Fastener Handling System Saves Time When Installing Rivet Nuts
Traditionally, operators at General Motors Corp. (Detroit) installed Rivnut fasteners into vehicle bodies with a handheld power screwdriver. However, the process was time-consuming. But even though this was such a time-consuming job, General Motors decided to increase the number of fasteners on each side of the vehicle from four to five.
A fastener handling system solved the problem. The fastener handling system uses an escape-and-blow mechanism to deliver the fasteners to a receiver head, eliminating the most time-consuming part of the previous operation. The handling system also eliminated the costly problem of fasteners dropping on the floor. The system’s design includes a modular supply hopper, vibratory bowl feeder and an integrated electric-drive power screwdriver.