The press-fitting method for press-fitting a plurality of clinching fasteners into a workpiece. The method includes: a drilling step S1 of drilling press-fit holes at press-fitting positions of the workpiece to press-fit first clinching fasteners that are press-fitted from a punch side of a turret punch press by NC control using the turret punch press; a workpiece mounting step S2 of mounting the workpiece so that the workpiece is superposed on a fastening jig that guides the first clinching fasteners; a fastener insertion step S3 of inserting a predetermined number of the first clinching fasteners taken out from a screw feeder into the press-fit holes of the workpiece; a fastener press-fitting step S4 of press-fitting the first clinching fasteners into the press-fit holes of the workpiece by NC control using the turret punch press; and a workpiece removal step S5 of removing the workpiece from the fastening jig.

The press-fitting method for press-fitting a plurality of clinching fasteners into a workpiece. The method includes: a drilling step S1 of drilling press-fit holes at press-fitting positions of the workpiece to press-fit first clinching fasteners that are press-fitted from a punch side of a turret punch press by NC control using the turret punch press; a workpiece mounting step S2 of mounting the workpiece so that the workpiece is superposed on a fastening jig that guides the first clinching fasteners; a fastener insertion step S3 of inserting a predetermined number of the first clinching fasteners taken out from a screw feeder into the press-fit holes of the workpiece; a fastener press-fitting step S4 of press-fitting the first clinching fasteners into the press-fit holes of the workpiece by NC control using the turret punch press; and a workpiece removal step S5 of removing the workpiece from the fastening jig.

An apparatus for automated application of rivets to a part is described, in which an operator is not required to manually align a rivet gun with each hole to be riveted or to manually squeeze the rivet into place. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, a tool positioning assembly attached to the frame assembly, and a movable tool assembly engaged with the tool positioning assembly and configured to be moved with respect to the tool positioning assembly. The tool positioning assembly is adjustable to correspond with a position of a number of rivet holes on a part to be riveted. In this way, the movable tool assembly is able to sequentially align with each of a number of rivet holes via alignment with the tool positioning assembly and to apply a rivet to each of the rivet holes.

A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

A system and method for inspecting an assembly including components joined by self-piercing rivets by a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the joint is provided. The system includes a source of x-rays, a mounting unit for an assembly including the joint which is subject to the x-rays, and an x-ray detector disposed opposite the source for detecting the x-rays. The x-rays are provided at a high energy level of at least 200 kV to generate images having a resolution of at least 200 micrometers (μm). A computer stitches the images together to form reconstructive images which show details of the joint. The assembly to be inspected is not destroyed or modified prior to the inspection process. The resolution of the images generated by the x-rays is high enough to determine the presence of cracks, if any, the interlock (S.sub.H), minimum thickness (T.sub.min), and overall structure of the unmodified assembly.

The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by a head at one or both ends. The marker is attached to the strut by a process that includes forming a rivet from a radiopaque bead and attaching the rivet to the marker including deforming the rivet to enhance resistance to dislodgement during crimping or balloon expansion. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

A scaffold includes a radiopaque marker connected to a strut. The marker is retained within the strut by a head at one or both ends. The marker is attached to the strut by a process that includes forming a rivet from a radiopaque bead and attaching the rivet to the marker including deforming the rivet to enhance resistance to dislodgement during crimping or balloon expansion. The strut has a thickness of about 100 microns.

A clinch-in fastener with a cylindrical body having a top, a bottom, sides and an axial internal bore. The fastener has a single shank at the bottom end of the body having a top surface orthogonal to the bore and a chamfer tapering to the bottom of the body. The top surface of the shank is adapted for receiving the cold flow of material surrounding a receiving hole of a workpiece. The shank may have a plurality of notches in its outermost edge that extend through both the top surface of the shank and the chamfer. The bore of the fastener extends completely through the fastener body from top to bottom and may be threaded. A fastener installation system having a tool with means for affixation to a rotary and vertically reciprocal element of an industrial machine. The tip of the tool has a distal end face with at least one arcuate displacer adapted for deforming a workpiece as the tool rotates and is pressed against the workpiece. A bore within the tip holds a fastener installed by the tool. The displacer is vertically and radially tapered along an arcuate ridge centered about the axial bore. The width of the displacer is also tapered to a point.

Riveted assemblies are provided that can include a substrate extending between two ends to define opposing substrate surfaces having a first opening extending between the opposing substrate surfaces; a metal-comprising substrate extending between two ends to define opposing metal-comprising substrate surfaces having a second opening extending between the opposing metal-comprising substrate surfaces. The riveted assemblies can further provide that the first and second openings complement one another when the substrate and metal-comprising substrate are engaged; and a rivet shaft extends through the openings and engages the substrate with the rivet head and the metal-comprising substrate with the rivet stop head, at least a portion of the stop head being mixed with, and forming a metallurgical bond with the metal-comprising substrate. Assemblies are provided that can include a rivet stop head mixed with, and metallurgically bonded with a metal-comprising substrate.

Methods for affixing substrates to one another are also provided. The methods can include providing a substrate defining an opening configured to receive a rivet shaft; providing a metal-comprising substrate defining a complimentary opening; operatively engaging the substrates with the rivet shaft; and forming a stop head from the rivet shaft to affix the substrates. The method further includes that the stop head mixes with, and forms a metallurgical bond with the metal-comprising substrate. Methods for mixing materials to form a metallurgical bond are also provided. The methods can include forming a metallurgical bond between a stop head of a rivet and a metal-comprising substrate.