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.

A process is provided for making bulk textured material sheeting. As a continuous supply of flat material sheeting is fed, the sheeting is repeatedly impacted with toothed knives, each knife creating a row of raised and generally pointed structures on the sheeting to texture the sheeting.

A joining method is a method of joining a plate set composed by a plurality of stacked plate members including a first plate member and a second plate member by using a tapping screw. When the tapping screw is advanced into the plate set while the tapping screw is rotated in a state of applying a pressure onto the plate set so as to form through-holes in the first plate member and the second plate member, a first pressure applied onto the tapping screw is reduced down to a second pressure at the time when the tapping screw penetrates the first plate member.

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.

A process for producing a textured laminate sheet includes a) positioning a substrate material adjacent a barbed face of a metal sheet. The barbed face has a plurality of barbs, and the metal sheet has an opposed face opposite the barbed face. The process further includes b) forcing the metal sheet and the substrate material together to impale the substrate material on the barbs and secure the substrate material and the metal sheet together as a laminate sheet, and c) debossing the opposed face to form a plurality of depressions in the laminate sheet and texture the laminate sheet.

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.

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.

A material including a metal sheet, a first plurality of raised and pointed structures, and a second plurality of raised and pointed structures is provided. The metal sheet includes first and second opposed sides, and a thickness between the first and second opposed sides. The first plurality of raised and pointed structures are gouged out of the first side of the metal sheet. The sheet is not perforated, and the raised and pointed structures of the first plurality have a height of between 150% and 300% of the thickness. The second plurality of raised and pointed structures are gouged out of the second side of the metal sheet.

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.

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.