Abstract: A replaceable deformable insert is disposed in a clinching die cavity having an annular recess adjacent the insert. A first layer is established on a second layer and secured between a retractable punch and the clinching die. The punch is pressed into the first layer to form a depression in the first and second layers. The first and second layers are compressed together between the punch and the clinching die, creating hydrostatic pressure in the first and second layers and the insert. A portion of the insert is extruded to fill the annular recess with insert extrudate, while a portion of the second layer is simultaneously radially extruded into an annular space previously occupied by the insert. A portion of the first layer is simultaneously radially extruded into an annular volume previously occupied by the second layer, thereby forming an interlocking assembly of the first and second layers and insert.

Abstract: A method for clamping a plate on a sheet or fabric material support, comprises the step of providing a plate and a counter-plate, the plate comprising a plurality of oin supporting elements bearing, on a non exposed to the view rear side thereof a plurality of pins for engagement each in a corresponding hole of the counter-plate, characterized in that method further comprises the step of providing a pre-plate including a plurality of temporary attachment points on non exposed to the view parts of said elements.

Abstract: The device includes pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, a switch valve connecting the pneumatic cylinder either to an outlet channel or a pressure supply, and an actuating element to switch the switch valve into a second position connecting a control line, open to the environment until closed by reaching a setting limit, to a pressure supply via a throttle and the switch valve. A pressure control valve having a control chamber connected to the pressure supply is structured so that pressures in the control chamber and the control line act on first and second control surfaces in the first and second switch position directions, respectively. The actuating element relieves pressure on the control chamber to move the pressure control valve into the second switch position to connect a motor line and switch channel of the switch valve to the pressure supply, which switches the switch valve into the first position.

Abstract: A method for connecting a first component to a second component, the method including: applying a fastening dome composed of material in a viscous state to the first component, hardening the fastening dome on the first component, and then inserting a connecting element through the first component, second component, and at least partially through the fastening dome.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: a turbine shell; a turbine hub fixedly connected to the turbine shell; and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes: a damper hub; first and second cover plates fixedly connected to one another and engaged with a first plurality of springs, the second plate fixedly connected to the turbine hub; third and fourth cover plates fixedly connected to one another and engaged with the plurality of first springs and with a second plurality of springs disposed radially inward of the first plurality of springs; a third spring for displacing the third cover plate in a first axial direction such that the first and third cover plates are in contact and the turbine and damper hubs are in contact.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the application of a function or joint element to an elastically deformable planar material or workpiece, the function element having a rivet section on a contact surface, extending beyond said surface, wherein the application of the function element to the planar material is achieved in a jointing and riveting process by introduction of the section into a joint opening and by plastic deformation of the river section in a rivet connection engaging behind the joint opening, wherein, in a boundary region enclosing the joint opening, the planar material is held under tension between the deformed rivet connection and the contact surface of the function element.

Abstract: A unified head for a staked fastener wherein the unified head is made from a first member in combination with a supplemental member, and the two members have at least one shared fiber. In a staking operation that forms the unified head, the operation is conducted in such a manner that a portion of a fiber, initially within the first member or the supplemental member, crosses the boundary therebetween creating the shared fiber, i.e., a segment of a single fiber is embedded in the first member and a segment is embedded in the supplemental member.

Abstract: A method for connecting a first element with a second element, includes coupling a third element with the second element, coupling the third element with the first element by thermal joining, wherein the first element and the second element are made of different materials essentially incapable of being thermally joined with a welding process, and wherein the third element is arranged in an opening of the second element in a form fitting and/or force fitting manner.

Abstract: A method of producing a load-bearing steel construction connection, wherein a clinch connection (13) connecting a first metal workpiece (6.1, 6.2) with a second metal workpiece (6.3, 6.4) is formed by local deformation by means of a die tool (20) and a counter-tool (30). In that case initially the first metal workpiece (6.1, 6.2) and the second metal workpiece (6.3, 6.4) are placed one on the other on a processing surface of the counter-tool and aligned. The die of the die tool is then advanced and sunk into the two metal workpieces (6.1, 6.2; 6.3, 6.4) placed one on the other until the clinch connection (13) has been formed by plastic deformation. The first metal workpiece (6.1, 6.2) has a first workpiece thickness (t1) and the second metal workpiece (6.3, 6.4) has a second workpiece thickness (t2), which together give a total workpiece thickness (tt) which is thicker than 8 millimeters.

