AUTOMATIC FASTENING MACHINE AND METHOD

摘要

An automatic fastening machine (10) and method which reduces fastener installation cycle time by virtue of unique tool movement, pressure foot (204) operation and other features. The pressure foot plate (202) is coupled to actuators for moving the same in a manner allowing tilting of the plate relative to the plane of the workpiece during movement from one fastener installation location to another. The actuators are independently operated by a servo control arrangement (464) in conjunction with the machine control (460). As a result, it is not necessary for the system to seek a new down position thereby saving machine cycle time.