Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting a pipe (3) for liquid or gaseous media with a plug connector (4), wherein a first casing section (12) of the plug connector (4) is deformed by means of a pressing tool in such a way that a pipe (3) positioned between the first casing section (12) and a second casing section (15) of the plug connector (4) is clamped. During the pressing process, the pressing force applied to the pressing tool is detected and a pressing force increase per unit of path length is calculated from the travel of the pressing tool and the pressing force. The detected pressing force increase per unit of path length is compared to a minimum required pressing force increase per unit of path length, and in the event, that the determined minimum required pressing force increase per unit of path length is not met, the plug connector (4) is identified as faulty.

Abstract: A device for assembling a window sash having an integrated insulating glass pane. The window sash has a frame made from a plastic hollow profile section. On the inner face thereof, the frame has two webs parallel to each other which are adhesively secured to two glass panes that are held spaced apart by the two webs. The device has a horizontal conveyor, which is provided to be vertically adjustable, on an underframe.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller hemming system for panels of a vehicle that may include: a marriage jig adapted to load thereon a part having an outer panel and an inner panel joined together; a clamping pad releasably mounted at a front end of an arm of a first handling robot, and adapted to clamp the part loaded on the marriage jig by a plurality of clamping means; a plurality of transfer rails adapted to intersect with each other at a center; a plurality of hemming dies, each being disposed on a predetermined transfer rail, being adapted to reciprocate on the transfer rail between the center and an initial position, and being adapted to receive thereon the part clamped by the clamping pad; and a plurality of hemming robots being disposed corresponding to each hemming die and provided with a hemming roller unit adapted to hem an edge of the part.

Abstract: A device for changing the electrode of an electrode-holder tool of a welding device, with a first part configured to house an electrode-holder tool and including means to prevent the electrode-holder tool from moving, and a second part installed around the first part and covering the part of the electrode protruding outside the first part, where the second part can be separated from the first part by sliding along the electrode, and is able to rotate relative to the fixed part when it surrounds it, and where the second part is configured to tighten or untighten the mandrel and to attach the electrode and the second part, enabling it to be removed from the mandrel when the first part and the second part are separated.

Abstract: A screw locking tool is used for performing a screw locking operation of an electronic device. The electronic device has a screw hole. The screw locking tool includes a baseboard, a hollow frame, a guide rod, and a sleeve member. The baseboard has a containing space for containing the electronic device. The hollow frame is movably disposed on the baseboard. The guide rod is disposed in the hollow frame and has a guide slot formed thereon. The sleeve member is movably disposed through the guide slot and has a guide hole. The sleeve member is used for moving along a first direction to a position where the guide hole is aligned with the screw hole when the electronic device is contained in the containing space and the hollow frame covers the baseboard, so as to guide a screw to be screwed in the screw hole through the guide hole.

Abstract: A mounting station for automatically assembling a razor that includes a shaving cartridge and a razor handle. The mounting station includes providing a razor handle and a shaving cartridge, automatically connecting a first rearwardly protruding connector of the shaving cartridge to the free end of the first handle connector of the razor handle, and then automatically connecting the second rearwardly protruding connector of the shaving cartridge to the free end of the second handle connector of the razor handle to form a razor.

Abstract: A fastening device includes a rotational drive portion that rotationally drives a socket, an advance/retract drive portion that causes this socket to advance or retract along a rotational axis thereof, a magazine that retains a plurality of heads that retain bolts, and a switching portion that moves this magazine to selectively position one of a plurality of heads ahead and on the rotational axis of the socket. One of the heads is selected and positioned on the rotational axis of the socket by the switching portion, then the socket is advanced by the advance/retract drive portion and the head thus selected is retained by the socket, then the socket is advanced further by the advance/retract drive portion and the head to detach is detached from the magazine, and then the head is rotated by driving the rotational drive portion, thereby fastening a bolt retained in the head.

