Patent ID: 6957483

Claim:
A pierce nut installation apparatus for installing pierce nuts in a panel, said pierce nuts each having a bore therethrough, comprising: a pierce nut installation head having a plunger passage receiving a pierce nut for installation in said panel; a plunger reciprocating in said plunger passage having a proximal end driving the pierce nut through said plunger passage against the panel opposite said plunger piercing a slug from said panel and installing said pierce nut in a pierced opening formed in said panel, said plunger passage having an axial opening telescopically receiving a slug probe rod resiliently biased toward said proximal end of said plunger and extending beyond said proximal end of said plunger through said nut bore if a slug is pierced from said panel and engaging said panel if a slug is not pierced from said panel; and a sensor sensing axial movement of said slug probe rod to determine whether a slug has been pierced from said panel.