EP3031549B1 - Method for crimping a ring on a fixing bolt by an automaton - Google Patents

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL AREA AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to the field of crimping a ring on a fixing rod in order to form a riveted connection, in particular, in the aeronautical field.

To connect two elements together, for example two sheets, it is known practice to use hand tools. The document EP 2,756,894 A2 discloses a method of crimping a ring on a fixing rod, comprising the steps of moving a pliers so that the fixing rod is introduced into the ring, a step of moving the crimping nose near the rod fixing so as to prevent the removal of the ring, a step of releasing the ring by the displacement pliers, and a crimping step by moving the crimping nose.

To interconnect two elements together it is also known to use an automaton to set up rivets or the like in predetermined fastening zones. The machine can tilt, turn, lie down to reach various and varied joining areas. By automaton is meant a mechanical device capable of working automatically, that is to say, without human intervention.

The automaton is supplied with rivets or the like by a pneumatic conveying line in order to guide the rivets from a storage place (storage bowl, storage cassette, etc.) to the automaton. In practice, the pneumatic conveying pipe can have a length of between 5m and 25m. Such a pneumatic pipe is satisfactory for rivets or a cylindrical ring but is not suitable for a shouldered ring. Indeed, with reference to the figure 1 , a shouldered ring 1 comprises a cylindrical body 11 extending axially along an axis X1 and a radial crown 12 at one of its ends which forms a shoulder. If a shouldered ring 1 is introduced into a pneumatic pipe 13 extending along an axis Xc, the shouldered ring 1 is likely to tilt during its transport in the pneumatic pipe 13. The pneumatic pipe 13 is then blocked and it is necessary to carry out a maintenance operation, which significantly slows the joining operations. Finally, the shouldered rings 1 are liable to be damaged during their routing, which has another drawback.

In addition, to rivet a ring on a fixing rod extending projecting from a panel, the automaton includes blowing means which blow the ring on the fixing rod so that the latter enters the ring before the crimping means of the automaton do not deform the ring on the fixing rod.

In practice, it is difficult to ensure that the ring is correctly positioned on the fixing rod. Also, a crimping step can occur in the absence of a ring, which can damage the fixing rod and / or the panel from which said rod projects.

Finally, when the rod projects from the top to the bottom, the ring is not stable on the fixing rod after blowing, which prevents any automatic crimping for this type of fixing rod.

The document FR 2 914 208 A1 discloses an automaton for crimping a ring on a fixing rod, by means of an insertion assembly and a crimping nose. The displacement of the insertion assembly and the crimping nose is not simultaneous: in order to avoid the fall of the ring when the insertion assembly is removed, an additional retaining arm is provided.

The invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new crimping method for crimping a ring on any type of fixing rod and whose reliability is increased.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

• une étape de déplacement de la pince de déplacement de manière à ce que la tige de fixation soit introduite dans la bague ;
• une étape de déplacement du nez de sertissage à proximité de la tige de fixation de manière à empêcher le retrait de la bague de la tige de fixation par le nez de sertissage les étapes de déplacement de la pince de déplacement et du nez de sertissage étant réalisées de manière simultanée ;
• une étape de libération de la bague par la pince de déplacement de manière à ce que la bague soit libre de translater sur la tige de fixation entre le panneau et le nez de sertissage ; et
• une étape de déplacement du nez de sertissage selon l'axe de la tige de fixation vers le panneau de manière à sertir ladite bague sur ladite tige de fixation.

To this end, the invention relates to a method of crimping, by means of an automaton, a ring on a fixing rod extending projecting along an axis from a panel, the automaton comprising a gripper for gripping movement. a ring and a crimping nose, the method comprising:

• a step of displacement of the displacement clamp so that the fixing rod is introduced into the ring;
• a step of moving the crimping nose near the fixing rod so as to prevent the removal of the ring from the fixing rod by the crimping nose, the steps of moving the displacement pliers and the crimping nose being carried out simultaneously;
• a step of releasing the ring by the displacement clamp so that the ring is free to translate on the fixing rod between the panel and the crimping nose; and
• a step of moving the crimping nose along the axis of the fixing rod towards the panel so as to crimp said ring on said fixing rod.

Thanks to the method according to the invention, the ring is held by the clamp on the fixing rod and released only when the crimping nose prevents its removal. Thus, the ring can be positioned on a fixing rod regardless of its orientation. The drawbacks of the prior art are thus eliminated. In addition, the crimping nose advantageously fulfills a double function by making it possible, on the one hand, to prevent withdrawal of the ring and, on the other hand, to crimp the ring on the fixing rod.

