Utica Enterprises, Inc.

Phillip J I Morgan

Mark A Savoy

Apparatus () and a method for securing a clinch nut () to an AHSS sheet () as an assembly (). In one embodiment, a parallel kinematic machine (PKM) () sequentially performs the operation, while another embodiment includes a nut ram assembly () that attaches clinch nuts () to the AHSS sheet (), and a further embodiment includes a C frame () that supports the apparatus and is moved by a robot () to sequentially attach clinch nuts () to the AHSS sheet () at different locations. The attachment of the clinch nuts is performed in a manner that contains laser beam radiation.

Apparatus and method for securing a clinch nut to a sheet of advanced high strength steel

Apparatus () and a method for mechanically joining a steel sheet portion (or) of advanced high strength steel to a metallic sheet portion (or) is performed to a light-safe extent by a detector assembly () during the mechanical joining that may be clinching, clinch riveting, full-punch riveting or self-piercing riveting.

Apparatus and method for mechanically joining advanced high strength steel

A vehicle body clinch nut feeder () includes a dispensing head () having an inlet passage () through which oriented clinch nuts () are fed single file. The leading clinch nut is moved laterally to between clamping portions () of a pair of clamp members () of a clamp () where a second feed actuator () subsequently moves the clamped clinch nut downwardly to an opening () in a delivery member () where a robot end effector () receives the clinch nut in preparation for a clinching operation. An alignment mount () supports the dispensing head () on a support () for a horizontal movement in perpendicular horizontal directions to insure alignment of the robot end effector () with the clinch nut () to be received.

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Royal Oak, MI, United States of America

Phillip J I Morgan