Abstract: In assembling a vehicle body frame for a motorcycle by welding front and rear frame subassemblies to each other, the following steps are carried out: a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the front frame subassembly by a pair of front positioning device movable at least in a widthwise direction of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping a head pipe by a front clamp device which is capable of being moved in vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle body frame and is capable of being tilted longitudinally, a step of positioning left and right rear portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear positioning device movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, a step of clamping left and right front portions of the rear frame subassembly by a pair of rear clamp means movable in the longitudinal, widthwise and vertical directions of the vehicle body frame, and a step of welding the front and rear frame subassemblies to each other.

Abstract: A synchronous control unit receives data describing robot motion and speed along a pathway. A storage unit stores the data. In accordance with an internal clock or encoder equivalent internal to the robot, an output unit outputs the data to a positioning controller thereby synchronizing the robot movement with the data.

Abstract: Automatic assembling method and apparatus using a plurality of pallets on a conveyer belt for assembling photographic film cassettes, or the like. Each pallet has a secondary work holder and a primary work holder. Parts of a secondary assembly are sequentially fed to the secondary work holder and are assembled into the secondary assembly in the secondary work holder. The secondary assembly and other parts of a primary assembly are sequentially fed to the primary work holder and are assembled into the primary in the primary work holder.

Abstract: Indoor air conditioner units are manufactured by pre-assembling evaporators and supplying the evaporators to a plurality of unit assembling stations, whereby at each unit assembling station, the evaporators are assembled with other air conditioner elements to form finished indoor air conditioner units. The evaporators can be assembled at an evaporator assembling station which supplies all of the unit assembling stations with evaporators. Alternatively, the evaporators can be assembled at each of the unit assembling stations.

Abstract: A production line of an air conditioner mounted with a work bench for mass-producing indoor units and outdoor units, the work bench including a pallet supply section; an outdoor unit work part mounted at one side of the pallet supply section with a parts assembly section, refrigerant tube vacuum forming and refrigerant infusion section, refrigerant infusion tube removal section, control unit assembly section, refrigerant leakage inspection section, cabinet assembly section, packing section, forwarding and loading section in that order; an indoor unit work part mounted at the other side of the pallet supply section with first pallet feeding section, parts assembly section, noise inspection section, second pallet feeding section, packing section and forwarding and loading section in that order, and integrally installed from parts assembly section of the outdoor unit work part to cabinet assembly section; performance inspection section mounted between the cabinet assembly section and packing section of the outdo

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: Indoor air conditioner units are manufactured by pre-assembling evaporators and supplying the evaporators to a plurality of unit assembling stations, whereby at each unit assembling station, the evaporators are assembled with other air conditioner elements to form finished indoor air conditioner units. The evaporators can be assembled at an evaporator assembling station which supplies all of the unit assembling stations with evaporators. Alternatively, the evaporators can be assembled at each of the unit assembling stations.

Abstract: An assembling apparatus assembling a body side of an automotive vehicle includes: a moving body provided in a transfer line; a clamp device mounted to the moving body fixing and positioning a body side outer in an upright position in which the body side outer is fixed in such a manner that a roof rail end of the body side outer is positioned substantially above the side sill end of the body side outer; and a welding robot disposed in a side of the transfer line. The welding robot assembles the body side by welding the body side outer positioned by the clamp device.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembling apparatus includes a main conveyer for transferring a tray, at least one fin transfer conveyer and one molding plate transfer conveyer, installed at one side of the main conveyer to be parallel thereto and having a predetermined length, a plurality of fin plate assembling devices, installed between the fin transfer conveyer and the molding plate transfer conveyer in a lengthwise direction of the main conveyer, a fin molding device, connected to the fin transfer conveyer, for molding a fin, a plate molding device, installed at one side of the main conveyer, for manufacturing a plate and supplying the manufactured plate to the molding plate transfer conveyer, a fin molding plate supply device for supplying the fin molding plate assembly assembled by the fin plate assembling devices to the tray intermittently transferred by the main conveyer, an end plate assembly supply device, a special plate assembly supply device and a manifold plate assembly supply device, sequentially installed