Abstract: An end effector squeezes parts such as rivets to upset the rivets in place within a workpiece. The end effector includes a C-shape frame slidably mounted on a support, such as a robotic arm. The frame includes opposing jaws respectively carrying tools for engaging opposite ends of the rivet, and forming a button on one end of the rivet. A single actuator moves one of the tools into engagement with a factory head on the rivet, and then displaces the frame relative to the first tool in order to bring the second tool into engagement with and deform the other end of the rivet.

Abstract: A method of riveting comprising using a punch (1) to push a rivet (9) through a workpiece (5) such that a shank (10) of the rivet (9) is received in a die (3) defined by a die body (3) which is in contact with the workpiece, a slug of material (16) being removed from the workpiece (5) by the rivet (9) and being received in the die, the method further comprising closing or substantially closing the die using a rod (4) and using the rod to upset the shank of the rivet.

Abstract: A guide and setting device for elements, in particular fastener elements comprising a hollow guide piece, a plunger axially displaceably arranged within the guide piece and holding members which are displaceably guided perpendicular to the plunger and biased in the direction towards the longitudinal axis of the plunger and/or of the guide piece. In a retracted loading position of the plunger one element can be inserted between the holding members and the free end of the plunger. The holding members can be opened as a result of the axial advanced movement of the plunger and the respective element moved in the axial direction past the holding members. Further holding members following the first named holding members are provided which hold the element during a setting stroke.

Abstract: A system and method for rivet setting comprising an anvil having an anvil face, a plunger having a sensor coupled to a control system that measures the distance between the anvil face and the work surface during the rivet setting process and stops the rivet driver when the driven rivet head achieves a desired head height above the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the control system also communicates the stage of the rivet driving cycle to the operators to expedite the rivet driving process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blind rivet and a rivet pin that is connected or can be connected to the tool and is used to apply the blind rivet. Said rivet pin can be connected, by means of a rivet positioning tool, to a part of the blind rivet designed for said tool. When the blind rivet is inserted into a hole up to the abutment of an abutment shoulder formed on a flange, said contact place can be lengthened by means of the rivet pin acting as a traction element, in order to deform the rivet pin such that it fixes in the opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibrating rivet tool for pressing and fixing rivets in component holes in component of aircraft. The vibrating rivet tool comprises a rivet receptacle and a drive unit for producing a high static pressing force. According to the invention, the static pressing force is superimposed by a mechanical vibration, of which the amplitude acts substantially in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the rivet. As a result, the force necessary to press and fix the rivet in a component hole is reduced in such a way that the overall size and mass of the vibrating rivet tool according to the invention are smaller/lower in comparison with conventional rivet tools. Due to the small overall size and low weight, the vibrating rivet tool can more easily be integrated in automated riveting processes.

Abstract: A housing-piston assembly for a coupling device, especially a wet-running, multi-plate clutch or a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic coupling device, wherein the piston (4) is attached to a housing (2) by means of connecting elements (8) in such a way that it has a certain freedom of movement, and rivets (10, 12) are provided as fastening elements between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2), and wherein at least one support element (20, 36, 70, 86) can be positioned in a riveting position between the piston (4) and the connecting elements (8) and/or between the connecting elements (8) and the housing (2) in such a way that anvil sections (18, 44, 74, 92) of the support element (20, 36, 70, 86) lie behind the set heads (14) of their associated rivets (10, 12). A method of assembling a housing-piston assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small electric blind rivet setting device that is capable of being driven by a battery and that does not require a pathway for recovering the broken mandrels to be provided in the motor shaft. A recovery container 10 is provided in a tool housing 27 forward of an electric motor 13 in the axial direction, and a spindle 14, which rotates because of the rotation of a drive shaft 18 connected to the electric motor circumventing the recovery container, is connected so as to move a pulling head (30) in the axial direction. The positive rotation, stopping of rotation and reverse rotation of the electric motor are controlled by a pulling operation on a trigger and detecting the position of the pulling head in the axial direction.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet setting machine comprises a C-shaped arm and a receiver section disposed at one end of the C-shaped arm to receive a self-piercing rivet fed from a feeder. The receiver section has a rivet-reach detection sensor to detect the presence or absence of a self-piercing rivet in a driving chamber therein. If the rivet-reach detection sensor detects the absence of any self-piercing rivet in the driving chamber, the sensor outputs a signal to prevent a punch from being driven.

