Abstract: A vehicle assembly system automatically decks and automatically fastens body components to chassis components. The system uses an automatic decking and fastening unit that includes a base with an elevatable platform repositionable relative to the base by at least one actuator. A slidable unit carries a fastener driver, is supported on the elevatable platform, and is repositionable relative to the elevatable platform by at least one other actuator. The slidable unit also carries an arm that is repositionable relative to the slidable unit by yet another actuator. A pair of conveyors are positioned away from the base, are movable relative to the base and carry a pair of vehicle components. The conveyors are cycled so that the vehicle components are positioned relative to one another in a predetermined position, and the actuators are operated to reposition the fastener driver to a position determined by engagement of the slidable unit with one of the vehicle components.

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: A robot control part connected to a robot moving according to control for controlling the motion of the robot; and a media reproduction part to keep scenarios which describes changes in images to the passage of time, and are corresponding to events, present images according to the passage of time following the above scenario, and notify the passage of time at each frame to the robot control part; characterized in that the above robot control part keeps motion procedures denoting changes, which are corresponding to the frame, in the postures of the above robot to the passage of time; receives notifications of the passage of time from the above media reproduction part; and moves the above robot according to the above motion procedures, in the corresponding frame.

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: 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: 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: An automobile door assembly line is provided which comprises a conveyor arranged in substantially a straight line with a plurality of right door pallets and a plurality of left door pallets for carrying right and left doors respectively, alternatingly positioned on the conveyor. The right door pallets and the left door pallets face in opposite directions such that right and left doors therein face in opposite directions. Right door associate work positions are located on one side of the conveyor, and left door associate work positions are located on the other side of the conveyor. The right door associate work positions and left door associate work positions are located relative to one another such that the work positions correspond to alternatingly positioned right door pallets and left door pallets.

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: 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 versatile production system produces different kinds of products in small quantities. The system includes production lines for assembling parts into different kinds of products, testing the assembled products, and conveying the products that have passed the tests to a collective packing terminal. Each production line has a pallet feeder for feeding pallets one by one to the start of the production line. Each production line has a bypass structure. The bypass structure includes a first switcher, a main line, a bypass line, and a second switcher. The first switcher determines whether or not a product conveyed on a pallet must be repaired or tested, and according to the determination, switches the pallet and product from the production line to one of the main and bypass lines. The main line receives pallets and products switched thereto by the first switcher and conveys same.

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 improved conveying system in a parallel processing production line for dynamo-electric machine components having a magnetic core, the conveying system having a main conveyor extending along all of the processing machines of the production line and a load/unload device for transferring components between the main conveyor and a selected processing machine. Components to be processed are loaded directly from the main conveyor onto the load/unload device without the use of an intermediate conveyor. The load/unload device has a base platform with an alignment area at which transfer between the load/unload device and either the main conveyor or a selected processing machine occurs. Two component holders (e.g., collets) are movably mounted on the base platform for alternate positioning at the alignment area. The load/unload device alternately positions the gripping ends of the component holders adjacent the main conveyor and a selected processing machine.

Abstract: An automotive framing system for positioning a lower body component and at least two upper body components together at precise positions relative to each other prior to fixedly securing the body components together. The framing system includes a conveyor for sequentially moving body preassemblies to a predetermined assembly station. A lifter at the assembly station lifts the lower body component and upper body components from the conveyor to a predetermined elevated position in which the lower body component abuts against the upper body components. At least two turret assemblies are movably mounted to a ground support surface in a direction transverse to the conveyor. The turret assemblies are positioned at opposite ends of the assembly station and movable between an operative position in which the turret assemblies are aligned with the conveyor, and a standby position in which the turret assemblies are laterally spaced from the conveyor.

Abstract: A modular robotic welding station comprises a base skid to which is mounted robotic welding equipment. The base skid defines one or more docking stations. Satellite modules can have either stationary tables or turn tables that hold the workpieces to be welded. The satellite modules are detachably and interchangeably docked to selected base skid docking stations to thereby create customized workstations for the workpieces. The docking stations, satellite modules, and tables are designed to accurately locate the workpieces relative to the welding equipment. By detaching the satellite modules from the skid base, the satellite modules and skid base are easily transported individually from one location to another. A safety fence secured to the skid base can be arranged in different configurations to suit whether or not a satellite module is docked at a docking station.

