A method of connecting a first component and a second component with the aid of an auxiliary joining part, wherein the auxiliary joining part is formed from a pin and a plate. A position of intended fracture is present between the plate and the pin. The first component, the second component and the auxiliary joining part are brought into a stacked arrangement such that the plate contacts the first component and the pin projects away from the side of the plate remote from the first component. A force is exerted on the pin of the auxiliary joining part in the direction towards the stacked components which leads to a fracture at a position of intended fracture and the pin is used in order to pierce slugs from the stacked components. The end of the pin which is pressed through the second component, and/or a washer which is optionally provided there, is deformed in order to provide a form-locked connection to the second component or to a washer which is provided there. Furthermore, an auxiliary joining part is claimed.

The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.

The invention relates to a method for producing a component bond (70, 140) comprising: a fastening structure (60, 160) that has at least one component layer (60A, 60a; 160a, 160b); and a thermoplastic connecting element (10, 110) having a head (12, 112) and a shank (14, 114), in which method the connecting element (10, 110) is driven into the fastening structure (60, 160) under pressure whilst rotating, such that the shank (14, 114) penetrates the fastening structure (60, 160). The connecting element (10, 110), after penetrating the fastening structure (60, 160), is converted by friction into a softened, free-flowing state in a die (44, 144) which is placed against the fastening structure (60, 160) in the opposite direction to the driving direction, resulting in a thicker section (22, 22) that extends beyond the radial extent of some sections of the shank (14, 114). The fastening structure (60, 160) is thus interlockingly held between the head (12, 112) and the thicker section (22, 122).

A component assembly having a stacked arrangement comprising an upper and lower sheet part, of which at least one is formed as an organic sheet composite part, with an auxiliary joining part and with at least one apertured metal washer, wherein the auxiliary joining part has a functional section having an undercut at one end and also has a piercing section at the other end having a lateral shaft surface and a shaft recess formed therein, wherein the metal washer contacts a surface of the organic sheet composite part, with the functional section or the piercing section extending through an aperture of the metal washer and wherein washer material has been driven into the undercut or into the at least one shaft recess.

A method for the connection of sheet parts, of which at least one is formed as an organic sheet part, with the aid of an auxiliary joining part and an apertured metal washer, the auxiliary joining part having a functional section with an undercut and a piercing section with a shaft surface and a shaft recess. The sheet parts and the metal washer are brought into a stacked arrangement in such a way that the metal washer contacts the organic sheet part. The piercing section slugs are punched out of the stacked sheet parts. The auxiliary joining part is joined to the metal washer. The other of the undercut or of the shaft recess is brought into a holding engagement with a sheet part not formed as an organic sheet metal part or with a further metal washer.

Apparatus configured to enable the staking of an interfacing part to a base is provided. The apparatus includes a retainer configured to convey a stake and the interfacing part to the base. The apparatus is further configured to provide a heat and/or vibration to effect the simultaneous attachment of the stake to the base and the interfacing part to the base.

The invention relates to a connection comprising at least two components having the following features: a first component and a second component, of which at least the second component comprises reinforced plastic, a self-piercing connection element having a head and a shaft, the head thereof being supported on the first component and the shaft thereof running completely through the first and the second component, and a disc-shaped counter bearing to which the shaft is fastened such that the at least two components are fastened between the head and the counter bearing. The invention further relates to a method for the production of said connection.

The present invention relates to a method for reshaping a workpiece, in which a reshaping force is exerted on the workpiece by means of a reshaping tool and the workpiece is heated during or before the reshaping of the workpiece, wherein the heating of the workpiece is performed by the at least partial absorption of an ultrasonic vibration in the workpiece. In order to provide a method and a device for reshaping a workpiece that avoids the aforementioned. disadvantages, in particular when reshaping materials with a highly temperature-dependent damping constant, it is proposed according to the invention that, before the reshaping force is applied to the workpiece, at least a first portion of the workpiece is brought to a temperature which differs from the temperature of a second portion of the workpiece that comes into contact with the reshaping tool.

A method is provided for joining a plurality of workpiece parts, in particular body parts, in which: a) the workpiece parts are inserted into a joining tool, b) the workpiece parts in the joining tool are monitored for damages, c) the workpiece parts are joined by the joining tool, and d) the joined workpiece is monitored for damages in the joining tool.

A joining method includes punching respective laminated plate materials by a rivet shaft portion of a SPR, forming a crimp portion at the front end of the rivet shaft portion, and fastening and joining the laminated plate materials between the rivet head portion and the crimp portion. Washers are laid on and brought into contact with respective opposite surfaces relative to joining surfaces of the laminated plate materials, the washers each having an inner hole through which the rivet shaft portion is allowed to pass, the washers are used as jigs at the time of the punching, the punching by means of the rivet shaft portion is performed along the inner holes of the washers, and the joining is performed so that the washers left between the rivet head and the crimp portion and the opposite surfaces.