Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for installing a prefabricated cable harness in the interior of an empty vehicle body of a passenger car at the initial stage of its final assembly. A known cable harness which is suitable for handling by an automatic device is to be moved into the passenger compartment by mechanized handling. The cable harness which is arranged on a cable harness carrier that is prepared in a positionally defined manner, is received by a specially designed gripper. The gripper then guides the cable harness through the windscreen opening into the passenger compartment and sets the cable harness down in an approximate installation position. With this arrangement, the bulky and heavy cable harness can be installed reliably and rationally in the vehicle body. Possible damage to the vehicle body and to the cable harness by chafing is avoided during installation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parts supply system applied to a versatile production line, which strives to eliminate manual labor and prevent misdelivery. The parts supply system includes at least one of the product assembling sites (3) on the production line, at least one of the parts supplying sites (4), at least one of the unit assembling sites (5), at which units are assembled from parts delivered from a warehouse and a plurality of sets are arranged with the units, and a delivery means for delivering the set automatically between each of the product assembling sites (3) and each of the parts supplying sites (4) by an automatic carrier (2) or conveyors.

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: A piston ring is assembled into a groove of a piston by pushing the piston ring out of a front end of a guide member. The piston ring is mounted on an outside of the guide member which has a diameter larger than an outside diameter of the piston. The pushing is carried out while maintaining a clearance which allows for the piston ring to undulate. This clearance is formed between a front end of the guide member and a plane including a groove surface which lies away from the front end of the guide member.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system for producing and distributing index coded hangers to a plurality of locations, wherein the index indicia is correlated to the characteristics of the garment to be hung from the hanger at each of the plurality of locations. A unique hanger and index cap is disclosed, along with a method and means of making the same that is particularly adapted to high volume semi-automated operation. A device for assembling the index cap and hanger at the time the garment is hung is also disclosed.The system contemplates the localized production of the index caps for improved control of batch color and other characteristics, with remote molding and assembly of the hangers at said plurality of remote locations.

Abstract: A production installation comprises carriages supporting pallet trays carrying structural components or individual parts for assembly or processing, identical couplings for detachably coupling each one of the pallet trays to a respective carriage, a container for the structural components or individual parts readily exchangeably arranged on each pallet tray, a conveyor track comprised of individual and separable conveyor track sections, each conveyor track section comprising vertical and lateral guideways for the carriages, and a feed device at each conveyor track section operable for conveying the carriages independently of each other along the vertical and lateral guideways of the conveyor track.

Abstract: A working line for a rear floor of a vehicle includes a first setting station for setting the rear floor panel on the rear frame, a combining station for combining the rear floor panel to the rear frame, an assembling station for assembling the rear floor by welding the rear wheel housings and the rear panel to the rear floor panel, and a second setting station. They are arranged in the order mentioned from a starting end towards a finishing end of the working line.

Abstract: An automatic assembly system transports workpieces to a work station whereat the workpieces are processed into an assembled product. The automatic assembly system conmprises a monorail that defines a path above the work station. A trolley travels along the monorail supporting a workpiece carrier by means of a pair of latches pivotally connected to the trolley. A lowerator mechanism is mounted to the monorail above the work station. When a trolley stops above the work station, the lowerator mechanism thereat operates to lift the workpiece carrier from the trolly latches. The trolley latches retract and the lower mechanism then lowers the carrier and workpieces to the workstation without lowering the trolley or the monorail. A safety interlock prevents uncontrolled lowering of the carrier and workpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a motorcar body assembling line for setting car body components including a floor panel, a roof panel, and side panels on a set carrier in a predetermined positional relationship in a setting station at a starting end of the assembling line. The roof panel setting device is disposed in a laterally central portion at an upper part of the setting station and is comprised of a front unit and a rear unit, each having a pair of holding frames which are longitudinally and vertically movable with respect to each other. The apparatus further comprises a dashboard setting device disposed in a longitudinally parallel relationship to the roof panel setting device. Both the roof panel and dashboard setting devices are structurally and operationally similar.

Abstract: In a line of presses, the pieces are transferred from one press to another by means of a plurality of programmable manipulator robots interposed between the presses. The operating cycles of the manipulator robots are synchronised with those of the presses on the basis of the operating frequency of the first press at the input of the line, the operating cycles of the various machines in the line being derived from each other in a cascade process starting from the basic operating frequency.

Abstract: 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: In a flexible manufacturing system for assembling various types of vehicle bodies, there is employed a work piece carrier on which a work piece positioning device is mounted. The work piece positioning device has a plurality of position changeable work piece holders which are grouped into a plurality of groups each having its own power input device. When the carrier comes to a type switching stage together with the work piece positioning device, a power source installed in the type switching stage is brought into connection with the power input device of one of the groups thereby to changing the positions of the corresponding work piece holders. Then, the power source is brought into connection with the other power input device of the other group to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders.

