Statistical process control for an automatic fastening machine
AssigneeGeneral Electro Mechanical Corporation
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.
Claims23
A process for monitoring an automatic fastening apparatus which installs a fastener in a workpiece, wherein the fastening apparatus comprises:
- a frame means in movable relation to the workpiece for operation of the fastening apparatus on the workpiece, the frame means carrying tool means including at least a fastener inserting and forming means which performs a fastener insertion operation and an upsetting operation on the inserted fastener, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an operatively associated computer means to receive and process output signals from the tool means and to control operation of the tool means, which process comprises:
- a) inserting a fastener into a hole in the workpiece by movement and operation of the fastener inserting and forming means under control of the computer means and wherein the computer means receives fastener insertion signal information from the fastener inserting and forming means in response to the fastener inserting operation;
- b) upsetting the inserted fastener to thereby install the fastener in the workpiece by operation of the fastener insertion and forming means under control of the computer means and wherein the computer means receives fastener upsetting signal information from the fastener inserting and forming means in response to the upsetting operation;
- and
- c) processing the signal information received from the tool means and then utilizing the processed signal information.
A process for monitoring an automatic fastening apparatus which installs a fastener in a workpiece, wherein the fastening apparatus comprises:
- a frame means in movable relation to the workpiece for operation of the fastening apparatus on the workpiece, the frame means carrying a plurality of tool means including a drill means which performs a hole drilling operation and a fastener inserting and forming means which performs a fastener insertion operation and an upsetting operation on the inserted fastener, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an operatively associated computer means to receive and process output signals from the tool means and to control operation of the tool means, which process comprises:
- a) drilling a hole in the workpiece by movement and operation of the drill means under control of the computer means and with the computer means receiving drill information signals from the drill means in response to the hole drilling operation;
- b) inserting a fastener into the hole by movement and operation of the fastener inserting and forming means under control of the computer means and wherein the computer means receives fastener insertion signal information from the fastener inserting and forming means in response to the fastener inserting operation;
- c) upsetting the inserted fastener to thereby install the fastener in the workpiece by operation of the fastener insertion and forming means under control of the computer means and wherein the computer means receives fastener upsetting signal information from the fastener inserting and forming means in response to the upsetting operation;
- and
- d) processing the signal information received from the plurality of tool means and then utilizing the processed signal information.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.