초록 ▼

An automatic fastener installation machine feeds fasteners to a fastener inserter and senses the orientation and size of the fastener in the fastener inserter prior to inserting the fastener into a fastener hole in a work piece to determine whether the proper sized fastener is properly oriented in t

An automatic fastener installation machine feeds fasteners to a fastener inserter and senses the orientation and size of the fastener in the fastener inserter prior to inserting the fastener into a fastener hole in a work piece to determine whether the proper sized fastener is properly oriented in the fastener inserter. A support structure holds the work piece in position under the fastener inserter and the machine moves to the next fastener insert position while a fastener feeder delivers a fastener to a fastener holder. A vision system creates an image of the fastener in the fastener holder and compares predetermined points in the image with corresponding predetermined points that would be produced by the vision system of an image of a properly sized and oriented fastener in the holder, and produces a signal for the automatic fastener installation machine to proceed with its cycle when it determines that a fastener of the correct size is positioned correctly in the holder.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A process for verifying proper fastener size and position in an automated fastener installation machine, comprising:feeding a fastener from a fastener feed device to a fastener holder of a fastener insert device of an automated fastener installation machine;holding said fastener in

[ We claim:] [1.] A process for verifying proper fastener size and position in an automated fastener installation machine, comprising:feeding a fastener from a fastener feed device to a fastener holder of a fastener insert device of an automated fastener installation machine;holding said fastener in said fastener holder while creating an image of said fastener with a vision system;comparing said fastener image with a set of stored data to confirm that the fastener fed to said fastener insert device is correctly positioned and is of the correct length and diameter; andinserting said fastener into a hole and securing said fastener.