Monitoring system for clinching process

摘要

A monitoring device monitors an apparatus that clinches together sheet metal panels. In particular, a die assembly positioned on one side of the panels has a button forming die cavity defined by an anvil at the bottom of the die cavity and a plurality of radially moveably die blades at the side of the cavity. A plunger is positioned on the other side of the panels and registers with the die assembly so that linear displacement of the plunger plastically deforms the panels axially into the die assembly to engage with the anvil and then further linear displacement of the plunger will then deform the panels radially outward as permitted by the outward radial movement of the moveable die blades. Transducers measure the linear displacement of the plunger, the radial outward displacement of the radially moveable die blades, and the magnitude of the axial force applied against the anvil.