Provided are a method for splitting longitudinally an end part of a metal plate or a metal rod having a rectangular, polygonal, or elliptical shape, in which the length of incision in the split portion can be freely adjusted and smooth split face can be formed; a metal part manufactured by such method; and a method for bonding such metal part. The present invention is characterized by the process comprising the steps of securing a metal plate by pinching both sides thereof with a clamping device, or securing a metal rod by pinching at least two opposite-facing portions on the periphery thereof with a clamping device; splitting longitudinally by slitting or cleaving the metal plate, or the metal rod, by pressing a slitting punch or a cleaving punch against the face of one end of the metal plate, or the metal rod; and advancing the splitting further by repeating the same operation of pressing the same punch stated above against the cleft of the splitting; and is characterized further in that, in each time of the press-splitting operation, the position of the clamping device on at least one side is moved in advance of the next pressing by a stroke corresponding to the distance from one end of the metal plate, or the metal rod, to the distal end of a split-desired portion.

A method of forming a fastener includes inserting a blank precursor into a bore of a forming die having an enlarged bore portion, applying a first axial compression force to the blank precursor, and forming a cold-worked head section and an enlarged shank portion on the blank precursor corresponding to the enlarged bore portion. The enlarged shank portion has a nominal shank portion extending therefrom. The method additionally includes inserting the nominal shank portion into a bore of a final reduction die, applying a second axial compression force to the enlarged shank portion, and urging the enlarged shank portion into the bore of the final reduction die. The method includes reducing a cross-sectional area of the enlarged shank portion by approximately 2 to 5 percent to form a cold-worked shank section.

Disclosed is a device for automatically assembling a hinge, comprising a connecting piece module assembly device, an adjustment sheet module assembly device, a main body bracket module assembly device, and a finished hinge product assembly device, wherein the connecting piece module assembly device is used for assembling a connecting piece module; the adjustment sheet module assembly device is used for riveting an adjustment sheet module; the main body bracket module assembly device is used for assembling a main body bracket, a main body bracket bolt, and a screw into a main body bracket module; and the high finished product assembly device is used for assembling the connecting piece module, the adjustment sheet module, the main body bracket module, and other materials into a finished hinge product. The device for automatically assembling a hinge of the present invention is used for the automatic assembly of a hinge.

A method for operating an electrically-operated portable riveting machine includes providing an electrically-operated portable riveting machine and informing the user when it is necessary to empty the collecting vessel. The electrically-operated portable riveting machine includes a housing, a rivet setting mechanism arranged in the housing which sets rivet elements into workpieces to be connected, a collecting vessel, a delivery duct that delivers spent rivet mandrels created during a setting of the rivet elements into the collecting vessel, a spent rivet mandrel determination device which determines a number of the spent rivet mandrels in the collecting vessel, and a user information device which informs a user when it is necessary to empty the collecting vessel.

A spot-joining apparatus comprises a motor, a punch for driving a fastener or performing a clinching or friction stir spot welding operation, a first transmission, a second transmission and a transmission control apparatus. The first transmission is configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor to the punch when engaged. The second transmission is configured to convert rotary motion of the motor to linear motion of the punch, and thereby drive the punch towards a workpiece, when engaged. The transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first and second transmissions. Further apparatus for spot joining, and methods of spot-joining, are also disclosed.

Provided is an expanding rivet connection for the connection of at least two components to be joined comprising an expanding rivet, comprising an expanding rivet body, which is shaped so that it can be inserted through openings into the first component to be joined, and a threaded part, which is shaped so that it protrudes, at least in part, after insertion from the first component to be joined, an expanding rivet mandrel, which is constructed so that it can be pushed through an opening in the expanding rivet into the expanding rivet body in order to protrude through the first component to be joined, and a clamping element, which is constructed to be screwed to the threaded part of the expanding rivet in order to connect at least a third component to be joined to the first component to be joined.

A method of installing a self-piercing rivet (SPR) is provided that includes providing an SPR installation tool with stack-up parameters prior to, during, and/or after insertion of the SPR into at least two adjacent workpieces, adjusting at least one insertion parameter of the SPR installation tool based on the stack-up parameters, and adaptively installing the SPR into the adjacent workpieces.

Provided are self-aligning riveting tools and methods of utilizing such tools for installing rivets. A tool includes an aligning sleeve, which is slidably coupled to a first die. Furthermore, the tool includes a die holder, which is slidably coupled to a second die. During operation, the aligning sleeve is positioned over the rivet head thereby axially aligning the first die relative to the rivet, even before the first die contacts the rivet head. The second die contacts the rivet shank end thereby axially aligning the rivet relative to the second die and the die holder. Advancing the die holder toward the first die first clamps the rivet in the tool and then proceed with forming the rivet tail. The rivet remains coaxial with both dies during all of these operations.

A tab is provided, which includes a body having first and second opposing ends, a nose portion disposed at or about the first end of the body, a lift portion disposed at or about the second end of the body of the tab, and a rivet receiving portion disposed proximate the nose portion. The rivet receiving portion includes a generally planar portion, a rivet hole having a perimeter, and an upturned portion extending upwardly from the generally planar portion about the perimeter of the rivet hole. The upturned portion reinforces the rivet hole and has an arcuate cross section profile. An integral rivet extends through the rivet hole and is staked to affix the tab to a can end. The upturned portion is devoid of any corners or edges both before and after the integral rivet is staked.

A method for producing and installing a fastener, including the steps of forming an engaging portion having a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range, the stem including a solid end most extending portion, and forming a receiving portion having a surface, within which is configured an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between said rim edge being less than a diameter of the stem. Additional steps include pressing the solid end most extending portion of the engaging portion through the inner rim edge of the receiving portion and aligning with the inner rim edge a location of the interiorly hollowed portion of the stem, causing inward collapsing of the aligned location by the rim edge to secure the engaging portion to the receiving portion.