Riveting system and process for forming a riveted joint

摘要

A riveting system is operable to join two or more workplaces with a rivet. In another aspect of the present invention, a self-piercing rivet is employed. Still another aspect of the present invention employs an electronic control unit and one or more sensors to determine a riveting characteristic and/or an actuator characteristic.

主权项

1. A method of riveting comprising:
(a) feeding a self-piercing rivet into a riveting machine attached to a moveable C-frame; (b) energizing an electric motor attached to the riveting machine; (c) advancing a rivet pusher mechanically coupled to the electric motor, in a non-fluidic manner, in response to the energization; (d) driving the self-piercing rivet into a workpiece due to the pusher advancing; (e) using a die attached to the C-frame to outwardly diverge a leading end of the self-piercing rivet while preventing the self-piercing rivet from contacting directly against the die; (f) sending rivet processing signals from at least two sensors to an electronic controller which causes an energization change of the electric motor and controls what is displayed on an electrical display screen; (g) displaying riveting force data on the electrical display screen; and (h) displaying an error message on the display screen if an unacceptable condition exists.