Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fastening via a swage tool. One embodiment is a method for fastening via a swage tool, the method including selecting a hole located at a part; aligning an axis of a lockbolt collar with a center of the hole; placing the lockbolt collar flush against the part at a first end of the hole; and swaging the lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt that has been driven through the hole.

Abstract: A method (1000) of aligning a first body (302) and a second body (304) of a structure (300) comprises: preparing indexing pins (100); orienting the first body (302) so that first openings (306) extend vertically; inserting the indexing pins (100) into the first openings (306); orienting the second body (304) so that the second openings (308) extend vertically; and aligning the second openings (308) with the indexing pins (100). The method (1000) also comprises: moving the first body (302) and the second body (304) toward each other, while: allowing the first body (302) and the second body (304) to move relative to each other and applying a downward force to the indexing pins (100). The method (1000) additionally comprises moving the first body (302) and the second body (304) toward each other until a first-body second surface (334) contacts a second-body first surface (332), while applying the downward force to the indexing pins (100).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inspecting installation of a fastener. One method includes monitoring hydraulic pressure of a tool that is installing the fastener, detecting that the hydraulic pressure has dropped by more than a threshold amount within a period of time, determining that a pintail of the fastener has snapped in response to the detecting, and reducing the hydraulic pressure in response to the determining.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling a magazine for a swage tool. The method includes selecting a cartridge that comprises a first serpentine channel dimensioned for conveying collars, and further comprises an entrance and an exit of the first serpentine channel. The method also includes disposing the cartridge at a swage tool.

Abstract: An indexing pin (100) comprises a central axis (154). The indexing pin (100) further comprises a threaded portion (126), extending along the central axis (154). The indexing pin (100) also comprises a stem (148), extending along the central axis (154) opposite the threaded portion (126). The indexing pin (100) further comprises a cylindrical surface (104), extending along the central axis (154) between the threaded portion (126) and the stem (148). The indexing pin (100) further comprises a tapered surface (112), extending between the threaded portion (126) and the cylindrical surface (104). The indexing pin (100) further comprises a flange (136), located between the stem (148) and the cylindrical surface (104).

Abstract: A method (2000) of aligning a first body (302) and a second body (304) of a structure (300) comprises: preparing indexing pins (100); orienting the second body (304) so that second openings (308) extend vertically; orienting the first body (302) so that first openings (306) extend vertically; and aligning the first openings (306) with the second openings (308) so that a circumferentially closed contour (342), formed by each one of the first openings (306) and a corresponding one of the second openings (308) is large enough to receive a threaded portion (126) of any one of the indexing pins (100) with a clearance fit. The method (2000) further comprises: moving the first body (302) and the second body (304) toward each other; inserting the indexing pins (100) into the first openings (306); and applying a downward force on the indexing pins (100), while allowing the first body (302) and the second body (304) to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A method for installing a flexible track system is presented. At least one of a number of heights or a number of angles is selected for a variable height base system that connects a base attaching system and flexible tracks in the flexible track system to each other, wherein at least one of the number of heights or the number of angles for the variable height base system maintains at least one of a desired distance between the flexible tracks and a surface of a structure to which the base attaching system is attached to the flexible tracks in the flexible track system matching a contour of the surface of the structure. The flexible track system is attached to the surface of the structure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic effect suppressing termination part for a fastener formed of a metallic material, the fastener having a head, a shank, and a male threaded portion opposite the head, has a metallic core coated by a layer of dielectric material. An internal bore of the termination part includes an inner wall, a counterbore hole, and a cavity disposed therebetween. An outer surface includes an outer wall, and a frustoconical wall positioned proximally relative to the outer wall, the frustoconical wall extending radially outwardly from the outer wall and having an included angle of less than approximately 90 degrees. A seal is disposed in the counterbore hole, and the frustoconical wall is configured so that a compressive force applied to the frustoconical wall deforms the inner wall to conform to the male threaded portion of the fastener and deforms the seal to fill the cavity.

Abstract: An electromagnetic effect suppressing termination part is provided for a fastener formed of a metallic material, the fastener having a head, a shank, and a threaded portion opposite the head. The termination part includes a main body defining an internally threaded portion configured to threadably receive the threaded portion of the fastener, the internally threaded portion defining a thread major diameter. A collar is coupled to a distal end of the main body by a frangible web, wherein the main body, collar, and frangible web are formed of a metallic core coated by a layer of dielectric material. The frangible web, when broken, presents an exposed portion of the metallic core, wherein the frangible web includes an inner surface radially outwardly offset from the thread major diameter of the internally threaded portion by a setback distance.

Abstract: A method and system for installing a fastener system. A collar in the fastener system is automatically positioned on a hole on a first side of a structure prior to an insertion of a pin in the fastener system into the hole from a second side of the structure in which the pin has a pin tail. The pin with the pin tail is inserted through the collar in which the pin extends through the hole and the collar. A force is applied on at least one of the collar or the pin tail along a centerline extending centrally though the collar until the pin tail becomes separated from the pin such that the collar engages an engagement feature on the pin when the pin with pin tail is inserted into the hole from the second side.

Abstract: A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.

Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

Abstract: A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

Abstract: A joint fastening system employs a lock bolt having a pull stem and locking threads inserted through a bore in a joint having fay sealant between layers. A collar is received over the pull stem to engage the threads, the collar producing tension on the threads to generate clamp force sufficient for fay sealant squeeze out.

Abstract: A joint fastening system employs a lock bolt having a pull stem and locking threads inserted through a bore in a joint having fay sealant between layers. A collar is received over the pull stem to engage the threads, the collar producing tension on the threads to generate clamp force sufficient for fay sealant squeeze out.