A component mounting system for mounting a component to a frame member by a fastener, and includes: a machining apparatus configured to machine a hole in each of the frame member and the component along a machining axis and fasten the frame member and the component together by the fastener; a positioning unit configured to perform positioning of a mounting position present on the frame member relative to the machining axis; a robot configured to transfer the component to the mounting position present on the frame member; and a detector including a camera and a sensor, the camera being provided on the machining axis and configured to capture an image of the component transferred to the mounting position, the sensor being configured to detect a tilt of the component transferred to the mounting position.

A linear actuator assembly comprises a linear actuator which has a housing and an output shaft, the output shaft defining an actuator axis and being movable along the actuator axis between an extended position and a retracted position. The assembly also comprises a buffer carriage arranged in an active configuration in which it is mounted on either the housing or the output shaft. The buffer carriage has a rotary portion which is rotationally coupled to the output shaft such that rotation of the output shaft about the actuator axis requires corresponding rotation of the rotary portion. The rotary portion is rotationally restrained when the buffer carriage is in the active configuration.

A linear actuator assembly comprises a housing, an output shaft, a nose piece and a negative pressure device. The output shaft defines an actuator assembly axis, and is movable along the actuator assembly axis between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing. The nose piece is slidably mounted to the output shaft and movable between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the output shaft. The nose piece and the output shaft co-operatively define a chamber for containing a quantity of fluid, the volume of the chamber being smaller when the nose piece is in the retracted position than when the nose piece is in the extended position. The negative pressure device is connectable to the chamber, and is selectively operable so as to reduce the pressure in the sealed volume, thereby urging the nose piece from the extended position towards the retracted position.

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.

Provided is a mechanical joining apparatus enabling stable riveting when joining metal sheets even when the sheets are large in deformation resistance, the apparatus comprising a punch and die, blank holder and power device, wherein the punch and die are arranged facing each other, the holder is configured by an electrode material able to push against and electrically heat the sheets by one end of the holder, the punch is comprised of a material able to drive in a rivet, the die is comprised of an electrode material able to support and electrically heat the sheets, and the power device is configured to start supply of current through the holder and die so as to raise the temperature of the sheets at the same time as the start of driving in of the rivet and to continue to supply current until the end of driving in of the rivet.

Provided is a mechanical joining apparatus enabling stable riveting when joining metal sheets even when the sheets are large in deformation resistance, the apparatus comprising a punch and die, blank holder and power device, wherein the punch and die are arranged facing each other, the holder is configured by an electrode material able to push against and electrically heat the sheets by one end of the holder, the punch is comprised of a material able to drive in a rivet, the die is comprised of an electrode material able to support and electrically heat the sheets, and the power device is configured to start supply of current through the holder and die so as to raise the temperature of the sheets at the same time as the start of driving in of the rivet and to continue to supply current until the end of driving in of the rivet.

A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.

A blind fastener tool with pulling fingers is provided. One embodiment is a tool for installing a blind fastener in a hole. The tool includes stationary fingers having tips protruding from a front end of the housing to contact a rim of a sleeve of the blind fastener. The tool also includes pulling fingers in the housing arranged longitudinally in spaces between the stationary fingers. Ends of the pulling fingers proximate to the front end are configured to radially expand to receive a drive element of the blind fastener, and to radially collapse to grip a collar of the drive element. The pulling fingers are configured to translate inside the housing to pull the drive element away from the sleeve as the stationary fingers contact the rim of the sleeve to form a bulb with the sleeve at a blind side of the hole.

A separator for rivet elements, having an entrance and an exit for the rivet elements to be separated and having a guide extending along a center line from the entrance to the exit, through which the rivet elements can be delivered along a delivery direction, wherein the separator comprises a first blocking element, especially a first pin, and a second blocking element spaced apart from the first blocking element along the center line, wherein the first blocking element and the second blocking element are movable independently of each other between a blocking position blocking the guide for a rivet element and a releasing position releasing the guide for a rivet element. It is proposed that at least one blocking element is arranged such that the direction of movement of the blocking element or elements is oriented at a slant to the delivery direction of the rivet elements.

A drive unit is configured for a stamping rivet setting device and has an electric direct drive which contains motor components that concentrically surround a control element which can be linearly moved in the axial direction. In order to absorb the required torques while allowing a compact construction of the device, in particular in relation to a component side, a drive housing has an asymmetrical configuration in a connecting region between a main part and a guide part in which the control element is guided, for the purpose of asymmetrical torque transmission. In addition or alternatively thereto, the highly compact construction achieves an efficient cooling by an inner cooling unit, in particular air flowing through a free inner space in which the motor components are arranged.