Patent Publication Number: US-10780489-B2

Title: Tool-free opening tape feed receiver for a self-piercing rivet machine

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a tape feed receiver for a self-piercing rivet fastener machine. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art. 
     Existing self-piercing rivet receivers for self-piercing rivet machines are typically made of several components that are bolted together. Such a structure has been understood to be necessary to provide the relative rigidity and positioning accuracy between the coupled components that is necessary to minimize problems as the self-piercing rivet punch engages the self-piercing rivet in the receiver and drives the rivet through a discharge passage and out of the receiver. The rigidity and positioning accuracy of the discharge passage into which the punch pushes the rivet at its proximal end, and pushes the rivet through the discharge passage, and pushes the rivet out of the discharge passage at its distal end relative to the rivet holding cavity has been believed to be particularly important. 
     Even so, there are sometimes problems that occur within the receiver making it necessary to uncouple the receiver components to access the interior of the receiver, for example, to clear a jammed self-piercing rivet. Because such receiver components are bolted together, disassembly of the components requires an operator to obtain and use tools to disassemble the receiver to access the interior of the receiver and to then reassemble the receiver together. This means the user must keep track of each of the various receiver components as they are uncoupled from each other, each of the bolts as they are removed from the assembly, and each of the required tools or spend time looking for any of these items that becomes misplaced. Although this increases the amount of time a manufacturing assembly line with such self-piercing rivet machines must be shut down to deal with such problems, it has been believed that this was a necessary evil in order to obtain the required relative rigidity and positioning accuracy between the coupled components of the receiver. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a tool-free clamshell opening tape feed receiver assembly for a self-piercing rivet machine can include an upper receiver body and a lower receiver body hingedly coupled together to form the clamshell receiver assembly. A self-piercing rivet tape path can extend through the clamshell receiver assembly between the upper and lower receiver bodies in a closed position. The clamshell receiver assembly can open into an open position between the upper and lower receiver bodies along a longitudinal length of the self-piercing rivet tape path that extends through the clamshell receiver assembly. A tool-free interlock coupling can have a locked configuration in which the upper and lower receiver bodies of the clamshell receiver assembly are rigidly coupled together in the closed position. The tool-free interlock coupling can have an unlocked configuration in which the upper and lower receiver bodies of the clamshell receiver assembly are hingedly movable into the open position. The clamshell receiver assembly can be rigidly coupled to an end of a self-piercing rivet spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by the tape along the tape path and support a lead self-piercing rivet in alignment with a punch of the spindle. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a tool-free clamshell opening tape feed receiver assembly for a self-piercing rivet machine can include an upper receiver body and a lower receiver body hingedly coupled together to form the clamshell receiver assembly. A self-piercing rivet tape path can extend through the clamshell receiver assembly between the upper and lower receiver bodies in a closed position. The clamshell receiver assembly can open into an open position between the upper and lower receiver bodies along a longitudinal length of the self-piercing rivet tape path extending through the clamshell receiver assembly. A tool-free interlock coupling can have a locked configuration in which the upper and lower receiver bodies of the clamshell receiver assembly are rigidly coupled together in the closed position. The tool-free interlock coupling can have an unlocked configuration in which the upper and lower receiver bodies of the clamshell receiver assembly are hingedly movable into the open position. The clamshell receiver assembly can be rigidly coupled to an end of a self-piercing rivet spindle to receive self-piercing rivets carried by the tape along the tape path and support a lead self-piercing rivet in alignment with a punch of the spindle. The lower receiver body can define a self-piercing rivet discharge passage that can extend from a proximal end adjacent the tape path to a distal end at which the lower receiver body is engageable with a workpiece. The discharge passage can be designed to receive a self-piercing rivet from a tape extending along the tape path through the discharge passage proximal end and to pass the self-piercing rivet through the discharge passage and out of the discharge passage through its distal end. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example of a self-piercing rivet fastener machine including an example tape feed apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the self-piercing rivet fastener machine and the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the self-piercing rivet fastener machine and the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the receiver assembly of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the receiver assembly of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the receiver assembly of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view of the receiver assembly taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the receiver assembly of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-section view of the receiver assembly taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a front elevation view of the receiver assembly of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the receiver assembly of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with the receiver hinged into an open position. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a self-piercing rivet carrier tape of the tape feed apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-12 , one example of a tape feed apparatus  20  and method for a self-piercing rivet machine  22  is described below. The self-piercing rivet machine  22  can include a self-piercing rivet spindle  24  with a self-piercing rivet punch  26 , and can include a C-frame  28  with a self-piercing rivet die  30 . The spindle  24  can be mounted on the C-frame  28  for axial movement toward and away from the die  30 . The punch  26  and the die  30  can be axially aligned with each other to cooperatively set a self-piercing rivet fastener  32  in a workpiece  18 . The machine  22  can be coupled to an articulating robot arm  16  that can position the spindle  24  and die  30  in various locations and orientations relative to various workpieces. 
