An automatic manufacturing device and a manufacturing method for workpieces, in particular for bodywork components, which has at least one program-controlled manufacturing means and a working point. Arranged in the manufacturing device is a conveying path for a conveying means having a load-receiving means for a workpiece and/or for a tool. The path extends through the manufacturing device and through the working point, wherein, at the working point, a storage carrier for a workpiece is arranged at a vertical distance from the conveying path.

The present invention consists in a subassembly (1) of a linkage (2) of a wiper mechanism comprising: a bearing (3), a crank (5) articulated on the bearing (3) having a first end (51) connected to the bearing (3) and a second end (53) including a ball joint (7), and a link (9) one end of which is connected by the ball joint (7) to the crank (5),
characterized in that at least the crank (5) includes a first through-opening and in that the subassembly (1) comprises a locking element (11) intended to be positioned in the first through-opening and configured to block relative movement between the link (9) and the crank (5).

The present invention concerns a device (1) for retaining a linkage (3) of a wiper mechanism in a transport position, retaining device (1) includes: a clip comprising two elastic arms intended to cooperate with a bush (31) of the linkage (3), and a retaining staple intended to cooperate with a link (33) of the linkage (3), the retaining staple being connected to the clip so that in the mounted state the retaining device (1) connects the link (33) to the bush (31) in a fixed manner in a close position of the bush (31) relative to the link (33).

The present invention concerns a key (1) for locking a link including a U-section and a crank of a linkage of a wiper mechanism in a transport position, characterized in that it comprises: a shaft (11) having at one end a radial holding excrescence (13) and at the other end an enlarged head (15) intended to cooperate with a hollow part of the U-section forming the link, and a first radial finger (17) configured to be housed in a slot for locking the link in the transport position.

A modular vehicle assembly system and methods for increased flexibility and adaptability of a high volume assembly facility which builds several vehicle models. In one example, the invention includes modular assembly equipment (AE) support pallets which are shipped to vendors for installation of selected AE equipment devices that are specific to a predetermined assembly operation and then validation tested prior to shipment. The modular AE pallets and AE devices are quickly installed and easily removable for maintenance or replacement. In other examples, modular AE support platforms and safety fencing are used to support ground level assembly operation and safer working environment.

A workpiece transport assembly, a material handling assembly and a method of operating a cart within a material handling environment. An automated guided cart includes two independently-operable workpiece-securing devices to selectively permit retention of a workpiece or a workpiece-holding pallet while disposed on a mounting surface of the cart. The second workpiece-securing device is mounted to the cart in such a way as to be cooperative with the mounting surface to selectively permit workpiece or pallet retention regardless of whether the first workpiece-securing device is securing the workpiece to the cart. The second workpiece-securing device may be actuated either manually by operational personnel or automatically by controller or in response to movement by a cooperating conveyor.

A part-gripping carrier is an apparatus that carries a particular automobile part through several progressions of the manufacturing process. In addition to carrying the automobile part through the manufacturing process, the part-gripping carrier can then be used to ship the part, thus reducing the risk of accidentally damaging the part through the manufacturing process and the shipping. The part-gripping carrier includes a base panel, a first lateral-bracing portion, a second lateral-bracing portion, a first tapered panel, and a second tapered panel. The base panel acts as a support surface for a particular automobile part. The first lateral-bracing portion and the second lateral-bracing portion act as gripping elements to maintain the particular automobile part inside of the present invention. The first tapered panel and the second tapered panel provide cushion distance which protect the ends of the particular automobile part when inside of the present invention.

A self-driving storage device for storing and/or transporting body components of motor vehicles, base modules of motor vehicles, or motor vehicles in a final or partially assembled state, the self-driving storage device comprising a base element and a support structure which is arranged on the base element, is designed to receive the body components or the motor vehicles in a final or partially assembled state, and has a plurality of storage spaces with movable storage base elements, wherein the storage device has a movement device which is arranged on the base element and is designed such that the storage device can be moved omnidirectionally in a self-driving manner, in a floor-bound manner.

A system and process for gluing two components together includes measuring the temperature of one or both panels to be glued together prior to application of the glue to the panels. If the measured temperature of the panel(s) is outside a predetermined range, the system and process thermally conditions the panel(s) to bring them into the predetermined temperature range for proper adhesion. A control unit with predetermined reference values is in communication with the system temperature sensors and thermal conditioning devices to provide uniform gluing quality irrespective of the environmental conditions of the assembly line.

A workpiece transport assembly, a material handling assembly and a method of operating a cart within a material handling environment. An automated guided cart includes two independently-operable workpiece-securing devices to selectively permit retention of a workpiece or a workpiece-holding pallet while disposed on a mounting surface of the cart. The second workpiece-securing device is mounted to the cart in such a way as to be cooperative with the mounting surface to selectively permit workpiece or pallet retention regardless of whether the first workpiece-securing device is securing the workpiece to the cart. The second workpiece-securing device may be actuated either manually by operational personnel or automatically by controller or in response to movement by a cooperating conveyor.