Abstract: A machine tool includes a main spindle movably supported in an axial direction, and two gang tool posts disposed opposed to each other with an axis of the main spindle located therebetween. Each of the two gang tool posts is supported movably in X and Y directions that are perpendicular to the axial direction of the main spindle. Each of the two gang tool posts is provided with tools arranged parallel to each other in the Y direction. One of the two gang tool posts is movably disposed in a Z direction that is a same direction as the axial direction of the main spindle. Any one of the two gang tool posts is integrally provided with a turning tool base that turnably supports tools about a Y-axis along the Y direction.

Abstract: An electric fastener driving tool assembly can include a driver designed to drive a fastener into a workpiece. The driver can reciprocate along an axial driver path between an extended position and a home position. A home position sensor can be located laterally adjacent the axial driver path. The home position sensor can be located to sense the presence of the driver in the home position when a lateral distance between the driver and the sensor changes.

Abstract: A retaining device (3) is provided for a workpiece (7), which is machined by an industrial robot (2), including a machining tool (4), along a machining path (16). The retaining device (3) includes a clamping tool (5) for clamping tool parts (13, 14) on the machining path (16) and a multi-axis guiding device (6) for the clamping tool (5) and for the independent movement thereof relative to the workpiece (7) during the machining process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first end effector configured to press a selected area of an aircraft wing skin panel against a corresponding area of an underlying wing support structure with a downward force, drill a hole within the selected area, the hole extending through the skin panel and the support structure, and insert an elongated shaft of a fastener into the hole. The system includes a mechanism configured to locate the first end effector relative to the selected area. The system can further include a second end effector configured to press the corresponding area of the support structure against the selected area of the skin panel with an upward force that is opposite in direction to the downward force, and a mechanism configured to locate the second end effector relative to the corresponding area of the support structure.

Abstract: An arrangement for attaching and axially fixing a shaft (1) in a component (2), in particular a housing wall. The axial fixing element is in the form of a swaged bead (5) that can be produced by wobble riveting.

Abstract: In a method for joining at least two plate-shaped workpieces by a fastening tool and a device for operating the fastening tool, the fastening tool comprises a punch for exerting a punch force to perform a joining operation and a clamp for exerting a clamping force upon the workpieces at the joining area. During the joining operation the punch exerts a high punch force to perform the joining operation and the clamp exerts substantially no clamping force to allow for free material deformation in the joining area. After the joining operation both the punch and the clamp exert high forces at the same time to reduce any material deformations of the workpieces and to provide for compression of the workpieces in the joining area. Preferably the invention is used in a riveting tool for setting self-piercing rivets; as an alternative it may be used in a clinching tool.

Abstract: A drive system for a fastening tool, in particular a riveting tool, includes a punch for a fastening operation and a clamp axially moveable relative to the punch for clamping the workpieces during the fastening operation. The punch is actuated by a drive so as to be displaced axially. During such operation the drive force exerted upon the punch is transmitted to the clamp by force transmitting means comprising an air pressure chamber of variable volume.

Abstract: Object is to improve the workability as well as to provide a safe loop pin connecting device. Because the loop pin connecting device comprises a grip lever rotatably pivoted to the grip section of the device proper, a driving arm rotated by the grip lever, the first pin holder section linearly traveling on the first guide rail by the driving arm, the first feeding pin mounted to the first pin holder section, the second pin holder section linearly traveling on the second guide rail by the driving arm, the second feeding pin comprising a flexible member whose base end is fixed to the second pin holder section, and the guide member for guiding the head end section of the second feeding pin and the guide member bends and its head end lowers to the first feeding pin position arranged with the height and horizontal position varied, entangling of the filament section is able to be prevented and occurrence of jams in operation is able to be prevented.

