OEM&Lieferant Ausgabe 1/2018

110 However, efficient lightweight construction also sets high standards for multi-material concepts thus requiring innovative fastening technology, such as the established RIVSET self-piercing riveting technology from Böllhoff. As it is well known, this technology allows to join different materials in a single production step without pre-punching. There are the reliable multi-material designs with aluminium (die-cast, extruded profile, sheet metal), multiple-layer joints, applica- tions with adhesive as intermediate layer and deep-drawing steels with a tensile strength of up to 500MPa. Now, high-strength steels with a tensile strength of up to 1600MPa have been added which are suitable for series production. In this context of lightweight construction and the use of related materials, the self-piercing riveting technology with semi-tubular riv- ets had to be further developed beyond the known technology limits. High-strength results A great number of fastener varieties result from the many possibilities of use. RIVSET self-piercing rivets can vary in geometry, hard- ness, surface, head shape, shank length and di- ameter. The application defines the rivet type. As a fastening technology expert, Böllhoff develops fasteners according to the materi- al trends. Resulting from continuous further development, Böllhoff can offer the RIVSET HDX for solutions to join materials with ten- sile strengths of up to 1,600 MPa and a sheet thickness of 1.8 mm in the top layer in series. To that end, the fastener geometry has been optimised and the rivet hardness adapted. However, today‘s body designs are not only characterised by an innovative use of mate- rials. Maximum life and minimum maintenance Böllhoff breaks new ground with the innova- tive assembly system Automation EH. For this assembly system, the focus is on functionality, flexibility and design. Plus a long life, maxi- mum availability and minimum maintenance, this is the foundation for effective produc- tion. The intelligent machine variants – modular, comprehensive range- allow high flexibility from prototyping to large-scale production. The fast and high-performance control pro- vides open software interfaces for robot com- munication as well as for provision of data via OPC UA. The main requirements for such systems are a 100 % electrical installation on robots (no hose coupling), the compensation of punch- es (for high-strength steel applications with tensile strengths up to 1,600 MPa) and short The best of two worlds combined for modern multi-material designs By Annette Löwen, Böllhoff The automotive industry cannot do without them: modern lightweight concepts. On the contrary. Not only do they con- siderably improve vehicle dynamics, but they also help to reduce emissions. Lightweight construction thus continues to be a key technology for future cars. It is also important for e-mobility because the green innovation capacity counts on the know-how in the battery and lightweight technology. While chasing ever greater reach, lightweight construction is particularly essential to further promote electro-mobility. Lightweight Images: © Böllhoff RIVSET Automation EH – the best of two worlds combined Setting tools with 100 % electrical control for setting forces 60 kN and 78 kN RIVSET HDX Example of a high-strength application: 1.5 mm high- strength steel, 2.0 mm aluminium