Abstract: A supply module for feeding electrical components to an automatic component-mounting machine has a locking element which is a piezoceramic bending transducer that extends in the longitudinal direction of the supply module along a supply path for the components. A free end of the locking element projects into a window of the supply module to an extent such that the locking element is located slightly above the component which has been conveyed there and is ready for removal. By applying an operating voltage to the locking element, the locking element can be deflected laterally to an extent such that it is moved out of the coverage region over the component transversely with respect to the component advancing direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for fully automated roll packing of compressible mattress spring assemblies, including a radially collapsible mandrel for easy removal of finished rolls. In-fed spring assemblies are precompressed prior to winding on the mandrel, which is mounted to a pivotable arm to permit controlled compression of the spring assemblies against a fixed compression roller. The apparatus further includes devices for placing the finished rolls on pallets and wrapping pallets for shipping and storage.

Abstract: A billet of veneer sheets is constructed using parallel sheet conveying conveyors for simultaneous building of partial fans that are combined and transferred to the trailing end of the billet. Encoders, detectors and computer controls control the conveyors for precise placement of the sheets in building a fan and precision placement of the fan to the trailing end of the billet.

Abstract: A gasket singulation apparatus for separating one gasket from a web-connected stack of gaskets includes a mandrel for receiving the web-connected stack and an arrangement of cylinders which are used to support the web-connected stack of gaskets and to pull one gasket away from the remainder of the web-connected stack so as to singulate that one gasket. A first plurality of cylinders are used to support the web-connected stack. A second plurality of cylinders are used to pierce any connecting material between the gasket to be singulated and the remainder of the stack. Once the web material is pierced, cylinder movement is effected so as to pull the selected gasket away from the stack, allowing any connecting material to sever and thereby singulate one gasket from the stack. Once the gasket is singulated, various insertion mechanisms are disclosed for inserting the singulated gasket into a pail lid groove.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming two tone muntin bars. Method and apparatus of the invention uses an elongated preformed muntin bar member that has a treated portion of an exposed surface of the muntin bar member. An elongated strip of covering material is provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of the treated portion of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive that causes the covering material to adhere to the muntin bar member. The muntin bar member and the covering material are brought into contact with each other to cause the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar member.

Abstract: A portable roof panel structure assembly mechanism that may be transported to a construction site and that is used to automatically assemble roof panel structures at the site. The assembly mechanism includes a purlin feeder, subpurlin clamping mechanisms and feeders, and a diaphragm feeder. The purlin feeder lifts a purlin into position, and advances the purlin into an assembly station. The subpurlin feeders insert a subpurlin into each of a plurality of subpurlin clamping mechanisms, and the clamping mechanisms advance into the assembly station and hold the subpurlins against the section of the purlin that has been advanced. The diaphragm feeder places a diaphragm onto the subpurlins and the purlin at the assembly station. The components are attached by automatic nailers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing multi-layer flat products (26). Said flat products preferably comprise a core (1) of solid material, laminated with a number of layers which are processed in a sequence of work steps into the final product.

Abstract: A method and an implementation equipment for fixing an elastic clamp band (1) to the lugs (5) particularly adapted for re-current mounting of a flexible connection pipe (12) on a pipe system (13). An automatic dispenser (2) of clamp bands (1) is arranged to position each clamp band (1) such that its two lugs are externally accessible to be seized by the grips (9, 52, 103) of a hand tool for extracting and fixing (8, 50, 100) which are brought together to compress the lugs (5) of the clamp band (1) by external (11) separately controlled actuators. The tool (8, 50, 100) comprises elements for bringing together the grips (9, 52, 103)) freely and reversibly when the external actuators (11) are activated and elements for releasing them instantly or gradually at the desired moment with an external control (14, 123).

