Rivet installation system

1. An apparatus comprising:

a rail system configured to attach to a surface on a structure;

a multi-axis carriage coupled to the rail system, wherein the multi-axis carriage is configured to move along the rail system and configured to move a riveting tool in axes relative to the surface;

a tool module configured to be removably coupled to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module comprises a frame and is configured to receive the riveting tool;

a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of the structure and configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal; and

a backing unit, configured to communicate with the controller, comprising a signal generator configured to generate at least one of: the signal, and a second signal to cause the multi-axis carriage to move to a next location in the number of preselected locations.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

the riveting tool configured to mount to the tool module.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 ,

such that the signal generator is further configured to generate a third signal to cause the multi-axis carriage to move to a previous location in the number of preselected locations.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the backing unit is a bucking bar.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail system comprises a rail, and wherein the tool module further comprises:

a pressure unit located on a first side of the tool module and configured to apply pressure to the surface; and

a reaction unit located on a second side of the tool module and configured to stabilize the multi-axis carriage during operation of the tool module.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the reaction unit is configured to stabilize the multi-axis carriage while the multi-axis carriage moves along the rail system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the reaction unit comprises:

a number of rollers.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rail system comprises:

a plurality of rails.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the riveting tool is selected from one of a pneumatic rivet gun and a hydraulic rivet gun.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a drill configured to attach to the tool module with the riveting tool.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the surface is for an object selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a submarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a manufacturing facility, a pressure vessel, and a building.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a rail system configured to attach to a surface, wherein the rail system comprises a flexible rail or a plurality of flexible rails;

a multi-axis carriage coupled to the rail system, wherein the multi-axis carriage is configured to move along the rail system and is configured to move a riveting tool in axes relative to the surface;

a tool module capable of being removably coupled to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module comprises a frame and is configured to receive the riveting tool;

the riveting tool configured to mount to the tool module, wherein the riveting tool is selected from one of a pneumatic rivet gun and a hydraulic rivet gun;

a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of a structure and configured to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal;

a bucking bar configured to communicate with the controller and configured to generate the signal;

a trigger system located on the bucking bar, wherein the trigger system has a first button and a second button configured to initiate generation of the signal in response to a manipulation by an operator, wherein the first button is configured to generate the signal to cause the multi-axis carriage to move to a next location in the number of preselected locations and wherein the second button is configured to generate the signal to cause the multi-axis carriage to move to a previous location in the number of preselected locations;

a pressure unit having a number of rollers, wherein the pressure unit is located on a first side of the tool module and configured to apply pressure to the surface; and

a reaction unit having a number of rollers, wherein the reaction unit is located on a second side of the tool module and configured to stabilize the multi-axis carriage during operation of the tool module and wherein the reaction unit is configured to stabilize the multi-axis carriage while the multi-axis carriage moves along the rail system, wherein the surface is for an object selected from one of a mobile platform, a stationary platform, a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, a space-based structure, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a space station, a satellite, a submarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a manufacturing facility, a pressure vessel, and a building.

13. A method for performing riveting operations on a structure, the method comprising:

moving, using a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of the structure in response to a signal, a riveting tool mounted to a rail apparatus on a first surface of the structure to a preselected location within the number of preselected locations on the first surface of the structure, to form a current preselected location, wherein the rail apparatus comprises a rail system configured to attach to a surface; such that a multi-axis carriage is configured to be coupled to the rail system, move along the rail system, and move the riveting tool in axes relative to the surface; such that the riveting tool is configured to be detachably coupled to a tool module, and the tool module is configured to be detachably coupled to the multi-axis carriage; and

installing a rivet, using a controller configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a second signal, at the current preselected location with a backing unit located at the current preselected location on a second surface on the structure opposite to the first surface.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

placing a number of hanger brackets on the first surface of the structure;

attaching the rail system to the number of hanger brackets;

attaching the multi-axis carriage to the rail system;

coupling the tool module to the multi-axis carriage; and

mounting a tool to the tool module.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

positioning the backing unit at the current preselected location; and

generating at least one of: the signal, and the second signal, in response to a signal generator.

16. A method for performing riveting operations on a structure, the method comprising:

moving a riveting tool mounted to a rail apparatus on a first surface of the structure to a preselected location within a number of preselected locations on the first surface of the structure in response to direct manipulation of the rail apparatus by a human operator to form a current preselected location, wherein the rail apparatus comprises a rail system configured to attach to a surface; such that a multi-axis carriage is configured to be coupled to the rail system, move along the rail system, and move the riveting tool in axes relative to the surface; such that the riveting tool is configured to be detachably coupled to a tool module, and the tool module is configured to be detachably coupled to the multi-axis carriage; and

installing a rivet, using a controller configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal, at the current preselected location with a backing unit located at the current preselected location on a second surface on the structure opposite to the first surface.

17. A method for performing riveting operations on a structure, the method comprising:

placing a number of hanger brackets on a first surface of the structure;

attaching a rail system for a rail apparatus to the number of hanger brackets, wherein the rail apparatus comprises the rail system configured to attach to the first surface when activated; a multi-axis carriage coupled to the rail system, wherein the multi-axis carriage is configured to move along the rail system and is configured to move a riveting tool in axes relative to the first surface; a tool module configured to be removably coupled to the multi-axis carriage, wherein the tool module comprises a frame and is configured to receive the riveting tool; and a controller configured to control movement of the riveting tool to a number of preselected locations on the surface of the structure and is configured to cause the riveting tool to install a number of rivets in the number of preselected locations in response to a signal;

attaching the multi-axis carriage to the rail system;

coupling the tool module to the multi-axis carriage;

mounting a tool to the tool module;

positioning a backing unit at a current preselected location;

generating the signal in response to a signal generator;

moving the riveting tool mounted to the rail apparatus on the first surface of the structure to a preselected location within the number of preselected locations on the first surface of the structure in response to the signal to form the current preselected location; and

installing a rivet at the current preselected location with the backing unit located at the current preselected location on a second surface on the structure opposite to the first surface.