According to the invention, the step of moving the displacement pliers and the step of moving the crimping nose are carried out simultaneously. Thus, the removal of the ring from the fixing rod is prevented upon introduction. In addition, simultaneous displacement makes it possible to avoid relative displacement between the displacement pliers and the crimping nose which are aligned with respect to the axis of the fixing rod.

Preferably, the method comprises a preliminary step of alignment, by the displacement clamp, of the ring with the axis of the fixing rod. Thus, it is simple to position the fixing rod in the ring by a translation along the axis of the fixing rod. Preferably, the crimping nose is also aligned with the axis of the fixing rod.

Preferably, the method comprises a step of detection by the automaton of the axis of the fixing rod in order to be able to precisely position the displacement clamp and the crimping nose.

Still preferably, the automatic device comprises a profilometer adapted to detect the axis of the fixing rod by detecting a middle part and an end part of the fixing rod. Thus, by detecting two points of the longitudinal fixing rod, the axis of the fixing rod is deduced therefrom.

Preferably, the automaton is configured to detect the presence of a ring in said displacement clamp. Thus, the risk of crimping in the absence of a ring is advantageously avoided.

Preferably, the ring is shouldered and has a radial crown intended to be in contact with said panel after crimping. Such a shouldered ring is particularly suitable for crimping in the aeronautical environment and can be grasped by a displacement clamp unlike a blowing path which can cause malfunctions.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe de bagues épaulées lors de leur transport dans une conduite pneumatique selon l'art antérieur ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'un automate selon l'invention pour le sertissage d'une bague sur une tige de fixation ;
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique d'une tige de fixation traversant deux panneaux à solidariser préalablement à une étape de sertissage ;
• la figure 4 est une représentation schématique fonctionnelle du module de sertissage de l'automate de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation en perspective d'un barillet de stockage de bagues selon l'invention ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation schématique fonctionnelle du barillet de de la figure 5 avec son mécanisme de rotation ;
• les figures 7 à 13 sont des représentations schématiques successives d'un procédé de distribution d'une bague par le barillet de stockage ; et
• les figures 14 à 23 sont des représentations schématiques successives d'un procédé de sertissage d'une bague sur une tige de fixation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of rings shouldered during their transport in a pneumatic line according to the prior art;
• the figure 2 is a schematic representation of an automaton according to the invention for crimping a ring on a fixing rod;
• the figure 3 is a schematic representation of a fixing rod passing through two panels to be joined prior to a crimping step;
• the figure 4 is a functional schematic representation of the crimping module of the PLC of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a perspective representation of a ring storage barrel according to the invention;
• the figure 6 is a functional schematic representation of the barrel of the figure 5 with its rotation mechanism;
• the figures 7 to 13 are successive schematic representations of a method of distributing a ring by the storage barrel; and
• the Figures 14 to 23 are successive schematic representations of a process for crimping a ring on a fixing rod.

It should be noted that the figures show the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE MODES OF IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The invention will be presented with reference to the figure 2 which has a crimping machine 100 comprising a movable arm 101, preferably articulated, which comprises a head 102 on which is mounted a crimping module 3. The machine 100 makes it possible to crimp a ring on a fixing rod in order to form a riveted connection.

As an example, with reference to the figure 3 , there is shown two panels E1, E2 of an airplane fuselage which are crossed by a fixing rod 4 which comprises a projecting end extending longitudinally along a crimping axis X4 oriented vertically from bottom to top. In this example, the fixing rod 4 extends vertically, but it goes without saying that it could extend in all directions.

In this example, the aeronautical panels E1, E2 are held one against the other by constraint means 41, 42 while the fixing rod 4 is held by blocking means 43 known to those skilled in the art or by another controller.

Advantageously, the head 102 of the automaton 100 is orientable along a plurality of axes and the arm 101 is movable along a plurality of directions in order to crimp rings on a large number of fixing rods 4 which are more or less distant from the controller 100 and whose crimping axes X4 are oriented in various and varied ways.

An automaton 100 will be presented for crimping shouldered rings 1, but it goes without saying that the automaton 100 is suitable for crimping different types of rings, in particular cylindrical rings.

As presented in the preamble, a shouldered ring 1 has a cylindrical body 11 extending axially along an axis X1 and a radial crown 12 at one of its ends which forms a shoulder as illustrated in the figure 1 . During the crimping of a shouldered ring 1, its radial crown 12 must be positioned against the aeronautical panel E1.

