A stemming system includes a computing device and a stemming device. The computing device includes data processing hardware and memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware. The data processing hardware includes a transmitter and a receiver. The stemming device is communicatively-coupled to the computing device. The stemming device includes a base portion and a valve-engaging portion. The valve-engaging portion includes a transducer that obtains a measurement communicated to the receiver of the computing device. The measurement includes at least one physical parameter associated with installing a tire-wheel assembly valve to a wheel throughout a process of disposing the valve within a valve hole of the wheel. The processor analyzes a data signature associated with the measurement for determining if the valve has been adequately or inadequately installed by the stemming device.

A system for assembling vehicle body components includes an index table rotatably installed on a mounting frame, assembly units disposed on an upper surface of the index table in four directions by rotary plates, and each including a replacement jig and a fixing jig, the replacement jig and the fixing jig being configured to allow the first and second components to be loaded thereon, and the assembly units being configured to be rotated by a predetermined angle by the index table so that the first and second components are joined together by welding while passing through a plurality of assembly sections, a replacement jig palette positioned in a first assembly section, a component palette positioned in a second assembly section, a plurality of clamping units positioned in a third assembly section, and welders positioned in the third assembly section and the fourth assembly section.

A system for assembling a vehicle platform includes a robotic assembly system having at least two robotic arms, a vision system capturing images of an assembly frame, and a control system configured to control the robotic assembly system to assemble the vehicle platform based on images from the vision system, force feedback from the at least two robotic arms, and a component location model. The control system is further configured to identify assembly features of a first component and a second component of the vehicle platform from the images, operate the robotic arms to orient the first component and the second component to respective nominal positions based on the images and the component location model, and operate the robotic arms to assemble the first component to the second component based on the force feedback.

A vehicle windshield triangulation assembly (11), and triangulation method using it with a railing (22) fixed to a vehicle (16) via sliding/rotatable/orientation-adjustable/height-adjustable mounts (18). A sliding seat (21) on railing (22) receives the telescoping end (1) of assembly (11) after its two connected 360-degree rotation swivel clamps (7), each having a suction cup (8), are secured against the old windshield's (17) exterior surface. Assembly (11) triangulation transfers to a new/replacement windshield (17) by releasing suction cups (8) and pairing them in the same manner with the new/replacement windshield (17), and making needed height adjustment to a top stop (12/13) and the swivel clamp (7) remote from top stop (12/13). The telescoping end (1) of assembly (11) is then engaged with sliding seat (21), allowing one person to easily and accurately move the new windshield (17) into the same positioning of the old windshield (17). This triangulation method accommodates windshields (17) having any size and curvature, and installation of windshields (17) occurs without a dry set step, measuring, templating, or educated guessing being required.

An apparatus and method for pressing articles on components of a vehicle assembly is provided. The apparatus includes a support fixture, a driving mechanism coupled to the support fixture, and a sensor coupled to the support fixture. The apparatus detects a component that includes a receiving section and controls the sensor to determine a height of the receiving section with respect to a datum of the component, based on the detection. The apparatus computes an offset distance with respect to the determined height and actuates the driving mechanism based on the offset distance. Based on the actuation, the driving mechanism moves an actuator to a first position in proximity of the receiving section. The driving mechanism further actuates to displace the actuator from the first position to a second position, which causes the actuator to apply a force on an article, causing the article to mate with the receiving section.

A conveying system for simultaneously transporting workpieces and workers having a plurality of vehicles, which each have a workpiece receptacle, an assembly platform for workers to move around on, and a separate drive, with which each vehicle can be driven independently of other vehicles of the conveying system. Furthermore, the conveying system includes a plurality of workstations, which are set up for carrying out different work steps. A control device is configured to control the vehicles such that they can pass individually through a different succession of workstations depending on the transported workpiece.

A vehicle assembly method includes assembling a chassis platform, mounting a floor pan to the platform, mounting a modular interior to the floor pan, assembling a body top-hat separate from the platform and the floor pan, and mounting the body top-hat to the platform and the floor pan after mounting the modular interior to the floor pan.

A method for production of a motor vehicle that includes providing a device for positioning motor vehicle parts that comprises a base frame having at least one base module arranged thereon, and at least one exchangeable docking plate configured for connection to the base module, the at least one exchangeable docking plate having arranged thereon a plurality of receivers configured to hold the motor vehicle parts, transferring the at least one exchangeable docking plate to the base frame, connecting, at a configuration station, the at least one exchangeable docking plate to the base module, fitting, at a work station, a motor vehicle part to the at least one exchangeable docking plate, such that the motor vehicle part is held by the receivers, and equipping the motor vehicle part with add-on parts.

An assembly station for interconnecting a chassis and a body of a vehicle comprises a first carrier to support the chassis. A second carrier is suspended in a positive z-direction with respect to the first carrier and includes a plurality of spaced apart rests adapted to support the body prior to interconnecting the chassis and the body. A plurality of supports are coupled to the second carrier and spaced apart from the body when the body is supported on the rests. A portion of each of the supports is pivotable from a first position in a path of travel of the chassis to a second position outside of the path of travel of the chassis. The first carrier is moveable relative to the second carrier. The supports are adapted to engage the chassis and simultaneously support both the chassis and the body when the supports are in the first position.

A control system for controlling a plurality of manufacturing capsules in a manufacturing system for assembling a vehicle includes a processor and a nontransitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that are executable by the processor. The instructions include generating vehicle assembly instructions based on the vehicular manufacturing process, one or more selected levels from among the plurality of levels, and one or more selected manufacturing cells disposed at the one or more selected levels, defining a nominal path based on the one or more selected manufacturing cells and the one or more selected levels, and controlling movement of the manufacturing capsules based on the nominal path.