Device for setting a temporary fastener

A device for performing at least one task on a structure to be worked, said device comprising:

• means for securing said device to motor-driven handling means able to move said device at least partially in space relative to a structure to be worked;
• means for securing said device to said structure to be worked;
• and
• at least one device for setting a temporary fastener on a structure to be worked, said temporary fastener comprising a body with an expandable/retractable end and a rotary element capable of being rotatably driven to cause said expandable/retractable end to expand/retract, each device for setting a temporary fastening comprising:
• a support module able to house the temporary fastener, said support module comprising means for holding said temporary fastener inside said support module, said means for holding being movable between at least:
• a locking position in which said means for holding are deployed inside said support module to cooperate with the temporary fastener placed in said support module to prevent the temporary fastener from moving in translation inside said support module, and
• a rest position in which said means for holding are retracted to allow the temporary fastener to pass through said support module;
• a loading station for loading the temporary fastener into said support module;
• and
• a workstation for setting the temporary fastener on the structure to be worked;
• said loading station comprising introduction means for introducing said temporary fastener into said support module;
• said workstation comprising a temporary fastener setting device;
• said introduction means being arranged at a first side of said support module from which said temporary fastener is to be inserted through said support module, said first side being opposite from a second side of said support module from which said temporary fastener is removed from said support module after attachment to said structure to be worked by said temporary fastener setting device.

A method for installing a temporary fastener with a device for setting the temporary fastener on a structure to be worked, said temporary fastener comprising a body with an expandable/retractable end and a rotary element capable of being rotatably driven to cause said expandable/retractable end to expand/retract, said device for setting the temporary fastener comprising:

• a support module able to house the temporary fastener, said support module comprising means for holding said temporary fastener inside said support module, said means for holding being movable between at least:
• a locking position in which said means for holding are deployed inside said support module to cooperate with the temporary fastener placed in said support module to prevent the temporary fastener from moving in translation inside said support module, and
• a rest position in which said means for holding are retracted to allow the temporary fastener to pass through said support module;
• a loading station for loading the temporary fastener into said support module;
• and
• a workstation for setting the temporary fastener on a structure to be worked;
• said loading station comprising introduction means for introducing said temporary fastener into said support module,
• said workstation comprising a temporary fastener setting device;
• said introduction means being arranged at a first side of said support module from which said temporary fastener is to be inserted through said support module, said first side being opposite from a second side of said support module from which said temporary fastener is removed from said support module after attachment to said structure to be worked by said temporary fastener setting device;
• the method comprising:
• introducing the temporary fastener through said support module from the first side of said support module opposite the second side of said support module from which said temporary fastener is removed from said support module after attachment to said structure to be worked;
• placing said means for holding in the locking position;
• bringing said support module containing the temporary fastener to the workstation;
• moving said temporary fastener within said support module so as to introduce the temporary fastener into a hole in the structure to be worked to which said temporary fastener is to be secured;
• rotatably driving the rotary element of said temporary fastener and causing the expandable/retractable end to expand/retract and to be secured to said structure to be worked;
• placing said means for holding in the rest position;
• and
• displacing said support module away from said structure to be worked so as to extract said temporary fastener from said support module from the second side of said support module that opposite from the first side of said support module through which said temporary fastener is introduced in said support module.