Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a container comprising forming a basket portion of metal mesh material and a rail connected to the basket portion. The rail extends substantially outwardly from the outer surface of the basket portion and the rail extends continuously around the outer surface of the basket portion. In one example, the method includes forming the rail so that it does not contain or surround a free edge of the basket portion. In another example, the method includes forming the rail so that it includes an opening for containing or surrounding a free edge of the basket portion. The method may also include forming a lower rail. The present invention is also directed to a container formed by such method.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a tight, form-fitting connection between a housing cover and a housing body, wherein the housing cover has cover tabs protruding from an edge thereof, and an edge area of the housing body has recesses for respectively receiving the cover tabs. The method involves positioning the housing cover on the housing body and deforming the cover tabs in the housing recesses to produce the tight, form-fitting connection in a single operation with a single tool.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining an ornament, for example, an ornamental crystal, on a frame or plate is provided. The method includes providing a pin having a first end and a second end, opposite the first end, the second end comprising a projection, for example, a head; inserting the first end of the pin through an aperture in the ornament and through a hole in the frame wherein the projection obstructs the aperture in the ornament; deforming, for example, twisting, the second end of the pin to provide a deformation of the second end that obstructs passage of the second end through the hole in the frame; and retaining the ornament on the frame by the projection of the first end of the pin and the deformation of the second end of the pin. Aspects of the invention facilitate the mounting of ornaments to ornamental fixtures, for example, chandeliers.

Abstract: A method of producing a load-bearing steel construction connection, wherein a clinch connection (13) connecting a first metal workpiece (6.1, 6.2) with a second metal workpiece (6.3, 6.4) is formed by local deformation by means of a die tool (20) and a counter-tool (30). In that case initially the first metal workpiece (6.1, 6.2) and the second metal workpiece (6.3, 6.4) are placed one on the other on a processing surface of the counter-tool and aligned. The die of the die tool is then advanced and sunk into the two metal workpieces (6.1, 6.2; 6.3, 6.4) placed one on the other until the clinch connection (13) has been formed by plastic deformation. The first metal workpiece (6.1, 6.2) has a first workpiece thickness (t1) and the second metal workpiece (6.3, 6.4) has a second workpiece thickness (t2), which together give a total workpiece thickness (tt) which is thicker than 8 millimeters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fastening first and second thermoplastic parts of a motor vehicle, the first part having a protuberance projecting from a face and the second part having an engagement surface, the method consisting in bringing the second part into contact with the face of the first part, in heating the protuberance, and in plastically deforming the protuberance towards the second part so that the second part is gripped between the face of the first part and an end portion of the protuberance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the attachment of a fastener element to a component, for example a sheet metal part, wherein the fastener element is a nut element and has an axis of symmetry, a head part having a contact surface which enters into contact with the component, a threaded bore and also at least one undercut which receives the material of the component, and wherein the material of the component is pressed against the contact surface and into the undercut by means of a first tool having a die button shape matching the design of the nut element. A local force is exerted on the head part of the nut element or onto the tool to the side of the axis of symmetry and is moved circularly around the axis of symmetry while simultaneously carrying out a relative feed movement between the tool and the nut element between which the component is arranged in order to press the material of the component into the undercut.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic assembly of universal joints which include a yoke with snap ring grooves in its yoke arms, a trunnion body, bearings, and snap rings to secure the bearings in the yoke, the apparatus comprising: (a) upper and lower parallel spring-separated plate pairs with axially-aligned holes; (b) upper and lower drive members aligned with holes in each plate pair; (c) a base plate; (d) a movable rod plate; (e) upper and lower power sources configured to provide axial movement of an upper driver plate in the upper plate pair and the rod plate, respectively; and (f) a programmed controller controlling the power sources such that automatic sequencing of the upper driver plate and rod plate sequentially urge snap rings into place in grooves within the snap ring grooves.

Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a caulked assembly that is capable of manufacturing the caulked assembly at a low cost, preventing reduction of the strength of a columnar body caused by a circumferential groove, preventing deformation of the columnar body, and assembling a slimmer columnar body with a plate-like body. A mounting hole 10 for inserting and assembling a columnar body 2 is provided in a metallic plate-like body 1, and a thick portion 11 is formed along an inner circumferential edge of the mounting hole 10. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the columnar body 2 is inserted into the mounting hole 10 of the plate-like body 1 so that the plate-like body 1 is set in an assembly position on an outer circumferential surface of the columnar body 2.

Abstract: A die member is provided for a self-piercing riveting process, the die member comprising a die cavity having an axis and a plurality of sides positioned about the axis, wherein each side extends along a plane which includes a chord connecting two points along a circle centered on the axis.

Abstract: There is provided an assembling method of a bearing unit which has a bearing having an outer ring and a retainer plate having a retainer hole for holding the outer ring. The assembling method has pressing a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of a circumferential edge of an inner circumferential portion of the retainer hole of the retainer plate in an axial direction so as to form engagement pawls and moving the engagement pawls of the retainer plate from one axial end of the outer ring to a engagement groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring so as to engage the engagement pawls of the retainer plate with the engagement groove of outer ring.

Abstract: The present invention is premised upon method of manufacturing rolled pierce nuts having a predetermined profile from a metal rod, more particularly to a method and apparatus delivering greater manufacturing flexibility through the use of multiple stations with flexible inputs and outputs.

Abstract: A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for setting a fastener element (55) having an inner pin (56) slidable relative to an outer body (57) and comprising a locking arrangement (32, 33; 38, 39) comprising a bolt (19) provided for acting on the inner pin (56) and secured in a retracted position against axial displacement into an advanced position after relatively spacing a handle body (52) and an actuating organ (8, 46). When the actuating organ (8, 46) is actuated by a displacement opposite the retraction direction, an unlatching organ (40, 41) acts on the locking arrangement (32, 33; 38, 39) and releases the bolt (19) for displacing into the advanced position. Very simple handling of the manually actuated device is thus ensured.

Abstract: A method produces piston-type accumulators, including an accumulator housing (10) and a separating piston, which can be displaced in a longitudinal direction inside the accumulator housing (10) and separates two working spaces located in the housing. One end face of the accumulator housing is sealed by cover part (20). The cover part (20) is fixed on one side (40) via the free longitudinal edge (32) of the accumulator housing (10). The edge is displaced towards the cover part (20), such that a functionally and positionally secure connection of a cover part is ensured within the housing of a piston-type accumulator without using standard threaded connections.

Abstract: A method of crimping a load-bearing member and an end fitting together such that the load-bearing member lies displaced from a center of a cross-section of the end fitting. The method includes the steps of inserting the load-bearing member into an aperture in the end fitting and advancing at least one deformation tool relative to the end fitting to deform the wall of the aperture into gripping engagement with the load-bearing member. The extent of the resulting deformation of the wall over a predetermined length thereof varies in dependence on a distance along the length from the load-bearing member.

Abstract: A rivet, including: at least one side wall extending from a first side of a sheet of material, formed from the same material as the sheet of material, and including respective inside surfaces; and a space at least partly enclosed by the respective inside surfaces. The space is open at a second side of the sheet of material. In one embodiment, the at least one side wall is cylindrical in shape. In another embodiment, the rivet includes an end wall formed of the same piece of material as the at least one side wall and defining one end of the space, the space is cylindrical in shape, the space has a first portion aligned with the sheet of material and a second portion partially defined by the end wall, and a diameter for the first portion is less than the diameter for the second portion.

Abstract: A hemming device (2) and a hemming method are provided in which the hemming device (2) has a hemming bed (14) for a workpiece (3) and multiple hemming robots (8, 9) with hemming tools (20). The hemming device (2) is designed to hem inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3). The hemming robots (8, 9) lie on different sides of the hemming bed (14), and the hemming bed (14) is further designed and arranged for accessing inner and outer lock seams (5, 6) on both sides of the workpiece (3) from front and rear sides (15, 16). For this purpose, the hemming bed can have a section (19) for a rearward access to an inner lock seam (5) and a bedding for inner and outer lock seams (5, 6).

