Patent ID: 8361270
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: B23K,B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of axially joining a hybrid joining component to a workpiece, wherein the joining component has a thermoplastic joining section and a metal section which can be heated, having the following steps: a) axially moving the joining component onto a surface of the workpiece; b) heating the metal section such that the joining section at least partially melts; c) ending the heating of the metal section so that the joining component makes an integral and interlocked connection with the surface of the workpiece; wherein the position of the joining component with respect to the workpiece is controlled at least during the heating of the metal section, in such a manner that the joining component can be joined to the surface of the workpiece without any opposing support, wherein the workpiece is elastically deformable in an axial direction (A), wherein the joining component is moved into contact with the surface of the workpiece before the metal section is heated, such that the workpiece is deformed in the axial direction, and wherein a zero point is determined before the joining component reaches the surface, in order to determine the axial position of the surface of the workpiece in the undeformed state.