Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for setting a connecting element (100, 300) with a top-side drive structure (22, 44), comprising a feed device (12) for applying an axial force, a rotary spindle (14, 40, 68,82, 140) and a drive bit (20, 42, 60, 70, 80, 142, 242) connected to same, which has drive structures (22, 44) arranged circumferentially and at the end in a setting direction (S) in order to interlockingly cause the connecting element (100, 300) to rotate, wherein the drive bit (20, 42, 60, 70, 80, 142, 242) has an axial through-opening, and the device also comprises a suction unit (18) with which air can be suctioned out at the end side of the drive bit (20, 42, 60, 70, 80, 142, 242).

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining unit (10, 40) for an articulated arm robot (12, 44) for joining a component (24, 58) with a joining element (28, 60) by applying an axial force. The joining unit (10, 40) comprises a base element (14, 42) for connecting to an articulated arm robot (12, 44). The base element (12, 42) is connected to an advancing unit (13, 46), which can be moved relative to the base element (14, 42) in an axial direction in and against a setting direction. The advancing unit (13, 46) is connected to a setting device (16, 54), which can be moved together with the advancing unit (13, 46). Furthermore, a pressure piece (26, 50) mounted for movement relative to the advancing unit (13, 46) in and against the setting direction is connected to the advancing unit (13, 46) by means of a coupling unit (17, 48).

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (10) having a hollow-cylindrical shaft (12) and a drive (16), via which the shaft (12) can be driven in a direction of rotation, wherein the hollow-cylindrical shaft (12) has at least one free end, wherein the drive (16) is arranged opposite the free end, wherein a hollow space is formed by the hollow-cylindrical shaft (12). The invention is characterized in that driver structures (22) acting in the circumferential direction of the hollow-cylindrical shaft (12) are arranged in the hollow space, which, projected on the lateral surface, are arranged to extend in the setting direction on the lateral surface, rectilinearly parallel to the element mid-axis (M) or with an angular deviation of at most 20° with respect to the element mid-axis (M), and/or are arranged at the end on the drive side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (10) having a hollow-cylindrical shaft (12) and a drive (16), via which the shaft (12) can be driven in a direction of rotation, wherein the hollow-cylindrical shaft (12) has at least one free end, wherein the drive (16) is arranged opposite the free end, wherein a hollow space is formed by the hollow-cylindrical shaft (12). The invention is characterized in that driver structures (22) acting in the circumferential direction of the hollow-cylindrical shaft (12) are arranged in the hollow space, which, projected on the lateral surface, are arranged to extend in the setting direction on the lateral surface, rectilinearly parallel to the element mid-axis (M) or with an angular deviation of at most 20° with respect to the element mid-axis (M), and/or are arranged at the end on the drive side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a joining unit (10, 40) for an articulated arm robot (12, 44) for joining a component (24, 58) with a joining element (28, 60) by applying an axial force. The joining unit (10, 40) comprises a base element (14, 42) for connecting to an articulated arm robot (12, 44). The base element (12, 42) is connected to an advancing unit (13, 46), which can be moved relative to the base element (14, 42) in an axial direction in and against a setting direction. The advancing unit (13, 46) is connected to a setting device (16, 54), which can be moved together with the advancing unit (13, 46). Furthermore, a pressure piece (26, 50) mounted for movement relative to the advancing unit (13, 46) in and against the setting direction is connected to the advancing unit (13, 46) by means of a coupling unit (17, 48).

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (10, 20, 30, 50) for producing a component connection (70) of two components (72, 74; 92) lying against each other by means of the connecting element (10, 20, 30, 50), which is welded to the lower layer (74)—the base layer—by friction, wherein the connecting element (10, 20, 30, 50) has a shaft (18), which has a shaft segment (14) and a head (12) having a flat surface (20) lying on the top side of the head for transmitting the axial force, wherein a drive cutout (22, 32) is introduced into the flat surface (20) in order to transmit a torque.

Abstract: A method for supplying, positioning and processing fixing elements using a transport means which moves the fixing elements from a starting position to a processing position whereby the individual fixing elements are introduced into a chuck provided with two clamping jaws, are held by the clamping jaws in an engaging position and, once the chuck has been positioned, are taken up from this position by a driving element and the chuck presses them against a locating device and a connection is made to a component part by the driving element when the chuck is opened, wherein the upward motion of the chuck, while feeding the fixing element to the locating device, prevents the supply of further fixing elements to the chuck.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (10, 20, 30, 50) for producing a component connection (70) of two components (72, 74; 92) lying against each other by means of the connecting element (IO, 20, 30, 50), which is welded to the lower layer (74)—the base layer—by friction, wherein the connecting element (10, 20, 30, 50) has a shaft (18), which has a shaft segment (14) and a head (12) having a flat surface (20) lying on the top side of the head for transmitting the axial force, wherein a drive cutout (22, 32) is introduced into the flat surface (20) in order to transmit a torque.

Abstract: A method for supplying, positioning and processing fixing elements using a transport means which moves the fixing elements from a starting position to a processing position whereby the individual fixing elements are introduced into a chuck provided with two clamping jaws, are held by the clamping jaws in an engaging position and, once the chuck has been positioned, are taken up from this position by a driving element and the chuck presses them against a locating device and a connection is made to a component part by the driving element when the chuck is opened, wherein the upward motion of the chuck, while feeding the fixing element to the locating device, prevents the supply of further fixing elements to the chuck.

