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.

Resistance spot rivet welding systems, subsystems, and methods of use thereof are provided.

A semi-hollow punch rivet by which a joint is establishable. The rivet includes: a rivet head having a rivet shaft, which comprises a lateral surface, a rivet foot having a foot front surface is provided at an end of the rivet shaft facing away from the rivet head, the foot front surface is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L.sub.A of the rivet shaft, and a bell-like shaft cavity extends into the rivet shaft beginning at the end facing away from the head. The shaft cavity is formed by: an inlet portion beginning at a radial inner side of the foot front surface and extending arc-shaped with an inlet radius R.sub.S in the direction of the rivet head, a linearly extending continuation portion into which the inlet portion transitions tangentially and which is arranged in an acute angle with respect to the lateral surface, and a final dome portion.

A hollow punch rivet is described having a flange and a rivet section. Furthermore, a method for the attachment of individual components to one another using a punch rivet is described, with at least one of the components being formed by a material of the composite material. The method includes the following steps: a) arrangement of the die button against one of the two components to be secured to one another, which are placed on one another, wherein the die button has a bore which is dimensioned to receive the rivet section, b) carrying out a relative movement of the punch rivet with the free end of the rivet section to the fore towards the components arranged on one another and in the direction of the die button, c) piercing of the components with the free end of the rivet section and introduction of the rivet section into the bore of the die button until the component contact surface comes into contact and the component adjacent to the flange, d) using a plunger in order to dilate the punch rivet at least locally and e) forming a rivet bead by reshaping the free end region of the rivet section.

A different material joining structure has: a first panel made of a first metal material; a second panel made of a second metal material that has a higher conductivity than that of the first panel, is different from the first metal material, and at least a part of which faces the first panel; and a rivet for joining the first panel and the second panel, wherein the rivet is made of the first material, and includes a head portion that is embedded in the second panel in a non-penetrating manner and a bottom portion that abuts on the first panel, and wherein a nugget portion as a joint portion is disposed between the first panel and the bottom portion, the nugget portion being formed by resistance welding the rivet to the first portion with the rivet disposed between the first panel and the second panel.

A bolt setting method and device for a nail-shaped bolt with a head and a shaft, ending in a tapered manner. The bolt setting method includes: joining the bolt into a component with a deforming stroke during which the bolt reaches a first joining speed of ≤4 m/s and the shaft completely penetrates the components with a portion of a maximum diameter with respect to a shaft length, without a bottom side of the head abutting the at least one component, and after the deforming stroke, driving the bolt into the at least one component until a head abutment of the bottom side of the head on the at least one component by at least one friction stroke with which a frictional connection between the shaft and the components is overcome and with which the bolt reaches a second joining speed that is smaller than the first joining speed.

A punch rivet for joining two workpieces, has a head and a shank. The shank is a hollow shank with a shank internal diameter (D3), a shank external diameter (D1) and a shank end face. On the shank end face is a ring cutting edge with the diameter (D4) that is smaller than the shank external diameter (D1) but greater than the shank internal diameter (D3). The ring cutting edge is radially spaced both from the shank external diameter (D1) and from the shank internal diameter (D3) by at least 20% of the radial shank wall thickness (M5). And the ratio D3/D1 of shank internal diameter D3 to shank external diameter D1 is smaller than 0.6.

A welding auxiliary joining part is disclosed in the shape of a stud having a head, a shank and a tip. The welding auxiliary joining part is driven in by means of a mechanical-thermal setting method into a component of non- or poorly weldable material. During the driving in, a welding head is created due to mechanical deformation so that the component may be connected subsequently via the welding auxiliary joining part to a further component of weldable material by means of welding.

An in-line fastener track selection device comprises a stator having first, second and third fastener conduits; a rotor, rotatably mounted with respect the stator about a rotation axis, and comprising a rotor body and a connection space. The rotor is rotatable between a first position in which the connection space adjoins the first and second fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and second fastener conduits via the connection space, and a second position in which the connection space adjoins the first and third fastener conduits, such that, in use, a fastener may pass between the first and third fastener conduits via the connection space.

Apparatus (20, 22) and a method for mechanically joining a steel sheet portion (28 or 32) of advanced high strength steel to a metallic sheet portion (30 or 34) is performed to a light-safe extent by a detector assembly (106) during the mechanical joining that may be clinching, clinch riveting, full-punch riveting or self-piercing riveting.