Abstract: M sets of N component carriers each are placed in and removed from a component placement region one set at a time in a placement period. An empty carrier set is placed in the region as a full carrier set is removed while each set is displaced to a different one of M component placement heads having a fixed position. Each carrier receives M components. There are N sequentially occurring cycles in a placement period. A carrier of each set simultaneously receives a component in a placement cycle from a different one of the placement heads. Each head places one component at a time in a given position on a carrier in a placement cycle, each head corresponding to a given component type. The M sets of carrier are displaced simultaneously in a given cycle in the same direction in an x,y plane to a component receiving position. A given component type has the same position in each carrier.

Abstract: An installation for the continuous assembly of complementary component parts of a structural assembly constituting a door or window espagnolette bolt operating mechanism includes a main assembly circuit comprising at least one conveyor adapted to be advanced in steps and components part support plates fixed to this conveyor. Feed lines convey the component parts from storage units to the assembly circuit. Take-up devices transfer component parts from the feed lines to the conveyor. Component part assembly devices are located downstream of these take-up devices in the direction of movement of the conveyor. The installation further comprises devices for controlling the positioning and assembly of the component parts on the respective support plates.

Abstract: Machine for the automatic laying of interposed joints for the production of a multiple glazing.

Abstract: An automotive body and body panels such as an engine hood, a trunk lid, and doors are assembled together along an assembling line. The automotive body with the body panels removably installed thereon and a feed jig on which the body panels can removably be installed thereon, are alternately fed along a first feed path. Then, the body panels are removed from the automotive body while they are being fed along the first feed path and the body panels are installed on the feed jig which is fed upstream of the automotive body along the first feed path. The automotive body from which the body panels have been removed and the body panels which have been installed on the feed jig are thereafter coated. Thereafter, the coated automotive body and the coated body panels are fed along a second feed path. The body panels are removed from the feed jig while they are being fed along the second feed path and the removed body panels are installed on the automotive body which is also fed along the second feed path.

Abstract: In a flexible manufacturing system for assembling various types of vehicle bodies, there is employed a work piece carrier on which a work piece positioning device is mounted. The work piece positioning device has a plurality of position changeable work piece holders which are grouped into a plurality of groups each having its own power input device. When the carrier comes to a type switching state together with the work piece positioning device, a power source installed in the type switching stage is brought into connection with the power input device of one of the groups thereby to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders. Then, the power source is brought into connection with the other power input device of the other group to change the positions of the corresponding work piece holders.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are provided for assembling an exhaust system which includes a stamp formed muffler and pipes connected thereto. The muffler is assembled on an indexable fixturing apparatus having a plurality of stations for receiving the formed components of the muffler. Robotic gripping apparatus are provided in proximity to the indexable fixturing apparatus for moving aligned components of the muffler to welders for securely connecting the aligned components to one another. Simultaneously the pipes for the exhaust system are bent into their required configuration by programmable pipe benders. The assembled muffler and the bent pipes are then delivered to a second indexable fixturing apparatus. The loosely assembled components of the exhaust system are indexed into proximity to programmable welders which securely connect the exhaust system components together. The completed exhaust system is indexed into a position for unloading and subsequent shipment.

Abstract: The vehicular driving shaft is oriented and conveyed vertically around to plural assembling stations where component parts of a first joint unit are assembled to a lower end of the shaft whereupon the shaft is reversed and the component parts of the second joint unit are thereafter assembled to the now lower other end of the shaft. Plural carriers hold the shaft vertically as they are driven intermittently to plural stations, each station having an appropriate assembling device, the stations being grouped to first assemble the first joint unit and then to assemble the second.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assembling immunotesting filter funnels. At a first station, a slotted indexing carousel receives correctly oriented funnel retaining rings. At a second station a disk of filter material is placed in the retaining ring. At a third station a funnel body is placed in the retaining ring. At a fourth station, the funnel body is forced into the retaining ring forming a completed funnel. At a fifth station the completed funnels are removed.

