Abstract: A method of anchoring a lightweight building element having a first building layer and an interlining layer distally of the first building layer, and possibly a second building layer distally of the interlining layer. For anchoring, the the distal end of a connector element is inserted into a mounting hole in the lightweight building element, and also a sleeve including a thermoplastic material is inserted into the mounting hole, the sleeve enclosing the connector element. Then, a distally facing liquefaction face of the sleeve is caused to be in contact with a proximally facing support face of the connector element. Energy impinges to liquefy at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the sleeve, and the liquefaction face is pressed against the support face to cause at least a fraction of the flow portion to flow radially outward. After the flow portion has re-solidified, it anchors the connector element in the receiving object.

Abstract: The relates to a method of mechanically securing a first object to a second object and includes the steps of: providing the first object including thermoplastic material in a solid state, providing the second object with a generally flat sheet portion having an edge, positioning the first object relative to the second object and bringing the first object and the second object to a relative movement to each other. The relative movement includes a rotational movement, such that a melting zone including flowable thermoplastic material is formed and such that thermoplastic material of the melting zone flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. The invention further concerns a connector that is suitable for being used in a method according to the invention.

Abstract: A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object having a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object having a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut, so that the second object is capable of making a positive-fit connection with the first object; pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool; continuing to press and couple vibrations into the tool until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object; and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects by the re-solidified flow portion interpenetrating the coupling structures.

Abstract: Methods of bonding a first object to a second object, including the steps of: providing the second object having a protrusion; providing the first object having a thermoplastic material; positioning the first object relative to the second object such that an assembly of the first and the second object is formed; applying a relative force between the second and first objects and applying mechanical vibration to the assembly of the first and the second object until at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the protrusion; and causing the thermoplastic material to re-solidify. The first object may be a connecting element including a feedthrough, wherein the second object has a corresponding opening. The protrusion may be deformed such that the protrusion has an undercut relative to an axis along which the first and second objects are pressed against each other.

Abstract: An adaptor for securing a second object includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part, wherein the anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface. The adjustment part has a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The anchoring part and the adjustment part define a common axis that is not perpendicular to the z direction, wherein the first control surface and possibly also the second control surface is/are helical with respect to the axis. Thereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is defined by the relative orientation of the adjustment part with respect to the common axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface.

Abstract: A profile body of a not liquefiable material is used as a connecting element between a first object and a second object. The profile body may especially be metallic and/or may be bendable. The profile body, in contrast to a conventional wire, however, has a shape defining a first and a second undercut. The method includes embedding the profile body in the second object so that the second undercut is within material of the second object, and embedding the profile body within material of the first object so that the first undercut is within the first object, and wherein at least embedding of the profile body in the first object is caused by mechanical energy impinging on the first object and/or on the second object while the first object and the second object are pressed against each other.

Abstract: A method of bonding a connector to a first object includes providing the first object and the connector, the connector extending between a proximal end and a distal end and has a connector body that forms a distally facing punching edge. At least one of the connector and of the first object includes a thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method further includes driving the connector into the first object and coupling mechanical vibration into the connector until the connector extends through a portion of the first object from a proximal side to a distal side thereof and material of the first object is punched out by the connector body, and until at least a flow portion of the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows relative to the first object and the connector body while the connector body remains solid. Thereafter, the thermoplastic material is allowed to re-solidify.

Abstract: A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object having a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object having a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut, so that the second object is capable of making a positive-fit connection with the first object; pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool; continuing to press and couple vibrations into the tool until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object; and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects by the re-solidified flow portion interpenetrating the coupling structures.

Abstract: A method of bonding a second object to a first object includes: providing the first object having a thermoplastic liquefiable material in a solid state; providing the second object having a surface portion that has a coupling structure with an undercut, so that the second object is capable of making a positive-fit connection with the first object; pressing the second object against the first object with a tool that is in physical contact with a coupling-in structure of the second object while mechanical vibrations are coupled into the tool; continuing to press and couple vibrations into the tool until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material of the first object is liquefied and flows into the coupling structures of the second object; and letting the thermoplastic material re-solidify to yield a positive-fit connection between the first and second objects by the re-solidified flow portion interpenetrating the coupling structures.

