Abstract: An angle screw feeding device comprises a screw feeding unit, a screw transporting unit, and a screw driving unit. The device is able to be used with small screws. Further, the device is able to perform an automatic screwing action at any selected angles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for planning screw locking path using an ant colony algorithm, which includes: obtaining designated positions of screw holes to be locked; using a distance between the screw holes to be locked as pheromone; obtaining a set of initial paths for all lockings; determining whether a condition for ending an iteration is met, and the condition is whether all the locking paths have passed through all the designated positions; if the condition for ending the iteration is not met, obtaining a supplementary path for each locking path to form an entire path of each locking path until the condition for ending the iteration is met; taking a set of entire paths of all the locking paths as a set of final paths; obtaining a shortest path from the set of final paths.

Abstract: A test bench for screwdrivers comprises a hydraulic brake unit (11) provided with a coupling (12) for a screwdriver to be tested and angle and torque measurement transducers (15). The brake unit (11) is supplied by a proportional electrovalve (16) under the control of a PID controller (19) which receives an electrovalve control signal (22) from a control unit (26) so as to follow braking curves depending on the angle of rotation and/or torque measured. The bench comprises a memory (21) for storing different sets of parameters for the PID controller (19), which can be selected by the control unit (26) so as to have different control characteristics. A method for controlling the bench is also described.

Abstract: A case, in which an inner bottom surface is formed, and a chuck tool in which a lower surface is formed are provided. The inner bottom surface is a concave surface. The lower surface is a concave surface. An elongated member chucking apparatus changes an orientation of an elongated member inside the case to a predetermined orientation with respect to the chuck tool by sandwiching the elongated member between the inner bottom surface and the lower surface. The elongated member is held by the chuck tool in the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An installation tool for fastening a top plate to a roof support member and other structural connections is adapted to drive screws at a pre-established angle. The tool preferably includes a rotary driver assembly and a telescopic tube assembly. A guide assembly is mounted adjacent the outer end of the telescopic tube assembly. Locating structures function to properly precisely set the drive angle of the screw. A stabilizer prevents the screw from moving during the installation. The guide assembly is also configured to provide a marking for inspection purposes.

Abstract: In judging loosening of a crew, a measuring section measures a position of a bit as a relative position in relation to a placement surface of a screw supplying device when the screw is acquired from the screw supplying device. The measuring section also measures the position of the bit as a relative position in relation to a workpiece surface when fastening of the screw onto a workpiece has been completed. A judging section judges that screw loosening has not occurred when, based on the first and second bit positions, a difference between the first and second bit positions falls within an allowable range. The judging section judges that screw loosening has occurred when the difference does not fall within the allowable range.

Abstract: A fastener feeder apparatus comprising a feed rail configured to move a first and a second fastener, an actuator including a separating member adjacent the feed rail, the separating member comprising a stopper portion configured to receive the first and second fastener, a first separating portion connected to the stopper portion, the first separating portion having an angled surface configured to contact the first fastener and a top surface configured to contact the second fastener, and an aperture defined in the separating member between the stopper portion and the first separating portion, the aperture structured for receiving the first fastener.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool and related method are provided for installing fasteners in boards. The tool can include a feed mechanism that automatically and sequentially feeds collated fasteners to a nose assembly. The nose assembly can include a guide having an alignment projection extending downwardly from the guide, and configured to engage a board corner and/or side surface, so as to align an angled bore through which fasteners are guided with the board corner and or side surface. The nose assembly can include a magnetic element located adjacent a path on which the collated fasteners are advanced. The magnetic element can exert a magnetic force on an individual fastener, aligning it for precise entry into the angled bore. The nose assembly can include a guide pocket to positively constrain a fastener as it rotates to ensure a desired advancement trajectory. A related method of installation is provided.

