Since its introduction to automotive manufacturing in the mid-1980s, the Tox clinching process has captured hundreds of different applications. Outside of bodywork construction, clinching is being used to join sheet metal and other materials for the white goods industry, system and container construction, and climate control and ventilation technology.
The secure, button-shaped joint has a number of advantages. The simple process does not require pre- or post-machining of the materials to be joined. There is no risk of high heat input adversely affecting material structures. And, since the surfaces of the joined materials remain intact, assemblers do not have to apply additional corrosion protection. The process is cost- and energy-efficient. It can easily be automated. And, it can join a wide range of mixed materials.