Abstract: A friction application device includes an application element which defines a rotational axis and which is movable by a moving device on a surface of a workpiece and in a relative movement with respect to the surface of the workpiece. At least one supporting tool is non-coaxial with the rotational axis and has an arcuate outer periphery in direct contact with the application element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction application device having an application element which is movable by means of a moving device on a surface of a workpiece and in a relative movement with respect to the surface of the workpiece, wherein at least one supporting tool which is in contact with the application element and prevents bead formation on the application element is arranged in the contact region between the application element and the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for joining two essentially metal sheet-type workpieces. In said method. the edge regions of the workpieces to be joined are placed at a distance from one another, at least one wire-shaped filler material is introduced into a zone between the edge regions before or during the joining process, and edge regions and the filler material are then heated to a predefined joining temperature by at least one first frictional element that moves in relation to the edge regions and the filler material, are subjected to a certain contact pressure, and are joined while being deformed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for joining at least two workpieces, the method comprising the following method steps: providing and positioning the workpieces to be joined; providing at least one joining element; heating the joining element to a temperature substantially equal to its plasticizing temperature with at least one heat source; heating the workpieces at least in the region of a joint to a predetermined reaction temperature; and applying material of the joining element to the region of the joint with a relative movement taking place between the joining element and the region of the joint.