Abstract: A method and system (10) for reducing errors in a vehicle manufacturing process is provided. The system is a non-segmented network that includes a plurality of servers (30, 40, 46, 48) for storing build data and transmitting the data to a tracking controller (20). The tracking controller (20) identifies the assembly (18) entering a manufacturing zone (14) and generates positioning information related to the assembly as it passes through the zone (14). The tracking controller (20) is electronically coupled to a series of local I/O interfaces (32) for transmitting the identity, the position information, and the build data of the assembly (18) thereto. Each local I/O interface (32) has one or more I/O manufacturing tools (34, 36) coupled thereto for allowing an operator to perform an assembly task pursuant to the build data. In addition, the I/O manufacturing tools (34, 36) detect whether a successful build condition or an unsuccessful build condition results from performance of the assembly task.

Abstract: A system including an apparatus and method for assembling an insert and a cutter bar into a subassembly for use in dental floss dispensers. The insert includes a body portion defining an arbor for rotatably supporting a spool of dental floss and a superstructure contiguous with the body portion. The superstructure includes cutter bar receiving structure adapted to be grippingly engaged by a cutter bar having a cutting blade portion. The apparatus includes a rotatable assembly wheel having multiple pockets for receiving inserts, which wheel is rotatable into a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of assembly stations. An insert is inserted into a wheel pocket in a first direction at a first assembly station, a cutter bar is pushed onto the insert's cutter bar receiving structure at a second assembly station and the subassembly is discharged in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion at a third assembly station.

Abstract: A process line for fabricating an assembly from a plurality of subassemblies generated from various workpieces is provided, which includes a plurality of standardized task stations for performing a work process on a workpiece, at least first and second templates, with each of the templates comprising a defined set of standardized task stations, and with each of the sets including a predetermined arrangement of the standardized task stations and being operative to perform a work process on a workpiece, and a combination of templates including at least the first and second templates arranged in predetermined alignment to form the process line.

Abstract: An authenticating pattern is disposed on a cover and an authenticating device is disposed in a robot apparatus for authenticating the cover on the basis of the authenticating pattern of the fitted cover. An information holding device for holding inherent information is disposed in the cover and a reading device for reading out the inherent information from the information holding device is disposed in the robot apparatus. A function of detecting an amount of influence due to the cover and changing manifesting patterns of motions as occasion demands on the basis of the detection result is disposed in the robot apparatus.

Abstract: Automated method and machinery for fabricating a wrought-iron fence panel. The machinery includes (a) automated programmable machinery for welding vertical pickets to horizontal runners to form a fence panel; (b) automated programmable machinery for straightening the fence panel; (c) automated programmable machinery for washing the fence panel; (d) automated programmable machinery for drying the fence panel; (e) automated programmable machinery for painting the fence panel; and (f) automated programmable conveyor machinery for conveying the vertical pickets, the horizontal runners, and the fence panel from station to station.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming an elongated strip for use in making two tone muntin bars. An elongated strip of muntin bar material is provided that has been treated on at least a portion of one side to define an exposed surface of a completed muntin bar fabricated from the muntin bar material. An elongated strip of covering material is also provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of a surface of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive for adhering the covering material to the muntin bar material. The muntin bar material and the covering material are brought into contact with each other thereby causing the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar material.

Abstract: An in-line programming (ILP) system and method for programming and testing programmable integrated circuit devices (PICs) and performing the assembly of printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). Printed circuit boards enter and leave the ILP system on a conveyor system. PICs are loaded into the ILP system, and the ILP system automatically programs and tests the PICs and places them onto the PCBs as the PCBs arrive on the conveyor. The programming and testing operations are performed by the same piece of equipment that performs the PCBA assembly operation.

Abstract: A line of manufacturing units for carrying out a sequence of machining operations on a set of workpieces, which are fed in, in succession, at one loading end of the line and proceed along the line up to an unloading end of the line, comprises means for transfer of the workpieces along the line, the said means including a fixture made up of a plurality of horizontal supporting and guide beams, which are set in a superelevated position and which extend one on the prolongation of the other in the longitudinal direction of the line. Each superelevated beam carries a first mobile slide on top of it, upon which is in turn mounted a vertical upright (or a second mobile slide, which can move vertically), at the bottom end of which there is mounted a pick-up device, which can be oriented about a vertical axis.

