A simple testing-based procedure and simulation of the clinching process using finite element analysis for establishing clinching parameters

The focus of this paper is on a non-cutting, single stroke clinching method that produces an axisymmetric joint. Here, a simple procedure based on testing and calculation of volumes is introduced. This paper also presents the clinching parameters for several tool combinations, based on the proposed procedure, as well as the results obtained by simulating the clinching process for two tool combinations using finite element analysis. The numerical simulation was performed in order to verify the proposed procedure, although both methods can be used either separately or together to establish optimal clinching parameters. Furthermore, the suitability of the analysis software for this kind of simulation and the kinds of problems that can be encountered in this procedure are discussed here. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.