Patent ID: 6357109
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B23P,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatic fixation of self-piercing fasteners each having a threaded or non-threaded stud, a flange-shaped head formed integral with one end of the stud and a cylindrical lug protruding from and coaxial with the head, the apparatus comprising:a fastener feeding section; a transportation mechanism for receiving the fasteners from the feeding section and transporting them to a punching station; the punching station comprising: a pressing punch; and a caulking die facing the pressing punch such that the fasteners are fed in between the pressing punch and the caulking die supporting a metallic panel so that the fasteners take a position coaxial with the punch and the die, before struck with the punch onto the panel in a manner that the cylindrical lug does pierce the panel and an end rim of the lug is deformed with the die radially and outwardly to fixedly secure the fastener on the panel, wherein the fastener feeding section for conveying the fasteners in a continuous horizontal row is constructed such that each fastener lies substantially perpendicular to an axis of the punch, with the cylindrical lug preceding the head integral with the stud of each fastener, and wherein the transportation mechanism is capable of gripping the fasteners successively leaving the feeding section, then tilting the fasteners sideways one by one to stand upright and transporting the fasteners to the punching station where each of the fasteners is precisely aligned with the pressing punch one after another.