Grommet Installation Tool

A method of installing a grommet, comprising:

• providing a hydraulic puller;
• coupling the hydraulic puller to a hydraulic power unit set at a predetermined hydraulic pressure;
• providing an anvil removably coupled to the hydraulic puller, the anvil comprising a proximal anvil end, a distal anvil end, and an anvil conduit that extends from the proximal anvil end to the distal anvil end, wherein the proximal anvil end is removably connected to the hydraulic puller;
• providing a mandrel removably coupled to the anvil and the hydraulic puller, wherein the mandrel comprises a proximal mandrel end, and a threaded distal mandrel end, wherein the mandrel passes through the anvil conduit and is removably connected to the hydraulic puller;
• providing a grommet, wherein the grommet comprises a proximal grommet end, a distal grommet end, and a tubular shank defining a grommet conduit that extends from the proximal grommet end to the distal grommet end, wherein the proximal grommet end comprises a grommet flange head;
• inserting the distal mandrel end through the grommet conduit until the distal anvil end contacts the grommet flange head;
• inserting the distal grommet end of the grommet through a hole in a web;
• threading reversibly a punch onto the threaded distal mandrel end, wherein the punch comprises a proximal punch end, a distal punch end, and a punch conduit that extends from the proximal punch end to the distal punch end, wherein the punch conduit comprises a threaded proximal punch conduit end, and a distal punch conduit end, and wherein the proximal punch end comprises a flaring geometry;
• activating the hydraulic puller, wherein the mandrel and punch are drawn toward the hydraulic puller while the anvil and grommet remain stationary against the web;
• contacting the distal grommet end with the flaring geometry of the proximal punch end;
• and
• forming the grommet.