     The tape feed apparatus  20  can include a receiver assembly  40 . The receiver assembly  40  can be mounted to the working or distal end  42  of the spindle  24  with the punch path  34  extending through the receiver assembly  40 . 
     The tape feed apparatus  20  can include a supply reel  36  that can be coupled on a rivet supply side of the C-frame  28  and can include an exhaust reel  38  that can be coupled to an opposite, exhaust side of the C-frame  28 . For example, the supply reel  36  can be mounted on supply reel coupling  46  that can rotate the supply reel  36  about its central axis. For example, the supply reel coupling  46  can be operably coupled to a supply servo controlled motor  48  to rotate the supply reel  36  in forward and reverse directions at variable torques. The supply reel  36  can be designed to be reusable. For example, the supply reel  36  can be made of a durable material, such as plastic, metal, or a combination thereof, so that it is reusable. 
     The supply reel  36  can include a fastener carrier tape  44  wound thereon. The tape  44  can have a plurality of rivet apertures  56  extending along or down the center of the tape  44 . A self-piercing rivet fastener  32  can be mounted in each of the rivet apertures  56  wound on the tape  44 . The tape  44  can also have a pair of positioning apertures  58  corresponding to each of the rivet apertures  56 . The positioning aperture pairs  58  can extend along opposite lateral sides of the tape  44 . 
     The exhaust reel  38  can be mounted on exhaust reel coupling  52  that can rotate the exhaust reel  38  about its central axis. For example, the exhaust reel coupling  52  can be operably coupled to an exhaust servo controlled motor  54  to rotate the exhaust reel  38  in forward and reverse directions at variable torques. The exhaust reel  38  can be designed to be disposable after a single use, and can be made of a recyclable material. For example, the exhaust reel  38  can be primarily made of a recyclable or disposable material, such as cardboard, so that it is disposable and recyclable. 
     A lead end of the tape  44  without self-piercing rivets  32  in the rivet apertures  56  can be coupled to the exhaust reel  38  for winding thereon. For example, any of a clip, hook, or protrusion (not shown) can be provided on the exhaust reel  38  that can engage or couple with any of the rivet apertures  56  and positioning apertures  58 . Rotation of the exhaust reel  38  in forward and reverse directions facilitates winding or unwinding of the tape  44  on the exhaust reel  38 . 
     A tape path  60  can extend in a forward direction “F” from the supply reel  36 , through the receiver assembly  40 , and toward or to the exhaust reel  38 . The tape path  60  also extends in a reverse direction “R” from the exhaust reel  38 , through the receiver assembly  40 , and toward or to the supply reel  36 . Intermediate tape guides  62  through which the tape  44  can pass. These intermediate tape guides  62  can further define the tape path  60  and insure proper orientation and alignment of the tape  44  along the tape path  60 . Rotation of the supply reel  36  in a corresponding reverse direction can pull the tape  44  from the exhaust reel  38  along the tape path  60  in the reverse direction “R.” Similarly, rotation of the exhaust reel  38  in a corresponding forward direction pulls the tape  44  from the supply reel  36  along the tape path  60  in the forward direction “F.” 