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: A method and apparatus are provided for boring and bolting pallets. The apparatus for boring and bolting pallets comprises an assembly jig for holding and maintaining the positioning of two or more main components, two or more cross components, a plurality of space support components, and a panel top component (collectively, components) wherein the assembly jig holds the components in proper position to form an incomplete pallet; a boring machine for simultaneously boring each intersection of the incomplete pallet in the assembly jig by raising a plurality of drills to the incomplete pallet, resulting in the assembly jig containing a bored pallet having a plurality of bores; and one or more conveyor systems for delivering the assembly jig containing the bored pallet to a bolting table wherein the components are bolted together into a pallet.

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 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: A vehicle assembly line for automatically and continuously assembling vehicle components to a vehicle assembly. The vehicle assembly line can include multiple stations such as a component assembly station, module assembly station, fluid filling station, door assembly station, wheel alignment station, and brake test station.

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 carries out the circuit substrate on which the circuit components have been mounted, the circuit-substrate carry-out device comprising a removing device which removes the circuit substrate from the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a parallel-direction carry-out device which receives the circuit substrate from the removing device and carries out the circuit substrate in a parallel direction substantially parallel to a plane of the circuit substrate, the circuit substrate being transferred from the circuit-substrate supporting device to the removing device in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the plane o

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: 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: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for molding and assembling resin parts to produce a resin product, particularly, a resin product that includes relatively moveable functional parts, such as gears, in a manner that enables one by one parts molding and assembling and also enables reduction of manufacturing cost of the resin product.

Abstract: A pallet assembly apparatus provides a conveyor having a plurality of carriers attached thereto. The conveyor moves the carriers along an assembly path in a downstream direction. As each carrier moves along the assembly path in the downstream direction, it passes first slat hopper, a set of stringer hoppers, a second slat hopper and then a nailer. Detents of the carriers pull the necessary bottom slats, stringers, and top slats as needed to assemble the pallet. The nailer fastens the slats to the stringers. Once the carrier moves past the nailer, the detents move to a resting position in which they are removed from the assembled pallet and the pallet is removed from the pallet assembly apparatus.

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: An assembly apparatus has a plurality of stationary work stations spaced apart in a transport direction extending downstream from a holding station, a plurality of holders each adapted to carry a respective workpiece and each formed with at least one downwardly directed entrainment tooth, an upstream conveyor for feeding the holders in a row to the holding station, and a downstream conveyor extending downstream from the holding station past the work stations and including a belt formed with external teeth meshable with the teeth of the holders. A blocking element at the holding station can move between a position preventing downstream movement of the holders past the holding station and a position permitting such downstream movement.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically correcting the dynamic imbalance of a disc pack of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a balance correction assembly station where a rotary positioner lifts and rotates the disc pack to a reference position for the attachment of weighted shims to the disc pack. A shim selector assembly delivers a selected shim, and an end effector transfers the selected shim to a shim attachment assembly. The shim attachment assembly rotates and spreads open the shim so that the disc pack can be receivingly engaged thereby, and the shim attachment assembly releases the selected shim to lockingly engage the disc pack. A flipping assembly reverses the disc pack for placement of another selected shim to the other end of the disc pack, as required.