Abstract: A fastener installation tool and related method are provided for installing fasteners in boards. The tool can include a feed mechanism that automatically and sequentially feeds collated fasteners to a nose assembly. The nose assembly can include a guide having an alignment projection extending downwardly from the guide, and configured to engage a board corner and/or side surface, so as to align an angled bore through which fasteners are guided with the board corner and or side surface. The nose assembly can include a magnetic element located adjacent a path on which the collated fasteners are advanced. The magnetic element can exert a magnetic force on an individual fastener, aligning it for precise entry into the angled bore. The nose assembly can include a guide pocket to positively constrain a fastener as it rotates to ensure a desired advancement trajectory. A related method of installation is provided.

Abstract: A screwing machine includes a machine frame, a locking device, a first moving mechanism, a suction jig, a blowing jig and a second moving mechanism. The locking device has a screwdriver. The first moving mechanism moves the machine frame. The suction jig has a suction head. The blowing jig has a target head. The suction jig and the blowing jig are alternatively mounted on the screwing machine. The suction jig is mounted on the screwing machine by connecting to the locking device. The suction jig sucks to attract at least one screw to the suction head. The blowing jig is mounted on the screwing machine by connecting to the machine frame. The blowing jig blows to supply the screw to the target head. The second moving mechanism connects the locking device to the machine frame for moving the locking device relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: An air suction screw tightening apparatus to suck and fasten a screw comprises a power driver, a screwdriver fastened to the power driver, a holding assembly connected to the power driver and an air suction member. The screwdriver includes a screw tightening portion which has a contact end in contact with the screw for holding thereof. The holding assembly includes a housing case and a damping portion corresponding to the contact end. The damping portion and screw tightening portion form at least one gap between them to suck the screw. Through providing the damping portion, shaking of the screwdriver during spinning can be reduced. Moreover, with cooperation of the gap and air suction member, the screw can be sucked and held.

Abstract: Disclosed is low aspect ratio screw finder for receipt and optimal alignment of a screw. The screw finder may be used in conjunction with a complete screw bit assembly including a screw insertion assembly and a driver. The screw finder includes a screw guide, a screw guide sleeve, and a retraction mechanism. The screw guide is coupled to the screw guide sleeve for movement relative to the screw guide sleeve and provides a surface to abut against the screw to maintain the screw in an optimal orientation for movement from the tube into a bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly. The retraction mechanism retracts the screw guide towards the screw guide sleeve to allow the screw to enter the bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly and to allow the driver to extend through the bottom portion of the screw insertion assembly to engage the head of the screw.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automatic locking screw machine, which includes an automatic separating module, an automatic feeding module, and an automatic locking module. The automatic separating module separates a plurality of screws arranged in an array. The automatic feeding module is connected to the automatic separating module, and includes a feeding duct for conveying the screws separated by the automatic separating module. The automatic locking module is connected to the automatic feeding module, and includes a first spring ball mechanism and a screwdriver. The first spring ball mechanism supports the screws conveyed by the feeding duct, and the screwdriver locks the screws supported by the first spring ball mechanism onto a workpiece.

Abstract: An electric screwdriver is coupled to an automatic screw feeding adaptor defining a screw path having a proximal end, a middle region and a distal end. A first screw is received within the screw feeding adaptor and held at a driving position near the distal end of the screw path by applying a distal partial vacuum within the screw feeding adaptor. The first screw is driven, and a torque applied to the first screw is detected. The torque is compared to a minimum torque threshold, and a second screw is moved along the screw path based at least in part upon the comparison.

Abstract: A system for screws loading, delivering, fetching and fastening on a working piece is disclosed. The screws are guided by an apparatus having a control module to pass a track, a chute and received by a cut of a graduated disc having a plurality of cuts at the circumference thereof. A screwdriver set is then controlled by the control module to fetch the screws at the cuts in a fetching cycle and fasten them to a working piece.

