Rivet installation system

An apparatus comprising:

• a rail system configured to attach to a surface, wherein the rail system comprises a flexible rail or a plurality of flexible rails;
• a multi-axis carriage coupled to the rail system, wherein the multi-axis carriage is configured to move along the rail system and is configured to move a riveting tool in axes relative to the surface;
• a tool module capable of being removably coupled to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module comprises a frame and is configured to receive the riveting tool;
• the riveting tool configured to mount to the tool module, wherein the riveting tool is selected from one of a pneumatic rivet gun and a hydraulic rivet gun;
• a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of a structure and configured to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal;
• a bucking bar configured to communicate with the controller and configured to generate the signal;
• a trigger system located on the bucking bar, wherein the trigger system has a first button and a second button configured to initiate generation of the signal in response to a manipulation by an operator, wherein the first button is configured to generate the signal to cause the multi-axis carriage to move to a next location in the number of preselected locations and wherein the second button is configured to generate the signal to cause the multi-axis carriage to move to a previous location in the number of preselected locations;
• a pressure unit having a number of rollers, wherein the pressure unit is located on a first side of the tool module and configured to apply pressure to the surface;
• and
• a reaction unit having a number of rollers, wherein the reaction unit is located on a second side of the tool module and configured to stabilize the multi-axis carriage during operation of the tool module and wherein the reaction unit is configured to stabilize the multi-axis carriage while the multi-axis carriage moves along the rail system, wherein the surface is for an object selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a submarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a manufacturing facility, a pressure vessel, and a building.

A method for performing riveting operations on a structure, the method comprising:

• moving, using a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of the structure in response to a signal, a riveting tool mounted to a rail apparatus on a first surface of the structure to a preselected location within the number of preselected locations on the first surface of the structure, to form a current preselected location, wherein the rail apparatus comprises a rail system configured to attach to a surface;
• such that a multi-axis carriage is configured to be coupled to the rail system, move along the rail system, and move the riveting tool in axes relative to the surface;
• such that the riveting tool is configured to be detachably coupled to a tool module, and the tool module is configured to be detachably coupled to the multi-axis carriage;
• and
• installing a rivet, using a controller configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a second signal, at the current preselected location with a backing unit located at the current preselected location on a second surface on the structure opposite to the first surface.

A method for performing riveting operations on a structure, the method comprising:

• moving a riveting tool mounted to a rail apparatus on a first surface of the structure to a preselected location within a number of preselected locations on the first surface of the structure in response to direct manipulation of the rail apparatus by a human operator to form a current preselected location, wherein the rail apparatus comprises a rail system configured to attach to a surface;
• such that a multi-axis carriage is configured to be coupled to the rail system, move along the rail system, and move the riveting tool in axes relative to the surface;
• such that the riveting tool is configured to be detachably coupled to a tool module, and the tool module is configured to be detachably coupled to the multi-axis carriage;
• and
• installing a rivet, using a controller configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal, at the current preselected location with a backing unit located at the current preselected location on a second surface on the structure opposite to the first surface.

A method for performing riveting operations on a structure, the method comprising:

• placing a number of hanger brackets on a first surface of the structure;
• attaching a rail system for a rail apparatus to the number of hanger brackets, wherein the rail apparatus comprises the rail system configured to attach to the first surface when activated;
• a multi-axis carriage coupled to the rail system, wherein the multi-axis carriage is configured to move along the rail system and is configured to move a riveting tool in axes relative to the first surface;
• a tool module configured to be removably coupled to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module comprises a frame and is configured to receive the riveting tool;
• and a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of the structure and is configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal;
• attaching the multi-axis carriage to the rail system;
• coupling the tool module to the multi-axis carriage;
• mounting a tool to the tool module;
• positioning a backing unit at a current preselected location;
• generating the signal in response to a signal generator;
• moving the riveting tool mounted to the rail apparatus on the first surface of the structure to a preselected location within the number of preselected locations on the first surface of the structure in response to the signal to form the current preselected location;
• and
• installing a rivet at the current preselected location with the backing unit located at the current preselected location on a second surface on the structure opposite to the first surface.