System comprising stud and tool, as well as method for fixing the stud to an object with the aid of the tool

A method for fixing matting to an object with the aid of a plurality of studs fixed to the to an object with the aid of liquefaction or at least plastification of a material based on a thermoplastic polymer comprised by the stud or the object, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing the studs, each stud comprising an elongated shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, and a collar extending radially from the shaft, having a distal collar face and a proximal collar face and being arranged on the shaft with a proximal shaft portion extending beyond the proximal collar face, wherein the collar is arranged on the shaft for a distal shaft portion to extend beyond the distal collar face and wherein at least the distal shaft portion comprises a material which is not liquefiable by the vibrating enemy and further comprises a surface structure or geometry suitable for forming a positive fit connection with said material based on a thermoplastic polymer in which it is embedded,
• providing a tool comprising a vibration source capable of supplying mechanical vibration energy and a sonotrode with a proximal sonotrode end and a distal sonotrode face, wherein the proximal sonotrode end is couplable to the vibration source, wherein the sonotrode is designed for vibration transmission from the proximal sonotrode end to the distal sonotrode face, and wherein the sonotrode further comprises an axial channel being open at the distal sonotrode face, wherein the axial channel is dimensioned for accommodation of the proximal shaft portion, and wherein the distal sonotrode face is adapted to the proximal collar face for enabling transmission of vibration and of a pressing force from the sonotrode to the stud,
• coupling the proximal sonotrode end to the vibration source,
• positioning the proximal shaft portion in the axial channel such that the proximal collar face abuts the distal sonotrode face,
• positioning, with the aid of the tool, the distal shaft portion against a fixation location on the object,
• applying vibration and a pressing force through the sonotrode to the stud for a time sufficient for liquefying or at least plastifying enough of said material based on a thermoplastic polymer for embedding the distal shaft portion in the fixation location, and
• securing the matting to the object by pushing the matting on a plurality of the fixed studs and then fixing head plates to free stud ends protruding from the matting.

A system for fixing a stud to an object with the aid of liquefaction or at least plastification of a material based on a thermoplastic polymer, said material being comprised by the stud or the object, the system comprising:

• the stud comprising an elongated shaft having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, and a collar extending radially from the shaft, having a distal collar face and a proximal collar face and being arranged on the shaft with a proximal shaft portion extending beyond the proximal collar face,
• a tool comprising a vibration source capable of supplying mechanical vibration energy, and a sonotrode with a proximal sonotrode end and a distal sonotrode face, wherein the proximal sonotrode end is coupled or couplable to the vibration source, wherein the sonotrode is designed for vibration transmission from the proximal sonotrode end to the distal sonotrode face, and wherein the sonotrode further comprises an axial channel being open at the distal sonotrode face, and
• a holding mechanism configured to hold the shaft portion in the axial channel,
• wherein the axial channel is dimensioned for accommodation of the proximal shaft portion, and wherein the distal sonotrode face is adapted to the proximal collar face for enabling transmission of vibration and of a pressing force from the sonotrode to the stud.