Abstract: A welding apparatus for joining a weldable fastening element onto a workpiece by a welding process, wherein the welding apparatus comprises: an electric welding power source; a fastening element holding device for holding the fastening element during welding; a first drive device for moving the fastening element holding device along a first axis; a cleaning electrode holding device for holding a cleaning electrode along a second axis; and wherein the cleaning electrode is connectable to the electric welding power source. The fastening element holding device and the cleaning electrode holding device are mounted on a common tool carrier and the tool carrier is movable on a joining head by a tool carrier drive from a joining position to a cleaning position, and in the joining position the first axis defines a joining axis, and in the cleaning position the second axis is aligned with the joining axis.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for joining a weldable fastening element onto a workpiece by a welding process, wherein the welding apparatus comprises: an electric welding power source; a fastening element holding device for holding the fastening element during welding; a first drive device for moving the fastening element holding device along a first axis; a cleaning electrode holding device for holding a cleaning electrode along a second axis; and wherein the cleaning electrode is connectable to the electric welding power source. The fastening element holding device and the cleaning electrode holding device are mounted on a common tool carrier and the tool carrier is movable on a joining head by a tool carrier drive from a joining position to a cleaning position, and in the joining position the first axis defines a joining axis, and in the cleaning position the second axis is aligned with the joining axis.

Abstract: A stud welding apparatus comprising a power supply including power electronics operable for supplying a variable welding voltage together with one of a pilot current and a welding current that is much larger than the pilot current; and a current measuring circuit operable for measuring the electrical current to the weld head; and an input circuit electrically connected between the power electronics and the power supply output, the input circuit including a first inductance, a first resistance, and a switch operable to bridge the first inductance and the first resistance; and a welding circuit electrically connected between the power supply output and the weld stud, the welding circuit having a welding circuit resistance and a welding circuit inductance, and the welding circuit inductance is much smaller than the first inductance of the input circuit; and a voltage measuring device is operable for measuring a voltage across the welding circuit.

Abstract: A method for production of a joining component, the method comprising the steps of providing a metal section which is inductively heatable and defines an axial through aperture; and coating the metal element with a thermoplastic material by a single-component injection-molding of a base body of the joining component around the metal section so that the base body includes: a holding section formed as a cylindrical shaft and a flange, the flange including a first and second sides, and an inner side of the metal section is joined to the flange and an exposed outer side of the metal section faces away from the flange; and a the second side of the flange is axially recessed within the aperture; and a joining surface is comprised of the outer side of the metal section and a portion of the second side of the flange radially outward of the metal section.

Abstract: A method for joining a fastening element on to a surface portion of a component, the fastening element having an adhesion face, on to which there is applied an adhesive that is thermally meltable and thermally settable, comprising the steps of: pre-heating the adhesive to a first temperature (T1), in order to activate the adhesive; pre-heating the surface portion to a second temperature (T2); and placing the adhesion face on to the surface portion; the adhesive undergoing main heating, to a third temperature (T3), after the adhesion face has been placed on to the surface portion, in order to set the adhesive and thereby permanently fasten the fastening element to the component.

Abstract: A method for production of a joining component, the method comprising the steps of providing a metal section which is inductively heatable and defines an axial through aperture; and coating the metal element with a thermoplastic material by a single-component injection-moulding of a base body of the joining component around the metal section so that the base body includes: a holding section formed as a cylindrical shaft and a flange, the flange including a first and second sides, and an inner side of the metal section is joined to the flange and an exposed outer side of the metal section faces away from the flange; and a the second side of the flange is axially recessed within the aperture; and a joining surface is comprised of the outer side of the metal section and a portion of the second side of the flange radially outward of the metal section.

Abstract: A joining method head is proposed for fixation to a movable frame, in particular to a robot, having a holding means for an element to be joined to a part, a joining drive means to move the holding means along a joining direction for joining, and a feeding means for feeding elements to the joining method head. Here a control means to control the joining drive means is arranged at the joining method head spatially distanced from the holding means and the joining drive means, so that the holding means and the joining drive means form a joining tool of small dimensions, and means are provided to pass on the elements fed to a transfer station of the feeding means in each instance to the holding means from in front.

Abstract: A welding apparatus for joining a weldable fastening element onto a workpiece by a welding process, wherein the welding apparatus comprises: an electric welding power source; a fastening element holding device for holding the fastening element during welding; a first drive device for moving the fastening element holding device along a first axis; a cleaning electrode holding device for holding a cleaning electrode along a second axis; and wherein the cleaning electrode is connectable to the electric welding power source. The fastening element holding device and the cleaning electrode holding device are mounted on a common tool carrier and the tool carrier is movable on a joining head by a tool carrier drive from a joining position to a cleaning position, and in the joining position the first axis defines a joining axis, and in the cleaning position the second axis is aligned with the joining axis.

