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.

A device for removing burrs from a back cavity of a wheel includes a lower lifting synchronous movement arrangement, an outer ring brush arrangement, an inner ring brush arrangement, a synchronous movement arrangement and an upper lifting drive arrangement. When the device is used, an upper cylinder drives four clamping blocks to clamp the wheel synchronously through an upper guide rail, an upper gear and upper racks; an upper cylinder drives the wheel to rise and separate from a roller bed through upper guide pillars and upper guide sleeves; an upper servo motor drives the clamped wheel to rotate through an upper rotating ring. The present invention can be used for not only polishing the burrs at the back cavity of the wheel, but also accurately adjusting the position of each brush according to the flange size and the back cavity diameter of the wheel.

A fixing device for repairing an aluminum alloy wheel hub includes a base and universal wheels connected with the bottom of the base through support legs, wherein one side of the bottom plate is connected with air cylinders; the top of the bottom plate is connected with a fixing plate through a rotating shaft mounted rotationally; corresponding sides of vertical plates at the two sides of the fixing plate are each connected with a pressing plate through two sets of springs; adjusting bolts penetrate through the middles of the vertical plates; a first groove is formed in the middle of the fixing plate; two sets of guide rollers are rotationally mounted in the first groove; a top plate is fixedly mounted at the top of the bracket; a push plate is connected with the bottom of the top plate through a second hydraulic cylinder.

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 tool head includes a first tool and a second tool disposed circumferentially on the tool head where the tool head has a rotation axis. The first tool of the tool head is an adjustable tool that is radially movable such that a radial position, relative to the second tool of the tool head, is settable.

A wheel press mounting device includes a rack, a servo motor, a synchronous belt, a working table, a base, a thrust bearing, a bearing pedestal, a shaft, a mandrel, hydraulic cylinders, a floating locating pin, strong magnets, floating shafts and a clamp platform.

A vehicle assembly method includes assembling a chassis platform, mounting a floor pan to the platform, mounting a modular interior to the floor pan, assembling a body top-hat separate from the platform and the floor pan, and mounting the body top-hat to the platform and the floor pan after mounting the modular interior to the floor pan.

A system and method for placing an object, which is to be processed on a production apparatus in a precise position, is provided. The system includes at least one location-determining system for determining a relative location of an object in relation to a production apparatus and a positioning apparatus for positioning the object on the production apparatus. The positioning apparatus has a receiving apparatus for receiving and discharging the object, and a movable arm for moving the object from one location to another. The location-determining system has at least one location-detecting device to detect a relative location of the receiving apparatus in relation to the location-detecting device. The location-detecting device is configured to detect a relative location of the object in relation to the location-detecting device and also a relative location of the production apparatus in relation to the location-detecting device.

A rotor includes a plurality of airfoils and each airfoil has a span that extends from 0% at a root to 100% at a tip, a chord that extends from 0% at a leading edge to 100% at a trailing edge and a pressure side opposite a suction side. The pressure side of each airfoil has a pressure side surface shape and the suction side of each airfoil has a suction side surface shape based on an operating state of the rotor. Each airfoil has the same suction side surface shape between 10% and 90% of the chord and between 80% and 100% of the span at a first state. At least one first airfoil has a different suction side surface shape between 10% and 90% of the chord and between 80% and 100% of the span than at least one second airfoil at a static state of the rotor.

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.