Method and apparatus for installing fasteners
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorBranko Sarh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for installing fasteners in a workpiece is mounted for computer controlled movement over the workpiece surface. The apparatus includes all of the tools, fasteners, drives and controls on-board that are needed to operate autonomously, without external connections. The apparatus may also include an on-board power supply for powering the tools, drives and controls. A supply of fasteners is held in an on-board replaceable cassette. An on-board fastener transferring device transfers individual fasteners from the cassette to the tools.
Claims32
A method of installing fasteners in a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- (A) mounting a base on the workpiece, said base mounted for one of longitudinal and transverse movement or radial movement over said workpiece;
- (B) moving the base to each of a plurality of locations on the workpiece where fasteners are to be installed;
- (C) moving each of a plurality of tools on the base to a process station on the base;
- and
- (D) performing fastener installation operations at process station using tools moved to the process station in step (C) said fasteners are provided on said base and received by a fastener transfer device comprising a gripping mechanism adapted to releasable hold an individual fastener, said fastener moved by fastener transfer device to said process station for said installation on said workpiece.
A method of installing fasteners in a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- (A) mounting a base on the workpiece, said base mounted for longitudinal and transverse movement over said workpiece;
- (B) moving the base to each of a plurality of locations on the workpiece where fasteners are to be installed;
- (C) moving each of a plurality of tools on the base to a process station on the base;
- and
- (D) performing fastener installation operations at process station using tools moved to the process station in step (C) said fasteners are provided on said base and received by a fastener transfer device comprising a gripping mechanism adapted to releasably hold an individual fastener, said fastener moved by fastener transfer device to said process station for said installation on said workpiece.
A method of installing fasteners in a workpiece, comprising the steps of:
- (A) mounting a base on the workpiece, said base mounted for radial movement over said workpiece;
- (B) moving the base to each of a plurality of locations on the workpiece where fasteners are to be installed;
- (C) moving each of a plurality of tools on the base to a process station on the base;
- and
- (D) performing fastener installation operations at process station using tools moved to the process station in step (C) said fasteners are provided on said base and received by a fastener transfer device comprising a gripping mechanism adapted to releasably hold an individual fastener, said fastener moved by fastener transfer device to said process station for said installation on said workpiece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.