A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

The invention relates to a waste fitting including a waste pan means into which waste can flow, at least one part of the waste pan means allowing visual inspection therethrough. During installation, an opening of the waste outlet can be located by visual inspection through the or each at least one part of the waste pan means, enabling a suitable position to be determined for forming and or positioning of at least one aperture in the waste pan means. The at least on aperture is formed such that, in use, waste that flows into the waste pan means can exit through the or each at least one aperture towards the opening in the waste outlet. The invention also relates to a method of installing a waste fitting.

A method and apparatus for inserting at least a portion of a sensor into a patient is provided. Simple and easy to use mechanisms are provided that can position the sensor or any other device accurately with minimal complication. The method and apparatus can include an inserter device for use with the sensor. The method and apparatus can be for use in continuous or semi-continuous monitoring systems such as analyte monitoring systems.

A method for producing or assembling a product which includes at least two components, for example a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle module, by at least two fixing parts. The first fixing part is formed as a female part and the second fixing part is formed as a male part. The components disposed at a processing station and the first fixing part are measured by a measuring device, for example by a stationary camera or a camera fastened on a first or a second manipulator or photogrammetry bar having three cameras, and a deviation from a target geometry or target position is determined, and a corrected target position of the second fixing part is calculated on the basis of the determined deviation, such that the second fixing part is joined together with the first fixing part by the first manipulator and the product is thus produced.

A shank-fastener apparatus (100) comprises a shank-fastener housing (170), a shank-fastener turret (102), an indexing-pin assembly (103), a drill (104), and a shank-fastener delivery assembly (105). The shank-fastener turret (102) is supported by the shank-fastener housing (170) and is selectively rotatable relative to the shank-fastener housing (170) about a shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The indexing-pin assembly (103) is supported by the shank-fastener housing (170) and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener housing (170) between an indexing-pin-assembly extended position and an indexing-pin-assembly retracted position along an indexing-pin-assembly axis (B) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The drill (104) is supported by the shank-fastener turret (102) and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener turret (102) along a drill axis (C) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The shank-fastener delivery assembly (105) also supported by the shank-fastener turret (102).

A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument including a first tube, and a second tube. The first tube extends from a proximal first end portion to a distal first end portion. The second tube extends from a proximal second end portion to a distal second end portion. The second tube is positioned coaxially within the first tube with the distal second end portion positioned adjacent to the distal first end portion. The second tube defines a lumen. The sensor is secured proximal to the distal second end portion of the second tube. A die is engaged against a distal first end portion of the first tube while first tube rotates about its own longitudinal axis; and the die is simultaneously moved relative to the distal first end portion of the first tube along a predetermined path to form a predetermined shape.

Methods and systems for installing a plug into an aperture of an article are provided, such as drain hole in an electrocoated vehicle floor pan. A robot system used herein includes a robot and a tool, where the tool includes a plug reservoir, a sensor, and an actuator. The sensor is configured to detect the aperture of the article and the actuator is configured to place one of the plugs from the plug reservoir into the aperture. The robot system can include a tool change nest, where the plug reservoir can be received with the tool change nest and the removed from a remainder of the tool. Quick change of plug reservoirs using the present technology improves operation speed and use of one or more tool change nests can reload and/or reconfigure the robot system for plugging various apertures with minimized input or interaction.

An automated grommet installer and methods of installing a grommet. The installer and methods are capable of seating a grommet in an aperture of a window and facilitating correct alignment of the grommet within the window. Grommets are used to support and seal around a window wiper attached to a window. Typically, grommets are asymmetrical to match the curvature of the window. Embodiments of the described installer maintain grommet orientation while inserting the grommet in the window, quickly and efficiently installing the grommet. In embodiments the installer includes a system for identifying an incorrectly loaded grommet prior to installation and alerting an operator. In other embodiments, the installer includes a positioner that positions the grommet proximate to the window for installation and a gripper having one or more fingers reach through the window aperture, engage the grommet, and draw it into position, seated in the window.

A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.

A flexible pipe and method of producing a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes bending armour wires of a flexible pipe body about 10 to 50 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the pipe body using a temporary collar member; inserting a further collar member radially inwards of the bent armour wires such that a portion of the armour wires lay over the further collar member; and mating the flexible pipe body and further collar member with an end fitting body.