Gemcor Engineering Corp.

John W Zienkiewicz

Bradley M Roberts

Mark F Cassidy, Jr

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

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

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

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.

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North Tonawanda, NY, United States of America

John W Zienkiewicz