     The receiver assembly  40  can be designed to receive self-piercing rivets  32  carried by the tape  44  along the tape path  60  below the self-piercing rivet punch  26  of the spindle  24 . The receiver assembly  40  can include a pair of reverse locking pawls  64  designed to permit movement of the tape  44  along the tape path  60  in the forward direction “F.” For example, a rearward face  66  of the reverse locking pawls  64  can be angled so they will glide over the positioning apertures  58  without engaging them and stopping the tape  44  as the tape  44  moves in the forward direction. The locking pawls  64  can remain at a static pawl position along the tape path. 
     The reverse locking pawls  64  can also be designed to engage a corresponding pair of the positioning apertures  58  of the tape  44  to stop movement of the tape  44  in the reverse direction “R.” For example, a forward face  68  of the reverse locking pawls  64  can be angled so they will engage the positioning apertures  58  and stop the tape  44  as the tape  44  moves in the reverse direction when a lead self-piercing rivet  32 L in the rivet apertures  56  is aligned with the punch  26 . Thus, this engagement of the reverse locking pawls  64  with the positioning apertures  58  includes a coupling or locking between the two features, which stops movement of the tape in the reverse direction to stop. 
     Application of a position retention supply torque to the supply reel  36  in the corresponding reverse direction can then maintain the coupling or locking between the reverse locking pawls  64  and the corresponding positioning apertures  58 L, to keep the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L aligned with the punch  26  and punch path  34 . Simultaneous or concurrent application of a position retention exhaust torque to the exhaust reel  38  in the corresponding forward direction that is less than the position retention supply torque can further aid in insuring accurate positioning and alignment of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L with the punch  26  and punch path  34 . While the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L is aligned with the punch  26  and punch path  34 , the spindle  24  can be activated, driving the punch  26 , which in turn drives the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L from the lead rivet aperture  56 L and into the workpiece sandwiched between the receiver assembly  40  and the die  30 . 
     The reverse locking pawls  64  can be pivotably mounted for movement between a retracted and an extended position. A biasing member  70 , such as a spring, can be provided to bias the reverse locking pawls  64  toward the extended position. The receiver assembly  40  can include a tape support or positioning surface  72  adjacent the reverse locking pawls  64  that is designed to insure proper positioning of the tape  44  relative to the locking pawls  64  to provide the intended interaction therebetween. Thus, the reverse locking pawls  64  can be is positioned by the receiver assembly  40  to contact and slide along an opposing tape surface  74 , such as the upper surface, of the tape  44 . In addition, the receiver assembly  40  can support the opposing surface  74  of the tape  44  in a position relative to the reverse locking pawls  64  that the surface  74  can engage the reverse locking pawls  64  to push them against the biasing member toward their retracted positions. 
     The receiver assembly  40  can include a hard rivet stop  76  positioned to engage the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L to stop movement of the tape  44  in the forward direction. The hard rivet stop  76  can be spaced from the reverse locking pawls  64  at a distance from the reverse locking pawls  64  that insures the reverse locking pawls  64  engage the corresponding pair of positioning apertures  58 L to stop movement of the tape  44  in the reverse direction when the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L in the rivet apertures  56  is aligned with the rivet punch  26  and the punch path  34 . As just one example, the corresponding pair of positioning apertures  58 L can be two reverse positioning apertures  58  in the reverse direction from the rivet aperture  56 L holding the lead rivet  32 L. 
