B23P19/065

Method for assessing the quality of the coupling of two tubular components

A method for coupling a first tubular component including a threaded portion with a second tubular component including a threaded portion, which includes: engaging the first tubular component on the second tubular component; rotating the first tubular component relative to the second tubular component in order to screw the threaded portions together; obtaining a set of points constituting a curve that represents the torque applied during the screwing of the first tubular component until an end position as a function of the number of turns performed by the first tubular component relative to the second tubular component; comparing parameters of the curve obtained with one or more reference curve(s) of a database in which each reference curve is associated with an assessment of the quality of the coupling; and assessing the quality of the coupling according to the step of comparing the curve.

TOOLING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION OF A FRANGIBLE FASTENER
20190120274 · 2019-04-25 ·

A tooling assembly for fastener installation has a socket body reversibly rotatable by a driving mechanism. A bore in the socket body has a first end portion and a central portion incorporating threads. A second end portion of the bore receives and engages a severable section of a frangible fastener. A pin is received in the bore and constrained from rotation by the driving mechanism. The pin has an ejection shaft with mating threads selectively receivable in the threads of the central portion of the bore. The socket body is freely rotatable with the mating threads positioned in the first end portion of the bore. Rotation of the socket body in torques the frangible fastener on a stud fracturing the severable section. Reverse rotation of the socket body engages the mating threads in the threads translating the pin. The ejection shaft ejects the severable section from the second end portion.

TORQUE MONITORING DEVICE
20190047097 · 2019-02-14 · ·

A torque monitoring device for a fastener is provided. The torque monitoring device includes a sensing element mounted within the fastener. The sensing element measures a value of fastener elongation. The torque monitoring device also includes a receiving element coupled to a torque machine. The receiving element is communicably coupled with the sensing element. The receiving element is configured to receive the value of fastener elongation from the sensing element. The receiving element is also configured to generate an alert for terminating a torque operation being performed by the torque machine when the value of fastener elongation exceeds a pre-set value of fastener elongation.

SCREWING MACHINE
20190003131 · 2019-01-03 ·

A screwing machine tightens or releases rail fixing screws. The screwing machine contains a machine frame which can be rolled on a track, handles for moving the screwing machine, a motor for applying a torque to a screw head, and a device for transmitting a torque. A measuring device is provided opposite the machine frame in order to detect a reaction torque of the motor. The motor is actuated in order to limit the torque depending on the reaction torque. The reaction torque is used as a reference variable. The reaction torque is applied to the machine frame by the motor and is ascertainable with a high degree of precision by a simple measuring device. In this manner, a simple and robust design and a precise rotational speed limiting function are implemented.

SCREW GUIDE DEVICE AND SCREW-FASTENING ROBOT SYSTEM
20180333811 · 2018-11-22 · ·

A screw fastening process can be performed by reliably positioning a screw in a screw hole while suppressing a decrease in the degree of freedom of movement of a screw fastening device. Provided is a screw guide device that guides a screw to a screw hole. The screw is fastened by a screw fastening device to the screw hole formed in a workpiece to be fastened to be fastened. The screw guide device includes a guide device body provided at a support that supports the workpiece to be fastened, and also includes a guide member that is provided in the guide device body and that is openable and closable in a radial direction orthogonal to a central axis of a shaft section of the screw. The guide member forms a screw insert through which the shaft section is inserted when the guide member is in a closed state.

Systems for in-process quality control during drill-fill assembly

A fastener insertion system, for use with an assembly stack-up, includes a fastener and an end effector. The end effector includes a drill bit for drilling a hole through the stack-up, a probe for determining a stack-up parameter, and a fastener feed head for installing the fastener into the hole and applying rotational torque to complete fastener installation. The fastener insertion system also includes a processing device and an angle sensor communicatively coupled to the processing device and to the end effector. The processing device is programmed to measure, with the rotation angle sensor, the angular displacement required to complete fastener installation and to transmit a signal representative of the measured angular displacement from the angle sensor to the processing device. The processing device is also programmed to compare the measurement of angular displacement required to complete fastener installation to a range of angular displacement indicative of correct fastener installation.

APPARATUS FOR PRELOADING A BEARING
20180223901 · 2018-08-09 · ·

A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SETTING A SCREW
20180200780 · 2018-07-19 ·

The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for setting a screw, in particular a flow drilling screw. In accordance with the method, the screw is driven at a first revolution speed and at a first axial feed force during a time-limited first phase to drive the screw through at least one component. In the event that the screw does not penetrate the component during the first phase, the screw is automatically driven at a second revolution speed that is higher than a first rotation speed and/or at a second axial feed force that is greater than a first axial feed force during a second phase subsequent to the first phase.

APPARATUS FOR PRELOADING A BEARING
20180045244 · 2018-02-15 · ·

A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR OF A TIGHTENING TOOL

A method of controlling an electric motor of a tightening tool during a tightening operation, the method comprising: a) controlling the electric motor to run at a first motor speed using a first motor speed setpoint value, b) obtaining a torque or motor current value of the electric motor, c) determining a second motor speed setpoint value lower than or equal to the first motor speed setpoint value, based on an efficiency of the tightening tool at the torque or motor current value and the first motor speed setpoint value, d) setting the second motor speed setpoint value as the first motor speed setpoint value, e) controlling the electric motor to run at a second motor speed using the first motor speed setpoint value after step d), and repeating steps b)-e) until a predetermined motor speed or torque has been reached.