A conduit fitting of the type having first and second threaded fitting components and at least one conduit gripping device, further includes a stroke limiting member that allows the fitting to be pulled up by applying a predetermined torque. In one embodiment, the stroke limiting member may be a non-integral torque collar and in another embodiment the stroke limiting member may be two engaging surfaces integrally formed with the fitting components. Alternatively, the fitting may also be pulled up by turns. In still another embodiment, a stroke limiting member is provided that may be used to enable a fitting that is designed to be pulled up by turns to also be pulled up by torque. The stroke limiting member facilitates many remakes of the fitting, including remakes by torque.

A reconfigurable autonomous workstation includes a multi-faced superstructure including a horizontally-arranged frame section supported on a plurality of posts. The posts form a plurality of vertical faces arranged between adjacent pairs of the posts, the faces including first and second faces and a power distribution and position reference face. A controllable robotic arm suspends from the rectangular frame section, and a work table fixedly couples to the power distribution and position reference face. A plurality of conveyor tables are fixedly coupled to the work table including a first conveyor table through the first face and a second conveyor table through the second face. A vision system monitors the work table and each of the conveyor tables. A programmable controller monitors signal inputs from the vision system to identify and determine orientation of the component on the first conveyor table and control the robotic arm to execute an assembly task.

Provided are an apparatus and a method for assembling optical module. The apparatus includes: a working bench, a controller and a plurality of mechanical components for active alignment of optical modules; a conveying mechanism is provided on the working bench, and a plurality of fixtures are provided on the conveying mechanism with even space therebetween and are movable with the conveying mechanism; the plurality of mechanical components are configured to perform corresponding operations on the fixtures moved to respective operating positions under control of the controller.

An apparatus and a method for assembling optical module. The apparatus includes: a working bench, a controller and a plurality of mechanical components for active alignment of optical modules; a conveying means is provided on the working bench, and a plurality of fixtures are provided on the conveying means with even space therebetween and are movable with the conveying means; the plurality of mechanical components are configured to perform corresponding operations on the fixtures moved to respective operating positions under control of the controller.

A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.

A method for operating an electrically-operated portable riveting machine includes providing an electrically-operated portable riveting machine and informing the user when it is necessary to empty the collecting vessel. The electrically-operated portable riveting machine includes a housing, a rivet setting mechanism arranged in the housing which sets rivet elements into workpieces to be connected, a collecting vessel, a delivery duct that delivers spent rivet mandrels created during a setting of the rivet elements into the collecting vessel, a spent rivet mandrel determination device which determines a number of the spent rivet mandrels in the collecting vessel, and a user information device which informs a user when it is necessary to empty the collecting vessel.

An insertable fastener installation apparatus for a flat substrate has a thickness, T. A roller press station is used to press T-nuts into holes in the substrate. An optical vision system detects the location of the holes in the moving substrate and aligns the t-nuts with the holes. A computer controlled pick and place robot takes T-nuts from an escapement of a hopper feed system and aligns, but does not fully insert, the t-nuts in the substrate. A conveyor system feeds the substrates through the optical vision system, the pick and place robot station and the roller press station. A first roller is spaced apart from a second roller by a gap in the roller press station and the gap is less than the thickness of the substrate. The hopper feed system includes a bulk hopper, a bowl, a track and an escapement.

A method for implementing machining operations for a workpiece. Pre-existing hole locations for temporary fasteners in the workpiece requiring a clamp-up force for performing the machining operations to form holes in the workpiece is identified. A set of the pre-existing hole locations is determined from the pre-existing hole locations that results in an optimal path for performing the machining operations on the workpiece taking into account clamp-up force specifications for the workpiece. The optimal path has a near-minimum distance. An ordered sequence for performing the machining operations to form the holes at hole locations is determined that has the optimal path. Robotic control files that causes robotic devices to perform the machining operations using the optimal path is created. The robotic devices are operated using the robotic control files to form the holes in the ordered sequence using the optimal path that takes into account the clamp-up force specifications.

A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.

A more reliable and fool-proof method and apparatus for assembling an article of assembly (e.g. with predetermined screw torque requirements) in which the article of assembly has multiple fastening locations. The method comprises holding the article of assembly fixed while providing at least two different types of targets fixed relative to the article of assembly that correspond to the individual fastening locations. Fasteners are fastened into the article of assembly at the fastening locations. When fastening is occurring at one of the fastening locations, one of the targets is being sensed. Based on the target sensed, a target output is generated that differentiates between different types of targets thereby indicating fastening location of the fastening tool. The electronic target output is used for electronic control such as for stopping a conveyor to keep the article of assembly at an assembly station until the fastening operations have been completed.