A method of assembling vehicle parts, the method including: measuring at least one of a dimension or a characteristic of each of plural types of vehicle parts, and, for types of vehicle parts of which there are plural in stock, measuring at least one of a dimension or a characteristic of each one of the plural vehicle parts that are in stock; determining a combination of the plural types of vehicle parts by selecting specific vehicle parts from among the types of vehicle parts of which there are plural in stock, such that the selected specific vehicle parts closely approximate specific vehicle specification reference values; and assembling the plural types of vehicle parts in accordance with the combination that has been determined.

An apparatus including a focused light beam receptor apparatus configured to be positioned proximate a first end of a vehicle, a focused light beam generator; and wherein the focused light beam receptor apparatus includes a focused light beam receiving surface for receiving a focused light beam from the focused light beam generator to provide alignment of the focused light beam receptor relative to a centerline of the vehicle. A method of aligning a focused light beam receptor, focused light beam generator and a movable alignment stand relative to a centerline of a vehicle is also provided.

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.

A system and method for determining alignment of a first part relative to a second part includes an alignment gauge body including a first portion for resting against the first part and a second portion for positioning juxtaposed to the second part and a measuring device fixedly coupled to the alignment gauge body. The measuring device generates a distance signal corresponding to a distance between a first face of the first part and the second face of the second part. A controller coupled to the gauge device and a memory. The controller is programmed to store a vehicle identification number (VIN) in the memory and compare the distance. The controller associates the VIN and the distance in the memory. The controller compares the distance to a threshold and setting a flag in response to comparing. A display coupled to the controller displays an indicator corresponding to the flag.

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.

A door attachment method assembles a door with a high degree of accuracy. Embodiments include a primary fastening step of bolting hinges to attachment surfaces of a vehicle body; a door panel position measurement step of measuring a relative position of a door panel in an opening when a door is brought into a cantilevered state and the hinges are fastened; a loosening step of loosening the fastening; a door position correction step of moving the door within the attachment surfaces based on a measurement result in the door panel position measurement step; and a secondary fastening step of re-fastening the hinges to the attachment surfaces. Throughout the primary fastening step, the door panel position measurement step, the loosening step, the door position correction step, and the secondary fastening step, a state where clamps respectively grip the hinges to cause the hinges to abut the attachment surfaces is maintained.

A method of assembling vehicle parts, the method including: measuring at least one of a dimension or a characteristic of each of plural types of vehicle parts, and, for types of vehicle parts of which there are plural in stock, measuring at least one of a dimension or a characteristic of each one of the plural vehicle parts that are in stock; determining a combination of the plural types of vehicle parts by selecting specific vehicle parts from among the types of vehicle parts of which there are plural in stock, such that the selected specific vehicle parts closely approximate specific vehicle specification reference values; and assembling the plural types of vehicle parts in accordance with the combination that has been determined.

A vehicle frame may comprise a plurality of interlocking tab and slot frame members forming a three-dimensional structure. A custom vehicle frame construction may be specified, designed and built based on a purchaser's selection. The three-dimensional structure may comprise a tab and slot panel to which additional tab and slot frame members are attached. The tab and slot frame members may have an attachment device disposed thereon for attachment of a vehicle component selected by the purchaser of the vehicle frame.

The present disclosure involves a method for determining the critical local expansion of a component with an eye toward the appearance of edge cracks based on an expansion of the component in the shaping process. Given a local expansion of the component at the edges that is smaller than the critical local expansion, no edge cracks arise that are larger than 1 μm. In particular, at least one expansion test is performed with at least one test component, and a critical overall expansion is determined with the at least one expansion test. The local maximum expansion of the test component is determined that the test component exhibits at the time of the critical overall expansion of the test component, and the local maximum expansion is the critical local expansion.

A system and method for placing an object, which is to be processed on a production apparatus in a precise position, is provided. The system includes at least one location-determining system for determining a relative location of an object in relation to a production apparatus and a positioning apparatus for positioning the object on the production apparatus. The positioning apparatus has a receiving apparatus for receiving and discharging the object, and a movable arm for moving the object from one location to another. The location-determining system has at least one location-detecting device to detect a relative location of the receiving apparatus in relation to the location-detecting device. The location-detecting device is configured to detect a relative location of the object in relation to the location-detecting device and also a relative location of the production apparatus in relation to the location-detecting device.