Abstract: In a soft contact lens manufacturing process, an injection molding machine (IMM) produces many thermoplastic injection molded front curve (FC) and back curve (BC) mold parts, each of which mold parts is subsequently used only once to mold a single soft contact lens. An inlay station with alignment assemblies and transfer tubes provide for the precise transfer to and alignment of the FC and BC molds in pallets during their transfer from the IMM to pallets on an assembly line in a high speed automated commercial production operation. A rotatable FC transfer arm and a rotatable BC transfer arm transfer the FC and BC molds from the IMM machine to the pallets in an inlay station. The precisely aligned transfer is provided by two alignment rods of an alignment assembly which pass through two alignment apertures in the pallet and then pass through two alignment apertures in one of the FC or BC alignment arms.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to simplify the construction of an assembling apparatus and shorten a tact time thereof for inserting a plurality of fuse into a box. In a fuse box assembling apparatus 1, fuses are fed one by one through outlets 2a of parts feeding units 2 provided for the respective kinds of fuses, and are inserted into a movable magazine 30. The movable magazine 30 is displaced to the respective outlets 2a by a displacing unit 5, thereby collecting necessary fuses in a specified order. The fuses are transferred from the movable magazine 30 to a fixed magazine 40 at once by a transferring mechanism 6 of the mounting unit 4, and are inserted one by one into a box by an inserting mechanism 7. Simultaneously with a fuse inserting operation, fuses to be inserted next are collected in the movable magazine 30.

Abstract: A method and system for the manufacture of an assembly, such as an automobile body-in-white or sub-assembly, that comprises a plurality of components is disclosed. Selected from the plurality of components are components which can form an initial rigid structure. These selected components are then positioned relative to each other with reference to at least one reference point on at least one of the selected components. These selected components are then affixed to one another, by, for example, spot welds to form the initial structure. The non-selected components are then positioned relative to the same reference point and attached to either the initial structure or a component that was affixed in an earlier process. An assembly, such as an automobile body-in-white, will have reduced manufacturing tolerances when compared to the body-in-white manufactured in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A lot management production method in which the lot size is reduced in order to respond to an order for small volume of large variety, without increasing the intermediate inventory and reducing lead-time, however without reducing the productivity of a production of large volume of small variety. Part of the processes in a production line are performed for pieces, or products to be manufactured, in a single lot, while other processes are done for pieces in a group or aggregate of single lots.

Abstract: A truss manufacturing apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a conveyor for moving upper and lower chords thru a series of assembly stations of the apparatus. A board is inserted between the chords at one station and secured in place forming a trimmable end of a truss. One or more web boards can be inserted between the chords at a second station and secured in place by connector nail plates forming a opening in the truss for ductwork or the like. Metal web members are secured to opposite side edges of the truss at a third station to form a web between the chords. The chords are positioned in a generally vertical plane with one above the other in the apparatus and the board, web boards and web members are moved into position from one or both sides of the chords.

Abstract: A bump bonding unit is disclosed including a novel storage, transport, and feed system for allocating trays that hold IC chips to various operations of the bump bonding unit. The bump bonding unit includes fist and second tray storage and feed apparatuses that transport trays from empty stacks to full stacks and vice versa, and a transfer head for picking up an IC chip without a bump formed thereon and moving the IC chip to a bump formation location, and for picking up the IC chip with the bump formed thereon and moving the IC chip to a storage location. The bump bonding unit also includes a bump forming unit for forming the bump on the IC chip. Each tray storage apparatus includes a carrier that moves vertically to position a stack of trays, a tray receiver that cooperates with the carrier to support a lowermost tray in the respective stack of trays, and tray holder to support and release a tray supported by the tray receiver.

Abstract: A flexible work station (1) and an operating method for processing, especially the joining and geometric welding of two or more different types of components (4, 5). The work station (1) has a component feed device (6, 7), one or more flexible processing places (2) with a plurality of movable and type-related positioning devices (14, 15) with a clamping device (16), as well as one or more processing devices (13) and at least one transport device (9). The transport device (9), which is preferably designed as a robot, has a plurality of replaceable and type-related gripping tools (10, 11), with which it transports the components (4, 5) from the component feed device (6, 7) to the positioning devices (14, 15). In the case of a change from one component to another, the gripping tool (10, 11) is changed as well, and the old gripping tool (10, 11) is laid down on a gripper rest (22) at or on the components (4, 5), which are just located on the positioning device (14, 15) or on the component feed means (6, 7).

