Hole alignment tools, methods of making such tools, and methods for aligning holes in a plurality of work pieces are disclosed. The hole alignment tools may exert, when fully engaged with similarly sized, stacked holes, a substantially uniform force against the work piece surfaces that define the holes. The hole alignment tool includes a doweling body having a plurality of radially expandable legs, a housing, and a spreader element. The doweling body legs include a decreasing sectional thickness extending from the distal ends thereof towards the proximal end of the doweling body. Depending upon its state, the radial profile of a doweling body's legs may be converging or parallel for tool insertion and removal, or diverging for alignment purposes.

A pair of cleco pliers includes a first handle defining a first receptacle at a distal end thereof. In addition, the pair of cleco pliers includes a second handle pivotably coupled to the first handle and defining a second receptacle at a distal end of the second handle, and wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are configured to jointly receive a temporary fastener. The pair of cleco pliers further includes one or more magnets received in at least one of the first receptacle and the second receptacle configured to secure the temporary fastener within the first receptacle and the second receptacle via a magnetic biasing force applied by the one or more magnets to the temporary fastener.

An installation tool (14) has a tool body (50) comprising a first opening capable of blocking the axial end of the body (26) of a fastener (12) and an actuating device (52), rotatable relative to the tool body and comprising a second opening capable of blocking a fastener actuating element (28). The tool includes a pressure chamber (120) in the tool body a duct (122) connecting the pressure chamber to the first opening (62), a blocking element (124), movable in the duct between a retracted position and a projecting position; and a fluid inlet (55) opening onto the pressure chamber. An inflow of fluid into the pressure chamber moves the blocking element (124) to the protruding position.

A method enabling two holes belonging to two parts to be aligned relies on use of a tool, comprising a body, having a first outer surface which gradually wanders from a longitudinal axis of the body as it extends from a first end of the body, and a hollow part having a second outer surface with a complementary section to the section of the holes. The hollow part comprises a hole through which it is removably mounted on the tool so that the second outer surface extends the first outer surface on an opposite side to the first end of the body. The method comprises inserting the first end of the body into the first hole, and then operating the tool to push the body and then the hollow part together into the holes. This method especially applies to the assembly of a floor module to an aircraft fuselage.

Disclosed is a rotary actuated axial clamp that includes a primary fixture, having a rotatable primary clamp, having primary clamp fingers that engage secondary clamp fingers on a stationary secondary clamp. The primary fixture is attached to a positioner, while the secondary fixture is attached to the work piece. Different secondary fixtures can be utilized to fit the shape and size of the work piece, while maintaining a secondary clamp that is able to engage the primary clamp of the primary fixture. The primary fixture can consequently be utilized with numerous different work pieces having different shapes and sizes by simply modifying a secondary fixture to adapt to the size and shape of the work piece. Roller engagement of the primary clamp and secondary clamp reduces the force required to clamp and unclamp the primary and secondary fixtures. This reduces problems associated with attaching a work piece to a positioner.

Disclosed is a rotary actuated axial clamp that includes a primary fixture, having a rotatable primary clamp, having primary clamp fingers that engage secondary clamp fingers on a stationary secondary clamp. The primary fixture is attached to a positioner, while the secondary fixture is attached to the work piece. Different secondary fixtures can be utilized to fit the shape and size of the work piece, while maintaining a secondary clamp that is able to engage the primary clamp of the primary fixture. The primary fixture can consequently be utilized with numerous different work pieces having different shapes and sizes by simply modifying a secondary fixture to adapt to the size and shape of the work piece. Roller engagement of the primary clamp and secondary clamp reduces the force required to clamp and unclamp the primary and secondary fixtures. This reduces problems associated with attaching a work piece to a positioner.

A liner fabrication tool includes a handle engaged to a first cam support and a second cam support where each of the cam supports has forward edge. An axle extends between the first cam support and the second cam support. A gripper is rotatably engaged to the axle between the first cam support and the second cam support. The gripper includes a first wall, a second wall, and a base extending between the first wall and the second wall, the base has an opening where the opening is positioned between and proximate to the forward edges. The opening receives a pin of a liner and insulation system where rotation of the handle in a forward direction applies leverage against the first cam support and the second cam support to bind the pin in the opening and compress the liner and insulation system immediately prior to welding.

Insertable clamp, for the temporary assembly of structural parts, including a main tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis X and a bearing surface intended to contact a first face of the structural parts, an elastic clip capable of passing through drilled aligned holes, produced in said parts, the clip being moveable along the longitudinal axis, rotatable about said axis of a driver nut provided with a tapped bore cooperating with a threaded end of said clip, the clip comprising two branches having hooking spurs for contacting with a last face of the structural parts, said branches transversally and progressively moving apart along a spreader, between said branches and fixed in relation to the main body, when exposed to the recoil of the clip, the clamp further includes a compression spring inside the body and holding the threaded end engaged in the tapped bore so the clip remains aligned with the longitudinal axis.

An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.

An expanding locating and clamping pin assembly configured to locate and clamp a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws radially movable in the radial jaw guides, extending past the part rest face, and configured with a part clamping feature. The actuating mechanism is connected to the housing and the jaws and is configured to synchronously move the jaws to a radial position and to apply the clamping force. The controller controls the radial position of the jaws and the clamping force. The part rest face and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position and to clamp the part in the located position via the clamping force.