembly cuts TAB segments from the film strip. The rams are laterally shiftable between two positions for picking up TAB segments, placing a segment in a carrier body, picking up a retainer member and inserting the retainer member into the carrier body thereby forming a framed TAB segment.

Abstract: The present connector press-fitting apparatus comprises a press-fitting head, a press-fitting block, a cylinder, a positional detector, a pin detector, and a controller. The press-fitting head comes into contact with the connector, and attaches to and detaches from this connector. The press-fitting block supports the press-fitting head elastically. The cylinder is capable of moving the press-fitting block freely in a vertical direction, lowers the press-fitting block, and press-fits pins of the connector into a printed board which is arranged at a press-fitting position. The positional detector detects the displacement of the press-fitting head. The pin detector detects at least one pin lead end part projecting below the printed board in accordance with the press-fitting operation of the connector by means of the cylinder.

Abstract: A rotor assembly machine for assembling spring biased starter pawls to a rotor. The machine includes three loaders. A first loader positions a coiled spring around a post of a rotor. A second loader connects the starter pawl onto the post. The third loader moves a first end of the spring into operable biasing engagement with the starter pawl. The machine is substantially entirely automated with various testing stations along the assembly line path. The machine uses various novel methods at the loaders that allow a substantially trouble free automated assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with retaining means that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the retaining means in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. A human operator places button front parts at a first station, and the remaining stations carry out the assembly and quality control steps automatically. Placement at the first station determines the alignment and orientation of the two buttons.

Abstract: A machine for automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with nests that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the nests in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. Orientation of the parts is achieved by video imaging of a first part as it is randomly placed in a nest, and computer-controlled placement of the second part based on the ascertained position of the first part.

Abstract: A production installation comprises carriages supporting pallet trays carrying structural components or individual parts for assembly or processing, identical couplings for detachably coupling each one of the pallet trays to a respective carriage, a container for the structural components or individual parts readily exchangeably arranged on each pallet tray, a conveyor track comprised of individual and separable conveyor track sections, each conveyor track section comprising vertical and lateral guideways for the carriages, and a feed device at each conveyor track section operable for conveying the carriages independently of each other along the vertical and lateral guideways of the conveyor track.

Abstract: A fully automated TAB framer includes a pair of vertically-oriented pneumatic rams having vacuum operated pick up heads on the lower ends thereof. A cutting assembly cuts TAB segments from a roll of film having a number of such segments thereon. The rams are laterally shiftable between two positions for picking up TAB segments, placing a segment in a carrier body, picking up a retainer member and inserting the retainer member into the carrier body thereby forming a framed TAB segment.

Abstract: Apparatus for initially orienting and then injecting fasteners (F) into fastener grasping fingers (46), the fasteners being received by the apparatus (10) from a non-dedicated feed tube (18). The apparatus includes, as its principle components, a mounting frame (20), an adjustable orientator (12) mounted on the frame, an adjustable injector (14) also mounted on the frame, and a dedicated feed tube assembly (16) extending between the adjustable orientator and the adjustable injector. The orientator includes right and left slides (50, 52, and 56, respectively) the spacing between them being adjustable, and further includes an orientation detector (136, 138) for determining whether or not proper orientation has been achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading cylindrical fuel pellets into tubular fuel rods includes pellet segregation means for detecting and segregating an undersized pellet prior to its entry into a fuel rod. The segregation means includes a pair of laterally separated guide rails adapted to support the lateral side edges of the advancing pellets, and such that a pellet of undersized diameter will drop to a level below that of the properly sized pellets. A lateral shoulder is positioned at the downstream end of the guide rails for engaging and holding any dropped pellet so that it cannot advance into the fuel rod. Also, a pellet deflecting plate is positioned at the upstream end of the guide rails, to interrupt the contact between adjacent pellets and thus assure that an undersized pellet is not carried along the guide rails by the adjacent pellets.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a non-contact three-dimensional inspection of a surface-mount component prior to placement on a printed circuit board. Specifically, an arrangement to ensure acceptable alignment (i.e. coplanarity) of all component heads in the XZ or YZ plane, where XY is the plane of the component. The apparatus is embodied within a conventional pick and place machine and performs critical, in-process, lead coplanarity inspection.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the automatic removal and supply of needles in needle boards intended for the densification of fiber webs or non-woven fabrics into needle felts in which, in conformance with a prior art method intended only to supply needles and a corresponding apparatus, the needle bores of the needle board are addressed individually, a needle is held available in front of each addressed open needle bore and this needle is driven into the open needle bore, with the tricks of the needles being oriented in the proper position for installation.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention senses the time that it takes an automatic machine to assemble two or more parts and compares that time against a know time for correctly assembled parts. If the sensed time varies from the known time the attempted part assembly is rejected. A linear signal transducer is coupled to an assembler portion of the automatic machine to provide a signal indicative of the time it takes for the assembler portion to traverse its assembly distance. The provided signal is compared against a predetermined threshold signal for purposes of determining a variance corresponding to a defect in the assembly process.

