Patent ID: 7007364

Claim:
A method for attaching a tag to a metal workpiece, which comprises the steps of: (a) moving a driving mandrel to a storage bin to pick up a nail module, which comprises: (i) a nail having a pointed shank and a head; and (ii) a fracturable carrier housing said nail and having a delivery end adapted to receive said pointed nail shank and a female socket retention end adapted to retain said nail head and to receive said driving mandrel for carrying the module from a storage station to a driving station in an orientation for driving said nail into a workpiece, said carrier being fractured and releasing said nail by said driving; by inserting said driving mandrel into the female socket end of said fracturable carrier to pick up said nail module; (b) moving said nail module/driving mandrel assembly to a driving position to confront a tag placed against a workpiece; and (c) driving said mandrel into said carrier housing to fracture said carrier housing to release said nail and to drive said nail through said tag and into said workpiece for attaching said tag to said workpiece.