• un châssis structural 30 solidaire de la tête 102 de l'automate 100 ;
• un barillet de stockage 2 ;
• un mécanisme de rotation 5 dudit barillet de stockage 2 ;
• un mécanisme de positionnement 6 d'une bague 1 sur une tige de fixation 4 ; et
• un mécanisme de sertissage 7 d'une bague 1 sur une tige de fixation 4.

In this example, with reference to the figure 4 , the crimping module 3 of the controller 100 comprises:

• a structural frame 30 secured to the head 102 of the automatic device 100;
• a storage barrel 2;
• a rotation mechanism 5 of said storage barrel 2;
• a positioning mechanism 6 of a ring 1 on a fixing rod 4; and
• a crimping mechanism 7 of a ring 1 on a fixing rod 4.

The storage barrel 2 is removably mounted in the crimping module 3 so that it can be replaced by a new storage barrel 2 when all the shouldered rings 1 have been distributed. Each element of the crimping module 3 will now be presented.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6 , the storage barrel 2 comprises a main cylindrical body 22 which extends axially along a barrel axis X2 and which comprises a plurality of sleeves 23 parallel to each other and to said barrel axis X2. For the sake of clarity, only a sheath 23 is shown in the figure 6 .

Each sheath 23 is cylindrical and is adapted to receive a plurality of rings 1, in particular, shouldered rings 1 stacked consecutively. In this example, the cylindrical body 22 has a circular section but it goes without saying that it could be different.

In addition to its cylindrical main body 22, the barrel 2 comprises a base body 20 and a head body 28 which are mounted at the ends of the cylindrical body 22. The base body 20 has a distribution outlet 21 in order to allow the distribution of rings. 1 along a distribution axis Xd parallel to the barrel axis X2. The main cylindrical body 22 is rotatably mounted around the barrel axis X2 relative to said base body 20 according to a plurality of angular positions. Each sheath 23 of the main cylindrical body 22 is arranged to lead to said distribution outlet 21 for a determined angular position. Preferably, the angular difference between two consecutive angular positions is constant in order to facilitate the successive passage of the sleeves 23 in front of the dispensing outlet 21. In this example, the barrel 2 makes it possible to define a dozen different angular positions which are separated 30 ° angle.

With reference to the figure 6 , the rings 1 are stacked axially and oriented in a sheath 23 so that their cylindrical rings 12 are turned towards the distribution outlet 21 of the storage barrel 2.

Preferably, at least one angular position of the cylindrical main body 22 corresponds to a rest position of the storage barrel 2. In particular, in this rest position, the distribution outlet 21 is not aligned with a sheath 23 in order to '' avoid any unintentional distribution when handling the storage barrel 2, in particular, when replacing it. In this example, with reference to the figure 5 , the main cylindrical body 22 has a groove 24 in place of a sheath 23 filled with shouldered rings 1, said groove 24 not being suitable for receiving shouldered rings 1. In other words, the storage barrel 2 comprises, in this embodiment, eleven sleeves 23 to correspond to the eleven angular positions of use of the storage barrel 2, the twelfth angular position being a rest position.

Preferably, with reference to the figure 5 , the storage barrel 2 comprises at least one locking member 25 configured to prevent any relative movement between said cylindrical main body 22 and said base body 20. In particular, in the rest position, the storage barrel 2 makes it possible to avoid that a sheath 23 is aligned with the distribution outlet 21 in order to prevent any involuntary distribution of a shouldered ring 1 by the storage barrel 2. In this example, the locking member 25 is in the form of a locking pin but it stands to reason that it could be different.

With reference to the figure 6 , the storage barrel 2 further comprises means 26 for pressurizing the sheath 23 which is active, that is to say, opening onto said distribution outlet 21 so as to allow the rings 1 of the sheath 23 to be driven towards said distribution outlet 21 along the distribution axis Xd, regardless of the orientation of the storage barrel 2. Thus, if the storage barrel 2 is oriented vertically upwards with the base body 20 at the top, the pressurizing means 26 make it possible to oppose gravity and to drive the shouldered rings 1 of the sleeve 23 to the dispensing outlet 21. In this example, the pressurizing means 26 are pneumatic but it goes without saying that they could be different.