Abstract: A system including an apparatus and method for assembling an insert and a cutter bar into a subassembly for use in dental floss dispensers. The insert includes a body portion defining an arbor for rotatably supporting a spool of dental floss and a superstructure contiguous with the body portion. The superstructure includes cutter bar receiving structure adapted to be grippingly engaged by a cutter bar having a cutting blade portion. The apparatus includes a rotatable assembly wheel having multiple pockets for receiving inserts, which wheel is rotatable into a plurality of positions corresponding to a plurality of assembly stations. An insert is inserted into a wheel pocket in a first direction at a first assembly station, a cutter bar is pushed onto the insert's cutter bar receiving structure at a second assembly station and the subassembly is discharged in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion at a third assembly station.

Abstract: A circuit board manufacturing system is provided which includes a production assembly line with a carrier handling system for a plurality of feeder/programming/buffer systems. The feeder/programming/buffer system has a flexible feeder mechanism for receiving unprogrammed device in a number of different manners, a programming mechanism for performing a programming operation on the unprogrammed devices at a high rate of speed, and a buffer mechanism for providing the programmed micro devices to the carrier handling system. The carrier handling system has its own buffer section and is integrated with an assembly handling system of the production assembly line to populate the programmed devices on to the circuit boards.

Abstract: A workstation having multiple robots and multiple fixtures for processing multiple workpieces along two processing paths. A first fixture can be positioned on the first processing path and a second fixture can be positioned on the second processing path. The multiple robots are positioned between the two paths and are moveable to process workpieces moving along both the first and second paths. The robots can be welding robots. The robots can be independently moveable with respect to each other to enhance the efficiency of the workstation. The robots can have overlapping ranges of movement so that every portion of the workpiece can be processed by at least two of the robots.

Abstract: A core board forming apparatus includes a feeding apparatus for sensing and dispensing tubular cores at predetermined dispensing positions. A compression apparatus receives and detects the tubular cores and flattens and secure at least two flattened tubular cores together. A controller unit controls the operation of the feeding apparatus and the compression apparatus. The presence of first tubular core is detected after the step of dispensing. In response to detecting the first tubular core is substantially flattened. A core board product includes at least two substantially flattened paper cores fastened together by integral fastening members having two fastening portions extending directly through the flattened cores.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for working metallic profiled elements comprise machine bed supporting (6) means extending in a longitudinal direction and suitable for supporting a semi-worked piece to be worked in a working position, storing means (10, 12) suitable for delivering semi-worked pieces (4) to be worked and/or to receive already worked semi-worked pieces (14), moving means (58, 60, 62, 64, 66) arranged for moving said semi-worked pieces (4, 14) towards and/or away from said working position and movable in a plane transversal to said longitudinal direction immediately before delivering the semi-worked piece (4) to be worked in the working position and/or immediately after removing the already worked semi-worked piece (14) from the working position.

Abstract: An assembly system for automatic installation of a roof module in a vehicle body comprises an adhesive bonding station, in which a cylindrical dose of adhesive is applied to the inside of the roof module, and an assembly robot, whereby the roof module is then inserted into the body delivered on an assembly line. For accurate positioning and fixing of the roof module in the roof opening of the body, the assembly robot is provided with a floatingly mounted assembly tool. On the assembly tool are provided centering tools by which the assembly tool can be positioned with high accuracy relative to the roof module and the body. In addition, fixing hooks are provided on the assembly tool and permit a controlled firm pressing on the roof module into the roof opening of the body.

Abstract: A jig switching apparatus includes a locator jig slidably arranged on a transport carriage and having at a front end a locate pin with clamp function. The locator jig has two switching positions selectively switched in accordance with the type of a vehicle body to be positioned. A lock mechanism with an operating screw is disposed on the transport carriage. Through the operating screw operated by a nut runner, the lock mechanism mechanically positions and locks the locator jig in one of the switching positions with respect to a reference member disposed on the transport carriage.

