A method for automated installation of a semi-tubular fastener rivet is provided. The method includes controlling a numerical control drilling and riveting machine having an upper head and a lower head, to control movement of a lower pressure bushing, to apply a clamping force to hold a workpiece against an upper pressure bushing. The method includes controlling an upper drill spindle on the upper head, to drill a rivet-receiving hole from an upper side of the workpiece and to countersink the rivet-receiving hole. The method includes controlling a lower drill spindle on the lower head, to countersink the rivet-receiving hole from a lower side of the workpiece. The method includes controlling movement of an upper anvil from a retracted position to an installation position, and controlling movement of a lower anvil, to apply an upset force to a tail portion of the semi-tubular fastener rivet installed in the rivet-receiving hole.

A method for evaluating installation of blind rivets including measuring the “cycle time” represented “y.sub.0”, transmitting sound waves through the blind rivet installed in the structure, measuring the “travel time” represented “x.sub.0”, relating “travel time” and “cycle time”, and obtaining a pair of times (x.sub.0,y.sub.0), providing a time relation pattern establishing a borderline between an area of suitable rivets and an area of unsuitable rivets, the border represented y=f(x), so for cycle time values greater than y=f(x), it is considered a “suitable area”, for cycle time values less than y=f(x), it is considered an “unsuitable area”, representing pair (x.sub.0,y.sub.0) in the graphic representation and verifying if the value of y.sub.0 is greater or less than the value of y=f(x0), classifying installation of the rivet as suitable or unsuitable according to the verification.

A fastening method for fastening using a fastener having a fastener pin and a collar. The method includes a mounting step in which, in a state in which a head portion of the fastener pin is positioned on one side of the portion to be fastened through which the fastener pin is passed, and a lock portion of the fastener pin is positioned on the other side of the portion to be fastened, the collar is mounted onto lock grooves. The method includes a fastening step in which, on the basis of an un-swaged portion height derived from the thickness of the portion to be fastened, the collar is swaged onto the lock grooves and the portion to be fastened is fastened.

A fastening tool includes a housing, a handle, an anvil, a pin-gripping part, a motor, and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism is configured to move the pin-gripping part along a first axis defining a front-rear direction, relative to the anvil. The driving mechanism includes a rotary member, a movable member, a driving gear and an idler gear. The rotary member has a driven gear formed on its outer periphery and is rotatable around the first axis. The movable member is connected to the pin-gripping part and configured to be linearly moved in the front-rear direction by rotation of the rotary member. The driving gear is configured to be rotated around a second axis extending in parallel to the first axis below the first axis. The idler gear is engaged with the driving gear and the driven gear.

A rivet tool for setting a rivet, the rivet tool including a motor and a pulling mechanism. The pulling mechanism. is configured to receive torque from the motor and includes a moveable member moveable between first and second positions. A plurality of jaws are configured to Clamp onto a mandrel of the rivet and pull the mandrel in response to the moveable member moving from the first position to the second position. A magnet is coupled for movement with the moveable member and includes a north pole face, an adjacent south pole face, and a pole junction therebetween. The north and south pole faces face away from the moveable member. A first sensor is configured to detect the pole junction when the moveable member is in the first position. A second sensor is configured to detect the pole junction when the moveable member is in the second position.

Systems and methods are provided for fastening via a swage tool. One embodiment is a method for fastening via a swage tool. The method includes steps of selecting a hole located at a part, aligning an axis of a lockbolt collar with a center of the hole, placing the lockbolt collar flush against the part at a first end of the hole, and swaging the lockbolt collar onto a lockbolt that has been driven through the hole. This securely fastens the lockbolt collar to the lockbolt.

A power tool for joining a deformable element having a threaded shaft to a workpiece. The joining tool comprising a threaded dowel adapted to receive the threaded shaft and rotatably within the housing. A nose is arranged around the threaded dowel, and the dowel is slidably movable relative to the nose. A motor drives a drive train to rotate the threaded dowel. A hydraulic system drives another drive train to move the threaded shaft and compress the deformable element. The joining tool includes a sliding unit. The nose is attachable to the sliding unit, and in an attached position the nose is slidably connected to the housing so that the hydraulic system may move the nose axially to compress the deformable element.

An intelligent riveting system comprising a hydraulic riveting tool (1), a riveting position identification system, a riveting displacement detection system, a riveting pressure detection system and a central processing system, wherein the central processing system acquires image information and carries out position identification, encoding and storage to form riveting position data in one-to-one correspondence, acquires real-time displacement data and riveting oil pressure data of each riveting position to form real-time data corresponding to riveting displacement values and riveting pressure values, and compares same with a standard to carry out quality determination. By means of the intelligent riveting system, a riveting position and an installation parameter are automatically identified and acquired, and the riveting quality is automatically determined; and by means of storing data during riveting and installation, the traceability of rivet installation quality can be achieved.

Systems and methods are provided for inspecting installation of a fastener. One method includes monitoring hydraulic pressure of a tool that is installing the fastener, detecting that the hydraulic pressure has dropped by more than a threshold amount within a period of time, determining that a pintail of the fastener has snapped in response to the detecting, and reducing the hydraulic pressure in response to the determining.

Systems and methods are provided for inspecting installation of a fastener. One method includes monitoring hydraulic pressure of a tool that is installing the fastener, detecting that the hydraulic pressure has dropped by more than a threshold amount within a period of time, determining that a pintail of the fastener has snapped in response to the detecting, and reducing the hydraulic pressure in response to the determining.