Abstract: A joining device includes: a pair of pressing members disposed to face each other to sandwich joining target members from both sides in a stacking direction of the joining target members and configured to press the joining target members; and power supply members disposed on one or both sides in the stacking direction of the joining target members to sandwich a pressing target portion of the joining target members by the pressing members and configured to come into contact with and supply power to the joining target members. The power supply members are provided at positions not overlapping the pressing members in the stacking direction of the joining target members, and the pressing members press the joining target members while the power supply members supply power to the joining target members, thereby generating resistance heat in the pressing target portion and joining the joining target members.

Abstract: A resistance welding method includes: welding a plurality of welding target members by supplying an electric current through electrodes; and generating a fragile portion in a position of the welding target members different from a position subject to the welding by using the electrodes for the welding or electrodes separate from the electrodes for the welding, before, during, or after the welding is performed.

Abstract: A resistance welding apparatus includes: a cleaning system that, before a welding electrode contacts a welding target, supplies a fluid to clean, of a contact portion of the welding electrode and a contact portion of the welding target, at least the contact portion of the welding target, the contact portion of the welding target being to contact the welding electrode, the contact portion of the welding electrode being to contact the welding target; and a cooling system that, during and/or after welding the welding target by the welding electrode, supplies the fluid to cool the welding electrode and a portion near the contact portion of the welding target.

Abstract: The molding method according to the present invention includes a first step of disposing a composite material and a molded member in an overlapped manner between a die having a first mold part and a punch having a second mold part opposing the first mold part, and a second step of pressing the punch in a direction to approach the die so as to mold the composite material and the molded member into shapes corresponding to the first and second mold parts and join the composite material and the molded member to each other. The composite material has a thickness of 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

Abstract: A molding method according to the present invention is a method of molding a composite material including a first member, a second member, and a reinforcement member interposed between the first member and the second member, the method including a first step of disposing the reinforcement member between the first member and the second member, and a second step of causing the first member to collide with the second member by a predetermined urging force after the reinforcement member is disposed, thus joining the first member and the second member with the reinforcement member interposed between the first member and the second member. The composite material has a thickness of 0.01 mm or more and 1 mm or less.

Abstract: A resistance welding machine includes a first electrode and a second electrode which are configured so that the first and second electrodes can hold a workpiece therebetween and apply a current to the workpiece. The first electrode includes a first inner electrode and a first outer electrode disposed outside the first inner electrode at a predetermined interval. The second electrode includes a second inner electrode and a second outer electrode disposed outside the second inner electrode at a predetermined interval. The resistance welding machine further includes a control unit that can control a pressing state of the workpiece with the first and second electrodes according to predetermined welding conditions and selects a pair of electrodes that apply a current to the workpiece from the first inner electrode, the first outer electrode, the second inner electrode, and the second outer electrode.

Abstract: A joining apparatus is an apparatus for performing joining of a joining target object including multiple members stacked on each other and a thermosetting adhesive arranged on joining target portions of the multiple members. The joining apparatus includes a first electrode; a second electrode; a pressurization mechanism configured to cause the first and second electrodes to pressure-contact the surface of the joining target object in the vicinity of the joining target portions; a power source configured to distribute power to between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a control unit configured to distribute the power to between both electrodes by the power source in a state in which the first electrode and the second electrode pressure-contact the surface by the pressurization mechanism, thereby performing joining of the joining target object by curing of the thermosetting adhesive by resistance heating generated at the joining target object.

Abstract: Provided is a method which comprises: an attaching step of attaching a pair of installation jigs, respectively, to right and left opposite lateral portions of a support member; a clamping step of clamping the clampable surface portion of each of the installation jigs by a clamping unit of a transfer device; a temporarily mounting step of transferring the instrument panel module to the front of the passenger compartment by the transfer device to temporarily mount each of the right and left mounting brackets to a sidewall of a vehicle body; and a fastening step of, after the temporarily mounting step, detaching the installation jigs from the support member, and fastening each of the right and left mounting brackets to the sidewall of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction by a fastening bolt.

Abstract: Provided is a method which comprises: an attaching step of attaching a pair of installation jigs, respectively, to right and left opposite lateral portions of a support member; a clamping step of clamping the clampable surface portion of each of the installation jigs by a clamping unit of a transfer device; a temporarily mounting step of transferring the instrument panel module to the front of the passenger compartment by the transfer device to temporarily mount each of the right and left mounting brackets to a sidewall of a vehicle body; and a fastening step of, after the temporarily mounting step, detaching the installation jigs from the support member, and fastening each of the right and left mounting brackets to the sidewall of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction by a fastening bolt.