Abstract: A magnet loading apparatus for loading magnet pole pieces onto a field of an electric machine is described. The apparatus includes positioning means realized to hold a magnet pole piece of a plurality P of magnet pole pieces in place relative to its designated position on the field; and a transfer means realized to simultaneously transfer a plurality P of magnet pole pieces from the positioning means onto the field of the electric machine. Also described is a method of loading magnet pole pieces onto a field of an electric machine.

Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus is constructed from a first working mechanism and a second working mechanism that are separate from each other. The first working mechanism is provided with a tire holding device for holding a tire and with a temporary tightening device for temporarily tightening nuts onto hub bolts to which the tire is mounted. The second working mechanism is provided with a final tightening device means for finally tightening the temporarily tightened nuts. The final tightening device includes two nut runners and an interval adjuster for adjusting an interval between the two nut runners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a suspension. In one embodiment, a method includes altering a temperature of a first suspension component and then pressing the first suspension component and a second suspension component into engagement while the temperature remains substantially altered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fitting and equipping motor vehicle battery housings as a compact system, which comprises individual production stations and associated transport devices, wherein the battery plate packs to be processed are arranged in clamping cassettes and are provided to the device in the necessary pack width for the intended battery cells by a feeding station arranged upstream.

Abstract: A lashing platform includes a base frame, a setting plate resiliently supported on the base frame, a plurality of screwing devices for inserting twistlocks into container fittings or removing twistlocks from container fittings, a plurality of magazines for accommodating the twistlocks, and a plurality of transfer devices for transferring a twistlock from a magazine to a screwing device or from a screwing device to a magazine. The lashing platform being characterized by at least two units, which are each formed by at least two screwing devices, at least one transfer device, and at least one magazine and which can be moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the lashing platform within the base frame, at least one drive for moving the units, and a controller for moving the units into positions in which the screwing devices have access to the container fittings of containers of different size.

Abstract: A lens assembly tool includes a lens receiving frame having a first surface, a positioning plate positioned on the lens receiving frame, and a pressing plate positioned on the positioning plate and having a second surface. The first surface defines a plurality of receiving holes. The positioning plate defines a plurality of through holes aligned with the plurality of receiving holes. The second surface forms a plurality of pressing punches aligned with the plurality of receiving holes.

Abstract: A pressing apparatus is adapted for pressing a plurality of heat sinks on a circuit board, and includes a frame body and a plurality of pressing tools. The frame body includes a platform configured for placement of the circuit board thereon, and a mounting frame disposed above and spaced apart from the platform. The pressing tools are disposed at respective positions on the mounting frame. Each of the pressing tools includes an axle component, a universal joint unit disposed at a bottom end of the axle component, and a pressing head connected to the universal joint unit. The axle component extends downwardly between the platform and the mounting frame, and is configured to be resiliently and vertically movable. The pressing head is adapted for contacting one of the heat sinks, and is rotatable about the axle component by virtue of the universal joint unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for assembling a vehicle body, and more particularly to a device for assembling a vehicle body that is capable of corresponding to various models of vehicles in a process of manufacturing a vehicle body.

Abstract: A positioning device is provided for positioning of a spring leg and a shock damper motor axis when a connection to a body-shaped pieces of a suspension promoter suspended coach industry unit with a mounting stored chassis unit of the vehicle, with the positioning device includes an attachment element Fixture for fixing the direction positioning to mount one of the fixture resistance element jointed affiliated gripping central carrier with a gripper attached to appropriation reach of the spring leg and shock damper, with the gripping means by moving the grief-structural funds his joints in a rest medium defined rest positions to warden can be brought, namely a working position in which the grief by the central taken one spring leg or shock absorbers positioned, and the suspension strut or shock absorbers are not positioned normally.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fitting and equipping motor vehicle battery housings as a compact system, which comprises individual production stations and associated transport devices, wherein the battery plate packs to be processed are arranged in clamping cassettes and are provided to the device in the necessary pack width for the intended battery cells by a feeding station arranged upstream.