Abstract: A part supply device comprises a robot device, a part supply unit installed onto a head member of the robot device, a reciprocating supply rod arranged in the part supply unit, a holding means for holding a part arranged at a front end of the supply rod, and a part supply passage extending from a part feeder and exits near by the front end of the supply rod.

Abstract: A production system includes a shuttle (2) for moving a work (W) on a predetermined track (1), a storeroom (3) for storing components of a plurality of types to be assembled to the work, and a plurality of assembly stations (4) arranged along the track between the track and the storeroom (3), each assembly station (4) including an assembler (41) for selecting and attaching one of tools of a plurality of types corresponding to the types of components and assembling the components to the work (W) using the applied tool, and a conveyor unit (42) arranged between the assembler (41) and the storeroom (3) to convey the components stored in the storeroom (3) to the assembler (41).

Abstract: An automotive framing system is disclosed for positioning an underbody component with at least two body side components wherein the body side components are positioned on top of the underbody component to form a body preassembly. The system includes a conveyor for sequentially moving body preassemblies to a predetermined assembly station. At least two frames are selectively positioned at the assembly station and each frame includes structural beams extending over and around the sides of a body preassembly position at the assembly station. At least one lifting rail is vertically slidably mounted to each frame and movable between an upper and a lower position. In its upper position, one or more locators on the lifting rail register with locator receptors on the underbody component so that, as the lifting rail moves from its lower and to its upper position, the lifting rail elevates the underbody component from the conveyor to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing electronic device packages includes a conveyor with an adhesive work surface to support a predetermined array of external connectors for flip-chip bonding of dies thereto. After assembly, the dies with associated external connectors bonded thereto are encapsulated on a work surface of the conveyor whereby the work surface forms at least part of an inner surface of an encapsulating mold.

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

Abstract: An apparatus for fully automated roll packing of compressible mattress spring assemblies, including a radially collapsible mandrel for easy removal of finished rolls. In-fed spring assemblies are precompressed prior to winding on the mandrel, which is mounted to a pivotable arm to permit controlled compression of the spring assemblies against a fixed compression roller. The apparatus further includes devices for placing the finished rolls on pallets and wrapping pallets for shipping and storage.

Abstract: An automotive body component positioning method and apparatus including a framing station that receives and supports the two gates of a framing gate pair in respective framing positions against opposite sides of a vehicle body disposed between them. At least two framing gate pairs are movable between the framing station and respective gate pair storage stations. Each framing gate pair includes a plurality of locating fixtures that hold sub-elements of a vehicle body in their respective proper positions relative to one another when the gates are held in their respective framing positions. Each framing gate pair accommodates a specific corresponding vehicle body configuration. A turntable is rotatably supported adjacent the framing station with the gate storage stations spaced circumferentially around and adjacent the turntable.

Abstract: A manufacturing plant for manufacturing rigid bodies comprised of a plurality of parts to be assembled by at least two operators having hierarchical skill levels selected from alignment types ranging from Or to P selected from an alignment transformation consisting of Or, Oa, Br, Ba, S, L and P, comprising an alignment unit having at least three work stations, each of said work stations being capable of having associated therewith dynamically occurring manufacturing operations selected from one or more of the dynamically occurring alignment-based transformations of manufacturing operations identified as alignment types Or, Oa, Br, Ba, S, L and P.

Abstract: A device and method for joining fitting parts provided with a passage opening on hollow profiles through partial expansion of the hollow profiles at the location of the fitting parts is provided. The fitting parts are slid on with the passage openings and are held in position by-means of fluid high internal pressure expansion of the hollow profile. The device includes an expanding lance, which can be slid into the hollow profile and exhibits an axial borehole for the purpose of guiding the pressure fluid. The axial borehole is connected to a fluid high pressure generating system and exhibits a cross channel with an outlet for the pressure fluid in the direction of the hollow profile location to be expanded. The shell surface of the expanding lance exhibits sealing elements that are spaced apart and that define the outlet so as to seal axially on both sides against high pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a hookplate to a bedrail, including a device that transports bedrails into a hookplate receiving position, a hopper that stores hookplates, a first hookplate pusher sliding under the hopper and pushing a fallen hookplate, a second hookplate pusher clamping onto the hookplate and pushing the hookplate into a hookplate mounting position, a pin supply chamber, pin drivers to determine whether the apertures in the bedrail and hookplate are properly aligned, a holding plate temporarily holding pins, the pin drivers then driving their respective pins into the apertures in the bedrail and hookplate to securely fasten the assembly.