Abstract: A head of a riveting device—for Hi-Lite type rivets—of at least two components of a structure for installing automatically collars on pins previously inserted in the structure. The head comprises: a collar installation tool; a collar supply to supply collars to the collar installation tool; a tool actuating device; a linear displacement device to linearly move the tool during the threading operation; a withdrawal device arranged to withdraw the second part of the collars; a control arrangement configured to automatically perform the installation of collars on pins and after this the withdrawal of the second part of the collars, using tools and collars appropriate for the pins. Also a robot having as end-effector the head and to a method of riveting two components of an aircraft fuselage are provided.

Abstract: A feeder assembly is provided for a fastener tool, such as a screw driver, structured to install a number of fasteners, such as screws, in a work piece. The screw driver includes a driver assembly having a driver bit. The screws have a predetermined shape. The feeder assembly includes a nose assembly operatively coupled to the driver assembly, and a conduit. The nose assembly receives the screws and retains them in a predetermined orientation below the driver bit. The conduit is coupled to the nose assembly, and includes a passageway. The passageway aligns and delivers the screws to the nose assembly in the predetermined orientation. The passageway has a predetermined shape substantially similar to the predetermined shape of the screws. A fastener tool and an associated method of using the fastener tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: In judging loosening of a crew, a measuring section measures a position of a bit as a relative position in relation to a placement surface of a screw supplying device when the screw is acquired from the screw supplying device. The measuring section also measures the position of the bit as a relative position in relation to a workpiece surface when fastening of the screw onto a workpiece has been completed. A judging section judges that screw loosening has not occurred when, based on the first and second bit positions, a difference between the first and second bit positions falls within an allowable range. The judging section judges that screw loosening has occurred when the difference does not fall within the allowable range.

Abstract: An automatic screw tightening apparatus has a screw discharging unit for transferring a screw to a transfer tube, an engaging unit for engaging the head part of the screw transferred from the transfer tube with a front end of a driver, and an openable and closable sealing cover for preventing air from leaking and which is opened and exposes the screw for tightening.

Abstract: An electric screwdriver is coupled to an automatic screw feeding adaptor defining a screw path having a proximal end, a middle region and a distal end. A first screw is received within the screw feeding adaptor and held at a driving position near the distal end of the screw path by applying a distal partial vacuum within the screw feeding adaptor. The first screw is driven, and a torque applied to the first screw is detected. The torque is compared to a minimum torque threshold, and a second screw is moved along the screw path based at least in part upon the comparison.

Abstract: An electric screwdriver assembly includes a body portion, a screwdriver and a vacuum coupling assembly. The body portion defines a screw conduit therethrough which has a distal end and at least one opening spaced apart from the distal end. The screwdriver is disposed within the body portion and includes a free end facing the distal end of the screw conduit that defines a screwdriver bit. The screwdriver bit is moveable through the screw conduit between a position proximal from the opening and a position distal from the opening. The vacuum coupling assembly is configured to couple to a vacuum generator to the body portion in order to generate a partial vacuum within the screw conduit through the opening to substantially align the screw with the at least one opening.

Abstract: This tool makes it possible to more conveniently handle the “selector” element on a conventional M16/M4 family weapon when the selector must be removed or reinserted. As will be appreciated by those in the gun repair trade, in the disassembly or reassembly of such weapons the handling of the selector element is a tricky and painstaking activity. This disclosed tool handily is an assist in such activities. The tool is inserted in the opening in the receiver of the selector element and rotated. An offset circular cam means on the tool when rotated will handily depress the detent element (which necessarily must be done and it also has a spring beneath it). A bumper end cap at the distal end of the tool will carefully engage the selector element to gently push on it if needed (or in the reverse operation for the tool to be gently backed away there from as the selector is repositioned into the weapon).

Abstract: There is provided an automatic screw tightening apparatus which suppresses damage of an inner wall of a transfer tube, stabilizes the posture of the screw, stably supplies the screw to a driver bit, and reduce screw tightening time.