Abstract: An assembly plant for the series assembly of vehicles has a main assembly line and associated assembly works for relatively complex vehicle parts to be supplied "just in time". Simpler assembly components and small and standard components are held in readiness in a central component store and supplied from there to the assembly line. Stores for large components are arranged near to the corresponding assembly point. The overall conveying section is divided into a plurality of mutually adjoining U-shaped conveying loops. Provided between each of the assembly shops and the central component store, on the one hand, and the main assembly line, on the other, there are in each case feeder systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a photo film unit has a dark box, which has supply openings into which parts are supplied, and an exit opening from which the body loaded with the photo film is exited. Intermediate cells of the dark box shield ambient light and include interlocked outer shutter plates and inner shutter plates which are disposed in the supply openings and the exit opening. A cassette supplying loader and a robot hand transfer the cassette into the dark box, while a leading tongue of the photo film is protruded from the cassette shell, with a remaining portion of the photo film contained as a roll. A roll forming fork device winds the photo film to a predetermined length from the cassette and forms the photo film into the roll. A photo film mounting mechanism swings the roll and the cassette shell together to change orientation thereof, and loads the roll and the cassette shell into the body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for merging the disc pack, E-block and magnet of a disc drive, the disc pack conveyed to a first selected position in a merge assembly station and moved to a merge slide assembly where calibration measurements of disc pack height and squareness are made at a reference position. The merge slide assembly moves the disc pack from the reference position to a shuttled position, the E-block is moved to an E-block nest assembly where the load arms of the E-block are spread in response to the calibration measurements, and the discs of the disc pack are interweaved between opposing read/write heads of the E-block. A magnet slide assembly positions the magnet to straddle the E-block. The disc pack, E-block and magnet are moved together, maintaining the merged interrelationship, to the basedeck and fastened to the basedeck.

Abstract: For making a mattress web having two fabric webs which are attached to one another in a transverse direction of the web by seams that are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the, thereby to form a succession of sleeves, each of which contains a slightly tensioned spring, one of the fabric webs is continuously conveyed in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be supported from below. An upwardly opening curve is formed in the transverse direction. A respective spring is introduced into each curve from above, the spring being non-tensioned and having a height exceeding the curve depth. While in the curve, the spring is compressed in the vertical direction under the action of a force acting at a distance from the downstream wall of the curve, and the curve, with the compressed spring therein, is brought together with the other of the two fabric webs, which is continuously conveyed in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An assembly apparatus, kit and method of making roller chain of different pitch are disclosed. The apparatus and kit include a main drive mechanism rotatable about its central longitudinal axis and a plurality of assembly stations. Each assembly station has a movable assembly mechanism to act on a workpiece and a drive train to move the assembly mechanism in response to rotation of the main drive mechanism. Each assembly station has a drive shaft substantially perpendicular to the main drive mechanism axis. One of the assembly stations is movable in a direction parallel to the main drive mechanism axis between a plurality of positions to vary the distance between the assembly stations without disconnecting the connection between the drive train and the main drive mechanism. Each assembly station has a locator unit for moving a workpiece. The locator units have workpiece supports to provide a continuous path between assembly stations.

Abstract: A circuit component supplying system including a plurality of feeders each of which stores a plurality of circuit components of at least one sort and supplies the circuit components of the one sort, one by one, a feeder holder including a plurality of feeder holding portions which hold the plurality of feeders, respectively, and a managing device which manages the supplying of the circuit components by the each of the feeders, the each feeder including a code holder which holds at least a feeder identification code distinguishing the each feeder from the other feeders, and the managing device managing the supplying of the circuit components by the each feeder, based on the feeder identification code held by the code holder of the each feeder.

Abstract: A semi-automated machine for singulating individual surgical needles from an bulk supply and attaching a suture to the surgical needle is described. Each of the surgical needles has a suture receiving opening formed therein for receiving a suture. The machine includes a needle singulation station, a precise positioning station, a suture feeding station, a swage station, a pull-test station and an off-load station. A universal gripper mounted on a rotary indexing device automatically receives each individual needle in a predetermined orientation and conveys the needle for sequential processing from station to station to form the needle-suture assembly. A suture feeding and cutting station automatically cuts an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length suture strand and automatically inserts an end of the definite length suture strand into the suture receiving opening formed in the needle.