Abstract: An assembly and method for installing sliders and end terminations onto a reclosable zipper for plastic bags is disclosed. The assembly includes a base with a cam path. A rotor is mounted on the base and includes at least one slider installing member and at least one end termination installing member. The rotor includes a cam follower extending into the cam path and secured to one of the slider installing member and end termination installing member which is reciprocally mounted on the rotor and is reciprocated by the interaction of the cam path and cam follower. At a first point in the rotation of the rotor the slider installing member and the termination installing member are supplied with sliders and terminations. At a second point in the rotation of the rotor the slider and terminations are simultaneously installed onto a zipper.

Abstract: Method and device for supplying electric components, using two component supply tables each including a feeder support structure and a plurality of component feeders mounted on the feeder support structure, each component feeder accommodating a group of electric components of one kind and arranged to successively supply the electronic components such that a combination of electric components of different kinds that can be supplied from the component feeders on one of the two tables is the same as that of electric components of different kinds that can be supplied from the component feeders on the other table, and wherein a first table which is one of the two tables is operated to supply the electric components, while a second table which is the other table is held in an off state, and the first table is held in an off state while the second table is operated to supply the electric components, after the first table has been exhausted of the electric components of any kind, and wherein the first ands second tab

Abstract: A predetermined number of sprags 21 are consecutively inserted into sprag pockets 45 in a boss 44 on a rotary index table by a sprag inserting section 50. Then, a ribbon spring 22 is fitted to the boss 44 by a ribbon-spring fitting section 60, and an outer retainer 23 is fitted thereto by an outer-retainer fitting section 70. At the same time, the boss 44 is continuously rotated to move the sprags 21 radially outward by centrifugal force, 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 an inner-retainer fitting section 80 to insert and fit the sprags 21 into the sprag pockets 45 of the inner retainer 24.

Abstract: An improved method for instructing how to most efficiently effect a product changeover on an assembly line includes the steps of providing an instructional animation which schematically shows the steps which are to be taken by a plurality of workers to effect the changeover. Preferably, the animation is a computer animation, and includes color-coded representations of the various workers and the steps that should be taken in a particular sequence. Preferably, the workers are also provided with instructional badges which could be carried by the workers, and which are also color-coded. The animation will also include access to these color-coded instruction to provide further feedback to both the worker, and the supervisory personnel of the steps an individual worker should be taking during a particular point in the assembly in changeover.

Abstract: A production line for assembling a pair of left and right car components, capable of assembling a pair of high quality car components by on line at high operating efficiency and productivity and capable of controlling jigs and molds with high dimensional accuracy. The production line of this invention related to a production line for assembling a pair of left and right front doors for supply to an assembly line of the white body of a car, is constructed by arranging various processes on one line, which comprises a work tack welding process A comprising a work input device 3 for alternately inputting the left right front door panels LDP and RDP, an incremental welding process B for welding either one of the works while transferring the other, a marriage process C, a door skin input and sealing process D, a hemming process E, a hemming delivery process F, and a front door delivery portion.

Abstract: In a cable processing equipment a cable changer stands perpendicularly relative to a base plate, at which a straightening unit and a cable transport unit are arranged. The cable changer is movable upwardly or downwardly and consists of a frame with horizontal frame members and vertical frame members. Cable guides are arranged at the vertical frame members. Cable guides which are at the inlet side as seen in cable transport direction are provided with clamping/retracting units, and cable guides at the outlet side are provided with clamping units. The clamping/retracting units at the inlet side are switchable by means of a first actuating device arranged at the base plate. The clamping units at the outlet side are switchable by means of a second actuating device arranged at the base plate. Cables which are not at the moment transported in the cable transport direction, are clamped by the clamping/retracting units and the clamping units.

