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.

A die for deforming a workpiece material in a joining tool comprises a head with a top side partially defining a cavity in which the workpiece material is to be deformed, a bottom side opposite the top side, a lateral side arranged between the top side and the bottom side, and a stem which extends along a longitudinal axis from the bottom side of the head. The die further comprises an identification tag, preferably an RFID tag, having an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a signal, and a storing element for storing information, and the antenna is wrapped circumferentially around the head, such that the antenna entirely surrounds the head. The head may also include a groove extending around the head on the lateral side with the antenna arranged in the groove. Additionally, the die may include a recess with the storing element located in the recess.

A rivet supply system supplies rivets to a rivet setting tool comprising a punch, an extendable nose arrangement and a die, and comprises at least one rivet delivery track for delivering the rivets to the nose arrangement, at least one rivet transfer device for holding or releasing the rivets received at the rivet-receiving zone, and at least one refillable magazine for storing the rivets in proximity of the setting tool. The magazine comprises a magazine portion of the rivet delivery track, wherein the rivets can be stored within the magazine, or can transit through the magazine to be delivered to the setting tool. The magazine also comprises at least one docking interface for refilling the magazine from for example a bulk feeder. The magazine is in rivet-supply relation with the nose arrangement so that it can supply rivets to the setting tool, and is moveable together with the nose arrangement.

Systems and methods that provide an improved mechanism for attaching a sensor wire to a bus bar in a battery module are disclosed. A battery module according to the present disclosure may include a bus bar comprising a rivet hole and a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled to the bus bar. The battery module may also include a sensor wire comprising a terminal end, as well as a blind rivet passing through the rivet hole of the bus bar and coupling the bus bar to the terminal end of the sensor wire. Attaching the sensor wire to the bus bar with a blind rivet may provide one or more of the following mechanical advantages: fast assembly, robustness for low power applications, elimination of the need to wait for an adhesive to cure, and elimination of the need for double-sided access of the bus bar.

Systems and methods that provide an improved mechanism for attaching a sensor wire to a bus bar in a battery module are disclosed. A battery module according to the present disclosure may include a bus bar comprising a rivet hole and a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled to the bus bar. The battery module may also include a sensor wire comprising a terminal end, as well as a blind rivet passing through the rivet hole of the bus bar and coupling the bus bar to the terminal end of the sensor wire. Attaching the sensor wire to the bus bar with a blind rivet may provide one or more of the following mechanical advantages: fast assembly, robustness for low power applications, elimination of the need to wait for an adhesive to cure, and elimination of the need for double-sided access of the bus bar.

The invention relates to a joining unit (10, 40) for an articulated arm robot (12, 44) for joining a component (24, 58) with a joining element (28, 60) by applying an axial force. The joining unit (10, 40) comprises a base element (14, 42) for connecting to an articulated arm robot (12, 44). The base element (12, 42) is connected to an advancing unit (13, 46), which can be moved relative to the base element (14, 42) in an axial direction in and against a setting direction. The advancing unit (13, 46) is connected to a setting device (16, 54), which can be moved together with the advancing unit (13, 46). Furthermore, a pressure piece (26, 50) mounted for movement relative to the advancing unit (13, 46) in and against the setting direction is connected to the advancing unit (13, 46) by means of a coupling unit (17, 48). The invention is distinguished in that the coupling unit (17, 48) comprises a blocking unit (18, 56), which, starting from a predefined axial blocking position, prevents motion of the pressure piece (26, 50) relative to the advancing unit (13, 46) against the setting direction so long as the advancing force is less than the set blocking force. The blocking unit comprises a release device (20, 62), by means of which the relative motion of the pressure piece (26, 50) against the setting direction is enabled.

Fastening collar installation apparatus and methods of installing a fastener system are provided. The fastening collar installation apparatus comprises an anvil, a sleeve, and a lever. The sleeve comprises a first section comprising a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, a sleeve cavity, and a slot. The first sleeve end is intermediate the anvil and the second sleeve end. The slot extends a first distance from the first sleeve end. The lever is slidably received by the slot of the sleeve and configured to move between a first lever position in the slot and a second lever position in the slot. The lever comprises a second distance from a first lever end to a second lever end. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Fastening systems, fastening system installation apparatus, and methods for fastening are provided. The fastening system installation apparatus comprises a sleeve and an anvil. The sleeve comprises a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end. A sleeve cavity extends into the sleeve from the first sleeve end. The anvil is slidably received by the sleeve cavity. The anvil comprises a first anvil end, a second anvil end, and at least two portions formed by at least two channels extending from the first anvil end. The at least two portions define an anvil cavity configured to receive a fastening collar and inner surfaces of the at least two portions are configured to deform the fastening collar. The sleeve is configured to radially displace the at least two portions inward relative to the longitudinal axis responsive to forcible contact between the first anvil end and the first sleeve end.

A rivet joining method, etc., suitable for providing rivet joining using sound vibration and/or ultrasound vibration is provided. Joining is provided in a state in which a rivet is inserted into a hole formed in a base member. The base member includes a first member and a second member. The hole is formed such that it passes through at least one of the members. The rivet is formed of a metal material and has a head portion and a body portion. A vibration processing part applies sound vibration and/or ultrasound vibration to the rivet in a state in which at least its body portion is inserted into the hole, so as to join the rivet and the inner face of the hole.

A rivet joining method, etc., suitable for providing rivet joining using sound vibration and/or ultrasound vibration is provided. Joining is provided in a state in which a rivet is inserted into a hole formed in a base member. The base member includes a first member and a second member. The hole is formed such that it passes through at least one of the members. The rivet is formed of a metal material and has a head portion and a body portion. A vibration processing part applies sound vibration and/or ultrasound vibration to the rivet in a state in which at least its body portion is inserted into the hole, so as to join the rivet and the inner face of the hole.