US 12,246,374 B2
Method and device for monitoring and/or controlling a flow-drilling and thread-forming process
Michael Ludsteck, Munich (DE); and Manuel Guglhör, Benediktbeuren (DE)
Assigned to Altas Copco IAS GmbH, Bretten-Goelshausen (DE)
Filed by Atlas Copco IAS GmbH, Bretten-Gölshausen (DE)
Filed on Jun. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/836,806.
Claims priority of application No. 102021115209.7 (DE), filed on Jun. 11, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0395892 A1, Dec. 15, 2022
Int. Cl. B21J 5/06 (2006.01); G05B 19/18 (2006.01)
CPC B21J 5/066 (2013.01) [G05B 19/182 (2013.01); G05B 2219/37606 (2013.01); G05B 2219/49333 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49771 (2015.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for monitoring or regulating a flow-drilling and thread-forming process in which a joining element having a threaded portion is driven with a rotational speed, a torque, and a feeding force over a penetration depth into and through a workpiece over a course of performing a joining process with the joining element, the method comprising:
a) forming at least one process variable that is based on an energy expended for driving the joining element in the course of performing the joining process;
b) comparing the at least one process variable to at least one comparison value that is based on an energy expended for driving a corresponding joining element in the course of performing a corresponding properly running joining process; and
c) outputting a control or display signal dependent on the comparison in order to indicate a proper or faulty running of the joining process or to control the joining process depending on the comparison,
wherein the joining process is subdivided into successive process steps, and at least one associated comparison value for each process step is stored in a controller; and
wherein the at least one process variable is compared during a selected one of the successive process steps to the associated comparison value of the selected process step.