Abstract: A blind riveting device is provided, which is adapted for engagement to a handle having a powered translating member projecting therefrom. Force from the translating member imparted to a drive piston moves a second piston to pull a blind rivet connected to a jaw engaged with the second piston, thereby mounting the blind rivet.

Abstract: The disclosed system generally comprises a damping module, a pressing module, a placement platform for placement of the multiple stacked planar objects and a compensatory mechanism engaging to the damping module. Particularly, the damping module includes a damper, a resilient component and an elongate support which are all arranged within a holder. Each of the stacked planar objects has a top planar surface and an underside planar surface as well as carries a plurality of corresponding holes, which become aligned accordingly to form a plurality of longitudinal grooves upon placement onto the platform. The head portion of the damper is substantially aligning with the positioned groove and abutting onto the underside surface of the bottommost stacked object. The compensatory mechanism is capable of adaptively adjusting position of the head portion of the damper in relation to the pressing ram at the vertical and/or horizontal plane.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a joined body includes at least one first plate material, one second plate material, and a self-piercing rivet where a cylinder portion projects from a head. The method includes: a test step of plastically deforming the second plate material by a load in a plate thickness direction to measure physical value information of the second plate material; a setting step of setting a joining condition based on the physical value information by the test step; and a joining step of supporting a back surface of the second plate material having a front surface on which the first plate material is stacked with a die and driving the cylinder portion from the front surface side toward a concave portion provided in the die to join the first plate material and the second plate material together based on the joining condition set by the setting step.

Abstract: A portable roadside assistant device; a system which includes a tool designed to ease the process of removing and changing a tire for any user. The present invention is superior to other systems in that it effectively automatically loosens and tightens lug nuts to assist users in changing a flat tire.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

Abstract: A system for locating the center line of a bolt which extends through an aircraft part, including a robot which carries a nut or collar placement device and a stereo camera. A control system operates the camera to produce two images of the fastener at a specified angle. A processor then transforms the image information to control information for the robot to align the nut or collar placement device with the centerline of the fastener and then to place the nut or collar on the end of the fastener.

Abstract: An improved joining process interlocks parts together and avoids breakthrough in joints that would otherwise be infeasible. The process is used to join a relatively thin rear part to a relatively thick front part. A dedicated backer plate is joined to the front and rear parts such that the rear part is sandwiched between the front part and the backer plate. The front part, rear part, and backer plate are plastically deformed to establish interlock by insertion of a self-piercing rivet, clinching, or insertion of a flow drill screw.

Abstract: To reduce influence of vibrations resulting from operations of a robot and also ensure excellent workability in installation. An industrial robot according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a robot main body, a first base, a second base, and a coupling frame. The first base includes a first upper end portion and a first bottom portion, the first upper end portion supporting the robot main body, the first bottom portion being provided on a floor surface. The second base includes a second upper end portion and a second bottom portion, a plurality of works processed by the robot main body being placed on the second upper end portion, the second bottom portion being provided on the floor surface. The coupling frame couples the first bottom portion and the second bottom portion to each other.

Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus is constructed from a first working mechanism and a second working mechanism that are separate from each other. The first working mechanism is provided with a tire holding device for holding a tire and with a temporary tightening device for temporarily tightening nuts onto hub bolts to which the tire is mounted. The second working mechanism is provided with a final tightening device means for finally tightening the temporarily tightened nuts. The final tightening device includes two nut runners and an interval adjuster for adjusting an interval between the two nut runners.