Abstract: A tool for producing composite objects, including a first and a second material path, along which a first and second sheet material are stepwise feedable. Along the first and second material paths there are disposed a number of processing stations for processing the first and second sheet materials by shearing, punching, pressing, bending etc. The first and second material paths intersect one another and in the zone of intersection an assembly station is disposed for joining together or assembling component parts from the first and second material paths. A method of producing from sheet material a composite object includes the steps of stepwise feeding a first sheet material in a first feeding direction, the sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps, feeding a second sheet material stepwise in a second feeding direction, the second sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps.

Abstract: A processing speed of each mechanisms in a cutting section is controlled such that all polarizing films housed in a container in advance are used in a joining process and simultaneously a new container with polarizing films housed therein that are cut by a size of a liquid crystal panel is loaded from the cutting section. Here, a fracture included in the polarizing film is cut and removed in the cutting section while a delayed time due to this process is shortened by controlling at least a processing speed in a processing mechanism in a cutting mechanism among mechanisms provided in the cutting section and the joining section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.

Abstract: A device and method for the molding of plugs as part of a pipe connection wherein the pipe connection is constructed as a sealing plug-in connection with a connecting piece and a plug that can be locked with the connecting piece. A molding slot is placed in the material of the plug with an expanding tool acting in a radial direction and a sensor subject to the radial deformation is arranged in the expanding jaw. The sensor records the radial deformation work of the expanding jaw and regulates the expanding drive.

Abstract: The press is used for assembling a section of a railing system. It comprises at least one set of tab-bending punch heads designed to bend end tabs provided on pickets. The tabs are inserted through a corresponding opening made in a rail of the section of the railing system before activating the press. Using this press, a plurality of pickets can be simultaneously connected to the rails.

Abstract: An assembly-target-object-and-assembly-component carrier pallet carries thereon a target object (semi-finished product) 2 and a plurality of assembly components arranged, as viewed in plane, on a straight line which passes through a predetermined attachment position on the target object where the predetermined assembly component is to be attached. This allows a minimum of moving parts in the attaching device which attaches the assembly components to the assembly target object. Therefore, the structure of an assembling apparatus is simplified and mechanical errors and assembly time are reduced, thereby improving assembling accuracy.

Abstract: A cable assembly apparatus for coupling a connector to a cable having a base supporting an interface pedestal dimensioned to receive the connector; an inductor coil coupled to an inductor coil actuator operable to move the inductor coil between a load position and an operation position proximate the interface pedestal; a grip clamp operable by a clamp actuator to move between an open position and a closed position above the interface pedestal; and a temperature sensor configured to read a temperature proximate the interface pedestal. A method for using the apparatus retains the pre-assembled connector and cable in an aligned orientation for controlled heating by the induction heater to heat a solder preform to solder the connector to an outer conductor of the cable.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for attaching components to strips of material to form assemblies, e.g., a system for fastening pre-sharpened razor blades to individual support strips on a continuous band of material, such as a metal, to form discrete blade assemblies.

Abstract: A jig for tightening a bolt includes: a support unit standing on the floor of a work place and extending toward the bottom side of a car body which is conveyed by an overhead hanger; a movable unit connected to the support unit so as to be movable in a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction, and a height direction of the car body; a fastening part disposed in the movable unit to fasten chassis components to the bottom side of the car body; a load compensating part compensating load of the fastening part when the fastening part ascends/descends toward/from the bottom side of the car body; a tilting part adjusting a position of the fastening part; and a reaction force regulating part sustaining reaction force that is generated while the fastening part is operated.

Abstract: A six degree of freedom servo driven robot having a seventh axis servo motor for rotating servo driven nut runners affixed to swing arms about a radius. The robot offering flexibility within high production manufacturing and automotive assembly processes by realizing translational movement of servo driven nut runners about seven degrees of translation for fastening component parts of a work product within a work envelope.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for handling at least one part in a station for fixing two parts one on the other, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: positioning the parts in a station using a support (4); starting the fixing operation; replacing the support with a gripping robot (6) when the fixing operation has progressed sufficiently to lock the relative positioning of the two parts; mounting new parts in the support when the replacement has been made; and after the parts have been fixed, removing the thus fixed parts from the station using the gripping robot.