     The receiver assembly  40  can include a rivet sensor  78  positioned to detect a presence of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L when it is within the receiver assembly  40  adjacent the rivet stop  76 . For example, the rivet sensor  78  can be positioned to detect the presence of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L when this rivet is at a distance from the reverse locking pawls  64  that insures that they engage the corresponding positioning apertures  58 L to stop movement of the tape  44  in the reverse direction when the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L is aligned with the rivet punch  26  and the punch path  34 . The rivet sensor  78  can, in some cases, be an induction sensor. In other cases, the rivet sensor  78  can be a magnetic sensor or a vision sensor. 
     This example embodiment includes a tool-free clamshell opening tape feed receiver assembly  40  of the self-piercing rivet machine  22 . As used in this context herein, “tool-free” means the tool-free interlock coupling is designed to be manually changed between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration without the use of tools. The clamshell receiver assembly  40  can be rigidly coupled to an end of a self-piercing rivet spindle  24  to receive self-piercing rivets  32  carried by the tape  44  along the tape path  60  and support a lead self-piercing rivet  32 L in alignment with a punch path  34  of the punch  26  of the spindle  24 . An upper receiver body  80  and a lower receiver body  82  can be hingedly coupled in a clamshell opening configuration to form a clamshell receiver assembly  40 . The upper body  80  can include a tape entry guide  84  and a tape exit guide  86  on opposite sides of that portion of the self-piercing rivet tape path  60   a  which extends through the clamshell receiver assembly  40  upper body  80  and a lower body  82 . 
     In the closed position, this receiver tape path  60   a  can extend between the entry opening  88  and the exit opening  90  adjacent the entry guide  84  and the exit guide  86 , respectively. This receiver tape path  60   a  can extend through the clamshell receiver assembly  40  between the upper body  80  and lower body  82  in the closed position. The lower body  82  can include a discharge passage extension  148  that defines an internal self-piercing rivet discharge passage  150 . The rivet discharge passage  150  can extend from a proximal end  152  at or adjacent the receiver tape path  60   a  to a distal end  154 . At the distal end  154  of the rivet discharge passage  150 , the discharge extension  148  of the lower body  82  of the receiver  40  can be engaged with a workpiece  18  and can sandwich one or more workpieces  18  between the receiver assembly  40  and the die  30 . The rivet discharge passage  150  can be aligned with a lead self-piercing rivet cavity  106  that houses the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L of the tape  44  when the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L is aligned with the self-piercing rivet punch  26 . Thus, both the lead rivet cavity  106  and the rivet discharge passage  150  can be aligned with each other and with the self-piercing rivet punch  26 . When the punch  26  is actuated, it engages the lead rivet  32 L in the lead rivet cavity  106  to punch the lead rivet  32 L out of the tape  44  and into the proximal end  152  of the discharge passage  150 , through the discharge passage  150 , and out through the distal end  154  of the discharge passage  150 . Thus, the rivet  32 L can travel the entire length of the discharge passage  150 , entering at the proximal end  152  and exiting at the distal end  154  thereof. 
     The clamshell receiver assembly  40  can hinge into an open position between the upper receiver body  80  and the lower receiver body  82  along a longitudinal length of the self-piercing rivet tape path  60   a  that extends through the clamshell receiver assembly  40 . This longitudinal length of the self-piercing rivet tape path  60   a  along which the upper body  80  and lower body  82  open can span across the lead rivet cavity  106  of the clamshell receiver assembly  40  in which the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L of the tape  44  can be supported in alignment with the punch path  34  of the punch  26  of the spindle  24 . This longitudinal length along which the upper body  80  and lower body  82  open can span across the entire length of the tape path  60   a  through the clamshell receiver assembly  40  between the entry opening  88  and the exit opening  90 . Thus, the tape  44  can be positioned into, or removed from, the tape path  60   a  through the clamshell receiver assembly  40  while both ends of the tape are each coupled to one of the supply reel  36  and exhaust reel  38 , respectively. In other words, a midpoint of the tape  44  can be side-loaded and side-unloaded from the clamshell receiver assembly  40 . This avoids the need to feed the leading or trailing end of the tape  44  into or through the clamshell receiver assembly  40  and out the other side. 
