Abstract: A conventional blind rivet tool with modified nose housing, i.e., a rivet gun with replaceable and interchangeable nosepieces, facilitates feeding and setting of multiple diameters of blind rivets with substantially shortened exposed mandrel portions extending beyond the head flange of the rivet, all while maintaining blind rivet performance and reducing total installed blind rivet costs. A rivet with a reduced exposed mandrel protrusion relative to conventional and standardized mandrels can be enabled and more easily fed through the tool.

Abstract: A fastening device for manufacturing a fastening system is disclosed. The fastening system includes a first connecting member, a second connecting member, a rivet riveting the first connecting member and the second connecting member together, and an elastic member compressed by the rivet. The fastening device includes a rivet head forming tool, a positioning assembly positioning the first connecting member, a first driving assembly driving the rivet head forming tool to move, a second driving assembly driving the second connecting member to rotate, and a force measuring module. The force measuring module is configured for measuring the positive pressing force between the first connecting member and the second connecting member, and generating a control signal to stop the first driving assembly and the second driving assembly when the positive pressing force between the first connecting member and the second connecting member reach the predetermined force.

Abstract: A die (13, 213, 313) is supported in a die holder (381) such as a frame or an adapter (18, 518) supported in a frame such that it is operational use in a material deforming operation. One or both of the die and the die holder have at least one gas passage which is substantially closed by at least part of the die. Gas such as pressurized air is directed into an end of the gas passage opposite the die via a hose (42, 542) connected to a gas source. If the die is broken or loose leak paths are available for the escape of gas past the die to or from atmosphere. A pressure sensor (41) connected to the hose detects the change in pressure of the gas and the magnitude of that pressure is used to determine the die condition. Alternatively a flow rate sensor is used to detect a change in the flow rate of the gas in order to determine the condition of the die.

Abstract: Adapter for increasing the stroke length of a fastener installation tool. The adapter includes a tensile member with a first rack gear, a compressive member with a second rack gear, and a plurality of pinion gears retained within a pinion gear housing. The tensile member is mateable with the puller shaft of the installation tool and with the tensile member of an installation head. The pinion gear housing is mateable with the body of the installation tool. The distal end of the compressive member is mateable with a reducing member, which in turn mates with the outer sleeve of the installation head. Operation of the pulling tool moves the tensile member axially toward the tool body and engages the pinion gears, which in turn move the compressive member axially away from the tool body.

Abstract: Bucking bar devices, and methods of assembling bucking bars devices, for use in riveting parts together are described. In one example embodiment, the bucking bar device includes a bucking bar and a sleeve positioned so that the bucking bar extends within the sleeve. One end of the sleeve is configured to be positioned adjacent to at least one of the parts.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.

Abstract: A hydropnuematic riveter system is described, having features that allow for a reduction in size and weight over traditional rivet squeezers and rivet pullers. The riveter system also provides for greater versatility by permitting the operator to connect different rivet forming heads to the pressure intensifier portion, via a single flexible conduit with fluid-tight quick disconnect fittings.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.

Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.

Abstract: A breakstem rivet placing tool conventionally includes a flow restrictions for hydraulic fluid used to drive the tool in a stem pulling direction. This serves to prevent recoil of the tool due to rapid acceleration of an internal piston when the stem of the breakstem rivet breaks. Prior art flow restrictions create a jet of high velocity hydraulic fluid into the tool which may damage components by erosion. A revised fluid damper valve deflects and/or diffuses the fluid flow to avoid damage by erosion.

Abstract: A rivet monitoring system is provided which has a micro-strain or micro fluid pressure sensor that measures strains or pressures within a tool component. These measured signals are compared to a number of tolerance bands formed about median strain or pressure versus time curve. Various techniques are provided to analyze the measured data with respect to the tolerance bands to determine if a particular rivet set is acceptable.

Abstract: A riveting yoke assembly (11) comprises a yoke (30), a force applying mechanism (22) and a rivet forming device (34, 36). The yoke has a first end (38), a second end (40), and a middle section (42) coupled between the first and second ends (38, 40). An opening (44) is formed through the yoke between the first and second ends. The force applying mechanism (22) is coupled to the first end (38) of the yoke (30). The lower rivet forming device (36) is removably coupled to the second end (40) of the yoke. The lower rivet forming device (36) has a base end (46) attached to the second end (40) of the yoke (30) and a forming end (48) with a recess (50) to form rivets (17). The recess (50) has a concave, interior surface (52) having an annular step (54) positioned between a top edge (56) of the interior surface (52) and a bottom-most point (58) of the interior surface (52) in order to properly align the rivet (17).

