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 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 receiving arm for a fabrication system for mass assembly of wooden trusses by joining the truss members with unitized plate fasteners in preliminary and final assembly areas. A gantry pinch roller is used in the preliminary assembly area for preliminary pressing of the fasteners to the truss members, whereas a stationary truss pinch roller is used in the final assembly area for final pressing of the fasteners to the truss members. A plurality of receiving arms are employed to transfer trusses between the first and second assembly areas. The receiving arms employ cammed movement paths which minimize the risk that trusses will be twisted during transfer by any nonsynchronous movement among the arms.

Abstract: Palletized, unassembled workpieces are transported by a carousel to successive work stations at which pallets are deposited on work tables. The tables and each of the pallets are provided with registering mechanism so that the workpieces are identically located in each station. Robotic welding or other tasks requiring a high degree of repetitive accuracy can be performed at each station to fabricate the workpieces into finished or semi-finished end products. Both the depositing of pallets on and lifting them from the work tables can be accomplished at a creep speed.

Abstract: A robotic apparatus for automobile assembly includes a robot which moves in sequence to a plurality of different stations and performs an operation at each station based on information obtained from a video camera. The camera can pivot to form an image of each station. While the robot is performing an operation at one station, the camera is forming an image at a subsequent station. By the time that the robot finishes the operation at one station and moves to the subsequent station, the image formed by the camera at the next station has already been processed by a controller, and the robot can immediately begin to perform an operation at the subsequent station.

Abstract: An installation for automatically assembling basic parts of a tilt/turn window lock fitting comprises a line for the automatic assembly of the various basic parts constituting the corner turner and, associated therewith, a line for the automatic assembly of the strap, the link, at least one locking roller and at least one pressure spring to the corner turner assembly. The two lines are preferably made up of modular stations in two parallel planes linked by a transverse conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for screwing on and off a clamp nut (5) and an extension piece (13) facing the clamp nut. The extension piece (13) of each of plurality of connection members (2) cooperates with a ring (1) for simultaneously tensioning the connection members. The apparatus includes a carriage (20) for guiding and displacing the apparatus around the ring (1) tensioning the connection member (2), a disengageable system (30) for displacing and rotationally driving the extension piece (13) which is to be screwed on or off, and a disengageable system (40) for rotationally driving the clamp nut (5) which is to be screwed on or off. These systems are supported by the carriage (20) and are displaceable along an axis parallel to the axis of the connection member (2) and at a speed identical to that of the nut (5) or of the extension piece (13) in the course of its screwing or unscrewing.

Abstract: A vehicle door mounting system mounts a door on a vehicle body by bringing a hinge member on the door into engagement with a hinge member on the vehicle body and inserting a hinge pin into hinge pin holes of the hinge members. The mounting system has a robot, and a door holding jig and a hinge pin inserting jig which are mounted on the robot. The robot is arranged so that it brings the door to a predetermined position with respect to the vehicle body where the hinge member on the door is engaged with the hinge member on the vehicle body while the door holding jig holds the door. The hinge pin inserting jig is separable from the door holding jig and is moved between an operative position where it inserts the hinge pin into the hinge pin holes and a hinge pin setting position where the hinge pin is set to the hinge pin inserting jig.

Abstract: An automatic key programming and connector transfer system and method for electrical connectors (10) having keying means (40) thereon. According to one aspect of the invention, an automatic key programming apparatus (51) for electrical connectors (10) is provided which comprises a supply station (56) for storing a plurality of connectors (10) having keys oriented in a predetermined orientation, a programming station (57) for receiving connector (10) having keys oriented in a predetermined orientation from the supply station (56) and for programming the keys of the connectors, the programming station (57) including a programming device (100) for programming the keys of the connectors (10) in accordance with programming instructions applied thereto, and an output station (58) for receiving connectors (10) having programmed keys from the programming station (57).