Abstract: An automatic screw tightening apparatus has a screw discharging unit for transferring a screw to a transfer tube, an engaging unit for engaging the head part of the screw transferred from the transfer tube with a front end of a driver, and an openable and closable sealing cover for preventing air from leaking and which is opened and exposes the screw for tightening.

Abstract: An electric screwdriver assembly includes a body portion, a screwdriver and a vacuum assembly. The body portion defines a screw conduit therethrough which has a distal end and at least one opening spaced apart from the distal end. The screwdriver is disposed within the body portion and includes a free end facing the distal end of the screw conduit that defines a screwdriver bit. The screwdriver bit is moveable through the screw conduit between a position proximal from the opening and a position distal from the opening. The vacuum coupling assembly is configured to couple a vacuum generator to the body portion in order to generate a partial vacuum within the screw conduit through the opening.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated screw driver ensuring a complete return of a piston to its top dead center. The screw driver has a compressed air return chamber for returning the piston to its top dead center by applying a compressed air in the return chamber to the piston. The piston includes a main piston and an auxiliary piston. The main piston is first reaches its bottom dead center, and then the auxiliary piston reaches its bottom dead center whereupon screw driving is terminated. Before the auxiliary piston reaches its bottom dead center, and after the main piston moves past a predetermined position, a compressed air is introduced into the return chamber. After the main piston reaches the bottom dead center, application of the compressed air pressure in the return chamber to the auxiliary piston is prevented.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated power tool such as a screw driver, a nail gun and an impact wrench those being driven by a pneumatic pressure. A pressure reduction valve is provided between a connector connected to a compressor and a compressed air chamber defined in an outer frame of the power tool for supplying a pressure lower than the pressure at the connector to the compressed air chamber. A passage section is provided independently of the pressure reduction valve and communicating the connector with the compressed air chamber. A valve member is disposed at the passage section for selectively applying compressed air from the connector to the compressed air chamber directly through the passage section.

Abstract: An electric screwdriver with automatic screw feeding includes a shaft defining a bit; a body portion, the body portion defining a screw conduit configured to receive the bit; a screw feeder tube; a vacuum coupler, and a screw holding assembly. At least a distal portion of the screw feeder tube between a middle region and distal end may be oriented such that a screw can pass therethrough under a force of gravity. The vacuum coupler may be coupled to the middle region of the screw feeder tube, and may be configured to couple to a vacuum generator. The screw holding assembly may be adjacent the screw conduit and may be configured to receive and hold a screw in a position for engagement by the bit.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated power tool such as a screw driver, a nail gun and an impact wrench those being driven by a pneumatic pressure. A pressure reduction valve is provided between a connector connected to a compressor and a compressed air chamber defined in an outer frame of the power tool for supplying a pressure lower than the pressure at the connector to the compressed air chamber. A passage section is provided independently of the pressure reduction valve and communicating the connector with the compressed air chamber. A valve member is disposed at the passage section for selectively applying compressed air from the connector to the compressed air chamber directly through the passage section.

Abstract: An automatic fastener feed system provides a nut, bolt or other fastener to a movable drive tool such that the fastener is automatically engaged with a drive member on the drive tool and subsequently driven onto a corresponding fastener on a work piece. The feed system includes a fastener acceptor which is adapted for connection to a parts feeder via a supply line. The parts feeder provides the fasteners to the fastener acceptor, which at least temporarily retains the fastener in a position for engagement with the drive member. As the drive member rotates and moves through the fastener acceptor toward a mating fastener on a work piece, the fastener within the fastener acceptor is automatically aligned and engaged with the mating fastener as the drive member is rotatably driven by the drive tool. Continued operation of the drive member causes the fastener acceptor to release the fastener, thereby allowing the fastener to be driven completely onto the mating fastener on the work piece.

