An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.

A method and apparatus for maintaining a selected configuration for a structure during a manufacturing process for forming a product using the structure. Metrology data for a support system is received. The support system holds the structure during the manufacturing process. A determination is made as to whether a current configuration of the structure is within selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure based on the metrology data. The support system is reconfigured to move the structure into the selected configuration in response to a determination that the current configuration of the structure is not within the selected tolerances of the selected configuration for the structure.

An apparatus and method for supporting an object. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus may comprise a support structure, a positioning system, and a retention system. The positioning system may be associated with the support structure and configured to position the support structure with respect to a number of linear axes. The retention system may be associated with the support structure. The retention system may be configured to retain a portion of an object and move the portion of the object towards a platform such that the portion of the object substantially conforms to a shape of the platform.

A reconfigurable fixturing assembly including an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, a support assembly slideably connected to the elongate member, the support assembly including a support member extending therefrom, a plurality of pivot assemblies slideably connected to the elongate member, each pivot assembly defining a pivot axis, and a plurality of transverse guide rails, wherein each transverse guide rail defines a guide rail axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and wherein each transverse guide rail is slideably connected to an associated pivot assembly.

A support device includes a supporting main body, a first angle rotation unit, a second angle rotation unit, a height adjustment structure, an absorbing unit and a driver motor unit. The absorbing unit is pivotally connected to the first angle rotation unit. The driver motor unit includes a first driving element, a second driving element and a third driving element. The first driving element drives the first angle rotation unit to adjust a rotation angle of the absorbing unit. The second driving element drives the second angle rotation unit for enabling the supporting main body to rotate around an axial thereof. The third driving element drives the height adjustment structure for enabling the supporting main body to move along the axial thereof. In addition, an support unit system and a support unit control system are also provided.

A method of allowing a work-piece to obtain its free state shape while bonded to an adhesive fixture includes allowing the fixing surfaces to change shape or position relative to a fixture base without degrading the holding strength of the adhesive joints. A floating adhesive fixture may use one or more floating adhesive fixture devices. Each device includes a fixture element with an integral fixing surface that can displace relative to the fixture, a clamping system that can release or prevent this motion, and a suspension that keeps the fixture element in a nominal position when the clamping system is disengaged. A method includes unclamping the fixture elements and allowing them to displace as the adhesive joints and work-piece reduce strain energy. The clamping of the fixture elements prepares the fixture for the ensuing manufacturing process.

A reconfigurable fixturing assembly including an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, a support assembly slideably connected to the elongate member, the support assembly including a support member extending therefrom, a plurality of pivot assemblies slideably connected to the elongate member, each pivot assembly defining a pivot axis, and a plurality of transverse guide rails, wherein each transverse guide rail defines a guide rail axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, and wherein each transverse guide rail is slideably connected to an associated pivot assembly.

An apparatus for supporting a workpiece has a frame and a supporting field consisting of end faces of a plurality of supporting pins which are guided parallel to one another in their main extension directions in the frame and which can each be pushed in against a restoring force with respect to the frame. Further, the apparatus has a detection device including a light barrier in order to detect relative positions of at least some of the supporting pins with respect to the frame. A light source and a light sensor of the light barrier are facing one another across the main extension directions of the supporting pins. The light source is divided into a plurality of sub-sources along one side of the supporting field, and the light sensor is divided into a plurality of sub-sensors along another side situated opposite the aforementioned side of the supporting field.

The present disclosure provides a support device. The support device includes a supporting main body, a first angle rotation unit, a second angle rotation unit, a height adjustment unit, an absorbing unit and a driver motor unit. The absorbing unit is pivotally connected to the first angle rotation unit. The driver motor unit includes a first driving element, a second driving element and a third driving element. The first driving element drives the first angle rotation unit to adjust a rotation angle of the absorbing unit. The second driving element drives the second angle rotation unit for enabling the supporting main body to rotate around an axial thereof. The third driving element drives the height adjustment unit for enabling the supporting main body to move along the axial thereof. In addition, an support unit system and a support unit control system are also provided.

An assembly pallet is assembled a cell stack to. The cell stack that includes a cell group in which a plurality of electric cells are stacked, end plates arranged in a position between which the cell group is interposed, and a restraining member for applying a restraint that restrains the cell group to the end plates. The assembly pallet includes a positioning engagement member that is engaged with the restraining member to effect positioning of the cell stack.