Automated riveting machine

A tool support as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which one or more support members hold opposing ends of the tool support in a fixed spaced relationship.

A tool support as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the carrier arm includes one or more bores.

A tool support as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the carrier arm is moveable by a ram and cylinder assembly.

A tool support as claimed in any of the preceding claims including a feed mechanism adapted to extend and retract a tool, accommodated in a carrier arm, into and out of the guide hole.

An end-effector for an automated riveting machine comprising a drilling tool, a sealant dispensing tool and a riveting tool.

An end-effector as claimed in any of claims 15 to 33 including a tool support as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14.

An automated riveting machine comprising a first end-effector and a second end-effector, the first end-effector carrying the tools, the second end-effector being positioned on the opposite side of a workpiece to, and in-line with, the first end-effector.

A method of achieving a rivet connection in a workpiece comprising locating a first end-effector, with at least two tools one of which is a riveting tool, at a workpiece and positioning a second end-effector at the opposite side of the workpiece in-line with the first end-effector;

• sequentially moving each tool, in the first end-effector, arcuately from a resting position to an operating position above a guide hole in a lower end plate of the first end-effector, and operating each tool in turn through the guide hole to perform their desired operation.