Abstract: A method for riveting two structural component parts arranged with their inner sides facing one another and with their outer sides facing away from one another at a distance from one another by at least one spacer rivet element. Positioning the at least one spacer rivet element at the two structural component parts such that rivet element end areas extend through rivet openings provided in the structural component parts to be associated with the rivet element end areas. Supporting a rivet element end area at the outer side of one of the structural component parts. Supporting the other of the structural component parts at its inner side. Applying a riveting force to the other rivet element end area to deform at least one rivet element end area and to form a rivet head.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for repairing a workpiece having two metal components riveted together. The workpiece has a discrepant joint caused by an improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet. The method includes, but is not limited to providing a repair rivet, positioning the repair rivet proximate the discrepant joint such that the repair rivet is substantially aligned with the improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet, and installing the repair rivet at substantially a same location on the workpiece as the improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet without removing the improperly-installed-self-piercing rivet.

Abstract: Fastening plastic drivers in a washing machine drum having at least two domes on the inside, which comprise a cavity extending along its center line, and are oriented perpendicular to the sheet casing of the drum and which serve to fasten the driver. A hole pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the domes of a driver is punched into the sheet casing of the drum. The driver is placed with its dome ends, which project beyond the contact surface of the driver with the sheet casing, onto the sheet casing so that the dome ends pass through the holes of the hole pattern. Counter holders are inserted from the opposite side into the cavities of the domes. From the fastening side, hold-down elements are driven against the sheet casing. Heated form punches are driven against the dome ends until the dome ends have mushroom-shape ends.

Abstract: A rivet, including: at least one side wall extending from a first side of a sheet of material, formed from the same material as the sheet of material, and including respective inside surfaces; and a space at least partly enclosed by the respective inside surfaces. The space is open at a second side of the sheet of material. In one embodiment, the at least one side wall is cylindrical in shape. In another embodiment, the rivet includes an end wall formed of the same piece of material as the at least one side wall and defining one end of the space, the space is cylindrical in shape, the space has a first portion aligned with the sheet of material and a second portion partially defined by the end wall, and a diameter for the first portion is less than the diameter for the second portion.

Abstract: There is provided a blind rivet (10) comprising an axially extending hollow tubular body (18) having a tail end face (22) at one end and a pre-formed radially enlarged flange (20) at the other end, together with a mandrel (30) having a stem (32) which extends co-axially though the body (18) and having enlarged head adjacent the tail end (22) of the body, the stem having a weakened region immediately adjacent the head, whereby the mandrel head having an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the body, usually by between 4% and 9%, and which has a uniform conical shoulder (38) extending between the outer diameter of the head and the stem (32), so as to exert a setting force having an axial component for compressing the rivet body axially and an angular component effecting conical deformation of the tail end radially.

Abstract: A system and method for rivet setting comprising a micro-adjustable bucking bar coupled to a control system that measures the rivet head during the rivet setting process and stops the rivet gun when the rivet head achieves a desired head height above the work surface. In preferred embodiments, the control system also communicates the stage of the rivet driving cycle to the operators to expedite the rivet driving process.

Abstract: A fully automated method is performed on a structure having a confined space. The structure has a location that is identifiable from within the confined space and from outside the confined space. A first robotic system moves a first end effector inside the confined space such that the first end effector is positioned over the location. A first vector corresponding to the location is generated. A second robotic system moves a second end effector outside the confined space such that the second end effector is positioned over the location. A second vector corresponding to the location is generated. The first and second vectors are used to move the first and second end effectors to a new location such that the first and second end effectors are in working opposition. The first and second end effectors perform a synchronous operation at the new location.