Abstract: A mobile automatic machine for fastening fasteners which includes a rod mounted on wheels (11) and is attachable to and held in contact with a workpiece by a vacuum in suction cups (3) is disclosed. The fasteners are blown from a fastener feeder (14) through hoses (15) to a fastener driver (20) which includes a fastener holder (6). The fastener driver engages fasteners held by the fastener holder (6) and drives them into the workpiece under the control of a controller. The fastener driver (20) is slidably mounted on the rod and moves linearly at repeatable intervals or at a uniform speed along the entire length of rod (1) under the control of a controller. Other tools, such as drills or milling devices can substituted for the fastener driver.

Abstract: Screw fastener jaws for the driver head of an automatic screw feeding and driving apparatus are disclosed for driving screws in face frame drilled holes. A tubular mandrel communicates with a screw feeding passage and a screwdriver passage at a first end to feed screws into the channel and then drive the screws. Spring action moves a plate to close off the free end of the channel to capture the screw. The plate is wide enough to engage the workpiece surface on both sides of the slanted hole. As the mandrel is advanced into the slanted hole, the plate is forced away from the end of the mandrel, releasing the screw for driving into the workpiece.

Abstract: A screw supply control apparatus controls screw-feed operations of a screw feeder which sequentially supplies to a robot a plurality of screws. The apparatus includes a screw feeder having a screw air-feed pipe through which the screws are air-fed to the robot, and an air-feed valve provided to the screw air-feed pipe. Compressed air is fed into the screw air-feed pipe to air-feed the screw when the screw air-feed valve is open whereas compressed air is not fed into the screw air-feed pipe when the screw air-feed valve is closed. A screw passage sensor is provided at the screw air-feed pipe for sensing passage of the screw and produces a passage signal when the passage of the screw is sensed. A monostable multivibrator is provided for measuring a predetermined period of time and produces a time-up signal when the predetermined period of time is measured.

Abstract: A pneumatic nut installation tool has a plunger assembly which advances from a retracted position near the rear of the tool through a nut pickup station to an extended position extending from the front of the tool. A nut shuttle delivers a nut in front of the plunger assembly before it reaches the nut pickup station and retracts away from the nut pickup station before the plunger assembly moves through that station. The nut is picked up on an assembly that includes a split spring ring which engages the bore of the nut. The spring ring is mounted on a fixed member, which also includes a hexagonal key for preventing rotation of a bolt as the nut is threaded onto it. A rotating nut driver moves over the outside of the nut picked up by the nut pickup assembly for threading the nut onto a bolt.

Abstract: An automatic screwdriver is mounted on a coordinately movable slide structure to shift horizontally to various positions above a workpiece and also to shift vertically to drive screws into the workpiece. A stylus which moves with the slide structure coacts with an overhead template to locate the gun in precise preselected driving positions over the workpiece. Jaws hold the screw as the screwdriver is advanced downwardly and are cammed open during driving of the screw. A link stops the jaws a predetermined distance above the workpiece to permit the jaws to open in the event another screw or other obstruction is located closely adjacent the screw being driven.

Abstract: A pneumatic nut installation tool has a plunger assembly which advances from a retracted position near the rear of the tool through a nut pickup station to an extended position extending from the front of the tool. A nut shuttle delivers a nut in front of the plunger assembly before it reaches the nut pickup station and retracts away from the nut pickup station before the plunger assembly moves through that station. The nut is picked up on an assembly that includes a split spring ring which engages the bore of the nut. The spring ring is mounted on a fixed member, which also includes a hexagonal key for preventing rotation of a bolt as the nut is threaded onto it. A rotating nut driver moves over the outside of the nut picked up by the pickup assembly for threading the nut onto a bolt.

Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus is disclosed and which includes a fastener driving device into which fasteners are sequentially introduced from a feed assembly. The driving device incorporates a control member which regulates the timing of the introduction of fasteners into the device, and which also limits longitudinal and rotative relative movement between fixed and movable concentric, slotted barrel members of the device. The control member is mounted by a pair of guide tracks, each having abutment surfaces at adjacent ends thereof, for longitudinal movement into and out of engagement with the abutment surfaces and the actuating lever of a control switch.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding articles with a head and a shank one at a time head end first through a conduit to a staking press, driver or other power tool. One article at a time is fed sidewise into an axial passageway and is received on a slide rod with its shank extending into a pilot passage in the rod. The slide rod is moved to an extended position in the passageway which closes the inlet and compressed gas is admitted to the pilot passage to propel the article head first through the conduit. The slide rod is then retracted to open the inlet for receiving another article. The articles are admitted one at a time to the passage by a metering arm driven by a fluid motor.

Abstract: A fastener driving apparatus is disclosed which comprises a vibrating feed hopper, a fastener feed assembly for receiving the fasteners from the hopper and serially delivering the fasteners to a discharge tube which leads to an automatic screwdriver. The fastener feed assembly comprises a body member which mounts a slide for transverse sliding movement between a first position wherein the fastener is received in a notch in the slide, and a second position where the fastener is delivered to a discharge opening which leads to the discharge tube and to the screwdriver. A first air line system is provided for moving the slide toward the first or fastener receiving position, and for concurrently injecting air into the discharge opening to move a fastener previously positioned in the tube to the screwdriver. A second air line is provided for directing a stream of air into contact with the fastener at the second position so as to positively move the fastener into the discharge opening.

Abstract: A hand held pneumatic screw aligner feeder device which may be used in any orientation incorporates a container for loose screws made up of two cup shaped walls forming a hopper, a groove between the walls used to align the screws, a separator to keep unaligned screws out of the groove, a chute to carry the screws to a pawl which allows only a single screw to be delivered to a transfer chamber and an inlet for compressed air along one of the hopper walls. The device may be coupled to a pneumatic screw tightener such that a screw in the transfer chamber is forced down a hose to the nose of the tightener so that the screw may be forced into an external surface. An actuating valve system within the aligner feeder tightener device, coupled to the tightener nose allows compressed air to flow to the aligner feeder when the tightener is not in use, and to the tightener only when the tightener is activated.

Abstract: A machine that takes screws out of a hopper and delivers them to a screw driving station where they are driven by motor operated screw driver members to secure a hinge to a door and a jamb. Inside the hopper, a screw lifting member engages, lifts, aligns and delivers individual screws to a hopper discharge station. Pressurized air blows the screws from their respective discharge stations onto tracks, there being one track associated with each discharge station. Elongate transfer tubes positioned at the discharge end of the tracks deliver the screws to a movable head member which upon receiving a charge of screw members moves downwardly and inwardly to a fixed position screw driving station where a door and jamb are positioned. Screw driver members are brought into driving relation to associated screws by horizontally inward movement of a motor that rotates the screw driver members.

Abstract: An escapement mechanism for an automatic screw feeding machine is disclosed. A rotor within a housing receives a fastener from a track feed arrangement and delivers the fastener to a delivery opening in communication with a conduit leading to the driver head of the automatic screw feeding machine. A cutout within the rotor is specially sized and positioned and the motion of the rotor is arranged so that no edges are presented which may cause the fastener to hang up or cause jamming of the escapement apparatus. A reed valve is used to open and close the delivery opening so that pneumatic apparatus may be used to drive the fastener to the driver head.

Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic fastener driving system suitable for robotic applications utilizing a modified fastener driver having a unique detection mechanism in the head of the driver working in combination with a pneumatically operated advance and retract mechanism, and control circuitry, to detect when a fastener is present in the driver, to advance and drive the fastener into the workpiece, and to then automatically retract therefrom.