     The hinge  92  can include a central collar protrusion  94  extending from the lower receiver body  82 . A pair of outer collar protrusions  96  can extend from the upper body  80 . The central collar protrusion  94  can be sandwiched between the outer collar protrusions  96  to resist torsion relative to an axis of a hinge pin  98  extending through the hinge protrusions  94 ,  96 . For example, planar opposite lateral surfaces  100  of the central hinge collar protrusion  94  can fit closely and engage against planar opposing surfaces  102  of the outer hinge collar protrusions  96 . 
     A tool-free interlock coupling  104  can have a locked configuration (e.g.,  FIG. 10 ) in which the upper receiver body  80  and the lower receiver body  82  of the clamshell receiver assembly  40  are rigidly coupled together in a closed position. The tool-free interlock coupling  104  can have an unlocked configuration (e.g.,  FIG. 11 ) in which the upper receiver body  80  and the lower receiver body  82  of the clamshell receiver assembly  40  are hingedly movable into the open position. 
     The tool-free interlock coupling  104  can include a rod  108  slidably mounted to the clamshell receiver assembly  40 . The rod  108  can include a first or mounting end  110  and a locking end  112  and the two ends  110 ,  112  can extend beside and parallel to each other with a connecting portion  114  extending between the two ends  110 ,  112 . The connecting portion  114  can be curved, which can provide the rod  108  with an overall U-shaped configuration. The mounting end  110  can extend through a mounting aperture  116  to at least partially slidably couple the rod  108  to the clamshell receiver assembly  40 . The mounting aperture  116  can be provided through a mounting protrusion  118  of the upper body  80 , as in this example. A biasing member  122 , such as the illustrated spring, can be mounted on the mounting end  110  of the rod  108  between the mounting protrusion  118  and a distal end  131  thereof to bias the rod  108  toward a locked rod position corresponding to the locked configuration. 
     The locking end  112  of the rod  108  can be slidable relative to and engageable in a locked configuration with a first locking surface  120 . The first locking surface  120  can be provided by an interior surface of a locking aperture  124 . The locking aperture  124  can be provided through a mounting or locking protrusion  126  of the upper body  80 , as in this example. The locking end  112  of the rod  108  can also be slidable relative to and engageable in a locked configuration with a second locking surface  128 . The second locking surface  128  can be provided by an interior surface of a locking aperture  132 . The locking aperture  132  can be provided through a locking protrusion  134  of the lower body  82 , as in this example. The locking end  112  of the rod  108  can also be slidable relative to and engageable in a locked configuration with a third locking surface  136 . The third locking surface  136  can be provided by a surface of a locking protrusion  140  of the upper body  82 , as in this example. 
     The rod can be manually slidable between an unlocked position corresponding to the unlocked configuration of the tool-free interlock coupling and of the upper and lower clamshell receiver bodies  80 ,  82  ( FIG. 11 ) and a locked position corresponding to the locked configuration of the tool-free interlock coupling and of the upper and lower clamshell receiver bodies  80 ,  82  ( FIG. 10 ). Thus, in the locked configuration of this example, opposite ends of the locking end  112  of the rod  108  can be simultaneously engaged with the first locking surface  120  and the third locking surface  136 , respectively, while a middle of the locking end  112  of the rod  108  is also engaged with the second locking surface  128 . In other words, the locking end  112  of the rod  108  can sequentially engage the first locking surface  120 , then engage the second locking surface  128 , and then engage the third locking surface  136  in the locked configuration. This can help provide a particularly good coupling that rigidly holds the upper and lower bodies  80 ,  82  in a fixed position relative to each other. 
