Abstract: A method of controlling a power assist device that includes an operating handle, a force sensor, a robot arm, an actuator that drives the robot arm, and a conveying portion for conveying the robot arm. When a body in motion, the conveying portion is controlled to move in synchronization with the body, and when the motion of the body is stopped or has resumed, the drive of the robot arm is stopped for a predetermined time, and does not resume until after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform and a plurality of support assemblies located at multiple positions on the platform. One support assembly is associated with each location of the component to be supported. Each support assembly has a linkage assembly to support and enable movement of a support element. The support assemblies also each include multiple bases secured to the platform, to position the support element in a desired location for each version of a component. An alignment mechanism on each base allows for rotational alignment of the support element relative to the pallet. An error proofing mechanism compares the selected location of the support element for each of the plurality of support assemblies and provides confirmation and correction information as required.

Abstract: An exemplary automatic disassembly machine is used for detaching a cover from a main body of a portable electronic device. The cover defines a hole therein. The automatic disassembly machine includes a holder, a mechanical hand, a power source, and a controller. The mechanical hand is fixed on the holder. The mechanical hand has an inserting element, and a positioning element. The inserting element is configured for inserting into the hole of the cover and lifting the cover up from the portable electronic device. The positioning element is configured for positioning the cover. The power source connects to the mechanical hand for driving the mechanical hand. The controller connects to the mechanical hand and the power source for respectively controlling the positioning element and the inserting element to detach the cover from the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A driver monitor for a driver system. A driver monitor includes a driver monitoring unit for monitoring the fastening operation of the driver based on pre-determined fastening information. A rotation start signal and a rotation stop signal are used to determine whether the fastening operation is appropriately completed or not. An information signal is generated based on a result of monitoring. An operation processing unit outputs the result information signal from the driver monitoring unit to external peripheral apparatus and receives an operation information signal from the external peripheral apparatus in order to cooperate with the external peripheral apparatus. A display unit receives the information signal from the driver monitoring unit and displays the information signal.

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

Abstract: 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 force-controlling robot having a function of drawing a fitting part from a receiving part. A fitting part held by a robot hand is moved form an approach start position in a set approach direction under speed and force control. When the fitting part comes in contact with a receiving part and a reaction force thereof exceeds a set threshold value, the fitting part is moved under speed and force control with the set target speed and force and in the set inserting/fitting direction so as to perform fitting. If stoppage occurs before the fitting is completed, the fitting part is moved under speed and force control in the set drawing direction and with the set target drawing speed and drawing force, to draw the fitting part from the receiving part. As the drawing operation is automatically performed, restoration is automatically made without manual operation even if stoppage occurs in the fitting operation. Further, assembled parts can be automatically disassembled.

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 seat assembling machine commonly known as a skinner or stuffer is adjustable in several axes to allow the machine to be adjusted for different sizes/configurations of seats and seat covers. The machine includes a carriage which is driven towards a padded seat frame. The carriage includes a plurality of generally parallel stanchion rods that can be selectively spaced apart along two different perpendicular axes to receive a selected size of seat cover. The machine inserts a seat cover outside out over padded seat frames. The carriage may selectively rotated, selectively translated forward or horizontally and selectively tilted to better align the stanchion rods with the padded seat frame.

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 multiple force tool for applying pressure to circuit components during a manufacturing operation. A plurality of compressed air pressure cylinders are supported on a plurality of horizontal arms over a circuit board. A pressure foot of each compressed air pressure cylinder is extendable when an air controller foot switch is depressed. Positioning of each of the cylinders is afforded along two axes, so that the cylinders may be positioned over components which are to be pressed against the circuit board. Heat sinks may be pressed against components located on the circuit board to bond the heat sinks to the components.

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: A method and apparatus for inserting a supporting insert, such as a seat insert (bun) for a vehicle, into a cover, such as a seat cover for a vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention includes a bench upon which a cover holding assembly and a stuffing bracket are provided. The holding assembly comprises four self-adjusting blades which are substantially grouped together at the beginning of the fitting cycle. After an inside-out seat cover's open end is fitted onto the blades, the blades move away from each other into the corners of the cover to expand the cover to its maximum size. The insert is then positioned between the top (closed) end of the covering material and the stuffing bracket. The stuffing bracket then drives the seat insert into the inside-out covering material, gradually turning the material outside-out as the insert is moved forward.

Abstract: A grommet or the like comprised of elastomeric material and having a passage formed therein is placed onto a mandrel which serves to resiliently expand the cross-sectional area of the passage; the mandrel while holding the passage to the expanded cross-sectional area places the grommet or the like in an area of cold temperature to effectively freeze the grommet or the like and thereby stabilize the expanded cross-sectional area by, through such freezing, eliminating the resilient characteristics of the elastomeric material; the stabilized grommet or the like, removed from the mandrel, is then easily slid onto a related cooperating carrier wherein the outer configuration and size of the carrier is less than that of the stabilized expanded cross-sectional area.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for manufacturing a cylindrical slide bearing. The apparatus comprises a belt conveyer for conveying a U-shaped semiprocessed product, a press unit composed of a punch and a die confronting each other and respectively having semi-cylindrical recessed portions, a core holder inserted into the U-shaped semiprocessed product and holding the U-shaped semiprocessed product, the core and the holder having a circular shape in cross section, and a stepper motor connected to the core and holder for rotating the core and holder radially around the axis of the core and holder. There is also disclosed a method for manufacturing a cylindrical slide bearing with use of the apparatus set forth above.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting electronic elements comprises: a board positioning means having a pair of rails disposed on an X-Y table, the board positioning means being adapted to fix and position a board which is fed thereto along the rails; an element supply means having a plurality of element supply units each adapted to feed to its element supply position an electronic element to be inserted in the board, the element supply units being arranged such that their element supply positions are placed in one or a plurality of rows; a plurality of chucks each formed such as to correspond to the configuration and size of the associated electronic elements to be inserted; an inserting head having a holder mechanism and adapted to detachably support one of the chucks by the holder mechanism and to reciprocatively move between a chuck exchanging position and element supply and insertion positions; and a chuck exchanging means including a chuck unit in which the chucks are arranged on an index-movable plate and a chuck

Abstract: A variable insertion rate control system for a component insertion machine is disclosed. An insertion rate is read and retained by the control system which thereafter authorizes insertion of components at the indicated insertion rate. In order to achieve relatively high insertion rates, the downward stroke of the component insertion head is commanded before the receiving medium is registered in position for receiving the component.