A collet assembly including an actuator and a collet connected to the actuator. The collet assembly is adapted to be installed on a welding electrode holder having an electrode. The collet is moveable by the actuator from an advanced position, in which the collet is adapted to grip a fastener such as a welding rivet, and a retracted position, in which at least a portion of the collet is retracted into the actuator to enable the electrode to engage the fastener for welding to a work piece, and the collet is adapted to release the fastener.

To provide a fastening method and a fastening device for a self-piercing rivet so that the adhesive force of the adhesive applied between the members to be fastened can be exerted to a greater degree, a rivet fastening method comprises a step of preparing at least two plates stacked via an adhesive layer; a step of preparing a rod-shaped punch having at least two openings and an air flow path through which the at least two openings are communicated; a step of preparing a self-piercing rivet with a through hole; and a step of driving the self-piercing rivet into the at least two plates with the punch so that one of the at least two openings in the punch faces the through hole of the self-piercing rivet.

To provide a fastening method and a fastening device for a self-piercing rivet so that the adhesive force of the adhesive applied between the members to be fastened can be exerted to a greater degree, a rivet fastening method comprises a step of preparing at least two plates stacked via an adhesive layer; a step of preparing a rod-shaped punch having at least two openings and an air flow path through which the at least two openings are communicated; a step of preparing a self-piercing rivet with a through hole; and a step of driving the self-piercing rivet into the at least two plates with the punch so that one of the at least two openings in the punch faces the through hole of the self-piercing rivet.

A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.

A system and method for drilling a hole in a vehicle structure and installing a fastener in the hole. A drill plate having openings and associated machine-readable elements is positioned on the structure. A drill gun is positioned in a particular opening and reads hole information from the associated element, and a computer determines whether the drill gun is properly set-up to drill the hole. A fastener insertion gun is positioned in the particular opening and reads fastener information from the element, and the computer determines whether the hole has been drilled and, if so, whether the fastener insertion gun is properly set-up to insert the fastener. A fastener delivery subsystem stores, tracks, and delivers fasteners to the fastener insertion gun. A system computer monitors the drilling of every hole, the insertion of every fastener, and the overall operation of the fastener delivery subsystem.

A tool for installing a blind fastener including a core bolt and a core nut is provided. The tool includes a driving member, a collet driven by the driving member for engaging the core bolt, and an external sleeve for holding the core nut and preventing the core nut from rotating during installation of the blind fastener. The external sleeve is movable between a first position in which the external sleeve is driven by the collet to rotate with the collet and a second position in which the external sleeve is stationary despite rotating action of the collet.

A tool for installing a blind fastener including a core bolt and a core nut is provided. The tool includes a driving member, a collet driven by the driving member for engaging the core bolt, and an external sleeve for holding the core nut and preventing the core nut from rotating during installation of the blind fastener. The external sleeve is movable between a first position in which the external sleeve is driven by the collet to rotate with the collet and a second position in which the external sleeve is stationary despite rotating action of the collet.

Methods and devices for controlling a mechanical joining or forming process, in particular friction drilling in thin-walled materials, apply several reverse pulses acting on a process parameter to bring the course of an actual curve of the parameter more into line with the course of a predetermined nominal curve of the process parameter. The number and length of the reverse pulses and the length of the intervals between the pulses are determined as a function of at least one immediately detectable variable associated with the process parameter.

Disclosed herein is a handle for a tool head. The handle includes a handle region having a first end and a second end. The handle region includes a first region adjacent the first end and adapted to receive a user's thumb and index finger, the first region including a trigger for actuating the tool head. The handle region also includes a second region adjacent the first region that is adapted to receive the user's middle finger and a first portion of the user's palm, and a third region adjacent the second region and adapted to receive the user's ring finger and a second portion of the user's palm. The handle region also includes a fourth region disposed between the third region and the second end that is adapted to receive the user's pinky finger and a third portion of the user's palm.

Resistance spot rivet welding systems, subsystems, and methods of use thereof are provided.