A method for aligning different portions of a conduit includes adjustably holding a first portion of a conduit in a first position, adjustably holding a second portion of a conduit in a second position relative to the first position of the first portion of the conduit, and inserting a bellows installation tool between the first portion of the conduit and the second portion of the conduit.

Methods and apparatus are provided for repairing a damaged area within a cored passage of a component. The method includes providing a repair tool that has a support portion, a leading portion extending from a first end of the support portion, and a trailing portion extending from a second end of the support portion. The leading portion of the repair tool is inserted into a first opening of the cored passage, and is threaded through the cored passage until the support portion is positioned at the damaged area within the cored passage. A restoration activity is performed on the damaged area as the support portion supports the cored passage proximate to the damaged area. Upon completion of the restoration activity, the repair tool is removed from the cored passage.

Tooling systems and methods may be employed for installing a plurality of visually similar threaded fasteners to a plurality of assemblies. Each of the assemblies may have one or more threaded mating surfaces configured to receive different types of threaded fasteners, e.g., formed of different materials. The tooling system may include a tool(s) having a drive surface configured to install a threaded fastener by relative rotation of a gripping feature of the fastener with respect to a corresponding mating thread, each tool having a sensor disposed adjacent the drive surface and configured to detect a presence of the first material when a gripping feature of the one of the threaded fasteners of the first fastener type is positioned on the drive surface. The tooling system may also include a controller configured to determine the type of the selected threaded fastener based upon the sensor.

A vehicle hood includes a unitary metallic hood frame including a plurality of embosses having respective curved surfaces and a plurality of openings. The vehicle hood includes a metallic reinforcement material welded to a subset of the respective curved surfaces of the metallic hood frame. The vehicle hood includes a hood skin attached to the hood frame. The selective placement of metallic reinforcement material may reduce deflection of the vehicle hood while reducing weight compared to metal supports or a thicker metallic hood frame.

A method of assembling a manufactured item without a guide rail and an assembly system are provided. The method includes disposing a base item on an unmanned independent vehicle system, moving the unmanned independent vehicle system to an assembly station, and attaching an additional item to the base item. The assembly system includes a number of unmanned independent vehicle systems, each unmanned independent vehicle system having at least one wheel. Each unmanned independent vehicle system is configured to be loaded with a base item. A number of assembly stations are provided, each being configured to complete at least one assembly operation. Each unmanned independent vehicle system is configured to independently move to multiple of the assembly stations to have a different assembly operation performed at each assembly station, resulting in additional items being attached to each base item to form each manufactured item.

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 modular, cost-effective, field repairable chassis and mechanical components for an heavy duty autonomous robot having a uni-member bended frame 200 having a first end 210, a second end 220 and a middle section 240 whereby the uni-member bended frame 200 is configured to easily connect and remove the following body parts: a first set of rotatable members 310 removably affixable at the first end; a second set of rotatable members 320 removably affixable at the second end; at least one battery 330; at least one solar panel 340; at least one electric motor 350; at least one gearing mechanism 360 that is connectable to the at least one electric motor 350 and to at least one of the first and the second set of rotatable members 310, 320; at least one sensor 370; and at least one computer system 380.

A device for positioning motor vehicle parts in the production or manufacture of motor vehicles. The device includes a main frame, at least one main module configured to be disposed on the main frame, at least one interchangeable first docking plate configured for releasable connection to the main module, and a plurality of first receptacles, arranged on the interchangeable first docking plate, configured to hold the motor vehicle parts at a predefined position during the production.

A method for production of a motor vehicle that includes providing a device for positioning motor vehicle parts that comprises a base frame having at least one base module arranged thereon, and at least one exchangeable docking plate configured for connection to the base module, the docketing plate having arranged thereon a plurality of receivers configured to hold the motor vehicle parts, transferring a first docking plate to the base frame, connecting, at a configuration station, the docking plate to the base module, fitting, at a work station, a motor vehicle part to the docking plate, such that the motor vehicle part is held by the receivers, and equipping the motor vehicle part with add-on parts.

A method for performing operations on a target workpiece including taking an operating tool unit by an industrial robot, carrying the tool unit to the workpiece, releasing the tool unit at the workpiece, moving the robot away from the tool unit, performing one or more operations on the workpiece through the tool unit while the tool unit moves with the workpiece; and retrieving the tool unit from the workpiece after the tool unit has performed the one or more operations on the workpiece. A robotic assembly for performing a method including at least one industrial robot, at least one operating tool unit, and a quick tool changer for detachably coupling the tool unit with the industrial robot including a first tool changer part arranged in the industrial robot and a second tool changer part arranged in the operating tool unit.