A method of connecting two components (1, 6) is disclosed, wherein a first component (1) is connected to a second component (6) at a connecting point (4) of the first component (1), and wherein a surrounding region (3), which surrounds the connecting point (4), is heated by electrical resistance heating prior to the two components (1, 6) being connected, so that the ductility of the first component (1) in the surrounding region (3) is increased and the strength is substantially reduced.

A method of riveting a first substrate and a second substrate with a rivet includes delivering a first ultrasonic pulse to a respective exterior surface of the first substrate at a predefined target area, via an ultrasonic device. The first ultrasonic pulse is configured to soften the first substrate at a first softening temperature. The method includes attaching a crust layer on a rivet head of the rivet. A second ultrasonic pulse is delivered to the predefined target area to soften the crust layer at a second softening temperature, via the ultrasonic device. A surface profile of the crust layer is fashioned via compression of a horn inner cavity of the ultrasonic device over the crust layer. The crust layer is cooled to harden into a seal configured to prevent entry of moisture between the rivet and the respective exterior surface of the first substrate, thereby reducing galvanic corrosion.

A method of riveting a first substrate and a second substrate with a rivet includes delivering a first ultrasonic pulse to a respective exterior surface of the first substrate at a predefined target area, via an ultrasonic device. The first ultrasonic pulse is configured to soften the first substrate at a first softening temperature. The method includes attaching a crust layer on a rivet head of the rivet. A second ultrasonic pulse is delivered to the predefined target area to soften the crust layer at a second softening temperature, via the ultrasonic device. A surface profile of the crust layer is fashioned via compression of a horn inner cavity of the ultrasonic device over the crust layer. The crust layer is cooled to harden into a seal configured to prevent entry of moisture between the rivet and the respective exterior surface of the first substrate, thereby reducing galvanic corrosion.

An upset protrusion joining gun for joining two parts together by forging a protrusion of one part that extends through an opening in the other part to form a boss that extends over a portion of the other part surrounding the opening.

A joining tool unit including a hold-down device, a movable tool, a tool counterpart element, a drive unit, a light source and a control unit. The hold-down device and the movable tool are provided opposite the tool counterpart element, the hold-down device being movable in the direction of the tool counterpart element by the drive unit. The joining tool unit joins a workpiece arranged on the joining tool unit by movement of the movable tool relative to the tool counterpart element. The control unit performs open- and/or closed-loop control of the drive unit, and the control unit is designed for open- and/or closed loop control of the light source. The joining tool unit is designed to move the hold-down device in the direction of the tool counterpart element to a position at which the hold-down device and the tool counterpart element touch the workpiece arranged on the joining tool unit.

A joining tool unit including a hold-down device, a linearly movable tool, and a tool counter element. The hold-down device and the tool counter element are provided opposite each other, a workpiece lies on the tool counter element when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit, and the hold-down device is arranged to be supported on a surface of the workpiece. The hold-down device has a light-guiding system, and the light-guiding system is designed to guide a light beam of a light in the direction of a joint location of the workpiece when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit. The light-guiding system is provided on the hold-down device such that the light beam is irradiated onto the joint location solely at an angle which is greater than 0? relative to a movement axis of the linearly movable tool.

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.

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.

A forged rivet for joining dissimilar materials includes a disc-shaped head and a shank. The shank includes: a first shank portion extending from the head; a ring-shaped protruding portion that protrudes outward at the lip of the first shank portion; and a second shank portion, the cross-sectional area of which is smaller than the first shank portion and which extends further in the direction of the tip from the protruding portion. On the surfaces of the shank and the head, surfaces that contact a light alloy material when the rivet is driven into the light alloy material, a coating film with a higher electrical resistance than steel is formed.

A forged rivet for joining dissimilar materials includes a disc-shaped head and a shank. The shank includes: a first shank portion extending from the head; a ring-shaped protruding portion that protrudes outward at the lip of the first shank portion; and a second shank portion, the cross-sectional area of which is smaller than the first shank portion and which extends further in the direction of the tip from the protruding portion. On the surfaces of the shank and the head, surfaces that contact a light alloy material when the rivet is driven into the light alloy material, a coating film with a higher electrical resistance than steel is formed.