Abstract: A functional element having a functional portion, a generally tubular rivet portion and a ring-like sheet metal contact surface is characterised in that features of shape are provided at the rivet portion for co-movement of the sheet metal part during the formation of the rivet bead, in particular at the free end of the rivet portion and/or at the radially outer side of the rivet portion, at least in the region adjacent the free end of the rivet portion. A component assembly comprising a functional element and a sheet metal part as well as a method for the attachment of a functional element to the sheet metal part are also claimed.

Abstract: A bore gripping anchor structure for attaching articles to the outer surfaces of masonry materials and other solids which is actuated by a blind rivet type installation tool. A basic embodiment has an anchor component with bidirectionally deflectable fingers (20) and a concentrically situated and slidably housed actuator device which has a stem (30) and a force applying portion, anvil (40). After insertion into a bore in a first direction, the actuator device is pulled in the opposite direction, so that said anvil (40) interacts with said fingers (20) in a manner which causes said fingers (20) to first be deflected outward and into substantial contact with the wall of the bore, and with continued pulling of said anvil (40) in the opposite direction causes the end portions of said fingers (20) to deflect inward and behind said anvil (40), to couple the anchor structure with the bore.

Abstract: A standoff joins a circuit board to a chassis member using a rivet. The standoff has a cap surface with a hole that allows the body of an unexpanded blind rivet to pass into an inner cavity of the standoff. The rivet is then expanded against the underside of the cap. In use, the standoff rests against the underside of a circuit board, and the rivet passes through a hole in the circuit board and into the standoff. The rivet head engages the circuit board to hold the circuit board against the standoff.

Abstract: In this machine the displacement assembly allows the working head to be moved in five or six axes, namely three translational movements along the three Cartesian axes X, Y and Z, and two or three pivoting options; the working head includes several tools for performing the various operations involved in fitting a fastener, particularly a drilling tool, a countersinking tool; these tools can each be moved in turn between a rest position and working position situated on the working axis; in this working position, each tool can move translationally along the working axis; the working head also includes a bearing piece mounted on it intended to come to bear against the components that are to be assembled and including a buffer region with which the drilling and countersinking tools come into contact as they move, this contact determining the fully deployed position of these tools.

Abstract: Fastening plastic drivers in a washing machine drum having at least two domes on the inside, which comprise a cavity extending along its center line, and are oriented perpendicular to the sheet casing of the drum and which serve to fasten the driver. A hole pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the domes of a driver is punched into the sheet casing of the drum. The driver is placed with its dome ends, which project beyond the contact surface of the driver with the sheet casing, onto the sheet casing so that the dome ends pass through the holes of the hole pattern. Counter holders are inserted from the opposite side into the cavities of the domes. From the fastening side, hold-down elements are driven against the sheet casing. Heated form punches are driven against the dome ends until the dome ends have mushroom-shape ends.

Abstract: A riveting tool for placing a blind breakstem rivet includes a body; a nose casing securable to the body, the nose casing having a nose tip having a nose tip; a jaw housing inside the nose casing, the jaw housing containing jaws for gripping and pulling a rivet stem in use, the jaw housing having an end which incorporates an aperture through which the jaws are urged towards the nose tip by resilient biasing means; and adjustment means configured to adjust a distance from the end of the jaw housing to an inside of the nose tip. Also provided is a nose casing for a riveting tool and a method for altering the jaw separation distance of a riveting tool prior to gripping a rivet stem.

Abstract: Process for attaching a functional element to a plastically deformable flat material or workpiece, the functional element on a contact surface having a rivet collar which is formed by a hollow or tubular section and which stands away over this surface, in the joining area in the flat material by plastic deformation a dome-like section being formed which with its base projects over the plane of the flat material surrounding this section and on the base has a joining opening, and the attachment of the functional element to the flat material in a joining and riveting process taking place by insertion of the rivet collar into the joining opening and by plastic deformation of the rivet collar such that the base is held in a region of the base which surrounds the joining opening between the deformed rivet collar and the contact surface or end side of the functional element, the functional element being anchored on the edge region which surrounds the joining opening without reducing the diameter of the joining openi

