Patent ID: 8518198

Claim:
A method for connecting a plastic workpiece to a further workpiece, the method comprising: providing a plastic workpiece, the plastic workpiece comprising a first abutting surface, provided on which is a pin projecting away from it and having an end face facing away from the first abutting surface, providing a further workpiece, the further workpiece comprising a second abutting surface and a working surface opposite from the second abutting surface, a through-opening which is adapted to the cross section of the pin and extends from the second abutting surface to the working surface being provided in the further workpiece, placing the further workpiece and the plastic workpiece against each other in such a way that the second abutting surface lies on the first abutting surface, and the pin extends through the through-opening, beyond the working surface, placing a friction tool against the further workpiece, the friction tool having a friction pin and a clamping ring, the friction pin being drivable in a rotating manner about an axis of rotation, the friction pin comprising a friction surface extending perpendicularly in relation to the axis of rotation the clamping ring comprising a clamping surface extending perpendicularly in relation to the axis of rotation, the clamping ring surrounding the friction pin and the friction pin and the clamping ring being able to be moved parallel to the axis of rotation, wherein placement of the friction tool against the further workpiece comprises the friction surface being placed flat on the end face and the clamping surface being placed flat on the working surface, rotating the friction pin, so that the frictional heat produced by friction between the friction surface and the end face brings at least a portion of the pin into a plastic state, and moving the rotating friction pin parallel to the axis of rotation toward the working surface, so that the pin is plastically deformed.