Abstract: A joining component, for axial joining to a workpiece, comprises a base body composed of thermoplastic material and including a holding section and a flange section, with a joining surface including both a portion of the flange section and a metal section which can be heated inductively. The metal section is in this case integrated in the flange section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for axial joining of a hybrid joining component to a workpiece, wherein the joining component has a thermoplastic joining section and a metal section which can be heated, having the following steps: moving the joining component into contact with a surface of the workpiece; heating of the metal section such that the joining section at least partially melts; ending the heating of the metal section such that the joining component makes a force-fitting, interlocking and/or integral connection with the surface of the workpiece. In this case, the joining component is held with a regulated force and/or in a regulated position with respect to the workpiece at least during the heating of the metal section, in such a manner that the joining component can be joined to the surface of the workpiece without any opposing support.

Abstract: A method for determination of electrical variables of a welding circuit which is connected to an electrical power supply device and operable to provide either a welding current or a lesser pilot current, the method including the steps of (a) determining the resistance of the welding circuit and (b) determining the inductance of the welding circuit.

Abstract: A method for joining a fastening element on to a surface portion of a component, the fastening element having an adhesion face, on to which there is applied an adhesive that is thermally meltable and thermally settable, comprising the steps of: pre-heating the adhesive to a first temperature (T1), in order to activate the adhesive; pre-heating the surface portion to a second temperature (T2); and placing the adhesion face on to the surface portion; the adhesive undergoing main heating, to a third temperature (T3), after the adhesion face has been placed on to the surface portion, in order to set the adhesive and thereby permanently fasten the fastening element to the component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for axial joining of a hybrid joining component to a workpiece, wherein the joining component has a thermoplastic joining section and a metal section which can be heated, having the following steps: moving the joining component into contact with a surface of the workpiece; heating of the metal section such that the joining section at least partially melts; ending the heating of the metal section such that the joining component makes a force-fitting, interlocking and/or integral connection with the surface of the workpiece. In this case, the joining component is held with a regulated force and/or in a regulated position with respect to the workpiece at least during the heating of the metal section, in such a manner that the joining component can be joined to the surface of the workpiece without any opposing support.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a joining component for axial joining to a workpiece, having a base body composed of thermoplastic material which has a holding section and a flange section, with a joining surface being formed on the flange section and having a metal section which can be heated inductively. The metal section is in this case integrated in the flange section.

Abstract: A method for determination of electrical variables of a welding circuit which is connected to an electrical power supply device and operable to provide either a welding current or a lesser pilot current, the method including the steps of (a) determining the resistance of the welding circuit and (b) determining the inductance of the welding circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of short-time stud joining, a first workpiece, such as a stud for example, being joined with its end face onto a joining surface of a second workpiece, such as a metal sheet for example, with the steps of: a) creating an arc between the end face and the joining surface in order to begin melting the end face and/or the joining surface, and b) lowering the first workpiece onto the second workpiece and switching off a joining current (Is), so that the melt cools down and a rigidly joined connection is obtained between the first and second workpieces. In this case, the first workpiece is advanced at least once in the direction of the second workpiece between steps a) and b), in order to achieve an interim short-circuit of the arc, and is subsequently withdrawn again, in order once again to draw an arc.

Abstract: A joining device for joining a component to a workpiece. The device includes a component holder which moves the component along an axis in a first direction towards the workpiece in order to connect the component to the workpiece, and has a protective gas feed in order to carry out a welding process in a protective gas atmosphere. During the welding process the protective gas is discharged essentially in a second direction which is opposed to the first direction. An elastic sealing sleeve including folding bellows is arranged in relation to the component holder in such a way that a welding space, which is bounded by the workpiece, the component holder, the component and the sealing sleeve and through which the protective gas flows, is sealed off from the external surroundings during the welding process so that the protective gas can escape only in the second direction.

Abstract: A joining system head is provided for fixation to a movable frame, in particular to a robot having a holder for an element to be joined to a part. A joining drive moves the holder along a joining direction for joining. The holder is mounted on the joining system head and is rotatable about an axis running transverse to a joining direction.

Abstract: A fastening device for fastening a small component, in particular a stud provided with an adhesive flange, to a mounting surface using a heat-activated adhesive that creates an adhesive bond between the component and the mounting surface, has an induction coil to heat the component and/or the adhesive and a holding mechanism which holds the component while the fastening device moves to the bonding position. On the side facing the mounting surface is a bearing surface for the component toward which the component can be brought from outside. The holding device can be advanced to the component by the induction coil and has an electromagnet for generating a holding force that is directed toward the bearing surface.

Abstract: A joining system head (22) is proposed for fixation to a movable frame (12), in particular to a robot (12), having a holding means (66) for an element (36) to be joined to a part (38), a joining drive means (64) to move the holding means (66) along a joining direction (40) for joining, and a feeding means (44) for feeding elements (36) to the joining system head (22). Here a control means (42) to control the joining drive means (64) is arranged at the joining system head (22) spatially distanced from the holding means (66) and the joining drive means (64), so that the holding means (66) and the joining drive means (64) form a joining tool (32) of small dimensions, and means (68) are provided to pass on the elements (36) fed to a transfer station (46) of the feeding means (44) in each instance to the holding means (66) from in front.