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.

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.

The method includes the step of positioning the sheets in an at least partially overlapping relationship. The method continues with the step of inserting a rivet that has a height through an overlapping area of the sheets. The method proceeds with the step of, with the rivet at a temperature in the range of 15-30 Celsius, collapsing the rivet between a pair of ramming surfaces to shorten the rivet and partially expand the rivet outwardly to lock the rivet with the sheets. The entire method results in a very strong connection between the sheets and with a great durability at a low cost.

The method includes the step of positioning the sheets in an at least partially overlapping relationship. The method continues with the step of inserting a rivet that has a height through an overlapping area of the sheets. The method proceeds with the step of, with the rivet at a temperature in the range of 15-30 Celsius, collapsing the rivet between a pair of ramming surfaces to shorten the rivet and partially expand the rivet outwardly to lock the rivet with the sheets. The entire method results in a very strong connection between the sheets and with a great durability at a low cost.

A punch for a staking/riveting device having a workpiece receiving opening formed on a pressing surface of the punch to make a workpiece, projecting from a contacting surface, that is at least partially introducible into the receiving opening in response to the pressing surface of the punch approaching the contacting surface and is deformable in conformity with an inner contour of the receiving opening; at least a partial surface of the inner contour being formed in a spherical/ellipsoidal cap shape; and the inner contour of the receiving opening having an inner-contour intermediate surface between a rim of the inner contour on the pressing surface and the spherical or ellipsoidal cap-shaped partial surface that is a cylinder truncated cone jacket-shaped. A staking/riveting device, a joining partner for cooperating with the punch or with the staking/riveting device, a device having at least one staked/riveted workpiece, and a method for staking/riveting a workpiece.

A punch for a staking/riveting device having a workpiece receiving opening formed on a pressing surface of the punch to make a workpiece, projecting from a contacting surface, that is at least partially introducible into the receiving opening in response to the pressing surface of the punch approaching the contacting surface and is deformable in conformity with an inner contour of the receiving opening; at least a partial surface of the inner contour being formed in a spherical/ellipsoidal cap shape; and the inner contour of the receiving opening having an inner-contour intermediate surface between a rim of the inner contour on the pressing surface and the spherical or ellipsoidal cap-shaped partial surface that is a cylinder truncated cone jacket-shaped. A staking/riveting device, a joining partner for cooperating with the punch or with the staking/riveting device, a device having at least one staked/riveted workpiece, and a method for staking/riveting a workpiece.

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.

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.

A joining method for connecting a first component to a second component without pre-punching. The first component and the second component are positioned relative to one another prior to the connection by an auxiliary joining element, which is joined via a joining device to the components positioned relative to one another. The auxiliary joining element firstly passes through the first component without pre-punching and is then connected to the second component without pre-punching. Before the components are connected by the auxiliary joining element, the first component is thermally pre-treated at the joining area via an electric arc formed between the first component and an electrode of the joining device. A heat-affected zone is formed on the first component in the joining area, and the first component in is weakened or melted in the heat-affected zone.

A joining method for connecting a first component to a second component without pre-punching. The first component and the second component are positioned relative to one another prior to the connection by an auxiliary joining element, which is joined via a joining device to the components positioned relative to one another. The auxiliary joining element firstly passes through the first component without pre-punching and is then connected to the second component without pre-punching. Before the components are connected by the auxiliary joining element, the first component is thermally pre-treated at the joining area via an electric arc formed between the first component and an electrode of the joining device. A heat-affected zone is formed on the first component in the joining area, and the first component in is weakened or melted in the heat-affected zone.