Abstract: A method of repairing and a repaired friction stir welded assembly is disclosed. The friction stir welded assembly repair may include the steps of: drilling a hole through a discrepant portion of the friction stir welded assembly; sliding a mandrel head and a tubular rivet body of a rivet assembly through the hole; seating a rivet head and an adhesive/sealer washer against one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, with the adhesive/sealer washer located between portions of the rivet head and body and the friction stir welded assembly; pulling a mandrel to cause the mandrel head to create an upset portion of the rivet body engaging the friction stir welded assembly; and curing the adhesive/sealer washer.

Abstract: A method of repairing and a repaired friction stir welded assembly is disclosed. The friction stir welded assembly repair may include the steps of: drilling a hole through a discrepant portion of the friction stir welded assembly; sliding a mandrel head and a tubular rivet body of a rivet assembly through the hole; seating a rivet head and an adhesive/sealer washer against one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, with the adhesive/sealer washer located between portions of the rivet head and body and the friction stir welded assembly; pulling a mandrel to cause the mandrel head to create an upset portion of the rivet body engaging the friction stir welded assembly; and curing the adhesive/sealer washer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting metal members, and particularly, metal sheets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rivet assembly for driving rivets into stacked metal sheets and a die assembly for assisting in supporting the sheets during driving of the rivets and for assisting in securing the rivets to the sheets. The rivet assembly, the die assembly or both in combination provide energy to at least a portion of the metal sheets prior to riveting. In turn, the energy elevates the temperature of the portion of the sheets such that the rivets can be more effectively driven into the sheets and such that the sheets are fastened to each other with greater ease and consistency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clinching metal sheets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a punch assembly for stamping indentations into stacked metal sheets and a die assembly for assisting in supporting the sheets during stamping of the indentations and for assisting in forming the indentations. The punch assembly, the die assembly or both in combination provide energy to at least a portion of the metal sheets prior to stamping. In turn, the energy elevates the temperature of the portion of the sheets such that the indentations can be more effectively formed in the portion and such that the sheets are fastened to each other with greater strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for riveting metal members, and particularly, metal sheets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rivet assembly for driving rivets into stacked metal sheets and a die assembly for assisting in supporting the sheets during driving of the rivets and for assisting in securing the rivets to the sheets. The rivet assembly, the die assembly or both in combination provide energy to at least a portion of the metal sheets prior to riveting. In turn, the energy elevates the temperature of the portion of the sheets such that the rivets can be more effectively driven into the sheets and such that the sheets are fastened to each other with greater ease and consistency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for loosely attaching blind rivets to components of an assembly. The method includes attaching a rivet to an assembly while positioning the head at a predetermined clearance away from the adjacent one of the assembly components. One or both of the aligned openings in the components may be enlarged to leave radial clearance between the assembled rivet body and the enlarged openings. The apparatus includes a nose insert for use with or attachment to a rivet gun or attaching apparatus. The insert forms a stop engageable by a preformed rivet head to maintain a predetermined clearance between the rivet head and adjacent component when the rivet is attached to components forming an assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clinching metal sheets is disclosed. The apparatus includes a punch assembly for stamping indentations into stacked metal sheets and a die assembly for assisting in supporting the sheets during stamping of the indentations and for assisting in forming the indentations. The punch assembly, the die assembly or both in combination provide energy to at least a portion of the metal sheets prior to stamping. In turn, the energy elevates the temperature of the portion of the sheets such that the indentations can be more effectively formed in the portion and such that the sheets are fastened to each other with greater strength.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for loosely attaching blind rivets to components of an assembly. The method includes attaching a rivet to an assembly while positioning the head at a predetermined clearance away from the adjacent one of the assembly components. One or both of the aligned openings in the components may be enlarged to leave radial clearance between the assembled rivet body and the enlarged openings. The apparatus includes a nose insert for use with or attachment to a rivet gun or attaching apparatus. The insert forms a stop engageable by a preformed rivet head to maintain a predetermined clearance between the rivet head and adjacent component when the rivet is attached to components forming an assembly.