Abstract: A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

Abstract: A metal fastening or joining apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a single piece die guard includes an integral die shield section and an integral retainer section, wherein a die anvil can be removed, and the die shield section has a low height and a small lateral square width. A further aspect employs a generally square peripheral shape for a die shield within which is an anvil and movable die blades, which are operable to fasten or join sheet metal workpieces together in an interlocking manner. In still another aspect, a projecting and/or peripheral orientation structure is on a backside of a workpiece fastening die assembly which allows for anvil reorientation without the need to also reorient a laterally surrounding die shield and retainer.

Abstract: A clinching apparatus includes a clinching punch having a specifically dimensioned tapered surface which improves the strength of a clinch joint created therewith. In another aspect, a tapered surface adjacent a distal end of a clinching punch has an angle of 20-35° relative to a distal end. A further aspect of a clinching apparatus provides a tapered surface adjacent a distal end which is configured in accordance with a specific formula.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for clinching a workpiece is provided. The apparatus generally includes a clamp body, an arm, a punch, a die and a first linear actuator. The arm is rotatably fixed to the clamp body around a first pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The punch is mounted to one of the body and the arm.

Abstract: A clinching apparatus includes a clinching punch having a specifically dimensioned tapered surface which improves the strength of a clinch joint created therewith. In another aspect, a tapered surface adjacent a distal end of a clinching punch has an angle of 20-35° relative to a distal end. A further aspect of a clinching apparatus provides a tapered surface adjacent a distal end which is configured in accordance with a specific formula.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: A pierce nut insertion tool is provided. In another aspect, a pierce nut feeding mechanism has a mechanically independent driver actuator from that of a punch. A further aspect of the present tool employs a member, moveable with a punch, that retains a pierce nut prior to fastening of the nut to a workpiece. An additional aspect uses a fluid actuated nut feeder including a piston.

Abstract: An apparatus for clinching a workpiece is provided. The apparatus generally includes a clamp body, an arm, a punch, a die and a first linear actuator. The arm is rotatably fixed to the clamp body around a first pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The punch is mounted to one of the body and the arm.

Abstract: A sheet fastening apparatus and method are provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a die assembly for forming a joint between sheets of material is disclosed wherein the die assembly includes an anvil, at least one die blade disposed adjacent to and overlapping a punch-side of the anvil, a flexible retainer, and a shield that coaxially and radially surrounds a portion of the anvil and/or die blade.

Abstract: An intensifier is operable to supply force and includes a housing defining a cavity. A ram is slidably positioned within the cavity and partially extends from the housing. The ram is moveable between retracted and extended positions along a longitudinal axis. First and second links are rotatably coupled to one another about an axis of rotation and are selectively moveable between retracted positions where the axis of rotation is not axially aligned with the ram and partially extended positions where the axis of rotation is axially aligned with the ram. The intensifier includes a plurality of power pistons axially aligned with each other and the ram. The power pistons are selectively operable to provide an output force to the ram when the first and second links are in the partially extended positions.

Abstract: An intensifier is operable to supply force and includes a housing defining a cavity. A ram is slidably positioned within the cavity and partially extends from the housing. The ram is moveable between retracted and extended positions along a longitudinal axis. First and second links are rotatably coupled to one another about an axis of rotation and are selectively moveable between retracted positions where the axis of rotation is not axially aligned with the ram and partially extended positions where the axis of rotation is axially aligned with the ram. The intensifier includes a plurality of power pistons axially aligned with each other and the ram. The power pistons are selectively operable to provide an output force to the ram when the first and second links are in the partially extended positions.

Abstract: A pressure intensifier for generating a relatively large force includes a plurality of pistons driven in advancing and retracting directions. The pressure intensifier includes a rod selectively drivable into a cavity to amplify the force acting on one of the pistons. A valve limits fluid flow to control the rate of movement of one of the pistons.

Abstract: An intensifier is operable to supply force and includes a housing defining a cavity. A ram is slidably positioned within the cavity and partially extends from the housing. The intensifier also includes a force transfer rod and a plurality of power pistons. The ram is moveable between retracted and extended positions along a longitudinal axis. The force transfer rod is selectively moveable between a retracted position where the force transfer rod is not axially aligned with the ram and an advanced position where the force transfer rod is axially aligned with the ram. The plurality of power pistons are axially aligned with each other and the ram. The power pistons are selectively operable to provide an output force to the ram when the force transfer rod is in the advanced position.

Abstract: A flexible retainer for retaining die blades in a tool assembly. The retainer comprises inner and outer walls with the inner wall being generally concentric with and radially spaced inward from the outer wall. The inner wall defines a central opening in the retainer which is configured and adapted to extend radially around the die blades so that the retainer retains the die blades in the die assembly while allowing radial movement of the die blades. The retainer may have at least one channel that extends axially between the inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A pressure intensifier for generating a relatively large force includes a plurality of pistons driven in advancing and retracting directions. The pressure intensifier includes a body having a cavity used as an internal fluid reservoir. Furthermore, a damping mechanism limits the relative acceleration between pressure intensifier components during operation.

Abstract: A flexible retainer for retaining die blades in a tool assembly. The retainer comprises inner and outer walls with the inner wall being generally concentric with and radially spaced inward from the outer wall. The inner wall defines a central opening in the retainer which is configured and adapted to extend radially around the die blades so that the retainer retains the die blades in the die assembly while allowing radial movement of the die blades. The retainer may have at least one channel that extends axially between the inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A composite stripper for use in conjunction with an apparatus for joining multiple pieces of sheet metal or other sheet material is disclosed. The composite stripper is an elongated cylindrical member having a compliant distal engagement portion which is compressible to clamp sheet materials tightly together and a relatively hard proximate portion to provide an adequate interface between the punch assembly and the material to be joined.