A framed stencil for surface mount technology (SMT) is provided. The frame assembly includes a frame member and a binding insert. The frame member includes an inner perimeter portion and an outer perimeter portion that cooperates with the inner perimeter portion to define an elongated channel. The outer perimeter portion includes a first cantilever portion that extends over the elongated channel and towards the inner perimeter portion. The binding insert is configured for releasable insertion into the elongated channel. The binding insert includes a base and a tongue. The base configured to interface with a mesh substrate to facilitate coupling therebetween. The tongue is coupled to the base and extends substantially horizontally from the base. When the binding insert is inserted into the elongated channel, the tongue extending beneath the first cantilever portion to facilitate retention of the binding insert to the frame member. Methods are also provided.

The disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a component rotatable about a rotary axis for an actuating drive comprising a sensor element attached to the rotatable component. The rotatable component has a support surface from which a fixing element protrudes in parallel to the rotary axis. The sensor element includes an opening. The sensor element is arranged on the support surface in such a manner that the fixing element penetrates the opening. A surface of the sensor element adjacent to the opening has a structure. A top portion of the fixing element is in interlocking engagement with the structure so that the attached sensor element is connected to the component in a torque-resistant manner.

A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

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 disclosed screening apparatus includes a subgrid, and a screen element attached to the subgrid via laser welding at a plurality of attachment positions such that, under vibrational excitation, the screen element has a pre-determined profile of vibrational motion relative to the subgrid. The screen element may be attached at a maximal number of attachment locations to the subgrid to minimize relative motion of the screen element and the subgrid under vibrational excitation, or the screen element may be attached a sub-set of the maximal number of attachment locations to allow vibrational motion of the screen element relative to the subgrid. A disclosed method may include attaching a plurality of screen elements to a respective plurality of subgrids, attaching the plurality of subgrids to one another to form a screening pre-assembly, and cutting edges of the screening pre-assembly to form the screen assembly having a perimeter with a pre-determined shape.

The invention provides a process for producing plastic parts, each of which has at least one glass insert which is connected to the plastic part along a connecting region, and the glass insert is free of plastic in the region encompassed by the connecting region and forms a glass window. The connecting region of the glass insert is preferably circumferentially closed. The glass window can have through-holes or preferably recesses extending only over a portion of the thickness of the glass window and having microstructures.

An electronics device includes a housing having a through-hole disposed in a central portion of the housing. A printed circuit board is connected to the housing. The printed circuit board includes one or more electronic components disposed thereon. A plastic housing cover is connected to the housing and covers the printed circuit board. The housing cover includes a centrally-located post member integral to the housing. The post member extends through the through-hole of the housing and engages with the housing. The engagement between the housing and the housing cover prevents outward deflection of the housing cover.

A substrate support structure includes: a substrate support including: a support body; and a protrusion including a base portion and a leading-end portion, the protrusion protruding from the support body; and a substrate having: a substrate body; a through hole provided at the substrate body; and a protruded portion surrounding the through hole, the protruded portion protruding from a first face of the substrate body, in which the base portion of the protrusion passes through the through hole, and the leading-end portion protrudes from the first face of the substrate body inside the protruded portion and engages with the substrate body such that the through hole is covered.

A method for joining a metal material element to a plastic material element, in particular a composite material including a plastic matrix reinforced with fibers for use in the construction of motor-vehicle components. The method involves providing one or more slots in a portion of the plastic material element. For each slot, a corresponding tab is provided in the metal material element, having a shorter width and length than a width and length of the slot. The metal material and plastic material elements are arranged in a position of mutual coupling where each tab is inserted through the corresponding slot and has an end portion protruding beyond said portion of the plastic material element. A laser beam is directed above the protruding end portion, so as to locally melt the metal material of each tab and create an enlarged head on each tab that is welded above the plastic material element.