Patent ID: 7409760

Claim:
An electronic control system for use in a riveting process, the system comprising: an electronic control unit; an electric motor connected to the electronic control unit; a first sensor connected to the electronic control unit and the electric motor, the first sensor being operable to indicate at least one of: (a) torque of the electric motor, (b) speed of the electric motor, and (c) an electrical power characteristic of the electric motor; and at least a second sensor connected to the electronic control unit, the second sensor operably detecting a riveting characteristic occurring during the riveting process, the riveting characteristic consisting essentially of at least one of: (a) riveting force, (b) rivet punch assembly location, (c) rivet size, and (d) workpiece thickness; the electronic control unit being operable to automatically vary the riveting process in a real-time manner in response to output from at least the first and second sensors.