초록 ▼

A powered fastener installation apparatus and method wherein the successful installation of a fastener is indicated by directly detecting the event of the fastener stem breaking. The device releases any partially upset fastener before withdrawing from the workpiece so as to prevent damage to the wor

A powered fastener installation apparatus and method wherein the successful installation of a fastener is indicated by directly detecting the event of the fastener stem breaking. The device releases any partially upset fastener before withdrawing from the workpiece so as to prevent damage to the workpiece. The fastener installation device includes means for transferring the fastener from a feed module to the pulling head and avoiding partial upsetting or disassembly of the fastener, which can lead to jamming the device. The pulling head and transfer apparatus are provided with a vacuum to retain the fastener without mechanical gripping, thereby allowing easy purging of the fastener and preventing the fastener from falling out of the device unintentionally. Moreover, use of the vacuum retention allows greater flexibility and tolerance of errors in the placement and angular orientation of the robot arm and workpiece. The load and feed phases of the cycle overlap to reduce cycle time and can occur while the apparatus is being moved to a second fastener installation location.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for automatically installing a fastener in a workpiece comprising: a base adapted to be mounted on a robot used to move said fastener installing apparatus to locations for installing fasteners in said workpiece; a pulling head movable relative to said base towards and away form said workpi

Apparatus for automatically installing a fastener in a workpiece comprising: a base adapted to be mounted on a robot used to move said fastener installing apparatus to locations for installing fasteners in said workpiece; a pulling head movable relative to said base towards and away form said workpiece, said head having a chamber for receiving a fastener and having means for applying a pulling force on the fastener stem to set the fastener in the workpiece and breaking away a portion of said stem as the fastener is set in said workpiece; and said detector in response to said event being adapted to provide an output utilized to interrupt the stem pulling force and to initiate the withdrawal of said head.