Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for fastening a functional element to a section of a workpiece and/or for reshaping a section of the workpiece, said apparatus comprising a support device for supporting the workpiece, wherein the workpiece section has a first surface facing the support device and a second surface facing away from the support device. The support device comprises a first support element having a first workpiece support surface that is associated with the first surface, and a second support element having a second workpiece support surface that faces away from the first workpiece support surface and that is associated with a supporting surface. The first and the second support element are movable relative to one another by means of a spreading device such that the first and the second workpiece support surface can be moved away from one another in an axial direction, in particular wherein the axial direction extends perpendicular to the first and/or second workpiece support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening element for fastening to a workpiece, said fastening element comprising at least a first workpiece element having a first opening and a second workpiece element having a second opening aligned with the first opening, wherein the fastening element has a first contact section having a first contact surface for contact with a region of the first workpiece element surrounding the first opening and a second contact section having a second contact surface for contact with a region of the second workpiece element surrounding the second opening, with the first contact section and the second contact section being connected to one another by means of a reshaping section, and with a rivet section extending from the second contact section in a direction facing away from the reshaping section. The invention further relates to a corresponding component assembly and to a method of manufacturing such a component assembly.

Abstract: A functional element for pressing into a workpiece comprises a functional section; and a fastening section having an abutment surface for introducing a press-in force into the functional element; a workpiece contact surface that is disposed opposite the abutment surface; and a sealing region for receiving displaced material of the workpiece, said sealing region being disposed between the workpiece contact surface and the functional section and forming a contact surface for the displaced material to seal a connection between the functional element and the workpiece, wherein the contact surface has a first part surface, which extends obliquely to an axial direction and which converges viewed in a press-in direction of the functional element, and a second part surface that adjoins the first part surface, that extends obliquely to the axial direction of the functional element, and that diverges viewed in the press-in direction of the functional element.

Abstract: A self-punching functional element serves for fastening to a workpiece, in particular to a high-strength sheet metal part, and comprises a functional section; and a fastening section that has a contact surface for an engagement of a setting device, an end face remote from the contact surface, and an outer peripheral surface connecting the contact surface and the end face. The end face is radially outwardly bounded by a punching edge for punching a slug out of the workpiece, and at least one projection is provided at the outer peripheral surface adjacent to the contact surface, said projection rising from the outer peripheral surface in a radial direction and extending further outwardly in the radial direction than the punching edge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening unit for fastening to a workpiece, said fastening unit comprising a rivet element and a reshaping element coupled to the rivet element and movable relative thereto, wherein the rivet element has a rivet section and the reshaping element has a reshaping section and a support section, which is arranged at a region of the reshaping element remote from the reshaping section, for axially supporting the fastening unit at an abutment. The rivet section and the reshaping section are designed such that, on an axial relative movement between the rivet element and the reshaping element that is produced by an introduction movement, the rivet section cooperates with the reshaping section and can be reshaped by it in a radial direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is adapted for punching into a workpiece, in particular into a sheet metal part. It comprises a head part forming a flange and having a contact surface for contact with the workpiece; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, in particular from the contact surface, and that is in particular arranged coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the functional element. The punching section has a peripheral punching edge at its free end for punching through the workpiece and surrounds a cavity in a peripheral direction, said cavity having an opening defined by the punching edge. An inner wall of the punching section facing the cavity has at least one elevated slug securing portion projecting radially inwardly into the cavity, in particular wherein the elevated portion has the form of a rib extending in an axial direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a self-punching fastening element for connecting a first workpiece to a second workpiece. The fastening element comprises a ring section that surrounds an opening of the fastening element in a peripheral direction and that has a workpiece contact surface, which is bounded at a radial outer side by a punching edge, and a shaft section that is connected to the ring section by means of a coupling section, that is arranged coaxially with the opening, that extends from the side of the ring section remote from the workpiece contact surface, and that has an outer contour that is designed complementary to an inner contour of the opening such that the shaft section can be guided at least partly through the opening after a separation of the connection with the ring section. Furthermore, the invention relates to a component assembly, comprising a self-punching fastening element as well as a first workpiece and possibly a second workpiece, and to a method of manufacturing the component assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-punching functional element that is configured for punching into a workpiece, comprising a head part forming a flange; and a punching section that extends away from the head part, and that has a peripheral punching edge, wherein the head part has a contact surface for contact with the workpiece, said contact surface at least sectionally surrounding the punching section at a radial outer side, and a boundary section that at least sectionally bounds the contact surface at the radial outer side and that extends away from the contact surface in the same direction as the punching section. The invention further relates to a component assembly comprising a self-punching functional element, and a workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fastening a fastening element to a workpiece by means of a setting device, wherein the fastening element and/or the workpiece is/are at least sectionally reshaped during the fastening, and wherein a lubricant is used that is free of grease and free of oil, in particular with the lubricant being a substance mixture of two or more substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fastening a fastening element to a workpiece, in particular to a sheet metal part, wherein the fastening element comprises a flange section provided for contact with the workpiece; and a fastening section which has a rivet section that at least sectionally bounds a hollow space in a peripheral direction and that is at least sectionally produced from a metal material, said method comprising the steps: providing the workpiece; inserting the fastening element into the workpiece; and at least sectionally reshaping the rivet section such that a reshaped section of the rivet element engages behind the workpiece at a side of the workpiece remote from the flange section, wherein the insertion and the reshaping are effected by a fastening movement of the fastening element in a common fastening direction; and wherein the fastening element, the workpiece, and/or a reshaping tool provided for reshaping the rivet section is/are acted on by a mechanical vibration, in partic

Abstract: A drive unit of a fluid-actuated linear drive includes a piston rod, an annular drive piston seated coaxially on the piston rod and a buffer sleeve which is likewise seated coaxially on the piston rod. These components are secured to one another by one and the same common welded joint. Furthermore, a method for the manufacture of such a drive unit and a fluid-actuated linear drive equipped with such a drive unit is proposed.

Abstract: A drive unit of a fluid-actuated linear drive includes piston rod, an annular drive piston seated coaxially on the piston rod and a buffer sleeve which is likewise seated coaxially on the piston rod. These components are secured to one another by one and the same common welded joint. Furthermore, a method for the manufacture of such a drive unit and a fluid-actuated linear drive equipped with such a drive unit is proposed.

Abstract: A method for welding workpieces where at least two workpieces are welded together by means of friction stir welding, at least one of the workpieces being treated with ultrasound during the welding.