Abstract: An information transmitting system for use in a factory, which is capable of transmitting information among controllers simply without the complicated lead-around of a communication line nor the need of complicated communication protocol. A controller for every molding cell Ai, where i=1,2 . . . max and max is a maximum number of molding cells, a conveyance controller to control an automatic conveyor, a stock cell and a centralized controller are connected to each other via an Ethernet line to provide a common information storage unit, and information is transmitted among the controllers through the common information storage unit. Since there is no need of parallel communication lines between the controllers, an I/O port or a communication line may be prevented from increasing in number and the lead-around of the communication line is prevented from being complicated, resulting in a reduction of cost required for setting up the devices.

Abstract: An electronic unit manufacturing apparatus includes: a cream solder printer for printing cream solder on one side of a printed-circuit board; a chip placement machine for placing a plane-mounted part on the printed-circuit board on which the cream solder is printed; a first reflow furnace for fixedly securing the plane-mounted part to the printed-circuit board; a solder application machine for applying a larger amount of cream solder than that printed by the cream solder printer in the vicinity of holes made in the one side of the printed-circuit board; and a second reflow furnace for inserting pins of a deformed part into the holes made in the printed-circuit board from an opposite side thereof and fixedly securing the pins of the deformed part to the printed-circuit board, wherein in the second reflow furnace. In the second reflow furnace, temperature on the opposite side of the printed-circuit board is set lower than temperature on the one side thereof.

Abstract: An automated screening and splining apparatus for continuously seating an elongated flexible spline material in a screen frame having a screen retaining channel along first, second, third and fourth perimeter sides and corners of the screen frame and defining a spline sealing area within the screen retaining channel for receiving spline material therein, and the screen frame having first, second, third and fourth perimeter edges, comprising: (a) frame assembly; (b) slide carriage device mounted on the structural support device having first moving device for latitudinal movement along a y-axis between a third position and a second position, and for latitudinal movement along the y-axis between third position and fourth position; and the slide carriage device having second moving device for longitudinal movement along an x-axis between a second position and a third position, and for longitudinal movement along the x-axis between a fourth position and first position; and (c) a spline dispensing head assembly mou

Abstract: There is a module conveyance mechanism 1 projected, which comprises: lift means for transfer 6, in which the module constructed in a subline SL is made to move through a lower part than a floor side FL of a mainline ML; a slide mechanism 5, wherein the module is made to move through a lower part than the floor side of a mainline ML parallel to the floor thereof; the lift means for assembly 4, in which the module transferred from the slide mechanism 5 is made to rise to the assembly zone of the body F.

Abstract: A system of manufacturing a stator is provided. The system comprises: a pallet, which includes, a base portion, a first ring rotatably disposed within the base portion for supporting the stator, a second ring rotatably disposed in the base portion, the second ring including a plurality of clips for releasably securing a plurality of leads extending from the stator; a conveyor system for supporting the pallet and moving the pallet between a plurality of stations; and a means for sleeving at least one of the plurality of leads of the stator at one of the plurality of stations.

Abstract: A depaneling system having multiple router stations. A feeder station in the dual routing station receives a panel from a feeder station. The feeder station then selectively delivers the panel to one of the router stations. The router station then severs all of the connections between the panel and the PC boards. The multiple router stations can also share a common router that is used by each station to sever the connections. In order to use a common router the router station have a movable receiving base which moves along a first axis. The router then moves along the second axis. The router and receiving base are then moved along the first and second axises independently to sever the connections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing armatures according to a first and a second configuration is provided. An information storage device associated with one of the components is provided to store information corresponding to one of the first and second configurations. A processing station is provided which is capable of performing a first processing step corresponding to the first configuration and a second processing step corresponding to the second configuration. The processing station is arranged to perform one of the processing steps according to the information stored in the information storage device. Changeover from a batch of first configuration components to a batch of second configuration components is achieved by delaying departure of processed second batch components from the processing station until all first batch components have been processed and have departed.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for partly disassembling tape cassettes having at least one closure flap comprise separating the closure flap from the cassette or from the cassette housing at an early time, before, during or shortly after the opening of the cassette. Several process methods and examples of apparatus are specified. The separating methods and apparatuses can be expediently used for all tape cassettes with one or more closure flaps, it being possible for these to be any type of audio, video and data cassettes.