Abstract: During assembly of a vehicle door to a vehicle body, a door installation apparatus is mounted to a frame unit, which is movably mounted on a running rail. A synchronous drive unit, controlled by a user via a control panel, includes a drive roller mounted to the frame unit, a roller shift means that selectively contacts the drive roller to the running rail, and a roller drive unit that drives the drive roller such that the frame unit moves along the running rail at a speed equal to that of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicular body panel or component part having a reinforcing backing plate reconciled or joined to a part of a blank material at a position wherein a bending formation is implemented. The backing plate has one or more apertures formed in at least one lateral row at a location equivalent to the position of the bending formation. When forming the blank material and the backing plate concurrently by a bending operation, the backing plate becomes intimately associated with the blank sheet to avoid the backing plate from locally separating from the blank material and from forming a gap relative thereto, with a resultant improved product quality.

Abstract: An automated fabrication system is provided that utilizes electromagnetism to manipulate and/or sense the location of raw materials on a platform. Tools located around said platform may be utilized to fabricate a predetermined structure out of the raw materials. Tags that can be electromagnetically manipulated and sensed may be placed on passive raw materials. Structures fabricated from such a system may be, for example, a roof truss. Additionally, the fabrication system may be mobilized by way of a truck such that structures may be built on-site.

Abstract: A tool for producing composite objects, including a first and a second material path, along which a first and second sheet material are stepwise feedable. Along the first and second material paths there are disposed a number of processing stations for processing the first and second sheet materials by shearing, punching, pressing, bending etc. The first and second material paths intersect one another and in the zone of intersection an assembly station is disposed for joining together or assembling component parts from the first and second material paths. A method of producing from sheet material a composite object includes the steps of stepwise feeding a first sheet material in a first feeding direction, the sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps, feeding a second sheet material stepwise in a second feeding direction, the second sheet material being processed between certain feeding steps.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a trim cover to a foam pad includes a base and a platform coupled thereto that defines a working surface for supporting the foam pad thereon. A plurality of actuators project from the working surface. Each actuator is capable of movement away from and toward the working surface and includes a pair of retaining fingers capable of movement between an open and closed position. In use, the retaining fingers grasp a first connecting member on the trim cover and move the first connecting member toward the working surface as the actuators are moved toward the working surface so as to engage the first connecting member with a second connecting member in the foam pad thereby securing the trim cover to the foam pad.

Abstract: In a production system general-purpose cell for general-purpose use in processing and transportation of a received workpiece in a production system of processing and delivering the workpiece, the production system general-purpose cell includes a base unit having a planar shape of quadrangle and supporting at least a robot for use in transportation of the workpiece such that the robot is movable on the planar area of quadrangle, a parts supply unit for supplying parts of the workpiece to the robot supported by the base unit, and a processing area extending outside the base unit. The robot supported by the base unit having a motion range set in a range from inside to outside the base unit in a form including at least part of the processing area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a jig for assembling various types of front end modules to various types of vehicles, comprising: (a) a body movably supported to the ceiling of an assembly line; (b) a car body-fixing part movably mounted to the body to fix various types of vehicles by variably adjusting its fixing position to the front car body of the vehicles; (c) a component-supporting part movably mounted to the body to support the front end module; and (d) a component-holding part mounted to the body and the component-supporting part to fix the front end module by variably change its holding position depending on the types of front end modules.

Abstract: A jig for tightening a bolt includes: a support unit standing on the floor of a work place and extending toward the bottom side of a car body which is conveyed by an overhead hanger; a movable unit connected to the support unit so as to be movable in a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction, and a height direction of the car body; a fastening part disposed in the movable unit to fasten chassis components to the bottom side of the car body; a load compensating part compensating load of the fastening part when the fastening part ascends/descends toward/from the bottom side of the car body; a tilting part adjusting a position of the fastening part; and a reaction force regulating part sustaining reaction force that is generated while the fastening part is operated.