Abstract: A high speed apparatus for assembling washers on headed parts such as bolt blanks, wherein individual washers are mechanically positively placed and seated onto individual blanks. The apparatus includes a linear transfer mechanism for progressively shifting the blanks through successive stations at which a washer is first placed on the end of a blank, is then "stuffed" axially along the shank of the blank, and is then positively abutted with the head. Various movements of the washers and blanks are effected by individual servomotors that greatly simplify the complexity of the apparatus, provide timing/stroke flexibility, and independent control.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in a butt joint or an overlapping lap joint configuration and the blanks are welded together along a weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling photographic film cassettes each comprising a spool assembly and a pair of shell halves. A plurality of pallets are stepwise conveyed on a pallet conveyer. Each pallet has a spool holder, an intermediate holder and a shell holder. Parts of the spool assembly are sequentially fed to the spool holder and are assembled into the spool assembly at the spool holder. The spool assembly is transferred from the spool holder to the intermediate holder to be turned from a vertical into a horizontal orientation. Thereafter, the spool assembly and other parts of the photographic film cassette are sequentially fed to the shell holder and are assembled into the photographic film cassette at the shell holder.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying panels, such as vehicle body side panels to and from work stations located at spaced locations along a conveyor includes a panel support frame mounted on the conveyor for movement along the conveying path with the support frame in an elevated generally horizontal conveying position. The support frame carries a plurality of mechanically actuable releasable clamps adapted to retain a panel engaged against a group of locator pads fixedly mounted on one side of the support frame. A second group of locator pads movably mounted on the frame are normally biased into engagement with the panel at spaced locations around its periphery to hold the panel in a predetermined position laterally of the support frame. The support frame mounts an actuator member coupled to all of the clamps to position all clamps in a panel clamping position when the actuator member is in a first position and to position all clamps in a panel release position when the actuator is in a second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a photo film unit has a dark box, which has supply openings into which parts are supplied, and an exit opening from which the body loaded with the photo film is exited. Intermediate cells of the dark box shield ambient light and include interlocked outer shutter plates and inner shutter plates which are disposed in the supply openings and the exit opening. A cassette supplying loader and a robot hand transfer the cassette into the dark box, while a leading tongue of the photo film is protruded from the cassette shell, with a remaining portion of the photo film contained as a roll. A roll forming fork device winds the photo film to a predetermined length from the cassette and forms the photo film into the roll. A photo film mounting mechanism swings the roll and the cassette shell together to change orientation thereof, and loads the roll and the cassette shell into the body.

Abstract: An automated continuous manufacturing system which includes a rotatable work table having a plurality of work piece supports for maintaining work pieces during operation of said system, and a plurality of work stations for performing cleaning, pretreatment, treatment or assembly tasks on work pieces secured to said work piece supports. Each of the tasks performed at the work table is performed at a respective work station. Certain of the work stations comprise a removable station subassembly for performing a specific task. The removable station subassemblies are removably engagable with the rotatable work table and may be replaced with an alternate removable station subassembly for performing a desired alternate task. One of the work stations is an assembly station engaged with the rotatable work table for receiving work pieces from their individual work piece supports. The assembly station further includes a removing subassembly for removing the work pieces from the work piece supports for further assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a mash welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration and the lap joint is welded along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.

Abstract: An automatic assembling apparatus automatically assembles such parts as an engine and a suspension to each work such as a car body conveyed by a conveyor. The system includes a parts truck and a screwing truck. The parts truck can be moved parallel to the conveying path of the conveyor and includes a coupling mechanism for coupling it to the conveyor and an approach truck for approaching the work while carrying the parts. The system further includes a screwing truck which can be moved parallel to the conveying path of the conveyor and includes a coupling mechanism for coupling it to the conveyor and a screwing mechanism for effecting screwing by approaching the work. The parts truck and the screwing truck are coupled to the conveyor and are moved in synchronism with the work. The parts are positioned as the approach truck approaches, and the screwing is effected as the screwing mechanism approaches. The parts are assembled without stop of the work.

