Rb&w Manufacturing LLC

Gabriel Pirvulescu

Michael Da Costa

Anthony Hahn

Alexander Huter

A device for installing a self-attaching fastener on a substrate. The device includes a punch having an inner pin and an outer pin. The inner and outer pins are coaxial and translatable along an axis. In a first state of the punch, the inner pin is movable independently of the outer pin, and in a second state of the punch, the inner and outer pins are movable concurrently. The device further includes a die having an engagement surface configured to receive and support the substrate thereon, In a first operable stage of the punch, the punch is in the first state and configured to pierce a through-hole in the substrate. In a second operable stage of the punch, the punch is in the second state and configured to attach the self-attaching fastener to the substrate.

Two-stage device and methods for installing a self-clinching fastener

A method of permanently attaching a fastener to a plastically deformable panel includes placing a fastener shearing edge in contact with a first surface of a panel and a die assembly in contact with an opposite second surface of the panel, and penetrating the fastener shearing edge through the panel to create a hole. The fastener shearing edge is driven into a swage formed as a recess in an end face of the die assembly to deform the fastener shearing edge outwards along the swage and into contact with the second surface of the panel. A bent portion of the panel is trapped between the deformed fastener shearing edge abutting the second surface of the panel and a tapered flange formed on an outer surface of the fastener that abuts the first surface of the panel. A die assembly and driving mechanism for attaching the fastener is also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Mississauga, Canada

Gabriel Pirvulescu