Element supply apparatus for tack welding device, element set and retrofit kit, as well as corresponding supply methods of welding auxiliary joining part

An element supply apparatus 3 of a tack welding device 2 for a welding auxiliary joining part 2 with a head and a shaft, comprises the following features: a linear drive 10 fastenable at the tack welding device 1 and including an element set 30 at a movable end 12, in which a welding auxiliary joining part 2 is releasably receivable from a transfer unit 7; the element set 30 is movable by means of a linear movement of the linear drive 10 in a first movement direction R10 at least to a joining location of the welding auxiliary joining part 2; the element set 30 is supported in a plane approximately perpendicular to a joining direction RF in a floating manner, in order to be positionable via a mechanical stop alignment in abutment with an electrode punch S in the joining direction RF below the electrode punch S, and/or the element set 30 is connected with the movable end 12 of the linear drive 10 via a mechanical direction-changing coupling component 20 so that the element set 30 is movable by means of the line