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 apparatus having at least two separate workstations to which workpieces are alternately advanced to provide at substantially all times, in at least one workstation, a workpiece ready to be worked on by a tool carried by a shuttle which transfers the tool between the workstations. Desirably, after working on a workpiece in a first workstation, the shuttle carries the tool to a second workstation to work on a workpiece waiting in the second workstation. Simultaneously, the workpiece in the first workstation, that was just worked on by the tool, is moved downstream away from the tool and a subsequent workpiece is advanced into the first workstation so that it is ready to be worked on by the tool when the tool returns to the first workstation. Thus, the tool does not have to wait for a new workpiece to be advanced into position after performing work on a workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly process apparatus includes an assembly robot for assembling parts to a workpiece which is a main body, a part supply apparatus for supplying parts to the workpiece, a work pallet for supplying workpieces to an assembly station of the assembly robot, and a tool pallet for supplying assembly process modules interchangeable with respect to the assembly robot. The part supply apparatus is made up of a plurality of part supply modules interchangeable with respect to the assembly robot. With the assembly process apparatus as one unit, it is constructed to assemble parts one unit only or with a plurality of units combined. Accordingly, an assembly process apparatus achieves excellent productivity with which it is possible to expand or cut line equipments easily according to production volume, and it is possible to achieve utilization of surplus assembly robots.

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 assembly line for mounting tires on wheels, for inflating the tire mounted on a wheel, for placement of the bead heels of the tire and for balancing which also includes apparatus for checking the conformity of the diameter of the tire to be mounted and for checking the conformity of the dimensions of the wheel.

Abstract: A system having improved cycle time for removing PC boards from a connected panel. In accordance with the present invention, a pair of walking clamps are used to receive a panel from a subsequent processing system, and a movable receiving nest is used to provide the PC boards to a subsequent processing station. The processes of receiving a panel, depaneling the PC board, and delivering the PC boards do not use common components and are able to operate independently and concurrently to reduce idle time in the system and improve the cycle time. The present invention also provides a secondary vacuums which removes debris from the PC boards as the PC boards are being transporting to a subsequent processing system to improve the removal of debris.

Abstract: A predetermined number of sprags 21 are consecutively inserted into sprag pockets 45 in a boss 44 on a rotary index table by means of a sprag inserting section 50. Then, a ribbon spring 22 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of a ribbon-spring fitting section 50, and an outer retainer 23 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of an outer-retainer fitting section 70. At the same time, the boss 44 is continuously rotated to move the sprags 21 toward the radially outward side of the boss 44 by the centrifugal force acting in the sprags 21, thereby allowing the sprags 21 to be inserted and fitted into sprag inserting windows 28 and 30 of the ribbon spring 22 and the outer retainer 23. Further, an inner retainer 24 is fitted to the boss 44 by means of an inner-retainer fitting section 80 to insert and fit the sprags 21 into the sprag pockets 45 of the inner retainer 24.

Abstract: Automated method and machinery for fabricating a wrought-iron fence panel. The machinery includes (a) automated programmable machinery for welding vertical pickets to horizontal runners to form a fence panel; (b) automated programmable machinery for straightening the fence panel; (c) automated programmable machinery for washing the fence panel; (d) automated programmable machinery for drying the fence panel; (e) automated programmable machinery for painting the fence panel; and (f) automated programmable conveyor machinery for conveying the vertical pickets, the horizontal runners, and the fence panel from station to station.

Abstract: A process for assembling an engine from an engine frame includes the steps of defining a plurality of work steps necessary to assemble the engine. Each of the work steps has associated therewith a time period for carrying out that work step. A sequence of work steps is established to effect complete assembly of the engine. A plurality of work stations is defined, including a first work station and a last work station, for carrying out the work steps. Each work station includes at least one of the work steps and defines an assembly sequence. Work steps are allocated within the work stations in the assembly sequence to effect an aggregate of the time periods at each station for carrying out the work steps within that work station. The aggregate is about equal to respective aggregates of time periods at each of the other stations for carrying out the work steps within these other work stations.

Abstract: A system for mounting circuit components on a circuit substrate, including a circuit-substrate supporting device which supports the circuit substrate, a circuit-component mounting device which mounts, at a circuit-component mounting position, the circuit components on the circuit substrate supported by the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a circuit-substrate carry-out device which receives, from the circuit-substrate supporting device, the circuit substrate with the circuit components being mounted thereon, and carries out the received circuit substrate, the circuit substrate being transferred from the circuit-substrate supporting device to the circuit-substrate carry-out device in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane of the circuit substrate.

