The disclosure relates to a processing station for aircraft structural components, having a gantry processing machine, a clamping frame for fastening at least one component, and a holding device assembly for receiving the clamping frame, wherein the gantry processing machine has a gantry and the gantry supports a processing tool which defines a processing point, wherein the processing tool is configured so as to be pivotable in relation to the gantry, and wherein the processing tool for displacing the processing point is height adjustable in the z direction in relation to the gantry, wherein the holding device assembly has at least two holding devices, and wherein at least one holding device has a drive for the height adjustment, and the clamping frame is height-adjustable in the z direction by means of the holding device.

A robot vision-based automatic rivet placement system and method. The automatic rivet placement system includes: an industrial robot installed on a frame, a multi-functional end effector, a rivet blowing mechanism, a detection disk, and a rivet holding tray. The multi-functional end effector consists of a flange disk, a support frame, an industrial CCD camera, a laser displacement sensor, a spring, a mixing rod, and a vacuum nozzle. The multi-functional end effector is connected to a terminal end of the industrial robot via the flange disk. The industrial CCD camera is installed directly in front of the support frame, and is used to acquire a rivet image and measure a rivet parameter. The laser displacement sensor is installed at a side surface of the support frame, and is used to measure a rivet depth.

The invention relates to a method for screwing a locking ring (1) onto a threaded bolt (2), wherein a coupling device (6) for being threaded into the threaded bolt (2) is driven in rotation by a rotary drive (4), and wherein the locking ring (1) is then screwed onto the threaded bolt (2), which is fixed by the coupling device (6), by a locking ring holder (3) which is driven in rotation by the rotary drive (4). The invention likewise relates to a method for screwing a locking ring (1) comprising a fastening part (18a) and a tear-off part (18b) onto a threaded bolt (2), wherein a removal gripper (22) grips the tear-off part (18b) and removes the tear-off part (18b) after the tear-off part (18b) has been torn off. The invention further relates to a screwing apparatus for executing a method according to the invention.

A gripping device for mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, screws, bolts, and similar fasteners, and a robot effector employing such a device. The device includes a housing and a pair of jaws arranged on a holder. The pair of jaws is adapted to grip a mechanical fastener therebetween. The holder is rotatable inside of the housing and the jaws allow a self-centering of a gripped mechanical fastener.

A measuring device for inspecting a hole, which can favorably be mounted on a riveting robot adapted to insert a rivet into the hole after inspection. The measuring device includes a test mandrel having a hollow housing and interacting means, whereby the relative position of the interacting means can be detected to determine characteristics of the inspected hole. The measuring device further includes a bushing which is arranged movable relative to the test mandrel.

A multi-task device includes at least: a rivet support module able to contain a rivet and/or a temporary fastener support module able to contain a temporary fastener; a device for introducing a rivet or temporary fastener into the modules at at least one loading station; and a device for moving the at least one module to a work station for setting a rivet or temporary fastener in a hole provided in a structure to be worked on. The multi-task device includes a device for checking compliance of the rivet or temporary fastener depending on at least one predetermined compliance criterion, and a device for discharging, to a disposal zone, a rivet or temporary fastener identified as non-compliant by the device for checking.

Various embodiments relate to a method for supplying a riveting machine with rivet elements, in particular during operation of the riveting machine, wherein at least one rivet element providing arrangement comprising at least one rivet element providing unit for providing and separating the rivet element is provided, wherein the riveting machine has a rivet element receiving arrangement comprising at least one rivet element receptacle for receiving the rivet elements, wherein at least a part of the transport from one of the rivet element providing units to one of the rivet element receptacles is realized in a robot-based manner.

The invention relates to a processing installation for aircraft structural components (2) having at least one processing station (3, 4), wherein the processing station (3, 4) has a clamping frame (7, 8) which extends along a longitudinal station axis (5, 6) for receiving the aircraft structural component (2) which is intended to be processed in each case and a processing unit (9, 10), preferably a riveting unit, for processing the aircraft structural component (2) and wherein the clamping frame (7, 8) is articulated so as to be adjustable in terms of height and pivotable to two positioning towers (11, 12) which are arranged in a vertical tower plane (13). It is proposed that there be provided transversely relative to the tower plane (13) a transverse offset of the clamping frame (7, 8) which enables an aircraft structural component (2) to be loaded onto and/or unloaded from the clamping frame (7, 8) along the tower plane (13) and at least one positioning tower (11, 12) to be passed laterally.

Apparatus (20, 22) and a method for mechanically joining a steel sheet portion (28 or 32) of advanced high strength steel to a metallic sheet portion (30 or 34) is performed to a light-safe extent by a detector assembly (106) during the mechanical joining that may be clinching, clinch riveting, full-punch riveting or self-piercing riveting.

A fastening device for feeding fasteners to a workpiece and for joining it, the fastening device comprising a fastening tool, a fastening device system. The fastening device including a magazine mounted on the fastening tool for holding a fastener. The magazine includes an isolation module located an outlet of the magazine and including a drawer with a recess and an exit port. The drawer is operable to move between a first position, wherein the recess is aligned with the outlet of the magazine, and a second position, wherein the recess is aligned with the exit port.