Abstract: An apparatus for the high-volume manufacture of assembled wall frame structures for use in the residential and commercial building industry is arranged to receive and support a pair of laterally spaced apart top and bottom plate members and move them longitudinally in indexed, stepwise increments through a stud-inserting and fastening station in which wall stud members are automatically positioned to engage and extend perpendicularly between the plate members at predetermined intervals therealong, whereupon the opposite ends of a stud member are secured to the opposite plate members by a fastening device, whereby complete wall frame assemblies may be quickly and efficiently made on a continuous basis according to desired specification as ordered and thence delivered to a construction site for erection.

Abstract: An improved conveying system in a parallel processing production line for dynamo-electric machine components having a magnetic core, the conveying system having a main conveyor extending along all of the processing machines of the production line and a load/unload device for transferring components between the main conveyor and a selected processing machine. Components to be processed are loaded directly from the main conveyor onto the load/unload device without the use of an intermediate conveyor. The load/unload device has a base platform with an alignment area at which transfer between the load/unload device and either the main conveyor or a selected processing machine occurs. Two component holders (e.g., collets) are movably mounted on the base platform for alternate positioning at the alignment area. The load/unload device alternately positions the gripping ends of the component holders adjacent the main conveyor and a selected processing machine.

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 assembly system comprises a supply jig for holding and positioning a plurality of parts one by one, a supply center for inserting a plurality of parts into the supply jig, a plurality of assembly centers for taking out the parts from the supply jig and assembling the parts into products in parallel processing, carrier conveyor for carrying the supply jig from the supply center to the assembly centers and return conveyor for returning the supply jig from the assembly centers to the supply center. The supply jig supplies the common parts which are required in all of the assembly centers, while each of the assembly centers comprises individual supply means for supplying a non-common part. Thus, this system can cope with assembling various types of products simultaneously, and can eliminate line stoppage upon occurrence of a trouble or for periodic inspection in any one of the centers, thereby production capability is improved.

Abstract: An assembly system comprises a supply jig for holding and positioning a plurality of parts one by one, a supply center for inserting a plurality of parts into the supply jig, a plurality of assembly centers for taking out the parts from the supply jig and assembling the parts into products in parallel processing, carrier conveyor for carrying the supply jig from the supply center to the assembly centers and return conveyor for returning the supply jig from the assembly centers to the supply center. The supply jig supplies the common parts which are required in all of the assembly centers, while each of the assembly centers comprises individual supply means for supplying a non-common part. Thus, this system can cope with assembling various types of products simultaneously, and can eliminate line stoppage upon occurrence of a trouble or for periodic inspection in any one of the centers, thereby production capability is improved.

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 improved conveying system in a parallel processing production line for dynamo-electric machine components having a magnetic core, the conveying system having a main conveyor extending along all of the processing machines of the production line and a load/unload device for transferring components between the main conveyor and a selected processing machine. Components to be processed are loaded directly from the main conveyor onto the load/unload device without the use of an intermediate conveyor. The load/unload device has a base platform with an alignment area at which transfer between the load/unload device and either the main conveyor or a selected processing machine occurs. Two component holders (e.g., collets) are movably mounted on the base platform for alternate positioning at the alignment area. The load/unload device alternately positions the gripping ends of the component holders adjacent the main conveyor and a selected processing machine.

Abstract: An electronic-component mounting system including supporting devices each of which supports and positions an object and is movable along a reference line, mounting units which are arranged along the reference line and each of which includes a mounting device which mounts an electronic component (EC) on the object, and a moving device which moves the mounting device in a three-dimensional space, each mounting unit having a mounting area in which the mounting device mounts the EC on the object, a feeding device which feeds the supporting devices along the reference line from the mounting area of a most upstream mounting unit to the mounting area of a most downstream mounting unit, a positioning error detector which detects an error of positioning of the object with respect to each supporting device located in a waiting area where each supporting device waits for being fed by the feeding device, and a control device which controls each mounting unit so that the mounting device of each mounting unit mounts the EC

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a dental floss product formed of a bobbin of wound thread, a dispenser case, and a dispenser insert for rotatably supporting the bobbin of wound thread when positioned within the dispenser case. The dispenser insert is detachably mounted in an insert loading area of a singular dispenser assembly fixture, and the dispenser case is detachably mounted in a dispenser case loading area of the singular dispenser assembly fixture. The bobbin of wound thread is next loaded onto the dispenser insert while the dispenser insert is mounted in the insert loading area. The dispenser insert with the bobbin of wound thread loaded thereon is then detached from the insert loading area, and the dispenser insert with the bobbin of wound thread loaded thereon is loaded into the dispenser case while the dispenser case is mounted in the dispenser case loading area. The lid of the loaded dispenser case is then closed, and the dispenser case is detached from the dispenser case loading area.

