A device to present screws of different sizes and characteristics for insertion and fastening in manufacturing processes includes an aligning module and a dispensing module. The aligning module includes a track with two supporting plates. One end of each supporting plate is chamfered and the two supporting plates are spaced to form a first receiving space and a second receiving space for receiving the screws, a screening module functions to brush away screws which do not fall correctly into place on the track. The dispensing module includes a circular member with notches to receive screws transported by the track.

An automatic feeding system adapted to arrange a variety of components having different shapes comprises a storage apparatus and a first conveying device. The storage apparatus includes loaded storage devices loaded with the components and unloaded storage devices unloaded with the components. The first conveying apparatus includes a pair of first support frames disposed opposite to each other, a loading conveying apparatus mounted between the first support frames and configured to convey the unloaded storage devices to a loading position to load the components thereon and change the unloaded storage devices to loaded storage devices, and an unloading conveying apparatus mounted between the first support frames and configured to receive the loaded storage devices conveyed from the loading position. The unloading conveying apparatus conveys the unloaded storage devices to the loading conveying apparatus after the components on the loaded storage devices are picked up by a pick-up apparatus.

A washer dispensing system includes a retaining bin that is configured to receive washers within a washer-retaining chamber. The retaining bin includes a bin outlet connected to the washer-retaining chamber. A vibration motor is coupled to the retaining bin. The vibration motor is configured to vibrate at least a portion of the retaining bin to move the washers towards the bin outlet. A discharge chute is coupled to the retaining bin. The discharge chute includes a washer delivery channel connected to the bin outlet.

A method and apparatus for automated handling a structure. A handler system comprises a plurality of towers and a plurality of end effectors coupled to the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors is movably coupled to a tower of the plurality of towers. Each of the plurality of end effectors comprises an arm coupled to the tower and a coupling device for use in automated engagement of a corresponding fitting coupled to the structure.

A nose arrangement for a fastener setting tool having a punch for setting fasteners comprises a support that receives the punch and a nosepiece for guiding the punch and a fastener during a fastener setting operation. The nose arrangement defines first and second fastener transfer areas where wait to be transferred under the punch. A transfer mechanism transfers the fasteners from the first and second fastener transfer areas under the punch and comprises a movable member that can be moved between first and second configurations. In the first configuration the movable member holds a first fastener in a stand-by position under the punch while it collects a second fastener from the first fastener transfer area. In the second configuration, the movable member holds the second fastener in the stand-by position while it collects a third fastener from the second fastener transfer area.

An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

An alignment apparatus for aligning hairpin-shaped heat-exchanger tubes at a regular pitch. An insertion position side is configured as a regular pitch alignment unit where arrangement plates are provided at an interval that is double the pitch of through-holes in a fin stack. An upstream side is configured as a wide pitch alignment unit where arrangement plates are provided at an interval equal to an integer multiple of two or more times the regular pitch alignment unit. The regular pitch alignment unit is provided with stopper apparatuses that stop the hairpin-shaped heat-exchanger tubes at different positions in an inclined direction for the respective arrangement plates. The wide pitch alignment unit is capable of moving along an alignment direction of the arrangement plates so as to allow the hairpin-shaped heat-exchanger tubes to move to the regular pitch alignment unit, where the hairpin-shaped heat-exchanger tubes are stopped at a more downstream position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a stepped pin loading mechanism which can be used for loading stepped pins, comprising a vibrator bowl. A spirally rising discharge track is connected to an outer side of a hopper of the vibrator bowl, and a swivel plate is provided on the discharge track, and several receiving slots are provided on the swivel plate. The strip-shaped receiving slot consists of an inner segment and an outer segment, and the width of the outer segment is greater than that of the inner segment. A front baffle and a rear baffle, both of which are provided with a through opening, are provided on the discharge track, an arc-shaped side baffle, which is located between the front baffle and the rear baffle to form a semi-enclosed structure, is provided on an outer circumferential side of the swivel plate. One end of the side baffle deviates from the through opening of the rear baffle, and the height of an upper edge of the side baffle gradually increases from the rear baffle to the front baffle so that an upper edge at the other end of the side baffle is as high as an upper side of the through opening of the front baffle.

The present invention relates to an automatic spring fastener assembly machine, including a rack and a power control box, and the rack is provided with a circulating conveying device, and a rubber casing feeding device, a fastener feeding device and a spring loading device which are in turn arranged around the circulating conveying device. The rubber casing feeding device includes a rubber casing vibration tray disposed to the left front side of the circulating conveying device, and the rubber casing feeding vibration tray is connected with a rubber casing distributing block through the rubber casing conveying track. The upper side of the circulating conveying device is provided with a rubber casing transportation manipulator, and the right front side thereof is provided with a rubber casing clamping device located below the rubber casing transportation manipulator, and a fastener pushing in device fitting the circulating conveying device is disposed under the rubber casing clamping device. In the present invention, material feeding and conveying is done by the circulating conveying device, and fasteners are fitted into corresponding holes on the rubber casings from a higher position with the fastener pushing in device, which can be completed fast and efficiently, is easy to operate, realize quick assembly of spring fasteners and improve working efficiency.

Methods and apparatus for the acceptance of loose components and feeding of individual components in a known position and orientation are disclosed.