A multi-stage shift pack assembly and method includes a frame assembly, a tool mounting movable relative to the frame assembly, and a removable cylinder shift pack secured to the frame assembly and having at least two cylinders that are independently actuatable for moving the tool mounting relative to the frame assembly a desired amount. The tool mounting is moved relative to the frame assembly by independently actuating cylinders of the removable cylinder shift pack.

Aspects of the present disclosure include an over-travel limiting system having an coupling assembly configured to couple to an overhead rail, a track assembly including a track engagement feature, wherein the track assembly is disposed at an angle with respect to the coupling assembly, an arm assembly having an arm and a track guide portion mateably engageable with the track engagement feature of the track assembly, the arm assembly being configured to move along the track engagement feature between a first position and a second position, and one or more proximity sensors coupled to at least one of the track assembly and the arm assembly and configured to detect movement of the arm assembly with respect to the track assembly.

A modular production system and method includes an endless transport path defining a loop. A plurality of work cells in which processes are performed on a workplace are disposed in a sequence along the transport path. The work cells include an inner spot welding cell, an inner remote laser welding cell, and an outer roller flanging and laser welding cell. A transporter follows the transport path and selectively transfers the workplace between the work cells along the transport path. The transporter selects at least some of the work cells and makes a stop at the selected work cells, and the transporter bypasses any unselected work cells.

A lifting device for a motor vehicle subassembly has a load-bearing unit with at least one support arm that can be pivoted around a longitudinal axis of the load-bearing unit and a coupling unit that is arranged on the support arm for releasably connecting the support arm to the motor vehicle subassembly. The coupling unit is mounted on the support arm such that it is longitudinally displaceable, and the load-bearing unit is configured to connect with a crane unit, such as a crane hook adapter. The lifting device is especially compact in construction in that it offers the possibility of being combined with lifting units for the disassembly of motor vehicle subassemblies from the ground. The load-bearing unit is releasably connected with a connecting body of a support unit. The connecting body is tiltable on the support unit.

The invention relates to a vehicle configurator (100) comprising a chassis (1), a transport structure (2) and one or more transfer means (41). The one or more transfer means are essentially arranged in a displacement plane. The vehicle configurator (100) is designed such that the transport structure (2) is displaceable with the one or more transfer means (41) in the displacement plane for loading or unloading the transport structure (2) from the chassis (1).

Provided is an apparatus for supporting a component part in an automated line. The apparatus includes two or more process stations disposed along a component part transport path, a plurality of component part supporting units installed on each of the process stations to be movable to a position depending on a type of the component part, and a component part transport unit installed to be movable forward and backward along the component part transport path and configured to transport the component part to each of the process stations.

A lifting cart apparatus for engaging and moving a vehicle body component includes a wheeled base frame with a lift for raising and lowering a support platform relative to the base frame. The support platform has a pair of support arms for supporting a vehicle body component. A stabilizer is coupled to the support platform for engagingly stabilizing the vehicle body component on the support platform.

Object-shifting mechanisms, control systems for object-shifting mechanisms, and methods of manufacturing, assembling, and using the same. The object-shifting mechanism can include a base, a frame, at least one pickup device, at least one actuator, and a control system that is used to control operation of different components of the object-shifting mechanism and/or associated systems. In addition, methods of using a object-shifting mechanism to engage, shift, position, and release a component during an assembly and installation process are also disclosed. In addition, methods of manufacturing, configuring, and integrating object-shifting including in different manufacturing operations are also disclosed.

A prebuck unit includes side hangers mounted on a handling robot at both sides of the transport path and restricting lower parts of side assemblies. A guide post is fixedly installed in a prebuck frame at both sides of the transport path in a vehicle body height direction. The guide post is coupled with the side hanger so as to restrict the side assembly in a transverse direction and is configured to regularly position the side hanger at both sides of the floor assembly. A welding robot is installed at both sides of the transport path and is configured to weld the lower part of the side assembly and the floor assembly.

A production plant and a production method for processing workpieces, in particular vehicle body components, wherein the production plant includes a preparation region and a production region for the workpieces and a conveying device for transporting the workpieces from the preparation region to the production region. The preparation region includes a loading region for loading the conveying device with workpieces. The transported workpieces are inspected in an inspection station which is arranged between the preparation regionin particular, the loading regionand the production region.