Abstract: A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a carriage that is movable between a first position, wherein a first die receptacle is in a standby position, and a second position, wherein a second die receptacle is in the standby position. In the standby position the chosen die receptacle is accessible by the joining tool when in its transfer position.

Abstract: An interchangeable die comprises a die head, on which a die feature is formed, and a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head. The die shank includes a first axial shank section, which is adjacent to the die head, and a second axial shank section, which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head. The first axial shank section has a first diameter and the second axial shank section has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The die shank is introducible into a shank receptacle of a die receiving section of a joining tool. A fastening contour for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the interchangeable die. The fastening contour is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

Abstract: An interchangeable die for a joining tool includes a die head partially defining a die feature, and a die shank which extends from the die head in an axial direction and is insertable into a shank receptacle of a die receiving portion of a joining tool. A fastening contour is partially defined on the interchangeable die for fastening the interchangeable die on the joining tool. The fastening contour is structured for fastening the interchangeable die on the joining tool by a motion including an insert movement and a rotate movement.

Abstract: A supply device for a joining element which has a shaft, extending along a joining element axis with a first diameter, and an adjacent head with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter. The supply device comprising a base enclosing a first joining element channel, a second joining element channel and a third joining element channel, which are at least partially arranged in a common channel plane, and which each have a cross-section which is adapted to the shape of the joining element. And the first and the second joining element channels are orientated relative to each other at a switching angle which is in a range from 5° to 45°, while the first and the second joining element channels merge into the third joining element channel at a junction with a switching arrangement.

Abstract: A supply device for a joining element which has a shaft, extending along a joining element axis with a first diameter, and an adjacent head with a second diameter which is greater than the first diameter. The supply device comprising a base enclosing a first joining element channel, a second joining element channel and a third joining element channel, which are at least partially arranged in a common channel plane, and which each have a cross-section which is adapted to the shape of the joining element. And the first and the second joining element channels are orientated relative to each other at a switching angle which is in a range from 5° to 45°, while the first and the second joining element channels merge into the third joining element channel at a junction with a switching arrangement.

Abstract: A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a carriage that is movable between a first position, wherein a first die receptacle is in a standby position, and a second position, wherein a second die receptacle is in the standby position. In the standby position the chosen die receptacle is accessible by the joining tool when in its transfer position.

Abstract: A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation, and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a die receptacle for holding the die, and a rotating device for rotating the die in the receptacle in order to establish an axial engagement between the die and the joining tool.

Abstract: An interchangeable die comprises a die head, on which a die feature is formed, and a die shank extending in an axial direction from the die head. The die shank includes a first axial shank section, which is adjacent to the die head, and a second axial shank section, which is arranged on the opposite axial side of the first axial shank section from the die head. The first axial shank section has a first diameter and the second axial shank section has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. The die shank is introducible into a shank receptacle of a die receiving section of a joining tool. A fastening contour for fastening the interchangeable die to the joining tool is formed on the interchangeable die. The fastening contour is configured such that a plug-and-turn connection is establishable between the interchangeable die and the joining tool.

Abstract: An interchangeable die for a joining tool includes a die head partially defining a die feature, and a die shank which extends from the die head in an axial direction and is insertable into a shank receptacle of a die receiving portion of a joining tool. A fastening contour is partially defined on the interchangeable die for fastening the interchangeable die on the joining tool. The fastening contour is structured for fastening the interchangeable die on the joining tool by a motion including an insert movement and a rotate movement.

Abstract: A transfer station for temporarily storing at least one interchangeable die. The die can be removed by a joining tool to carry out a joining operation, and can be returned back into the transfer station after the joining operation. The transfer station including a die receptacle for holding the die, and a rotating device for rotating the die in the receptacle in order to establish an axial engagement between the die and the joining tool.

Abstract: Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool that can be moved by a programmable handling device and on which is mounted a magazine for accommodating at least one fastener. The method comprises: moving the magazine to a filling station, wherein the filling station has an always continuously open tube section with an outlet opening; orienting the magazine with respect to the outlet opening; opening an air seal of the magazine; and conveying at least one fastener to the tube section in such a manner that the fastener travels through the tube section and the outlet opening to reach the magazine.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding a connecting element into a processing position of a joining apparatus. The apparatus includes a singulation slide for separating and feeding a connecting element. The singulation slide has a through-hole running in an axial direction for accommodating the connecting element, and the through-hole is partially defined by two leg segments. The singulation slide includes a base segment and the transition from the base segment to each of the leg segments is designed so that the leg segments are flexible in a radial direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding a connecting element into a processing position of a joining apparatus. The apparatus includes a singulation slide for separating and feeding a connecting element. The singulation slide has a through-hole running in an axial direction for accommodating the connecting element, and the through-hole is partially defined by two leg segments. The singulation slide includes a base segment and the transition from the base segment to each of the leg segments is designed so that the leg segments are flexible in a radial direction.

Abstract: Method for feeding fasteners to a fastening tool that can be moved by a programmable handling device and on which is mounted a magazine for accommodating at least one fastener. The method comprises: moving the magazine to a filling station, wherein the filling station has an always continuously open tube section with an outlet opening; orienting the magazine with respect to the outlet opening; opening an air seal of the magazine; and conveying at least one fastener to the tube section in such a manner that the fastener travels through the tube section and the outlet opening to reach the magazine.

Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.

Abstract: Fastening apparatus comprises a frame having a pair of spaced arms supporting respective cooperable fastening members, loading of the frame during a fastening operation tends to spread the arms and cause variation of a desired predetermined relationship between the fastening members. One of the members is mounted on one arm of the frame by a holder constructed to deform elastically and thereby to provide at least partial compensation for the variation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor for elongate components (12) designed with a head and a shank. The conveyor comprises a feed arrangement (7). The feed arrangement (7) comprises a transfer arrangement (8) with a transfer region (15) in which a component (12) can be positioned. In the transfer region (15), a feed duct (11) having a head guiding duct (13) and a shank guiding duct (14) passes into a conveying duct (16). The transfer arrangement (8) comprises at least one catch unit (17). The catch unit (17) comprises at least one catch element (18). The catch element (18) is arranged opposite the head guiding duct (13) and penetrates at least partially therein. It can be deflected from the head guiding duct (13) against a spring force.

Abstract: Fastening apparatus comprises a frame having a pair of spaced arms supporting respective cooperable fastening members, loading of the frame during a fastening operation tends to spread the arms and cause variation of a desired predetermined relationship between the fastening members. One of the members is mounted on one arm of the frame by a holder constructed to deform elastically and thereby to provide at least partial compensation for the variation.