Abstract: A method of bonding a connector to a first object includes providing the connector, the connector being separate from the first object and including a thermoplastic material; arranging the first object and the connector relative to one another so that the connector reaches from a proximal side of the object through a first opening in the object; generating and applying vibrations and mechanical pressure to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and caused to flow sideways radially into an open space; and removing the source of the vibrations and causing the liquefied thermoplastic material to re-solidify, resulting in the connector with a foot portion, a head portion, and a shaft portion between the foot portion and the head portion. The shaft portion extends along an axis through the first opening, and secures the connector to the first object.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector in a first object is provided, the connector having a thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, bringing the connector into contact with the first object from a distal side thereof, causing mechanical vibration energy to impinge on the first object from a proximal end face thereof, the proximal end face being opposite the distal side, while the object and the connector are pressed against each other, until a proximally facing end of connector is at least partially flowable forming a flow portion of the thermoplastic material, and causing the flow portion to flow into structures of the first object, and letting the flow portion re-solidify to cause a positive-fit connection between the first object and the connector.

Abstract: A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

Abstract: A method of mechanically securing a first object including a thermoplastic material in a solid state to a second object with a generally flat sheet portion, with a perforation of the sheet portion, and with the sheet portion having an edge along the perforation is provided, wherein the first object is positioned relative to the second object so that the edge is in contact with the thermoplastic material and wherein mechanical vibration energy is coupled into the assembly including the first and second objects until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material due to friction heat generated between the edge and the thermoplastic material becomes flowable and flows around the edge to at least partially embed the edge in the thermoplastic material. After the mechanical vibration stops, the thermoplastic material is caused to re-solidify, whereby the re-solidified thermoplastic material at least partially embedding the edge anchors the first object in the second object.

Abstract: A method for joining a device to an object with the aid of a combination of ultrasonic vibration energy and induction heating, wherein the device includes a portion of a thermoplastic polymer and a susceptor additive wherein this portion is at least partly liquefied or plasticized through the ultrasonic vibration energy in combination with the induction heating and wherein the joining includes establishing a connection between the device and the object which connection is at least one of a positive fit connection, a weld, a press fit connection, and an adhesive connection. The induction heating is applied for rendering the device portion suitable for absorption of ultrasonic vibration energy than other device portions by raising its temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer. The ultrasonic vibration energy is used for liquefying or at least plasticizing the thermoplastic polymer of the named device portion.

Abstract: A method of bonding a connector to a first object includes providing the connector, the connector being separate from the first object and including a thermoplastic material; arranging the first object and the connector relative to one another so that the connector reaches from a proximal side of the object through a first opening in the object; generating and applying vibrations and mechanical pressure to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and caused to flow sideways radially into an open space; and removing the source of the vibrations and causing the liquefied thermoplastic material to re-solidify, resulting in the connector with a foot portion, a head portion, and a shaft portion between the foot portion and the head portion. The shaft portion extends along an axis through the first opening, and secures the connector to the first object.

Abstract: A method of bonding a connector to a first object includes providing the connector, the connector being separate from the first object and including a thermoplastic material; arranging the first object and the connector relative to one another so that the connector reaches from a proximal side of the object through a first opening in the object; generating and applying vibrations and mechanical pressure to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is liquefied and caused to flow sideways radially into an open space; and removing the source of the vibrations and causing the liquefied thermoplastic material to re-solidify, resulting in the connector with a foot portion, a head portion, and a shaft portion between the foot portion and the head portion. The shaft portion extends along an axis through the first opening, and secures the connector to the first object.

Abstract: An adaptor is secured to a first object. The adaptor includes an anchoring part and an adjustment part. The anchoring part includes a distally facing anchoring surface and a proximally facing first control surface. The adjustment part has a distally facing second control surface positioned to abut against the first control surface. The first control surface or the second control surface or both is/are helical. Thereby a relative z position of the adjustment part with respect to the anchoring part is defined by the relative orientation of the adjustment part with respect to the common axis while the second control surface abuts against the first control surface. This is used to adjust the z position of the adjustment part relative to the first object, in connection with the orientation of the adjustment part being defined and possibly fixed by the function of the adaptor/the adjustment part.

Abstract: A method of fastening a second object to a fiber composite part including a structure of fibers embedded in a matrix material includes: providing the fiber composite part including an attachment surface, with a portion of the structure of fibers being exposed at the attachment surface; providing the second object; placing the second object relative to the fiber composite part, with a resin in a flowable state between the attachment surface and the connector; pressing the second object and the fiber composite part against each other and causing mechanical vibration to act on the second object or the fiber composite part or both, thereby causing the resin to infiltrate the exposed structure of fibers and activating the resin to cross-link; whereby the resin, after cross-linking, secures the second object to the fiber composite part.