Non-visible objects which differ in their physical properties from their surroundings by association with a variable strength magnetic field may be detected by a suitable array of sensors which can be moved relative to the object in question. By analyzing the signals from the plurality of the sensors in the array, the position of the object can be deduced relative to the array and the array moved to enable a machining guide thereon to be aligned with the non-visible object. The system is of particular value in locating apertures in wing spars when attempting to fix the skin of the wing on to them where it is important to be able to locate the correct point at which to drill a hole through the skin to coincide with the hole in the spar. By defining a magnetic field in the vicinity of the hole to identify the hole magnetically and using an array of magnetic field sensors in a base with an aperture, it is possible to shift the array so that the aperture is precisely aligned with the non-visible hole.

Non-visible objects which differ in their physical properties from their surroundings by association with a variable strength magnetic field may be detected by a suitable array of sensors which can be moved relative to the object in question. By analyzing the signals from the plurality of the sensors in the array, the position of the object can be deduced relative to the array and the array moved to enable a machining guide thereon to be aligned with the non-visible object. The system is of particular value in locating apertures in wing spars when attempting to fix the skin of the wing on to them where it is important to be able to locate the correct point at which to drill a hole through the skin to coincide with the hole in the spar. By defining a magnetic field in the vicinity of the hole to identify the hole magnetically and using an array of magnetic field sensors in a base with an aperture, it is possible to shift the array so that the aperture is precisely aligned with the non-visible hole.

Non-visible objects which differ in their physical properties from their surroundings by association with a variable strength magnetic field may be detected by a suitable array of sensors which can be moved relative to the object in question. By analyzing the signals from the plurality of the sensors in the array, the position of the object can be deduced relative to the array and the array moved to enable a machining guide thereon to be aligned with the non-visible object. The system is of particular value in locating apertures in wing spars when attempting to fix the skin of the wing on to them where it is important to be able to locate the correct point at which to drill a hole through the skin to coincide with the hole in the spar. By defining a magnetic field in the vicinity of the hole to identify the hole magnetically and using an array of magnetic field sensors in a base with an aperture, it is possible to shift the array so that the aperture is precisely aligned with the non-visible hole.

Non-visible objects which differ in their physical properties from their surroundings by association with a variable strength magnetic field may be detected by a suitable array of sensors which can be moved relative to the object in question. By analyzing the signals from the plurality of the sensors in the array, the position of the object can be deduced relative to the array and the array moved to enable a machining guide thereon to be aligned with the non-visible object. The system is of particular value in locating apertures in wing spars when attempting to fix the skin of the wing on to them where it is important to be able to locate the correct point at which to drill a hole through the skin to coincide with the hole in the spar. By defining a magnetic field in the vicinity of the hole to identify the hole magnetically and using an array of magnetic field sensors in a base with an aperture, it is possible to shift the array so that the aperture is precisely aligned with the non-visible hole.

An automatic riveting device is provided with a rivet suction attachment unit for attaching the head of a rivet by suction, a tightening unit for tightening a stringer and clip by the rivet, and a control unit. The control unit controls the rivet suction attachment unit so that the rivet suction attachment unit to which the head of the rivet is attached is moved toward an upper side support body and the shaft part of the rivet is inserted into a through hole formed in riveting position P, and controls the tightening nit so that after the rivet suction attachment unit inserts the rivet into the through hole and retreats from the riveting position P, an upper anvil and a lower anvil are brought into proximity and the stringer and clip are tightened by the rivet.

An automatic riveting device is provided with a rivet suction attachment unit for attaching the head of a rivet by suction, a tightening unit for tightening a stringer and clip by the rivet, and a control unit. The control unit controls the rivet suction attachment unit so that the rivet suction attachment unit to which the head of the rivet is attached is moved toward an upper side support body and the shaft part of the rivet is inserted into a through hole formed in riveting position P, and controls the tightening nit so that after the rivet suction attachment unit inserts the rivet into the through hole and retreats from the riveting position P, an upper anvil and a lower anvil are brought into proximity and the stringer and clip are tightened by the rivet.

The riveting machine for riveting two parts has a motorized-drive system (2) with an output shaft, a set (3) of mutually articulated link rods, with a first link rod (31) mounted to rotate with the output shaft and a second link rod (32) articulated to the first link rod (31), a ram (4) articulated to the second link rod (32) at one of its ends and equipped at its opposite end with an upper rivet die (5), a guide device (6) having a through-orifice in which the ram (4) is engaged, and a lower rivet die (9), able to collaborate with the upper rivet die (5) to upset the rivet, when the rivet is placed inside an orifice pierced through the parts, between the upper and lower rivet dies. The rotation of the output shaft drives the movement of the ram (4) to allow, through the link rods (31, 32) moving from a folded position to a deployed position, lowering the upper rivet die (5) to bring the rivet into the orifice.

A joining tool unit including a hold-down device, a linearly movable tool, and a tool counter element. The hold-down device and the tool counter element are provided opposite each other, a workpiece lies on the tool counter element when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit, and the hold-down device is arranged to be supported on a surface of the workpiece. The hold-down device has a light-guiding system, and the light-guiding system is designed to guide a light beam of a light in the direction of a joint location of the workpiece when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit. The light-guiding system is provided on the hold-down device such that the light beam is irradiated onto the joint location solely at an angle which is greater than 0? relative to a movement axis of the linearly movable tool.

A joining tool unit including a hold-down device, a linearly movable tool, and a tool counter element. The hold-down device and the tool counter element are provided opposite each other, a workpiece lies on the tool counter element when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit, and the hold-down device is arranged to be supported on a surface of the workpiece. The hold-down device has a light-guiding system, and the light-guiding system is designed to guide a light beam of a light in the direction of a joint location of the workpiece when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit. The light-guiding system is provided on the hold-down device such that the light beam is irradiated onto the joint location solely at an angle which is greater than 0? relative to a movement axis of the linearly movable tool.

The riveting machine for riveting two parts has a motorized-drive system (2) with an output shaft, a set (3) of mutually articulated link rods, with a first link rod (31) mounted to rotate with the output shaft and a second link rod (32) articulated to the first link rod (31), a ram (4) articulated to the second link rod (32) at one of its ends and equipped at its opposite end with an upper rivet die (5), a guide device (6) having a through-orifice in which the ram (4) is engaged, and a lower rivet die (9), able to collaborate with the upper rivet die (5) to upset the rivet, when the rivet is placed inside an orifice pierced through the parts, between the upper and lower rivet dies. The rotation of the output shaft drives the movement of the ram (4) to allow, through the link rods (31, 32) moving from a folded position to a deployed position, lowering the upper rivet die (5) to bring the rivet into the orifice.