Nietclinchen - ein neues Fügeverfahren für die Karosseriefertigung

Dieless rivet clinching is a new method in joining by forming. Contrary to state-of-the-art technologies this new method doesn't requiere a contoured die for forming interlocking joints. A flat anvil as a countertool will be sufficient. Thus joining is getting easier and the application area of joining by forming methods is enlarged. In this paper the chances and the limitations of this new joining method are analyzed. The results of studies about the influence of the geometry and the hardness of the rivet on the formation of the joint are discussed. The possibility of reducing the joining force by superimposing the straight movement of the punch with a wobble movement is introduced. At the example of a steel-aluminum-hybrid joint the static and zyclic strenght of dieless rivet clinched joint is compared to the strenght of joints made by clinching and selfpierce-riveting. Finally advantageous application area of the new joining method are discussed in detail.