Abstract: A method for joining by welding a weld stud to a workpiece, with the following steps: providing a drawn arc welding device and a plasma gas cleaning device; providing a weld stud and providing a workpiece including a joining surface; cleaning the joining surface using a plasma gas cleaning method including the cleaning steps of: generating in the plasma gas generating device a non-transferred arc, generating with the non-transferred arc a plasma from a compressed gas, and directing the plasma onto the joining surface to remove contaminants thereon; and then, after the cleaning steps, joining the weld stud to the workpiece by drawn arc welding using the drawn arc welding device including forming of a transferred electric arc between the weld stud and the joining surface.

Abstract: A method for joining by welding a weld stud to a workpiece, with the following steps: providing a drawn arc welding device and a plasma gas cleaning device; providing a weld stud and providing a workpiece including a joining surface; cleaning the joining surface using a plasma gas cleaning method including the cleaning steps of: generating in the plasma gas generating device a non-transferred arc, generating with the non-transferred arc a plasma from a compressed gas, and directing the plasma onto the joining surface to remove contaminants thereon; and then, after the cleaning steps, joining the weld stud to the workpiece by drawn arc welding using the drawn arc welding device including forming of a transferred electric arc between the weld stud and the joining surface.

Abstract: A method for joining by welding or gluing joining elements to components, with the following steps: preparation of a joining element, which comprises a first joining surface, and preparation of a component, which comprises a second joining surface; preparation of the first or second joining surface; and carrying out the joining process, in which the joining element is joined to the component; wherein the preparatory step comprises at least one of the following cleaning methods for cleaning the first or second joining surface: a TIG arc method, a plasma gas cleaning method, and a snow jet method.

Abstract: A welding element is operable for being connected to a workpiece using a welding method. The welding element comprises: a head and a shaft like anchor portion. The head includes a welding surface, a stop surface that is remote from the welding surface, and a plurality of pointed projections evenly and uniformly distributed over the entire welding surface. The shaft-like anchor portion extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end region and a second end region, with the first end region connected to the stop surface.

Abstract: A welding element is operable for being connected to a workpiece using a welding method. The welding element comprises: a head and a shaft like anchor portion. The head includes a welding surface, a stop surface that is remote from the welding surface, and a plurality of pointed projections evenly and uniformly distributed over the entire welding surface. The shaft-like anchor portion extends along a longitudinal axis between a first end region and a second end region, with the first end region connected to the stop surface.

Abstract: A method for joining by welding or gluing joining elements to components, with the following steps: preparation of a joining element, which comprises a first joining surface, and preparation of a component, which comprises a second joining surface; preparation of the first or second joining surface; and carrying out the joining process, in which the joining element is joined to the component; wherein the preparatory step comprises at least one of the following cleaning methods for cleaning the first or second joining surface: a TIG arc method, a plasma gas cleaning method, and a snow jet method.

Abstract: A method for joining joining elements to components, in particular for stud welding, comprises the steps of: providing a joining element having a first joining surface, and providing a component having a second joining surface; preparing the first or the second joining surface, wherein the preparation step includes detecting the state of the first or the second joining surface; joining the joining element to the component. The preparation step uses least one of the following detection methods: (i) an electrical contact resistance measurement, (ii) an electrical conductivity measurement, (iii) a fluorescence measurement, and (iv) a laser measurement.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a welded between a first component and a second component comprises the steps of: bringing a first electrical pole into contact with the first component and bringing a second electrical pole into contact with the second component with the welded joint in between the first and the second pole; applying a first electrical quantity to the welded joint such that an electrical current (i) flows through the welded joint; measuring a second electrical quantity at the first and the second pole; comparing a measured value (?F; UF) of the second electrical quantity with a reference value (?0; U0); and evaluating the welded joint on the basis of the comparison step.

Abstract: A method for joining a joining element onto a workpiece, in particular for stud welding or stud gluing. The method steps including providing the joining element the workpiece; detecting a characteristic variable of the workpiece or of the joining element; evaluating the characteristic variable and classifying it into one a first or a second variable class; performing the joining process, if the characteristic variable is classified into the first variable class; or performing a cleaning process on the workpiece or on the joining element and then performing the joining process after the cleaning process, if the characteristic variable is classified into the second variable class.

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 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.