Method for stress-free assembly of components

A method for stress free assembly of sheet metal components on assembly fixtures including at least one programmable fixture having actuators responsvie to position control signals from a controller, clamping means for clamping the components to the assembly fixtures and tooling operable on and capable of displacing the components during assembly and generating forces supported by the fixtures, comprising the steps of:

• a. generating control signals from a controller to move at least one actuator and position a fixture at a predetermined location;
• b. placing at least two components on the fixture at the predetermined location;
• c. clamping the components to the fixture;
• d. actuating tooling to assemble the components, the tooling generating forces supported by the fixture and tending to displace the components from the predetermined position;
• e. sensing the forces supported by the fixture during actuation of the tooling and generating force signals indicative of a magnitude and direction of the forces;
• f. communicating the force signals to the controller;
• and
• g. operating the controller to move the actuator in a direction to reduce the forces below a desirable limit to providing a stress free assembly of the components.