Because the process involves relatively low forces (ranging from 5 to 50 kN depending on the material to join, type of tools and sheet thicknesses), clinching generally involves reduced size (often portable) machines. The tools typically consist of a punch and a die. Different tools have been developed so far, which can be classified in round and rectangular tools. Round clinching tools include: fixed grooved dies, split dies (with 2–4 movable sectors) and flat dies. Such tools produce round joints which show almost identical mechanical behaviors in all plane directions. When round tools are adopted, the integrity of the sheet in the joint must be guaranteed in order to preserve a good mechanical behavior of the joints.