Abstract: A method of determining the level of the effect of each system entity on the overall system performance, wherein the status of each entity at each one of discrete points of time is determined as the corresponding one of an active and an inactive status; the length of the active period in which each entity is situated without interruption in the active status is determined as an active time; and, on the basis of the relationship in magnitude between the system entities with respect to the determined active time, the level at which each entity affects the performance of the system is determined.

Abstract: A method of estimating a measure of randomness of a function of at least one representative value of at least one random variable is constructed to have the steps of obtaining the at least one random variable; determining the at least one representative value of the obtained at least one random variable; determining a first statistic of the obtained at least one random variable; determining a gradient of the function with respect to the determined at least one representative value; and transforming the obtained first statistic into a second statistic of the function, using the determined gradient. The step of transforming may be adapted to transform the first statistic into the second statistic, such that the second statistic responds to the first statistic more sensitively in the case of the gradient being steep than in the case of the gradient being gentle.

Abstract: A method of estimating a measure of randomness of a function of at least one representative value of at least one random variable is constructed to have the steps of obtaining the at least one random variable; determining the at least one representative value of the obtained at least one random variable; determining a first statistic of the obtained at least one random variable; determining a gradient of the function with respect to the determined at least one representative value; and transforming the obtained first statistic into a second statistic of the function, using the determined gradient. The step of transforming may be adapted to transform the first statistic into the second statistic, such that the second statistic responds to the first statistic more sensitively in the case of the gradient being steep than in the case of the gradient being gentle.

Abstract: A method of determining the level of the effect of each system entity on the overall system performance, wherein the status of each entity at each one of discrete points of time is determined as the corresponding one of an active and an inactive status; the length of the active period in which each entity is situated without interruption in the active status is determined as an active time; and, on the basis of the relationship in magnitude between the system entities with respect to the determined active time, the level at which each entity affects the performance of the system is determined.

Abstract: A fastening element for fastening on or in a component, in particular a T-stud or punch rivet, has a fastening end. The fastening element has, at a guide end remote from the fastening end, a recess for receiving a tool end piece which fits into the recess and by means of which the fastening element can be positioned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for protecting an internal thread (7) of a blind rivet (2) during a second operation, such as painting or lacquering, wherein the internal thread (7) is provided with a mandrel (9) having a shank 12 with an external thread, which mandrel (9) is connected to the blind rivet (2) during riveting of the blind rivet (2) to a workpiece (1) and remains in the internal thread (7) during the second operation so as to protect the internal thread (7) from soiling during the workpiece (1) and the blind rivet (2) having its surface worked on, as by being painted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a punch rivet connection and to a joining device, a plunger (4) and optionally a clamp (5) being driven via a transmission unit (2). The transmission unit (2) converts a rotational movement of an electric motor drive unit (1) into a translation movement of the plunger (4) or of the clamp (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming a friction-welded joint between a first (10) and a second (50) metallic component, in particular a friction-welded joint between a function-welding stud and a metal plate, wherein a guide element (1) of the first component (10) is introduced into a positioning bore (53) extending substantially perpendicularly to a surface (55) of the second component (50) until a welding face (2) of the first component (10) comes into contact with the surface (55) round the positioning bore (53) and wherein the two components (10; 50) are rotated relative to one another round an axis of rotation in the longitudinal direction of the guide element (1) such that an annular joint region is produced between the two components (10; 50). The invention also relates to a metallic fastening member (10) for forming such a friction-welded joint. The positioning bore (53) and the guide element (1) allow a friction-welded joint to be formed exactly at a predetermined point.

Abstract: The invention provides a tack gripper for a tack welding gun wherein the tack gripper is U-shaped in design. The tack gripper has two arms connected by a base. At least one arm of the tack gripper is resilient in design. The arms have a bent back portion at their free end. The portion is arranged between the respective arms. The portions contain holes in which the catch knobs formed on the workpiece to be welded can engage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the application of components strung together in the manner of a belt onto workpieces in which the components are intermittently brought successively into a separating position for a respective component. The component halted in the separating position is initially grasped by a spatially movable jointing tool brought to the separating position over a free path, the jointing tool being held in its position defined by the halted component, the grasped component then severed from the subsequent component and is finally transferred by the jointing tool into the respectively desired jointing position remote from the separating position, in which the component is fastened on the workpiece, for example by electric arc welding.

Abstract: The invention provides a gripper for a tack welding gun wherein the tack gripper is U-shaped in design. The tack gripper has two arms connected by a base. At least one arm of the tack gripper is resilient in design. The arms have a bent back portion at their free end. The portion is arranged between the respective arms. The portions contain holes in which the catch knobs formed on the workpiece to be welded can engage.