FLANGED SHEET MATERIAL STAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

An apparatus and method is described to join a flange (F) on a periphery of a sheet material (A) supported in a nest (30). The apparatus includes an end effector (50) located on the end of a robotic arm (42). The end effector includes a hub (52) slidably supported in a cylinder (56). At least one forming stake (70) is located on an extension (68) from the hub. A biasing element (58) interposed between the cylinder and the hub enables precise control of the staking force by maintaining a relative relationship between the end of the robotic arm and the nest.