     Opposite the hinge  92 , an upwardly-extending protrusion  130  of the lower receiver body  82  can be extendable into a corresponding mating pocket  142  of the upper receiver body  80  to resist movement of the upper and lower receiver bodies  80 ,  82  relative to each other when the tool-free interlock coupling  104  is in the locked configuration. The upwardly-extending protrusion  130  and cooperating mating pocket  142  can include adjacent planar opposing surfaces  144  and  146 , respectively. These surfaces  144 ,  146  can engage against each other to insure the upper and lower receiver bodies  80 ,  82  are rigidly fixed in position relative to each other when the interlock coupling  104  locks the receiver bodies  80 ,  82  together in the locked configuration. Some or all of the adjacent planar opposing surfaces  144  and  146  can be angled or wedge shaped. The locking protrusion  134  of the clamshell receiver assembly  40  can extend laterally outwardly from the upwardly-extending protrusion  130  and the second locking surface  128  of the tool-free interlock coupling  104  can be provided via an aperture  132  of the locking protrusion  130 . 
     The rod  108  of the tool-free interlock coupling  104  can be slidable from the locked position corresponding to the locked configuration toward an unlocked position corresponding to the unlocked configuration to disengage the locking end  112  of the rod  108  from the third locking surface  136  and from the second locking surface  128 . This can allow the lower clamshell receiver body  82  to pivot via the hinge  92  into an open position. 
     Because the clamshell receiver assembly  40  separates along a longitudinal length of the tape path  60   a , throughout this length the upper and lower bodies  80 ,  82  can open across an entire transverse width of the tape path  60   a  and of the lead rivet cavity  106 , and can separate the tape path  60   a  and the lead rivet cavity  106  into upper and lower halves or portions. This can provide essentially full open access the entirety of both the receiver tape path  60   a  and the lead rivet cavity  106 . This can be invaluable when there is a need to identify and resolve problems within these areas  60   a ,  106 , such as when a rivet  32  becomes jammed therein. Similarly, the clamshell receiver assembly  40  can separate the upper and lower bodies  80 ,  82  at or above the proximal end  152  of the discharge passage  150 . Again, this is invaluable in determining whether there is a rivet jam within the discharge passage  150  and in clearing any such jam from and through the ends  150 ,  152  of the discharge passage  150 . The tool-free interlock coupling  104  does not require locating or keeping track of any tools or fasteners in order to unlock and open the clamshell receiver assembly  40  or to close and re-lock the clamshell receiver assembly  40 . This greatly simplifies and reduces the time necessary to open and close the clamshell receiver assembly  40  in order to load or unload tape  44  through the clamshell receiver assembly  40  or to access key interior locations within the clamshell receiver assembly  40  to solve problems therein. This can greatly minimize the downtime of a self-piercing rivet machine  22  and of an assembly line incorporating such machines  22 . 
     Example methods related to a tape feed apparatus  20  in accordance with this disclosure can include rotating the exhaust reel  38  in a corresponding forward direction to move the tape  44  in the forward direction along the tape path  60 . This rotating the exhaust reel  38  in the corresponding forward direction to move the tape  44  in the forward direction along the tape path  60  can include applying a forward torque to the exhaust reel  38 . A reverse counter-torque that is less than the forward torque can be simultaneously or concurrently applied to the supply reel  36  while this forward torque is being applied to the exhaust reel  38  to help minimize problematic slack in the tape  44 . 
     This movement of the tape  44  along the tape path  60  in the forward direction can be stopped after a lead self-piercing rivet  32 L of the tape has moved to a position along the tape path  60  that is beyond, past, or forward of an alignment position of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L with the self-piercing rivet punch  26  and punch path  34 . This stopping of the movement of the tape  44  in the forward direction can include ceasing the rotation of the exhaust reel  38  in the corresponding forward direction, which can include ceasing the application of the forward torque to the exhaust reel  38 . 