Abstract: A tool for piercing nuts that includes a die part, a punch part and a piercing nut feeder incorporated into the punch part. The piercing nut feeder is adapted to feed piercing nuts into a piercing nut holder in the punch part so that these nuts, when the punch part is pressed against the die part by a press, are to punch holes in and be attached to a metal sheet inserted between the punch part and the die part. A gas spring is arranged between the press and the punch part, which gas spring has at least one cylinder and a piston which is movably arranged in said cylinder and which is aligned with the press. The pressure in the cylinder to adjust the pressure exerted upon the piercing nut by the punch part.

Abstract: Core sand elements are rapidly and reliably retained by driving one or more smooth surface fasteners, such as staples, nails or brads, into the core elements. In production, after the core sand elements are assembled, the core assemblies are placed on a moving belt conveyor, movement of core assemblies on the moving belt conveyor is intercepted and momentarily stopped at a fastening station and the momentarily stopped core assemblies are lifted from the moving belt conveyor to a fastening position at which a plurality of smooth surface fastener guns are moved into position against the core assembly and located to simultaneously drive a plurality of smooth surface fasteners into the core elements of the core assembly.

Abstract: In a water diversion system, in a preferred embodiment, a first fold of a deflector is disposed into a first hanger cavity and a second deflector fold is disposed into a second hanger cavity. The first fold of the deflector cooperates with the first cavity of the hanger to allow a resistance hinge-like action of the deflector. The deflector may be lifted open by compression of a curve of the deflector to remove the second fold of the deflector from the second hanger cavity. Methods are provided in which, in a preferred embodiment, a deflector-forming machine is disposed above a trough-forming machine and the deflector-forming machine is moveable forward and backward relative to the trough-forming machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for moving a truss assembly from a truss assembly table work surface are presented having lift out rails movable between a recessed position beneath the work surface and a raised position above the work surface. A support element assembly is movably mounted to each lift out rail and has at least one support surface for supporting a truss assembly when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. The support element assembly is movable between an up position and a down position. In the up position the support surface is flush with the work surface of the truss table, the support element assembly in the up position when the lift out rail is in the recessed position. In the down position the support surface does not interfere with a truss assembly sliding on the slide mechanism of the lift out rail, the support element assembly in the down position when the lift out rail is in the raised position.

Abstract: A vehicle framing system for framing an automotive vehicle body from a plurality of separate body components wherein the body components each include a reference surface. The system includes an assembly station having spaced-apart frame members positioned so that, when a vehicle carrier supporting the vehicle body components is positioned at the assembly station, the frame members extend along opposite sides of the vehicle carrier. At least two docking stations are secured to each frame member at predetermined locations. A robot mounts its associated tool arm with a docking station. At least one set of reference block and framing clamp is secured to each tool arm and these framing clamps maintain the reference surfaces of the vehicle body components against the reference blocks to hold the vehicle components at a predetermined position relative to each other.

Abstract: Horizontal guide rails are mounted on a base and receive linear bearings mounted on the bottom of a tower which carries vertical guide rails receiving linear bearings mounted on a vertical carriage plate. Linear bearings are mounted on the carriage plate and support a horizontal guide rail secured to a horizontal lift arm having an outer end portion supporting a precision locating pin device for a part. Separate gear belts extend around corresponding adjustable idler gears and drive gears and are clamped to the corresponding tower, carriage plate and lift arm. The drive gears are driven by corresponding drive units each including a reversible servo-controlled electric motor, a planetary gear reducer, an absolute resolver unit and an electrically actuated spring set brake. A plurality of the above apparatus are located on opposite sides of a linear part conveyor with the lift arms projecting inwardly in generally opposing relation.

