Abstract: A device for depositing a material layer on a surface of a workpiece has a deposition facility with a hollow shoulder that is rotatable about an axis relative to a base. The shoulder has an indentation that is limited by a circumferential annular face. A passage opening, which is smaller in diameter than the indentation, is formed in the shoulder along the axis. The shoulder is rotated and a deposition material is fed through the passage opening into the indentation where it is plasticized in the indentation. The deposition facility is moved over the surface in such a way that the indentation points towards the surface and a workpiece plane runs tangentially to the surface at the point at which the axis intersects the surface. The annular face is distanced from the surface such that plasticized deposition material is deposited on the surface. A related deposition method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for connecting a surface-structured workpiece (SSW) and a plastic workpiece using a joining tool with a sonotrode. The method includes: positioning the SSW and the plastic workpiece on an anvil such that a structured contact surface section (SCSS) of the SSW faces a contact surface of the plastic workpiece; positioning the sonotrode in contact with an outer surface of the SSW that is opposite to the SCSS; and applying pressure to the sonotrode and/or the anvil perpendicular to the contact surface to hold the workpieces fixed between the anvil and the sonotrode and applying ultrasonic vibrations to the workpieces by the sonotrode for a predetermined period of time to induce softening of the plastic workpiece and penetrate pin-like elements of the SCSS into the plastic workpiece.

Abstract: A method that includes: arranging plastic and further workpieces (1, 3) such that an abutment surface (5) of the plastic workpiece (1) is abutted to a first surface (13) on the further workpiece (3) and a projection (7) on the plastic workpiece (1) extends through a through hole (17) in the further workpiece (3); linearly moving a friction tool (23) parallel to its rotational axis (25) such that a friction surface (31) on the tool (23) contacts a front surface (9) of the projection (7); linearly moving the tool (23) along the rotational axis (25) while rotating the tool (23) so that a pin (29) on the tool (23) penetrates and plasticizes the projection (7) as well as drives a portion of the plasticized projection (7) into an undercut (21) formed in the hole (17) of the further workpiece (3); and retracting the tool (23) from the projection (7).

Abstract: An apparatus for friction stir welding with a drive shaft, a probe, which has a first friction surface, and a shoulder element having a second friction surface. An annular cavity is formed between an inner surface of the shoulder element and the drive shaft and/or the probe. The shoulder element includes first and second through holes that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. An annular ring element is rotatable with respect to the shoulder element and is rotatably supported on the shoulder element by first and second support members between which an annular channel is formed. The annular channel is arranged such that the first through hole connects the annular channel with the annular cavity. The annular ring element radially outwardly delimits the annular channel and includes a through bore which extends to the annular channel.

Abstract: A method for connecting a surface-structured workpiece (SSW) and a plastic workpiece using a joining tool with a sonotrode. The method includes: positioning the SSW and the plastic workpiece on an anvil such that a structured contact surface section (SCSS) of the SSW faces a contact surface of the plastic workpiece; positioning the sonotrode in contact with an outer surface of the SSW that is opposite to the SCSS; and applying pressure to the sonotrode and/or the anvil perpendicular to the contact surface to hold the workpieces fixed between the anvil and the sonotrode and applying ultrasonic vibrations to the workpieces by the sonotrode for a predetermined period of time to induce softening of the plastic workpiece and penetrate pin-like elements of the SCSS into the plastic workpiece.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool having a drivable pin, which is rotatable around an axis, a shoulder element, a first shoulder and at least one spring. The pin includes a cylindrical engagement section that has a circumferential surface that engages a workpiece. The shoulder element includes a contact surface extending transversely to the axis for engagement with the workpiece. The shoulder element includes a friction block connected in a non-rotatable manner to the pin, on which a first friction surface is formed extending around the axis. The first shoulder part includes a second friction surface connected thereto in a non-rotatable manner, extending around the axis. The first and second friction surfaces face one another. The at least one spring biases the first friction surface against the second friction surface. The contact surface is formed on the first shoulder part.

Abstract: An apparatus for friction stir welding with a drive shaft, a probe, which has a first friction surface, and a shoulder element having a second friction surface. An annular cavity is formed between an inner surface of the shoulder element and the drive shaft and/or the probe. The shoulder element includes first and second through holes that are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. An annular ring element is rotatable with respect to the shoulder element and is rotatably supported on the shoulder element by first and second support members between which an annular channel is formed. The annular channel is arranged such that the first through hole connects the annular channel with the annular cavity. The annular ring element radially outwardly delimits the annular channel and includes a through bore which extends to the annular channel.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool having a drivable pin, which is rotatable around an axis, a shoulder element, a first shoulder and at least one spring. The pin includes a cylindrical engagement section that has a circumferential surface that engages a workpiece. The shoulder element includes a contact surface extending transversely to the axis for engagement with the workpiece. The shoulder element includes a friction block connected in a non-rotatable manner to the pin, on which a first friction surface is formed extending around the axis. The first shoulder part includes a second friction surface connected thereto in a non-rotatable manner, extending around the axis. The first and second friction surfaces face one another. The at least one spring biases the first friction surface against the second friction surface. The contact surface is formed on the first shoulder part.

Abstract: A method that includes: arranging plastic and further workpieces (1, 3) such that an abutment surface (5) of the plastic workpiece (1) is abutted to a first surface (13) on the further workpiece (3) and a projection (7) on the plastic workpiece (1) extends through a through hole (17) in the further workpiece (3); linearly moving a friction tool (23) parallel to its rotational axis (25) such that a friction surface (31) on the tool (23) contacts a front surface (9) of the projection (7); linearly moving the tool (23) along the rotational axis (25) while rotating the tool (23) so that a pin (29) on the tool (23) penetrates and plasticizes the projection (7) as well as drives a portion of the plasticized projection (7) into an undercut (21) formed in the hole (17) of the further workpiece (3); and retracting the tool (23) from the projection (7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing shaped metal bodies having a structured surface which can be used as joining elements in the “friction spot joining” process described in the EP application 09015014.5. The shaped metal bodies are produced by means of MIM technology, and are deformed further in the green state or in the brown state after injection moulding to give the desired components.