Abstract: A C-shaped frame for a cold-joining tool has two leg sections spaced apart from one another and a connection section. A punch unit and a die unit are provided opposite one another to define a tool axis. The C-shaped frame has a first surface side and a second surface side. An outer contour of the C-shaped frame is determined by an outer edge of the C-shaped frame in the transition between the two surface sides. The C-shaped frame includes a reinforcing section provided on the outer edge along the outer contour of the C-shaped frame. There are multiple portions of the reinforcing section, each with an associated thickness dimension of the portion, over a profile of the reinforcing section as seen along the outer edge. The extent of the respective portions along the outer edge and parallel to a surface side is in each case at least 30 millimetres.

Abstract: A process monitoring method for monitoring the joining of at least two workpieces by means of a self-piercing riveting device having a joining gun including a) a total sheet metal thickness, a rivet length and a bending constant of the joining gun are detected for a plurality of joining operations for each operation before joining; b) a punch path for a certain force, an end force, a path end value for the end force, a setting path of the rivet, and a rivet head end position are detected for the plurality of joining operations; c) a force/path window for the joining operations is determined; and d) a determined force/path window of one additional joining operation is compared to the force/path window of the joining operations determined in step c), and the additional joining operation is monitored so that any joining-related defects are identified.

Abstract: A device for stamping a depression in a sheet-like workpiece and for piercing the workpiece in the region of the stamped depression, including a punch unit and a die unit between which the workpiece can be positioned. The punch unit has a punch with a forming punch and with a piercing punch. The forming punch bears against a side of the workpiece in the region of the depression during the stamping of the depression. The piercing punch pierces the workpiece in the region of the depression. The forming punch and the piercing punch are moved along a joining axis of the device. The forming punch and the piercing punch are accommodated in a punch housing, and the forming punch and the piercing punch are driven via a common hydraulic supply system relative to the punch housing along the joining axis of the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adapter element for attaching a die holder to a tool clamp, in particular, for attaching a die holder to a joining clamp. The adapter element is characterized in that the adapter element comprises a mounting element and the mounting element is designed to arrange the die holder, the adapter element having mounting mechanisms, the mounting mechanisms being designed to arrange the adapter element on a connecting mechanism of a clamp bow of the tool clamp such that automatic attachment of the adapter element to the clamp bow and/or automatic release from the clamp bow is realized.

Abstract: A C-shaped frame for a cold-joining tool has two leg sections spaced apart from one another and a connection section. A punch unit and a die unit are provided opposite one another to define a tool axis. The C-shaped frame has a first surface side and a second surface side. An outer contour of the C-shaped frame is determined by an outer edge of the C-shaped frame in the transition between the two surface sides. The C-shaped frame includes a reinforcing section provided on the outer edge along the outer contour of the C-shaped frame. There are multiple portions of the reinforcing section, each with an associated thickness dimension of the portion, over a profile of the reinforcing section as seen along the outer edge. The extent of the respective portions along the outer edge and parallel to a surface side is in each case at least 30 millimetres.

Abstract: A device for attaching a joining element to a component section, which device is for a tool for attaching the joining element to the component section, wherein the joining element is adapted to be temporarily placed in a holding position and then shifted out of the holding position onto the component section by a linearly movable punch of the tool, wherein the joining element is temporarily placed in the holding position by means for providing a pressure difference in a region of the holding position, wherein the pressure difference on the temporarily placed joining element provides a holding force that acts on the joining element, so that the joining element is held positionally fixed in the holding position.

Abstract: A device for attaching a joining element to a component portion for a tool comprising a die unit and a punch that is linearly movable on a working axis of the tool from a retracted position on the tool to the die unit and back again, wherein the working axis coincides with a punch longitudinal axis, and wherein the punch, in its forward movement to the die unit, transports in the direction of the component portion a joining element which has been temporarily placed on the device in a holding position. The device includes a positioning portion, in the region of the holding position, which is tailored to a joining element and configured such that the joining element is held with a predefined orientation in such a way in the holding position that a longitudinal axis of the joining element deviates spatially from the working axis of the tool.

