Abstract: Described herein are methods and manufacturing systems that select fasteners for pre-feeding and, in some examples, pre-feed the selected fasteners. These methods involve aggregating historical manufacturing data, comprising hole identifications and fastener grip lengths, previously selected for these hole identifications. A specific grip length and a corresponding fastener repeatability rating are then determined for each hole identification from this historical manufacturing data. For example, a specific grip length corresponds to the most frequently selected grip length for this hole identification. In some examples, the historical manufacturing data is analyzed using machine learning. The fastener repeatability rating is compared to an operating threshold, in some examples, to determine if the corresponding grip length should be selected for a particular hole location.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and manufacturing systems that select fasteners for pre-feeding and, in some examples, pre-feed the selected fasteners. These methods involve aggregating historical manufacturing data, comprising hole identifications and fastener grip lengths, previously selected for these hole identifications. A specific grip length and a corresponding fastener repeatability rating are then determined for each hole identification from this historical manufacturing data. For example, a specific grip length corresponds to the most frequently selected grip length for this hole identification. In some examples, the historical manufacturing data is analyzed using machine learning. The fastener repeatability rating is compared to an operating threshold, in some examples, to determine if the corresponding grip length should be selected for a particular hole location.

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 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: Described herein are methods and manufacturing systems that select fasteners for pre-feeding and, in some examples, pre-feed the selected fasteners. These methods involve aggregating historical manufacturing data, comprising hole identifications and fastener grip lengths, previously selected for these hole identifications. A specific grip length and a corresponding fastener repeatability rating are then determined for each hole identification from this historical manufacturing data. For example, a specific grip length corresponds to the most frequently selected grip length for this hole identification. In some examples, the historical manufacturing data is analyzed using machine learning. The fastener repeatability rating is compared to an operating threshold, in some examples, to determine if the corresponding grip length should be selected for a particular hole location.

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 inspecting fastener installation. One embodiment is a method for inspecting installation of a fastener. The method includes determining an initial distance between a nose of a swage tool and an Inner Mold Line (IML) of a part, operating the swage tool to swage a collar onto a fastener that protrudes through the IML of the part, determining a terminal distance of the nose to the IML during swaging, prior to a pintail of the fastener breaking, and arriving at a conclusion indicating a state of a fastener installation, based on the terminal distance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for inspecting fastener installation. One embodiment is a method for inspecting installation of a fastener. The method includes determining an initial distance between a nose of a swage tool and an Inner Mold Line (IML) of a part, operating the swage tool to swage a collar onto a fastener that protrudes through the IML of the part, determining a terminal distance of the nose to the IML during swaging, prior to a pintail of the fastener breaking, and arriving at a conclusion indicating a state of a fastener installation, based on the terminal distance.

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.