A supply device for a joining element which has a shaft, extending along a joining element axis with a first diameter, and an adjacent head with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter. The supply device comprising a base enclosing a first joining element channel, a second joining element channel and a third joining element channel, which are at least partially arranged in a common channel plane, and which each have a cross-section which is adapted to the shape of the joining element. And the first and the second joining element channels are orientated relative to each other at a switching angle which is in a range from 5 to 45, while the first and the second joining element channels merge into the third joining element channel at a junction with a switching arrangement.

A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.

A bulk rivet container can include a cover and an adjacent RFID tag, and the cover can be moveable between a closed position and an open position. A cover exterior can have an opening recess. A peripheral side of the container can include an orienting protrusion and a container locking recess. The container can be designed to cooperate with a transfer cabinet having a rivet entry passage closable by a cabinet cover to which an RFID reader is coupled. The cabinet can have a locking protrusion and an opening protrusion oriented about the cabinet entry passage. The orienting protrusion, the container locking recess, and the container opening recess can be designed to be simultaneously couplable with the orienting recess, the container locking protrusion, and the container opening protrusion, respectively, while the RFID tag is simultaneously readable by the RFID reader.

An apparatus (100) for installing pre-molded seal caps (210) onto fasteners (301) that extend from a surface (300) is disclosed. Apparatus (100) comprises a plunger mechanism (220), configured to individually install the pre-molded seal caps (210) onto selected ones of the fasteners (301). Apparatus (100) also comprises a feed system (230), configured to sequentially deliver the pre-molded seal caps (210), arranged on a carrier strip (200), to the plunger mechanism (220). Apparatus (100) additionally comprises a take-up mechanism (240), configured to collect the carrier strip (200) as the pre-molded seal caps (210) are sequentially removed from the carrier strip (200). The plunger mechanism (220) is also configured to operate in concert with the feed system (230) to sequentially remove the pre-molded seal caps (210) from the carrier strip (200).

An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a non-nicotine pod assembly includes a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends toward the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a non-nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base. The holder is disposed on the top face of the base.

An apparatus for assembling a heater assembly for a nicotine pod assembly includes a base, a wick feed, a slide, and a holder. The wick feed extends toward the base and defines a channel configured to receive a wick structured to draw a nicotine pre-vapor formulation via capillary action. The slide is configured to move along a plane on a top face of the base. The holder is disposed on the top face of the base.

A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.

The present invention relates to an automatic assembly machine for combined control button, including a frame, a power distribution control box, turntable and turntable drive device disposed on the frame fitting with each other, wherein the base fixtures fitting the controller bases are evenly disposed along the circumference of the turntable; the front side of the frame located at the right side of the turntable is disposed with a base feeding mechanism, the rear side of the base feeding mechanism located on the frame is provided with a base transportation device fitting with the base fixtures; the left side of the base transportation device along the rotating direction of the turntable is provided with a button assembly mechanism cooperating with the base fixtures. By feeding with the base feeding mechanism, carrying with the base transportation device precisely the controller base to the base fixture, and pressing buttons in position continuously and automatically with the button assembly mechanism, it is possible to address effectively the problems occurred with the existing combined control button manual assembly, such as low production efficiency, high manpower consumption, intensive labor input, and relatively high safety hazard potentials and undesirable defective rate of the electrical connectors.

A resistance welding device, comprising a frame for supporting a tool configured like a clamp with two arms arranged facing one another and having respective welding electrodes, of which a first arm is integral to the clamp and the second arm is assembled with the capacity of being moved with respect to the clamp by means of a first actuator, such that respective movements along a straight trajectory can be imparted to the arms of the clamp for moving their electrodes closer to or away from one another. One of the arms has a hollow head housing the corresponding electrode in a guided manner the tip of which is suitable for receiving the support of a component to be welded on the workpiece, the head and the electrode being able to adopt at least one standby position (A) in which the electrode is inside the mentioned head; and a working position (B), in which the tip of the electrode is arranged in or exceeds the inlet of the head, accordingly placing the component to be welded outside the head.

A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.