Abstract: A fastener system and method includes a controller having one or more processors that obtain image information associated with a tie plate. The tie plate includes one or more holes, and each hole is configured to receive a fastener. A fastener driving unit drives the fastener into at least one of the one or more holes. The controller controls movement of the fastener driving unit to move the fastener driving unit to a location corresponding to the at least one hole, and the controller controls movement of the fastener driving unit to drive the fastener into the at least one hole.

Abstract: A header plate (20) is provided for receiving the flattened tubes (14) of a heat exchanger. The header plate (20) includes a plurality of tube receiving openings (26), with each of the openings being surrounded by a flange or collar (28) that extends from a base wall (24) of the header plate (20) towards the heat exchanger core (12) to surround the exterior cross section of the associated tube (14). Each of the flanges (28) is shaped to conform to the exterior of the associated tube (14), and a blend radius R is provided at the interface between the base wall (24) and the flange (28). The blend radius R has a size that increases from a radius R1 central to the length of a long side wall (30) of the flange (28) to a radius R2 central to the length of a short side wall (32) of the flange (28).