Abstract: A clinching machine and method for using a clinching machine are provided. In another aspect, a hand-held clinching machine and method employ a movable jaw, a cam wedge, and a rocker arm to control opening and closing movement of the clinching jaw. Another aspect of a clinching machine and method includes a movable clinching jaw, a fluid activated piston, a manually actuated switch which causes fluid actuated rotation of a lever, a manually actuated trigger to fluidically advance a piston and a block attached to a forward end of a piston rod, and an abutting stop surface movable with the movable jaw, where the stop surface abuts against the lever in an operating condition to limit opening rotation of the movable jaw to an intermediate position between a fully open position and a fully closed and clinching position.

Abstract: A clinching machine and method for using a clinching machine are provided. In another aspect, a hand-held clinching machine and method employ a movable jaw, a cam wedge, and a rocker arm to control opening and closing movement of the clinching jaw. Another aspect of a clinching machine and method includes a movable clinching jaw, a fluid activated piston, a manually actuated switch which causes fluid actuated rotation of a lever, a manually actuated trigger to fluidically advance a piston and a block attached to a forward end of a piston rod, and an abutting stop surface movable with the movable jaw, where the stop surface abuts against the lever in an operating condition to limit opening rotation of the movable jaw to an intermediate position between a fully open position and a fully closed and clinching position.

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: A single mounting device is provided for each trolley riser for use with a set of shims in order to accurately align and secure a clamp to a datum. In another aspect, a generally polyhedron-shaped clamp body is used with a mounting plate to secure a clamp in different orientations relative to a manufacturing plant locator.

Abstract: An apparatus for clinching a workpiece is provided. The apparatus generally includes a clamp body, an arm, a punch, a die and a first linear actuator. The arm is rotatably fixed to the clamp body around a first pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The punch is mounted to one of the body and the arm.

Abstract: A single mounting device is provided for each trolley riser for use with a set of shims in order to accurately align and secure a clamp to a datum. In another aspect, a generally polyhedron-shaped clamp body is used with a mounting plate to secure a clamp in different orientations relative to a manufacturing plant locator.

Abstract: A single mounting device is provided for each trolley riser for use with a set of shims in order to accurately align and secure a clamp to a datum. In another aspect, a generally polyhedron-shaped clamp body is used with a mounting plate to secure a clamp in different orientations relative to a manufacturing plant locator.

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: 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: A single mounting device is provided for each trolley riser for use with a set of shims in order to accurately align and secure a clamp to a datum. In another aspect, a generally polyhedron-shaped clamp body is used with a mounting plate to secure a clamp in different orientations relative to a manufacturing plant locator.

Abstract: A clamp having a lock is provided. In another aspect, a fail safe lock maintains the position of a clamping member when fluid pressure or other actuating power is undesirably reduced. Another aspect employs teeth on a locking structure which engage matching teeth on a shaft where engagement of the teeth prevent unclamping of a workpiece. In still another aspect, a manual override member disengages a lock in order to unclamp a workpiece.

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: An apparatus for clinching a workpiece is provided. The apparatus generally includes a clamp body, an arm, a punch, a die and a first linear actuator. The arm is rotatably fixed to the clamp body around a first pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The punch is mounted to one of the body and the arm.

Abstract: A clamp having a lock is provided. In another aspect, a fail safe lock maintains the position of a clamping member when fluid pressure or other actuating power is undesirably reduced. Another aspect employs teeth on a locking structure which engage matching teeth on a shaft where engagement of the teeth prevent unclamping of a workpiece. In still another aspect, a manual override member disengages a lock in order to unclamp a workpiece.

Abstract: An intensifier is operable to supply force and includes a housing defining a cavity. A ram is slidably positioned within the cavity and partially extends from the housing. The ram is moveable between retracted and extended positions along a longitudinal axis. First and second links are rotatably coupled to one another about an axis of rotation and are selectively moveable between retracted positions where the axis of rotation is not axially aligned with the ram and partially extended positions where the axis of rotation is axially aligned with the ram. The intensifier includes a plurality of power pistons axially aligned with each other and the ram. The power pistons are selectively operable to provide an output force to the ram when the first and second links are in the partially extended positions.

Abstract: An intensifier is operable to supply force and includes a housing defining a cavity. A ram is slidably positioned within the cavity and partially extends from the housing. The ram is moveable between retracted and extended positions along a longitudinal axis. First and second links are rotatably coupled to one another about an axis of rotation and are selectively moveable between retracted positions where the axis of rotation is not axially aligned with the ram and partially extended positions where the axis of rotation is axially aligned with the ram. The intensifier includes a plurality of power pistons axially aligned with each other and the ram. The power pistons are selectively operable to provide an output force to the ram when the first and second links are in the partially extended positions.

Abstract: A clamp includes a body, a lead pin moveable relative to the body and an actuator supported by the body. The actuator is axially moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The actuator includes a camshaft drivingly coupled to the lead pin. Axial movement of the camshaft causes the lead pin to rotate between a first positioned aligned with a first longitudinal axis and a second position aligned with a second longitudinal axis laterally offset from the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An intensifier is operable to supply force and includes a housing defining a cavity. A ram is slidably positioned within the cavity and partially extends from the housing. The intensifier also includes a force transfer rod and a plurality of power pistons. The ram is moveable between retracted and extended positions along a longitudinal axis. The force transfer rod is selectively moveable between a retracted position where the force transfer rod is not axially aligned with the ram and an advanced position where the force transfer rod is axially aligned with the ram. The plurality of power pistons are axially aligned with each other and the ram. The power pistons are selectively operable to provide an output force to the ram when the force transfer rod is in the advanced position.

Abstract: A clamp and method for locating a clamping workpiece in predetermined location are disclosed. The clamp includes a clamp body, a driving member, a workpiece-locating pin and a clamping member. The driving member is moveable in a first linear direction at least partially inside the clamp body. The workpiece-locating pin is moveable in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction and at least partially externally projects from the body. The clamping member is moveable relative to the workpiece-locating pin in the first direction when moving between a retracted position and a clamping position.

Abstract: A sealed pin locating and clamping apparatus includes a body, an actuator moveably supported by the body, a pin mounted to the body and a clamping member drivingly coupled to the actuator. The actuator includes a first rod having an internal cavity and a second rod rotatably positioned within the internal cavity. A portion of the pin is positioned within a cam slot formed in the second rod and the second rod rotates in response to linear movement of the first rod to position the clamping member.