A lockbolt collar feeder employing a resilient holder coupled to a linear actuator via a positioning arm, where the resilient holder can receive a lockbolt collar from a collar dispensing mechanism while disposed in a first position, and then when the linear actuator is extended the positioning arm extends and rotates the resilient holder to a second position in which the resilient holder can facilitate positioning the lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt for subsequent swaging. The linear actuator of the lockbolt collar feeder is configured to be coupled to a swaging tool, and thereby facilitates a method of positioning a lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt using the swaging tool.

Systems and methods are provided for assembling a magazine for a swage tool. The method includes selecting a cartridge that comprises a first serpentine channel dimensioned for conveying collars, and further comprises an entrance and an exit of the first serpentine channel. The method also includes disposing the cartridge at a swage tool.

A reusable single groove riveting system includes a single groove riveting bolt and a collar, and a method of use thereof as well as installation and removal methods thereof. A pull groove has a variable section feature along the axial direction so a collet and the single groove can automatically align during installation; the variable section can reduce the stress concentration effects along the single groove structure and avoid stuck problems. While raising the strength of the collar flange, the design feature of the axial installation force indicator is added. The single groove structure will not receive any extra load from the tool during disassembly or removal process so the rivet bolt can be reused after the disassembly. In the event the bolt pull groove is accidently damaged or the work space is limited, the collar can be effectively removed from the joint with this disassembly or removal method.

A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

A method of rivet bonding a workpiece stack-up that includes one or more polymer composite workpieces, such as carbon fiber composite workpieces, involves several steps. In one step, adhesive is applied to a surface of the workpiece stack-up. In another step, workpiecesincluding the polymer composite workpiece(s)are brought together. In yet another step the adhesive is partially or more cured. A rivet is installed through the workpiece stack-up and through the adhesive in another step. The method strengthens the resulting rivet-bonded joint by minimizing or altogether precluding fracture, cracking, and/or delamination thereat.

A fastening system includes a fastener having a bolt with a pull portion having at least one pull groove, and an outer sleeve having a head with an inner face, the bolt being inserted within the sleeve. The fastening system includes a fastener installation tool having a puller with at least one tooth and a front face. The inner face of the head of the sleeve is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the fastener, while the front face of the puller of the fastener installation tool is angled at an included angle measured transverse to a longitudinal axis of the puller. The included angles are chosen to match or be substantially the same. The front face of the puller of the fastener installation tool is adapted to engage the inner face of the outer sleeve of the fastener when the fastener installation tool engages the fastener, and the inner face of the outer sleeve facilitates the receipt of the front face of the puller and the alignment of the at least one tooth of the puller with the at least one pull groove of the bolt by allowing the puller to shift forward or backward to facilitate such alignment.

A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

A shank-fastener apparatus (100) comprises a shank-fastener housing (170), a shank-fastener turret (102), an indexing-pin assembly (103), a drill (104), and a shank-fastener delivery assembly (105). The shank-fastener turret (102) is supported by the shank-fastener housing (170) and is selectively rotatable relative to the shank-fastener housing (170) about a shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The indexing-pin assembly (103) is supported by the shank-fastener housing (170) and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener housing (170) between an indexing-pin-assembly extended position and an indexing-pin-assembly retracted position along an indexing-pin-assembly axis (B) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The drill (104) is supported by the shank-fastener turret (102) and is selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener turret (102) along a drill axis (C) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A). The shank-fastener delivery assembly (105) also supported by the shank-fastener turret (102).

A receiver-fastener apparatus (200) comprises a receiver-fastener housing (270), a receiver-fastener turret (202), an indexing-collet assembly (203), an anvil (204), a receiver-fastener delivery assembly (205), and a swager assembly (206). The receiver-fastener turret (202) is selectively rotatable relative to the receiver-fastener housing (270) about a receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The indexing-collet assembly (203) is selectively movable relative to the receiver-fastener housing (270) between an indexing-collet-assembly extended position and an indexing-collet-assembly retracted position along an indexing-collet-assembly axis (Y) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The anvil (204) is selectively movable relative to the receiver-fastener turret (202) along an anvil axis (X) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z). The receiver-fastener delivery assembly (205) is configured to operatively position receiver fasteners (506) for operative placement on shank fasteners (504), corresponding to the receiver fasteners (506). The swager assembly (206) is movable relative to the receiver-fastener turret (202) along a swaging axis (W) that is parallel to the receiver-fastener-turret rotation axis (Z).

An adjustment system for a fastener pulling head includes a swivel adapter, an adjustment member, and a retention member. The fastener pulling head includes a frame, a jaw, and a drawbolt body, the adjustment system. The swivel adapter is configured to engage with a proximal end portion of the drawbolt body. The swivel adapter defines an internal bore. The adjustment member is disposed within the internal bore and configured to engage the drawbolt body. The retention member is configured to engage and secure the swivel adapter at a location within the drawbolt body. When the retention member is disengaged from the swivel adapter, the pulling head can be rotated to cause the frame to move relative to the drawbolt body to adjust a gripping force of the jaw.