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.

Anti-shingle rivets are provided. The anti-shingle rivets comprise a head portion comprising an outer edge configured to inhibit shingling in a rivet delivery system and a shank extending from the head portion.

A fastener, installing tool, system, and method all contemplate integrated magnetic and/or vacuum traps positioned so as to capture particulates and debris created during the installation and use of the fastener. These elements are integrated into the installing system so as to eliminate the need for additional clamps.

Rivet dispenser systems and methods of use thereof are provided. In a non-limiting embodiment, the rivet dispenser system comprises a rivet receiving member defining a channel therein, and a seat member. The channel includes a curved region. The rivet receiving member comprises a first port and a second port. The first port communicates with the channel and is configured to receive rivets. The second port communicates with the channel and is configured to dispense rivets. The channel extends between the first port and the second port and is configured to transport rivets from the first port to the second port in a series arrangement and in a preselected orientation. The seat member communicates with the second port and is configured to selectively engage with a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus and introduce a single rivet to the rivet holder at one time.

Rivet dispenser systems and methods of use thereof are provided. In a non-limiting embodiment, the rivet dispenser system comprises a rivet receiving member defining a channel therein, and a seat member. The channel includes a curved region. The rivet receiving member comprises a first port and a second port. The first port communicates with the channel and is configured to receive rivets. The second port communicates with the channel and is configured to dispense rivets. The channel extends between the first port and the second port and is configured to transport rivets from the first port to the second port in a series arrangement and in a preselected orientation. The seat member communicates with the second port and is configured to selectively engage with a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus and introduce a single rivet to the rivet holder at one time.

A tool for joining components, in particular at least two metal sheets lying flat on top of each other, with a housing, in which a primary tappet composed of a punch and a hold-down device is mounted such that it can be driven in the axial direction, a die assigned to the punch and an element feed that can be moved in the axial direction relative to the housing, via which auxiliary joining parts, especially rivets, can be fed to the primary tappet. At least one position coupled at least indirectly to the primary tappet and at least one position decoupled from the primary tappet can be assumed by the element feed, and the element feed can be moved in the coupled position together with the primary tappet in the axial direction and remains stationary relative to the housing in the decoupled position upon a movement of the primary tappet.

A tool for joining components, in particular at least two metal sheets lying flat on top of each other, with a housing, in which a primary tappet composed of a punch and a hold-down device is mounted such that it can be driven in the axial direction, a die assigned to the punch and an element feed that can be moved in the axial direction relative to the housing, via which auxiliary joining parts, especially rivets, can be fed to the primary tappet. At least one position coupled at least indirectly to the primary tappet and at least one position decoupled from the primary tappet can be assumed by the element feed, and the element feed can be moved in the coupled position together with the primary tappet in the axial direction and remains stationary relative to the housing in the decoupled position upon a movement of the primary tappet.

A rivet supply system supplies rivets to a rivet setting tool comprising a punch, an extendable nose arrangement and a die, and comprises at least one rivet delivery track for delivering the rivets to the nose arrangement, at least one rivet transfer device for holding or releasing the rivets received at the rivet-receiving zone, and at least one refillable magazine for storing the rivets in proximity of the setting tool. The magazine comprises a magazine portion of the rivet delivery track, wherein the rivets can be stored within the magazine, or can transit through the magazine to be delivered to the setting tool. The magazine also comprises at least one docking interface for refilling the magazine from for example a bulk feeder. The magazine is in rivet-supply relation with the nose arrangement so that it can supply rivets to the setting tool, and is moveable together with the nose arrangement.

A rivet supply system supplies rivets to a rivet setting tool comprising a punch, an extendable nose arrangement and a die, and comprises at least one rivet delivery track for delivering the rivets to the nose arrangement, at least one rivet transfer device for holding or releasing the rivets received at the rivet-receiving zone, and at least one refillable magazine for storing the rivets in proximity of the setting tool. The magazine comprises a magazine portion of the rivet delivery track, wherein the rivets can be stored within the magazine, or can transit through the magazine to be delivered to the setting tool. The magazine also comprises at least one docking interface for refilling the magazine from for example a bulk feeder. The magazine is in rivet-supply relation with the nose arrangement so that it can supply rivets to the setting tool, and is moveable together with the nose arrangement.

Fastening collar installation apparatus and methods of installing a fastener system are provided. The fastening collar installation apparatus comprises an anvil, a sleeve, and a lever. The sleeve comprises a first section comprising a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, a sleeve cavity, and a slot. The first sleeve end is intermediate the anvil and the second sleeve end. The slot extends a first distance from the first sleeve end. The lever is slidably received by the slot of the sleeve and configured to move between a first lever position in the slot and a second lever position in the slot. The lever comprises a second distance from a first lever end to a second lever end. The second distance is less than the first distance.