Abstract: Apparatus for positioning tooling with respect to a workpiece such as for positioning an anvil and clamping members on the inner surface of a fuselage being riveted. The apparatus comprises a tooling head, a frame for supporting the head, a carriage for moving the frame relative to the workpiece including movement of the frame along an axis. The frame is movable radially of the axis toward and away from the workpiece for macro-movement of the head. The head is also movable relative to the frame for movement of the tooling radially of the axis toward and away from the workpiece for micro-movement of the tooling for clamping to and unclamping from the workpiece as well as to clear flange portions of stringers being riveted to the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a metal object wherein first and second coils are provided in close proximity to and in electromagnetic association with each other, the first coil is in driving association with a forming tool for forming the metal object and the first and second coils are supported in a manner allowing movement of the first coil relative to the second coil, and wherein an electric current pulse is supplied simultaneously to the first and second coils to produce a repulsive electromagnetic force sufficient to accelerate the first coil and drive the forming tool to perform a forming operation on the metal object, the pulses being shaped in accordance with a characteristic of the object being formed. The pulse shaping aspect includes matching the magnetic force based on the current pulse with the stress-strain characteristic of the object being formed. A voltage doubling network can be employed to provide increased output force.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning tooling with respect to a workpiece such as for positioning an anvil and clamping members on the inner surface of a fuselage being riveted. The apparatus comprises a tooling head, a frame for supporting the head, a carriage for moving the frame relative to the workpiece including movement of the frame along an axis. The frame is movable radially of the axis toward and away from the workpiece for macro-movement of the head. The head is also movable relative to the frame for movement of the tooling radially of the axis toward and away from the workpiece for micro-movement of the tooling for clamping to and unclamping from the workpiece as well as to clear flange portions of stringers being riveted to the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a metal object such as upsetting a fastener in a workpiece wherein first and second coils are provided in close proximity to and in electromagnetic association with each other, the first coil is in driving association with a forming tool adapted for forming the metal object and the first and second coils are supported in a manner allowing movement of the first coil relative to the second coil, and wherein an electric current pulse is supplied simultaneously to the first and second coils to produce a repulsive electromagnetic force sufficient to accelerate the first coil and driving the forming tool to form the metal object, the pulses being shaped in accordance with a characteristic of the metal object. The pulse shaping includes matching the magnetic force based on the current pulse with the stress-strain characteristic of the metal object being formed.

Abstract: A riveting apparatus and method wherein riveting upset force is provided by a solenoid operated plunger wherein the current provided to the coil of the solenoid is controlled such as by a servo-controller to achieve rivet upset time versatility whereby cracking may be minimized while maintaining high quality rivet upset uniformity. A condition such as plunger velocity or applied force during upset is sensed, and signals indicative of the condition are fed back to the servo-controller so that the condition may be instantaneously adjusted as the plunger is moved for rivet upset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for fastening upper and lower workpieces (20, 22) without movement of the workpieces. The apparatus is provided with a frame having upper and lower portions (24.1, 24.2) carrying upper and lower riveting ram assemblies (26, 28), respectively. Each riveting ram assembly includes a buck ram (30 or 32), a buck ram moving assembly (62 or 90, 92), a pressure foot (34 or 36), a pressure foot moving assembly (38 or 40), a buck ram position measuring device (74 or 104), and a pressure foot position measuring device (78 or 108). The upper pressure foot moving assembly (38) further includes an upper pressure foot compensation cylinder assembly (42). The apparatus also includes a load cell (112) carried by one of the buck rams for sending a force signal in response to the force being applied to the fastener during upset and thereafter.

Abstract: Apparatus for initially orienting and then injecting fasteners (F) into fastener grasping fingers (46), the fasteners being received by the apparatus (10) from a non-dedicated feed tube (18). The apparatus includes, as its principle components, a mounting frame (20), an adjustable orientator (12) mounted on the frame, an adjustable injector (14) also mounted on the frame, and a dedicated feed tube assembly (16) extending between the adjustable orientator and the adjustable injector. The orientator includes right and left slides (50, 52, and 56, respectively) the spacing between them being adjustable, and further includes an orientation detector (136, 138) for determining whether or not proper orientation has been achieved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting two workpieces (20, 22) together by simultaneously upsetting both ends of a slug rivet (12). The present apparatus includes a frame portion (44) which may deflect during the rivet upsetting operation and a frame compensation booster assembly (164) which is provided to ensure that movement of the upper riveting ram relative to the frame portion (44) is increased an amount equal to the frame deflection so that the workpieces will be maintained in a substantially fixed work plane during the upsetting operation. Before the slug rivet is upset and after the slug rivet has been snugly engaged by the riveting rams (50, 60) the pressure behind the riveting rams is equalized by introducing fluid into the cylinder (48) until the pressure within the cylinder (48) equals the pressure within the cylinder (56). This is to prevent movement of the workpiece at the commencement of the upsetting operation.