Abstract: A tire mounting method is provided for automatically mounting a tire onto hub bolts of a motor vehicle. The method includes gripping the tire and temporarily tightening nuts on the hub bolts on which the tire has been placed with a first working mechanism. The nuts that have been temporarily tightened by the first working mechanism are fully tightened with a second working mechanism, which is disposed in association with a first mounting region on a front wheel side or on a rear wheel side of the motor vehicle. The nuts that have been temporarily tightened by the first working mechanism are fully tightened with a third working mechanism, which is disposed in association with a second mounting region on the rear wheel side or on the front wheel side of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A tire mounting apparatus is constructed from a first working mechanism and a second working mechanism that are separate from each other. The first working mechanism is provided with a tire holding device for holding a tire and with a temporary tightening device for temporarily tightening nuts onto hub bolts to which the tire is mounted. The second working mechanism is provided with a final tightening device means for finally tightening the temporarily tightened nuts. The final tightening device includes two nut runners and an interval adjuster for adjusting an interval between the two nut runners.

Abstract: A tire mounting method for automatically mounting tires onto hub bolts of a motor vehicle using a tire mounting device having a first working mechanism and a second working mechanism. The method includes feeding the motor vehicle intermittently so that hub bolts of a front wheel and hub bolts of a rear wheel are successively positioned in a tire mounting station. Tires are gripped by a tire gripping unit of the first working mechanism, and nuts are successively temporarily tightened onto hub bolts of front and rear wheels to which the tires are mounted. The nuts, which have been temporarily tightened, are then fully tightened using the second working mechanism.

Abstract: Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool that can be moved by a programmable handling device and on which is mounted a magazine for accommodating at least one fastener. The method comprises: moving the magazine to a filling station, wherein the filling station has an always continuously open tube section with an outlet opening; orienting the magazine with respect to the outlet opening; opening an air seal of the magazine; and conveying at least one fastener to the tube section in such a manner that the fastener travels through the tube section and the outlet opening to reach the magazine.

Abstract: A fastening method comprising using a control apparatus to select a first upsetting volume of an upsetting die, using a punch to push a first fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the first fastener, then using the control apparatus to select a second upsetting volume of the upsetting die, using the punch to push a second fastener into a workpiece and using the upsetting die to upset the second fastener, or using the punch and the upsetting die to form a clinch joint.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for automatically inserting angle plates into duct work and for seaming the duct work.

Abstract: A method for hot stamping an iron based component in which the component is heated to a temperature sufficient to transform the component into austenite. The heated component is then positioned in an open stamping die and the stamping die is closed to mechanically change the shape of the heated component to a desired end shape of the component. At least one opening is punched in the heated component and, thereafter, the component is quenched at a rate and to a temperature sufficient to transform the component into martensite.

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided. In another aspect, a linear displacement sensor directly senses and detects a position of a rivet-setting punch relative to a nosepiece of a rivet setting machine. A further aspect provides a control system and software instructions for sensing the relative position of a punch and nosepiece used by a programmable controller to determine and monitor a rivet setting position without use of a force sensor, motor current/voltage sensor, or a rotation sensor.

Abstract: A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the punching in and attachment of the fastener element to a planar workpiece, in particular to a sheet metal part. During the punching in of the fastener element in the workpiece a movably arranged die plunger of the die button is pressed with a predetermined pressing force against the workpiece. The pressing force is adapted such that the die plunger first moves once a slug has been cut out of the workpiece by a piercing section of the fastener element.

Abstract: A punch rivet for fastening individual components to one another of which at least one component is formed by a workpiece of composite material, with the punch rivet having a flange of larger diameter, a rivet section of smaller diameter and a ring-like component contact surface at the side of the flange adjacent the rivet section and surrounding the rivet section, with the rivet section having at its free end a ring surface for the piercing of the two workpieces which stands at least substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the punch rivet and an inner concave ring surface which forms the transition from the end of the punch rivet into the hollow internal space of the rivet section. Ribs extending parallel to the longitudinal axis are provided at the generally cylindrical outer surface of the rivet section and preferably extend up to the free end face of the rivet section. In addition, a method is claimed.

