Shank-fastener apparatuses and methods for joining panels

A shank-fastener apparatus for joining a first panel and a second panel, at least partially overlapping each other, the shank-fastener apparatus comprising:

• a shank-fastener housing;
• a shank-fastener turret, supported by the shank-fastener housing and selectively rotatable relative to the shank-fastener housing about a shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A);
• an indexing-pin assembly, supported by the shank-fastener housing and selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener housing along an indexing-pin-assembly axis between:
• (i) an indexing-pin-assembly extended position in which the indexing-pin assembly extends from the shank-fastener housing, and (ii) an indexing-pin-assembly retracted position in which the indexing-pin assembly is drawn into the shank-fastener housing, the indexing-pin-assembly axis (B) being parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A);
• a drill, supported by the shank-fastener turret and selectively movable relative to the shank-fastener turret along a drill axis (C) that is parallel to the shank-fastener-turret rotation axis (A);
• and
• a shank-fastener delivery assembly, supported by the shank-fastener turret.