A rivet module is provided to join at least two sheets of base materials in a solid state, the rivet module including: i) a shank portion to be mounted on a reciprocal and rotatable joining tool; ii) a base material friction portion that is integrally connected to the shank portion and drills through the base materials as the joining tool causes the base material friction portion to be rotated while applying pressure to the base materials; and iii) a base material fastening portion that is fixedly fitted to the shank portion, supports the base material friction portion, and is fastened to the base materials through a thread formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

An apparatus and method for method for joining materials includes a rivet that may extend through a first sheet to be resistance welded to a second sheet. The head of the rivet has a cavity and vents allowing adhesive extruded from a pilot hole to be received in the cavity and vented in a direction parallel to the first sheet. The rivet is deformed to an hourglass shape that fills the pilot hole and displaces the first sheet into the cavity. Rivet dimension allow for holding with a robotic gripper that can be withdrawn before welding. Methods of monitoring joint quality include comparing welding parameter profiles and images of good and discrepant joints.

An apparatus and method for method for joining materials includes a rivet that may extend through a first sheet to be resistance welded to a second sheet. The head of the rivet has a cavity and vents allowing adhesive extruded from a pilot hole to be received in the cavity and vented in a direction parallel to the first sheet. The rivet is deformed to an hourglass shape that fills the pilot hole and displaces the first sheet into the cavity. Rivet dimension allow for holding with a robotic gripper that can be withdrawn before welding. Methods of monitoring joint quality include comparing welding parameter profiles and images of good and discrepant joints.

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.

A self-piercing rivet for connecting high-strength steels. The rivet having a head which has a head diameter (DH); a shank which has a shank diameter (DS); and, located at the foot end of the shank opposite the head, the shank has radially outward a flat surface section and radially inward an axial recess defining an axial depth (LB). The ratio of axial depth (LB) of the recess to the shank diameter (DS) is smaller than 0.3.

The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element (30) having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.

The invention relates to a tool connection for arranging a riveting tool on a riveting tool receptacle, having a contact surface arranged on the riveting tool for supporting the riveting tool on a supporting surface arranged on the riveting tool receptacle. In order to provide a tool connection for arranging a riveting tool on a riveting tool receptacle, by means of which a repetitive riveting operation can be carried out without damage and it is particularly simple to replace the riveting tool, it is provided that a journal is arranged on one of the riveting tool or riveting tool receptacle and a journal receptacle is arranged on the other of the riveting tool or riveting tool receptacle, the journal can be introduced into and removed from the journal receptacle and the riveting tool can be releasably locked to the riveting tool receptacle by a magnetic force.

The invention relates to a tool connection for arranging a riveting tool on a riveting tool receptacle, having a contact surface arranged on the riveting tool for supporting the riveting tool on a supporting surface arranged on the riveting tool receptacle. In order to provide a tool connection for arranging a riveting tool on a riveting tool receptacle, by means of which a repetitive riveting operation can be carried out without damage and it is particularly simple to replace the riveting tool, it is provided that a journal is arranged on one of the riveting tool or riveting tool receptacle and a journal receptacle is arranged on the other of the riveting tool or riveting tool receptacle, the journal can be introduced into and removed from the journal receptacle and the riveting tool can be releasably locked to the riveting tool receptacle by a magnetic force.

A method of joining first and second layers of material according to the principles of the present disclosure includes applying a layer of adhesive between the first and second layers and allowing the adhesive layer to at least partially cure. The method further includes piercing the first layer with a headless end of a rivet after the adhesive layer is cured, deforming the second layer with the headless end of the rivet, and bending the headless end of the rivet radially outward.

A method for producing a connection between a sandwich element and a metal element is disclosed herein. In this method, the sandwich element has an interlayer arranged between two cover elements. The method includes providing the sandwich element and the metal element; placing the sandwich element and the metal element in face-to-face contact at least partially overlapping; adding a fastener from the sandwich-element side while a base of the fastener extends within the sandwich element; and friction welding, from the metal-element side, to form a hybrid connection having a mechanical connection between the fastener and the sandwich element and a welding connection between the fastener and the metal element.