Patent ID: 6446330
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: B21J,Y10T

Abstract:
A system for gripping a collar element which is to be swaged onto a bolt in assembly operations, comprising:means for moving a collar from a storage location to a gripper member prior to the collar being inserted onto a tail portion of a bolt element, the gripper member including means for closing upon and positively gripping a collar element; actuator means operating along a first axis for actuating and releasing the closing and gripping means at selected times, wherein the closing and gripping means operates about a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the closing and gripping means extends in a direction which is substantially perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis; means for moving the gripper member, from an initial position, following gripping of the collar element, so as to position the collar onto a tail portion of the bolt, wherein the closing and gripping means is released from the collar member following moving of the collar onto the bolt; and means for moving the gripper member back to its initial position.