Abstract: An automatic screwdriver for driving a screw in a horizontal direction comprises a chute for supplying screws with their shanks hanging down, a gate for allowing the screws to be discharged one at a time out of the chute, an index mechanism for carrying a screw discharged from the chute along an angular interval to a catcher disposed in front of a screwdriver bit unit. The index mechanism has a carrier arm angularly movable between a first position in which it receives the screw from the chute and a second position in which the screw is transferred from carrier arm onto the catcher. The screwdriver bit unit comprises a suction pipe for drawing the screw therein from the catcher and a screwdriver bit rotatably disposed in the suction pipe and axially movable for driving the screw into a workpiece. The automatic screwdriver is driven by a pneumatic control system for actuating the gate, the index mechanism, and the screwdriver bit unit.

Abstract: An automatic assembly machine with a rotatable socket adapted to be advanced downwardly through an active stroke to drive a hex head screw into a workpiece. Screws are supplied one at a time to the socket by a loading mechanism having a pair of jaws adapted to close and open to grip and release a screw. While the jaws are closed, a screw is forcibly blown into the jaws through a pneumatic supply tube. As the socket retracts, the jaws are shifted transversely inwardly toward the socket and move beneath the socket as soon as the socket moves upwardly past the jaws. Thereafter, the jaws are moved upwardly along the same path as the socket but at a speed greater than the speed of the socket to enable the jaws to overtake the socket and place the screw into the socket. When the socket starts its downstroke, the jaws move downwardly away from the socket and are cammed open to release the screw.

Abstract: There is disclosed and shown an automatic nut installation and torquing system (10) connected with an automatic fastener installation machine (11) whereby a threaded nut (21) is automatically conveyed in proper orientation from a supply source to a final installed position on a threaded fastener (34); the installed nut (21) being at a selectively predetermined final torque value that is selectively variably and controllable without regard to the torque output of the torque motor (48) so long as the desired installed torque value of the nut (21) does not exceed the maximum torque deliverable by the torque motor (48). The variability and controllability of installed torque is accomplishable without any recalibration or readjustment of torque motor (48) to change its torque output.

Abstract: An automatic screwdriver for driving a screw in a horizontal direction comprises a chute for supplying screws with their shanks hanging down, a gate for allowing the screws to be discharged one at a time out of the chute, an index mechanism for carrying a screw discharged from the chute along an angular interval to a catcher disposed in front of a screwdriver bit unit. The index mechanism has a carrier arm angularly movable between a first position in which it receives the screw from the chute and a second position in which the screw is transferred from carrier arm onto the catcher. The screwdriver bit unit comprises a suction pipe for drawing the screw therein from the catcher and a screwdriver bit rotatably disposed in the suction pipe and axially movable for driving the screw into a workpiece. The automatic screwdriver is driven by a pneumatic control system for actuating the gate, the index mechanism, and the screwdriver bit unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding articles with a head and a shank such as screws one at a time to a tool such as a power screwdriver through a hose. The apparatus has a pilot passageway into which articles are transferred one at a time by a metering arm driven by a fluid motor. Preferably, upon transfer, each article is instantaneously propelled through and discharged from the pilot passageway by a stream of compressed air discharged into the pilot passageway downstream of the inlet through which articles are transferred into the pilot passageway. Each article is propelled through the pilot passageway initially by aspiration and, subsequently, by the stream of compressed air impinging on the article. Alternatively, each article falls due to gravity through the pilot passageway and a portion of the hose and is then propelled through the hose by a stream of compressed air.

Abstract: A pair of microswitches are mounted in the housing of an automatic screwdriver in the path of relative movement of the barrel thereof as it is urged rearwardly to activate a throttle valve and thus operate the drive mechanism of the screwdriver. Closure of both microswitches, which occurs during the driving of a fastener, resets the entire control circuit in readiness for the automatic emplacement of a new fastener upon completion of one driving operation. Release of one of the microswitches, as when the driving is completed activates a timer and air cylinder to drive the barrel forward into an extended receiving position. At the receiving position a new fastener is emplaced in the chamber of the mechanism. On completion of a predetermined time cycle, the barrel is returned to its normal position with one microswitch engaged, one not engaged, and a fastener in the barrel against the kit ready for the driving operation.