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 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 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: Apparatus for connecting at least two plates (1, 2) of which a supporting plate (1) comprises a higher strength than a supported plate (2) posed thereon. By means of a connecting element (5) rotated by a rotational feeder unit (11), the connecting element with a collar (6) presses the supported plate (2) onto the supporting plate (1). With a shaft (10) a friction welding connection to the supporting plate (1) is made. The rotational feeder unit (11) is provided with a measurement device with measures an axial force exerted by the rotational feeder unit as well as a respective feeding motion and which indicates, upon abutment of the shaft of the connecting element onto the supporting plate, the pressure increase encountered therein, which, thereby, advances the rotational feeder unit, the feeding motion of which is adjustable to at least three sequential connecting stages.

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 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: Apparatus for connecting at least two plates (1, 2) of which a supporting plate (1) comprises a higher strength than a supported plate (2) posed thereon. By means of a connecting element (5) rotated by a rotational feeder unit (11), the connecting element with a collar (6) presses the supported plate (2) onto the supporting plate (1). With a shaft (10) a friction welding connection to the supporting plate (1) is made. The rotational feeder unit (11) is provided with a measurement device with measures an axial force exerted by the rotational feeder unit as well as a respective feeding motion and which indicates, upon abutment of the shaft of the connecting element onto the supporting plate, the pressure increase encountered therein, which, thereby, advances the rotational feeder unit, the feeding motion of which is adjustable to at least three sequential connecting stages.

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.