Abstract: A collar fastening system that includes a collar fastening tool, and a collar loading assembly coupled to the collar fastening tool. The collar loading assembly includes a loading arm that rotates into multiple positions and a holding member coupled to the loading arm. The loading arm positions the holding member between a loading position and an unloading position. The holding member includes an arcuate side wall and a vacuum opening defined in the arcuate side wall. The holding member receives a collar when at the loading position, and selectively holds the collar against the arcuate side wall with a retaining force provided by a vacuum applied via the vacuum opening. The loading arm provides the collar to the collar fastening tool when at the unloading position.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.

Abstract: A collar fastening system that includes a collar fastening tool, and a collar loading assembly coupled to the collar fastening tool. The collar loading assembly includes a loading arm that rotates into multiple positions and a holding member coupled to the loading arm. The loading arm positions the holding member between a loading position and an unloading position. The holding member includes an arcuate side wall and a vacuum opening defined in the arcuate side wall. The holding member receives a collar when at the loading position, and selectively holds the collar against the arcuate side wall with a retaining force provided by a vacuum applied via the vacuum opening. The loading arm provides the collar to the collar fastening tool when at the unloading position.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for use in selectively installing temporary fasteners in an assembly is provided. The apparatus includes an end effector, a cutting mechanism coupled to the end effector and that forms an opening in the assembly when a potential opening location is substantially aligned with a cutting mechanism center point. The apparatus also includes at least one of a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly coupled to the end effector. The first sub-assembly includes a temporary fastener insertion mechanism that inserts a temporary fastener through the opening in the assembly when the opening is substantially aligned with an insertion mechanism center point different from the cutting mechanism center point. The second sub-assembly includes a temporary fastener removal mechanism that removes installed temporary fasteners from the assembly when the installed temporary fastener is substantially aligned with a removal mechanism center point different from the cutting mechanism center point.

Abstract: In one aspect, a vacuum alignment tool for holding and aligning a first fastener with a second fastener is provided. The vacuum alignment tool includes a main body including an end wall having an aperture disposed therein configured to receive at least a portion of the first fastener. The vacuum alignment tool also includes a vacuum receiving portion coupled to the main body. The vacuum receiving portion including a vacuum bore disposed therein, wherein a vacuum channel extends within the main body and within the vacuum receiving portion between the aperture and the vacuum bore.

Abstract: One example of the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for manipulating a fastener. The apparatus comprises a chamber that includes a first location and a second location. A first actuator is movable between a first position, contiguous with the first location, and a second position, contiguous with the second location. A second actuator is movable between a third position, contiguous with the second location, and a fourth position, contiguous with a third location. A third actuator is movable between a fifth position, contiguous with the third location, and a sixth position, contiguous with the fourth location. The third location is at least partially outside the chamber, and the fourth location is entirely outside the chamber.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for use in selectively installing temporary fasteners in an assembly is provided. The apparatus includes an end effector, a cutting mechanism coupled to the end effector and that forms an opening in the assembly when a potential opening location is substantially aligned with a cutting mechanism center point. The apparatus also includes at least one of a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly coupled to the end effector. The first sub-assembly includes a temporary fastener insertion mechanism that inserts a temporary fastener through the opening in the assembly when the opening is substantially aligned with an insertion mechanism center point different from the cutting mechanism center point. The second sub-assembly includes a temporary fastener removal mechanism that removes installed temporary fasteners from the assembly when the installed temporary fastener is substantially aligned with a removal mechanism center point different from the cutting mechanism center point.