Gemcor Engineering Corp.

General Electro-mechanical Corporation

Bradley M Roberts

Robert J Kellner

John W Zienkiewicz

Mark J Andrews

Thomas H Speller, Jr

Bernhard Kittelberger

Joseph A Dionne

Kurt R Kubanek

Mark F Cassidy, Jr

James L Birke

James J Birke

David Michalewski

Riveting apparatus wherein a planetary roller screw delivers the high forces required for actuating the fastener upset tooling. In order that precise control of the entire upset operation may be obtained, a servo-controlled electric motor operates the actuator. In order that different machining operations may be performed on a workpiece without having to provide an actuator for each tool, the tools are engaged in turn by the actuator for performing riveting and other machining in succession.

Method and apparatus for actuating riveting tooling

Apparatus for actuating tooling

Apparatus and method for actuating tooling

In an automatic fastening machine for installing fasteners in a workpiece and including at least one tool for performing a fastener installation operation on the workpiece, a component such as one of the tools for holding a fastener in spaced relation to the workpiece prior to installation therein and sealant applicator apparatus movable into and out of operative association with the fastener for applying sealant to the fastener prior to installation in the workpiece. Sealant application to the fastener is provided automatically as part of the fastener installation operation. The sealant applicator apparatus comprises a pair of sealant applicators in spaced-apart opposed facing relation and movable toward each other into sealant applying relation with the fastener. Each sealant applicator has an end shaped to confirm to a portion of the outer surface of the fastener. The applicators are readily removable to facilitate maintenance and replacement.

Automatic sealant application apparatus and method

Apparatus and method for positioning a wing panel or other member for riveting or conducting other operations thereon. The member is loaded at floor level on a plurality of hydraulic cylinders spaced over the length thereof and raised to a position for conducting the operations thereon. The hydraulic fluid flow to and from the hydraulic cylinders is controlled to synchronize the movements of the cylinder piston rods so that each of the piston rods bears its share of the load throughout raising and lowering of the member. The cylinders are also individually operated to accommodate passage of riveting machine heads or other tooling relative to the member.

Method for positioning a wing panel for riveting

In an automatic apparatus including a frame defining a work axis relative to a workpiece held in position relative to the frame, a transfer assembly on the frame and operatively associated with a machine tool for moving the machine tool into and out of positional alignment with the work axis, and a coldworking tool carried by the transfer assembly and defining a coldworking tool axis that is spaced from the axis of the tool. The coldworking tool is movable into an operative position with the axis thereof being coincident with the work axis when the transfer assembly moves the machine tool out of positional alignment with the work axis whereupon the coldworking tool is then axially movable along the work axis and into and out of a hole provided in the workpiece for coldworking the same. A fluid delivery assembly is on the frame and connected to a source of fluid used by the coldworking tool. The coldworking tool has a fluid port for receiving fluid comprising lubricant and coolant when the coldworking tool is out of alignment with the work axis and as part of the workpiece operation cycle of the apparatus. There is also provided a coldworking tool assembly having a transducer for monitoring the distance travelled by the mandrel thereof so that the amount of mandrel travel can be controlled to accommodate variations in machine tooling which contacts the workpiece and therefore avoid the mandrel tip impacting the tooling.

Coldworking tool automation

Apparatus for positioning a wing panel for riveting

In an automatic fastening machine 10 including a frame 12 for operating a workpiece 16 along a work centerline and having a drilling tool for drilling a hole in the workpiece, a bucking ram 26, and a milling tool 30 having a hole inspection assembly 22 mounted on the upper ram 88 thereof. The hole inspection assembly includes a hole probe assembly 24 that is movable axially along the work centerline to insert a probe member 25 into a position inside the hole in the workpiece. The probe is provided with a plurality of capacitor plates 25B that measure the peripheral extent of the hole to insure that the hole is drilled within a tolerance range and is also properly positioned on the workpiece before a fastener is inserted. The probe assembly has several proximity limit switches 138 and 152 that detect movement between a cylinder bracket 72 biased to a probe connector 74 to signal a central processor 300 to discontinue axial movement of the probe along the work centerline should the probe contact the workpiece or a foreign object before it locates properly inside the hole.

Hole probe method

A method and apparatus for positioning the top surface of a workpiece in proper relationship with respect to tooling including a fully extended upper clamp bushing, or for positioning the fully extended upper clamp bushing in proper relationship with respect to the top surface of a workpiece, which establishes a desired workplane wherein the top surface of the workpiece is always disposed in a normal position with respect to the lowermost surface of the upper clamp bushing and just in contact with the lowermost surface even though the top surface was disposed either below or above the desired workplane at the commencement of the clamping operation. The method and apparatus is capable of moving the top surface of the workpiece or the tooling into a desired workplane and also of determining whether or not the top surface of the workpiece adjacent the area which is to be fastened lies within the desired workplane. The apparatus including a plurality of position sensors associated with the upper clamp bushing, which sensors are capable of sensing when the upper clamp bushing contacts the top surface of the workpiece or is contacted by it, the apparatus further including a control for moving the workpiece to the desired position in response to the position sensors.

