An automated method for straightening/correcting deformations made to panels when welded to metallic structural components is disclosed. In the train industry, when an aluminum component, such as a vehicle's exterior shell, is welded to hidden structural parts, deformations thereon may occur. Such deformations need to be subsequently corrected, and the present method uses robots and optical measuring of the deformed surfaces to conduct a straightening thereof. The method includes four main steps. First, the deformed surface is scanned with an optical sensor to make physical measures/characterizations thereof. Second, the gathered data are compared with the desired resultant by a software. Third, once the comparison is done, the software performs an analysis to select the proper parameters to be used in the straightening method that will be applied at each area requiring straightening. Finally, a robot executes the operations specified by the software to perform the straightening process.

An automated method for straightening/correcting deformations made to panels when welded to metallic structural components is disclosed. In the train industry, when an aluminum component, such as a vehicle's exterior shell, is welded to hidden structural parts, deformations thereon may occur. Such deformations need to be subsequently corrected, and the present method uses robots and optical measuring of the deformed surfaces to conduct a straightening thereof. The method includes four main steps. First, the deformed surface is scanned with an optical sensor to make physical measures/characterizations thereof. Second, the gathered data are compared with the desired resultant by a software. Third, once the comparison is done, the software performs an analysis to select the proper parameters to be used in the straightening method that will be applied at each area requiring straightening. Finally, a robot executes the operations specified by the software to perform the straightening process.

A method for re-shaping a shape of a plastically deformable component that is preferably embodied from a metal material includes: creating a three-dimensional desired model of the component; designing a finite element model (FEM model) of the desired model of the component; capturing a three-dimensional geometry of a deformed actual component; determining a deviation of the actual component with respect to the desired model; deforming by applying forces to calculated positions of the component; and checking and comparing the actual component with the desired model after the deforming. Forces that are applied for the deforming and the calculated positions for introducing the forces to the component are determined on a basis of the FEM model.

A panel flattening assembly includes a first fixing assembly and a second fixing assembly respectively disposed at a first corner and a second corner adjacent to the first corner in a first direction on a rear surface of a display panel; a first supporting member disposed between the first fixing assembly and the second fixing assembly and spaced apart from the display panel; a first displacement adjusting member connected to the first fixing assembly and adjusting a distance between the first fixing assembly and a first end of the first supporting member by adjusting a displacement of the first fixing assembly; and a second displacement adjusting member connected to the second fixing assembly and adjusting a distance between the second fixing assembly and a second end of the first supporting member by adjusting a displacement of the second fixing assembly.

A panel flattening assembly includes a first fixing assembly and a second fixing assembly respectively disposed at a first corner and a second corner adjacent to the first corner in a first direction on a rear surface of a display panel; a first supporting member disposed between the first fixing assembly and the second fixing assembly and spaced apart from the display panel; a first displacement adjusting member connected to the first fixing assembly and adjusting a distance between the first fixing assembly and a first end of the first supporting member by adjusting a displacement of the first fixing assembly; and a second displacement adjusting member connected to the second fixing assembly and adjusting a distance between the second fixing assembly and a second end of the first supporting member by adjusting a displacement of the second fixing assembly.

In order to widen the field of application of a stretcher-leveler having a minimum nominal width, at least one gripping head of the stretcher-leveler is connected to an adapter having clamping elements for clamping a plate to be stretched, the adapter having a nominal width that is smaller than the minimum nominal width of the stretcher-leveler, and a plate being stretched is connected to the gripping head via the adapter clamping elements and the adapter, before starting the stretching process.

In order to widen the field of application of a stretcher-leveler having a minimum nominal width, at least one gripping head of the stretcher-leveler is connected to an adapter having clamping elements for clamping a plate to be stretched, the adapter having a nominal width that is smaller than the minimum nominal width of the stretcher-leveler, and a plate being stretched is connected to the gripping head via the adapter clamping elements and the adapter, before starting the stretching process.

A crossbow correction device 16 for correcting crossbow of a steel strip S by a magnetic force during conveyance includes a plurality of electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d arranged in a strip width direction of the steel strip S and facing each other so as to sandwich the steel strip S in a strip thickness direction, a moving mechanism 51 to 54, 61 to 64 capable of moving the electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d relative to the steel strip S, and a controller 17 configured to operate the moving mechanism 51 to 54, 61 to 64, based on a current value flowing through the electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d.

A crossbow correction device 16 for correcting crossbow of a steel strip S by a magnetic force during conveyance includes a plurality of electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d arranged in a strip width direction of the steel strip S and facing each other so as to sandwich the steel strip S in a strip thickness direction, a moving mechanism 51 to 54, 61 to 64 capable of moving the electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d relative to the steel strip S, and a controller 17 configured to operate the moving mechanism 51 to 54, 61 to 64, based on a current value flowing through the electromagnets 57a to 57d, 67a to 67d.

A system and method for repairing collision damage or servicing a motor vehicle that involves managing and organizing a plurality of parts that have been removed from the motor vehicle during the repair or service process. The system includes a base member having opposite facing top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of regions corresponding to different sections of the body of a motor vehicle displayed on the top surface of the base member. An overlay member having opposite facing top and bottom surfaces and a plurality of open regions corresponding to the base regions is configured to be superimposed over the base member to create a plurality of separate compartments for locating and holding parts that have been removed from specific sections of the motor vehicle for later assembly back onto the vehicle in a downstream collision repair or service process step.