A system and method of joining at least two workpieces together using a friction rivet and a friction rivet cap that are friction stirred together after a cutting tip or cutting feature on the friction rivet cuts through workpieces and is then bonded to the friction rivet cap, and wherein the friction rivet cap may be excluded if the friction rivet includes a hollow in the cutting tip, the hollow being flared after the friction rivets cuts through the workpieces to thereby create an integral rivet cap in the end of the friction rivet.

A system and method of joining at least two workpieces together using a friction rivet and a friction rivet cap that are friction stirred together after a cutting tip or cutting feature on the friction rivet cuts through workpieces and is then bonded to the friction rivet cap, and wherein the friction rivet cap may be excluded if the friction rivet includes a hollow in the cutting tip, the hollow being flared after the friction rivets cuts through the workpieces to thereby create an integral rivet cap in the end of the friction rivet.

A fastening tool includes a housing, a handle, an anvil, a pin-gripping part, a motor, and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to move the pin-gripping part along a first axis defining a front-rear direction, relative to the anvil. The driving mechanism includes a rotary member, a movable member, a driving gear and an idler gear. The rotary member has a driven gear formed on its outer periphery and is rotatable around the first axis. The movable member is connected to the pin-gripping part and configured to be linearly moved in the front-rear direction by rotation of the rotary member. The driving gear is configured to be rotated around a second axis extending in parallel to the first axis below the first axis. The idler gear is engaged with the driving gear and the driven gear.

A power tool includes a motor and a gear speed reducer. The motor has a motor shaft that is rotatable in a normal direction and in a reverse direction. The gear speed reducer is operably coupled to the motor shaft. The gear speed reducer is configured such that a reduction ratio of the gear speed reducer is changed in response to a change of a rotation direction of the motor shaft.

A rivet nut tool has a primary gear driven by a motor and a gear assembly coupled to the primary gear for rotation for moving a pull screw by a movement distance to achieve a stroke. The tool has a selection button for selecting a stroke value and a pull-riveting force. A control processor receives the selected stroke value and pull-riveting force. A count sensor is used to measure the rotational movement of a primary gear in terms of signal counts for determining the stroke achieved by the pull screw. The selected stroke value is presentable as a preset count value. When the signal count reaches the preset count value, or the motor current exceeds the current needed for the selected pull-riveting force, the control processor is configured to reverse the rotation direction of the motor so as to return the pull screw to its start position.

A collet to feed and fasten cylindrical rivets includes an inlet unit that accepts and supports the rivet, a first feeding unit connected from the inlet unit and configured to feed the rivet, a second feeding unit connected to the first feeding unit opposite to the inlet unit and configured to feed the rivet, and an outlet unit that is connected to the second feeding unit opposite to the first feeding unit and supports the rivet that is fed to it. The inlet unit and the first feeding unit have at least two first slots at opposite angles, the second feeding unit and the outlet unit have more of second slots than the first slots, and when the rivet enters the first feeding unit, the second slots are closed by the opening of the first slots.

A collet to feed and fasten cylindrical rivets includes an inlet unit that accepts and supports the rivet, a first feeding unit connected from the inlet unit and configured to feed the rivet, a second feeding unit connected to the first feeding unit opposite to the inlet unit and configured to feed the rivet, and an outlet unit that is connected to the second feeding unit opposite to the first feeding unit and supports the rivet that is fed to it. The inlet unit and the first feeding unit have at least two first slots at opposite angles, the second feeding unit and the outlet unit have more of second slots than the first slots, and when the rivet enters the first feeding unit, the second slots are closed by the opening of the first slots.

A fastening tool includes a motor, a fastening mechanism, a tool body and a main handle. The motor includes a motor body and a motor shaft. The fastening mechanism is configured to fasten workpieces via a fastener by pulling a pin of the fastener rearward relative to a tubular part of the fastener along a driving axis defining a front-rear direction of the fastening tool. The tool body houses the motor and the fastening mechanism. The main handle extends in a direction crossing the driving axis and connected to the tool body such that the main handle and the tool body together form an annular part. A rotational axis of the motor shaft extends parallel to the driving axis. A portion of the main handle is located in a rear space extending behind the motor body.

A fastening tool includes a tool body, an anvil, a pin-gripping part, a motor, a rotation member, a moving member, a gear part and a receiving member. The rotation member is configured to be rotationally driven around the driving axis. The moving member is coupled to the pin-gripping part and engaged with the rotation member. The moving member is configured to move along a driving axis defining a front-rear direction, in response to rotational driving of the rotation member. The gear part is shaped like a flange projecting radially outward from an outer peripheral surface of the rotation member, and has gear teeth on an outer circumference thereof. The receiving member is disposed rearward of the gear part and configured to receive, via a rear surface of the gear part, a rearward reaction force applied to the rotation member when the pin-gripping part moves frontward.

An attachment for an end effector. The attachment may include a clamp and a foot adhesively bonded to an edge of the clamp and having a set of interlocking features that form a mechanical interlock with the clamp.