A new automation process simultaneously sets as many as six self-clinching and self-piercing nuts and studs in transfer or progressive die tools during stamping operations.
Textron Fastening Systems AutoRiv 100® connects to any stamping press in the world, installing up to 360 fasteners per minute from any angle to accommodate different part geometries and tolerances.
An easily accessible insert head sets M4 to M12 Textron Fastening Systems Strux® Clinch Nuts and Studs and Rivtex™ Pierce-Clinch Nuts and Studs in high-strength steel and aluminum sheets or combinations of each.
The system also works on stainless steel and coated and painted sheets, eliminating the need for surface treatments. Each fastener provides a wide grip range on sheets as thin as 0.75 mm, and also installs pins, rivets, bushings, and competitor self-clinching fasteners and pierce rivets.
"Autoriv 100® reduces production costs of stamping nut assemblies almost 30% while improving assembly efficiency and consistency," said Martin Schnurr, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Textron Fastening Systems. "It is a self-contained system that eliminates welding and other secondary processes, reduces part numbers, and requires less space." Nuts and studs are fed into separate feeding bowls where they are oriented and placed on Autoriv 100® feeder tracks. From there, they are blown through flexible tubes into insertion heads installed in the stamping press.
An Autoriv 100® mobile feed cart with insertion heads installs quickly in plant floor stamping dies, even when the die is in the press. Fasteners are oriented and blown through flexible tubes into the insertion heads in the die and set from either side of the sheet metal.
"Autoriv 100® is the first system to install self-clinching and self-piercing fasteners in die at any angle," Schnurr said. "It processes as many as six fasteners simultaneously, including 3,600 Strux® and Rivtex(' Clinch Nuts and 2,700 Strux® and Rivtex™ Clinch Studs per hour." An integrated die protection system monitors every step in the process, raising an alert whenever problems occur, thereby protecting the die and helping maintain quality control.
Target markets for Autoriv 100® include stamping die manufacturers and welding and stamping operations that supply automotive, off-road, medium and heavy-duty truck, aerospace, and electronic markets.
Textron Fastening Systems is a business unit of Textron Inc, and supplies value-added fastening products, systems, and services to customers in 75 countries.