Abstract: A die button for installation of a nut to a panel includes a button body with a panel end, and a cavity defined therein. An aperture is defined in the panel end at a mouth of the cavity. A shearing edge is at a perimeter of the aperture to shear a tab from the panel when a shearing force is applied to the panel by the nut driven by a punch of a press. A relief is in a portion of the perimeter of the aperture to bend a root portion of the panel connecting the tab to the panel without severing the root when the nut applies the shearing force. A reaction member is slidably disposed within the cavity. A resilient member is disposed within the cavity to urge the reaction member toward the panel end, thereby bending the tab to contact the nut and seal a bore.

Abstract: A two gun tool dolly which is capable of firing and inserting two, three or four nails into plate, header, or footer frame members at predetermined locations thereof so as to fixedly secure top and bottom plate, header, or footer members to stud frame members of a wall structure or wall panel.

Abstract: A new and improved automated gun tool dolly which comprises a plurality of nail guns, such as, for example, three nail guns, which are mounted upon a horizontally movable carriage assembly in a vertically and horizontally staggered mode so as to be disposed within a diagonal array. Movement of the carriage assembly along horizontally oriented guide rails is automatically controlled, such as, for example, by means of a programmable logic controller (PLC), such that the three nail guns are sequentially and continuously disposed at predetermined firing positions at which the nail guns are sequentially fired so as to insert nails within predetermined regions of 2×4 or 2×6 plate, header, or footer members of a wall panel or wall structure.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: The pinching device includes two cross-sections, each having a hollow part with a male indentation and a female indentation, and locking elements, whereby the surfaces of the indentations form a positive pinching passage of the tube; the male indentation has a U shape with a core and two wings; the female indentation has a U shape with a core and two wings; and the pinching passage has a U shape with a core and two wings; the two opposite wings will draw together toward their ends that are opposite to the cores of the indentations, and each of the two wings of the pinching passage has an opening whose width will diminish towards its end that is opposite to the core of the pinching passage; the width of the opening of the pinching passage is at most slightly smaller than twice the thickness of the wall of the flexible tube to be pinched, and, designed to constitute a pinching closing device, it is disposable, performing a function of closing the tube on itself in the pinching region, preventing any passage of

Abstract: The present invention relates, amongst other things, to a punch-in element having a hollow head part of larger transverse dimension and a hollow shaft part of smaller transverse dimension which projects away from one side of the head part, wherein a ring-like sheet metal contact surface is formed at the said side of the head part and surrounds the shaft part, with a plurality of ribs at the outer periphery of the shaft part which extend in the axial direction along the shaft part from the sheet metal contact surface to close to the free end of the shaft part. A pre-installation component, a component assembly and a method is also claimed.

Abstract: A self-piercing die riveter having an indexable die table on the nose of its frame. The die table has a number of dies disposed thereon. The frame defines a first passage and a second passage in communication with and diverging from the first passage. An actuator for indexing the die table is located on the riveter outside of the nose of the frame and is connected to the die table through either shafts or belts disposed within the first and second passages. The die table has a number of detents that cooperate with a locating arm to hinder indexing of the die table and position the dies in-line with the path of a reciprocating punch.

Abstract: A machine and method for punching an aperture through a hangtag and securing a two-piece eyelet to the same is disclosed. The machine has a frame, a table, a platform, a plurality of hangtag holders, a loading station, a punching station, an eyeleting station, and an unloading station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting deep-profile gemstones and crystals to a sheet of material. The method and apparatus may set a single stone or multiple stones simultaneously, either manually or in an automated process. A slit is formed in the material to receive the stone. A setting is positioned on the back side of the material with prongs extending through holes in the material, with the prongs being bent into engagement with the stone to retain the stone in the material, without the use of adhesives or thread.

Abstract: The invention relates to a punch rivet for connecting two workpieces. The rivet includes a head and a hollow shank having a shank internal diameter (D3), a shank external diameter (D1) and a shank end face. Located at the shank end face is an annular cutting edge with a diameter (D4) that is smaller than the shank external diameter (D1). The shank internal diameter (D3) merges with the annular cutting edge via a cutting edge radius (R2); and the ratio of the cutting edge radius to the shank external diameter R2/D1 is greater than 0.3.

