Component-support fixtures for component assembly system

A muffler fixture for supporting a muffler of an exhaust system, the muffler fixture comprising

• first, second, third, and fourth stands,
• first, second, third, and fourth muffler modules, the first muffler module being coupled to the first stand for movement relative to the first stand, the second muffler module being coupled to the second stand for movement relative to the second stand, the third muffler module being coupled to the third stand for movement relative to the third stand, and the fourth muffler module being coupled to the fourth stand for movement relative to the fourth stand, and
• a muffler support coupled to the first, second, third, and fourth muffler modules.

A pipe fixture for supporting exhaust system components, the pipe fixture comprising

• a stand and
• a module coupled to the stand and movable relative to the stand, the module including a frame and an insert, the frame including an insert-receiving groove, the insert including a frame-engaging portion and an exhaust system-engaging portion that is adapted to engage an exhaust system, and the insert being positioned to lie in the insert-receiving groove.

A pipe fixture for supporting an exhaust system, the pipe fixture comprising

• a stand and
• a module coupled to the stand and movable relative to the stand, the module including a frame and a plurality of inserts, one of the plurality of inserts is coupled to the frame, the plurality of inserts includes an alignment insert that is adapted to position the module relative to the base and an exhaust system support insert that is adapted to support an exhaust system.

A bracket fixture for supporting an exhaust system bracket adjacent to an exhaust system, the bracket stand comprising

• a stand, the stand having a base, an upright coupled to the base, and a stop member movably coupled to the upright, the base having a longitudinal axis, and
• a module coupled to the upright for movement relative to the upright, the module including a clamp coupled to the upright for movement relative to the upright, the clamp being configured to support an exhaust system bracket and move between a first position adjacent the stop member and a second position adjacent to the base, the clamp defining a coordinate point, the stop member including an alignment mark, and the alignment mark of the stop member and coordinate point defined by the clamp lie on a line that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base.

An end fixture for interacting with an end of an exhaust system and a flange of an exhaust system, the end fixture comprising

• a stand and
• an end module pivotally coupled to the stand, the end module including a mounting plate, a plate module coupled to the mounting plate, and a coupler, the plate module is adapted to engage an end of an exhaust system, and the coupler is coupled to one of the mounting plate and plate module and adapted to engage a flange of an exhaust system to fix the position of the flange relative to the end of the exhaust system.

An end fixture for interacting with an end of an exhaust system, the end fixture comprising

• a stand and
• a plurality of end modules configured to be pivotally coupled to the stand each of the plurality of end modules having a differently configured plug, one of the plurality of end modules being coupled to the stand, the plurality of end modules including a support plate and a plug connected to the support plate and adapted to engage an end of an exhaust system, the support plate being movable relative to the stand to position to one of the plurality of plugs in the proper orientation relative to the end of the exhaust system.

A fixture for interacting with an exhaust system and an image of the exhaust system, the image having location indicia locating the fixture on the image, displacement data associated with the location indicia indicates an alignment point in space above the image, the fixture comprising

• a stand adapted to lie in a selected position relative to the image, the stand including a front edge and a rear edge and a first alignment mark in the proximity of the front edge and a second alignment mark in the proximity of the rear edge, the first and second alignment marks being adapted to align the stand with the location indicia on the image, and
• a module defining a coordinate point that moves relative to the stand and image in response to movement of the module relative to the stand, the module being coupled to the stand for movement relative to the stand to position the coordinate point of the module at the alignment point in space above the image so that the module is moved to assume a selected position relative to the stand.