JP-2026514269-A - Fastener insertion device

Abstract

A computer-based implementation method for determining the properties of a fastener. The method includes the step of receiving a stored deflection coefficient, the stored deflection coefficient relating the deflection of the fastener setting tool to the peak force exerted on the die by the fastener. The method further includes the step of receiving a determined peak force, the determined peak force corresponding to the peak force exerted on the fastener by the punch of the fastener setting tool. The method further includes the steps of receiving a determined thickness of the workpiece, receiving a determined position of the upper end face of the fastener, and determining the head height of the fastener. [Selection Diagram] Figure 2

Inventors

• コロム， ノーバート
• リザーランド， アンドリュー
• タン， ダニエル ハオユ
• エリオット， ピーター ジョン
• ジョーンズ， エリオット
• ストッカー， ウェスリー
• ウェンゼル， アンドレアス
• スカール， ユージェン

Assignees

• アトラス コプコ アイエーエス ユーケー リミテッド

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20231027

Priority Date

20221101

Claims (20)

1. A computer implementation method for determining the characteristics of a fastener, The steps include receiving a stored deflection coefficient, relating the stored deflection coefficient to the peak force exerted on the die by the fastener, The determined peak force is received, and the determined peak force corresponds to the peak force exerted on the fastener by the punch of the fastener set tool, Steps include receiving the determined thickness of the workpiece, The steps include receiving the determined position of the upper end surface of the fastener, The head height HH of the fastener is determined as follows: During the ceremony, DF is the stored deflection coefficient, PF is the peak force determined above, MT is the determined thickness of the workpiece, ED is the determined position on the upper end surface of the fastener. Steps and Computer implementation methods, including those mentioned above.
2. The step of receiving the determined thickness of the workpiece is The process of moving the blank holder of the fastening tool set forward so that the blank holder moves to the calibration position, A step of measuring the position of the calibration position along the axis moved by the blank holder using a first sensor configured to measure the displacement of the blank holder, The steps include: advancing the blank holder so that it contacts the surface of the workpiece and clamps the workpiece against the die; A step of measuring the position of the surface of the workpiece along the axis moved by the blank holder using the first sensor, A step of determining the thickness of the workpiece using the measured position of the calibration position and the measured position of the surface of the workpiece, The computer implementation method according to claim 1, further comprising:
3. A step of applying a threshold test to the head height determined above, A computer implementation method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
4. A computer implementation method for determining the characteristics of a workpiece and/or a set of fasteners and tools, The steps include: advancing the blank holder of the fastening tool set so that the blank holder moves to the calibration position; A step of measuring the position of the calibration position along the axis moved by the blank holder using a first sensor configured to measure the displacement of the blank holder, The steps include: advancing the blank holder so that it contacts the surface of the workpiece and clamps the workpiece against the die; A step of measuring the position of the surface of the workpiece using the first sensor, A step of determining the thickness of the workpiece using the measured position of the calibration position and the measured position of the surface of the workpiece, Computer implementation methods, including those mentioned above.
5. The steps include receiving the determined position of the upper end surface of the fastener, A step of receiving the measured head height of the fastener, The tool deflection TD corresponding to the change in the end position relative to the starting position of the tool component caused by the insertion of the fastener is determined as follows: During the ceremony, HH is the measured head height of the fastener, MT is the determined thickness of the workpiece, ED is the determined position on the upper end surface of the fastener. Steps and The computer implementation method according to claim 4, further comprising:
6. The computer mounting method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of storing the determined tool deflection.
7. A step of determining the peak force applied to the fastener by the punch, The deflection coefficient DF corresponding to the deflection of the fastener set tool with respect to the peak force exerted on the fastener by the punch is determined as follows: In the formula, PF is the determined peak force, and the step and The computer implementation method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising:
8. The computer implementation method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of storing the deflection coefficient.
9. A computer implementation method according to any one of claims 4 to 8, further comprising the step of applying a threshold test to the determined characteristics.
10. A computer-based method for determining the characteristics of a workpiece or a joint formed on the workpiece, The steps include bringing the blank holder of the fastening tool set into contact with the surface of the workpiece, The steps include: applying force to the blank holder in the axial direction toward the workpiece; The steps include detecting the movement of the workpiece by measuring the displacement of the blank holder, The steps include determining the characteristics of the workpiece or the joint formed on the workpiece based on the detected movement, Computer implementation methods including
11. The computer implementation method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of applying a threshold test to the determined characteristics.
12. The computer mounting method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the step of inserting a first fastener into the workpiece using the punch of the fastener set tool.
13. The computer mounting method according to any one of claims 3, 9, or 11, further comprising the step of determining, based on the results of the threshold test, that the fastener set tool requires maintenance.
14. A computer-aided mounting method according to any one of claims 3, 9, 11, or 13, further comprising the step of determining, based on the results of the threshold test, that the workpiece should be inspected and/or replaced.
15. A computer-aided implementation method according to any one of claims 3, 9, 11, 13, or 14, further comprising the step of determining, based on the results of the threshold test, that the parameters associated with the fastener set tool should be adjusted.
16. The step of measuring the displacement of the blank holder is, A step of measuring the displacement of the components of the fastener set tool that are fixed to the blank holder, A computer implementation method according to any one of claims 2 to 15, including the method described in any one of claims 2 to 15.
17. The steps include comparing the determined characteristics with predetermined characteristics, and determining that the difference between the determined characteristics and the predetermined characteristics represents the state of the fastener set tool or the workpiece, A step of calculating an adjustment based on the comparison in order to compensate for the condition of the fastener set tool or the workpiece, The steps of applying the adjustment to the fastener set tool and/or the workpiece, A computer implementation method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising:
18. The steps of comparing the determined characteristics with the predetermined characteristics, calculating the adjustment based on the comparison, and applying the adjustment are each performed after inserting the first fastener into the workpiece using the punch, and the method is The computer mounting method according to claim 17, dependent on claim 12, further comprising the step of inserting a second fastener into the workpiece using the punch after the adjustment has been applied.
19. The steps of comparing the determined characteristics with the predetermined characteristics, calculating the adjustment based on the comparison, and applying the adjustment are each performed after inserting the first fastener into the workpiece using the punch, and the method is A computer mounting method according to claim 17, dependent on claim 12, further comprising the step of further inserting the first fastener into the workpiece using the punch after the adjustment has been applied.
20. The computer mounting method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the adjustment is an adjustment to the torque and/or force applied by the fastening tool set.