Abstract: A method for setting a joining element or a functional element is provided, including providing an apparatus including a mount, a punch on the mount, a hold-down device surrounding the punch, a die on the mount coaxially opposite the punch, and a drive unit, moving the die with the drive unit, and performing an independent loading operation. The hold-down device executes a loading stroke during which a compressive force is provided via a pneumatic force-exerting mechanism. The method also includes performing a setting operation, wherein the hold-down device is pressed against the workpiece in a pressure phase different from that of the loading stroke with a prespecified compressive force. The hold-down device moves in a guided manner on the mount via at least one guide column provided on the mount, and the at least one guide column includes a piston of a pneumatic drive that moves in a pneumatic cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a joining or functional element comprising a mount, a punch disposed on the mount, a hold-down device surrounding the punch, a die, which is disposed on the mount and lies coaxially opposite the punch, a drive unit for effecting a relative movement of punch and die, and a control unit. According to the invention, the drive unit moves the die relative to the mount. Furthermore, a loading device for providing a loading stroke of the hold-down device for loading of a joining or functional element with prespecified stroke path of the hold-down device, and a force-exerting member, are provided, in order to, in the setting of a joining or functional element, press the hold-down device, in a pressure phase differing from the loading stroke, with predefined compressive force against a workpiece. Furthermore, a method for setting a joining or functional element is proposed.

Abstract: A die for a device for joining is proposed, wherein at least one monitoring element for monitoring the functionality of the die is attached to the die, wherein the monitoring element comprises a strain gauge, wherein the monitoring element comprises exactly two sensors, wherein the spring means have a cross spring with multiple elastically movable spring arms, wherein one die portion is assigned to one spring arm, and wherein the spring arms are connected at one point, wherein the die has four movable die portions which are elastically movable in each case by means of one spring arm of the spring means.

Abstract: A valve for controlling a hydropneumatic device for pressure intensifying having a working plunger and an intensifier plunger for pressure intensifying, the intensifier plunger being designed to move the working plunger hydraulically with a comparatively high transmission ratio on account of a pneumatic actuation, the valve having a differential plunger arrangement with a first plunger with a first active plunger face in a first pressure space and a second plunger with a second active plunger face in a second pressure space, the first plunger being coupled to the second plunger, the first pressure space being equipped with a first connector for, for example, a pneumatic return stroke space of the working plunger, and the second pressure space being equipped with a second connector for a pneumatic pressure source which differs from the return stroke space.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a joining element or functional element to a component section, wherein the apparatus is provided for a tool for attaching a joining element or functional element to a component section with a punch which is movable forward in a linear manner and is movable back again, wherein, during its forward movement, the punch entrains a joining element or functional element out of the presentation position on the apparatus and slides it into a guide line of the apparatus. According to the present invention, at least two positioning strips are present which extend along the guide line, wherein the at least two positioning strips reach into the region of the presentation position such that the positioning strips are present laterally next to a joining element or functional element which is situated in the presentation position.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a joining or functional element comprising a mount, a punch disposed on the mount, a hold-down device surrounding the punch, a die, which is disposed on the mount and lies coaxially opposite the punch, a drive unit for effecting a relative movement of punch and die, and a control unit. According to the invention, the drive unit moves the die relative to the mount. Furthermore, a loading device for providing a loading stroke of the hold-down device for loading of a joining or functional element with prespecified stroke path of the hold-down device, and a force-exerting member, are provided, in order to, in the setting of a joining or functional element, press the hold-down device, in a pressure phase differing from the loading stroke, with predefined compressive force against a workpiece. Furthermore, a method for setting a joining or functional element is proposed.