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: An improved conveying system in a parallel processing production line for dynamo-electric machine components having a magnetic core, the conveying system having a main conveyor extending along all of the processing machines of the production line and a load/unload device for transferring components between the main conveyor and a selected processing machine. Components to be processed are loaded directly from the main conveyor onto the load/unload device without the use of an intermediate conveyor. The load/unload device has a base platform with an alignment area at which transfer between the load/unload device and either the main conveyor or a selected processing machine occurs. Two component holders (e.g., collets) are movably mounted on the base platform for alternate positioning at the alignment area. The load/unload device alternately positions the gripping ends of the component holders adjacent the main conveyor and a selected processing machine.

Abstract: An automated part assembly machine has a work table supported to a base and movable relative thereto and at least two separate robots each having an end effector movable around within an individual work region. The two robots are positioned in such a relation as to give a common work region in which the individual work regions of the two robots overlap. A parts supply is arranged to the work table for storing parts to be picked-up by the robots. A plurality of operator hands are selectively and removably attached to the end effector of the robot for handling the parts by the robot. Disposed within the common region is a jig which positions the parts for assembly by the robot. The robots and the work table are controlled to operate in cooperation for assembly of the parts.

Abstract: A machine part such as a shaft is inserted or pressure-fitted into a hole in a workpiece by setting the workpiece on a table which is rotatable around at least two axes, rotating the table so as to orient the hole vertically, holding the part vertically by an assembly tool, operating a two-dimensionally moving mechanism so as to move the assembly tool within a horizontal plane and to position the part vertically above the hole, and using an elevator to move the two-dimensionally moving mechanism vertically. Since both the part and the hole are vertically aligned, no torque is generated on the part during the insertion process.

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 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: 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: 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 installation for circulating workpiece-carrying pallets. The installation includes a supporting surface and at least one pallet comprising a plurality of self-orientable rolling members supporting the at least one pallet and rolling on the supporting surface. A plurality of sets of substantially horizontally arranged wheels are mounted on the at least one pallet. The wheels include driven wheels and freely rotating guidance wheels. A plurality of rail members are mounted on the supporting surface. The rail members define a plurality of travel paths for the at least one pallet. The rail members interact with the sets of substantially horizontally arranged wheels to guide the pallet on a desired path. Each of the paths is defined at least partially by a section of parallel rail members. These sets of substantially horizontally arranged wheels are compressibly lodgeable between the parallel rail members. The travel paths are connected by a plurality of interconnections.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pallet arranging system for use in a multiple-item small-lot production setup. The system uses a plurality of pallet groups each comprising a plurality of pallets, each of the pallets including a plurality of cartridges, each of the cartridges containing a large number of parts of the same type. The system creates channel setting data for use by a part assembler fed with parts and printed circuit boards. The parts are assembled by the part assembler onto predetermined positions on the printed circuit boards in accordance with the channel setting data that designate which cartridge is to be assigned to which of the channels constituting the pallet groups.

Abstract: A versatile production system produces different kinds of products in small quantities.The system includes production lines for assembling parts into different kinds of products, testing the assembled products, and conveying the products that have passed the tests to a collective packing terminal.Each production line has a pallet feeder for feeding pallets one by one to the start of the production line.Each production line has a bypass structure. The bypass structure includes a first switcher, a main line, a bypass line, and a second switcher.The first switcher determines whether or not a product conveyed on a pallet must be repaired or tested, and according to the determination, switches the pallet and product from the production line to one of the main and bypass lines.The main line receives pallets and products switched thereto by the first switcher and conveys same.