Abstract: An assembly of sheet materials in which a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material are disposed in an overlapping relationship, with a plurality of joint portions being formed therebetween by drawing an overlapping part of the first and second sheets of materials at a plurality of positions. The plurality of joint portions includes at least one first joint portion in which the first sheet of material is laterally extruded into the second sheet of material and at least one second joint portion in which the first sheet of material and the second sheet of material are in contact with each other in a cup-like surface configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a developing agent regulating member is provided. The method includes providing a non-magnetic member and a magnetic member. The non-magnetic member and the magnetic member are fixed together by caulking such that an end face of the non-magnetic member and an end face of the magnetic member are substantially aligned with each other, and such that the non-magnetic member and the magnetic member are closely pressed together in order to reduce a gap between the non-magnetic member and the magnetic member. The end face of the non-magnetic member and the end face of the magnetic member are polished so as to prepare the regulating face of the developing agent regulating member by making the end face of the non-magnetic member and the end face of the magnetic member flush.

Abstract: A unified head for a staked fastener wherein the unified head is made from a first member in combination with a supplemental member, and the two members have at least one shared fiber. In a staking operation that forms the unified head, the operation is conducted in such a manner that a portion of a fiber, initially within the first member or the supplemental member, crosses the boundary therebetween creating the shared fiber, i.e., a segment of a single fiber is embedded in the first member and a segment is embedded in the supplemental member.

Abstract: A rivet, in particular a solid rivet, for riveting components, which has a primary head for bearing on a component to be riveted and a rivet shank, which is plastically deformable to form a closing head, joined to the primary head so as to constitute a single piece therewith. The primary head has a greater hardness than the rivet shank. Owing to the greater hardness of the primary head, the rivet joint can be produced in a reliable and cost effective manner, even in the case of a rivet header bearing only partially on the primary head.

Abstract: A fastening assembly, comprising a first element forming a first contact surface and a second element forming a second contact surface, which for producing a clamping force may be moved relative to one another in an axial direction is disclosed. The fastening assembly also comprises a device for performing a relative motion of the two contact surfaces with respect to one another. The second element is provided in the form of a plastically deformable sleeve which may be detachably fastened to the first element designed as a pretensioning element. The disclosure further relates to a disposable sleeve for use in such a fastening assembly, and to a method for fixing and/or clamping at least one in particular multilayer component.

Abstract: A device to rivet two pieces together each having aligned holes comprising a rivet holder body having a cylindrical hole there through, an upper punch and a lower punch coaxially disposed along an axis of a cylindrical hole presented in the rivet holder body; structure for guiding a rivet to the rivet holder body in a selected orientation as well as structure for catching the falling rivet in the cylindrical hole when the upper and lower punches are in a first separated position and to withdraw from the cylindrical hole as the upper punch moves relative to the lower punch to a second riveting position.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: A method for assembling at least two elements by a crimping rivet including a head and a stem, and an associated fitting tool including a traction rod. The method includes the following successive steps. A securing step that secures a part of the stem of the rivet by die-stamping on a corresponding part of the traction rod of the fitting tool inserted inside the stem of the rivet. An inserting step that inserts the rivet in corresponding holes of the elements to be assembled. A crimping step that crimps the rivet by the fitting tool. A separating step that separates the fitting tool by radial deformation of the part of the stem on which die-stamping was applied.

Abstract: A unified head for a staked fastener wherein the unified head is made from a first member in combination with a supplemental member, and the two members have at least one shared fiber. In a staking operation that forms the unified head, the operation is conducted in such a manner that a portion of a fiber, initially within the first member or the supplemental member, crosses the boundary therebetween creating the shared fiber, i.e., a segment of a single fiber is embedded in the first member and a segment is embedded in the supplemental member.

Abstract: Fastening apparatus comprises a frame having a pair of spaced arms supporting respective cooperable fastening members, loading of the frame during a fastening operation tends to spread the arms and cause variation of a desired predetermined relationship between the fastening members. One of the members is mounted on one arm of the frame by a holder constructed to deform elastically and thereby to provide at least partial compensation for the variation.