Abstract: A hydropneumatic device having pressure a working part with a working piston guided in the working part and an intensifier part with an intensifier piston guided in the intensifier part. A connecting section for a hydraulic connection of the working part and of the intensifier part provides a connecting line for passage of hydraulic fluid between the working part and the intensifier part. The connecting section includes an adapter component which can be mounted on the working part and the intensifier part, and in the interior of which the connecting line is formed. In the mounted state of the adapter component, an opening, which is provided at the side on the working part, of a hydraulic chamber of the working part is connected, via the connecting line, to an opening, which is provided at the side on the intensifier part, of a hydraulic chamber of the intensifier part.

Abstract: A device for riveting and a hydropneumatic device for pressure transmission, including a working piston and a transmitter piston in the form of a double-acting cylinder for transmitting pressure to the working piston, wherein a working stroke of the working piston in a working direction includes a first stroke and a subsequent second stroke, wherein the first stroke is controlled by means of pneumatic pressure acting on the working piston and the second stroke is controlled by means of pneumatic pressure acting on the transmitter piston, and wherein hydraulic fluid is displaced by the transmitter piston and the displaced hydraulic fluid effects the second stroke of the working piston. Regulation means having an actuating device are provided for regulating the pneumatic pressure on both sides of the double-acting cylinder of the transmitter piston such that the second stroke of the working piston is predefined by way of the regulation.

Abstract: An apparatus for setting a joining or functional element comprising a mount, a punch disposed on the mount, a hold-down device surrounding the punch, a die, which is disposed on the mount and lies coaxially opposite the punch, a drive unit for effecting a relative movement of punch and die, and a control unit. According to the invention, the drive unit moves the die relative to the mount. Furthermore, a loading device for providing a loading stroke of the hold-down device for loading of a joining or functional element with prespecified stroke path of the hold-down device, and a force-exerting member, are provided, in order to, in the setting of a joining or functional element, press the hold-down device, in a pressure phase differing from the loading stroke, with predefined compressive force against a workpiece. Furthermore, a method for setting a joining or functional element is proposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a joining element or functional element to a component section, wherein the apparatus is provided for a tool for attaching a joining element or functional element to a component section with a punch which is movable forward in a linear manner and is movable back again, wherein, during its forward movement, the punch entrains a joining element or functional element out of the presentation position on the apparatus and slides it into a guide line of the apparatus. According to the present invention, at least two positioning strips are present which extend along the guide line, wherein the at least two positioning strips reach into the region of the presentation position such that the positioning strips are present laterally next to a joining element or functional element which is situated in the presentation position.

Abstract: A device for attaching a joining element to a component portion for a tool comprising a die unit and a punch that is linearly movable on a working axis of the tool from a retracted position on the tool to the die unit and back again, wherein the working axis coincides with a punch longitudinal axis, and wherein the punch, in its forward movement to the die unit, transports in the direction of the component portion a joining element which has been temporarily placed on the device in a holding position. The device includes a positioning portion, in the region of the holding position, which is tailored to a joining element and configured such that the joining element is held with a predefined orientation in such a way in the holding position that a longitudinal axis of the joining element deviates spatially from the working axis of the tool.

Abstract: A device for attaching a joining element to a component section, which device is for a tool for attaching the joining element to the component section, wherein the joining element is adapted to be temporarily placed in a holding position and then shifted out of the holding position onto the component section by a linearly movable punch of the tool, wherein the joining element is temporarily placed in the holding position by means for providing a pressure difference in a region of the holding position, wherein the pressure difference on the temporarily placed joining element provides a holding force that acts on the joining element, so that the joining element is held positionally fixed in the holding position.

Abstract: A connecting element for forming a punch-riveted connection of at least two component sections is provided, wherein a foot section has at its free end a foot base with a basic shape which is cylindrical or at least approximated to the cylindrical shape. According to the invention, an annular circumferential elevated portion is formed in the foot section between the foot base and the shaft section.