Effect of tool eccentricity on the joint strength in mechanical clinching process

Abstract

The effect of tool eccentricity on the joint strength in clinching process was investigated. The objective is to understand the mechanical behaviour of the clinched joint where proper control on the alignment setting of tools can be considered. In this research, a clinching process to form a round joint was carried out by offsetting the centre line between the upper punch and lower die. The experimental results were compared between offset and without offset conditions. Coated mild steel sheets were used for the evaluation. It is found that the strength values by offset clinching exhibit variation in sinusoidal relationship with respect to the in-plane offset direction.

Keywords:

• Mechanical clinching
• Tool eccentricity
• Offset clinching
• Joint strength tests
• Eccentricity tolerance

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank to Mr Chee Mun Cheng, Mr Chee Wah Chan and Mr Kim Haw Yap from Panasonic Appliances Airconditioning R&D Malaysia (PAPARADMY) for supplying clinching tools and materials to complete this research.