Abstract: A method for manufacturing motor vehicles at a manufacturing location (S), from which ready-assembled motor vehicles are built in a planned number and order of output. First modules (MA) are delivered in a specific assembly stage discontinuously from a first production shop (PA) to the manufacturing location (S) and are fed continuously into a manufacturing line (F) in which the modules (MA) are manufactured into motor vehicles (A). Second modules (MB) be fed in a specific assembly stage from a second production shop (PB) into the joint manufacturing line (F) at a sequencing station (5) alternately with the modules (MA). Thus, vehicles of first and second model series can be manufactured on one and the same manufacturing line.

Abstract: A stretch film sleeve label applicator for separating a stretchable sleeve label from a web of such labels and applying the label to an item, such as a container, is disclosed. The applicator is particularly useful for applying high stretch labels to highly contoured containers. The applicator is configured to receive a series of labels in an elongated, continuous web of flat, 2-ply sleeve labels, open the continuous sleeve of labels, separate an individual label from a next successive label, stretch the label to permit its application to an item to be labeled, such as a container, and apply the label in an accurate and precise location on the container. The applicator comprises three primary components: a label feeding assembly, a label separating assembly and a label stretching assembly. Various embodiments of the label feeding assembly, label separating assembly and label stretching assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyer device conveys a component assembly including a female screw component having a through hole defining a female screw, an assembling component to be assembled to the female screw component from above, and a bolt to be screwed to the female screw of the female screw component from above the assembling component to fix the assembling component. The conveyer device also includes a holding member for holding the female screw component and a screwing restriction mechanism for restricting the bolt, held by the assembling component while unscrewed from the female screw, from being screwed to the female screw. Thus, when the component assembly, to which the bolt is temporarily assembled without being engaged with the female screw, is conveyed while being held by the holding member via the female screw component, the bolt is prevented from being unintentionally screwed into the female screw as the result of vibration etc. caused by the conveyance.

Abstract: A cell manufacturing method in which a main operator, who carries out main operations that include a plurality of steps in which parts are attached to a workpiece, is moved along with the workpiece so as to transit a plurality of stations at which auxiliary steps related to the main operations are carried out. A main car is provided on which the workpiece is mounted and on which the main operator rides. A main operation platform apparatus is also provided that has a main operation platform for carrying out the main operations so as to be movable are used, and then when carrying out at least a portion of the main operations in the main car, the main car and the main operation platform are moved in synchrony. Furthermore, a subsidiary car is provided to travel together with the main car so as to be able to transfer parts and/or jigs.

Abstract: A cell manufacturing method in which a main operator, who carries out main operations that include a plurality of steps in which parts are installed on a workpiece, is moved along with the workpiece so as to transit a plurality of stations where auxiliary steps related to the main operations are carried out. At least a portion of operations in which parts and/or jigs are supplied to a main car are carried out via a main delivery apparatus by using a main car on which a workpiece is mounted and on which a main operator rides, and that travels automatically on a predetermined travel route that transits a plurality of stations. The main delivery apparatus has a main serving position and a main receiving position. Parts and/or jigs that have been disposed at the main receiving position are delivered to the main serving position.

Abstract: A manufacturing cell has a plurality of stations arranged in two rows having a main aisle therebetween. Each of the plurality of stations has a station-aisle interface that provides an interaction area to the main aisle. The manufacturing cell also comprises a plurality of storage units that are located within the cell along the main aisle and a guided forklift truck that traverses the main aisle without requiring steering control of a stock handler operating the forklift truck within the main aisle to relocate containers from the storage units to designated station-aisle interfaces and to remove containers from the designated station-aisle interfaces when work is completed at the corresponding stations.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A method of making a self-supporting field director structure for use in heating an article in a microwave oven comprises in any operative order, the steps of: folding a first and a second elongated vane blank along a central fold line to form at least two V-shaped vane doublets, wherein each vane doublet itself comprises a first and a second vane attached together at a vertex, a portion of each vane being electrically conductive, inserting each of the vane doublets into a slotted annular support member so that each vane in each vane doublet extends through an adjacent slot in the annular support member, and attaching the vane doublets at their vertices thereby to define a vane array.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and/or removing a connector with a remote connector agent are disclosed. Embodiments may include a remote connector agent apparatus having a main body forming a connector cavity and one or more insertion snap pushers each having a lower surface. The insertion snap pushers may move outward during insertion of a connector into the connector cavity and move inward after insertion of the connector so that the snap pusher lower surfaces rest on a lip of the connector after insertion. Embodiments may also include a retraction holder ledge to support the lip of the inserted connector during retraction and a connector snap release actuator to pivot a snap of the inserted connector in response to a pulling force on the remote connector agent. The insertion snap pushers and the retraction holder ledge may have a float distance between them larger than the lip height.