Abstract: A rubber plug fitting apparatus includes: a rubber plug feeding unit for feeding each of rubber plugs to a rubber plug feeding port; a rubber plug holder for holding one of the rubber plugs to fit the rubber plug on a wire; and a rotary unit having a plurality of rubber plug holding rods which are fitted into each of the rubber plugs to hold the rubber plugs. The rotary unit rotationally moves each of the rubber plug holding rods between the rubber plug feeding unit and the rubber plug holder. In the apparatus, a pair of rubber plug guides are provided so as to be capable of being opened/closed at a side of the rubber plug feeding port of the rubber plug feeding unit; and guide grooves are respectively provided at positions of the pair of rubber plug guides facing the rubber plug feeding port.

Abstract: A method and device for feeding an electronic component are provided by which extensive shutdown of the electronic component mounting device due to lack of components is prevented, thereby enhancing the operation rate. The device has a feeder section designating unit (32) for designating a desired one of feeder sections (22), and a feeder section controller (31) for forcibly moving the feeder section which is currently feeding electronic components to a retracted position when the other feeder section has been designated by the feeder section designating unit (32) and for moving the designated feeder section which has been in a standby state to a predetermined component feeding position, by which a long-time pause of the electronic component mounting device caused by exhaustion of components is prevented and the operation rate is enhanced.

Abstract: A method and system for the manufacture of an assembly, such an automobile body-in-white or sub-assembly, that comprises a plurality of components is disclosed. Selected from the plurality of components are components which can form an initial rigid structure. These selected components are then positioned relative to each other with reference to at least one reference point on at least one of the selected components. These selected components are then affixed to one another, by, for example, spot welds to form the initial structure. The non-selected components are then positioned relative to the same reference point and attached to either the initial structure or a component that was affixed in an earlier process. An assembly, such as an automobile body-in-white, will have reduced manufacturing tolerances when compared to the body-in-white manufactured in a conventional manner.

Abstract: An automatic pull pin fastening apparatus, it is comprised at least a feeding unit, a delivering device, a positioning board, a transporting device and a stretching device mounted on a machine. Wherein, the delivering device is installed between the feeding unit and the positioning board. The transporting device is mounted between the positioning board and the stretching device, and can be displaced to and fro therebetween. The delivering device sends fast by pushing a predetermined amount of pull pins to the positioning board at one time by using compressed air for taking and placing the pins by the transporting device and transporting to the stretching device, thus the stretching device pulls the predetermined amount of pull pins to combine a plurality of plates at one time to complete operation of pull pin fastening by automation processing. In this way, efficiency of production can be increased, while cost of production can be lowered.

Abstract: A method and system for the manufacture of an assembly, such an automobile body-in-white or sub-assembly, that comprises a plurality of components is disclosed. Selected from the plurality of components are components which can form an initial rigid structure. These selected components are then positioned relative to each other with reference to at least one reference point on at least one of the selected components. These selected components are then affixed to one another, by, for example, spot welds to form the initial structure. The non-selected components are then positioned relative to the same reference point and attached to either the initial structure or a component that was affixed in an earlier process. An assembly, such as an automobile body-in-white, will have reduced manufacturing tolerances when compared to the body-in-white manufactured in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A random work arranging device that arranges randomly conveyed works by using a robot and carries out the arranged works, wherein the robot comprises a plurality of arms and a single robot controller for controlling respective arms independently one another to arrange and transfer the works from a conveying position to a carry-out position.

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

Abstract: A convertible flange insertion machine for the insertion of a pair of internally threaded flanges into a drum head of a shipping container is disclosed. The machine includes a pair of continuously moving drum head conveyor chains running along conveyor supports and between a pair of tooling dies that upon compression insert flanges into the drum head. A pair of flange conveyors run along side the drum head conveyor and include a pair of side rails with two lips for guiding the lips of flanges according to two different flange styles. The flange conveyors terminate at a lateral transfer mechanism. One lateral transfer mechanism includes an indexer with two pawls that sequentially indexes flanges in a two step procedure over a pair of spring loaded stops and into the receiving pocket of a tooling block. The tooling block places the flanges over the tooling die where a release assembly forces the flanges out of the tooling block and onto the die.