Description

(Technical field) The present invention relates to a computer-aided mounting method for determining the characteristics of fasteners, and a computer-aided mounting method for determining the characteristics of a workpiece and/or a fastener set tool. (Background technology) Fasteners, such as self-piercing rivets, may be inserted into the workpiece to mechanically fasten the panels of the workpiece together. Self-piercing rivets are sometimes called self-inserting rivets. A workpiece may comprise two or more panels. A workpiece may further comprise an interlayer material (e.g., adhesive, sealant, and/or foil) provided between two adjacent panels. As an example, a workpiece may comprise aluminum panels that may form part of an automobile or another vehicle. Fasteners may be inserted using a fastener setting tool. The fastener setting tool typically drives the fastener into the workpiece while the workpiece is supported by a die. In the case of self-piercing rivets, the self-piercing rivets may expand radially outward to allow the panels of the workpiece to be fastened together. The surface of the die supporting the workpiece may have a shape that facilitates the expansion of the self-piercing rivet. Similar workpieces may not be identical. For example, workpieces from a single batch corresponding to a portion of a product may vary by different amounts from the nominal workpiece. In other words, while the nominal workpiece thickness may be known, the thickness of each individual workpiece may not be known unless each workpiece is measured separately. Other properties, such as the strength or ductility of a workpiece, may not be known unless each workpiece is measured separately. Measuring each component of each workpiece separately (i.e., each panel and optionally each interlayer material) or each workpiece separately may add an additional step to the construction process, and therefore may slow down the construction process. Fasteners may be inserted into the workpiece at a predetermined speed and force to achieve the required insertion depth. After insertion into the workpiece surface, the head height of the fastener (i.e., the position of the upper surface of the fastener relative to the upper surface of the workpiece in the area close to the fastener) may indicate the characteristics of the joint created by the fastener. Without destructive testing, head height may be the only indicator of the joint strength. Measuring head height in conventional manner may add one or more additional steps to the construction process, and therefore may slow down the construction process. When using an inertial fastener set tool, the amount of energy available to the fastener includes contributions from the flywheel's inertia, the tool's linear momentum, and the torque provided by the motor. The amount of energy available to the fastener can be reduced by frictional losses within the tool. Frictional losses can vary depending on the tool's condition. These conditions may include, for example, temperature, age, fastener characteristics, workpiece characteristics, previous tool use, and lubrication characteristics (e.g., lubrication amount, lubrication temperature). A tool may be in a "low temperature" state. A tool can be low temperature if its temperature is below the desired operating temperature. A tool may also be low temperature if no recent insertion cycles have been performed. When in a low temperature state, internal friction of the tool may increase, for example, due to the lubrication being below its optimal temperature (i.e., low temperature), and/or due to other factors such as the tool being used with new, worn, or damaged parts/components. Alternatively, the tool may be in a "warm" state. A tool may be warm when it is at its desired operating temperature. Recently, for example, if sufficient insertion cycles have been performed within the last 15 minutes, the tool may be warm. When the tool is warm, internal friction may decrease, for example, due to the lubrication being at its optimal temperature (i.e., warm), and/or due to other factors such as the tool being used with new, unworn, or undamaged parts/components. Alternatively, the tool may be "warm." A warm tool is between a "low temperature" and a "warm temperature," and its operating temperature may be elevated. Low-temperature and/or warm tools may experience greater internal friction compared to warm tools. This increased internal friction can be due to changes in lubrication viscosity and/or the movement and position of lubrication within the tool, as well as changes in the state of internal components. Therefore, operating a warm tool is beneficial because it requires less driving force compared to a low-temperature or warm tool. However, for example, when a tool is first used, it may be necessary to use a low-temperature or warm tool. In such cases, compensating for friction loss may be beneficial. When a tool is first riveting a workpiece (or certain