Abstract: A casing and a lid which are supplied to a casing/lid supply machine are fed to a main assembly line where a light-shielding sheet is mounted on the casing and a film cover supplied from a film cover assembly line is mounted in the casing. Pressers supplied from a presser assembly line are mounted on the lid. The casing and the lid are combined with each other, completing a film case. The film case manufacturing system is capable of efficiently manufacturing highly accurate film cases and is relatively compact in structure.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility for manufacturing products according to customer orders includes a kitting facility at which components are collected for a product in a customer order. The manufacturing facility also includes a build cell in which the component are assembled, configured, and tested according to the customer order to form a product. The manufacturing facility also includes a boxing facility at which the product is packaged. A transportation system transports the two or more components from the kitting facility to the build cell and transports the product to the boxing facility, whereby the product is assembled, configured, and tested in the build cell and packaged at the boxing facility.

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of a component such as an integrated circuit chip, including: a plurality of processing stations forming a production line for the manufacture of the component, a conveyor adapted to transport component forming materials from one processing station to another in the production line, and a storage on the production line for storing the materials during transport along the production line. The storage acts as buffers effectively to collect materials and store them for efficient transport along the production line.

Abstract: An automatic piston installation apparatus according to the present invention includes a block positioning mechanism for positioning a cylinder block in a working area separated from a conveying line by moving the cylinder block in vertical and horizontal directions and by rotating the cylinder block around the crankshaft, a piston positioning mechanism for positioning the piston at an insertion position by moving the piston to the working area, a piston inserting mechanism for inserting the piston into a cylinder bore from above in the vertical direction, a cap positioning mechanism for positioning the connecting-rod cap by moving the connecting-rod cap to a fastened position in the working area, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the connecting-rod cap from below in the vertical direction. Thereby, the piston can be installed in various engines, such as inline-type and V-type engines, automatically, with a high degree of accuracy, and reliably, and productivity can also be improved.

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

Abstract: An automobile assembly system 1 for assembling plural types of automobiles including a type equipped with a slide door and/or a tailgate, comprising: a front door sub-line 7 for assembling front door assemblies; a rear door sub-line 8 for assembling rear door assemblies or slide door assemblies; a tailgate sub-line 9 for assembling tailgate assemblies; and a main line for assembling the front door assembly, the rear door assembly or the slide door assembly and the tailgate assembly with a vehicle body F.

Abstract: A system for mounting circuit components on a circuit substrate, including a circuit-substrate supporting device which supports the circuit substrate, a circuit-component mounting device which mounts, at a circuit-component mounting position, the circuit components on the circuit substrate supported by the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a circuit-substrate carry-out device which carries out the circuit substrate on which the circuit components have been mounted, the circuit-substrate carry-out device comprising a removing device which removes the circuit substrate from the circuit-substrate supporting device, and a parallel-direction carry-out device which receives the circuit substrate from the removing device and carries out the circuit substrate in a parallel direction substantially parallel to a plane of the circuit substrate, the circuit substrate being transferred from the circuit-substrate supporting device to the removing device in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the plane o

Abstract: An assembly workshop for assembling together sheet metal parts, the workshop including preparation stations for putting parts in place relative to one another, assembly stations for fixing the prepared parts together, and finishing stations serving to finish off fixing the parts together.

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: In an assembly line system, a self-propelled carrier 51 carrying thereon assembly workpieces is brought to a halt at an assembly station 11. When the assembly of the assembly workpieces is completed at the assembly station 11, the carrier 51 is driven out therefrom. More specifically, three pairs of assembly stations 11 are disposed in serial alignment and each assembly worker A-c is placed between his/her assembly station pair. Arranged on one side of the row of these three assembly station pairs is a guide line 2d. Station guide lines 12 respectively branch off from the guide line 2d so as to establish connections between the guide line 2d and the individual assembly stations 11. A carrier orientation reversing station 15 is connected to the guide line 2d located upstream of the upstreammost assembly station 11 so that carriers 51 enter ones of the assembly station pairs, in the reverse-orientation state.

