A method and rivet apparatus comprise a rivet block, the rivet block comprising a rivet block, a pin bore, and a rivet feed bore. The rivet block is comprised of a top end and a bottom end. The pin bore includes a top end and a bottom end and is disposed within the rivet block. The pin bore extends from the top end to the bottom end of the rivet block and guides a rivet pin that slides downward within the pin bore to push a head of a rivet into a workpiece. The rivet feed bore includes a top end and a bottom end and is disposed within the rivet block. The rivet feed bore extends from the top end to the bottom end of the rivet block, accepts the rivet at the top end of the rivet feed bore, and guides the rivet to the bottom end of the rivet feed bore. The rivet feed bore intersecting the pin bore between the top end and the bottom end of the pin bore at an oblique angle.

A fastener delivery apparatus comprising a nose assembly configured to convey a fastener towards a workpiece, the nose assembly comprising a barrel and a fastener alignment device; wherein the barrel comprises a bore having a longitudinal axis and a distal end for engaging the workpiece; an actuator configured to urge the fastener through the bore; wherein the fastener alignment device comprises a plurality of resilient arms which extend towards the distal end of the barrel; wherein at least part of each of the plurality of resilient arms projects into the bore via apertures in the barrel; wherein the plurality of resilient arms are biased radially inwards to engage the fastener; and wherein the resilient arms are configured such that at a maximum deflection, the resilient arms do not pass beyond the periphery of the barrel.

A portable tool comprising a hollow body delimiting two chambers and comprising a shoulder and a barrel extending from the shoulder. A piston slides in the chambers and a stem is secured to the piston and is accommodated in the barrel. A C-shaped head with a first end forms a shoe which presses against the shoulder and in which is created a bore into which the barrel fits, and with a second end facing the free end of the stem. A fastening system comprises a channel on the barrel perimeter. Two sliders are slidably mounted on the shoe parallel to a plane of movement which is perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Each slider has an arc shaped face and movable between a retracted position in which the face is accommodated in the channel and an extended position in which the face is outside the channel.

A portable tool comprising a hollow body delimiting two chambers and comprising a shoulder and a barrel extending from the shoulder. A piston slides in the chambers and a stem is secured to the piston and is accommodated in the barrel. A C-shaped head with a first end forms a shoe which presses against the shoulder and in which is created a bore into which the barrel fits, and with a second end facing the free end of the stem. A fastening system comprises a channel on the barrel perimeter. Two sliders are slidably mounted on the shoe parallel to a plane of movement which is perpendicular to the axis of the barrel. Each slider has an arc shaped face and movable between a retracted position in which the face is accommodated in the channel and an extended position in which the face is outside the channel.

Disclosed is a method for automatically determining quality of a self-piercing riveting process, including the following operations: inputting standard values, acquiring data in real-time, and comparing data and determining quality of riveting. Riveting parameters and process curves are obtained in real time by a data acquisition system, the measured values for determining quality of riveting is calculated according to the real-time change of the riveting force curve and information of the riveted plates, the quality of the riveting process can be automatically determined by comparing the measured values and the standard values, the efficiency of monitoring quality is improved, inspection of all riveting points can be realized, abandonment of white vehicle bodies due to poor riveting quality is greatly reduced, and the problem that a large number of white vehicle bodies with defective quality cannot be found is avoided, and the riveting quality of the white vehicle bodies is guaranteed.

A method for manufacturing a joined body includes at least one first plate material, one second plate material, and a self-piercing rivet where a cylinder portion projects from a head. The method includes: a test step of plastically deforming the second plate material by a load in a plate thickness direction to measure physical value information of the second plate material; a setting step of setting a joining condition based on the physical value information by the test step; and a joining step of supporting a back surface of the second plate material having a front surface on which the first plate material is stacked with a die and driving the cylinder portion from the front surface side toward a concave portion provided in the die to join the first plate material and the second plate material together based on the joining condition set by the setting step.

A manufacturing system employing a bifurcated backbone having an upper plate and lower plate, with a longitudinal slot between the upper and lower plate. A plurality of actuator groups are mounted longitudinally adjacent the slot. A carrier supports a panel for longitudinal translation into the slot and the carrier is configured to pulse longitudinally in the slot relative to the plurality of actuator groups during a sequence of fabrication operations by the plurality of actuator groups on the panel.

Riveted assemblies are provided that can include: a first component having opposing first and second sidewalls; a second component having opposing third and fourth sidewalls, wherein the second sidewall of the first component abuts the third sidewall of the second component to bind and form an affixing interface comprising the second and third sidewall between the first component to the second component; and a rivet extending between a head along a shank to an end, the rivet piercing the first sidewall with the end of the rivet being between the first and fourth sidewalls. Methods for affixing at least two components using a rivet are also provided. The methods can include: providing a first component having opposing first and second sidewalls; providing a second component having opposing third and fourth sidewalls; abutting the second sidewall of the first component to the third sidewall of the second component; providing a rivet extending between a head along a shank to an end; projecting the rivet through at least the first sidewall of the first component to form an affixing interface comprising the second and third sidewalls.

Riveted assemblies are provided that can include: a first component having opposing first and second sidewalls; a second component having opposing third and fourth sidewalls, wherein the second sidewall of the first component abuts the third sidewall of the second component to bind and form an affixing interface comprising the second and third sidewall between the first component to the second component; and a rivet extending between a head along a shank to an end, the rivet piercing the first sidewall with the end of the rivet being between the first and fourth sidewalls. Methods for affixing at least two components using a rivet are also provided. The methods can include: providing a first component having opposing first and second sidewalls; providing a second component having opposing third and fourth sidewalls; abutting the second sidewall of the first component to the third sidewall of the second component; providing a rivet extending between a head along a shank to an end; projecting the rivet through at least the first sidewall of the first component to form an affixing interface comprising the second and third sidewalls.

The invention relates to a functional element, in particular to a bolt element, for attachment to a workpiece, in particular a sheet metal part. The functional element comprises a fastening section that has a reshaping section that can be reshaped to fasten the functional element to the workpiece, in particular wherein the reshaping section is a rivet section, and a functional section having a functional region, wherein the functional section is connected, in particular is rotationally fixedly connected, to the fastening section. The fastening section and the functional section are produced from different materials.