Still referring to the figure 6 , the storage barrel 2 comprises at least one closing member 27 adapted to grip a ring 1 at the distribution outlet 21 in order to control the distribution of the shouldered rings 1 of a sheath 23. In this example, the member closure 27 is in the form of a distribution clamp with at least two positions: a closed position in which the distribution clamp is adapted to grip a ring 1 at its periphery and thus block the passage of rings 1 via the dispensing outlet 21 and an open position in which the dispensing clamp is adapted to allow the passage of rings 1 through the dispensing outlet 21. Preferably, the closing member 27 is adapted to detect whether a ring 1 is present in closed position.

The head body 28 of the storage barrel 2 is adapted to close the access to the sleeves 23 of the cylindrical main body 22. The head body 28 is rotationally integral with the cylindrical main body 22. Also, preferably, the body of head 28 includes angular orientation means 280 adapted to be driven in angular rotation and modify the angular position of the main cylindrical body 22 relative to the base body 20. In this embodiment, with reference to the figure 5 , the angular orientation means 280 are in the form of one or more flats but it goes without saying that they could be in a different form.

Preferably, the storage barrel 2 comprises means for detecting the presence of rings 1 in a sheath 23 in order to determine whether a new sheath 23 must be aligned with said distribution outlet 21.

More preferably, the storage barrel 2 comprises removable mounting means in the chassis 30 of the crimping module 3.

As previously presented, with reference to the figure 4 , the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100 also includes a rotation mechanism 5 of the storage barrel 2. In this example, the rotation mechanism 5 is in the form of an actuator mounted in the chassis 30 and suitable for cooperate with the flats of the head body 28 of the storage barrel 2 and drive it in rotation about the barrel axis X2.

With reference to the figure 4 , the crimping module 3 of the automaton 100 also includes a positioning mechanism 6 of a ring 1 on a fixing rod 4.

The positioning mechanism 6 is configured to retrieve a shouldered ring 1 from the storage barrel 2 and position it on a fixing rod 4 before being crimped by the crimping mechanism 7 which will be presented below.

With reference to the figure 4 , the positioning mechanism 6 comprises at least one receiving finger 61 adapted to extend at least partially in said distribution outlet 21 of the storage barrel 2. In this example, the receiving finger 61 is movable and adapted to move at least along the distribution axis Xd in a retracted position, in which the receiving finger 61 extends at least partially in said distribution outlet 21, and an extended position, in which the receiving finger 61 extends in outside of said distribution outlet 21 in order to provide a clearance space between the receiving finger 61 and said distribution outlet 21. With reference to the figure 6 , the receiving finger 61 extends coaxially to the distribution axis Xd.

Preferably, the positioning mechanism 6 comprises a receiving plate 62, extending transversely to the receiving finger 61, in order to receive a shouldered ring 1 as will be presented later.

Still referring to the figure 4 , the positioning mechanism 6 comprises at least one displacement clamp 63 adapted to grip a shouldered ring 1 and move it precisely on a fixing rod 4 located in the vicinity of the crimping module 3 of the machine 100. Preferably , the displacement clamp 63 is adapted to move in translation along the three axes and adapted to rotate along at least one axis parallel to the distribution axis Xd of the storage barrel 2.

In order to allow precise positioning of the shouldered ring 1 on a fixing rod 4, the positioning mechanism 6 also comprises profile tracking means configured to detect the position of a fixing rod 4 relative to the module reference frame crimping 3 and allow the guide of the displacement pliers 63 so that it can slide the shouldered ring 1 on the fixing rod 4 as will be presented later. In this example, the profile tracking means are in the form of a profilometer 64 configured to detect by ultrasound or by laser beam.

The profilometer 64 makes it possible to control the movement of the displacement clamp 63 relative to the position of the fixing rod 4. Preferably, the control is carried out by means of crossed tables controlled to guide the displacement clamp 63 in the plane transverse to the fixing rod 4.

In this embodiment, with reference to the figure 4 , the crimping mechanism 7 is in the form of a crimping nose 71 configured to crimp said stepped ring 1 on said fixing rod 4. The crimping nose 71 is adapted to move along three axes relative to the chassis 30 of the crimping module 3.

Such a crimping nose 71 is known to a person skilled in the art and will not be presented in more detail. It goes without saying that the crimping mechanism 7 could be in a different form. In this example, the crimping nose 71 is aligned with the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4 and mounted in translation relative to the chassis 30 of the crimping module 3 so as to allow crimping by translation along the axis X4.

