Sacrificial Element Removal Apparatus
AssigneeJaguar Land Rover Limired
InventorsNicholas George, Dale Sawyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for removing a sacrificial element (16) from a body panel (2) of a motor vehicle during the assembly of the body structure of the motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises a cutter tool having a pair of cutter wheels (4, 5) defining a cutter gap (6) therebetween. Means (R) are provided for positioning the cutter tool (4, 5) so that the cutter gap (6) is aligned with the sacrificial element (16). The positioning means (R) can also move the cutter wheels (4, 5) relative to the sacrificial element (16). The engagement of the cutter wheels (3, 4) with the sacrificial element can cause the cutter wheels to rotate and cut the sacrificial element. A related method and cutter tool are also contemplated.
Claims23
An apparatus for removing a sacrificial element from a body panel of a motor vehicle during the assembly of a body structure of the motor vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
- a cutter tool having a pair of cutter wheels defining a cutter gap therebetween;
- a positioning apparatus that positions the cutter tool so that the cutter gap is aligned with the sacrificial element;
- and
- a movement apparatus that moves the cutter tool relative to the sacrificial element to cut the sacrificial element.
10-12. (canceled)
A cutter tool for mounting to a manipulator, the cutter tool comprising:
- a pair of cutter wheels defining a cutter gap therebetween for receiving a sheet material, wherein the cutter wheels apply a shearing force when the cutter tool is displaced relative to the sheet material.
20-21. (canceled)
A method of removing a sacrificial element from a body panel of a motor vehicle during the assembly of a body structure of the motor vehicle, the method comprising:
- aligning a cutter tool having a pair of cutter wheels defining a cutter gap therebetween with the sacrificial element;
- and
- moving the cutter tool relative to the sacrificial element to cut the sacrificial element.
26-30. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.