A method of inserting a rivet into a workpiece using a rivet insertion apparatus, the method comprising, during a first rivet insertion step, using a punch and die to drive the rivet into the workpiece such that a slug of workpiece material is removed from the workpiece and travels into a bore provided in the die, modifying or changing the die to provide a rivet receiving die surface, then during a second rivet insertion step, using the punch to drive the rivet further into the workpiece such that a shank of the rivet is upset by the rivet receiving die surface.

A method of inserting a rivet into a workpiece using a rivet insertion apparatus, the method comprising, during a first rivet insertion step, using a punch and die to drive the rivet into the workpiece such that a slug of workpiece material is removed from the workpiece and travels into a bore provided in the die, modifying or changing the die to provide a rivet receiving die surface, then during a second rivet insertion step, using the punch to drive the rivet further into the workpiece such that a shank of the rivet is upset by the rivet receiving die surface.

Provided is an aluminum alloy diecast that can be unlikely to crack at a part to be press-fitted while the proof stress of a main body part is being secured, and can eliminate the need for heat treatment to the main body part at the time of production. The aluminum alloy diecast (11) includes a part to be press-fitted (13) into which a joining member (20) is press-fitted and a main body part (14) in which the part to be press-fitted (13) is integrally formed, in which an average hardness of the part to be press-fitted (13) is lower than an average hardness of the main body part (14) or an average roundness of crystals other than a primary crystal of Al in the part to be press-fitted (13) is larger than an average roundness of crystals other than a primary crystal of Al in the main body part (14).

The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

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 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.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for fastening a functional element to a section of a workpiece and/or for reshaping a section of the workpiece, said apparatus comprising a support device for supporting the workpiece, wherein the workpiece section has a first surface facing the support device and a second surface facing away from the support device. The support device comprises a first support element having a first workpiece support surface that is associated with the first surface, and a second support element having a second workpiece support surface that faces away from the first workpiece support surface and that is associated with a supporting surface. The first and the second support element are movable relative to one another by means of a spreading device such that the first and the second workpiece support surface can be moved away from one another in an axial direction, in particular wherein the axial direction extends perpendicular to the first and/or second workpiece support surface.

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.