Preferably, the displacement clamp 63 is configured to detect if an object is clamped between its jaws, which makes it possible to avoid a crimping step by the crimping nose 71 in the absence of a shouldered ring 1 on the stem. fixing 4.

With reference to figures 7 to 13 , the storage barrel 2 is in an angular position of use, that is to say, a sheath 23 of the cylindrical main body 22 is aligned with the distribution outlet 21 of the base body 20. The shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23, which are stacked along the distribution axis Xd, are constrained by the pressurizing means 26 towards the distribution outlet 21.

As illustrated in figure 7 , the shouldered ring 1 located in the distribution outlet 21 is blocked by the distribution member 27 which clamps its periphery. Also, the shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23 are in abutment against the shouldered ring 1 gripped by the dispensing member 27 called, subsequently, "crimping ring 1a" for the sake of brevity. Similarly, the shouldered ring adjacent to the crimping ring 1a is designated "next ring 1b".

In this position, the reception finger 61 is in the extended position, the reception finger 61 extending outside said distribution outlet 21 so as to provide a clearance space between the reception finger 61 and said distribution outlet 21.

To distribute the crimping ring 1a, the displacement clamp 63 is open and placed in the clearance space, that is to say, along the distribution axis Xd at a distance from the distribution outlet 21 as illustrated in the figure 8 .

Then, the receiving finger 61 is moved along the distribution axis Xd in the retracted position in order to introduce itself into the crimp ring located in the distribution outlet 21 as illustrated in the figure 9 .

Then, with reference to the figure 10 , the method comprises a release step in which the dispensing member 27 is open so as to release the crimping ring 1a which moves along the dispensing axis Xd under the effect of the pressurizing means 26. The shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23 are then in abutment against the receiving plate 62. Preferably, the distance between the receiving plate 62 and the distribution outlet 21 is calibrated so that the following shouldered ring 1b is located at level of the distribution member 27 as illustrated in the figure 10 .

Then, with reference to the figure 11 , the method comprises a blocking step in which the dispensing member 27 is closed so as to pinch the periphery of the following ring 1b. Thus, the shouldered rings 1 of the sheath 23 are in abutment against the following ring 1b.

The crimp ring 1a is gripped by the displacement pliers 63 which closes and pinches its periphery as illustrated in the figure 11 . Thanks to the receiving finger 61, the position of the crimping ring 1a is precisely defined and the displacement pliers 63 can grasp the crimping ring 1a reliably.

Then, with reference to the figure 12 , the receiving finger 61 is moved to the extended position in order to release the crimping ring 1a which can be moved by the displacement pliers 63 instead of crimping as illustrated in the figure 13 . Thus, the receiving tray 62 makes it possible to temporarily store a ring after its distribution by the storage barrel 2.

Such a dispensing method is advantageous because it allows routing of a crimp ring 1a precisely in a restricted environment.

When a sheath 23 of the storage barrel 2 is empty, the head body 28 of the storage barrel 2 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 5 of the crimping module 3 around the barrel axis X2 so that that a new sheath 23, filled with shoulder rings 1, is aligned with the dispensing outlet 21. When all the sheaths 23 are empty, the rotation mechanism 5 moves the head body 28 so that the storage barrel 2 is in rest position. The groove 24 is then aligned with the distribution outlet 21.

Then, the locking member 25 of the storage barrel 2 is activated so as to prevent any rotation of the cylindrical body 22 and thus allow the withdrawal of the storage barrel 2 from the crimping module 3 and its replacement by a new storage barrel 2 filled with shoulder rings 1. Such replacement is simple and quick to implement.

Preferably, an empty barrel 2 is filled by means of a replenishment machine which introduces shouldered rings 1 successively and automatically into each of the sleeves 23 of said storage barrel 2.

Several steps will now be presented in order to crimp a shouldered ring 1 on a fixing rod 4 quickly and reliably.

First of all, a preliminary positioning step of the automatic device 100 is implemented. For this purpose, the mobile arm 101 of the automatic device 100 is moved so as to move and orient the head 102 of the automatic device 100 so that the chassis 30 of the crimping module 3 is positioned close to the fixing rod 4 and is oriented precisely with respect to the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4. In this example, with reference to the figure 4 , once the automaton 100 is in position, the distribution axis Xd is parallel to the fixing axis X4 and the distribution outlet 21 is located less than 1 cm from the fixing rod 4, preferably from the '' order of 5 mm. Following positioning, the frame of reference of the frame 30 of the crimping module 3 is positioned in a precise and determined manner relative to the frame of reference of the fixing rod 4, which facilitates the positioning of a ring 1 on the fixing rod 4. As presented previously, the crimping module comprises stressing means 41, 42 to hold the panels E1, E2 together and locking means 43 to keep the fixing rod 4 projecting.

