Abstract: A fastening apparatus for setting a fastener penetrating into a workpiece having a first and a second sheet of material to be joined is provided. The fastening apparatus includes a frame supporting a punch and an upsetting die assembly. The upsetting die assembly includes a housing defining an axial bore, and a die member and a rod located in the bore. The die member and rod are axially displaceable within the bore. A stop member is pivotally connected to the frame and is in engagement with the rod. A fastener insertion force generated by the punch displaces the die member and rod within the bore, and the stop member is configured to dampen the axial displacement and reduce the fastener insertion force over a predetermined fastener insertion distance of the fastener into the workpiece.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus for setting a fastener penetrating into a workpiece having a first and a second sheet of material to be joined is provided. The fastening apparatus includes a frame supporting a punch and an upsetting die assembly. The upsetting die assembly includes a housing defining an axial bore, and a die member and a rod located in the bore. The die member and rod are axially displaceable within the bore. A stop member is pivotally connected to the frame and is in engagement with the rod. A fastener insertion force generated by the punch displaces the die member and rod within the bore, and the stop member is configured to dampen the axial displacement and reduce the fastener insertion force over a predetermined fastener insertion distance of the fastener into the workpiece.

Abstract: A weld data management and monitoring system that supports weld data trend analysis. Weld data is collected for each weld operation and a trend index equation is applied to the data to calculate a composite number for the operation. The composite numbers for numerous welds may be plotted and analyzed to detect and evaluate weld trends over a specified period of time. In an example embodiment, the trend index equation uses the weld heat input, current, resistance, and time values to calculate the composite number. Trend data may be analyzed to identify a time when variances, whether within or outside specified tolerances, occurred. The ability to detect and analyze variances in weld operation data during a specified period of time may assist the manufacturer in identifying and resolving problems related to the weld equipment as well as other manufacturing processes or operations that may have caused variances in weld operations.

Abstract: A weld data management and monitoring system that supports weld data trend analysis. Weld data is collected for each weld operation and a trend index equation is applied to the data to calculate a composite number for the operation. The composite numbers for numerous welds may be plotted and analyzed to detect and evaluate weld trends over a specified period of time. In an example embodiment, the trend index equation uses the weld heat input, current, resistance, and time values to calculate the composite number. Trend data may be analyzed to identify a time when variances, whether within or outside specified tolerances, occurred. The ability to detect and analyze variances in weld operation data during a specified period of time may assist the manufacturer in identifying and resolving problems related to the weld equipment as well as other manufacturing processes or operations that may have caused variances in weld operations.