Patent ID: 6153035
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: B29C,F16B

Abstract:
A method of securing a thermoplastic insert between first and second skin sheets of a sandwich panel using an installation tool to rotate the insert about a central axis, comprising:providing one of the installation tool and insert with a male connection feature and the other with a female connection feature such that the installation tool and insert are axially movable toward and away from each other to engage the male and female connection features without requiring relative rotation, wherein said male and female connection features include mating surfaces offset from the central axis to transmit torque between the installation tool and insert;magnetically attracting the insert to the installation tool by providing one of the installation tool and insert with a magnet and the other with magnetic material to be attracted by the magnet; andsimultaneously rotating and applying force to the installation tool and insert to drive the insert into the sandwich panel and to frictionally generate heat to friction weld the insert to the sandwich panel.