A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

A molding system for assembling a part by moving a workpiece gripped by a hand of a robot toward a mold of an injection molding machine, while rotating a molded article supported on the mold and the workpiece relative to each other, whereby the molded article and the workpiece are screw-engaged. The molding system includes a rotation detector for detecting a rotational amount between the molded article and the workpiece, an assembled state judging unit for judging if the assembled part is in a predetermined state, and a control unit for relatively rotating and displacing the molded article and the workpiece until the rotational amount exceeds a predetermined rotational amount and the assembled state becomes the predetermined state.

A molding system for assembling a part by moving a workpiece griped by a hand of a robot toward a mold of an injection molding machine, while rotating a molded article supported on the mold and the workpiece relative to each other, whereby the molded article and the workpiece are screw-engaged. The molding system includes a rotation detector for detecting a rotational amount between the molded article and the workpiece, an assembled state judging unit for judging if the assembled part is in a predetermined state, and a control unit for relatively rotating and displacing the molded article and the workpiece until the rotational amount exceeds a predetermined rotational amount and the assembled state becomes the predetermined state.

A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

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.

A drive mechanism for installing thread protectors on threaded pipe ends having a servo motor, a housing, a shaft assembly, and a gripper with a plurality of jaws. The shaft assembly has a hollow shaft, rotationally mounted within the housing, and a solid shaft slidably mounted within the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft and solid shaft are coaxial and rotationally coupled. The gripper is mounted on the end of the solid shaft, outside of the housing, and is biased away from the housing. A sensor monitors the relative axial motion between the solid shaft and the hollow shaft.