A vehicle disassembly system for disassembling a vehicle by moving the vehicle through a plurality of discrete workstations specifically adapted for select de-pollution and dismantling procedures encountered during the end-of-life vehicle recycling process. A vehicle disassembly system exemplifying the principles of the present invention may comprise a primary de-pollution and disassembly line and an engine disassembly line. The primary de-pollution and disassembly line may include one or more de-pollution stations, one or more intermediate, part removal stations, and a conveyor apparatus for transmitting the end-of-life vehicle from the de-pollution stations to the part removal stations. The engine disassembly line may include an overhead track support frame, a trolley assembly, one or more height adjustable loading tables, one or more height adjustable work tables, and one or more height adjustable un-loading tables. The vehicle disassembly system may also comprise an engine cleaning apparatus positioned proximate to the height adjustable un-loading tables of the engine disassembly line.

A system for assembling a vehicle platform includes a robotic assembly system having at least two robotic arms, a vision system capturing images of an assembly frame, and a control system configured to control the robotic assembly system to assemble the vehicle platform based on images from the vision system, force feedback from the at least two robotic arms, and a component location model. The control system is further configured to identify assembly features of a first component and a second component of the vehicle platform from the images, operate the robotic arms to orient the first component and the second component to respective nominal positions based on the images and the component location model, and operate the robotic arms to assemble the first component to the second component based on the force feedback.

A projection-welding spinning tensioner includes a first spoke and a second spoke. The first spoke includes a first rim end, a first plate end and a first center plate end. The second spoke includes a second rim end, a second plate end and a second center plate end. The first and second spokes have a same structure and are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner. Several projection-welding points are disposed on opposing surfaces of the first plate end and/or the second plate end, the projection-welding points are annularly arranged at an interval, the projection-welding points are arranged in a form of a concentric circle to form a least two annular arrangements, welded fixation of the first plate end and the second plate end is completed through the projection-welding points. A cavity groove for holding a bearing is formed inside after the first and second center plate ends are docked.

A radiating structure assembly system includes a movable conveyor that supports fixtures. Work stations are spaced about the conveyor such that the fixtures are moved sequentially to position the fixtures at the plurality of work stations. A first work station includes a loading assembly for loading the radiating elements on the fixtures. A second work station includes a first automated vertical assembly machine for mounting a first printed circuit board to the radiating element. A third work station includes a second automated vertical assembly machine for mounting a second printed circuit board to the radiating element to create a dipole assembly. A holding device is movable with the conveyor aligns and supports the first and second printed circuit boards relative to the radiating element. A fourth work station includes an unloading assembly for removing the dipole assembly from the conveyor.

A vehicle body assembly system each forming a pre-buck section and a main-buck section set along a transport path of the floor assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pre-buck unit configured in the pre-buck section to regulate the seal side and the front and rear sides of side assemblies that are different for each vehicle type, and to assemble the side assembly and the floor assembly, and a main-buck unit configured in the main-buck section to regulates the roof portion and the quarter portion of the side assembly assembled to the floor assembly in the pre-buck section, assemble the roof portion, cowl, roof rail and package tray and assemble the quarter portion and the floor assembly.

Matching pieces for broken structures, kits comprising matching pieces for broken structures, methods for generating 3-D models for matching pieces, methods for fabricating matching pieces, systems for generating 3-D models for matching pieces, and systems for fabricating matching pieces are disclosed.

A press frame for a robot system includes a base, a bridge and a set of columns supporting the bridge above the base. A first robot holds a part on the base and a second robot manipulates a pressing tool to press a component into an opening. The pressing tool is backed by the bridge that opposes a reaction force resulting from pressing the component part into the part. A method of assembling components to a part by pressing the part into an opening while engaging the bridge of a reaction frame. The part is transferred to the base by a first robot that positions the part on the base. A pressing tool and a component are selected by a second robot that orients the component to be inserted in the opening. Data relating to displacement, load and time is collected by the controller.

An integrated control system for a flexible pressing system may include a first robot including a gripper for manipulating a part, a second robot including a pressing tool, and a controller configured to instruct the first robot to move the part into a pressing position and to instruct the second robot to concurrently ready the pressing tool for pressing.

A steering gear housing and method of manufacturing same are provided. The steering gear housing is comprised of aluminum alloy and is at least partially anodized. The steering gear housing defines a plurality of mounting apertures. A plurality of nuts is fit into a respective one of the mounting apertures for use in mounting to a vehicle. Each of the nuts defines a plurality of splines for establishing a press-fit relationship between the mounting apertures and the nuts. The method involves casting a steering gear housing defining a plurality of mounting apertures out of aluminum alloy. Next, the casted steering gear housing is at least partially anodized. After anodization, a plurality of nuts is fit into respective ones of the mounting apertures. The nuts define splines for allowing a press-fit relationship to be established between the mounting apertures and the nuts.

A multi-axis nut runner apparatus includes a base frame, a mounting frame mounted on the base frame to be vertically movable, a pallet having an object disposed thereon and transferred along a transfer rail, and a variable device installed on the mounting frame and partitioned into a plurality of regions depending on a size of the object to thereby be fastened.