Abstract: A gun rivet and a device for placing said rivet are disclosed. The gun rivet contains a rivet head (1) with a collar (3) at one end and a rivet tip (6) at the other. The rivet body contains a cavity (7) in the form of a bore in a sleeve section (22). As with other gun rivets, the gun rivet is shot with a percussive-type action and with the aid of its rivet tip into an opening in two sheets (13, 14) that are to be joined together, until the collar comes to rest on the upper face of the upper sheet. A tensile bolt is then introduced into the cavity and is connected to the base (8) of the latter. This can be achieved by resistance welding. The tensile bolt is then drawn until a rivet head is formed on the opposite side of the two sheets. The tensile bolt is then detached from the gun rivet, for example by shearing. The tensile bolt can be re-used to place another rivet.

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided. In another aspect, a linear displacement sensor directly senses and detects a position of a rivet-setting punch relative to a nosepiece of a rivet setting machine. A further aspect provides a control system and software instructions for sensing the relative position of a punch and nosepiece used by a programmable controller to determine and monitor a rivet setting position without use of a force sensor, motor current/voltage sensor, or a rotation sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligned supply of fastening parts into an automatic assembling machine includes a rotary holding claw body, disposed at a lower position of a pressing punch, for gripping the fastening parts supplied in a position of a lateral direction by way of a supply passage, by passing through an intersection of an axial line of the pressing punch and an axial line of the supply passage, and rotating and displacing by a specific angle about a lateral axial line orthogonal to the both axial lines, and positioning and holding the fastening parts coaxially with the pressing punch at a lower position of the pressing punch. The rotary holding claw body has a pair of mutually opposing disk-shaped gripping claws, and the both disk-shaped gripping claws are forced to as to press push springs each other, and the fastening parts are gripped by the both disk-shaped gripping claws.

Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a tool or an apparatus that can be held and operated with one hand to attach a corner bead to an outside corner of drywall. In one example, the tool includes a frame, a pair of contact surfaces rigidly coupled to the frame, a handle pivotally attached to the frame, a pair of stapler units rigidly coupled to the frame, and a linkage mechanism comprising a pair of transmission arms and mechanically coupling the handle to the stapler units for translating a force displacing the handle from a first position into a controlled motion of the transmission arms, thereby triggering the stapler units to release fastening pieces.

Abstract: In the invention, a joining means having a ram tool, a countertool and a holder with an opening to accommodate the ram tool or the countertool, is described. The two tools are arranged coaxial with each other at different ends of a C-bracket. The invention is distinguished in that the holder comprises at least one plane contact surface arranged on the outer surface of the holder, resting in contact with at least one plane face of the corresponding end of the C-bracket and detachably fastened thereto. Between the contact surface and the face, at least one interlay is arranged, determining the information and/or the distance of the contact surface from the face.

Abstract: An end effector squeezes parts such as rivets to upset the rivets in place within a workpiece. The end effector includes a C-shape frame slidably mounted on a support, such as a robotic arm. The frame includes opposing jaws respectively carrying tools for engaging opposite ends of the rivet, and forming a button on one end of the rivet. A single actuator moves one of the tools into engagement with a factory head on the rivet, and then displaces the frame relative to the first tool in order to bring the second tool into engagement with and deform the other end of the rivet.

Abstract: A guide and setting device for elements, in particular fastener elements comprising a hollow guide piece, a plunger axially displaceably arranged within the guide piece and holding members which are displaceably guided perpendicular to the plunger and biased in the direction towards the longitudinal axis of the plunger and/or of the guide piece. In a retracted loading position of the plunger one element can be inserted between the holding members and the free end of the plunger. The holding members can be opened as a result of the axial advanced movement of the plunger and the respective element moved in the axial direction past the holding members. Further holding members following the first named holding members are provided which hold the element during a setting stroke.

