MOBILE AUTOMATIC MACHINE FOR FASTENING OF FASTENERS

Abstract: A mobile automatic machine for fastening of fasteners which can be mounted on wheels (11) and which can be attached to and held in contact with the work object by vacuum in suction cups (3) for the purpose of installing fasteners. The fasteners are blown from a fastener arranger (14) through hoses (15) to fastener holder (6), where the fasteners are inserted and tightened by motors (2). The work head (20) can be traversed linearly at repeatable intervals or at a uniform speed along the entire length of the linear unit (1), and can also be equipped with other tools, for example for drilling or milling.

Description: Mobile automatic machine for fastening of fasteners General description The present invention relates to a mobile automatic machine for fastening of fasteners, which machine may, for example, be attached by vacuum to a work object, primarily for the purpose of securing fasteners in panels, and is further designed to feed fasteners automatically in such manner that several fasteners can be inserted and fastened simultaneously. When using this automatic machine, the fasteners are inserted at intervals along a linear unit (1) at a preset spacing, which spacing can, however, be altered easily along the length of the unit. Background to invention Panels are usually fastened together by means of screws supplied on a belt or picked up manually, and tightened with hand-held, power screwdrivers, a procedure which places a strain on the arms and shoulders. This is also a monotonous and time-consuming task since the panels are usually joined by about 10-15 screws per square metre, and large numbers of screws must be installed in structures built from panels. Figures Fig. 1 shows the automatic fastening device from the operator's side. Fig. 2 shows the automatic fastening device from the work object side. Description The reference numbers stated on the figures indicate the following: Linear unit 1 , motors 2, suction cups 3, compressed air cylinder 4, work head holder 5, fastener holder 6, control box 7, handle 8, compressed air cylinder 9, counter-stop 10, wheels 11 , axle 12, bearing 13, fastener arranger 14, hoses 15, starter button 16, pushbutton 17 and work head 20. Designated 1 on the figures, the linear unit is the part which can traverse the work head 20 between it's (the linear unit's) end positions when installing the fasteners. When starter button 16 is operated, the fastener arranger 14 is started and the cylinder 9 presses the automatic fastening device against the panel. The ejector then begins to develop vacuum in the suction cups which hold the automatic fastening device in contact with the work object. Pushbutton 17 is activated when the correct vacuum has been reached and only then can screw tightening be commenced. At this point, the screws shall already be located in the fastener holder 6, which are pressed against the panel by the compressed air cylinder 4, the motors 2 starting when the correct contact pressure with the panel has been reached. The screws are screwed in to a predetermined depth. When the screws have been tightened to the correct depth, the work head holder 5 is reversed while new screws are blown into the fastener holder 6 and the work head 20 is traversed along the linear unit 1 to the next position. When the work head 20 has reached the last position, new screws are blown into the fastener holder 6 and the work head 20 is traversed to the other end of the linear unit 1 in readiness for the next cycle. Purpose of invention The main purpose of the present invention is to install and tighten panel screws, primarily as part of building and installation works, and to reduce the occupational injuries which occur when the task is carried out using hand-held tools, also to save time by installing a number of screws simultaneously. In addition, other working tasks can be carried out while changing the working head (20).

Claims: Patent claims 1. A mobile automatic machine for fastening of fasteners, which machine can be attached to a work object and retained in contact therewith by vacuum for the purpose of installing fasteners, characterised by a fastener arranger (14), which blows fasteners through hoses (15) to fastener holder (6), where motors (2) tighten the fasteners to the correct depth, and a work head (20) which can be traversed linearly at repeatable intervals, the spacing of which can be altered easily, or at a uniform speed along the entire length of a linear unit (1). 2. A mobile fastening device as per patent claim 1, characterised in that the work head (20) can be equipped with other tools, for example for drilling or milling.

Inventors: SOEDERLUND ROGER, SOEDERLUND, ROGER
Applicants: SOEDERLUND ROGER, SOEDERLUND, ROGER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B23P19
IPC codes: B23P19, B25B21, B25B23, B25H1