VersaForce™ Clinch Press Solutions
High-performance, servo solutions that deliver consistent, reliable results with advanced process monitoring.
Delve into the full technical scope from the get-go
Jump straight into our comprehensive product brochure for a deep dive into VersaForce’s features, benefits, capabilities, and how it can support your advanced manufacturing and automation solutions.
Precise Control of the
Force Signature with
Smart Process Analytics
The VersaForce Clinch Press is a high-performance, servo-driven press system designed for precision fastener installation in sheet metal applications. Whether you're working with pre-pierced or self-piercing fasteners, VersaForce delivers consistent, reliable results with advanced process monitoring and minimal maintenance.
VersaForce Delivers Unmatched PRESS Capabilities
Precise
Closed-loop feedback ensures consistent force and position control.
Reliable
Proven cylinder construction for long-term durability.
Efficient
The servo control optimizes the power required on demand.
Safe
The positive displacement pump with Servo Drive Safe Torque Off (STO) provides a zero energy state.
Smart
High-resolution force signature analysis for process insights, monitoring and alerting.
Ideal for:
VersaForce™ SoftMount™ Clinch Press
The VersaForce SoftMount Clinch Press is designed for robotic installation of clinch fasteners into pre‑pierced parts. Its patented SoftMount technology uses compliant, self‑adjusting tooling that aligns automatically to each hole, making it highly effective when robots must install fasteners across multiple surfaces or when part and robot positioning vary.
The system arrives integration‑ready, complete with fastener‑specific tooling, controls, and pre‑tuning based on customer samples. It includes VeriFast IA Smart Pin sensing to monitor each clinch cycle and stop the process if values fall outside tolerance, helping isolate faulty parts and maintain quality.
Press Configurations
Inverted Feed Process (IFP)
The system installs clinch nuts into pre‑pierced workpieces using a Lower Nut Feeder (LNF), which delivers an inverted nut to the lower fastener pin while the Smart Pin aligns the workpiece hole.
A Rod Nut Feeder (RNF) can be used, though it does not provide any cycle-time savings.
Standard Feed Process (SFP)
This system installs clinch studs or nuts into pre‑pierced workpieces using an Upper Clinch Stud Feeder (UCSF), which delivers the stud while the part is positioned on the lower pin called the Smart Pin. An integrated clamp securely holds the workpiece, preventing stamping shift and protecting threads during installation.
A Rod Nut or Stud Feeder, along with a Lower Nut Feeder (LNF), can be used, though it does not provide any cycle‑time savings.
VersaForce™ Inline Clinch Press
The VersaForce Inline Clinch Press is a highly adaptable solution with a straightforward design that can process either self-piercing applications or pre-pierced workpieces. However, it is primarily optimized for self-piercing fastener applications, as pre-pierced joints are better suited to other products in our lineup.
Press Configurations
For Self-Piercing Workpieces
This system installs clinch nuts that create their own hole during installation, forming a precise opening and a strong joint. Because there’s no pre-existing hole, the fastener must be fed from the upper tooling. This is accomplished by using the Upper Clinch Nut Feeder (UCNF), which feeds the fastener to the SmartRam tooling while the robot positions the part. This parallel operation helps reduce cycle time.
SmartRam™ Integration
The SmartRam magnetically aligns and holds the fastener while monitoring its presence throughout the installation. It then ensures reliable slug ejection during the piercing process, an issue that often causes downtime in conventional systems.
In the VersaForce system, high‑pressure oil drives the VeriFast IA Slug Ejection Pin, guaranteeing consistent slug removal. The pin is position‑sensed, allowing it to verify full advancement and confirm that no slug remains trapped. This integrated design enhances process reliability and delivers robust, built‑in quality assurance.
For Pre-Pierced Workpieces
This system installs clinch studs for applications with pre‑formed holes, where the stud is fed while the workpiece is positioned over the lower clinch pin. The Upper Clinch Stud Feeder (UCSF) includes an integrated clamp that securely holds the workpiece, preventing damage to both the stud and the part during installation.
A Rod Nut or Stud Feeder, along with a Lower Nut Feeder (LNF), can be used, though it does not provide any cycle‑time savings.
VersaForce™ FlexFast™ Clinch Press
The VersaForce FlexFast Clinch Press is a manually operated, turkney system designed to install a wide variety of fasteners in both pre‑pierced and self‑piercing applications. Its flexible design, featuring a movable lower platen and tool‑less quick‑change fixtures, enables the processing of a wide range of workpieces and fastener types in under 5 minutes.
This press supports the installation of nuts and studs in either pre-pierced holes or self-piercing fastener applications. It is also equipped with our VeriFast™ IA Smart Pin, which monitors the entire clinch process. The great advantage of this sensing pin is that it halts the clinch process when values fall outside the tolerance band, alerting to isolate the failed workpieces.
Press Configurations
For Pre-Pierced Workpieces
The system installs clinch nuts or studs into pre‑pierced workpieces using either an Upper Clinch Nut Feeder (UCNF) or Upper Clinch Stud Feeder (UCSF). These feeders are commonly used throughout our product offerings to deliver fasteners between operations. The UCSF has an integrated clamp that secures the workpiece, preventing damage to both the stud and the workpiece during installation.
A Rod Nut Feeder (RNF) can be used, though it does not provide any cycle‑time savings.
For Self-Piercing Workpieces
This system installs clinch nuts for self-piercing applications. It utilizes an Upper Clinch Nut Feeder (UCNF) that feeds nuts to the pin called the SmartRam, where embedded magnets hold it in position. The SmartRam features a fastener‑presence sensor to ensure the nut stays properly located throughout installation. During the clinch, intensification oil pressure actuates the VeriFast™ IA Slug Ejection Pin, ensuring slug removal and validating the process.