Abstract: In an assembly line in which at least two kinds of workpieces are transported by mixture and in which each of the workpieces is transported by a self-propelling transporting member, a transporting pitch for each kind of workpiece is set in advance based on a difference in the number of assembling man-hours required for each of them. The timing for starting the transporting member off a starting end of the assembly line is controlled according to the transporting pitch such that a pitch between a preceding transporting member and a succeeding transporting member becomes equal to that which is set for a workpiece to be transported by the preceding transporting member.

Abstract: In a method for connecting two workpieces together by welding, the workpieces are placed on clamping tables by a feed unit and are joined together by a welded seam. First, the workpieces are positioned in the feed unit. The feed unit is then traversed between the clamping tables and deposits the workpieces on them. Simultaneously with its feed movement, the unit expels the workpieces welded together in the preceding cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically making a laminated electrical or electronic device has a series of processing stations including an inspection station for inspecting the quality of printing at a series of indexed segments on a ceramic coated, continuous tape, a stack and tack station at which sequential segments of the tape are cut and stacked on top of each other to form a stack having a selected number of layers, a lamination station in which the stacked layers are laminated together, and a cutting station at which the stack is cut into a plurality of individual chips, a tape feed mechanism for indexing the tape segments sequentially through the inspection station and stack and tack station, and a drive mechanism for moving a stack from the stack and tack station through the lamination station and cutting station.

Abstract: In an assembly line system, a self-propelled carrier 51 carrying thereon assembly workpieces is brought to a halt at an assembly station 11. When the assembly of the assembly workpieces is completed at the assembly station 11, the carrier 51 is driven out therefrom. More specifically, three pairs of assembly stations 11 are disposed in serial alignment and each assembly worker A-c is placed between his/her assembly station pair. Arranged on one side of the row of these three assembly station pairs is a guide line 2d. Station guide lines 12 respectively branch off from the guide line 2d so as to establish connections between the guide line 2d and the individual assembly stations 11. A carrier orientation reversing station 15 is connected to the guide line 2d located upstream of the upstreammost assembly station 11 so that carriers 51 enter ones of the assembly station pairs, in the reverse-orientation state.

Abstract: The present invention is a mobile tool positioning system including a support assembly, a mobile multi-axis, numerically controlled robotic tool, and a multi-movement control device coupled to the mobile multi-axis tool. The support assembly is located adjacent a workpiece and has a plurality of engagers. The mobile multi-axis, numerically controlled robotic tool has proximity sensors removably attached to the engagers. The mobile tool can therefore be detachably coupled to the support assembly. The proximity sensors precisely locate and align the mobile tool with the support assembly before being coupled. In addition, the mobile tool can have a self leveling system with a configurable memory. As such, precision tooling operations can be performed on the workpiece.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing blinds comprises a processor unit, at least one manufacturing facility for carrying out a manufacturing step and a communication device for exchanging data between the processor unit and said at least one manufacturing facility. To arrange for efficient and economical manufacturing, whereby manufacturing time and scrap are relatively low, the processor unit is adapted to generate data for controlling the system taking into account an order portfolio and at least one parameter from said at least one manufacturing facility.

Abstract: In an assembling line for assembling parts successively on engine base being moved on a conveyor, the conveyor comprises a plurality of conveyor divisions. Between two adjacent, i.e., preceding and succeeding, conveyor divisions, a self-running vehicle is provided, which receives an engine base with parts assembled thereon in the preceding conveyor division and parts to be assembled in the succeeding conveyor division and supplies the received work and parts to the succeeding conveyor division.

Abstract: A pipelined system for removing the contents of sealed coin-collection boxes, wherein each box requires a set of different operations to be performed in seriatim to remove the box contents. The operations include removing a seal, opening a box lid, removing the box contents, resetting the lid and resealing the box. The pipelined system comprises a rotary surface for supporting a plurality of the boxes at spaced locations. Stationary surfaces mount a plurality of box-processing units, including pneumatic actuators and processing tools, at spaced stations to form a pipeline. The processing units each perform a different one of the processing operations during each processing cycle. A motor assembly pivots the rotary surface for stepwise positioning the boxes at different ones of the stations. A control system, including computer and pneumatic systems, causes the box-processing units to perform the different processing operations simultaneously on all boxes in the pipeline.