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

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

Abstract: A system for the handling and storage of large capacity collapsible shipping containers particularly adapted for use at major airports handling large volumes of cargo. The system provides a specific location for storing large numbers of collapsed containers in planar juxtaposed vertical relation including a multicompartment rack. The pallet elements of the containers are separated during disassembly and are stored in a horizontal stack in a well adjacent the rack. The rack may be moveable from a point adjacent the well to permit a similar rack to be positioned in its place. Means is also provided for the movement to and from this location of erected containers for use at a remote location or the collapse of erected containers for storage in the rack.

Abstract: A production installation for assembling or processing structural components comprises drive pallets carrying the structural components or the individual parts, the drive pallets comprising power-driven devices for handling the structural components or the individual parts, a conveyor track comprised of individual and separable conveyor track sections, each conveyor track section comprising vertical and lateral guideways for the drive pallets, a feed device at each conveyor track section operable for conveying the drive pallets independently of each other along the vertical and lateral guideways of the conveyor track, a source for supplying operating energy and/or data to the power-driven handling devices on the drive pallets at selected locations along the conveyor track, and a handling device at each one of the selected 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 handle case and a handle which are substantially assembled are clamped on a pallet with respective first and second clamping means on the pallet, 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 method and apparatus for assembling exterior parts of a motorcar wherein assembling accuracy errors of a motor car body are determined by measuring positions of a plurality of reference points of said motorcar body. Correction data is calculated relating to respective assembling positions of plural kinds of the exterior parts which form an external shape of the motorcar, the calculation being performed on the basis of measured data obtained in the previous step, while maintaining a correlative relationship among said parts, to eliminate correlative misalignment among said parts due to the assembling accuracy errors of said motorcar body. Each of said parts is then assembled by respective assembling robots to respective assembling position which has been corrected in accordance with the calculated correction data.

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: A parts assembling device in which parts assembling units can be readily changed and rearranged in a short period of time. The parts assembling unit includes a parts carrying unit including pallet carrying belts and electrically-supplying means for supplying an electrical power to a parts assembling unit having one side connectred to the parts assembling unit, a parts assembling unit movably formed so as to be connected to the one side of the parts carrying unit and having a pallet positioning means capable of being placed at an immediately lower portion of the pallet carrying belts under a state in which the parts assembling unit is connected to the parts carrying unit, and assembling means for assembling parts on workpieces mounted on pallets.

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: 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 apparatus has a floor panel setting device for transporting a floor panel to, and setting it on, the set carrier; a pair of right and left side-panel setting devices for receiving a pair of right and left side panels which are transported to an upper position of the setting station by a hanger and for setting them on the set carrier; and a roof panel setting device for setting a roof panel between roof side rails of the right and left side panels which have been set on the set carrier.

Abstract: A hinge pin couples a first hinge receiver mounted on a vehicle body and a second hinge receiver mounted on a door to be installed on the vehicle body. The hinge pin is removed from the vehicle body and the door to separate the vehicle body and the door from each other after the vehicle body and the door have been coated, and the removed pin engages in a hinge pin engaging member. The hinge pin is fed to a position where the vehicle body and the door are to be assembled together, and the hinge pin is removed from the hinge pin engaging member. Then, the removed hinge pin is pressed into the first and second hinge receivers which are aligned with each other, thereby coupling the vehicle body and the door to each other.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus which allows precision alignment of sheet-metal plates of various sizes and shapes such that two of those pieces can be conveyed properly past a laser beam welding device and welded together. This is accomplished by affixing each piece to be welded to a pallet which is adapted to be moved along a conveyance system up to and through the welding station. Prior to welding, each piece is carefully aligned and securely affixed to its pallet such that no further motion is possible during the welding process. Also disclosed are methods for loading and discharging the pieces from the pallets, for returning the pallets to the front end of the conveyance system, for combining several systems according to this invention so as to assemble three or more pieces by laser beam welding, and for finishing the assembled units.

Abstract: An apparatus having a robot on an frame having in front thereof a jig base for positioning thereon workpieces to which parts are to be assembled. The robot supports an assembling head equipped with a parts-holding member movable in a longitudinal and a vertical direction towards and away from the jig base so that the parts can be picked up out of a parts-containing pallet supplied at a predetermined pickup position on the frame and assembled to the workpiece positioned on the jig base. A pair of front and rear pallet chambers are formed in a space under the frame such that parts-containing pallets can be brought in and taken out in a stacked condition, one of the chambers being used as a feeding pallet chamber and the other as a discharging pallet chamber.