A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.

A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.

A production line including a chain conveyor for moving part transporting pallets through an electronically controlled workstation. The workstation includes an implement for use by a workstation user which is freely movable along the transport direction of the pallets within the workstation. The workstation may further include a plurality of automated drawers containing components for manual assembly operations in the workstation. The chain conveyor includes front hook and rear hook units to engage the pallet for movement along the production line. When the pallet is prevented from further movement by an obstacle, the chain rear hook moves from a pallet engaged position to a position whereby an optical beam is interrupted. On interruption of the optical beam, a command signal is generated which causes the conveyor to stop.

A support portion includes: a first portion that is supported on a travel portion; a second portion that is coupled to a holding portion; and a damper portion that is provided between the first portion and the second portion. The damper portion includes: a guide portion that guides movement of the first portion relative to the second portion along a specific guiding direction; a link mechanism that is coupled to each of the first portion and the second portion, and that moves in conjunction with movement of the first portion relative to the second portion; and an elastic body. The elastic body is coupled to the link mechanism so as to dampen operation of the link mechanism.

A support portion includes: a first portion that is supported on a travel portion; a second portion that is coupled to a holding portion; and a damper portion that is provided between the first portion and the second portion. The damper portion includes: a guide portion that guides movement of the first portion relative to the second portion along a specific guiding direction; a link mechanism that is coupled to each of the first portion and the second portion, and that moves in conjunction with movement of the first portion relative to the second portion; and an elastic body. The elastic body is coupled to the link mechanism so as to dampen operation of the link mechanism.

A circulating conveyor may comprise: a first conveying line and a second conveying line, wherein both the first conveying line and the second conveying line have a loading position and an unloading position at the two ends and clamps may be circularly conveyed between the first conveying line and the second conveying line in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; and a circulating adapter. The circulating adapter may comprise a first circulating adapter and a second circulating adapter arranged in pairs at both the loading position and the unloading position, wherein the first circulating adapter and the second circulating adapter may be used for conveying the clamps between the first conveying line and the second conveying line.

A circulating conveyor may comprise: a first conveying line and a second conveying line, wherein both the first conveying line and the second conveying line have a loading position and an unloading position at the two ends and clamps may be circularly conveyed between the first conveying line and the second conveying line in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; and a circulating adapter. The circulating adapter may comprise a first circulating adapter and a second circulating adapter arranged in pairs at both the loading position and the unloading position, wherein the first circulating adapter and the second circulating adapter may be used for conveying the clamps between the first conveying line and the second conveying line.

An upper shelf section of a holding rack includes an upper placement section fixed to a ceiling. A lower shelf section of the holding rack includes: a fixed support fixed to the upper shelf section, a lower placement section supported by the fixed support so as to be capable of advancing and retreating relative to a travel rail as viewed in a vertical direction; and a drive transmission mechanism drivable by a rack drive mechanism of a transport vehicle to cause the lower placement section to advance and retreat. The lower placement section is positioned directly below the upper placement section while in a retreated position, and is positioned directly below the travel rail while in an advanced position. The lower placement section is below a lower end of the transport vehicle.

A system for moving discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain comprising: two opposite sides (20) that support a conveyor plane (21); two chain holder guides (22), opposite and fixed to said sides (20); two chains (23) with links with protruding pins (24) sliding inside said two chain holder guides (22); push rods (25) fixed in a removable manner, transversally to said conveyor plane (21), to said pins (24) of said chain (23); characterized in that it comprises: blocks (30) having a central hole (31) designed to slide with friction over said push rods (25); said blocks (30) having a pair of holes (32), lateral to said central hole (31), designed to slide with friction over said pins (24).

A system for moving discrete articles comprising a system for fixing push rods to the chain comprising: two opposite sides (20) that support a conveyor plane (21); two chain holder guides (22), opposite and fixed to said sides (20); two chains (23) with links with protruding pins (24) sliding inside said two chain holder guides (22); push rods (25) fixed in a removable manner, transversally to said conveyor plane (21), to said pins (24) of said chain (23); characterized in that it comprises: blocks (30) having a central hole (31) designed to slide with friction over said push rods (25); said blocks (30) having a pair of holes (32), lateral to said central hole (31), designed to slide with friction over said pins (24).