Abstract: A system for producing parts/substrate assemblies each of which includes a substrate such as a ceramic substrate and a plurality of parts such as LSIs mounted on the substrate. After the LSIs for one lot of the production have been checked for excess or deficiency, etc. by a collating device, they are formed with solder bumps and then inspected. The LSIs are automatically arranged on empty work pallets as parts kits by a kit setting apparatus, and the work pallets on each of which the corresponding LSIs have been arranged as the parts kit are moved into a stocker. A host computer gives a command for mounting the LSIs on the ceramic substrate on which they can be mounted, on the basis of information indicating the stocked pallet and information indicating the progress of the ceramic substrate. An LSI mounting apparatus reads the serial No. of the introduced ceramic substrate, and requests the stocker to deliver the work pallet on which the associated LSIs have been arranged as the parts kit.

Abstract: A system of assembling wheels is disclosed, which comprises a steering angle correcting and phase matching unit for correcting the steering angle and also matching the phase of a hub of a car body suspended by a hanger being conveyed while being moved in synchronism with the car body and a wheel setting and hub nut tightening unit or setting a wheel on the phase-matched hub and tightening a nut thereon while being moved in synchronism with the car body. The horizontal distance between the steering angle correcting and phase matching unit and the wheel setting and hub nut tightening unit, is set to a distance such that when the wheel setting and hub nut tightening unit assembles a wheel onto the hub, the steering angle correcting and phase matching unit can correct steering angle and match the phase of the hub on which the next wheel is to be set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing and assembling a plurality of small parts weighing under five pounds using a robot employing a rotatable pallet for holding an array of small parts. Said rotatable pallet being held in place on the robot wrist head, which moves the pallet through a plurality of stationary work-stations located within the operating envelope of the robot, and rotates the pallet at each work-station to index the pallet and to present it to the work-station for an operation on a specific part or parts. Said robot participates in the work-station tasks by moving the rotatable pallet in the X, Y, and Z directions as needed. Movable data pins are used to indicate conditions of individual parts in nests, and of the pallet taken as a whole.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically placing a lid on a component package and then securing the lid with a clip. The apparatus includes a programmable robot arm having a gripping assembly, an inspection station, a first conveyor for conveying a boat along a path between a first position and a second position, a pick arm for removing a first lid from a lid feeder station, a second conveyor for reciprocating the pick arm between first and second positions to thereby transfer the first lid from the lid feeder station to the inspection station, and a camera located at the inspection station for inspecting the first lid. The apparatus further includes a rotary actuator arm and a mechanism for reciprocating the rotary actuator arm into contact with a first lid bottom surface following inspection of the first lid and for releasing the pick arm.

Abstract: An automated machine for attaching a suture to a surgical needle having a suture receiving opening formed therein, and for packaging the same in a package tray comprises a first workstation including a device for sorting a plurality of needles and orienting each needle for automatic feeding to a second swaging workstation, a second workstation including a device for automatically cutting an indefinite length of suture material to a definite length and a device for automatically swaging the needle to close the suture receiving opening about a free end of the suture to secure the suture thereto and form a needle-suture assembly, a needle packaging station including a device for sequentially receiving at least one of the needle-suture assemblies in a package tray in synchronism with the second workstation, the needle packaging station having a device for automatically winding the depending suture portion of the needle-suture assembly into the package tray, a first indexing device for sequentially receiving indiv

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling mechanical components, and particularly in a mass-production line, includes a fixture to clamp and support the component and a flexible connector for supporting the combined weight of the fixture and the component. The fixture is particularly configured to position the center of gravity of the fixture and the component in substantial vertical alignment with the flexible connector so that the component is oriented for direct assembly to the structure. The apparatus is particularly useful for assembling the components of an automobile, such as the doors, to its body with little or no manual manipulation on the part of a worker.

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 pair of conveyor lines are provided: one for disassembling a used article sequentially at a plurality of disassembling stations and the other for assembling a new identical article sequentially at a plurality of assembling stations. The disassembling stations are connected to assembling stations in one-to-one relation through a conveyor each. A reusable part of the used article which has been recovered at one of the disassembling stations is transferred by the conveyor to the corresponding assembling station for reuse in the new article, after taking necessary inspection. The conveying directions of these conveyor lines are reverse to each other.