The invention provides a composite metal sheet produced by joining two metal sheets together, comprising: a projection formed by cutting the two metal sheets along a cutting line and pressing an area surrounded by the cutting line and a reference line in the two metal sheets, with the two metal sheets overlapping each other, with the reference line remaining uncut, with the cutting line extending from and communicating with both terminals of the reference line while forming a predetermined shape together with the reference line, and with the projection formed at one portion of the area in response to pressure applied to the area; hole generated by forming the projection in the two metal sheets; and a joint disposed between an outer peripheral cutting face of the projection and an inner peripheral cutting face of the hole.

The present invention relates to a method for the punching in and attachment of the fastener element to a planar workpiece, in particular to a sheet metal part. During the punching in of the fastener element in the workpiece a movably arranged die plunger of the die button is pressed with a predetermined pressing force against the workpiece. The pressing force is adapted such that the die plunger first moves once a slug has been cut out of the workpiece by a piercing section of the fastener element.

A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

Metal sheets are connected in that a hole is introduced into metal sheets of a first stack, and a region of metal sheets of a second stack are deformed in a stack direction. The deformed region can be plastically deformed in such a way that there is interlocking of the deformed region with at least one metal sheet lying below same. In embodiments, the hole has a shape with a reduced width at the center.

Metal sheets are connected in that a hole is introduced into metal sheets of a first stack, and a region of metal sheets of a second stack are deformed in a stack direction. The deformed region can be plastically deformed in such a way that there is interlocking of the deformed region with at least one metal sheet lying below same. In embodiments, the hole has a shape with a reduced width at the center.

A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

The present invention relates to a tool for forming a joint in an interlocking side-lapped seam formed between first and second structural decking panels. The decking tool may include a frame, actuator, and arms with jaws, wherein the actuator forms a structural component of the decking tool and is located between the frame and the arms with the jaws. Moreover, the decking tool may further comprise one or more shields and jaw guards. The one or more shields may cover the arms on at least one side for protection. The one or more jaw guards may be utilized with or without the shields, and may or may not be integral with the shields. The one or more jaw guards have a number of benefits, such as protecting the jaws, positioning the jaws, being utilized as levers to help remove the jaws, and being utilized to prevent separation of the side-lap seam.

At least one caulking group (13) that includes a plurality of caulking parts (14, 15) with different directions is formed on a plurality of thin plates (10) placed in a stacked state to fix the position of the stacked thin plates (10), and then a preset punching process is performed with respect to the thin plates (10) that have been positioned with pilot holes (12). This makes it possible to perform a high-accuracy punching process when punching the plurality of thin plates (10) placed in a stacked state, since positional deviations between the thin plates (10) are avoided and pilot pins (11) are prevented from deforming the periphery of the pilot holes (12).

A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw.

A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw.