The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 16, 1996
Filed:
Apr. 26, 1994
Bradley M Roberts, Williamsville, NY (US);
Mark F Cassidy, Orchard Park, NY (US);
John W Zienkiewicz, North Tonawanda, NY (US);
Gemcor Engineering Corp., Buffalo, NY (US);
Abstract
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.