Abstract: A low swage load fastening system is provided for installing swage-type fasteners to secure a plurality of workpieces together. The fastener includes a pin member having an elongated pin shank to be located in aligned openings in the workpieces. An enlarged head at one end of the pin engages one side of the workpieces. A grooved pin portion extends past an opposite side of the workpieces. A collar includes a shank portion adapted to be swaged into the pin lock grooves in response to a relative axial swage load applied by an installation tool. As one aspect of the system, the collar is as-headed and does not require thermal processing yet provides an optimum balance of reduced collar shank wall thickness and increased hardness, whereby the swage load is minimized. A low swage load thread form for the lock grooves of the pin is also provided, a reduced diameter, relatively short pull portion pin extension, installation tool improvements, and an associated method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A riveting yoke assembly (11) comprises a yoke (30), a force applying mechanism (22) and a rivet forming device (34,36). The yoke has a first end (38), a second end (40), and a middle section (42) coupled between the first and second ends (38,40). An opening (44) is formed through the yoke between the first and second ends. The force applying mechanism (22) is coupled to the first end (38) of the yoke (30). The lower rivet forming device (36) is removably coupled to the second end (40) of the yoke. The lower rivet forming device (36) has a base end (46) attached to the second end (40) of the yoke (30) and a forming end (48) with a recess (50) to form rivets (17). The recess (50) has a concave, interior surface (52) having an annular step (54) positioned between a top edge (56) of the interior surface (52) and a bottom-most point (58) of the interior surface (52) in order to properly align the rivet (17).

Abstract: A hydro-pneumatically operated repetition riveting tool, which tool includes a gripping means for releasably gripping an elongated mandrel at a position remote from the mandrel head, which gripping means comprises a housing with an internal taper, and a plurality of mandrel-gripping jaws which are urged into contact with the mandrel by means of the internal taper; hydraulic retraction means for retracting the mandrel, thereby to pull the head of the mandrel through a rivet on the mandrel and adjacent the head, thereby to place the rivet; return means for returning the mandrel forwardly again after placing a rivet; and rivet feeding means for feeding rivets forwardly towards the mandrel head; in which the return means is pneumatically powered; and in which the housing of the gripping means comprises a first part and a second part, spring means for urging the first and second parts relatively apart from each other, and limiting means for limiting the movement apart of the first and second parts under the urging

Abstract: A riveting yoke assembly (11) comprises a yoke (30), a force applying mechanism (22) and a rivet forming device (34,36). The yoke has a first end (38), a second end (40), and a middle section (42) coupled between the first and second ends (38,40). An opening (44) is formed through the yoke between the first and second ends. The force applying mechanism (22) is coupled to the first end (38) of the yoke (30). The lower rivet forming device (36) is removably coupled to the second end (40) of the yoke. The lower rivet forming device (36) has a base end (46) attached to the second end (40) of the yoke (30) and a forming end (48) with a recess (50) to form rivets (17). The recess (50) has a concave, interior surface (52) having an annular step (54) positioned between a top edge (56) of the interior surface (52) and a bottom-most point (58) of the interior surface (52) in order to properly align the rivet (17).

Abstract: A rivet setting machine is provided that includes a movable die supporting member that operates to increase working space when inserting and removing workpieces during non-fastening operations. In a first position, the die supporting member positions a die in an opposed relationship to a punch. In a second position, the die supporting member positions the die at a position apart from the punch, which increases the distance between the die and the punch during non-fastening operations.

Abstract: A rivet setting tool is provided including a pulling head and a jaw case connected to the pulling head such that the jaw case is driven by the pulling head to engage a rivet mandrel. Air is supplied to the pulling head to return the pulling head to its original position after a rivet has been set. A remote intensifier is provided including an air piston disposed in a piston chamber and a rod connected to the air piston and extending into a ram housing which is connected to a hydraulic passage which is connected to the pulling head. A first supply of pressurized gas communicates with a first end of the piston chamber and a second supply of pressurized gas communicates with a second end of the piston chamber for rapidly returning the air piston to the retracted position in combination with the air pressure applied to the pulling head. The second end of the piston chamber is vented to prevent to much pressure build up pushing the piston to the retracted position.