Abstract: A device for supplying and positioning fixing elements which includes, a chuck provided with two spring loaded clamping jaws that hold one fixing element therebetween for further processing, wherein the clamping jaws are operatively associated with an actuating element that extends between the clamping jaws, the actuating element being provided in an axial direction with a narrow section and two neighboring extension sections. The actuation element is connected to an axial slide for axially moving the actuation element and to open and close the chuck by forcing the camping jaws apart, releasing the fixing element for processing when the chuck is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying and positioning fixing elements (8), comprising a chuck (18) that is provided with two spring-loaded stopper parts (1, 2) and that holds one fixing element (8) respectively for further processing. The invention is characterised in that the stopper parts are design as clamping jaws (1, 2) with which an actuation element (3) is associated that reaches between these jaws and that is provided with a narrow section (6) and two neighbouring extensions (4, 5) in an axial direction. Said actuation element is connected to an axial slide (21) for axially moving said actuation element (3), and is used to open and close the chuck (18) by forcing the clamping jaws (1, 2) apart, releasing the fixing element (8) for processing when the chuck (18) is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a friction-welded connection between a plurality of superimposed flat components held together by a connecting member, wherein a collar of said connecting member rests on an upper component and the front end of said connecting member forms a friction-welding zone with a lower component, said friction-welding zone being produced by rotation and pressure of the connecting member. After formation of the friction-welding zone, the rotation of the connecting member ceases at the end of a first step and, in a second step, upon cessation of the rotation of the connecting member prior to contact of the collar with the upper component, a pressure is exerted on the connecting member by a pressure-applying tool, said pressure pressing the collar against the upper component because of a deformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction welding joint of a plurality of two-dimensional components positioned on top of each other, which are held together by means of a connecting body, which rests on an upper component by means of a collar. The connecting body is configured as a pipe piece, and the upper component is penetrated by the connecting body having a front annular cutting edge by means of rotation and pressure, wherein the connecting body, after cutting through the upper component with the front thereof and receiving the cut-out material of the upper component in the hollow space thereof, together with the lower component forms a friction welding zone created by means of rotation and pressure of the connecting body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting element (1) for a friction-welded connection for connecting at least two panel-like components (8,9), comprising a rotating and pressurised mandrel (2, 13), the length of which is adapted to the thickness of the upper component(s) (7, 8) in order to penetrate the upper components(s) (7, 8), and which has a polygonal noncircular profile having rounded corner regions (5a, 5b). The noncircular profile has a thread-like design and has a pitch, the length of which is shorter than a complete thread turn.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction welding joint of a plurality of two-dimensional components positioned on top of each other, which are held together by means of a connecting body, which rests on an upper component by means of a collar. The connecting body is configured as a pipe piece, and the upper component is penetrated by the connecting body having a front annular cutting edge by means of rotation and pressure, wherein the connecting body, after cutting through the upper component with the front thereof and receiving the cut-out material of the upper component in the hollow space thereof, together with the lower component forms a friction welding zone created by means of rotation and pressure of the connecting body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning fasteners having radially symmetrical polygonal heads in a device for feeding these fasteners to a processing station. A tubular piece having axially running grooves in its interior is provided in a feed channel for the fasteners, the number of these grooves corresponding to the number of edges on the heads of the fasteners, and the diameter of the groove corners on the inlet side of the tubular piece being greater than the width across the corners of the polygonal heads, the grooves tapering from a large width to a narrow width in the transport direction in such a way that fasteners entering the tubular piece are captured with a great clearance in relation to the grooves and leave the tubular piece with narrow clearance and therefore in the aligned position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a friction-welded connection between a plurality of superimposed flat components held together by a connecting member, wherein a collar of said connecting member rests on an upper component and the front end of said connecting member forms a friction-welding zone with a lower component, said friction-welding zone being produced by rotation and pressure of the connecting member. After formation of the friction-welding zone, the rotation of the connecting member ceases at the end of a first step and, in a second step, upon cessation of the rotation of the connecting member prior to contact of the collar with the upper component, a pressure is exerted on the connecting member by a pressure-applying tool, said pressure pressing the collar against the upper component because of a deformation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a friction welding joint of a plurality of two-dimensional components positioned on top of each other, which are held together by a connecting body which rests on the upper component by means of a collar and which, after penetrating the upper component by means of its end face as a friction welding surface, forms a friction welding zone on the lower component by means of the rotation and pressure of the connecting body. This combination includes the following features: a) An existing corrosion protection layer or corrosion layer is removed from the friction welding surface of the connecting body made of steel; b) The lower component is made of steel; c) the upper component is made of a material that is softer than that of the lower component.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning fasteners having radially symmetrical polygonal heads in a device for feeding these fasteners to a processing station. A tubular piece having axially running grooves in its interior is provided in a feed channel for the fasteners, the number of these grooves corresponding to the number of edges on the heads of the fasteners, and the diameter of the groove corners on the inlet side of the tubular piece being greater than the width across the corners of the polygonal heads, the grooves tapering from a large width to a narrow width in the transport direction in such a way that fasteners entering the tubular piece are captured with a great clearance in relation to the grooves and leave the tubular piece with narrow clearance and therefore in the aligned position.