Abstract: An apparatus for securely fastening a boot to a driving shaft in which a boot is fitted over each of both ends of driving shaft so as to cover an open end of a joint attached to each end of the shaft, and a band is wound around each of both ends of the boot by a band winding device so as to fasten both ends of the boot securely to the shaft body and the joint respectively, the apparatus comprising an assembly line along which the driving shaft is conveyed; a conveying jig movable along the assembly line, conveying jig having clampers for clamping a shank portion of each of the joints and the shaft body; the assembly line having a plurality of assembly stations, each of the assembly stations having at least one band winding device for winding a band around each of the predetermined end portions of the boot, and a positioning device for positioning the conveying jig at the assembly station; a loader device for setting the driving shaft on the conveying jig standing in a charging station located at a starting en

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

Abstract: A positioning system for installing body side moldings on cars or trucks is disclosed. The system automatically positions first and second spaced apart portions of a side molding platen in precise positions with respect to widely spaced locations on assembly line cars or trucks where successive vehicles have slightly differing pitch, yaw and roll orientations with respect to the positioning system.

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

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fitting, by a manipulator, a cylinder head to an engine block in proper registry relative to each other through engageable locating pins and recesses prior to assembling rigidly with a plurality of coupling bolts into one whole integral body in an automatic assembling line. The engine block is formed with bolt engaging bores and is placed on the main assembly line. Coupling bolts are inserted through bolt receiving bores formed in the cylinder head with the bolts protruding. The cylinder head is brought from an auxiliary assembly line and set on the engine block while inserting the protruding coupling bolts into the bolt engaging bores and thereby the cylinder head is securely, albeit temporarily, held on the engine block pending tightening of the coupling bolts even if the locating pins and recesses are not perfectly aligned.

Abstract: A parts installing system installs a plurality of parts on a workpiece substantially simultaneously. The system includes a parts stocker for stocking a cluster of substantially closely arranged parts thereon, and a parts transfer device for transferring the parts from the parts stocker to a prescribed position over the workpiece and setting the transferred parts over the workpiece. The parts transfer device includes a parts spreading mechanism unit which picks up the clustered parts from the parts stocker and spreads them into respective relative positions corresponding respectively to relative positions which will be taken by the parts set on the workpiece. The system also includes a pressing device for pressing the parts set over the workpiece onto the workpiece, and a bolt fastening device for fastening the pressed parts to the workpiece with bolts. The parts installing system is suitable for use on various automated production lines to achieve a high rate of production.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for manufacturing panels for forming walls, roofs, or floors of a timber-framed residence constructed by a two-by-four construction method and of setting these panels on a pallet. A panel formed on a frame manufacturing table is supported and floated over the table by free-roller conveyors. The panel is thereafter slid by being light pushed over the free-roller conveyors of the frame manufacturing table and over free-roller conveyors which are disposed on a fixture work and which are also moved upward to the same level as that of the conveyors of the frame manufacturing table, thereby transferring the panel to the frame manufacturing table to the fixture work table. The panel finished by fixture work on the fixture work table is supported by free-roller conveyors which are perpendicular to the transferring free-roller conveyors, thereby floating the panel over the table.

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

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

Abstract: An assembly device for assembling a member having plural and spaced end segments thereon to a workpiece having plural and spaced sets of end segment receiving openings thereon, the spacing between the end segment receiving openings in each set corresponding to the spacing of the end segments from each other. The assembly device includes a frame on which is mounted a transport device for transporting the member from a supply thereof to a workpiece mounted on a workpiece holder. The member is oriented so that the end segments thereon are vertically aligned with the end segment receiving openings on the workpiece to facilitate an insertion of the end segments into the end segment receiving openings upon a movement of the transport structure into a working zone. Thereafter, the member is released by the transport mechanism to enable the transport mechanism to return back to its initial position thereof to await the receipt of a new member therein.