Abstract: A surface mounter device including a carriage assembly having a pair of mounter heads mounted on opposite sides of the carriage assembly. Each mounter head is adapted to pick up components from a respective feeder station at a respective side conveyor that delivers substrates to the mounting area. A translational conveyor mechanism is provided for transversely moving the substrates relative to their path of movement by the conveyor so that components may be positioned on the substrate by one mounting head while the other mounting head is picking up components from its respective feeder station.

Abstract: A surface mount machine has a fixed X-axis comprising a straight beam rigidly mounted in the machine chassis along which one or several wagons move(s), each one carrying at least one component pick-up device. Below the X-beam for the X-axis there are component feeders which are organized in groups and which are accessible by the pick-up devices and at least two Y-axes provided by linear bearings, which are rigidly mounted in the machine chassis. Y-wagons for carrying printed circuit boards move along the Y-axes. As there are at least two PCB carrying Y-axes, it can be arranged that at least one of them presents a PCB on which the pick-up devices can place components. The time during which the pick-up devices must be idle during PCB unload and load will thereby be dramatically reduced.

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

Abstract: An 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: A modular product assembly platform which includes a multiple number of industrial robots or other similar assembly devices. The product assembly platform also includes a programmable controller system housed in a logic control cabinet, a vision control system housed in a vision control cabinet and a set of robot controllers which operate together to control the robots or assembly devices for performing product assembly tasks. The layout and configuration of the platform and the control equipment provide for convenience and flexibility in configuring and reconfiguring the assembly platform for different assembly procedures associated with different products.

Abstract: A circuit board is conveyed from a conveyor of a previous station to a conveying mechanism of a component-mounting station where components are applied to the circuit board. Then, the circuit board is delivered to a conveyor of a subsequent station. The conveying mechanism of the component-mounting station comprises a feed conveyor, an incoming conveyor disposed at one end of the feed conveyor, and an outgoing conveyor disposed at an opposite end of the feed conveyor. The incoming conveyor is laterally adjustable to become aligned with the conveyor of the previous station for receiving a circuit board therefrom, and then shift the circuit board laterally into alignment with the feed conveyor. The outgoing conveyor is likewise laterally adjustable to receive the circuit board from the feed conveyor and then shift the circuit board laterally into alignment with the conveyor of the subsequent station.

Abstract: A service mounter having a conveyor along which substrates are moved in an X direction. A plurality of mounters are mounted for movement in the X direction on opposite sides of the conveyor and pick up work pieces from feeders disposed on the sides of the conveyor. Operating sections are supported for movement on opposite sides of the conveyor along a Y axis and are adapted to receive substrates from the conveyor and position them relative to the mounters to receive the work pieces. An improved mounter construction is also disclosed that includes a servomotor to adjust the height to accommodate for variations in thickness and the various components manipulated.

Abstract: A device for driving nails in at least one selected nailing pattern into an arrangement of components is disclosed. The device includes a frame, a retaining means for retaining an arrangement of components to be nailed in the frame, a nailing means comprising a plurality of movable nailing heads for delivering nails in the selected nailing pattern to the arrangement, a nail delivery means for delivering nails to the nailing heads, means for causing at least one of the nailing heads to move in a direction transverse to a machine direction relative to the nailing surface during a nailing operation, means for causing the nailing heads to move in a machine direction and in an opposite direction relative to the arrangement of components and means for causing the nailing heads to move in a direction normal to a machine direction.

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 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: An apparatus for attaching a lid member of automobile comprising a lid member transferring device which transfers a lid member, in its closed posture, to an opening of car body, a lid member locating means which locates the specified one point part of a lid member being transferred by said lid member transferring device in such a state that said lid member is rotatable with said one point part as the center, a lid member checking device which checks the other part of a lid member rotating with said one point part as the center at the specified position and a lid member pressing device which presses a lid member so that said lid member rotates with said one point part as the center and said other part of said lid member is checked by said checking member.

