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 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.

A method for repairing rivet tape includes steps of cutting portions of the rivet tape on each side of a break to define at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges, abutting the at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges to define a seam, and joining the at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges to one another. The seam may define a Z shape. One or more rivets may be removed to expose rivet apertures on each side of the break before the steps of cutting, abutting, and joining. The step of joining is accomplished by at least one adhesive strip disposed on a surface of the rivet tape and dimensioned to overlie the at least one or more exposed rivet apertures. Adhesive strips may be disposed on each opposed surface of the rivet tape length. In other aspects, workstations comprise devices for practicing the described methods.

A collating system for rivets is provided that includes a rivet holder for supporting rivets in a predetermined pattern. In one form, the rivet holder includes a body having cavities for supporting the rivets therein. The rivet holder body includes a top plate member and a bottom plate member. The rivet holder has drive heads connected to the top plate member via frangible portions and the bottom plate member has retaining webs disposed below the drive heads. The top and bottom plates are secured together to capture heads of the rivets between the drive heads and retaining webs. The drive heads may be driven downward to drive the rivet heads from the rivet holder and into bores of a guide block with the retaining webs flexing to release the rivet head from the lower bottom plate member. A method of using the rivet collating system is also disclosed.

A method for repairing rivet tape includes steps of cutting portions of the rivet tape on each side of a break to define at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges, abutting the at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges to define a seam, and joining the at least three aligned coplanar rivet tape edges to one another. The seam may define a Z shape. One or more rivets may be removed to expose rivet apertures on each side of the break before the steps of cutting, abutting, and joining. The step of joining is accomplished by at least one adhesive strip disposed on a surface of the rivet tape and dimensioned to overlie the at least one or more exposed rivet apertures. Adhesive strips may be disposed on each opposed surface of the rivet tape length. In other aspects, workstations comprise devices for practicing the described methods.

A collating system for rivets is provided that includes a rivet holder for supporting rivets in a predetermined pattern. In one form, the rivet holder includes a body having cavities for supporting the rivets therein. The rivet holder body includes a top plate member and a bottom plate member. The rivet holder has drive heads connected to the top plate member via frangible portions and the bottom plate member has retaining webs disposed below the drive heads. The top and bottom plates are secured together to capture heads of the rivets between the drive heads and retaining webs. The drive heads may be driven downward to drive the rivet heads from the rivet holder and into bores of a guide block with the retaining webs flexing to release the rivet head from the lower bottom plate member. A method of using the rivet collating system is also disclosed.

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.

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.

Methods and apparatuses for continuous fastener feeding for sequentially delivering single fasteners to a fastener installation device are disclosed. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a first fastener reel for supporting a first fastener tape securing a plurality of fasteners and a second fastener reel for supporting a second fastener tape for securing a plurality of fasteners. A fastener tape joining device positioned downstream of the first and second fastener reels receives the respective first and the second fastener tapes and selectively engage the first and second fastener tapes when one of the fastener tapes becomes depleted of fasteners.

A collating system for rivets is provided that includes a rivet holder for supporting rivets in a predetermined pattern. In one form, the rivet holder includes a body having cavities for supporting the rivets therein. The rivet holder body includes a top plate member and a bottom plate member. The rivet holder has drive heads connected to the top plate member via frangible portions and the bottom plate member has retaining webs disposed below the drive heads. The top and bottom plates are secured together to capture heads of the rivets between the drive heads and retaining webs. The drive heads may be driven downward to drive the rivet heads from the rivet holder and into bores of a guide block with the retaining webs flexing to release the rivet head from the lower bottom plate member. A method of using the rivet collating system is also disclosed.