Abstract: Dimpling and riveting a workpiece wherein the workpiece is clamped, the dimpling, drilling and riveting occur sequentially while the workpiece is clamped, and the workpiece is heated prior to dimpling. During clamping a pressure foot force is applied to one side of the workpiece, and during dimpling a force is applied to the opposite side causing slight movement of the workpiece against the pressure foot force. The dimpled recess in the workpiece is about the shape of a truncated cone and a rivet-receiving hole is drilled through the workpiece in the recess. To provide a fluid-tight seal, the minor diameter of the truncated cone is made slightly greater than the diameter of the rivet-receiving hole thereby providing an annular step between the hole and the outwardly diverging wall of the dimpled recess. During upsetting of the rivet the workpiece material is compressed radially around the annular step to provide a fluid-tight seal between rivet and workpiece.

Abstract: A programmable or flexible fixture for holding a plurality of details comprising an assembly during assembly processes thereon comprising an elongated base supported in a predetermined position, a plurality of positioning units located at spaced locations along the base, each of the positioning units having a clamp adapted to engage the details, the positioning units being located to allow access to the details from two directions of movement of tools of assembly apparatus moving with respect to the workpiece during assembly processes thereon, a robot operatively associated with the positioning units for moving the positioning units relative to the base for accepting the various members of a family of details which all have the same configuration and differ by increments in size and for holding the details together as an assembly and holding the assembly in the proper detail location and assembly position for assembling, and an actuator for moving the clamp into and out of engagement with the details.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inserting fasteners into holes in a workpiece. The apparatus includes a finger carrying device which is carried by an anvil for telescoping movement relative to the anvil, the finger carrying device includes a bore coaxial with the anvil and through which the anvil may pass as it moves from a raised position to a lowered position. The finger carrying device is provided with a side port through which fasteners may be inserted by a gravity injector, the side port being disposed below the anvil when it is in its raised position. A plurality of annular arrays of resilient fingers are mounted in the bore below the side port. A fastener, after being injected into the bore of the finger carrying device, is pushed by the anvil through the fingers as the anvil moves to its lowered position, the annular arrays of resilient fingers properly orienting the fastener in coaxial alignment with the anvil and with a hole in a workpiece.

Abstract: In an automatic fastening machine comprising a frame, drilling assembly carried by the frame for drilling a fastener receiving hole in a workpiece and an arrangement carried by the frame for installing a fastener in the hole drilled in the workpiece, the drilling assembly comprising a drill spindle having an axis of rotation and a drilling tool at one end thereof and rotatably mounted in a ram movable on the machine frame toward and away from the workpiece, the improvement of a brushless synchronous a.c. servomotor including an output shaft having an axis of rotation and an arrangement for connecting the motor directly to the drill spindle with the axis of rotation of the motor shaft coincident with the axis of rotation of the drill spindle. There is also provided a fan on the frame and positioned to direct cooling air onto the motor.

Abstract: A workpiece cutting apparatus including a spindle-supporting assembly, a rotatable spindle mounted within the assembly and a cutting tool supported by the spindle utilizes a network of passages defined in the spindle-supporting assembly, the spindle and cutting tool for effectively introducing a lubricating and/or cooling fluid into the region of a workpiece being cut by the cutting edge of the cutting tool. The spindle-supporting assembly includes a collar having an opening through which a portion of the spindle is rotatably received, and the surface of the opening defines an annular groove encircling the spindle into which fluid is directed. The surfaces of the groove and spindle define an annular cavity, and the spindle defines a passageway defining an opening which is in constant communication with the annular cavity. The cutting tool defines a conduit having an entrance in flow communication with the spindle passageway and an exit positioned adjacent the cutting edge of the cutting tool.

Abstract: An automatic drilling and riveting machine comprising a frame having a main body portion and having a front end portion disposed in a first plane, means for defining a drilling and riveting axis in the frame closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the first plane, and a ram and clamp assembly carried by the frame for holding a workpiece relative to the frame in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane during drilling and riveting and for applying force for heading a rivet inserted in the workpiece. A transfer assembly carried by the frame main body portion selectively moves a drilling means and a rivet inserting and forming means each into and out of positional alignment with the drilling and riveting axis and when in such alignment toward and away from the workpiece for drilling a rivet-receiving hole in the workpiece and for inserting a rivet in the hole and forming a head on the inserted rivet in co-operation with the holding and force applying means.

Abstract: Air pressure means for maintaining rivets in axial alignment as they pass through a feed tube to a riveting machine. The air pressure means comprises a circumferentially spaced series of air discharge passages directed obliquely toward the axis of the feed tube and in the direction of travel of the rivets whereby a conical pattern of air pressure is directed against the shanks of the rivets to urge them into axial alignment in the feed tube.

Abstract: An automatic drilling and riveting machine including a frame having a main body portion and having a front end portion disposed in a first plane, a drilling and riveting axis defined in the frame closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the first plane, and a ram and clamp assembly carried by the frame for holding a workpiece relative to the frame in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane during drilling and riveting and for applying force for heading a rivet inserted in the workpiece. A transfer assembly carried by the frame main body portion selectively moves a drill and a rivet inserting and forming tool each into and out of positional alignment with the drilling and riveting axis and when in such alignment toward and away from the workpiece for drilling a rivet-receiving hole in the workpiece and for inserting a rivet in the hole and forming a head on the inserted rivet in co-operation with the ram and clamp assembly.