Abstract: A tool for installing a blind fastener. The tool includes a retention member and a gripping member that defines a longitudinal axis and is moveable relative to the retention member along the longitudinal axis, the gripping member further defining a receiving cavity that is elongated along the longitudinal axis, an axial opening into the receiving cavity, and a radial opening into the receiving cavity. The tool also includes a contact element at least partially received in the radial opening and a locking collar moveable relative to the gripping member along the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the locking collar engages the contact element and urges at least a portion of the contact element into the receiving cavity. In the second position the locking collar is disengaged from the contact element.

Abstract: A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.

Abstract: A tool for installing a blind fastener. The tool includes a retention member and a gripping member that defines a longitudinal axis and is moveable relative to the retention member along the longitudinal axis, the gripping member further defining a receiving cavity that is elongated along the longitudinal axis, an axial opening into the receiving cavity, and a radial opening into the receiving cavity. The tool also includes a contact element at least partially received in the radial opening and a locking collar moveable relative to the gripping member along the longitudinal axis between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position the locking collar engages the contact element and urges at least a portion of the contact element into the receiving cavity. In the second position the locking collar is disengaged from the contact element.

Abstract: A blind fastener system including a sleeve and, optionally, a core bolt insertable into the sleeve, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the core bolt includes a lubricious metallic coating containing at least one of tin, bismuth, indium and aluminum.

Abstract: A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.

Abstract: A blind fastener system including a sleeve and, optionally, a core bolt insertable into the sleeve, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the core bolt includes a lubricious metallic coating containing at least one of tin, bismuth, indium and aluminum.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a material layer onto a form tool may include at least one nosepiece configured to laterally sweep a ply carrier onto a form tool contour. The apparatus may include a pair of tension arms configured to support opposing lateral sides of a ply carrier having a material layer mounted to a lower surface thereof. The apparatus may include one or more actuators configured to position the tension arms during forming of the ply carrier to the form tool contour. The one or more actuators may be configured to sense and control lateral tension in the ply carrier during forming of the ply carrier to the form tool contour.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a material layer onto a form tool may include at least one nosepiece configured to laterally sweep a ply carrier onto a form tool contour. The apparatus may include a pair of tension arms configured to support opposing lateral sides of a ply carrier having a material layer mounted to a lower surface thereof. The apparatus may include one or more actuators configured to position the tension arms during forming of the ply carrier to the form tool contour. The one or more actuators may be configured to sense and control lateral tension in the ply carrier during forming of the ply carrier to the form tool contour.