Abstract: A joining apparatus for the joining of a joining element to a workpiece on a joining surface, the joining apparatus comprising: a joining head that defines a joining axis; a cleaning device for cleaning the joining surface; and a drive unit for moving the cleaning device in relation to the joining head between a waiting position and a cleaning position.

Abstract: Handheld welding gun for welding an element to a component comprising a linear actuator unit with a linear actuator housing and a linear actuator rod adapted to actuate the holding unit in order to move the element between the lift position and the plunge position, the linear actuator rod extending partly inside and partly outside the linear actuator housing. A displacement measuring system communicates with a control card. The linear actuator, the displacement measuring system and the control card are connected together to form a compact actuator unit.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioning device for a chain drive, including tensioning piston, which is guided in a holder and which has locking grooves on the outer peripheral surface of the tensioning piston, and including a locking element, which has at least two annular sections and at least two radial extensions, wherein the locking element can be brought into engagement with one of the locking grooves by the at least two annular sections, and including a clamping stop and a sliding stop, which are axially spaced apart from each other. In order to simplify the design, the holder has at least two axial extensions, which extend in the axial direction between the clamping stop plane and the sliding stop plane. The at least two axial extensions and the tensioning piston do not enclose the at least two radial extensions.

Abstract: A loading pin, for a joining device, having a first axial end portion connectable to an axial drive, and having a second axial end portion which is realized for the purpose of exerting an axial force onto a joining element in order to push the joining element into a holding device and/or in order to support the joining element axially during a joining process, wherein the loading pin comprises an axial hollow channel portion through which a joining element is guidable in an axial feed direction. The loading pin partially defines a lateral joining element feed opening, via which a joining element is feedable into the hollow channel portion.

Abstract: A hydraulic tensioning device for a chain drive, including tensioning piston, which is guided in a holder and which has locking grooves on the outer peripheral surface of the tensioning piston, and including a locking element, which has at least two annular sections and at least two radial extensions, wherein the locking element can be brought into engagement with one of the locking grooves by the at least two annular sections, and including a clamping stop and a sliding stop, which are axially spaced apart from each other. In order to simplify the design, the holder has at least two axial extensions, which extend in the axial direction between the clamping stop plane and the sliding stop plane. The at least two axial extensions and the tensioning piston do not enclose the at least two radial extensions.

Abstract: A loading pin, for a joining device, having a first axial end portion connectable to an axial drive, and having a second axial end portion which is realized for the purpose of exerting an axial force onto a joining element in order to push the joining element into a holding device and/or in order to support the joining element axially during a joining process, wherein the loading pin comprises an axial hollow channel portion through which a joining element is guidable in an axial feed direction. The loading pin partially defines a lateral joining element feed opening, via which a joining element is feedable into the hollow channel portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding joining elements to a joining tool is presented. The joining tool may be movable by a programmable handling unit, and a magazine for receiving at least one joining element may be mounted on the joining tool. The magazine may be moved to a filling station that has a tubular section with an outlet opening. An inlet opening of the magazine may be oriented in relation to the outlet opening. At least one joining element may be conveyed to the tubular section so that it passes through the tubular section, the outlet opening, the inlet opening, and into the magazine. During the orienting, the magazine may be oriented in relation to the outlet opening such that the magazine is spaced apart from the filling station during the conveying of the at least one joining element.

Abstract: A method of feeding a stud to a joining head including a stud shank clamp and operable to join the stud to a workpiece, and wherein the method of feeding the stud comprises the steps of providing a stud holding device including a securing sleeve and a plurality of collet arms; feeding the stud into the stud holding device to a first position wherein the flange is arranged above the free end of the plurality of arms and below the securing sleeve; and securing the stud in the first position by engaging the securing sleeve behind the flange.

Abstract: A method of feeding a stud to a joining head including a stud shank clamp and operable to join the stud to a workpiece, and wherein the method of feeding the stud comprises the steps of providing a stud holding device including a securing sleeve and a plurality of collet arms; feeding the stud into the stud holding device to a first position wherein the flange is arranged above the free end of the plurality of arms and below the securing sleeve; and securing the stud in the first position by engaging the securing sleeve behind the flange.