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

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

Abstract: A vehicle assembly line comprising, laid out in the order mentioned, a wire leading/transfer trimming zone (20) where components for wire leading/transfer trimming are sequentially assembled to a paint-finished vehicle body (11) for inspection and, if needed, repairing, an interior zone (30) where interior components are sequentially assembled for inspection and, if needed, repairing, an under-floor trimming zone (40) where under-floor dress-up components are sequentially assembled for inspection and, if needed, repairing, an exterior zone (50) where exterior components are sequentially assembled for inspection and, if needed, repairing, and a combined guarantee zone (60) where components not repaired in zones (20) to (50) are inspected and repaired, wherein inspection and repair are conducted in inspection sections and repair sections individually attached to individual functional zones.

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 end cap is supported by a retractable holding mechanism between an edge press and tube end. A pick up mandrel and extender are mounted in the edge press head. The pick up mandrel is extendible from the edge press to contact the end cap. Non-mechanical means on the pick up mandrel secure the cap to the pick up mandrel while the holding mechanism is retracted. The pick up mandrel carries the end cap to the tube end. The extender is collapsed under pressure of the edge press, allowing it to contact the skirt of the cap and press it into the tube end. The pickup mandrel is retracted into the edge press head, releasing its grip on the end cap, and the edge press head and pickup mandrel are retracted for another cycle.

Abstract: The computer manufacturing system includes an assembly unit wherein various assembly parts are assembled into a main chassis according to a process order to complete the assembly of a computer body, an aging and test unit for testing and checking the performance of the computer body transferred from the assembly unit, and a package unit for packaging the computer body transferred from the aging and test unit. The assembly unit, the aging and test unit, and the package unit are sequentially aligned in accordance with process sequences. The assembly unit and the package unit are aligned to the opposite facing each other while the aging and test unit is located between the assembly unit and the package unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing electrical components on a circuit board, having a placement unit and a feed unit for feeding the components thereto. The feed unit contains a magazine with an associated identification medium and a monitoring unit. Component-related data is stored in the identification medium. The monitoring unit is used to compare the component-related data with placement-related data which are predetermined by a central data processing unit to effect an accurate match between the two.

Abstract: An assembly line and procedure fabricate more reliable explosive line charges by reducing many of the human error factors affecting assembly. The assembly line and procedures maintain proper grenade spacing, eliminate twisting of nylon lines and detonating cord which degrade performance, provide for proper clamping of lines and connector elements, provide for slack management of the explosive detonating cord and the lines, control the tolerances at the detonating cord to connector interfaces, and provide for the end of line packing of the explosive line charge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a prefabricated motor vehicle door module and is directed to improving the manufacturing efficiency of complex technical systems with extensive cabling. The method for manufacturing the prefabricated motor vehicle door module with an electronics unit and several electrical components, such as a window regulator motor, central locking, mirror adjustment and heating, switches, lights, speakers, and a side bag, comprises fitting out of a support plate with the electrical components provided for a specific vehicle door and the cabling of the door by means of electrical leads; wherein the fitting out step is carried out in a main assembly line; wherein at least a part of the electrical leads is prefabricated as individual lead connections in a secondary cable production line in accurate sequence for the door module production in a production device and are mounted independently of each other directly on the door module in a main assembly line.

Abstract: Devices for introducing valve keys in internal-combustion-engine valves have heretofore required complex locking and actuating devices in order to bring the valve keys into a fitting position. In order to reduce the introducing procedure, a guide body has a recess which runs symmetrically with respect to its central axis. A conveying channel is formed by a pin passing through the recess in its longitudinal direction, by wall regions of the recess and by guide beads which are attached in such a way that they can pivot and are extended parallel to the pin in their basic position. The guide bead is bent inwards in the direction of the pin with such a radius and a distance between the bent region and the pin as well as the valve stem is set in such a manner, that bulges of the fed-in valve key engage into annular grooves of the valve stem at the end of the conveying channel.

Abstract: Methods for mounting a slider device on a recloseable package include mounting the slider device by expanding the leg construction of the slider device with an expanding track to allow mounting of the slider on a recloseable zipper construction. A particular method includes providing a slider device to a slider positioner, such as a carousel, moving the slider along an expanding track, and mounting the expanded slider device onto the recloseable mechanism at the end of the track.