Abstract: An automobile assembling apparatus is provided to provisionally assemble a set of front and rear drive system assemblies, each having at least a suspension system with a damper unit dangling thereon, to a vehicle body prior to rigidly securing, and thereby setting up, the front and rear drive system assemblies and vehicle body into one unit with fasteners in an automobile assembling line and comprises a carrier pallet for carrying the set of front and rear drive system assemblies placed thereon in position, a conveyor for conveying the front and rear drive system assemblies on the carrier pallet to a provisional assembling station wherre front and rear drive system assemblies are provisionally assembled to vehicle bodies, an overhead conveyor for conveying the vehicle body above the provisional assembling station and lowering it on the front and rear drive system assemblies to provisionally assemble the front and rear drive system assemblies to the vehicle body, and a holding device installed at the provision

Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for finishing window frame assemblies starting from a bare opening frame and a bare fixed frame, each frame comprising grooves and shoulders to receive hardware, external seals, glazing unit spacers, glazing units, beading seals and beading. The installation is formed of two continuous lines of modular stations arranged in two parallel reference planes, the first comprising fixed frame finishing stations and the second comprising opening frame finishing stations. The opening frame finishing line is connected at its downstream end to the fixed frame finishing line by means of a storage and transfer station facing a station for assembling opening frames to fixed frames, itself located in the reference plane, together with the glazing unit fitting and fixing station and the beading fitting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically and successively assembling ribbon feeder roller assemblies of ink ribbon cassettes, comprises a fixed base, shaft supplying means for supplying a horizontally positioned shaft to a first predetermined position on the fixed base, a pair of roller supplying means for supplying a pair of elastic rollers to be fitted to the shaft to second predetermined positions on the fixed base where axes of the rollers are in parallel with an axis of the shaft and where the rollers are in axial alignment with each other, a first reciprocating member supported on the fixed base and capable of reciprocating in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the shaft, a pair of second reciprocating members supported on the fixed base on each side of the first reciprocating member and capable of reciprocating in a direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the first reciprocating member, and drive control means for controlling and driving the first and second reciprocating members in a predeterm

Abstract: A handle case and a handle which are substantially assembled are clamped on a pallet with respective first and second clamping means, and the pallet is conveyed along a looped conveyor. The handle case and the handle are connected operatively to each other with hinge means in a first assembling station disposed alongside of the conveyor. Then, the pallet is conveyed successively through other assembling stations disposed along the conveyor to install other door handle components on the handle case and the handle in the other assembling stations.

Abstract: A spool around which a roll film is to be wound is carried by a pallet having a spool holding shaft which holds the spool and rotates the spool under a force transmitted thereto from outside the pallet and a pair of film pinch arms which pinch the outer end portion of the roll film wound around the spool and is moved from station to station in a film cassette assembly line.

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention disassembles bearing caps from a cylinder block and assembles upper metals to the cylinder block and lower metals to the bearing caps. The apparatus is provided with a movable base which is reciprocally moved between a position above a lower metal assembling station and a position above a conveyor lines. A bearing cap disassembling mechanism and upper metal holding mechanism are commonly attached to the movable base. The bearing cap disassembling mechanism disassembles the bearing caps tentatively assembled to the cylinder block and the upper metal holding mechanism holds and assembles a plurality of upper metals to the cylinder block.

Abstract: An automatic wheel mounting apparatus provided with a robot for positioning a wheel on a hub of an automobile and for tightening nuts onto hub studs, which has a lifting device for lifting the hub in a direction to cancel the camber angle, a head positioned by the robot, and a measurement and positioning unit disposed on the head and having a hub center measuring device, a hub stud positioning device, and a hub inclination measuring device, whereby an inclination condition of the hub surface due to steering angle or the like is detected by the hub inclination measuring device to cause the measurement and positioning unit to confront the hub, the hub center is measured by the hub center measuring device to align the center of the measurement and positioning unit with the hub center, and then the hub is rotated by the hub stud positioning device to position the hub studs at predetermined positions.

Abstract: An assembly machine including a drive unit and an assembling unit removably coupled to the drive unit so as to be driven by the drive unit to assemble an assembly such as a torque converter case with an assembly part such as a valve body unit. The machine further includes an assembly part conveyance means for supply the assembly part, an assembling unit housing means for housing a plurality of assembling units, and a changeover conveyance means. The assembly part is conveyed from the assembly part conveyance means to the assembling unit by the changeover conveyance means.

Abstract: A machine intended for assembling the different parts of a fitting element (2) of a door or window fitting composed of an operating rod (3) and of a plate (4) having, for each part to be assembled (6, 7, 11, 18, 19, 23, 28, 29, 34) a supply magazine (53, 54, 56, 58, 63, 78, 79, 92, 101) and means of gripping (55, 59, 60, 65, 86, 95).This machine has, in addition, means (44, 50A) of separate flow of the plate (4) and of the operating rod (3) and means (50B, 74, 76, 100) of superimposed flow of the latter, means of transfer (49, 68, 98, 107) for turning round and transferring from one transporter to another the plate (4) and/or the operating rod (3), while maintaining the reference plane (46) of the fitting element (2) at a constant distance from the median plane (47) of the machine (1).