Abstract: An airtight container manufacturing method includes the steps of (a) exhausting an inside of a container through the through-hole; (b) arranging a spacer along a periphery of the through-hole on an outer surface of the container the inside of which has been exhausted; (c) arranging a plate so that the spacer and the through-hole are covered by the plate and a gap is formed along a side surface of the spacer between the plate and the container outer surface; and (d) arranging the cover to cover the plate and bonding the cover and the container outer surface via sealant positioned between the cover and the container outer surface. The sealing includes hardening the sealant after deforming the sealant by pressing the plate with the cover so that the gap is infilled with the sealant.

Abstract: A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing.

Abstract: A bipolar separator assembly for use with a fuel cell comprising: a plate member having opposing first and second surfaces compatible with fuel gas and oxidant gas, respectively, the plate member having first and second opposing end segments and third and fourth opposing end segments which are transverse to the first and second opposing end segments; first and second pocket members situated adjacent the first and second end segments and extending outward of the first surface, the first and second pocket members being adapted to enclose opposing ends of an anode current collector, and third and fourth pocket members situated adjacent the third and fourth end segments and extending outward of the second surface, the third and fourth pocket members being adapted to enclose opposing ends of a cathode current collector, wherein at least a portion of each of the first, second, third and fourth pocket members is formed separately from the plate member and is releasably positioned relative to the plate member.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment device for internal combustion engines and the like includes inlet and outlet end caps, two catalyst substrates, and a two-piece housing. A first, cylindrically-shaped housing member has a hollow interior in which one of the substrates is retained, a first end sealingly connected with the inlet end cap, and an opposite second end with a radially reduced section. A second cylindrically-shaped housing member has a hollow interior in which the other one of the substrates is retained, a first end sealingly connected with the outlet end cap, and an opposite second end with a radially enlarged section sized to receive therein the second end of the first housing member, whereby the reduced section of the first housing member and the enlarged section of the housing member are spaced radially apart a predetermined distance to define an annularly-shaped space or gap which thermally insulates the associated portion of the exhaust gas treatment device.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing an end cap including an end cap flange to a shell including a shell flange by forming a lip portion including the end cap flange and the shell flange into a lock seam portion in which the end cap flange and the shell flange are engaged with each other. The apparatus includes an elongate tool element rotatable about the central axis, for receiving the end cap thereon. The apparatus also includes a number of roller subassemblies for forming the lip portion into the lock seam portion. Each roller subassembly includes a forming roller engageable with the lip portion while the tool element rotates. Each roller subassembly also includes an arm on which the forming roller thereof is rotatably mounted, and a support mechanism for positioning the arm to engage the forming roller with the lip portion.

Abstract: In a method of connecting chassis parts to produce a chassis assembly, at least one end of a first chassis part is connected with a second chassis part in an overlap zone by a form fit and an interference fit through an internal high pressure joining process. The second chassis part serves hereby a seal of the one end of the first chassis element.

Abstract: In the area of manufacturing peel-off lids (28) out of lid rings with a peel-off foil (25) sealed on it, a part of the sealing surface (26) is bent up in the direction of the lid edge in order to tension the sealing surface with the peel-off foil. A clamping tool (30, 31) is provided in order to clamp the sealing surface with the peel-off foil and a pressing tool (35) in order to bend up the unclamped sealing surface section (26?).

Abstract: A moving die is held by a robot and made to approach a vehicle, and a positioning pin is inserted into a positioning hole of the vehicle. The moving die is brought into a floating state of being displaceable relative to the vehicle by reducing a force of the robot for maintaining an attitude thereof. In a state of holding the moving die by the robot, a surface of the moving die is brought into contact with the vehicle by an adsorbing mechanism including an adsorbing portion of an elastic member provided to the moving die. The moving die and the robot are cut to be separated.

