METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALIGNING TOOLS PROVIDED ON A C-FRAME

摘要

Tools (3, 4) mounted on the free ends of the arms of a C-frame applicator are aligned by providing the arms of the C-frame (1) in a form which is capable of flexing between a first position in which the axes of the tools (3, 4) are disposed at an angle relative to each other and a second position in which the axes of the tools are coaxial with each other. A workpiece (6) is arranged between the tools and a predetermined clamping load is applied to the workpiece (6) sufficient to flex the C-frame (1) from the first position towards the second position and bring the tools (3, 4) substantially into coaxial alignment. One or more of the tools (3, 4) is then actuated to apply a force to the workpiece (6).