This paper details the Electroimpact Cartridge Feed Auto Select (CFAS) System, the Electroimpact Cartridge Filling Station (CFS) and the implementation of these systems on today&’s factory floors.
Problems inherent in handling tens of thousands of fasteners per workpiece have traditionally been an Achilles Heel to many aerospace-manufacturing cells. The CFAS system moves the job of sorting through bulk fasteners to the stand alone offline CFS. With the bulk feeding process offline, problems such as contaminated fastener lots get taken care of before they ever get to a fastening machine. Modular briefcase sized coiled tube magazines store and distribute fasteners to automated riveting and bolting equipment via the CFAS rack. Cartridges captively hold 500 to 3,000 fasteners from 1/8” to 3/8” diameters and are length independent which allow a small number of cartridges to work with a large array of overall fasteners. Nearby storage of preloaded cartridges allow machine operators to quickly change out empty cartridges with full ones. Preloading of the fastener cartridge is done with a turnkey CFS. The standalone CFS uses vibratory bowls, grip-independent tooling, quick fastener change out features and feedback from counters and sensors to turn itself off upon each completed cartridge fill.
Design factors and criteria will cover the driving issues behind cartridge filling, fastener storage, fastener delivery, orienting fasteners, reconfiguring the system, integration to current machines and the ability to be integrated with most automated riveting or bolting equipment.
