A vehicle body assembly system each forming a pre-buck section and a main-buck section set along a transport path of the floor assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pre-buck unit configured in the pre-buck section to regulate the seal side and the front and rear sides of side assemblies that are different for each vehicle type, and to assemble the side assembly and the floor assembly, and a main-buck unit configured in the main-buck section to regulates the roof portion and the quarter portion of the side assembly assembled to the floor assembly in the pre-buck section, assemble the roof portion, cowl, roof rail and package tray and assemble the quarter portion and the floor assembly.

An apparatus and method for transporting a machine of a production line, wherein the apparatus comprises: a power supply; one or more parts for mobility; a driving mechanism for driving the one or more parts for mobility to move the apparatus; a docking mechanism for docking to a moveable cart comprising a machine of a production line; and a processor configured to execute instructions in a memory to operate the apparatus to: dock to the cart through the docking mechanism; transport the docked cart to a work cell in the production line; move the cart such that the cart docks with the work cell when the cart is transported to the work cell; and undock the cart when the cart is docked to the work cell and leave the machine to work at the work cell.

An apparatus and method for transporting a machine of a production line, wherein the apparatus comprises: a power supply; one or more parts for mobility; a driving mechanism for driving the one or more parts for mobility to move the apparatus; a docking mechanism for docking to a moveable cart comprising a machine of a production line; and a processor configured to execute instructions in a memory to operate the apparatus to: dock to the cart through the docking mechanism; transport the docked cart to a work cell in the production line; move the cart such that the cart docks with the work cell when the cart is transported to the work cell; and undock the cart when the cart is docked to the work cell and leave the machine to work at the work cell.

Disclosed herein is a tooling plate for conveying a plurality of work parts to be assembled on an assembly line, the tooling plate including a platform, a supporting element fixed on and protruding from a surface of the platform, and one or more interfacing elements configured to be attached in a removable way to the supporting element, and configured to support at least a portion of a work part from the plurality of work parts when the one or more interfacing elements is attached to the supporting element. A shape of the interfacing element matches a portion of a shape of the portion of the work part, so that the tooling plate can be configured to convey, successively, different sets of work parts by only changing interfacing elements on the supporting element, from one set to another set, without changing the platform.

Disclosed herein is a tooling plate for conveying a plurality of work parts to be assembled on an assembly line, the tooling plate including a platform, a supporting element fixed on and protruding from a surface of the platform, and one or more interfacing elements configured to be attached in a removable way to the supporting element, and configured to support at least a portion of a work part from the plurality of work parts when the one or more interfacing elements is attached to the supporting element. A shape of the interfacing element matches a portion of a shape of the portion of the work part, so that the tooling plate can be configured to convey, successively, different sets of work parts by only changing interfacing elements on the supporting element, from one set to another set, without changing the platform.

A vehicle body assembly system each forming a pre-buck section and a main-buck section set along a transport path of the floor assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a pre-buck unit configured in the pre-buck section to regulate the seal side and the front and rear sides of side assemblies that are different for each vehicle type, and to assemble the side assembly and the floor assembly, and a main-buck unit configured in the main-buck section to regulates the roof portion and the quarter portion of the side assembly assembled to the floor assembly in the pre-buck section, assemble the roof portion, cowl, roof rail and package tray and assemble the quarter portion and the floor assembly.

Object adjusting apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed object adjuster for an automotive manufacturing system includes a frame. The object adjuster also includes a guide supported by the frame and positioned near a conveyor configured to convey an object. The object adjuster also includes a receiver slidably coupled to the guide. The receiver includes a portion that is configured to engage an attachment movably coupled to the object to adjust the attachment when the object moves.

Object adjusting apparatus and related methods for use with automotive manufacturing systems are disclosed. A disclosed object adjuster for an automotive manufacturing system includes a frame. The object adjuster also includes a guide supported by the frame and positioned near a conveyor configured to convey an object. The object adjuster also includes a receiver slidably coupled to the guide. The receiver includes a portion that is configured to engage an attachment movably coupled to the object to adjust the attachment when the object moves.

A mobile cart for use in handling vehicle parts, that includes a base subassembly including a first side and a second side, and a storage subassembly coupled to the base subassembly. The storage subassembly includes a first row of swing arms extending along the first side, and a second row of swing arms extending along the second side. The swing arms in the first row and the second row are positionable between an upright position and a lowered position. When in the upright position, a first slot is defined between each swing arm in the first row, and a second slot is defined between each swing arm in the second row, such that a respective first slot is axially aligned with a respective second slot relative to the mobile cart such that a plurality of retention slots are defined that are oriented and sized to receive a vehicle part therein.

A mobile cart for use in handling vehicle parts, that includes a base subassembly including a first side and a second side, and a storage subassembly coupled to the base subassembly. The storage subassembly includes a first row of swing arms extending along the first side, and a second row of swing arms extending along the second side. The swing arms in the first row and the second row are positionable between an upright position and a lowered position. When in the upright position, a first slot is defined between each swing arm in the first row, and a second slot is defined between each swing arm in the second row, such that a respective first slot is axially aligned with a respective second slot relative to the mobile cart such that a plurality of retention slots are defined that are oriented and sized to receive a vehicle part therein.