Abstract: A method of assembling a plurality of individual parts to manufacture a workpiece, which comprises the steps of placing each single individual part in a holder in a preparation stage, the holder holding each single individual part in a predetermined position, conveying an assembly support along a conveying path to sequentially arranged work stations whereat the parts are assembled on the assembly support, conveying the holders from the preparation stage to the work stations along the conveying path for alignment of the holders with the assembly support, removing the parts from the holders at the work stations and placing them on the assembly support for assembly thereon, returning the holders empty to the preparation stage after the single individual parts held therein have been removed, and again placing individual parts in the returned holder in the preparation stage in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring, automating and controlling the various operations performed on different products, e.g. the testing and/or repair of printed circuit boards, is presented. The apparatus includes one or more work stations and conveyor units to transport products and other components required to perform the operations on such products between such stations. The products are mounted in standardized carriers which facilitate intermixing different sizes and shapes of products without requiring adjustment to the conveyor units. The other components are adapted to also be transportable by the same conveyor units. The apparatus further includes buffering stages associated with each station for temporarily storing products and other components, and a distributed control system to facilitate the parallel processing of different types of products in accordance with a dynamic priority rating system and a preemptive scheduling technique.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic machine for closing flip-top caps of a type which is used on toothpaste tubes, for example. The machine has a pair of superimposed turntables separated by a star wheel, the turntables and star wheel turning as a unit about a common axis. The star wheel has a plurality of pockets distributed around the periphery thereof to receive the flip-top caps after they are molded and while the covers are still in the open position in which they were molded. Each of the turntables has an actuator positioned over a corresponding pocket on the star wheel. Cams surround the turntables to raise and lower the actuators at selected locations. As they raise and lower, the covers are flipped over to close the caps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring, automating and controlling the testing and/or repair of printed circuit boards is presented. The apparatus includes one or more test and/or repair stations and conveyor units to transport PCB's and other components required to test and/or repair such printed circuit boards between such stations. The printed circuit boards are mounted in standardized carriers which facilitate intermixing different sizes and shapes of boards without requiring adjustment of the conveyor units. The other components such as the fixture assemblies required to electrically access the printed circuit boards are adapted to also be transportable by the same conveyor units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and enabling correction of a failure in the mounting of electronic parts on substrates, capable of automatically and efficiently accomplishing the detection of a failure in the mounting of electronic parts on substrates, and classification between failed substrates and acceptable substrates to improve the overall operation efficiency of an electronic parts mounting line. The method is adapted to apply a code mark to each substrate on which electronic parts are to be mounted, detect a failure the mounting after, read and store the code marks and failure data of failed substrates, and classify the failed substrates from acceptable substrates and transfer the failed substrates on the basis of the code marks and failure data stored.

Abstract: A repair station located at the insertion head of an electrical component assembly machine, the repair station permitting the testing and placement of components into the sequence of components to be inserted into printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A machine for removing the closure or cap and the plastic base cup from a soft plastic bottle includes a conveyor which advances bottles sidewise along a horizontal path. During such advance, the bottles move along a stationary bar which holds the bottles against turning while the caps are engaged by a plurality of stationary serrated blade assemblies so that, due to the advance of the bottles, these assemblies turn the caps and unthread them from the bodies of the bottles. At the same time, stationary cams engage the base cups and the advance of the bottles causes the cams to pull the cups endwise off the bottoms of the bottle bodies. Subsequently, a sensor detects and is effective to separate clear bodies from colored bodies. As a result, the caps, the cups, clear bodies and colored bodies are separated for individual recycling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer system which can store assembly information and component information for components to be automatically inserted by an insertion machine into a printed board, which can perform required operations based upon the information stored, and which can display and output results of the processings.