Patent ID: 8741081

Claim:
A method for joining a fastening element on to a surface portion of a component, the fastening element being held in a holding device of a joining tool and having an adhesion face on which is applied an adhesive that is thermally meltable and thermally settable, comprising the steps of: pre-heating the adhesive via a first heating source to a first temperature (T 1 ), in order to melt the adhesive; pre-heating the surface portion to a second temperature (T 2 ) via a second heating source separate from said first heating source; activating the joining tool to move the holding device so that the adhesion face of the fastening element is placed on to the surface portion; thereafter performing a main heating of the adhesive at a third temperature (T 3 ) in order to set the adhesive and thereby permanently fasten the fastening element to the component; and thereafter activating the joining tool to release the fastening element from the holding device; wherein the pre-heating of the adhesive and the preheating of the surface portion are effected with an overlap of time.