Abstract: A needle assembly for a tagger gun includes a needle carrier slidably disposed within the tagger gun casing, a needle removably mounted into a needle bore in the needle carrier, and a needle lock snap-mounted into a needle lock bore in the needle carrier. The needle lock includes a locking post having a first end and a second end, and an enlarged head formed onto the second end. The locking post is shaped to include a longitudinally-extending slot which bifurcates the first end into a pair of parallel fingers. A ratchet-shaped tooth is formed onto each finger, each tooth including a tapered surface for guiding the needle lock into needle lock bore and an engagement surface for retaining the needle lock mounted in the needle carrier. In use, the needle lock can be rotated about its longitudinal axis to selectively lock the needle in place within the needle bore.

Abstract: A fastener for splicing ends of conveyor belts together is provided having a rivet that is pre-inserted thereto to provide speed and ease in installation. The rivet is held in an aperture of the upper plate by an interference fit at the lower end thereof. Preferably, the interference fit is achieved by knurling of the lower end portion of the rivet shaft to create raised interference portions or ridges integral therewith that are sized to be in an interference fit in the upper plate aperture. The remainder of the shaft can be sized to provide clearance between it and the aperture. An applicator machine tool is also provided for automatically securing a strip of the pre-inserted rivet fasteners to a belt end in a fast and efficient manner. The tool uses operating members to first drive pilot nails through the belt lower surface into registry with the rivets, and thereafter the rivets are driven coordinated with the pilot nails that are withdrawn back through the belt.

Abstract: A rotary turret head apparatus for installing a fastener such as a rivet. The rotary turret head apparatus has a plurality of machining and fastener installation tools disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the turret. The individual tools are independently powered and the entire turret head apparatus is fed toward the workpiece by a single actuator mechanism such as a roller screw or hydraulic cylinder thereby eliminating the need for a separate actuating mechanism for each tool and eliminating the need for engagement of each tool with a central actuating mechanism.

Abstract: Tool assembly for riveting parts, comprising: a first and a second frame (2, 5) capable of being mounted on a shaped structure "C" or on separate robot arms (60, 61); a pair of sheet-holding devices (3, 6) each mounted on one of the frames and at least one of each is provided with a device (11) for displacing it relative to the corresponding chassis with a force corresponding to the clamping provided for holding the parts to be riveted during drilling; at least one drill (20, 21) mounted on a frame, a device (41) for placing a rivet (40) in a hole drilled by the drill, this device being carried by a frame; a percussion riveting hammer (51) carried by a frame and an associated counter-piece (54) carried by the other frame, integral with a reaction dolly (52). The elements carried by each frame are all capable of being displaced between an active position and a rest position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning tooling with respect to a curvilinear workpiece which is curved in a first direction extending along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece and which is curved in a second direction extending along a plane substantially parallel to the workpiece longitudinal axis, the degree of curvature in the first direction being greater than the degree of curvature in the second direction. An illustrative example is automatic drilling, inserting and upsetting one or two piece fasteners such as exterior skin rivets on an airplane fuselage. There is provided a head for supporting a plurality of tools at spaced locations around a central axis wherein each of the tools has an operational axis disposed substantially parallel to the central axis and an arrangement for moving the head along paths of travel relative to the workpiece to reach various locations on the workpiece where the tools are to perform operations on the workpiece.

Abstract: An automatic riveting machine produces squeezed precision rivet connections in any working direction, including an overhead working direction, while using rivets of different lengths. A rivet bore having a precision fit and linear squeezing motions result in a precision rivet connection. The rivets are also pressed into the rivet bore by a linear motion. For this purpose, the automatic riveting machine includes a drilling unit (2) with a drill bit (212), a lubricator (204), a rivet supply unit (3) including a rivet feeder pipe (302) and rivet transfer tongs (302) journalled to a journal axis (304), and a squeezing rivet setter (4). The rivet transfer unit (3) is held in a fixed position on a support console (5) which in turn is docked to a positioning robot PR. The drilling unit (2) and the rivet setter (4) are movable along the support console (5) on guides for positioning in a working position or in a back rest position.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus for installing a ribet which includes a hollow rivet body and a mandrel, the apparatus including, a means for imparting rotational movement to a drill bit; a housing borne by the rotation means and which includes an internal operating cavity, the housing operable to support the rivet; a driving assembly borne by the housing and disposed in force receiving relation relative to the drill bit; a locking assembly borne by the housing and operable to move along a predetermined path of travel from a first unlocked position to a second locked position; and a riveting assembly positioned in the internal cavity and disposed in force receiving relation relative to the locking assembly.

