Different Types of Riveting Machinery

When it comes to riveting machinery, there are many different types to choose from. The best type of machine for your assembly process depends on several factors, including the types of rivets used and the speed at which the fastening needs to be completed.

One great option is a hot riveting machine, which uses heat to weld the metal together. It’s a durable and reliable option for a number of different applications.

Impact Riveting

For more than a century, impact riveting has been one of the most popular and efficient mechanical fastening methods for fabricating sheet metal products. It’s a cost-effective method for high-volume production and has been used to assemble everything from HVAC ductwork and fan blades to ladders, airplane headrests and fuses and circuit breakers.

A machine operator places two parts together and then inserts a rivet shank into a part hole through a tool that opens and closes the jaws. The rivet then passes into a forming tool that deforms the opposite end of the rivet into a flattened tail that prevents the rivet from being removed or loosening.

This process is known for its speed, as each rivet can be formed in less than a second using a machine with dedicated sensors that monitor setting force and punch movement to create a force-displacement curve. This is compared to a trained reference curve and if the process falls outside of tolerance, the machine may flag the quality control inspection for attention or stop completely.

Orbital Riveting

Orbital riveting is a quiet, non-impact process ofcold forming metals that can be used to form a solid tenon into a rivet (riveting), a hollow tenon into a flare (flaring), or a boss into a hole(staking). The process uses up to 80% less force than impact riveting.

It works by displacing the material in a radial pattern that begins at the rivet shank center and travels outward to the flange, resulting in little side load. This allows the use of very delicate materials that would break under impact riveting.

The process is ideally suited to riveting complex, unsupported joints where a clamp isn’t possible. Orbitform offers both single and multi-spindle orbital rivet machines with variable speed & stroke controls, stepless adjustment of riveting force, time & depth for fine control of the final head forming. It can also be used to drill on one spindle & rivet on another to greatly reduce cycle times. This machine is ideal for automated production.

Hot Riveting

Hot riveting is a semi-permanent joining process that requires a lot of manpower. This is because the buck-tail of the rivet has to be heated until it’s red hot and then passed on to two people who fit it into place and hammer it with full force to deform it and seal it from both sides.

It’s important to always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before using any hot riveting machine. This will help prevent any accidents and ensure that you’re getting the best possible results from your machine.

This riveting process is commonly used in the automotive industry and is known for its durability and reliability. It’s also used for construction projects like bridges, armored tanks, and airplanes. In addition, it can be used to fasten parts that need a water or gas-tight joint. The main advantage of this method over welding is that it takes less time and produces minimal waste residue.

Manual Riveting

Rivet machines can help to make the riveting process much easier, more consistent and less expensive for manufacturers. They can also provide a more durable and long-lasting alternative to bolts, nuts, welding, and other metal joining methods.

Whether using an electric rivet gun or a pneumatic rivet gun, these tools can significantly speed up the process of installing rivets and provide more precise control over the placement of each rivet. They are also ideal for use on sensitive materials and in environments where heat may be a problem.

Basic rivets are small steel shafts with a flanged end that goes into a pre-drilled hole in the materials and deforms on one side, securing the materials together. Typically, a rivet is installed by placing it in the tool and pressing on the setting tool to apply downward force. The force can be applied manually or through an electrical motor and flywheel, pneumatic cylinder or hydraulic cylinder.