Importance

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Abstract

A control system for an assembly tool includes sensors which monitor the status of the tool at each step of operation and a controller receives signals from the sensors to ensure proper status in any given step. The tool includes a collar transfer device which receives a fastener collar from a remote collar sending unit and transfers the collar to a collar-swaging assembly which moves the collar to a cooperating fastener pin and swages the collar onto the pin. The sensors of the system monitor the position of the collar transfer device, the presence or absence of a collar in the collar transfer device, the position of the swaging assembly, the presence or absence of a collar in the swaging assembly, and the presence or absence of a fastener pin of proper length in a position to be engaged by the collar. The sensors include optical sensors which sight through apertures formed through components of the tool when the components are in specified positions to verify that the components are in the specified positions. Collars supported in collar holding members block sight apertures formed through the members to indicate the presence of the collar in the holding member. The sensors also include a microswitch positioned with respect to a moving component to be engaged when the component is in a switch-engaging position. A sending unit for feeding radially-flanged collars to the assembly tool includes a sorting unit which arranges the collars one behind the other with their flanges down at a termination point of the sorting unit at which point a sending unit, upon receiving the proper signal from the controller, captures one collar at a time and sends the collar through a collar transport conduit to the assembly tool.

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First Claim