An apparatus and method for method for joining materials includes a rivet that may extend through a first sheet to be resistance welded to a second sheet. The head of the rivet has a cavity and vents allowing adhesive extruded from a pilot hole to be received in the cavity and vented in a direction parallel to the first sheet. The rivet is deformed to an hourglass shape that fills the pilot hole and displaces the first sheet into the cavity. Rivet dimension allow for holding with a robotic gripper that can be withdrawn before welding. Methods of monitoring joint quality include comparing welding parameter profiles and images of good and discrepant joints.

A fastener applying apparatus includes: an insertion mechanism for inserting a fastener into a fastener hole in an object to be fastened; a support mechanism for supporting the insertion mechanism; and a fastener conveying device for conveying the fastener to the insertion mechanism. The insertion mechanism includes a holding portion for holding a shank portion of the fastener. The fastener conveying device includes a gripping portion for gripping the fastener in a axial direction of the fastener.

A fastener applying apparatus includes: an insertion mechanism for inserting a fastener into a fastener hole in an object to be fastened; a support mechanism for supporting the insertion mechanism; and a fastener conveying device for conveying the fastener to the insertion mechanism. The insertion mechanism includes a holding portion for holding a shank portion of the fastener. The fastener conveying device includes a gripping portion for gripping the fastener in a axial direction of the fastener.

A self-piercing rivet escapement mechanism for a rivet setting machine includes a self-piercing rivet track in which self-piercing rivets are receivable. A first resiliently biased jaw is biased towards a closed configuration in which the first resiliently biased jaw retains self-piercing rivets in the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is moveable to an open configuration in which a self-piercing rivet can escape the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is configured to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon exertion of a load upon the first resiliently biased jaw.

A self-piercing rivet escapement mechanism for a rivet setting machine includes a self-piercing rivet track in which self-piercing rivets are receivable. A first resiliently biased jaw is biased towards a closed configuration in which the first resiliently biased jaw retains self-piercing rivets in the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is moveable to an open configuration in which a self-piercing rivet can escape the self-piercing rivet track. The first resiliently biased jaw is configured to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration upon exertion of a load upon the first resiliently biased jaw.

A riveting apparatus for application and riveting a rivet to a component of an article being processed in a work region of the riveting apparatus is provided. The riveting apparatus includes a rivet insertion device for insertion of the rivet into the component and a riveting device for the riveting of the rivet.

A riveting apparatus for application and riveting a rivet to a component of an article being processed in a work region of the riveting apparatus is provided. The riveting apparatus includes a rivet insertion device for insertion of the rivet into the component and a riveting device for the riveting of the rivet.

A feed apparatus for feeding fasteners to a fastener installation head includes a chute to support and guide a strip of fasteners from a chute inlet to the fastener installation head. The strip of fasteners includes a plurality of fasteners selectably releasably attached to a carrier ribbon, wherein the feed apparatus is to separate the fasteners from the carrier ribbon and present the fasteners to the fastener installation head for installation. An idler wheel is to peel the carrier ribbon from the fasteners as the fasteners pass through the chute. A tensioner is to advance the carrier ribbon and apply tension to the carrier ribbon to advance the fasteners in the chute. An actuator is to urge the tensioner to advance the carrier ribbon.

Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a smooth, rapid and reliable delivery of fasteners of various sizes and types to the nose of a setting tool in any particular order and provides all the fastener types for any particular work cycle.

Fastener delivery apparatus for automatically selecting and delivering fasteners such as rivets to a setting tool. The fasteners are pre-loaded in a package and dispense via at least one fastener delivery tube that interconnects the setting tool to a fastener feeder device. The fastener feeder device releases selected fasteners from the package into the delivery tube. The fasteners are transportable individually or in groups in the tube from the feeder device to the tool. A transfer station attached to the tool or the delivery tube transfers a fastener from the delivery apparatus into the tool, transfer station is adjacent to the tool so that a delivered fastener may be inserted by the transfer station into the tool and a second position in which it is clear of the tool so as to permit the tool or a portion thereof to move towards a workpiece to insert a smooth, rapid and reliable delivery of fasteners of various sizes and types to the nose of a setting tool in any particular order and provides all the fastener types for any particular work cycle.