Abstract: A tool for applying a fastener, such as a stud, is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the tool applies the fastener assembled with an applicator. The applicator has at least two legs. The tool includes a housing portion configured to releasably receive the fastener and the applicator. The tool further includes an actuating portion slidingly connected to the housing portion and having one or more projections. Movement of the actuating portion towards the contact surface presses the fastener against the contact surface and bends the at least two legs of the applicator towards the contact surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a drive wheel bearing device is provided. During the manufacturing, a swaged portion is formed in a manner as a non-hardened region, and in a manner that variations based on a reference surface in the axial direction of the flat surface are restricted within +/?0.2 mm. The reference surface is provided with an end face on an outboard side of a flange for an attachment of a wheel or an end face on an inboard side of the flange for attachment to a vehicle body. Part of the swaged portion making contact with an outer joint member of to drive wheel bearing device is formed into a flat surface. Serrations and a pilot part are formed on an inner periphery of a first inner member of the drive wheel bearing device. An inner peripheral surface of the pilot part is formed as a turned surface, and the turned surface has been turned after forming the swaged portion.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing a band of desired length having a fastener at one end thereof, the machine having a spindle for maintaining a spool of metal band material in proximity to the machine; structure for feeding and ejecting a metal strip into the machine; structure for determining the location of the end of the band; placement structure for positioning the fastener; holding structure for bending the band about the fastener; structure for crimping the fastener to the band; and a cutter for cutting a desired length of the band; width controls for controlling the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A method of joining a first and a second work piece, such as automotive closure panels, includes supporting the work pieces on a fixture, and then joining the work pieces to one another by a first solid state weld with a vibrating roller head of a tool assembly, such as a robotically-controlled ultrasonic seam welder. Next, a flange of the second work piece is hemmed about an outer periphery of the first work piece using the same or a different roller head with the work pieces supported by the fixture. The hemmed flange is then joined to the first work piece by a second solid state weld with the vibrating roller head of the robotically-controlled ultrasonic seam welder. A system for joining a first and a second work piece is also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a connecting structure in which it is difficult for a crack to occur, even if a connection location is set in a portion on which concentrated tensile stress may occur. Laminated metal plates are concurrently punched out downward in shape of tongue piece. A depth of punch-out is not smaller than a total thickness of the laminated metal plates. A tongue piece portion is punched out in shape of cantilever beam while a central connection portion is left behind. The tongue piece portion is bent downward in the out-of-plane direction at a connection portion linking to the central connection portion in order that a location of the tongue piece portion in the extension direction on its way is parallel to a bend line. The tongue piece portion is configured to widen in width gradually toward a front end thereof.

Abstract: A self-attaching fastener and panel assembly wherein the free open end of the tubular barrel portion is coined, collapsed axially, flattened and deformed radially inwardly and outwardly and axially against a panel surrounding the panel opening. The method of installation includes driving the free end of the tubular barrel portion against a substantially planar die surface, deforming an end portion radially, then collapsing an intermediate portion over the radially deformed end portion, flattening the end portion, substantially thickening the tubular barrel portion and forming an annular surface engaging and supporting the panel surrounding the opening. The die member includes an annular moat surrounding a central die post and a planar die surface extending generally perpendicular to the axis of the die button.

Abstract: A device and method for roller swaging a tube and a fitting using a tapered mandrel acting on forming rollers and having a rack body that supports lead screws that are rotated by a rack motor where the lead screws are used to move the rack drive head and the axial position of the mandrel. The mandrel is supported by a roller bearing having roller elements that are parallel to the rotational axis of the mandrel. A position sensor is attached between the rack body and the rack drive head to indirectly measure the position of the mandrel and/or a position sensor can be used to directly measure the position of the mandrel. The drive motor drives a primary drive shaft through a torque sensor to a secondary drive shaft to a roller swaging assembly and to the mandrel. The swage rollers in the roller swaging assembly are forced outward by the tapered mandrel to swage the tube and fitting.

Abstract: A fastener has a metallic member and a nonmetallic cap member. The metallic member has a head and a shaft. The shaft has a first end at the head, a distal second end, and an externally threaded portion. The metallic member further has a projection extending from the head opposite the shaft. The cap member is mated to the head opposite the shaft and retained by the projection.

Abstract: An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis.