Abstract: An article of cookware is assembled by the rivet attachment of a handle. The rivets are simultaneously attached to both the cookware vessel and the handle. The co-aligned holes for receiving the rivet in the wall of the cooking vessel and the handle flange are bevel such that exterior of the rivet is relatively flush with the interior of the cookware article and the exterior of the handle flange. Deformation of the rivet head also deforms the beveled edges of the through hole in the cookware article, locking it with the corresponding portion of the handle flange through hole.

Abstract: An article of cookware is assembled by the riveted attachment of a handle. Novel rivets are first attached from the interior of the cookware article via a flush hole such that the deformation of the cookware article around the rivet locks the rivet to the cookware article yet leaves the rivet head flush with the interior surface of the cookware article. The handle is subsequently attached by deforming the opposite end of the rivet.

Abstract: A self-piercing blind fastener comprising a mandrel having an elongate cylindrical shell mounted on a stem of such mandrel and which extends co-axially about a central elongate axis of the blind fastener, the shell having a radially extending flange at one end and a tail-end portion at the opposite end for insertion through a workpiece, the mandrel further having a mandrel head in operative engagement with the tail-end of the fastener for transmitting a setting force thereto during setting of such fastener, the blind fastener further comprising a longitudinally extending indenting member extending co-axial with and away from the tail-end of the blind fastener, which indenting member having a cross sectional area less than the cross sectional area of the shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assembling parts (P1 and P2) in composite hardware by means of a riveting member (R), and is notable in that it comprises: using a bushing (200), the hollow core (230) of which has two different sections (231 and 232); using an insert (100) having no functional axial bearing surface for the radial swelling of the bushing (200) in the through-hole (T), but the diameter (D3) of which is capable of enabling the housing thereof, with no change in shape, in the first section (231) of the hollow core (230), and is also capable of enabling the forcible housing thereof in the second section (232); axially feeding the insert (100) into the bushing (200) such that the latter radially swells inside the through-hole (T) up to the small section (232) thereof and such that the recess well-defined by said small section is occupied by said insert (100); and ensuring, by means of a rivet set (400), the pressure on the first section (231) of the bushing (200) by the end that changes shape

Abstract: There is provided a blind rivet including an axially extending hollow tubular body having a tail end face at one end and a pre-formed radially enlarged flange at the other end, together with a mandrel having a stem which extends co-axially though the body and having enlarged head adjacent the tail end of the body, the stem having a weakened region immediately adjacent the head. There is also provided a method of fastening at least two workpieces using such a blind rivet, including providing the blind side of the workpieces with a countersunk region to accommodate the conically deformed tail end of the body after setting, substantially flush therewith.

Abstract: An aligner and a method for its use in staking a fastener. More specifically, the aligner guides a tip of a staking tool in some portion of a staking operation properly into alignment with a clinch portion of a staked fastener. As a result, the clinch portion is shaped into a head of a generally higher quality than would otherwise occur.

Abstract: A standoff joins a circuit board to a chassis member using a rivet. The standoff has a cap surface with a hole that allows the body of an unexpanded blind rivet to pass into an inner cavity of the standoff. The rivet is then expanded against the underside of the cap. In use, the standoff rests against the underside of a circuit board, and the rivet passes through a hole in the circuit board and into the standoff. The rivet head engages the circuit board to hold the circuit board against the standoff.

Abstract: A rivet is inserted into a workpiece by an apparatus that includes an internal roller screw linear actuator in which rotational movement of an internally threaded cylinder is converted into linear movement of a fastener insertion actuator assembly. The cylinder is driven in rotation by a servo-controlled motor. The angular velocity of the cylinder required to deliver the required energy to effect fastener insertion is calculated and the motor is first controlled to accelerate the cylinder up to the calculated angular velocity, the actuator assembly simultaneously being moved by the cylinder towards the workpiece. The motor is then controlled to maintain the angular velocity of the cylinder at not less than the calculated magnitude at least until insertion of the fastener. The cylinder stores kinetic energy by virtue of its inertia. Using this inertia to insert fasteners eliminates the need for position or force feedback control. The process allows for a rapid cycle time and the apparatus is compact.