Abstract: An installation head adapted to receive a fastener for securing the fastener to a sheet metal member on actuation of the head by a press. The head includes a main block having a bore, a cylindrical press member disposed within and supported by the bore, the press member having an arrangement for receiving and holding the fastener, wherein the cylindrical press member is rotatable in the bore between a first position, in which the fastener is received by the arrangement for receiving and holding the fastener and held in position relative to the press member, and a second position for actuation of the press.

Abstract: A car side panel assembly line capable of increasing a productivity by shortening an operation time and having a set station ST2, a welding station ST3, and a next operation station ST4 disposed in series in this order, comprising a set carriage 91 having, thereon, a set jig 91 capable of holding the side panel W in upright attitude from the side and installed reciprocatingly between the set station ST2 and the welding station ST3 and a frame carriage 81 having a lower frame 80 and an upper frame 81, capable of holding, between both frames 80, 81, the side panel W in upright attitude through clamp members (821, 822, 823, 831, 832, 833) mounted on the frames 80, 81, installed reciprocatingly between the welding station ST3 and the next operation station ST4, and allowing to exchange the side panel W with the set carriage 91.

Abstract: An assembly machine forms structural elements for false ceilings. Structural elements are cut to size and sent to two series of lateral stations. A press forms inserts which are applied to the ends of the structural elements.

Abstract: A head stack assembly installation system with a frame supporting a head stack installation tool including a robotic assembly supporting a measurement assembly communicating with a computer hosting an installation software program. The robotic assembly picks and places the head stack assembly into the head disc assembly and the measurement assembly collects and communicates process positions and force parameters to the computer, the computer calculating distance and force data. The installation software program directs and controls enactment of process steps followed by the head stack installation tool to install or abort installation of the head stack assembly based on the position and force data.

Abstract: Methods are provided for installation of a rain diversion system including formation of a deflector with a machine placed above a forming machine dedicated to formation of a trough. As trough is run from a first machine, end caps are installed where appropriate, outlet sites are punched and outlets installed for joinder with downspouts, miters are cut and a cavity structure of the hanger is brought into place to mate a containment lip of the hanger with the containment shelf of the trough. Corresponding deflector is run from a second machine and the deflector is placed on the trough as deflector attachment cavities of the hanger are used to retain deflector. In alternative methods, one cavity retains the deflector 40 for conveyance to the installation location on the structure. In either case, the entire assembly may then be transported to a location on a lower level such as ground, for example, corresponding to the eventual installation location on the structure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating muntin grid pieces includes steps that attach a pair of material strips to opposed edges of the muntin bar element. The material strips may be provided in side-by-side strips that may be separated an simultaneously applied to the opposite sides of the muntin bar element. The connection between the material strips and the muntin bar element may be made with an adhesive or a mechanical connection. The method allows the material strips to be connected to the muntin grid pieces before the muntin grid pieces are assembled into a muntin bar grid for a window.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for assembling individual body components of a body-in-white vehicle with respect to one another to form a unitary vehicle body including a framing workstation for receiving and positionally locating an underbody member of the vehicle, and for receiving and positionally locating at least one upper body member of the vehicle with respect to the underbody member. The framing workstation establishing a predetermined geometry of the individual body components, while forming the unitary vehicle body. At least one self-piercing rivet tool for securing the at least one upper body member of the vehicle to the underbody member of the vehicle to form and maintain the predetermined geometry of the unitary vehicle body with self-piercing rivets.

Abstract: Automated method and machinery for fabricating a wrought-iron fence panel. The machinery includes (a) automated programmable machinery for welding vertical pickets to horizontal runners to form a fence panel; (b) automated programmable machinery for straightening the fence panel; (c) automated programmable machinery for washing the fence panel; (d) automated programmable machinery for drying the fence panel; (e) automated programmable machinery for painting the fence panel; and (f) automated programmable conveyor machinery for conveying the vertical pickets, the horizontal runners, and the fence panel from station to station.