Abstract: A method of bonding a first object to a second object includes the steps of: providing the first object including thermoplastic material in a solid state, providing the second object including a proximal surface, applying a mechanical pressing force and a mechanical excitation capable to liquefy the thermoplastic material until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates into structures of the second object, and stopping the mechanical excitation and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and the second object. The second object has a region of low density, wherein the protrusion penetrates the region of low density at least partly before the thermoplastic material is made flowable, and wherein the first object includes a protruding portion after the step of letting the thermoplastic material resolidify, the protruding portion at least partly penetrates the region of low density.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first object to a second object includes the steps of: providing the first object including thermoplastic material in a solid state, providing the second object including a proximal surface, applying a mechanical pressing force and a mechanical excitation capable to liquefy the thermoplastic material until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates into structures of the second object, and stopping the mechanical excitation and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and the second object. The second object has a region of low density, wherein the protrusion penetrates the region of low density at least partly before the thermoplastic material is made flowable, and wherein the first object includes a protruding portion after the step of letting the thermoplastic material resolidify, the protruding portion at least partly penetrates the region of low density.

Abstract: A computer implemented method comprises the steps of: providing a user interface to a computer terminal; providing a welding machine interface (252) to a welding machine (22; 31) which is equipped with a set of sensors having a power supply sensor (221; 311) configured to sense a power supplied by the welding machine (22; 31) to set a connector to an object in runtime; obtaining a threshold performance metric data signal representing threshold product performance metric predefined via the user interface; obtaining a power supply data signal from the welding machine (22; 31) via the welding machine interface (252), which power supply data signal represents the sensed power supplied by the welding machine (22; 31) to set the connector to the object; applying a machine learning model to the power represented by the obtained power supply data signal such that the machine learning model calculates a model product performance metric, wherein the machine learning model is specifically pre trained with training power

Abstract: A method of anchoring a first object in a second object is described. The first object extends along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end and has a circumferential surface. The circumferential surface comprises at least one helical protrusion of a thermoplastic material. For anchoring, the first object is brought in contact with the second object, and mechanical vibration is coupled into the first object from a proximally facing coupling-in face thereof so as to drive the first object into the second object in a manner that the vibration and pressing cause the first object to be subject to a helical movement relative to the second object and cause thermoplastic material of the first object to become flowable and to penetrate into structures of the second object to yield, after resolidification, a positive fit connection with the second object.

Abstract: A connector, which is configured to be anchored in a first object with thermoplastic material, defines a proximodistal axis and has a plate portion extending around the proximodistal axis and having a proximal face and a distal face, the proximal face being adapted for a tool to be pressed thereagainst. The connector further includes an attachment structure accessible from the proximal side of the plate portion and/or an interaction element having a sensor and/or actuator. An anchoring skirt protrudes distally from the plate portion and distally and radially outwardly, whereby an outer pocket open towards radially outwardly is formed between the distal face of the plate portion and a proximal face of the anchoring skirt, and an inner pocket open towards distally is formed radially inwardly of the anchoring skirt. The plate portion extends radially further than the anchoring skirt.

Abstract: A system and a method for stud fixation with the aid of mechanical vibration energy that is applied to the stud and that is used for local liquefaction or at least plastification of a material, which is based on a thermoplastic polymer and includes the stud (at least distal stud end) and/or by the object (at least in a fixation location), wherein simultaneously the distal stud end is pressed against the fixation location of the object. Depending on the material pairing of stud (distal stud end) and object (fixation location), this results, on re-solidification of the liquefied or plasticized material, in an embedding of the distal stud end in the object (e.g. positive fit connection), in a welded connection between the distal stud end and the object, or in a local penetration of stud material into the object (e.g. positive fit connection).

Abstract: A method of attaching an object to a substrate with a fastener, and an associated fastener. The object is tensible and has an engagement portion. The fastener has a protrusion, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes applying a mechanical pressing force and a mechanical excitation capable to cause a movement of the fastener in a distal direction so that the protrusion penetrates into the substrate and liquefies the thermoplastic material until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates into structures of the substrate. The engagement portion is moved in the distal direction by the movement of the fastener, wherein the movement of the engagement portion in the distal direction causes a tensioning force in the object, and wherein the fastener has a protruding portion extending at least partly into the substrate after the thermoplastic material resolidifies.

Abstract: A method of bonding a first object to a second object includes the steps of: providing the first object including thermoplastic material in a solid state, providing the second object including a proximal surface, applying a mechanical pressing force and a mechanical excitation capable to liquefy the thermoplastic material until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates into structures of the second object, and stopping the mechanical excitation and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and the second object. The second object has a region of low density, wherein the protrusion penetrates the region of low density at least partly before the thermoplastic material is made flowable, and wherein the first object includes a protruding portion after the step of letting the thermoplastic material resolidify, the protruding portion at least partly penetrates the region of low density.

Abstract: A system and a method for stud fixation with the aid of mechanical vibration energy that is applied to the stud and that is used for local liquefaction or at least plastification of a material, which is based on a thermoplastic polymer and includes the stud (at least distal stud end) and/or by the object (at least in a fixation location), wherein simultaneously the distal stud end is pressed against the fixation location of the object. Depending on the material pairing of stud (distal stud end) and object (fixation location), this results, on re-solidification of the liquefied or plasticized material, in an embedding of the distal stud end in the object (e.g. positive fit connection), in a welded connection between the distal stud end and the object, or in a local penetration of stud material into the object (e.g. positive fit connection).