Abstract: A ball device for setting blind rivets is provided. The device features one or more rows of balls of at least three balls per row, and a taper section which cooperates with the balls to grip the mandrel of the blind rivet. Upon movement of the taper section, the balls dig into the mandrel to grip, and consequently pull the mandrel in the desired direction. The device features a longer life than similar devices utilizing jaws to grip the mandrel.

Abstract: A system for first setting a blind rivet and then verifying the correctness of the set comprising a rivet setting tool to set the rivet and computer logic to verify the correctness of the set. The setting tool includes a jaw assembly for holding the stem of the rivet's mandrel fitted to an axially movable pulling shaft. Both the pulling force of the setting tool and the displacement of the pulling shaft are measured and the measurements are interpreted by an integrator to determine the total energy of the setting process. The determined total energy is then compared with an ideal total energy to assess whether or not the set of the particular rivet is acceptable. Other quantitative comparisons may be made against other ideal values.

Abstract: A rivet pulling head is supported for vertical displacement from an up position to a down riveting position. A rivet delivery device is carried by a movable support and has a delivery arm which can be lowered relative to the pulling head and pivoted underneath it to deliver the next rivet to the pulling head. The delivery device is operated when the head is at the up position and while the head is maintained at that location.

Abstract: A rivet tool is supported for repeated displacement to a rivet setting location. When the tool is at this location, it is forcefully pushed against the workpiece during rivet setting to assure that the rivet will be properly set.

Abstract: The system accordingly strictly accounts for all rivets and prevents a rivet from being removed for any reason and not accounted for. This assures that no free rivet will find itself within the workpiece being riveted.

Abstract: A rivet tool is supported for repeated displacement to a rivet setting location. When the tool is at this location, it is forcefully pushed against the workpiece during rivet setting to assure that the rivet will be properly set.

Abstract: A vacuum pulls a spent mandrel through a gun bore and into a collection tube which discharges into a collector. Gun operation and mandrel entry into and departure from the collection tube are sensed and blockage of the mandrel within the collection tube and the jamming of the mandrel in the rivet gun are determined and signalled to the operator. The cycle immediately continues when the mandrel is cleared.

Abstract: An automatic riveting machine determines that an operator has manually removed a rivet from the nose of the gun by sensing its insertion into the nose and its subsequent absence prior to gun operation.

Abstract: Rivets are delivered from a feed chute to a transfer location and blown through a feed tube to a loading device. The presence of a rivet is sensed both at the transfer location and at the loading device and a fault indicator is operated in the event a rivet sensed and transported from the transfer location does not wind up in the loading device. The operator hits the reset button which blows clean air thru the feed tube in an attempt to free the jammed rivet. In the event this does not occur, the system assumes the operator cleared the jam and loads the next rivet into position to be transferred and continues the cycle.

Abstract: An automatic riveting machine is disclosed which counts the rivets, as set, to control the feeding of rivets from a feeder to the rivet track or chute. The track will be resupplied after a selected number of rivets are set or sooner should the track become prematurely empty by removal of rivets from the track.

Abstract: A vacuum pulls a spent mandrel through a gun bore and into a collection tube which discharges into a collector. Gun operation and mandrel entry into and departure from the collection tube are sensed and blockage of the mandrel within the collection tube and the jamming of the mandrel in the rivet gun are determined and signalled to the operator. The cycle immediately continues when the mandrel is cleared.