Unternehmen & Trends - Ausgabe 1/2018

However, efficient lightweight construction also sets high standards for multi-material concepts thus requiring innovative fastening technology, such as the established RIVSET self-pierce riveting technology from Böllhoff. As it is well known, this technology allows joining different materials in a single produc- tion step without pre-punching. There are reliable multi-material designs with aluminium (sheet metal, extruded pro- files, die-cast structures) and deep-drawing steels which are combined with adhesive to two-layer or multiple-layer joints. Now, high- strength steels with a tensile strength of up to 1600 MPa have been added which are suitable for series production. In this con- text of lightweight construction and the use of related materials, the self-pierce riveting technology with semi-tubular rivets had to be further developed beyond the known tech- nology limits. High-strength results A great number of fastener varieties results from the many possibilities of use. RIVSET self-pierce rivets can vary in geometry, hard- ness, surface, head shape, shank length and diameter. 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 1.7 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 inno- vative assembly system Automation EH. For this assembly system, the focus is on func- tionality, flexibility and design. Plus a long life, maximum availability and minimum maintenance, this is the foundation for ef- fective production. 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 process times – for some applications < 1.5 s. These systems are hard to outper- form, since a total preventive maintenance concept (TPM) is also provided. 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 considerably 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, light- weight construction is particularly essential to further promote electro-mobility. 72  Unternehmen & Trends 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