A platform for constraining a workpiece includes x-y stage connected to a base, wherein the x-y stage includes a floor and a y-axis datum and a x-axis datum aligned along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, respectively, and a primary constraint mechanism on the x-y stage. The primary constraint mechanism includes an x-axis wedge, a primary y-axis wedge and a primary z-axis clamp, and a primary linear actuator with a rod extendable and retractable parallel to the second axis. A primary linear actuator slides the x-axis wedge away from the x-axis datum, slides the primary y-axis wedge away from the y-axis datum, and rotates the primary z-axis clamp away from the workpiece. The primary z-axis clamp is attached to a cam with a pinion gear that engages a rack gear connected to the rod of the primary linear actuator.

A wire mesh rivet (13) is provided which is used to produce a wire mesh isolator (11) in a bore (9) of a substrate such as a heat shield (7) for a vehicle exhaust system. The rivet (13) comprises a unitary wire mesh structure (19) which has a collar (15) and a shank (17). The collar (15) has a higher density than the shank (17), e.g., the collar (15) has the density of the finished isolator (11). The rivet (13) is formed into the finished isolator (11) by compressing the shank (17) to form a second collar, while restraining the original collar (15) from substantially changing its shape. The rivet (13) can include a metal insert (23) which prevents the wire mesh of the finished isolator (11) from experiencing high levels of compression when the substrate is fastened to its supporting structure. The rivets (13) can be carried by a dispensing strip (31) and can be formed into the finished isolator (11) using forming equipment (39) whose dimensions are compatible with the limited space available with some substrates.

A self-piercing rivet tape path can extend through a clamshell receiver assembly between the upper and lower receiver bodies and can open between the upper and lower bodies along a longitudinal length of the self-piercing rivet tape path that extends through the clamshell receiver assembly. The upper and lower bodies can separate at a lead rivet cavity and above a proximal end of a discharge cavity of the lower body. A tool-free interlock coupling can rigidly couple the upper and lower receiver bodies together in a closed position. This tool-free coupling can unlock the upper and lower receiver bodies so they are hingedly movable into the open position. The clamshell receiver assembly can be rigidly coupled to an end of a self-piercing rivet spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by the tape along the tape path and support a lead self-piercing rivet in alignment with a punch of the spindle.

An automated pin anvil press for connecting a workpiece pair at a plurality of pin locations with a plurality of pins includes a platform, an anvil paired with a puncher, and a position control camera capable of taking position alignment images. The platform includes a base, an x-y stage including a floor with a central opening and a y-axis datum and a x-axis datum aligned along a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, respectively, and a primary constraint mechanism on the x-y stage wherein activation of the primary constraint mechanism constrains at least one of the workpiece pair on the x-y stage. The platform also includes x-axis and y-axis carriages connecting the x-y stage to the base, wherein activation of an x-axis actuator connected to the x-axis carriage moves the x-y stage parallel to the first axis.

Self-piercing rivets deployed in an elongated tape are moved into alignment with a rivet driving spindle using a processor-controlled servomotors. The tape is conveyed between a supply reel and an exhaust reel, the supply reel having a supply motor and the exhaust reel having an exhaust motor. The tape is moved under processor control in an advancing direction until the rivet has traveled past being in alignment with the spindle, by controlling the supply and exhaust motors using a first tension regimen. Thereafter the tape is moved under processor control in a retracting direction until the rivet is in alignment with the spindle by controlling the tape supply and exhaust motors using a second tension regimen.

A separator for rivet elements, having an entrance and an exit for the rivet elements to be separated and having a guide extending along a center line from the entrance to the exit, through which the rivet elements can be delivered along a delivery direction, wherein the separator comprises a first blocking element, especially a first pin, and a second blocking element spaced apart from the first blocking element along the center line, wherein the first blocking element and the second blocking element are movable independently of each other between a blocking position blocking the guide for a rivet element and a releasing position releasing the guide for a rivet element. It is proposed that at least one blocking element is arranged such that the direction of movement of the blocking element or elements is oriented at a slant to the delivery direction of the rivet elements.

A receiver assembly can be coupled to a spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by a tape along a tape path below a punch. A reverse locking pawl can be designed to permit movement of the tape relative to the reverse locking pawl along the tape path in a forward direction and to engage a positioning aperture of the tape to stop movement of the tape in the reverse direction when a lead rivet is aligned with the punch. A method can include moving the tape forward along the tape path until a lead rivet of the tape is at a position along the tape path that is beyond an alignment position with the punch, and moving the tape in reverse to engage the corresponding positioning aperture.

A rivet tape joining clip (302) comprising an elongate body provided with a plurality of projections (310) which extend from one side of the elongate body, wherein the projections are provided with laterally projecting lips. The invention further relates to different apparatuses and methods used for the joining of rivet tapes.

A receiver assembly can be coupled to a spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by a tape along a tape path below a punch. A reverse locking pawl can be designed to permit movement of the tape relative to the reverse locking pawl along the tape path in a forward direction and to engage a positioning aperture of the tape to stop movement of the tape in the reverse direction when a lead rivet is aligned with the punch. A method can include moving the tape forward along the tape path until a lead rivet of the tape is at a position along the tape path that is beyond an alignment position with the punch, and moving the tape in reverse to engage the corresponding positioning aperture.

A receiver assembly can be coupled to a spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by a tape along a tape path below a punch. A reverse locking pawl can be designed to permit movement of the tape relative to the reverse locking pawl along the tape path in a forward direction and to engage a positioning aperture of the tape to stop movement of the tape in the reverse direction when a lead rivet is aligned with the punch. A method can include moving the tape forward along the tape path until a lead rivet of the tape is at a position along the tape path that is beyond an alignment position with the punch, and moving the tape in reverse to engage the corresponding positioning aperture.