Abstract: An enhanced automatic riveting system of the type used in robotized precision facilities to perform multiple functions, such as boring, reaming, rivet insertion, riveting, cleaning, etc. at a single work point, using the same equipment, characterized by the fact that it uses a multi-tool head, which does not move itself but is fixed on a parallel kinematic machine, which carries out all the combined positioning movements of the multi-tool head, performing the relevant position corrections between the different physical locations of the separate tools placed in the tool-holder head.

Abstract: A die member is provided for a self-piercing riveting process, the die member comprising a die cavity having an axis and a plurality of sides positioned about the axis, wherein each side extends along a plane which includes a chord connecting two points along a circle centered on the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting connecting elements (16), such as screws or blind rivets, which are self-drilling without chip formation, in one or more plates, wherein the plate(s) are heated by electrical energy shortly before the start of the setting process, wherein the heating is accomplished by means of an induction coil (26), which is arranged near a point on the plate(s) at which the connecting element (16) is set. The invention further relates to a device (10) for setting a connecting element (16), which is self-drilling without chip formation, in one or more plates, comprising an induction coil (26), which at least before and/or during the setting process is arranged near a point on the plate(s), at which the connecting element (16) is set.

Abstract: A tool that can be held and operated with one hand to attach a corner bead to an outside corner of drywall includes a substantially V-shaped member having a pair of interior surfaces disposed at an angle of less than 100° and a frame or handle attached thereto. The handle may be sized and shaped to fit comfortably in the palm of a human hand. A pair of opposed pincers having pointed tips are pivotally mounted relative to the V-shaped member so as to allow the tips to move in a converging direction. A mechanical linkage system translates force applied to the handle into a converging motion of the pincers.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet setting machine comprises a C-shaped arm and a receiver section disposed at one end of the C-shaped arm to receive a self-piercing rivet fed from a feeder. The receiver section has a rivet-reach detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of a self-piercing rivet in a driving chamber therein. If the rivet-reach detection sensor detects the absence of any self-piercing rivet in the driving chamber, the sensor outputs a signal to prevent a punch from being driven.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for frame fabrication includes at least one nail gun (15) adapted to fire nails substantially in a selected plane of the frame (2). The nail gun (15) translates vertically and is configured with a control input device (19) activated by an operator which extends substantially across the width of the frame fabrication apparatus.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for repairing a workpiece having two metal components riveted together. The workpiece has a discrepant joint caused by an improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet. The method includes, but is not limited to providing a repair rivet, positioning the repair rivet proximate the discrepant joint such that the repair rivet is substantially aligned with the improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet, and installing the repair rivet at substantially a same location on the workpiece as the improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet without removing the improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet.

Abstract: A method is described for establishing a nail connection between two components as well as a nail therefor. The nail is driven through the non-prepunched components in the joining area at a high speed such that the nail tip fully penetrates both components and forms a toric-shaped material bulge in the nail-head-side component, which protrudes into a circular groove of the nail head, and a crater-shaped material bulge is formed in the component facing away from the nail head, which protrudes in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber includes a number of upper and lower frame sections, as well as a number of diagonals or struts wherein at least one press tool is disposed to fixedly press at least one nail plate over joints between the lengths of timber, and that the press tools are disposed in a portal with a number of upper beams and a number of lower beams on which the press tools are adjustable reciprocally across the framework between a position in which the press tool collects a pair of nail plates, and a position over a joint for fixedly pressing one of the nail plates on the upper side and the other on the under side of the joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel machining tool and a punching head for use in one such tool. An internal feed channel is formed between the connection for the external feed of components and the readiness position on the joining channel at least over a partial length of a deformable or flexible internal feed, so that the run of this feed within the tool and/or the correction of the feed to the external supply can be optimally matched to the respective tool execution.