Abstract: An apparatus for automatically forming a plurality of needle-suture assemblies out of a plurality of unsorted needles and an indefinite length strand of suture material, and, automatically positioning them within a package tray, comprises a first machine located at a first location for sorting a plurality of randomly oriented needles and orienting each needle for automatic handling at a first predetermined location, a second machine located at a second predetermined location for automatically drawing and cutting an indefinite length strand of suture material and automatically inserting a free end thereof into a suture receiving opening of the needle, and swaging the needle about the sutures to form a needle suture assembly, and a first indexing device for sequentially receiving individual oriented needles at the first location and transporting each of the needles from the first location to the second location to form the needle-suture assemblies.

Abstract: A multi-station machine assembles magnetic latch assemblies having components which include a post, a magnet, and a surrounding casing. The magnetic latch assemblies are used for "parking" a read/write head of a memory storage device over a data-free landing zone during off-power conditions. The machine includes a turntable with a plurality of grippers for securing a plurality of posts in position during the assembly process and for conveying partially assembled magnetic latch assemblies to each station. At the various stations of the machine, a pin portion of a post is placed and secured in a respective gripper, a magnet is placed over the core of the post, and a casing is assembled over the magnet and post subassembly by press fitting the casing to a flange portion of the post.

Abstract: A modular product assembly platform which includes a multiple number of industrial robots or other similar assembly devices which are removably mounted on a specially designed platform deck. 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 mechanical 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.

Abstract: A method of supplying parts in a system for assembling a printed circuit board by mounting the parts on a substrate at corresponding predetermined positions thereof. One or more kinds of substrates and at least one group of parts, to be mounted on the corresponding substrates, are introduced into the system lot by lot. The introduced parts on one or more previously prepared parts containers are placed so as to correspond to the substrates on which the individual parts are to be mounted, thereby providing one or more sets of the parts, each set corresponding to a respective one of the substrates. The sets of parts are supplied to a parts mounting station of the system.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus which can readily achieve change-over among operation programs corresponding to a large number of works of different models. Part pallets on which parts are received are supplied from a part supplying unit to a plurality of assembling units by a part pallet supplying conveyor. Meanwhile, assembling pallets are supplied from a model changing unit to the assembling units by an assembling pallet transporting conveyor. Each of the assembling units is provided with an orthogonal robot wherein an assembling head picks up a part from a part pallet supplied thereto and automatically mounts the part to a work on an assembling pallet supplied thereto.

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: A combination of a workpiece support means and a workstation allow a workpiece to be positioned for machining. The support includes a precision way and a transfer fixture slidable along the way. The transfer fixture has precision ground datum markers for locating a workpiece in the vertical sense, and supports means providing an upright surface against which the workpiece can be urged, thus establishing for the workpiece a limit position in one horizontal direction. Locator devices are provided to clamp the workpiece into a predetermined position in the horizontal direction at right angles to the direction established by the upright surface, and a transfer bar or the like moves the transfer fixture. At the workstation there is provided a clamping device for urging the workpiece downwardly against the datum markers, a further clamping device for urging the workpiece firmly against the upright surface, and a third clamping device for clamping the transfer fixture against the precision way.

Abstract: A cassette assembly line including, a tape reel leadering and placement station having a table rotatable between reel supply, leader supply/clip/cutting and tape reel placement substations. The reel supply substation places unleadered tape reels in equally spaced relation on the rotary table. The table rotates to present unleadered tape reels to the leader supply/clip/cutting substation. A first reel is fed a leader supply, which leader is secured by a leader clip. The rotary table is then rotated so that the leader supply extends across a second and third tape reel, and leader clips secure the leader supply to the second and third tape reels. The leader is then cut between the second and third tape reels to form an exact length leader for the first and second tape reels. The leadered pair is then transferred to a cassette shell by the reel placement substation. In effect, the cut end still attached to the leader supply becomes the leader for the next pair.

