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 fastening tool includes a housing, a fastener-abutment part, a pin-gripping part held within the fastener-abutment part to be movable in a front-rear direction relative to the fastener-abutment part, a detection-target part provided to move together with the pin-gripping part, a detection device configured to detect the detection-target part, a motor, and a driving mechanism configured to move the pin-gripping part rearward from an initial position relative to the fastener-abutment part. The driving mechanism is further configured to move the pin-gripping part forward relative to the fastener-abutment part so as to return the pin-gripping part to the initial position based on a detection result of the detection device. The fastening tool is configured such that a first moving distance is adjustable, the first moving distance being a distance by which the pin-gripping part is moved from a detection position to the initial position.

A fastening tool includes a housing, a fastener-abutment part, a pin-gripping part held within the fastener-abutment part to be movable in a front-rear direction relative to the fastener-abutment part, a detection-target part provided to move together with the pin-gripping part, a detection device configured to detect the detection-target part, a motor, and a driving mechanism configured to move the pin-gripping part rearward from an initial position relative to the fastener-abutment part. The driving mechanism is further configured to move the pin-gripping part forward relative to the fastener-abutment part so as to return the pin-gripping part to the initial position based on a detection result of the detection device. The fastening tool is configured such that a first moving distance is adjustable, the first moving distance being a distance by which the pin-gripping part is moved from a detection position to the initial position.

An interchangeable die comprises a die head, on which a die feature is formed, and a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head. The die shank includes a first axial shank section, which is adjacent to the die head, and a second axial shank section, which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head. The first axial shank section has a first diameter and the second axial shank section has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The die shank is introducible into a shank receptacle of a die receiving section of a joining tool. A fastening contour for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the interchangeable die. The fastening contour is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

An interchangeable die comprises a die head, on which a die feature is formed, and a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head. The die shank includes a first axial shank section, which is adjacent to the die head, and a second axial shank section, which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head. The first axial shank section has a first diameter and the second axial shank section has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The die shank is introducible into a shank receptacle of a die receiving section of a joining tool. A fastening contour for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the interchangeable die. The fastening contour is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

A tool for pressing at least one auxiliary joining element together with a workpiece formed separately from the auxiliary joining element, includes two tool elements which can move towards one another along a movement direction and can thereby move out of an open position into a closed position, between which the workpiece and the auxiliary joining element can be arranged, such that the auxiliary joining element can be pressed together with the workpiece in a joining region of the workpiece by moving the tool elements into the closed position. At least one spring element is retained on the tool elements, and is elastically deformable along the movement direction and thereby transferable out of an initial state into a deformation state, and adopts the initial state in the open position of the tool elements. The workpiece can be supported at least in the open position on the spring element.

A tool for pressing at least one auxiliary joining element together with a workpiece formed separately from the auxiliary joining element, includes two tool elements which can move towards one another along a movement direction and can thereby move out of an open position into a closed position, between which the workpiece and the auxiliary joining element can be arranged, such that the auxiliary joining element can be pressed together with the workpiece in a joining region of the workpiece by moving the tool elements into the closed position. At least one spring element is retained on the tool elements, and is elastically deformable along the movement direction and thereby transferable out of an initial state into a deformation state, and adopts the initial state in the open position of the tool elements. The workpiece can be supported at least in the open position on the spring element.

The present invention relates to an adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp, in particular, for attaching a die holder to a joining clamp. The adapter element is characterized in that the adapter element comprises a mounting element and the mounting element is designed to arrange the die holder, the adapter element having mounting mechanisms, the mounting mechanisms being designed to arrange the adapter element on a connecting mechanism of a clamp bow of the tool clamp such that automatic attachment of the adapter element to the clamp bow and/or automatic release from the clamp bow is realized.

The present invention relates to an adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp, in particular, for attaching a die holder to a joining clamp. The adapter element is characterized in that the adapter element comprises a mounting element and the mounting element is designed to arrange the die holder, the adapter element having mounting mechanisms, the mounting mechanisms being designed to arrange the adapter element on a connecting mechanism of a clamp bow of the tool clamp such that automatic attachment of the adapter element to the clamp bow and/or automatic release from the clamp bow is realized.

A method and rivet apparatus to rivet a workpiece comprises an upper riveting portion and a lower riveting portion. The lower riveting portion comprising a fixed base, support member, and a pin assembly. The pin assembly comprises a center pin, a forming pin, a first biasing member, an outer shroud, and a second biasing member. The center pin pushes against a tail of a rivet to deform the tail of the rivet. The forming pin, fixedly coupled to the support member, pushes against the tail of the rivet to deform the tail of the rivet. The first biasing member, disposed below the center pin, biases the center pin through the forming pin and away from the support member. The outer shroud encircles the forming pin and the center pin. The second biasing member, disposed below the outer shroud, biases the outer shroud away from the support member.