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: A method of assembling a plurality of individual parts to manufacture a workpiece, which comprises the steps of placing each single individual part in a holder in a preparation stage, the holder holding each single individual part in a predetermined position, conveying an assembly support along a conveying path to sequentially arranged work stations whereat the parts are assembled on the assembly support, conveying the holders from the preparation stage to the work stations along the conveying path for alignment of the holders with the assembly support, removing the parts from the holders at the work stations and placing them on the assembly support for assembly thereon, returning the holders empty to the preparation stage after the single individual parts held therein have been removed, and again placing individual parts in the returned holder in the preparation stage in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly line in which a vehicle body is conveyed by a hanger from station to station is provided between a first working area and a second working area with a vehicle body reversing system for reversing the orientation of the vehicle body with respect to the hanger, in which the vehicle body is conveyed by the hanger, from a first direction to a second direction. The first working area consists of stations in which are performed operations which can be done without interference from the hanger so long as the vehicle body is oriented in the first direction and the second working area consists of stations in which are performed operations which can be done without interference from the hanger so long as the vehicle body is oriented in the second direction.

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: 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: 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: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing reinforcements, intended for construction purposes, of reinforced concrete plates for prefabricated ceilings, without manual aid. The apparatus comprises a straightening and cutting device 1 for the transverse rods 22 of the reinforcement having a transverse rod outlet path 4, a displacement apparatus 46 and a transverse rod magazine 7; a straightening, cutting and bending device 2 for the longitudinal rods 23 having a longitudinal rod outlet path 5; and a combination device 3 for producing the lattice girders 24, having a lattice girder outlet path 6 and a lattice girder magazine 8. With the aid of the transverse rod magazine 7 and two insertion robots 9 and 10 that are displaceable on rails 67, the reinforcement can be inserted and positioned under electronic control into the form 18 that is arranged on a pallet 15 and is moved through the apparatus on a travel path 13.

Abstract: An automatic assembly apparatus for fastening a part to a workpiece includes a pair of T-shaped legs, each having a horizontal guide thereon, mounted on a base in alignment with and spaced from each other in the direction of the path of the workpiece while the horizontal guide on each of the T-shaped legs extends at right angles to and intersects the path of the workpiece. A horizontal orthogonal coordinate type robot is mounted on the horizontal guides to move in the direction of the path of the workpiece while being simultaneously movable at right angles to and intersecting the path of the workpiece. A conveyor jig is mounted on each of the vertical structures between the base and the T-shaped legs.

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: In an apparatus for securing parts to an assembly body, a part conveyor means receives a plurality of parts arranged on a lot basis from a part storage. The part conveyor means is moved by the arm of the apparatus for driving parts up to the proximity of the assembly body. Since the arm of the apparatus for securing parts is equipped with a part securing means, the part securing means receives the parts from the part conveyor means individually a plurality of times and secures the parts to the assembly body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant for the automated mounting of a door or similar closure component within the relative opening formed in a body, particularly an automotive vehicle body, comprising in combination: a device (10) for stably supporting a body (11), a conveyor device (33) adapted to convey a door (14) to an approach position to the relative door opening (15) in the body (11), provision being made between the said device (10, 33) for a first movable apparatus (12) for reading the measurements of the opening (15) and a second movable apparatus (13) for removing the door (14) from the conveyor (33) and positioning it within the door opening (15). The apparatus (12, 13) are also operatively interconnected through the intermediary of a computer (31) adapted to accept signals from the apparatus (12), to process them and send them to the apparatus (13).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically assembling a heat exchanger core assembly comprised of a pair of inserts and a plurality of tubes and corrugated fins arranged in an alternate manner. The assembled core elements are guided along a guide rail means while being fed by a pair of chain attachments. The core elements are then unloaded by elevatable guide rail means and removing means including compressible clamping jaws.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically attaching a sub-assembly such as a strut to a main assembly such as a vehicle body frame in a production line. The method involves the steps of moving the sub-assembly including a separable engagement means to a predetermined location of the main assembly, anchoring the engagement means of the sub-assembly to a positioning part located at the predetermined location of the main assembly so as to temporarily attach the sub-assembly to the main assembly, moving an automatic fastening tool to the opposite side of the predetermined location of the main assembly to which the sub-assembly is attached and tightening fasteners in the automatic fastening tool onto the sub-assembly so as to permanently attach the sub-assembly to the predetermined location of the main assembly. The engagement means can then be removed.

