Patent ID: 6446319
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: B21J,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for minimizing undesirable gaps in riveted assemblies comprising the steps of:selecting a rivet having a head and a tail with identical forming characteristics; positioning the selected rivet in an assembly that is countersunk on one of two sides; and applying a force over time to the head of the rivet and a force over time to the tail of the rivet that are equal and opposite, compensating for force-unbalancing characteristics of the countersink by: a. determining the force-over-time applied to the head of the rivet by a head actuator; b. determining the force-over-time applied to the tail of the rivet by a tail actuator; c. adjusting the phase of the voltage applied to one of the head actuator and the tail actuator so that the phase of the force-over-time on the head of the rivet and the tail of the rivet are substantially equal; d. adjusting the voltage applied to one of the head actuator and the tail actuator until the amplitude of the force-over-time applied to the head of the rivet and the tail of the rivet are substantially equal.