Abstract: An assembly device for assembling a member having plural and spaced end segments thereon to a workpiece having plural and spaced sets of end segment receiving openings thereon, the spacing between the end segment receiving openings in each set corresponding to the spacing of the end segments from each other. The assembly device includes a frame on which is mounted a transport device for transporting the member from the supply thereof to a workpiece mounted on a workpiece holder. The member is oriented so that the end segments thereon are vertically aligned with the end segment receiving openings on the workpiece to facilitate an insertion of the end segments into the end segment receiving openings upon a movement of the transport structure into a working zone. Thereafter, the member is released by the transport mechanism to enable the transport mehanism to return back to its initial position thereof to await the receipt of a new member therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling plate and tube heat exchangers of the type having tube end portions joined to end plates includes a carriage for longitudinally carrying an assembled but unjoined heat exchanger. An upright stationary frame supports a tool holder for movement transversely of the heat exchanger longitudinal axis. The tool holder is movable so that tools carried thereby are located in facing relationship to an end plate for joining tube end portions thereto. The tool holder is also transversely movable to a clearance position for providing longitudinal movement of the heat exchanger and carriage therepast. A clamping device at the opposite end portion of the heat exchanger clamps the opposite tube end portions for holding the tubes against longitudinal and rotational movement while the other tube end portions are joined to an end plate. The clamping device is also movable transversely of the heat exchanger longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a pair of elongated cooperative interlocking tapes to the corresponding edges of a pair of fabric pieces, for guiding the edge portions of the fabric pieces to an overlapping vertically aligned position, and for pulling and compressing the overlapping portions into interlocking engagement. The apparatus is particularly adaptable for stitching cooperative tapes of "Velcro" to the opposed edges of fabric pieces, such as the margins of an opening in an edge panel in a sofa cushion cover. The overlapping edges with their opposed tapes are compressed into interlocking relationship so that the edges may be retained closed when the fabric pieces are subsequently stitched to other fabric pieces to complete a sofa cushion cover.

Abstract: Assembly of stick-type cosmetics such as lipsticks is fully automatized by highly coordinated operation of a pair of robots each accompanied with sequential operational units arranged within the ambit of its operational terminal so that sticks and bottles are transferred upside down from unit to unit for application of sequential operations and combined with each other and further with caps to form complete stick-type cosmetics. Simple adjustment in numerical control of the robots and their operational terminals will span a wide variety of quality demands in the market, and will make the system well suited for small scale production with high lot number in which shifting of lots is highly frequent. There is no manual touching of the sticks during assemblage which enables high level of sanitization of the whole system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing component parts on the ends of flexible tubing which is employed in an I.V. administration set. Flexible tubing is continuously supplied in a rectilinear manner and cut into predetermined lengths. These lengths have the ends thereof moved in a substantially transverse manner with respect to the original direction. Each end is then placed in a solvent-type solution and subsequently into a cavity of a component part. All of the foregoing functions are accomplished continuously and automatically in a device which employs a conveyor system for the cut tubing and a separate conveyor system for the component parts. The conveyors travel over a substantial elliptical pathway and along a horizontal axis. The upper conveyor is positioned with respect to the lower conveyor such that their pathways overlap a substantial distance. The upper conveyor provides a multiplicity of carrier members to which are fed and positioned predetermined cut lengths of flexible tubing.

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

Abstract: Apparatus for applying pull tabs to container panels wherein tabs are singly fed from a stack onto a heated first anvil, each tab is then clamped to its respective anvil and an end portion thereof bent at right angles to the remainder of the tab. The bent tab is then transferred by way of the anvil into opposed relation to a bonding anvil which lifts a pre-heated end unit into contact with a pre-heated tab and applied pressure effects bonding of the tab to the end unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of preplating ties including traversely aligning ties on a path, conveying along the path ties relative to a pair of plate guides, positioning a pair of plates on each tie adjacent the guides, attaching the plates to the tie by partially driving fasteners, continue aligning the plates relative to each other by conveying the tie relative to the guides and securing the plates to the tie during alignment by completing the driving of the fasteners. A tie guide is provided having a fixed guide parallel to the path and a biased pivotal guide extending at an angle to the fixed tie guide.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in continuously assembling joinable ring shanks and ring settings into a corresponding unitary jewelry type ring comprising supporting means; advancing means operatively connected to the supporting means including at least one work holding means which removably receives a ring setting and ring shank for successively and incrementally advancing the work holding means, as well as ring shank and setting, from at least a loading station to a plurality of discrete working stations, including at least a ring shank testing station, and a bonding station, ring shank testing means located at the ring shank testing station for accurately testing for the presence and correct alignment of the ring shank with respect to the corresponding ring setting in the work holding means; and bonding means situated at the bonding station for selectively bonding the aligned jewelry ring.

Abstract: This invention pertains to machines for installing tapped nuts, studs, or the like machine parts, whether or not having their outer surface provided with thread, knurling or similar profiles, which are to be pressed into corresponding cavities provided in a work piece, usually made of a material softer than the material of the said machine parts.