Abstract: Apparatus for force fitting components into a workpiece comprises a gantry supporting two insertion heads above an indexable support for the workpiece, a workpiece pick-up station on each side of the workpiece, and rods by which the insertion heads are suspended from the gantry and which are rotatable to translate the insertion heads between positions over the pick-up stations and positions over the workpiece and to operate tooling of the insertion heads to pick-up components from the pick-up station and to force fit them into the workpiece. The apparatus is programmed so that when one of the insertion heads is located over a pick-up station the other is located over the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for driving threaded fasteners into workpieces. The apparatus includes means for successively feeding workpieces to the first of two spaced apart work stations. A power drilling means drills holes into opposite ends of each workpiece at the first work station. The workpieces are then successively advanced to the second work station where a driving operation is performed. The driving operation is accomplished by successively feeding the threaded fasteners to a transfer station, transferring the fasteners from the transfer station to a loading station axially aligned with the second work station, loading the fasteners into the chuck of a power stud driver, and then driving the threaded fasteners into one of the pre-drilled holes. Transfer of the threaded fasteners between the transfer and loading stations is accomplished by pivotal movement of a placing arm and a finger attached to the placing arm. All operations are performed automatically and in timed relation to one another.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a core for a heat exchanger having front and rear inserts, a predetermined number of tubes and fins which are alternatively arranged between the front and rear inserts, comprising two parallel rows of horizontally moving chain attachments for receiving and carrying these core parts an insert throwing-in station, a tube throwing-in station and a fin throwing-in station, which stations are arranged in this order along the direction of the movement of the chain attachments.

Abstract: A device for slipping washers and like objects onto the shanks or stalks of screws and like articles comprises a couple of discs which are rotated integrally together. The top disc has peripheral hollow spaces to which the screws are fed to be conveyed at a certain angle hung by their heads. The bottom disc has vertical dowels arranged on a circumference having a radius equal to that of the circumference containing the axes of the hung screws. To a point of the periphery of the bottom disc washers are fed to enter an upward sloping circular channel. The dowels are passed through a central longitudinal slit of said circular channel in such a way that each screw may push a washer to ascend such channel in order that the washer may be slipped onto the stalk of the respective screw.

Abstract: A parts feeding and assembling system including a plurality of stockers containing a multiplicity of parts arranged in a disorderly manner, a separating and feeding mechanism for separating one part after another from the parts in the stockers and feeding same to a predetermined station, a tentatively positioning mechanism for tentatively positioning each part fed to the station by the separating and feeding mechanism, a parts posture discriminating mechanism for discriminating the posture of each part including the position and direction tentatively positioned by the tentatively positioning mechanism, a parts posture changing mechanism for changing the posture of each part in accordance with the result of discrimination of the part effected by the parts posture discriminating mechanism and an assembling mechanism for assembling each part in a predetermined position of an assembly of parts after the part has had its posture changed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for pre-assembling a connector housing, which is pre-loaded with a plurality of terminals, with a respective connector cover and subsequently applying the pre-assembled connector to terminate a multi-conductor flat cable. The pre-loaded connector housings and the covers are separately fed to the apparatus by magazines. Each cover is positioned with respect to a housing and applied thereto with the assembly thereafter being rotated and moved to a termination station where a multi-conductor flat cable is terminated by the connector. The feed arrangement assures that only a single cover and connector will be fed from the respective magazines for each pre-assembly operation thereby obviating the possibility of jamming.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a hose unit consisting of a given length of hose having end couplings inserted respectively in each of its ends. The given length is measured and cut off, being inserted freely, longitudinally in a rigid tube without endwise restraint. The couplings are inserted simultaneously, the thrust applied being balanced as well as sufficient to compress the hose longitudinally, while the dimensions of the tube relative to the hose are such as to prevent buckling. The rigid tube moves perpendicularly of the length of hose, preferably about a common axis, stepwise to a series of stations. In one station the inserted couplings are secured to the respective ends by a commercial crimper-expander. The hose unit is then dropped or ejected to a container.

Abstract: A machine for assembling washers on headed screw blanks, comprises a turntable having peripheral recesses into which the washers are inserted. Elevators in the form of vertically swinging arms are mounted on the turntable about the periphery thereof, extending generally radially of the turntable, and are cam controlled to swing vertically relative to the turntable. In their upwardly swung position, recesses in the outer ends of the arms receive screw blanks beneath the heads thereof, the arms then swinging downwardly to insert the screw blanks in the washers that are in alignment below the screw blanks on the turntable. At the discharge side of the turntable, a slideway is provided for complete assemblies; but incomplete assemblies are detected and are disassembled with the parts returned to storage.