Methods of securing a fastener

A method of operating a joining device, said method comprising:

• detecting a pressure applied to a horn of the joining device when the horn is pressed against a first component;
• determining when the pressure is within a predetermined pressure range indicating that the pressure is suitable for securing the first component to a second component;
• generating energy when the pressure has remained within the predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined duration of time;
• and
• applying the energy through the horn to the first component to secure the first component to the second component.

A system comprising:

• an applicator configured to generate vibratory energy;
• and
• a generator coupled to the applicator, the generator comprising a processing device and a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processing device to perform functions comprising:
• applying a first tuning signal to the applicator, the first tuning signal having a first variable frequency within a predetermined frequency range;
• detecting a first parameter and a second parameter of the applicator in response to the first tuning signal;
• comparing the first parameter and the second parameter to a predetermined parameter range to determine if the detected parameters are outside the predetermined parameter range;
• and
• repeating the tuning signal when the detected parameters are determined to be out of the predetermined parameter range.