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.

In a method for producing a multilayered heat shield, which has a first metal layer and a second metal layer that has an insulating layer arranged between the metal layers, the metal layers are connected at the edge by a flanging. To produce the heat shield, the first metal layer, the insulating layer and the second metal layer are placed into a first pressing tool. This is effected in such a way that an edge portion of the first metal layer protrudes beyond an edge portion of the second metal layer. The insulating layer is set back from the edge portions of the first metal layer and of the second metal layer.

A manufacturing system for assembling a vehicle includes a structure having a plurality of levels and including a plurality of manufacturing cells distributed among the plurality of levels. The manufacturing system includes a plurality of manufacturing capsules disposable at the plurality of manufacturing cells and configured to support a vehicular manufacturing process to assemble the vehicle, where the vehicular manufacturing process includes a plurality of manufacturing operations. The manufacturing system includes a transport system configured to move the plurality of manufacturing capsules to the plurality of manufacturing cells, where the transport system includes a vertical transport system configured to longitudinally move the plurality of manufacturing capsules between the plurality of levels. The manufacturing system includes a control system configured to control movement of the manufacturing capsules with the transport system.

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.

An apparatus for installing a fastener includes a structure having an entry and an exit for the fastener. The structure further defines a channel having a passage, a chute for receiving the fastener, and a chamber between the chute and the passage. A feeder is operably coupled with the chute and configured to provide the fastener at the entry. A first actuator is operably coupled with the structure and configured to move the fastener through the chamber. A second actuator is operably coupled with the housing and configured to move the fastener through the passage to the exit.

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.

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.

The relates to a method for producing and machining a cylindrical hollow body constructed of aluminium or an aluminium alloy and for arranging said hollow body in a motor vehicle transmission. The hollow body is produced by a casting process such that the hollow body has an inner and an outer lateral surface and has teeth in at least one sub-region of the inner lateral surface. For machining, the hollow body is centrally clamped. The hollow body is arranged in the vehicle transmission by tooth flanks of the internal teeth. In the disclosed method according to the disclosure, the hollow body is centrally clamped at a tip diameter of the internal teeth. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding cylindrical hollow body and to a corresponding vehicle transmission.

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.

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.