A hydraulic power tool is provided including a rivet squeezer comprising two opposing surfaces, a hydraulic cylinder configured to move the surfaces between an open position and a compressed position, a hydraulic pump configured to provide hydraulic pressure to actuate the hydraulic cylinder in a first direction, and an air tank configured to provide pneumatic pressure to actuate the hydraulic cylinder in a second direction. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in the first direction causes the surfaces to move from the open position to the compressed position and actuation of the hydraulic cylinder in the second direction causes the surfaces to move from the compressed position to the open position.

A compound contour vacuum track, and an automated fastening machine using the track, for automation of final assembly inside an aircraft fuselage. The track is mounted at an angle to a surface, such as an inside surface of the fuselage, wherein the surface has one or more holes through which fasteners are inserted. The automated fastening machine is mounted on the track to traverse the track while performing fastening functions and steps. The automated fastening machine includes a carriage, arm, and end effector, wherein the arm is mounted on the carriage and the end effector is mounted on the arm. The carriage is attached to the track for positioning the arm and end effector, the arm is attached to the carriage for positioning the end effector, and the end effector is attached to the arm for installing the fasteners into the holes of the surface.

A fastening tool includes a motor, a fastening mechanism, a tool body and a main handle. The motor includes a motor body and a motor shaft. The fastening mechanism is configured to fasten workpieces via a fastener by pulling a pin of the fastener rearward relative to a tubular part of the fastener along a driving axis defining a front-rear direction of the fastening tool. The tool body houses the motor and the fastening mechanism. The main handle extends in a direction crossing the driving axis and connected to the tool body such that the main handle and the tool body together form an annular part. A rotational axis of the motor shaft extends parallel to the driving axis. A portion of the main handle is located in a rear space extending behind the motor body.

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 method of inserting a rivet into a workpiece using a rivet insertion apparatus, the method comprising, during a first rivet insertion step, using a punch and die to drive the rivet into the workpiece such that a slug of workpiece material is removed from the workpiece and travels into a bore provided in the die, modifying or changing the die to provide a rivet receiving die surface, then during a second rivet insertion step, using the punch to drive the rivet further into the workpiece such that a shank of the rivet is upset by the rivet receiving die surface.

A clinch-in fastener with a cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, sides and an axial internal bore. The fastener has a single shank at the bottom end of the body having a top surface orthogonal to the bore and a chamfer tapering to the bottom of the body. The top surface of the shank is adapted for receiving the cold flow of material surrounding a receiving hole of a workpiece. The shank may have a plurality of notches in its outermost edge that extend through both the top surface of the shank and the chamfer. The bore of the fastener extends completely through the fastener body from top to bottom and may be threaded. A fastener installation system having a tool with means for affixation to a rotary and vertically reciprocal element of an industrial machine. The tip of the tool has a distal end face with at least one arcuate displacer adapted for deforming a workpiece as the tool rotates and is pressed against the workpiece. A bore within the tip holds a fastener installed by the tool. The displacer is vertically and radially tapered along an arcuate ridge centered about the axial bore. The width of the displacer is also tapered to a point.

Disclosed herein is a handle for a tool head. The handle includes a handle region having a first end and a second end. The handle region includes a first region adjacent the first end and adapted to receive a user's thumb and index finger, the first region including a trigger for actuating the tool head. The handle region also includes a second region adjacent the first region that is adapted to receive the user's middle finger and a first portion of the user's palm, and a third region adjacent the second region and adapted to receive the user's ring finger and a second portion of the user's palm. The handle region also includes a fourth region disposed between the third region and the second end that is adapted to receive the user's pinky finger and a third portion of the user's palm.

A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by a head at one or both ends. The marker is attached to the strut by a process that includes forming a rivet from a radiopaque bead and attaching the rivet to the marker including deforming the rivet to enhance resistance to dislodgement during crimping or balloon expansion. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by a head at one or both ends. The marker is attached to the strut by a process that includes forming a rivet from a radiopaque bead and attaching the rivet to the marker including deforming the rivet to enhance resistance to dislodgement during crimping or balloon expansion. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

A method for installing a fastener system. A position on a structure relative to an overhang on the structure is automatically sensed for installing a fastener system in a hole using an offset collar installer. The offset collar installer is moved about a rotation axis to the position such that a collar in the fastener system is held in the position over the hole. The offset collar installer is connected to a platform and rotatable about the rotation axis. The collar is fastened to an engagement feature for a bolt in the hole.