Method and apparatus for positioning a workpiece and tooling

In an automatic fastening machine 10 comprising a frame 12 for operating a workpiece 16 along a work centerline and having a drilling tool for drilling a hole in the workpiece, a bucking ram 26, and a milling tool 30 having a hole inspection assembly 22 mounted on the upper ram 88 thereof. The hole inspection assembly includes a hole probe assembly 24 that is movable axially along the work centerline to insert a probe member 25 into a position inside the hole in the workpiece. The probe is provided with a plurality of capacitor plates 25B that measure the peripheral extent of the hole to insure that the hole is drilled within a tolerance range and is also properly positioned on the workpiece before a fastener is inserted. The probe assembly has several proximity limit switches 138 and 152 that detect movement between a cylinder bracket 72 biased to a probe connector 74 to signal a central processor 300 to discontinue axial movement of the probe along the work centerline should the probe contact the workpiece or a foreign object before it locates properly inside the hole.

Hole probe apparatus

Apparatus for initially orienting and then injecting fasteners (F) into fastener grasping fingers (46), the fasteners being received by the apparatus (10) from a non-dedicated feed tube (18). The apparatus includes, as its principle components, a mounting frame (20), an adjustable orientator (12) mounted on the frame, an adjustable injector (14) also mounted on the frame, and a dedicated feed tube assembly (16) extending between the adjustable orientator and the adjustable injector. The orientator includes right and left slides (50, 52, and 56, respectively) the spacing between them being adjustable, and further includes an orientation detector (136, 138) for determining whether or not proper orientation has been achieved. The adjustable injector includes an injector body (192), an injector slide assembly (214) slidably mounted within the body, an injector knife (226) moveable relative to the slide, and a cylinder assembly (268) for moving both the injector and the injector slide from a retracted position to an intermediate extended position, and for further moving the injector to a full injection position.

Apparatus for orienting and injecting fasteners

An apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carries tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces. A vibrating apparatus is associated with the upper ram and will be operated to hammer the upper ram while it is still being maintained in contact with the fastener after the fastener has been inserted into the workpieces to fully insert the fastener and relieve any stresses which may be present. Subsequently a collar may be swaged about the end of the fastener which projects through the workpieces.

Apparatus for inserting fasteners

A method and apparatus for inserting fasteners which are press fit through aligned apertures in side-by-side workpieces. The apparatus includes a frame which is moveable relative to the side-by-side workpieces, the frame including a main frame and a subframe mounted on the main frame and moveable between the first and second positions. The subframe carrys tooling in the form of a drill and an upper ram. Also, mounted on the main frame are upper and lower spaced apart clamps which may be selectively moved into contact with upper and lower surfaces of upper and lower workpieces. The upper ram can be moved into contact with a headed fastener to force the shank of the fastener through aligned apertures drilled in the workpieces. A vibrating apparatus is associated with the upper ram and will be operated to hammer the upper ram while it is still being maintained in contact with the fastener after the fastener has been inserted into the workpieces to fully insert the fastener and relieve any stresses which may be present. Subsequently a collar may be swaged about the end of the fastener which projects through the workpieces.

Method of inserting fasteners

A method and apparatus for positioning tooling and riveting the apparatus including a frame provided with opposed riveting rams (96, 86) and clamps (34, 36). The first clamp (34) is extended above the work plane established by the outer surface of one workpiece (10) with the lower ram retracted. Next, the frame (26) is moved downwardly until the first clamp touches the workpiece. An encoder (140) measured the amount of first clamp collapse during overtravel of the frame after the first touch is sensed. The frame is now backed off this distance to establish a work line coextensive with the work plane. The lower clamp (36) is then raised to clamp the workpieces (10, 12) and drill carried by a sub-frame (66) will now drill aligned apertures through the workpieces. The subframe is indexed to another position to place rams (96, 86) is alignment with the apertures. The upper riveting ram (96) is then advanced to its full down position to set an upper cavity and is locked under high pressure. The lower ram (86) then rises under low pressure to a snug up position. Squeeze forming is now accomplished by simultaneously controlled motion of the frame down and the lower ram up until an upset complete signal is received. During this operation the upper clamp (34) is in a resilient condition. When the rivet is completely upset pressure is dumped from the upper clamp and simultaneously the frame is driven to its start position and the lower ram is retracted. As soon as the lower ram reaches its back away position the upper riveting ram is fully retracted.

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Williamsville, NY, United States of America

Bradley M Roberts