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 system for continuous manufacture of apparel using continuous first-in-first-out work-in-process queues. The system is comprised of a dual queue where manufacture article components and article subassemblies can be performed simultaneously at a series of work centers all located around a center staging area.

Abstract: An industrial resistance welding workcell includes a robot controller and robot, a welding control, and an overall workcell control in a form of a programmable logic controller and electronically-controlled electrically-actuator assembly is coupled to the wrist of a robot arm, which is further coupled to a conventional welding gun. The actuator assembly is controlled by an actuator control to vary the tip separation distance to any one of a virtually infinite number of separation distances, and further, is adapted to control a clamping force with a high degree of accuracy. The workcell further includes a tool used to secure a workpiece or workpieces. The tools characterized by use of an electronically-controlled electrically-actuated clamp for securing the position of the workpiece or workpieces relative to the base of the tool.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer control system for a circuit board production line includes multiple processing stations, each of which has an adjustable width conveyor. Control means are provided at each station for controlling the width of the conveyor, receiving board width data signals from an adjacent upstream processing station, and passing the board width data signal, in turn, to an adjacent downstream processing station. A data signal communication network directly connects the controller of each of the processing stations, such as a programmable logic controller, to the controllers of adjacent upstream and downstream stations. Data signals corresponding to the width of circuit boards to be processed by the circuit board production line progress downstream through the line in tandem with circuit boards of that width.

Abstract: A production control system is disclosed which comprises a plurality of processing apparatuses each thereof including a single cell or a plurality of identical cells, a storage for temporarily storing objects to be processed, a transportation facility for transporting the objects to be processed between the cells or between the cell and the storage, a plurality of cell controllers each thereof controlling each cell, a physical distribution control system for controlling the transportation facility, and a charge control system for issuing a transportation command to the physical distribution system in response to a request for sending in and a request for taking out from the cell controllers as well as a notice of completion of transportation from the physical distribution control system.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for picking up a component at a pick up station and depositing that component in an accurate position at a deposit station. The apparatus includes a gripping device movable between a component delivery position and a component mounting position, a detector for measuring at least one parameter of a component picked up by said the gripping device and a controller connected to said gripping device and said detector. The controller includes means for calculating a picked up position of a component picked up by the gripping device, means for calculating a pick up location correction amount, means for calculating an average pick up location correction amount from a specified number of pick up location correction amount data and pick up point changing means for setting a new pick up location.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for assembling units, incomplete units are moved forward along an assembly line, in progression, to successive stations for the addition of components to the unit until the unit is complete. Each unit, with machined parts, is disassembled at a disassembling station, provided with components including a specific part, and provisionally assembled as a whole at an assembling station. After the provisionally assembled units have been inspected as to a positional relationship of the components relative to one another, they are incorporated into a row of incomplete units so that one provisionally assembled unit is located after every incomplete unit and are disassembled at the disassembling station and, thereafter, reassembled again. During the second assemblage, the specific part is replaced with another specific part according to a result of the inspection so as to provide a predetermined positional relationship among the components, thereby completing the unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for disposing of a plurality of sodium sulfur cells is disclosed, which comprises: a work-setting pipe unit including a plurality of cell-holding pipes, a work-setting station for setting the cells into the work-setting pipe unit, a heating oil vessel, a sodium-extracting station, an inner tube-extracting station, an unloading station where the remaining sodium sulfur cells are unloading from the work-setting pipe unit, and a transferring unit for transferring said work-setting pipe unit among said stations.

Abstract: A modular product assembly platform which includes a multiple number of industrial robots or other similar assembly devices. The product assembly platform also includes a programmable controller system housed in a logic control cabinet, a vision control system housed in a vision control cabinet and a set of robot controllers which operate together to control the robots or assembly devices for performing product assembly tasks. The layout and configuration of the platform and the control equipment provide for convenience and flexibility in configuring and reconfiguring the assembly platform for different assembly procedures associated with different products.