Ensuring the integrity in clinching process

Clinching is a mechanical joining method, especially for sheet metal parts. The process is perceived as being a simple method that is based on only the accurate movement of a punch into a die. During the process, sheet metals are deformed locally without the use of any additional elements. Precisely selected tools are a requirement for an acceptable joint. The two most frequently used geometries in clinching tools are round and square. When round tools are used, the joint has a uniform shear load capacity in all the horizontal directions. Many papers have been written on the clinching process itself, including the tool geometries, parameter optimisation, joint strengths, simulation and FE analysis of the process, but few articles discuss the significance of anticipatory maintenance or continuous follow-up while using clinching in a mass-production process. This paper points out several problems encountered in the long-term use of a clinching process. Both the lack of systematic maintenance and continuous follow-up are discussed. The significance of changes in the construction are also evaluated in this presentation that is based on a real case study. This paper also offers proposals for improvements.