Abstract: A three-dimensional manufacturing and assembly plant for installing assembly lines three-dimensionally. The plant comprises a three-dimensional high-rise rack having a plurality of shelves multilayeredly arranged for storing articles and a plurality of multilayered assembly units and provided at least on one side of the three-dimensional rack for supporting assembly lines. The assembly unit includes a plurality of frame members arranged lengthwise and crosswise and a floor detachably placed on the frame members. The floor comprises a plurality of panel members made of transparent and ventilative material. Further, the plant comprises a three-dimensional high-rise rack and having a plurality of shelves multilayeredly arranged for storing articles and an assembly line supporting structure provided at least on one side of the three-dimensional rack for supporting assembly lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring relatively thin, strip-like workpieces, such as metal leadframe strips to at least one processing or bonding station are proposed. The apparatus essentially comprises a transfer mechanism, a processing or bonding station, an electromotive drive, a first and a second group of electromagnetically, pneumatically or hydraulically operable clamping elements. The first group of the clamping elements is movable relative to the second group of clamping elements fixed to a main carrier of the transfer mechanism. In a first phase of the transfer and feed movement, the electromotive drive is controlled by means of reference geometry data given in dependence upon a particular leadframe and in a second phase of the feed movement by means of dynamic, opto-electronically measured reference data and pulses formed therefrom. The supply movement of the leadframe to the processing or bonding station takes place in a transfer direction (X') at an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for automobile assembly includes a robot which moves in sequence to a plurality of different stations and performs an operation at each station based on information obtained from a video camera. The camera can pivot to form an image of each station. While the robot is performing an operation at one station, the camera is forming an image at a subsequent station. By the time that the robot finishes the operation at one station and moves to the subsequent station, the image formed by the camera at the next station has already been processed by a controller, and the robot can immediately begin to perform an operation at the subsequent station.

Abstract: A permanently installed manufacturing system, to join together loose part sub-assemblies with quick change workstations and exchange tool transporters. The flexible manufacturing process involves the automatic, or manual, joining of loose components, regardless of the assembly technology used, the model mix required, or the type of product to be assembled. The system allows the utilization of interchangeable flex-tools, supported on various types of power and free transporters, that can be programmably controlled and automatically changes over. The system will accommodate batch runs, random runs, prototype runs, as well as synchronous and asynchronous operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of assembling small numbers of a large variety of different products are disclosed. In order to eliminate stock of parts and prevent error in assembling inappropriate part, a straight pipe or rod is subjected to bending to a desired curved shape, and set to a predetermined position to assemble with the other parts, and then assembled.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus for the arrangement and preparation of cores (13) intended for use as reel cores in papermaking in a number of stations with tools for carrying out a number of working operations in and/or on each one of the ends of the cores (13), the stations being disposed in side-by-side relationship and having opening and closing grippers (16) for fixedly retaining the core (13) which is to be arranged and prepared, in each respective station during the execution of one or more working operations therein, the opening and closing grippers (16) being disposed on the one, free end of an arm (17) which is located at each end of the core (13) and which, at the opposite end in relation to the opening and closing grippers (16), is pivotal about a shaft (18) located beside the station.

Abstract: The present invention is an automated method for making an electrical cable assembly including the automatic verification of insertion of each wire into its respective correct terminal and the automatic verification of the absence of short circuits. The overall system is controlled by a computer which is table driven by cable assembly parameters retained in a data base.

Abstract: A permanently installed manufacturing system, to join together loose part sub-assemblies with quick change workstations and exchange tool transporters. The flexible manufacturing process involves the automatic, or manual, joining of loose components, regardless of the assembly technology used, the model mix required, or the type of product to be assembled. The system allows the utilization of interchangeable flex-tools, supported on various types of power and free transporters, that can be programmably controlled and automatically changes over. The system will accommodate batch runs, random runs, prototype runs, as well as synchronous and asynchronous operations.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a vehicle seat, in which two different upper dies are provided above a base table and two different lower dies are movably provided on the base table. At the central part of the base table, there are a pressing means and a rotary means which cause the pressing of one of the two upper dies against one of the two lower dies. Using this apparatus, two different covering members and cushion members are bonded together in good sequence without need for replacement of the dies so as to produce a number of different seats or seat elements.

