Automatic fastening machine with statistical process control
AssigneeGemcor Engineering Corp.
InventorsRobert J. Kellner, Mark F. Cassidy, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a system control for directing and monitoring the operation of an automatic fastening machine, such as automatic drilling and riveting machine, by gathering, recording, and processing relevant data from each drilling and riveting cycle. The cycle data then becomes part of a master record that is useful for logging maintenance schedules, for establishing real-time cycle trends and for historical purposes. Real-time cycle trends are particularly beneficial to effect corrections in subsequent cycles.
Claims5
An automatic fastening machine including a plurality of automatically operated tools for performing operations during installation of a fastener in a workpiece, said machine comprising:
- a) a plurality of automatically operated tools and a corresponding plurality of motion controllers, one for each of said tools, for controlling operations of said tools and for receiving measurements and data related to said tools as they perform the operations;
- b) a machine controller connected in controlling relation to said motion controllers for providing programmed control of said automatic fastening machine through said motion controllers and for receiving from said motion controllers said measurements and data related to said tools;
- and
- c) a processor means operatively connected to said machine controller for receiving from said machine controller said measurements and data related to said tools and for processing said measurements and data for monitoring and analyzing both real-time and historical data related to the operations performed by said tools;
- d) wherein the automatic fastening functions including downloading said measurements and data from said machine controller to said processor means to provide both real time data for substantially immediate use in controlling said machine and historical data for subsequent use in analyzing operation of said machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.