With reference to the figure 14 , the fixing rod 4 is held firmly in order to extend projecting from the panels E1, E2. Then, with reference to the figure 15 , the profilometer 64 of the crimping module 3 is approached to the fixing rod 4 in order to detect the end and the center of the fixing rod 4 which makes it possible to determine the axis along which the fixing rod 4 extends and thus facilitate the positioning of the displacement pliers 63 and of the crimping nose 71 along this axis so as to move the ring 1 without damage on the fixing rod 4.

Then, the crimping nose 71 is moved so as to be aligned with the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4 thanks to the information provided by the profilometer 64. Consecutively or simultaneously, the displacement clamp 63, in which is held a shouldered ring 1 is positioned between the crimping nose 71 and the fixing rod 4 as illustrated in the figure 16 . The profilometer 64 can then be reassembled as illustrated in the figure 17 .

Then, the crimping nose 71 and the displacement pliers 63 are moved simultaneously along the axis X4 of the fixing rod 4 so that the shouldered ring 1 is locked in translation on the fixing rod 4, while withdrawal being prohibited by the crimping nose 71 as illustrated in the figure 18 . The cylindrical crown 12 of the shouldered ring 1, that is to say its shoulder, is located on the side of the fixing rod 4.

Unlike blowing, the shouldered ring 1 is advantageously positioned and maintained before crimping, regardless of the orientation of the fixing rod 4. Thanks to the crimping method according to the invention, a fixing rod 4 oriented downwards can be crimped, the displacement clamp 63 making it possible to overcome gravity.

With reference to the figure 19 , the displacement pliers 63 are open so as to release the shouldered ring 1, the movements of which are limited by the fixing rod 4 and the crimping nose 71. The displacement pliers 63 can then be released as illustrated in FIG. figure 20 .

As illustrated in figure 21 , the crimping nose 71 is moved along the fixing axis X4 in the direction of the fixing rod 4 in order to deform the shouldered ring 1 against the first panel E1. During crimping, the shouldered ring 1 is secured to the fixing rod 4. Preferably, the projecting part of the fixing rod 4 breaks during the crimping step in order to form a robust connection of reduced mass as illustrated to the figure 22 . The crimping being completed, the crimping module 3 of the controller 100 is moved, as illustrated in the figure 23 , in order to crimp a new shouldered ring 1 on another fixing rod 4.

Thanks to the invention, several rings 1 can be crimped consecutively and automatically to form quality riveted connections, in particular, for securing panels of an aircraft fuselage.

Claims (6)

1. A method for crimping, by means of an automaton (100), a ring (1) on a fastening rod (4) extending projecting along an axis (X4) from a panel (E1, E2), the automaton (100) comprising a moving clamp (63) gripping a ring (1) and a crimping nose (71), the method comprising:

   - a step of moving the moving clamp (63) such that the fastening rod (4) is introduced into the ring (1);

   - a step of moving the crimping nose (71) proximate to the fastening rod (4) so as to prevent the ring (1) from being withdrawn from the fastening rod (4) by the crimping nose (71), the steps of moving the moving clamp (63) and the crimping nose (71) being performed simultaneously;

   - a step of freeing the ring (1) by the moving clamp (63) such that the ring (1) is free to translate on the fastening rod (4) between the panel (E1, E2) and the crimping nose (71); and

   - a step of moving the crimping nose (71) along the axis (X4) of the fastening rod (4) towards the panel (E1, E2) so as to crimp said ring (1) on said fastening rod (4).
2. The crimping method according to claim 1, comprising a prior step of aligning, by the moving clamp (63), the ring (1) with the axis (X4) of the fastening rod (4).
3. The crimping method according to claim 2, comprising a step of detecting, by the automaton, the axis (X4) of the fastening rod (4).
4. The crimping method according to claim 3, wherein the automaton comprises a profilometer (64) adapted to detect the axis (X4) of the fastening rod (4) by detecting a median part and an end part of the fastening rod (4).
5. The crimping method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the automaton (100) is configured to detect the presence of a ring (1) in said moving clamp (63).
6. The crimping method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the ring (1) is shouldered and comprises a radial crown (12) intended to be in contact with said panel (E1, E2) after crimping.

Images