An insert including: a head portion including a docking face configured to receive a welding electrode and a bearing surface configured to come to bear on the first part in order to keep the first part assembled to the second part, a body portion intended to be inserted into the first part, including a welding surface configured to be welded to the second part, the body portion having a cross section smaller than that of the head portion, and thermal decoupling means extending around the body portion to prevent heat released by the body portion from being transmitted to the first part during the welding operation.

A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.

A securing system, such as a welding system, includes a robot configured to transfer a part to a home position. A securing station has a frame and a gun supported on the frame. The gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, which are first and second weld gun electrodes, for example. The gun is configured to secure a component to the part in a securing position during a securing operation. A float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame and is configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the welding frame between the home position and the securing position. A homing assembly includes a homing guide configured to release the welding gun from the home position during the securing operation, such as resistance welding fasteners to sheet metal workpieces.

A multi-component structure includes a first component of a first material, an insert of a second material different than the first material, a retainer, and a second component. The first component includes a recess in which the insert is arranged. The retainer secures the insert in the recess by covering a portion of a top surface of the insert. To accomplish this, a) the retainer is joined to the first component by a solid-state weld or by solid-state additive manufacturing, or b) the base component and the retainer are of a one-piece construction and the retainer is of the first material. The second component is attached to the insert by a mechanical connection or by a resistance spot weld between the second component and the insert.

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 method for manufacturing a shunt resistor is described. In this method, a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate are provided. The first electrode plate includes a first carrying portion having a first hole. The second electrode plate includes a second carrying portion having a second hole. A resistor plate is placed between the first and second electrode plates. The resistor plate has a first through hole and a second through hole respectively on the first hole and the second hole. A first rivet is pressed into the first through hole and the first hole. A second rivet is pressed into the second through hole and the second hole. Current is applied to the first rivet and the second rivet to weld the first rivet, the first electrode plate and the resistor plate, and to weld the second rivet, the second electrode plate and the resistor plate.

To provide a fitting member, an annular member, a joined member and a method of manufacturing the joined member, which prevent occurrence of a not-joined portion. A fitting member 10 has a fitting protrusion 10p which is protruded outward on an outside face 10s. An annular member 20 contains a space 20h in which the fitting member 10 is to be fitted. An annular member 20 has an annular protrusion 20p on an inside face 20f. When the fitting member 10 is fitted into the space 20h at a predetermined depth, the fitting protrusion 10p and the annular protrusion 20p fill not-joined portions which may be generated assuming that they are not provided. A joined member 30 is produced by fitting the fitting member 10 into the space 20h at the predetermined depth, so that a contact portion between the fitting member 10 and the annular member 20 is joined in solid phase.

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.

In order to further improve a method for joining a multilayer component (10) to another component (11) in a way that allows the multilayer component (10) to be mechanically and electrically joined to other elements, it is provided that an intermediate layer (14) of the multilayer component (10) be displaced in the region of the joining site (32), and that the two outer structural elements (12, 13) of the multilayer component be joined to one another by applying an electric voltage; and that the other component (11) be joined as a fastening element to the multilayer component (10) in the region of the joining site (32).

An apparatus and method for fastening layers of non-ferrous alloys, like aluminum, magnesium and copper utilizes a steel fastener and a spot welding machine. The fastener and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the fastener to penetrate the aluminum. A weld zone between the fastener and the various layers creates an internal weld. The fastener has a rough shaft that is coated by the molten weld zone and is hard to withdraw on solidification. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastics and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using a fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole and welds to or penetrates a conductive layer. The fastener may have projections that initially reduce contact area with the stack.