Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Wuhua Yang

Robert Bruce Tilove

Roberto Hirayama

Terebara A Hughes

Pei-chung Wang

John Stilianos Agapiou

Yhu-Tin Lin

Hongliang Wang

Xiaohong Gayden

Charles J Bruggemann

Dmitriy Bruder

Miguel Arturo Saez

John D Fickes

Robert R Mayer

Richard A Knoth

Dalton D Matznick

Michael L Wenner

William H Gillespie, Iv

A tool configured for installing trim molding at an installation site. The tool includes: first coupling members configured to couple the trim molding to the tool; second coupling members configured to couple the tool to the installation site; and an actuator configured to move the trim molding off of the first coupling members and onto the installation site when the tool is coupled to the installation site with the second coupling members.

Systems and methods for installing trim molding

An emblem installation system for installing emblems on a work piece includes an end effector for a robotic arm. The end effector has a base and multiple vacuum gripper modules repositionable along the base in different configurations. The vacuum gripper modules are configured to simultaneously grip multiple emblems and individually release the emblems. An emblem installation method includes applying a force within a first range of forces to the multiple emblems individually and in succession via vacuum gripper modules of an end effector on a robotic arm, with the emblems disposed at a first location, applying a vacuum to the vacuum gripper modules to grip the emblems with the vacuum gripper modules, and moving the robotic arm from the first location to a second location adjacent a workpiece with the emblems gripped by the vacuum gripper modules.

Emblem installation system and method

An end-effector for installation of an emblem assembly is provided. The end-effector includes a support frame, a first splitter, and a second splitter. The first splitter and the second splitter are connected to the support frame. The pneumatically actuated grippers include: a first gripper connected to the first splitter and configured to grab at least a portion of the emblem assembly; and a second gripper connected to the second splitter and configured to peel off one or more layers of the emblem assembly. The roller is connected to the support frame and configured to wet out an adhesive layer of the emblem assembly.

Multi-purpose end-effectors with rollers and pneumatically controlled grippers for robotic emblem installation

Systems and methods are provided for fixturing hairpins for joining by welding. A fixture system includes an outer structural ring fixed relative to an inner structural ring and mates with the component around its hairpin type conductor ends. Dielectric rings are disposed between conductor pairs. Clamp rings are disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric rings. One clamp ring and one dielectric ring define an opening receiving one conductor pair. Another clamp ring and another dielectric ring define another receiving another conductor pair. The clamp rings are movable toward one another to align and crowd the conductor pairs between the clamp rings and the dielectric rings prior to welding.

Stator welding fixture system and method

A method includes acquiring a first structural component conforming to a design, producing a first vehicle including the first structural component, and transferring possession of the first vehicle with the first structural component having a first set of mechanical properties. The method further includes acquiring a second structural component conforming to the design, subjecting the second structural component to a heat treatment process so that the second structural component is characterized by a second set of mechanical properties different from the first set of mechanical properties, producing a second vehicle including the second structural component, and transferring possession of the second vehicle with the second structural component having the second set of mechanical properties.

Method of varying material properties

A method of welding two or more workpieces employing a motion-controlled electrode that reduces temperature and residual stresses at a workpiece-to-electrode interface is disclosed. During a first period of time, a first electrode force is applied to the workpieces to be welded, and a weld current is applied that causes heating of an associated workpiece-to-workpiece faying surface, the first electrode force being applied at a first electrode stroke. A temperature of the faying surface indicative of a weld nugget formation thereat is determined, and in response thereto the electrode force is reduced to a second level during a second period of time while maintaining a constant electrode stroke. During a third period of time, the electrode force is further reduced to a third level while simultaneously reducing the electrode stroke to a second level. Welding is stopped after the third period of time, resulting in a weld joint having reduced residual stresses and reduced likelihood of stress crack formation.

Method and system for welding workpieces

A process for simulating and assembling flexible parts includes creating an ideal path between first and second planes and placing a virtual rigid envelope around the ideal path, and possibly tubular extensions beyond the path. A virtual flexible part is marked with reference features and pulled through the virtual rigid envelope, such that the path of the virtual flexible part is constrained but may rotate. Removing the virtual rigid envelope allows the virtual flexible part to relax, causing it to move to its lowest energy state. Zero-twist end conditions on the virtual flexible part are marked, corresponding to the intersection of the reference features with the planes. Identification marks are placed on a real flexible part, corresponding to the reference strips on the virtual flexible part. The real flexible part may then be assembled by aligning zero-twist marks on mating features to the identification marks on the real flexible part.

Process for simulating and assembling flexible parts

A method to detect and rank appearance distortions includes creating virtual models of a reference panel and a processed panel, including a first reference patch and the processed panel, respectively. Projecting a first simulated light pattern on the reference panel and the processed panel, and viewing the first reference patch and the first processed patch from a first viewpoint with respect to the first simulated light pattern. The method compares a first reference reflection at the first reference patch with a first processed reflection at the first processed patch, and creates a first index value from optical variations between the appearance of the reference and processed reflections. The first index value is output in a computer readable format. The method may compare the first index value to a predetermined index value and determine whether the processed panel is within an acceptable appearance quality threshold.

Method of appearance deformation indexing

A method allowing for the fabrication of tubular structures, such as structural members used in vehicle bodies, from two or more metals or other materials using a hydroforming process. Being able to use two or more metals or other materials, such as, for example, high-strength steel and low-weight aluminum alloy, in body structure design allows for achieving an optimum material solution which combines the desirable attributes of the different materials.

Method of fabricating tubular structure from hybrid material

A process that combines tubular body pressure induced shaping at elevated temperatures with a controlled rapid quenching operation using a gaseous quenching medium in a common unit. The achievable cooling rate permits the in-die shaping and quenching of tubular structural components of martensitic steels without requiring the use of a separate discrete quenching.

Method for in-die shaping and quenching of martensitic tubular body

A method is provided for forming a tube between a pair of dies. The tube is captured between a pair of dies having die surfaces constructed of an electrically non-conducting material defining a die cavity therein. The ends of the tube are sealed and electrical current is applied to the tube to induce electrical resistance heating of the tube. The interior of the tube is pressurized to expand the tube into the cavity to thereby form the heated tube.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Wuhua Yang