Abstract: A device for combined drilling and riveting of a type including a "C"-shaped support frame. According to the invention, the means for drilling (14) and the rivet set (69) are arranged in a manner such that they may travel in directions which are at an angle in relation to the axis of the combined drilling/riveting head, the necessary pressure being supplied by two arms (2,3) driven by hydraulic jacks and the parts to be assembled (A,B) clamped one against the other by the jaws (6,7) of a plate grip throughout the operating cycle.

Abstract: A multiple-task end effector attachment for the articulated head of a computer controlled robotic machining center capable of imparting multi-axis linear and rotational movements to the end effector which comprises opposingly aligned master and slave related tool heads that carry multiple tool drivers receptive of selectively changeable tooling. The tool heads are interjoined and rigidly supported in opposing alignment on opposite sides of fixture held stationary work pieces by means of an intervening generally U-shaped yoke or frame of selected configuration dedicated to the particular shape of the parts assembly. The master tool head of the end effector is connected directly to and carried by the mobile head of the robot which powers and controls the positioning and operation of both tool heads of the end effector.

Abstract: Improved process and apparatus for assembling component parts by means of rivets or similar fasteners in which computer controlled robotic machining centers present selected tools in predetermined special position on opposing sides of the components which are held stationary in a fixture. The robots prepare the rivet holes at multiple selected locations, followed by repositioning of roboticly controlled tools at each hole location for the installation of the fasteners. Throughout hole preparation and fastener installation novel end effectors maintain a symmetrical balance of forces on the components in a manner which avoids stressing and deformation of the components, holding fixture and end assembly.

Abstract: Construction parts, particularly in the aircraft industry, are interconnected as follows.

Abstract: This automatic riveting machine can access confined component parts, has a imple sensor system to locate component part edges which allows it to be used in special equipment or in robots. The riveting machine has a mounting bracket to which a rivet supply unit, a riveting unit, and a drill feed advance unit are movably attached. A pneumatic cylinder drives each unit from its resting position into the operating position while shock absorbers brake these movements. Another pneumatic cylinder locks all units into the resting position when the compressed air supply in interrupted. The rivet supply unit pneumatically shoots single rivets into pre-drilled holes in the component parts. The riveting unit is constructed as a so-called alligator riveting press which clamps the component parts together and presses or rivets the heads of the rivets. The drill feed advance unit drills holes into multiple component parts while locating their edges, pressing them together, and compensating for any positional tolerances.

Abstract: An automatic drilling and riveting machine including a frame having a main body portion and having a front end portion disposed in a first plane, a drilling and riveting axis defined in the frame closely adjacent and substantially parallel to the first plane, and a ram and clamp assembly carried by the frame for holding a workpiece relative to the frame in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane during drilling and riveting and for applying force for heading a rivet inserted in the workpiece. A transfer assembly carried by the frame main body portion selectively moves a drill and a rivet inserting and forming tool each into and out of positional alignment with the drilling and riveting axis and when in such alignment toward and away from the workpiece for drilling a rivet-receiving hole in the workpiece and for inserting a rivet in the hole and forming a head on the inserted rivet in co-operation with the ram and clamp assembly.

Abstract: A puncher-riveter has a fixed lower part having an upper surface and a vertically displaceable upper part above the lower part and having a lower surface. A hydraulic motor vertically displaces the upper part toward and away from the lower part. A punch having a lower punch end is vertically displaceable on the upper part between an upper rest position with the lower end above the lower surface of the upper part and a lower working position with the lower end below this lower surface. A die is provided on the lower part in vertical alignment with the punch so that the lower punch end can engage in the die when the punch is in the lower working position and the upper part is displaced down toward the lower part.