Abstract: An installation for carrying out assembly of metallic reinforcements for construction and public works, in which trestle bents (A-frames) are arranged on moving wagons or carts that slide along rails. The workers remain stationary while the reinforcements move to their work stations so that each of their sections can be bound together. There is one area for loading, another for the binding itself, and a third for unloading, preferably arranged in a closed circuit.

Abstract: The production system comprises a lift and carry device (6) and a handling unit (9) each actuated by an electric motor (13, 14), the two motors being synchronized.The rectangular walking beam lift and carry cycle of the products (1) is perfected by modulation of the speeds limiting the impacts exerted on the product. The vertical movement (M1-M2; M3-M4) of the movable walking beam support (11) present an intermediate low-speed phase corresponding to contact or placing of the product to limit impacts.

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: 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: A device for locating a datum reference on a partially assembled structural object, such as an automobile body frame. The device has a base structure for rigid mounting to a floor member, a transfer platform is attached to the base structure so that the transfer platform has freedom of movement in a first horizontal direction, a support structure is attached to the transfer platform so that it has freedom of movement therewith in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a vertical slide support mechanism attached to the support structure and moveable therewith in a vertical direction, fluid actuated stop members for locking the horizontal and vertical movements of the device when a certain location in space, as dictated by the automobile body, has been attained. A work performing tool attached to the vertical slide support mechanism so that the tool can move into and out of engagement with the automobile body.

Abstract: An automatic wheel attachment apparatus for attaching a wheel to a wheel attachment member of an automotive body. The automatic wheel attachment apparatus includes a reorienting device for reorienting a wheel attachment surface of the wheel attachment member, a phasing device for phasing wheel attachment bolts on the wheel attachment member, the phasing device being movable longitudinally and vertically of the automotive body to bring the wheel attachment member and the phasing device into central alignment with each other, a detecting device for detecting the amount and direction of movement of the phasing device, and a nut runner for fastening the wheel to the wheel attachment member while the center of the wheel attachment member as detected by the detecting device is being held in alignment with the center of the wheel. At least the reorienting device, the phasing device, and the detecting device are combined in a single robot.

Abstract: An automated assembly system comprising a pair of spaced supporting frames on which a corresponding pair of guide rails extend transversely in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of a workpiece. Two movable arm units, each having tool heads movably mounted thereon, are supported on the spaced frames. A feed unit is mounted on each of the support frames for moving independently a corresponding one of the two movable arm units along the guide rails in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the workpiece.

Abstract: An assembly line arrangement for producing a vehicle comprises a body assembly line including a door removing station for detaching at least one door from a vehicle body fed thereto with the door, a door mounting station located at the lower course of the line compared with the door removing station for attaching the door fed thereto to the vehicle body from which the door is detached, and a body conveying device for transporting the vehicle body through the door removing station and the door mounting station successively; and a door subassembly line including a door equipping station located in the vicinity of the door mounting station for equipping the door detached from the vehicle body with door parts, and a door conveying device for transporting the door detached from the vehicle body at the door removing station to the door equipping station and further transporting the door equipped with the door parts at the door equipping station to the door mounting station.

Abstract: A pair of working lines for side panels are provided in parallel on the right and left sides of a main transfer line. Each working line includes, in the following order, a charging station, plural working stations, and a discharging station. A shuttle hanger conveyor extends from the charging to the discharging stations and has plural hangers movable on a conveying rail. Each hanger includes at least one vertically adjustable hook and a suppressing member for engaging the side panel and keep it from swinging. Each working station includes a jig movable to take the side panel from the hanger and hold it in a preferred position. A transfer station is located adjacent the assembly station of the main transfer line. A discharging hanger conveyor is provided for moving the worked-on side panels from the discharging stations to the transfer station.

Abstract: (a) This installation comprises means for positioning and holding car body parts and devices for welding these parts to one another. (b) This installation is characterized in that it comprises a rigid, fixed stand (1) provided in its upper part with a horizontal conveyor track (11) for carriages (12) referred to as upper carriages each having elements for positioning and holding components of the upper part of a particular car body model of the motor vehicle, and provided in its lower part with a lift (8,10) containing centering devices cooperating with the components of the lower part of a type of motor vehicle body, which lower part is common to several models.

