PROGRESSIVE PRESS LINE ASSEMBLY

• US 20170355008A1
• Filed: 12/09/2015
• Published: 12/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Inventors: POTOCKI, John R.
• Application Number:
  US15/537,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20170355008A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 35/002 Processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 39/00 Application of procedures in order to connect objects or parts, e.g. coating with sheet metal otherwise than by plating joining mitred profiles B21D53/745; riveting B21J; uniting components by forging or pressing to form integral members B21K25/00; welding B23K; press-fitting, force-fitting, or shrinking in general B23P11/00, B21D19/00; by adhesives F16B11/00 ; Connections as such F16L, F16B; Tube expanders
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 43/05 specially adapted for multi-stage presses B21D43/145 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 53/88 other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 11/00 Connecting or disconnecting metal parts or objects by metal-working techniques not otherwise provided for connecting sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles B21D39/00; riveting B21J; soldering, unsoldering, welding B23K; hand tools for connecting wire or strip B25B25/00; connecting metal parts by adhesives F16B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 21/004 the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/50 Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 7/00 Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting incorporated in working-spindles B23B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/022 Transferring or handling sub-units or components, e.g. in work stations or between workstations and transportation systems
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/024 Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/18 Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines conveyors and haulage in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling

Abstract

A system for producing a vehicle body assembly in a manufacturing facility is provided. The system includes a forming station configured to form a vehicle body member from a metal material; and an assembly station configured to assemble the vehicle body member with at least one additional vehicle body member to form the vehicle body assembly. The forming station and the assembly station are disposed, in the manufacturing facility, at a predetermined distance from each other, and wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of 0-50 feet.

Claims

1. A system for producing a vehicle body assembly in a manufacturing facility, the system comprising:

a forming station configured to form a vehicle body member from a metal material; and

an assembly station configured to assemble the vehicle body member with at least one additional vehicle body member to form the vehicle body assembly,

wherein the forming station and the assembly station are disposed, in the manufacturing facility, at a predetermined distance from each other, and wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of 0-50 feet.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the forming station is configured to perform one or more of the following operations:

stamping, bending, blanking, flanging, stretching, hemming, trimming, pressing, drawing, roll forming, and hydroforming operations.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the assembly station is configured to perform one or more of the following operations:

welding, hemming, adhesive bonding, bonding, fastening, piercing, crimping, electromagnetic crimping, part folding, folding, stud welding, and nut welding.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transfer system configured to transfer the vehicle body member from the forming station to the assembly station.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the metal material is selected from a group consisting of steel, Dual-phase sheet steel, aluminum, magnesium, steel alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, hybrid and composite materials.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle body assembly is selected from a group consisting of an engine cradle assembly, a link arm assembly, a door assembly, a pillar assembly, a sub-frame assembly, a cross beam assembly, a frame rail assembly, a frame bracket assembly, a roof rail assembly, a seat frame assembly, a door beam assembly, a bumper beam assembly, a control arm assembly, and an instrument panel reinforcement.

14. The forming system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is in the range of 0-20 feet.

7. A forming system for producing a vehicle body assembly in a manufacturing facility, the forming system configured to form a vehicle body member from a metal material and the forming system includes an assembly station configured to assemble the vehicle body member with at least one additional vehicle body member to form the vehicle body assembly.

8. The forming system of claim 7, wherein the power of the forming system is configured to drive the assembly station.

9. The forming system of claim 7, wherein the vehicle body assembly is selected from a group consisting of an engine cradle assembly, a link arm assembly, a door assembly, a pillar assembly, a sub-frame assembly, a cross beam assembly, a frame rail assembly, a frame bracket assembly, a roof rail assembly, a seat frame assembly, a door beam assembly, a bumper beam assembly, a control arm assembly, and an instrument panel reinforcement.

10. The forming system of claim 7, further comprising a transfer system configured to transfer the formed vehicle body member to the assembly station.

11. The forming system of claim 7, wherein the metal material is selected from a group consisting of steel, Dual-phase sheet steel, aluminum, magnesium, steel alloys, aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys, hybrid and composite materials.

12. The forming system of claim 7, wherein the forming system is configured to perform one or more of the following operations:

stamping, bending, blanking, flanging, stretching, hemming, trimming, pressing, drawing, roll forming, and hydroforming operations

13. The forming system of claim 7, wherein the assembly station is configured to perform one or more of the following operations:

welding, hemming, adhesive bonding, bonding, fastening, piercing, crimping, electromagnetic crimping, part folding, folding, stud welding, and nut welding.