A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

A method of anchoring a connector element (10) in a receiving object (66) comprises inserting a distal end of the connector element (10) into a mounting hole in an insertion direction along an insertion axis; inserting a sleeve (36) comprising a thermoplastic material into the mounting hole, the sleeve (36) enclosing the connector element (10); and transferring energy to liquefy at least a portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve (36). A machine (500) configured for carrying out the method and a connector element anchoring kit comprising a connector element (10) and a sleeve (36) comprising thermoplastic material.

A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object having a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object having a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut, so that the second object is capable of making a positive-fit connection with the first object; pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool; continuing to press and couple vibrations into the tool until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object; and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects by the re-solidified flow portion interpenetrating the coupling structures.

A friction welding method for fastening a connection bushing, such as a threaded bushing for example, in a housing. In order to improve the quality of the connection, the connection bushing is attached to the housing using a friction welding element. The friction welding element consists of the connection bushing, on which a friction welding shell with a radially outer friction welding contour is formed or molded. Connecting and sealing portions are produced between the friction welding element and the housing during the friction welding process by means of a special design of the friction welding contour.

A thermoplastic plastic nut includes a nut main section having a second thread to screw a first thread of a bolt; and a thin wall section weldable to the first thread and disposed to protrude upwardly from the nut main section. A material of the nut main section contains a thermoplastic resin and a material of the thin wall section contains the thermoplastic resin. Thus, a thermoplastic plastic nut, a nut welding device and a nut welding method are provided to make it possible to easily prevent the loosening of the nut.

A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.

Lead screw nuts having a body having a threaded opening having a thread region formed from a plurality of different materials having different properties, e.g., a thread region formed from a first material, such as a relatively low friction material, and a second material, such as a relatively high strength material (having thread portions formed from the first material and thread portions formed from the second material).

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object includes providing the connector, the connector having a liquefiable material that is liquefiable by mechanical vibration, such as a thermoplastic material, bringing the connector into contact with low density layer that has an arrangement of discrete elements and gas-filled (empty) spaces between the discrete elements, pressing the connector against the low density layer and coupling mechanical vibration energy into the connector to cause the connector to penetrate into the low density layer to deform the discrete elements, until a flow portion of the liquefiable material becomes flowable and is caused to interpenetrate spaces between the deformed discrete elements so that an intertwined structure of the liquefiable material and the deformed discrete elements results, and stopping the mechanical vibration energy and causing the flow portion to re-solidify to anchor the connector in the low density layer.

An assembly process for assembling a basin using a molding tool operable between an open position and a closed position, the molding tool having a female molding insert, a male molding insert, and an insert jig, the female molding insert and the male molding insert cooperating to define a mold cavity when the molding tool is in the closed position, the female molding insert having an aperture, the insert jig having a sleeve and a cylinder, the cylinder repositionable within the sleeve and having an end with an end face and a pin protruding from the end face, includes applying adhesive to the pin. The assembly process also includes aligning the pin with an aperture of a basin rim insert. The assembly process also includes pressing the basin rim insert towards the end face such that the pin is received within the aperture of the basin rim insert.

A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.