Abstract: Method and system for the automated assembly of power train components along a plurality of interconnected, closed loops within cells of the system wherein parts and/or subassemblies of the components are assembled on the same assembly pallet on which they were robotically kitted. Along some of the loops, the assembly pallets are automatically transferred from kitting stations to assembly stations and from the assembly stations to an unload station where the components or subassemblies are robotically unloaded. The unloaded assembly pallets are then automatically transferred from the unload station to the kitting stations to repeat the assembly process. A mechanical guided vehicle system (MGVS) asynchronously conveys the assembly pallets along the closed loops which form guide tracks between the different stations. An automated guided vehicle system (AGVS) preferably transports part storage pallets to the system from a receiving area.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting and demounting a lid of a vessel on and from a body thereof. The lid and the body are fastened to each other by a plurality of stud bolt and nut assemblies. A turntable is supported on a sling to be fixed to the lid, for turning movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis passing through a center of the lid. A plurality of operating units are supported by the turntable and are arranged in circumferentially spaced relation on a circle having a diameter equal to that of a pitch circle of the stud bolts. Each of the operating units includes a device for transporting the nuts to and from the stud bolts, and a device for attaching and detaching the stud bolts to and from an end flange of the body of the vessel. A positioning arrangement is provided for moving the turntable in the horizontal plane relatively to the sling so as to bring the operating units into vertical alignment with the stud bolts.

Abstract: A system and method for using an individual's unique golf club parameters in the design and manufacture of custom golf club sets at a single work station. The invention accurately measures and cuts the head and butt ends of a complete set of golf club shafts in a single step, permits uniform installation of grips, and precise adjustment of loft and lie and of swing weight distribution.

Abstract: A pellet collating system includes a tray positioning station located adjacent a pellet collating line with a tray transfer robot located therebetween. The tray positioning station has mobile carts lodged thereat, some supporting pellet supply trays and others supporting pellet storage trays. Pellets on one supply tray and later placed on one storage tray are of the same enrichment. Pellet enrichments on some trays are different from on others. The collating line includes pellet input, work and output stations arranged in tandem. The robot is operable to transfer supply and storage trays one at a time to and from the positioning station and the respective input and output stations. An input sweep head is operable for sweeping pellets onto the work station from a supply tray on the input station. A gripping and measuring head is operable for measuring a desired length of pellets on the work station and then separating the measured desired length of pellets from the remaining pellets, if any.

Abstract: An automatic assembling method and apparatus for vehicles including providing a pallet with a plurality of supporting devices for supporting under-floor parts including an engine unit, at least the supporting device for supporting the engine unit among the supporting devices being movable with respect to the pallet in a horizontal plane, and moving said movable supporting means in the horizontal plane by an operating device. In this way, the under-floor parts supported by the supporting device can be mounted on the vehicle body.

Abstract: An automatic assembly apparatus has a first conveyor for transporting trays carrying parts to be assembled, a second conveyor for transporting pallets on which the parts are to be assembled and which extends parallel to the first conveyor, a stocking station positioned between the first and second conveyors and at which a plurality of the trays can be accommodated, a working station adjacent to the second conveyor, a pusher arm for moving trays from the first conveyor to the stocking station, and a root mounted between the first and second conveyors for carrying the trays from the stocking station to parts supplying stations adjacent the working station, and for assembling, on pallets transported to and from the working station by the second conveyor, parts removed by the robot from trays situated at the parts supplying stations, whereby a plurality of parts can be assemled by a single robot and it is possible to automatically and efficiently assemble the parts even in cases of relatively small scale producti

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inserting the gerotor oil pump assembly into the housing of an engine. The present invention provides a first jaw and a second jaw which allow the gear assembly to be picked up by the robot or the like while at the same time decreasing the possibility of lock up between the primary outer and secondary inner gears of the gerotor assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle assembling-and-feeding system comprises an engine/suspension feeding line which travels through an engine assembly line and a first suspension assembly line for assembling one of front and rear suspensions to feed the engine and said one suspension, a suspension feeding line which travels through a second suspension assembly line for assembling the other suspension to feed the suspension, a body feeding line for feeding a vehicle body in indexed feed fashion, a slippage detecting station which is provided midway along the body feeding means to detect slippage in the position of the vehicle body fed by the body feeding means in indexed feed fashion, a mounting station disposed downstream of the slippage detecting station, and a mingling feed line which alternately feeds to the mounting station the material fed by the engine/suspension feeding means and the material fed by the suspension feeding means. An automatic mounting device is provided at the mounting station.

Abstract: An automated assembly facility includes a random storage facility for each assembly line conveyor and associated series of assembly stations. The assembly line conveyor is located between the random storage facility and the series of assembly stations. A first conveyor is coupled between plural sources of carriers and the random storage facility. The random storage facility is coupled to the assembly stations by a transfer conveyor so that carriers can be transferred directly from random storage to an appropriate assembly station, obviating the need for the assembly line conveyor to cooperate in this transfer. The layout leaves the assembly station accessible from three sides. Efficient space use is achieved by providing one access aisle for each pair of assembly lines; random storage facilities of two lines are directly adjacent each other.

Abstract: A production facility is provided for automatic assembly and testing of electronic card modules. Heretofore it has only been possible to manufacture card modules in batches without a quick conversion to another type of production, as required, being economically possible. This disadvantage is avoided by the present invention in that all required operating elements (component parts, tools, automatic assembly and testing units) are controlled in direct access with set-up time approaching zero for the production line via an extensive computer hierarchy in which the assembly and test line are available. A master computer administers the cell computers assigned to the individual processing stations which, in turn, control the machine computers. The conveying system has its own control available.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique as well as a system whereby through the use of industrial automation, windshields and the like can be inserted into a vehicle which is on a continuously moving conveyor line without stopping the vehicle. Thus, the vehicle is in motion on the conveyor during the insertion. The windshield can be automatically centered for robot acquisition through a unique mechanical device; and, multi-sensor information is converted into real-time path modification signals for robot guidance.

Abstract: Assembly of stick-type cosmetics such as lipsticks is fully automatized by highly coordinated operation of a pair of robots each accompanied with sequential operational units arranged within the ambit of its operational terminal so that sticks and bottles are transferred upside down from unit to unit for application of sequential operations and combined with each other and further with caps to form complete stick-type cosmetics. Simple adjustment in numerical control of the robots and their operational terminals will span a wide variety of quality demands in the market, and will make the system well suited for small scale production with high lot number in which shifting of lots is highly frequent. There is no manual touching of the sticks during assemblage which enables high level of sanitization of the whole system.

Abstract: The magnet insertion apparatus includes a first passageway along which magnets are fed. Arranged in communication with the first passageway, and at right angles to it, is a second passageway. A transport blade, reciprocably mounted in the second passageway, displaces the leading magnet to a position in a third passageway disposed parallel to and offset from the first passageway. A drive rod, reciprocably mounted in the third passageway pushes the magnet into a stylus arm held in alignment with the third passageway. According to a further aspect of the invention, the third passageway is provided with a guideway for accurately guiding the magnets. The insertion machine is additionally equipped with a reciprocably-mounted tucking element to tuck the magnets into the guideway.

Abstract: A method of assembling a motor starting relay whereby a series of open-ended cases are advanced in sequence to an assembly station, a pair of contacts which are assembled by providing two lines of terminals and two lines of springs and having each head spring and head terminal become an integral unit, are placed into the case and after a resistor wafer is placed between the parallel placed contacts, lids are placed on each housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus which is intended to equip a support substrate with integrated circuit devices of different kinds mounted originally on films. The apparatus includes a machine having cutting heads each associated with the film, and soldering heads. The substrate is mounted on a plate which is movable on a table in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the table, which movement takes place on a threaded spindle drive by a motor. The operation of the machine is monitored and controlled by a unit such as a computer. The invention is applicable in particular to mounting such devices on substrates intended for data-processing assemblies.

Abstract: An improved method and machine are described for automatically loading a scroll of interwound photographic film and backing paper into a film cartridge. The cartridges are opened for scroll insertion by an initial relative movement of the cartridge halves in one direction and by a further separating movement in a differing direction. The machine has a rotatably mounted turret supporting a number of separate loading heads each of which supports a film cartridge and performs a two direction cartridge opening and closing action. The turret carries the heads through a series of stations where successive head loading, cartridge opening, scroll insertion, scroll to spool attaching, cartridge sealing, torque testing and winding, marking, and head unloading operations are performed. The heads and stations are controlled in their operation by a combination of direct cam control and multi-channel programable logic system control.

Abstract: An autoadaptive working center for programmable automation comprises sensing means adapted to recognize a set of different situations of the working process, and program means for storing a program constituted by a set of subroutines corresponding to the said situations. The said sensing means are adapted to address, in response to the recognition of a given situation of the working process, the corresponding subroutine of the program. The working center comprises at least a pair of autoadaptive operating devices programmable separately and controllable by separate control units, under coordination made by a central unit as a function of the duration of the respective operations, the working positions of the various tools and the overall dimensions of the said heads. Each operating head is movable along at least two coordinates by numerical control units, each unit commanding a corresponding stepping motor.