Comau, Inc.

Isvision America

Lei Zhou

Velibor Kilibarda

Michael R Dugas

Freddie Tappo

William Maybee

Neil G Greig

Michael L Gentile

Matthew P Sosnowski

Jeffrey W Mason

Tracy Thomas Taylor

Radomir Senic

William (deceased) Maybee

A method for accurately determining a positioning of an automated guided vehicle relative to a substrate includes scanning a substrate surface of the substrate to produce two or more two-dimensional images, with each respective one of the produced two-dimensional images is associated with a known portion of the substrate surface. The method further includes storing each one of the produced images. The method further includes positioning the automated guided vehicle relative to the substrate surface, and scanning the substrate surface corresponding to the positioned automated guide vehicle to produce a supplemental two-dimensional image. The supplemental image is compared to each of the stored two or more images to accurately determine the position of the vehicle relative to the substrate surface at the position. This information can also be used to drive the automated guided vehicle from the determined position to another known position relative to the substrate surface.

Methods for identifying location of automated guided vehicles on a mapped substrate

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor engaged with a lifting mechanism on the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

Inverted carrier lift device system and method

A transport system and method useful for autonomously or semi-autonomously transporting and positioning materials or components in an industrial facility. In one example in use for passenger vehicle body assembly, a transport device includes a lift device and first and second build devices for alternately supporting a workpiece. The transport device includes a clearance opening for passage by the second build device along the path of travel. The transport device positions the first build device and workpiece over the second build device and deposits the workpiece on the lower second build device for processing. When the process is complete, the first build device re-engages the workpiece for movement to another workstation.

Transport system and methods

An inverted carrier lift and method is disclosed. The inverted carrier lift includes a trolley movable along an overhead conveyor and a carrier for supporting a workpiece to undergo an assembly or manufacturing process. The carrier is movable relative to the trolley from a raised position to a lowered position by a motor mounted engaged with a lifting mechanism onboard the trolley. On rotation of the motor, the carrier and supported workpiece is lowered or raised to position the workpiece in the workstation for processing. The workpiece may be disengaged by the carrier for support of the workpiece by one of many different fixtures depending on the processing. Following processing, the workpiece is re-engaged by the carrier, moved to a raised position and the trolley is transferred to a subsequent workstation.

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Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Lei Zhou