Methods and systems for assembling components such as for manufacturing vehicles are provided. An exemplary method includes grasping components with assembly robots and determining, with an optic robot, an identity, location, and orientation of each component. Further, the method includes determining a location adjustment and/or an orientation adjustment needed to align the components for joining based on the location and orientation of each component. The method also includes directing a respective assembly robot to move a respective component based on the location adjustment and/or the orientation adjustment to align the components for joining. The method further includes fastening, with a fastening robot, the components to each other to form a joined component.

There is provided an adjustment jig. A fixing unit has a plate shape and is detachably fixed to an attachment unit of a sensor provided on a vehicle side. An extension unit is provided to extend from the fixing unit. A suspension unit is suspended from the extension unit.

The present invention provides a vehicle component conveyance apparatus and a vehicle component conveyance method with which it is possible to easily convey an assembly component while maintaining a posture thereof. A conveyance apparatus 10 conveys an assembly component temporarily assembled by bonding, with an uncured adhesive, contact portions of base parts 101 and 102, side parts 103 and 104, a rear part 105, and an upper part 106. The conveyance apparatus 10 includes a temporary assembly jig 20 and a conveyance means 40. The temporary assembly jig 20 has a base 21, base-part support portions 23 and 25, side-part support portions 27, and a rear-part support portion 29. The side-part support portions 27 each have a pressing portion 31 that presses the pair of side parts 103 and 104 from outside toward inside in a vehicle width direction.

Methods for validating manufacturing equipment for use during the production of a motor vehicle include identifying touchpoints on the underbody of a vehicle, machining a foam underbody, and validating manufacturing equipment using the foam underbody. A three-dimensional model of the underbody of the vehicle may be used to identify the touchpoints and for machining the foam underbody. The foam underbody includes a polyurethane foam. At least the touchpoints of the foam underbody are machined to a tolerance of less than or equal to +/−3 millimeters with reference to the touchpoints on the three-dimensional model.

A jig apparatus is used for assembling a trunk lid including an upper panel, an extension panel, and a lower panel. The jig apparatus may include: a jig frame; a first activation jig unit configured to align and fix the upper panel and the extension panel and installed at the jig frame in front and rear directions to be tilting-rotatable; and a second activation jig unit aligning and fixing the lower panel and installed at the jig frame to be linearly movable in the front and rear directions with respect to the first activation jig unit.

The present invention relates to a slidable platform assembly and a method of attaching the assembly to the front end of a vehicle. The assembly comprises a frame attachable to a receiver secured to the front end of the vehicle and also comprises a platform slidable within the frame. Various embodiments of slidable platform assembly and methods of attachment to the receiver of the vehicle are herein disclosed.

An apparatus for supporting a vehicle door, the apparatus comprising a base, a first support column mounted on the base, a lift device mounted on the first support column, the lift device comprising at least a first lift bar and a second lift bar each for engaging and together supporting a vehicle door and an actuator operatively coupled to the lift device. When actuated, the actuator imparts vertical movement to the lift device thereby imparting vertical movement to the vehicle door by way of the first lift bar and second lift bar. A second support column is mounted on the base, and the lift device is mounted on and guided by the first support column and the second support column. A load-bearing bridge member spans a space between the first support column and second support column above the base, and the actuator is mounted on the bridge member.

An apparatus is provided for an assembly fixture for positioning a component having a pivot pin including a rigid member, a fixed positioning pin affixed to a first point on the rigid member for insertion in a first locating hole in an assembly, a component restraint affixed to a second point on the rigid member for applying a force to the component for retaining the component in a fixed position and orientation with respect to the assembly fixture, and a pivot positioning pin coupled to a third point on the rigid member by a flexible mounting assembly, the flexible mounting assembly facilitating a linear movement of the pivot positioning pin along a linear path.

The disclosed technology relates to a moveable panel, such as a fairing, of a vehicle, such as a semi-truck. For a number of reasons, it may be desirable to gain access to the area behind the fairing, for example, to access batteries, air/gas tanks, auxiliary power units, and/or other components that are mounted to the vehicle frame. In order to move the fairing with respect to the vehicle frame, one or more examples of a mounting system are provided that enables the fairing to pivot/swing away from the vehicle frame in a first direction (e.g., forward toward the front wheel). In some embodiments, the fairing may also pivot/swing away from the frame in a second direction (e.g., rearward toward the rear wheels) opposite the first direction. This multiple pivoting/swinging movement of the fairing enables access to different locations behind the fairing.

An installation apparatus for mounting a garnish on a vehicle can include a jig, a tool and a controller. The jig can be placed on a predetermined portion of the flange and in a predetermined orientation relative to the flange. The jig can orient the tool in a predetermined orientation relative to the garnish when the jig is placed on the vehicle and the garnish is positioned adjacent to the vehicle. The controller can be configured to indicate an install complete condition based on force data and tool proximity data, where the force data is indicative of a force applied by the tool onto the garnish while the tool installs the garnish onto the first portion, and the tool proximity data is indicative of a proximity of the tool relative to a portion of the vehicle after the tool mounts the garnish onto the vehicle.