Abstract: A holding device for holding a stud, which includes a radially projecting flange in a securing position, comprises a collet component including a hollow tubular insertion section defining an insertion axis, and a clamping section operable to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud. A securing device is arranged on the insertion section and includes a securing sleeve formed of plurality of separate securing-sleeve sections that are radially movable relative to one another. A clearance space is defined between a bottom end of the securing-sleeve sections and a top end of the clamping section, and the clearance space is operable for holding a flange of a stud in the securing position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding device for studs having a radially projecting flange section. The holding device comprises a collet component having a clamping section and a hollow insertion section. The clamping section is formed by clamping surfaces which are provided at the free ends of a plurality of clamping arms designed to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud in place. A securing device is arranged on the insertion section and is designed in such a way that a flange section of a stud directed past the securing device is mounted in a securing position between the securing device and the clamping section. The clamping arms are of the same length and at least two of the clamping arms each have, as a securing device, a radially inwardly directed securing lug.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding joining elements to a joining tool is presented. The joining tool may be movable by a programmable handling unit, and a magazine for receiving at least one joining element may be mounted on the joining tool. The magazine may be moved to a filling station that has a tubular section with an outlet opening. An inlet opening of the magazine may be oriented in relation to the outlet opening. At least one joining element may be conveyed to the tubular section so that it passes through the tubular section, the outlet opening, the inlet opening, and into the magazine. During the orienting, the magazine may be oriented in relation to the outlet opening such that the magazine is spaced apart from the filling station during the conveying of the at least one joining element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining head arrangement for joining components, such as studs, onto a workpiece. The joining head arrangement comprises a housing and a slide that is mounted on the housing and is movable, by means of a linear drive, in a joining direction in relation to the housing. The joining head further comprises a component holder, arranged on the slide, and operable to hold a component during a joining operation. A feed device delivers components, at a transfer location, to the component holder. The component holder is rotatable about an axis, which is aligned transversely relative to the joining direction, from a transfer position to a joining position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holding device for studs having a radially projecting flange section. The holding device comprises a collet component having a clamping section and a hollow insertion section. The clamping section is formed by clamping surfaces which are provided at the free ends of a plurality of clamping arms designed to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud in place. A securing device is arranged on the insertion section and is designed in such a way that a flange section of a stud directed past the securing device is mounted in a securing position between the securing device and the clamping section. The clamping arms are of the same length and at least two of the clamping arms each have, as a securing device, a radially inwardly directed securing lug.

Abstract: A holding device for holding a stud, which includes a radially projecting flange in a securing position, comprises a collet component including a hollow tubular insertion section defining an insertion axis, and a clamping section operable to exert a radially inwardly directed clamping force for clamping the stud. A securing device is arranged on the insertion section and includes a securing sleeve formed of plurality of separate securing-sleeve sections that are radially movable relative to one another. A clearance space is defined between a bottom end of the securing-sleeve sections and a top end of the clamping section, and the clearance space is operable for holding a flange of a stud in the securing position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining head arrangement for joining components, such as studs, onto a workpiece. The joining head arrangement comprises a housing and a slide that is mounted on the housing and is movable, by means of a linear drive, in a joining direction in relation to the housing. The joining head further comprises a component holder, arranged on the slide, and operable to hold a component during a joining operation. A feed device delivers components, at a transfer location, to the component holder. The component holder is rotatable about an axis, which is aligned transversely relative to the joining direction, from a transfer position to a joining position.

Abstract: A joining device for joining two parts by welding has a joining head including a lift device for linear transport of a joining unit along a lift axis relative to the joining head. The joining device executes a joining operation by transporting the joining unit out of a lift position towards a base position. The joining unit includes a boom extending outside of the joining head, at a free end of which the joining operation takes place offset and parallel to the lift axis. The joining unit is oriented relative to the joining head such that the joining unit runs out relative to the joining head in the lift position.

Abstract: A holder for a stud portion of a stud has a polygonal cross section, in particular for use in an apparatus for stud welding. The apparatus includes a fastening portion fixed to the stud-welding apparatus, and having a retaining portion which has a multiplicity of retaining tongues which extend substantially in a longitudinal direction. The retaining tongues can be elastically bent in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in order to receive and elastically retain the polygonal stud portion between them. At least two of the retaining tongues form a slot between them. At least a portion of the slot runs in a helical manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining device for the joining, in particular the welding, of two parts one to the other, having a joining head comprising a lift device for linear transport of a joining unit along a lift axis relative to the joining head, said joining device executing a joining operation by transporting the joining unit out of a lift position towards a base position, and said joining unit comprising a boom extending outside of the joining head, at the free end of which the joining operation takes place offset parallel to the lift axis, wherein the joining unit is so oriented relative to the joining head that the joining unit is run out relative to the joining head in the lift position.