     This stopping of the movement of the tape  44  in the forward direction can include engaging or contacting the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L against the fixed physical or hard rivet stop  76  of the clamshell receiver assembly  40  that is at or adjacent the position along the tape path  60  that is beyond, past or forward of the alignment position along the tape path  60 . In addition, this stopping of the movement of the tape  44  in the forward direction can include engaging or contacting the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L against the fixed physical or hard rivet stop  76 , which is spaced from the reverse locking pawls  64  at a distance from the reverse locking pawls  64  that insures the reverse locking pawls  64  engage the corresponding pair of positioning apertures  58 L during the movement of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L from the position along the tape path  60  that is beyond, past, or forward of the alignment position back toward the alignment position. 
     This stopping of the movement of the tape  44  in the forward direction can alternatively or additionally include the rivet sensor  78  detecting the presence of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L when it is at or adjacent the position along the tape path  60  that is beyond, past, or forward of the alignment position along the tape path  60 . In addition, this stopping of the movement of the tape  44  in the forward direction can include detecting the presence of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L with the rivet sensor  78  when the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L is at a sensed location that is at or adjacent the position beyond, past, or forward of the alignment position. This position beyond the alignment position is spaced from the reverse locking pawls  64  at a distance from the reverse locking pawls  64  that insures the reverse locking pawls  64  engage the corresponding pair of positioning apertures  58 L during the movement of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L from the position along the tape path  60  that is beyond, past or forward of the alignment position back toward the alignment position. 
     The supply reel  36  can be rotated in a corresponding reverse direction to move the tape  44  in the reverse direction along the tape path  60  and to move the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L from the position along the tape path beyond, past, or forward of the alignment position back toward the alignment position with the self-piercing rivet punch  26  and punch path  34 . This rotating of the supply reel  36  in the corresponding reverse direction to move the tape  44  in the reverse direction along the tape path  60  can include applying a reverse torque to the supply reel  36 . A forward counter-torque that is less than the reverse torque can be simultaneously or concurrently applied to the exhaust reel  38  while this reverse torque is being applied to the supply reel  36  to help minimize problematic slack in the tape  44 . 
     This movement of the tape  44  along the tape path  60  in the reverse direction can be stopped when the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L of the tape  44  is positioned along the tape path  60  in the alignment position with the self-piercing rivet punch  26  and punch path  34 . This stopping of the movement of the tape  44  in the reverse direction along the tape path  60  comprises engaging reverse locking pawls  64  of the clamshell receiver assembly  40  with rivet positioning apertures  58 L that correspond to the lead rivet aperture  56 L carrying the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L. 
     A position retention supply torque can be applied to the supply reel  36  in the corresponding reverse direction to maintain the coupling or locking between the reverse locking pawls  64  and the corresponding positioning apertures  58 L, to keep the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L aligned with the punch  26  and punch path  34 . In some cases, the position retention supply torque can have the same magnitude to that of the reverse torque being applied to the supply reel  36 . In other cases, the position retention supply torque can have a magnitude that is less than, or greater than that of the reverse torque being applied to the supply reel  36 . 
     A position retention exhaust torque can be simultaneously or concurrently applied to the exhaust reel  38  in the corresponding forward direction simultaneously or concurrently with the position retention supply torque being applied to the supply reel  36 . This position retention exhaust torque can be less than the position retention supply torque to further aid in insuring accurate positioning and alignment of the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L with the punch  26  and punch path  34 . In some cases, the position retention exhaust torque can have the same magnitude to that of the forward counter-torque being applied to the exhaust reel  38 . In other cases, the position retention exhaust torque can have a magnitude that is less than or greater than that of the forward counter-torque being applied to the exhaust reel  38 . 
     While the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L is aligned with the punch  26  and punch path  34 , the spindle  24  can be activated, driving the punch  26 , which in turn drives the lead self-piercing rivet  32 L from the lead rivet aperture  56 L and into the workpiece sandwiched between the clamshell receiver assembly  40  and the die  30 . 
     The foregoing description of example embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 
     In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.