Abstract: A die for deforming a workpiece material in a joining tool comprises a head with a top side partially defining a cavity in which the workpiece material is to be deformed, a bottom side opposite the top side, a lateral side arranged between the top side and the bottom side, and a stem which extends along a longitudinal axis from the bottom side of the head. The die further comprises an identification tag, preferably an RFID tag, having an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a signal, and a storing element for storing information, and the antenna is wrapped circumferentially around the head, such that the antenna entirely surrounds the head. The head may also include a groove extending around the head on the lateral side with the antenna arranged in the groove. Additionally, the die may include a recess with the storing element located in the recess.

Abstract: A die for deforming a workpiece material in a joining tool comprises a head with a top side partially defining a cavity in which the workpiece material is to be deformed, a bottom side opposite the top side, a lateral side arranged between the top side and the bottom side, and a stem which extends along a longitudinal axis from the bottom side of the head. The die further comprises an identification tag, preferably an RFID tag, having an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting a signal, and a storing element for storing information, and the antenna is wrapped circumferentially around the head, such that the antenna entirely surrounds the head. The head may also include a groove extending around the head on the lateral side with the antenna arranged in the groove. Additionally, the die may include a recess with the storing element located in the recess.

Abstract: Joining method, in particular for connecting at least two workpieces, in which during a joining operation the profile (F) of a force exerted by a joining tool is recorded and compared with a reference force profile (FR) in order to be able to check the quality of the joined connection produced, the difference (?) between the force profile (F) and the reference force profile (FR) being formed, and at least one segment (A; B) of the difference profile (?F) thereby determined being mapped numerically onto a quality value (QW).

Abstract: A method for monitoring a mechanical joining process performed by a joining tool including a frame, a punch that is displaceable on the frame along a joining axis, a die that is mounted on the frame, and a hold-down device, which is mounted in an axially displaceable manner on the punch and biased in a joining direction; and the monitoring method comprises the steps of: starting the joining process; measuring the punch force exerted by the punch; acquiring the relative travel of the punch in relation to the hold-down device; and plotting a joining curve of punch force versus the relative travel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which a workpiece is supported on one arm of a C-shaped counterforce structure and is operated upon by a mechanism supported on the other arm of the counterforce structure. The operation causes deformation of the counterforce structure, which is measured, and the operation is adjusted responsive to the measured deformation.

Abstract: The method according to the invention for riveting, or self-piercing, by means of a riveting or self-piercing device (8), having a male die (3) guided by a pick-up device (4), both of which in each case can be moved towards a female die (5) and/or a workpiece (6), wherein the female die (5) and riveting or self-piercing device (8) will be connected to one another via a counterforce structure (9). The relative movement between the pick-up device (4) and the counterforce structure (9) is measured by a first sensor (1), and the relative movement between counterforce structure (9) and male die (3) is measured by a second sensor (2). The depth of the riveting or piercing is adjusted with the aid of the two measured values.