Abstract: A panel positioning apparatus is provided with an outer panel supporting device 20 adapted to support the outer panel 11 from a lower side of the outer panel 11 and an inner panel supporting device 30 adapted to support the inner panel 12 from an upper side of the inner panel 12. The outer panel supporting device 20 has a lower-surface contact section 23 adapted to abut against a lower surface of the outer panel 11. The inner panel supporting device 30 has an upper-surface contact section 344 adapted to expose below the inner panel 12 and to abut against an upper surface of a part of the outer panel 12 against which the lower-surface contact section 23 abuts. The outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 are overlaid with each other, and a bending part 112A of the outer panel 11 is bent by pinching the outer panel 11 by the lower-surface contact section 23 and the upper-surface contact section 334.

Abstract: A fastening assembly for clamping plate-shaped components, including a clamping device used with a plastically deformable sleeve, and which has a housing, a nut element which is displaceably and rotatably accommodated therein, a feed rod engaged with the nut element, and a pressure sleeve which is displaceable relative to the feed rod in the axial direction thereof. An adapter may be used with the clamping device.

Abstract: A captive panel fastener is manufactured by first overmolding a plastic cap around the head of a screw, the cap having a cylindrical plastic skirt extending downwardly beyond the base of the screw head and formed with a circular opening at the bottom. After a compression spring is placed around the shank of the screw, the screw is pressed against a top surface of a ferrule to a point where the capped-skirt extends downwardly below a ferrule flange. At that point, heat and pressure are applied radially inwardly around the periphery of the plastic skirt along its bottom edge until it is permanently deformed to a point where the bottom of the skirt is smaller in diameter than the ferrule flange. The screw is thereby captivated to the ferrule between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A ball screw shaft supporting structure of a ball screw rotationally supported by a housing via supporting bearings has a screw shaft formed, on its outer circumference, with a fitting portion and a positioning shoulder. An inner ring of the supporting bearing is press fit onto the fitting portion via a predetermined interference. A steel spacer ring is fit onto the fitting portion from the outer side of the supporting bearing with the inner side of the inner ring abutted against the shoulder. A caulking portion is formed on the end of the fitting portion by plastically deforming the end of the fitting portion radially outward. The inner ring is axially immovably secured on the screw shaft by the caulking portion via, the spacer ring.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vacuum cup mount including the steps of providing a housing having a mount base and a generally upstanding wall extending from the mount base, providing a retainer having an aperture that extends from an upper side of the retainer to a lower side of the retainer and a plurality of recesses formed on the lower side of the retainer in communication with the aperture, placing the retainer on the mount base so that the lower side of the retainer faces the mount base, and bending at least a portion of the generally upstanding wall so that the bent portion of the generally upstanding wall engages the upper surface of the retainer to secure the retainer with respect to the mount base.

Abstract: A roller hemming system for hemming nested panels includes a single hemming workstation providing for tooling exchange operations simultaneous with hemming operations. A plurality of robots that perform tooling exchange at the hemming workstation, movement of nested panels through the system, and hemming operations on nested panels at the hemming workstation. Nested panels are inputted into the system and hemmed nested panel assemblies are outputted from the system.

Abstract: There is provided an assembling method of a bearing unit which has a bearing having an outer ring and a retainer plate having a retainer hole for holding the outer ring. The assembling method has pressing a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction of a circumferential edge of an inner circumferential portion of the retainer hole of the retainer plate in an axial direction so as to form engagement pawls and moving the engagement pawls of the retainer plate from one axial end of the outer ring to a engagement groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring so as to engage the engagement pawls of the retainer plate with the engagement groove of outer ring.

Abstract: A closure panel assembly includes an inner and an outer panel, the inner panel having a crimped edge surface feature and a textured surface feature such as a set of radial projections or asperities. Adhesive material is applied between the panels, and the outer panel is hemmed and adhesively bonded to the inner panel. The surface features affix the panels together without induction or intermediate heat curing of the adhesive material. The outer panel has a hemmed edge enclosing the crimped surface feature, with the adhesive material positioned therebetween to form a seal of a relatively low shrinkage rate. A method of forming the closure panel assembly includes forming a first and second surface feature on the inner panel, such as by using swaging and coining, respectively, applying adhesive material therebetween, and hemming the panels to form a hem seam.