Abstract: A vehicle assembling-and-feeding system comprises an engine/suspension feeding line which travels through an engine assembly line and a first suspension assembly line for assembling one of front and rear suspensions to feed the engine and said one suspension, a suspension feeding line which travels through a second suspension assembly line for assembling the other suspension to feed the suspension, a body feeding line for feeding a vehicle body in indexed feed fashion, a slippage detecting station which is provided midway along the body feeding means to detect slippage in the position of the vehicle body fed by the body feeding means in indexed feed fashion, a mounting station disposed downstream of the slippage detecting station, and a mingling feed line which alternately feeds to the mounting station the material fed by the engine/suspension feeding means and the material fed by the suspension feeding means. An automatic mounting device is provided at the mounting station.

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: A weighty object mounting system comprises tact-transporting means for transporting a transportable object so as to have the same stop temporarily at each working stations, position detecting means for detecting a stop position of the transportable object stopped at one of the stations, a lifter provided in a mounting station and including a mounting portion provided for supporting a weighty object placed thereon and arranged to be movable forward and backward, right and left, and up and down in relation to the transportable object in the mounting station and a driving portion for moving the mounting portion so as to cause the weighty object to engage with the transportable object and to be automatically mounted to the same, and control means operative to supply the driving portion with control commands which direct the driving portion to cause the mounting portion to have each of predetermined movements at a predetermined timing, and operative also to calculate a misalignment between the transportable object

Abstract: A working apparatus provided along a workpiece conveyor which includes a carrier for carrying a workpiece. The apparatus includes a carriage supporting a working robot. A gripper is provided on the carriage for gripping the carrier moving on the conveyor. The gripper is movable on the carriage in the direction of movement of the conveyor. The carriage is also movable in the direction of movement of the conveyor. A clamping device is provided between the carriage and the gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling wheel and tire units onto a vehicle as it moves along a conveyor. The apparatus includes an arrangement for centralizing the vehicle relative to the conveyor, orienting the hubs of the vehicle so as to receive a properly oriented wheel-tire unit, an apparatus for orienting the wheel-tire unit and means for mounting the oriented wheel-tire unit on the hub and for affixing the thus mounted wheel-tire onto the hub.

Abstract: A part feed assembly (10) for feeding parts from a feed line to an assembling machine including a multiple part escapement (12) including a plurality of linearly aligned openings (14) for sequentially receiving a part from the feed line. A drive mechanism (20) is operatively connected to a ball screw shaft (16) for incremental rotation of the ball screw shaft (16). A cart (44) threadedly engages the ball screw shaft (16) for incremental linear movement axially along the shaft (16) and for supporting the escapement (12) thereon to advance the openings (14) in the escapement from the feed line to the assembling machine where the parts are released from the openings (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling battery components including a battery case (10) having a plurality of divider walls (32) defining a plurality of side-by-side cell spaces (26,27,28,29,30,31) opening through a top portion of the case. A plurality of intermediate cell elements (34,35,36,37) are provided in the cell spaces intermediate the end cell spaces (26,31) and end cell elements (38,39) having terminal post portions (101) are inserted in the end cell spaces (26,31). The apparatus effects an automatic pickup of the cell elements at one or more insert stations from delivery conveyors (19,20) suitably positions the picked-up cell elements for proper polarity relationship in the inserted disposition within the battery case, and after moving the picked-up cell elements to overlying relationship with the battery case, inserts the cell elements automatically into the proper cell spaces.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an automatic vehicle-body assembling system for welding together an engine compartment assembly, a front floor assembly and a rear floor assembly to form a floor structure of an automotive vehicle, wherein the component members to constitute each of the engine compartment and front and rear floor assemblies and the individual assemblies to constitute a vehicle floor structure are first provisionally or tack welded together in a primary assembling stage and are thereafter completely welded together in a series of secondary assembling stages.

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: A method and apparatus for handling of containers of the type having a sleeve with one open end and a substantially closed end having an opening therein, and having a displaceable plunger sealingly engaging the inside wall of the sleeve and being displaceable along the axis thereof between the open and closed ends. In accordance with both the method and apparatus, the plunger is assembled in the sleeve and is displaced toward the closed end thereof having the opening therethrough, and the container is then filled with a suitable filling material through the opening simultaneously as the displaceable plunger is moved away from the opening, thereby allowing the material to be injected freely into the container without having to evacuate air therefrom.