A door lift apparatus for removing and/or installing a door of a vehicle by lifting the door from or onto hinges of the vehicle. The door lift apparatus includes a support frame, a cradle for receiving the door, and a displacement device configured to raise and lower the cradle relative to the support frame, and may further include a lateral stabilizer to prevent or limit lateral movement of the cradle relative to the support frame and/or a leveling shim to maintain the door in a substantially level position when supported. A door storage apparatus configured to be used with the door lift apparatus has a hanger arm configured to extend through a window opening of the door and support the door. A door glide slidably mounted on the hanger arm provides a mechanism to move the door axially back and forth along the hanger arm without scratching the door.

A conveying system for simultaneously transporting workpieces and workers having a plurality of vehicles, which each have a workpiece receptacle, an assembly platform for workers to move around on, and a separate drive, with which each vehicle can be driven independently of other vehicles of the conveying system. Furthermore, the conveying system includes a plurality of workstations, which are set up for carrying out different work steps. A control device is configured to control the vehicles such that they can pass individually through a different succession of workstations depending on the transported workpiece.

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 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 at least one exchangeable docking plate having arranged thereon a plurality of receivers configured to hold the motor vehicle parts, transferring the at least one exchangeable docking plate to the base frame, connecting, at a configuration station, the at least one exchangeable docking plate to the base module, fitting, at a work station, a motor vehicle part to the at least one exchangeable 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 of predicting joining strength of joined dissimilar materials, includes performing a joining strength test on a plurality of specimens of joined dissimilar materials each having different joining information, and acquiring force-displacement data on a basis of the joining information; constructing, in a prediction system, an artificial neural network model for predicting the force-displacement data and the joining strengths from the joining information; learning the artificial neural network model by inputting the force-displacement data to the prediction system, the force-displacement data obtained through the joining strength test; inputting joining information to be predicted to the prediction system by using a computer running a software for performing prediction for the joining strength and connected to a host computer of the prediction system through a network; and predicting, by the learned artificial neural network model, force-displacement value and joining strength.

A method of predicting joining strength of joined dissimilar materials, includes performing a joining strength test on a plurality of specimens of joined dissimilar materials each having different joining information, and acquiring force-displacement data on a basis of the joining information; constructing, in a prediction system, an artificial neural network model for predicting the force-displacement data and the joining strengths from the joining information; learning the artificial neural network model by inputting the force-displacement data to the prediction system, the force-displacement data obtained through the joining strength test; inputting joining information to be predicted to the prediction system by using a computer running a software for performing prediction for the joining strength and connected to a host computer of the prediction system through a network; and predicting, by the learned artificial neural network model, force-displacement value and joining strength.

A bumper apparatus for securing a vehicle bumper during painting and repair is described herein. The apparatus includes a base support structure, a frame coupled to the base support structure, at least one rear coupler arm movably coupled to the frame, at least one front coupler arm movably coupled to the frame via a front coupler attachment, and a front coupler. The front coupler attachment includes a frame portion movably coupled to the frame, a ball portion fixedly coupled to the frame portion, a socket portion configured to receive the ball portion, and an arm portion movably coupled to the at least one front coupler arm. The front coupler is movably coupled to the at least one front coupler arm and is configured to be releasably coupled to the vehicle bumper.

In one example, mobile industrial equipment for coupling to a truck for on highway transportation is provided. The mobile industrial equipment includes a frame to connect to the truck, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, and a track assembly connected to the frame. In another example a method for using mobile equipment is provided. The method includes transporting mobile industrial equipment over the highway with a plurality of wheels connected to a frame of the mobile industrial equipment. The frame of the mobile industrial equipment is separated from the truck. The mobile industrial equipment is moved while separated from the truck using a track connected to the frame of the mobile industrial equipment.

In one example, mobile industrial equipment for coupling to a truck for on highway transportation is provided. The mobile industrial equipment includes a frame to connect to the truck, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, and a track assembly connected to the frame. In another example a method for using mobile equipment is provided. The method includes transporting mobile industrial equipment over the highway with a plurality of wheels connected to a frame of the mobile industrial equipment. The frame of the mobile industrial equipment is separated from the truck. The mobile industrial equipment is moved while separated from the truck using a track connected to the frame of the mobile industrial equipment.

An apparatus including a focused light beam receptor apparatus configured to be positioned proximate a first end of a vehicle, a focused light beam generator; and wherein the focused light beam receptor apparatus includes a focused light beam receiving surface for receiving a focused light beam from the focused light beam generator to provide alignment of the focused light beam receptor relative to a centerline of the vehicle. A method of aligning a focused light beam receptor, focused light beam generator and a movable alignment stand relative to a centerline of a vehicle is also provided.