Abstract: An outer panel and an inner panel are integrated by placing peripheral parts of the outer panel on a top surface of a lower mold such that bending parts formed by bending the peripheral parts of the outer panel are set up upward; placing a central portion of the outer panel on a top surface of a lifting device; lifting the central portion of the outer panel by the lifting device to open leading end sides of the bending parts of the outer panel outward; placing the inner panel on the top surface of the outer panel so as to superimpose those onto each other; lowering the central portion of the outer panel by the lifting device; and pressing the bending parts toward the lower mold by an upper mold to further bend the bending parts, and making the bending parts to closely contact with the peripheral parts of the inner panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sealing of roof assemblies for a building structure, wherein the apparatus includes a vertically configured roller and a plurality of horizontally configured rollers to simultaneously produce a hook in the female panel edge and seal the male and female edge together is provided. Such an apparatus thus permits the utilization of any type of metal paneling to create the desired roof assembly, with the capability of providing a secure seal to increase the waterproofing and uplift protection potential thereof. The versatility permitted with such an apparatus allows for ease in placement of the targeted metal panels prior to sealing with the aforementioned increase in reliability of the ultimate roof assembly in terms of shear force protection. The method of sealing with such an apparatus is also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for the seaming of roof assemblies for a building structure, wherein the apparatus includes an adjustable panel guide for the initial alignment of panel edges to a position uniform to that necessary for engagement of horizontal rollers to perform the seaming procedure is provided. Such an apparatus thus permits the utilization of virtually any type of metal paneling to create the desired roof assembly, with the capability of providing a secure, reliable seal within the seam to increase the waterproofing and uplift protection potential thereof as well as to best ensure the seaming apparatus does not jam or otherwise fail during the seaming process itself. The versatility permitted with such an apparatus allows for utilization of imperfectly shaped and/or configured panels for elevated seamed roof assembly purposes. The method of seaming with such an apparatus is also encompassed within this invention.

Abstract: A method of forming a torsional vibration damping disk, including the steps of: stamping a concave surface at a periphery of a disk; heat treating the stamped disk; placing at least one forming element at least partially in contact with at least a portion of the concave surface; and curling the periphery to partially surround the at least one forming element so that the at least one forming element is removable from the disk. In a second embodiment, the method includes the step of removing the at least one forming element after curling the periphery and includes the step of replacing the at least one forming element with at least one spring element.

Abstract: A method of forming a substrate support comprises providing a body having a groove, inserting a heater element into the groove, disposing an insert into the groove, and inserting a cap into the groove. The heater element comprises a resistive element inside a sheath encased in a malleable cladding. The insert is disposed over the cladding, and the cap is substantially flush with an outer surface of the body.

Abstract: A cover is inserted into a housing of a fuel pump. Then, a housing-side engaging portion of the housing, which is located at a peripheral edge of an opening of the housing, is heated with a heating means. Thereafter, the housing-side engaging portion is swaged by a punch toward the cover to fix the cover to the housing.

Abstract: A method may include providing an outer panel that may have a flange that defines at least one planar section. The flange may be heated at the at least one planar section, and the flange may be bent about the at least one planar section.

Abstract: Double-action clinching includes establishing a first layer on a second layer, and securing the layers between a tool's punch and clinching punch. First layer has less ductility than second layer, and clinching punch diameter is smaller than punch diameter. Layers are secured so: a tool support receives a portion of a second layer surface; clinching punch, slidably positioned in the support, is adjacent another portion of the second layer surface; and punch, positioned opposed to clinching punch, is adjacent a portion of a first layer surface. Pressing the punch into the first layer surface portion forms an aperture through the first layer. Pressing the clinching punch, in a direction opposite to the punch pressing, into the other portion of the second layer surface forces portion(s) of the second layer into the aperture, and forms a micro-interlocking flush-back joint between an aperture side wall and the second layer portion(s).