Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

A caulking jig comprises a main body, a blade portion having a blade edge, a projection member fit in the main body, an urging member which urges the projection member, and an engagement mechanism configured to engage the projection member to the main body. In a state in which the projection member is not engaged, the projection member is held at a projected position where a distal end portion of the projection member is projected from the blade edge. In a state in which the projection member is engaged, the projection member is held at an entered position where the distal end portion is retracted to a more entered position than the blade edge.

A caulking jig comprises a main body, a blade portion having a blade edge, a projection member fit in the main body, an urging member which urges the projection member, and an engagement mechanism configured to engage the projection member to the main body. In a state in which the projection member is not engaged, the projection member is held at a projected position where a distal end portion of the projection member is projected from the blade edge. In a state in which the projection member is engaged, the projection member is held at an entered position where the distal end portion is retracted to a more entered position than the blade edge.

This disc rotor has a hat portion having a cylindrical portion and a sliding plate portion having an insertion hole into which the cylindrical portion is inserted, being connected together with the hat portion in a state in which the cylindrical portion protrudes from the insertion hole. The coupling is achieved by pinching an inner peripheral edge of the sliding plate portion between a first portion and a second portion that are formed in the cylindrical portion. The second portion is formed by plastically deforming an outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion toward the first portion.

This disc rotor has a hat portion having a cylindrical portion and a sliding plate portion having an insertion hole into which the cylindrical portion is inserted, being connected together with the hat portion in a state in which the cylindrical portion protrudes from the insertion hole. The coupling is achieved by pinching an inner peripheral edge of the sliding plate portion between a first portion and a second portion that are formed in the cylindrical portion. The second portion is formed by plastically deforming an outer peripheral side of the cylindrical portion toward the first portion.

A moving element (21) holding a workpiece (a hub unit bearing (1)) is horizontally loaded into an internal space (23) of an exterior (17) from an external space of the outer package (17), while being guided by a guide member (20) through an opening portion (a front surface side opening portion (25)) provided in the exterior (17) constituting a rotary forging apparatus (16). After completion of the loading process, the workpiece is subjected to rotary forging, using a forming die (18).

A method of assembling an end effector for a surgical instrument includes: assembling first and second jaw members within a clevis disposed at a distal end of an outer drive shaft of a surgical instrument; inserting an end of a pivot pin including a stop on the opposite end thereof through a hole defined in a first outer wall of the clevis, through pivot bores defined within the first and second jaw members, and through a hole defined in a second outer wall of the clevis to expose a portion of the end of the pivot pin relative to the clevis; and melting the exposed portion of the end of the pivot pin to form a second stop and secure the first and second jaw members within the clevis.

A method of assembling an end effector for a surgical instrument includes: assembling first and second jaw members within a clevis disposed at a distal end of an outer drive shaft of a surgical instrument; inserting an end of a pivot pin including a stop on the opposite end thereof through a hole defined in a first outer wall of the clevis, through pivot bores defined within the first and second jaw members, and through a hole defined in a second outer wall of the clevis to expose a portion of the end of the pivot pin relative to the clevis; and melting the exposed portion of the end of the pivot pin to form a second stop and secure the first and second jaw members within the clevis.

A measuring pressing die (43) is supported by a spherical concave seat (12). A measuring shaft member (45) is disposed coaxially with a reference axis () and is linearly guided in a direction of the reference axis () between the measuring pressing die (43) and a support table (16). After that, the load application apparatus measures an actual load in the direction of the reference axis () applied to the measuring shaft member (45) using a load cell (48) in a state in which the measuring pressing die (43) is pressed against the measuring shaft member (45) while the measuring pressing die (43) is rotated about the reference axis ().

A method protects a field joint of a pipeline, where chamfered edges of thermally-insulating parent coatings on conjoined pipe lengths are in mutual opposition about a longitudinally-extending gap. The method includes manufacturing an hourglass-shaped inner layer around the pipe lengths, which layer may be moulded. The inner layer extends longitudinally along the gap between the chamfered edges and at least partially overlies the chamfered edges. A thermally-insulating solid insert is assembled from two or more parts to lie in the gap surrounding the inner layer, and pressure is applied radially inwardly from the insert to the inner layer. An outer layer of molten material is manufactured around the insert to form a watertight barrier and to form one or more melted interfaces with the inner layer. Corresponding field joint arrangements are also disclosed.