Abstract: A vehicle repair control system includes a sensor generating data signals relating to a vehicle, a communication system, and one or more processors that determine a repair to be performed on the vehicle based on the sensor data signals received over the communication system. The processors examine historic repair data indicative of outlays for previous repairs of other vehicles, and examine the historic repair data to determine fluctuations in the outlays for the previous repairs to determine a projected outlay for the repair to be performed on the vehicle based on the fluctuations. The processors determine a quantity-based reduction in the projected outlay based on a number of repairs performed at a repair facility and communicate a control signal to the repair facility to autonomously direct the repair to be performed on the vehicle responsive to determining the quantity-based reduction to change a state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle repair control system includes a sensor generating data signals relating to a vehicle, a communication system, and one or more processors that determine a repair to be performed on the vehicle based on the sensor data signals received over the communication system. The processors examine historic repair data indicative of outlays for previous repairs of other vehicles, and examine the historic repair data to determine fluctuations in the outlays for the previous repairs to determine a projected outlay for the repair to be performed on the vehicle based on the fluctuations. The processors determine a quantity-based reduction in the projected outlay based on a number of repairs performed at a repair facility and communicate a control signal to the repair facility to autonomously direct the repair to be performed on the vehicle responsive to determining the quantity-based reduction to change a state of the vehicle.

Abstract: A rivet system having a rivet and an installation anvil, wherein the rivet has a hollow body portion and a head portion, wherein the hollow body portion has a first and a second ends, wherein the hollow body near the second end is sufficiently designed to pierce work pieces during a joining process, wherein the installation anvil having a head portion which is sufficiently designed so that, when the rivet is pushed toward work pieces, the head portion pushes a slug from each work piece into a cavity of the hollow body of the rivet, and wherein the head portion of the installation anvil is sufficiently designed so that the head portion of the installation anvil forces the second end of the hollow body of the rivet to change its shape.

Abstract: A fastener element including a barrel portion, a first radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with the barrel portion and a second radial flange portion having a diameter greater than the first radial flange portion coaxially aligned with the first radial flange portion including an annular face having circumferentially spaced radial ribs and a method of installing the fastener element which includes forming an opening in a panel which receives the barrel and first radial flange portions, wherein the panel is deformed radially inwardly against the first radial flange portion and the first radial flange portion is preferably deformed radially outwardly forming a secure fastener and panel assembly.

Abstract: A fastener element including a barrel portion, a first radial flange portion integral and coaxially aligned with the barrel portion and a second radial flange portion having a diameter greater than the first radial flange portion coaxially aligned with the first radial flange portion including an annular face having circumferentially spaced radial ribs and a method of installing the fastener element which includes forming an opening in a panel which receives the barrel and first radial flange portions, wherein the panel is deformed radially inwardly against the first radial flange portion and the first radial flange portion is preferably deformed radially outwardly forming a secure fastener and panel assembly.

Abstract: Method of forming a sealed joint between a nut (20) having a cylindrical pilot (22), an annular flange portion (28) surrounding the pilot and an re-entrant groove (32) and a panel with a die having an annular lip (62) which deforms a panel portion into the groove (32) and simultaneously shaves an outer surface of the pilot onto the panel. The annular groove in the flange portion includes an arcuately inclined outer side wall (36) and an inner side wall (38) arcuately inclined toward the flange portion.

Abstract: A method of cold forming a self-attaching female fastener (20) which includes deforming a fastener blank (120) having an annular pilot, (122) an annular flange (128) surrounding the pilot and a groove (132) in the flange having cylindrical walls and annular protrusions (152, 154) on the flange and pilot, then deforming the protrusions toward each other to form an annular re-entrant groove (32) having relatively inclined arcuate walls.