Uses for Rivets in CNC Machining and Manufacturing(plastic extrusion Cyril)
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Rivets offer several advantages that make them well-suited for use in CNC machining and manufacturing:
Durability - Rivets form a permanent mechanical connection that does not loosen over time like threaded fasteners can. The deformation on the ends keeps the rivet securely in place for the life of the product.
Strength - The riveting process work-hardens the rivet shank, creating a strong connection even with thin or soft materials. Rivets transfer load well across the joint.
Vibration resistance - Riveted joints can withstand vibration, shock loading, and stress reversals better than many other fastener types.
Sealing - Rivets provide a tight seal against leakage for applications involving fluids or gases under pressure. The deformed rivet ends fill the fastener holes.
Speed - Automated riveting systems can quickly insert numerous rivets for high-volume production. Riveting is often faster than welding, screws, or adhesives.
Material options - Rivets come in a wide range of materials including aluminum, steel, copper, nickel, and Monel. This allows matching the rivet metal to the materials being joined.
Automation - CNC-controlled machines can drill rivet holes, insert rivets, and upset the rivet ends with great precision and repeatability.
Low cost - Mechanical semi-tubular and solid rivets are an economical fastening method compared to many alternatives. No consumables are required besides the rivets themselves.
Applications for Rivets in CNC Machining
Rivets have many uses in CNC machining and manufacturing applications, including:
Aircraft and Aerospace Products
Riveting is the predominant fastening method used in aircraft assembly. CNC machines drill precision rivet holes and insert thousands of rivets to join aluminum and titanium parts in wings, fuselages, engine nacelles, tail sections, and other structures. Rivets provide strong, permanent, and reliable fastening that meets aerospace demands.
Metal Fabrication
Sheet metal fabricators use CNC riveting to assemble enclosures, panels, cladding, platforms, staircases, handrails, and supports from sheet metal parts. Robotic riveting workcells can rapidly fasten components for high productivity. Structural fabricators rely on rivets to assemble steel beams, columns, trusses, and pipe supports.
Appliances and Electrical Equipment
Appliance manufacturers employ CNC riveting systems to assemble outer cases and internal components made from steel, aluminum, and stainless steel sheet metal. Electrical equipment enclosures also frequently rely on CNC-inserted rivets for durable fastening and vibration resistance.
Automotive Parts
The auto industry machines many components from metal stampings. CNC riveting offers a faster alternative to spot welding for securing parts like brackets, stiffeners, heat shields, and subframes together. Rivets also see structural use in vehicle frames.
Electronics Manufacturing
Electronics products often require durable, reliable fastening of sheet metal covers, braces, and enclosures. Manufacturers use CNC riveting for mass production of computers, servers, telecom equipment, medical devices, and other electronics hardware. Rivets also assemble precision parts in aerospace electronics.
Transportation Products
CNC riveting machinery is vital for mass transit vehicles, heavy trucks, railcars, and other transportation equipment involving metal fabrication. Rivets provide strong unibody and framing structural connections. Exterior panels and interior supports also rely on rivets for trouble-free service.
Point-Of-Purchase Displays
Promotional displays, product dispensers, information kiosks, and custom retail fixtures commonly get assembled using CNC riveting machinery. The systems join display frame members and fasten sheet metal panels like those seen in stores, malls, airports, hotels, and other locations.
Custom Machinery
Engineers often design special machinery, process equipment, and test rigs using CNC riveted sheet metal frames and guards. The rivets facilitate modular construction and disassembly for maintenance. Riveting avoids the need to weld thin gauge materials together.
CNC Riveting Methods
There are several methods for inserting and clamping rivets using CNC machining centers:
Blind Rivets - Blind rivets get inserted into pre-drilled holes from one side of the joint. The shop head on the rivet stem pulls the rivet shank into the factory head, deforming it to clamp the work. No access behind the hole is needed.
Bulbed Rivets - Also inserted only from one side, bulbed rivets use a rivet setting tool that upsets the protruding shank end into a bulb shape. Bulbing produces a strong joint.
Self-Piercing Rivets - These special rivets do not require a pre-drilled hole. The CNC machine drives the rivet through stacked sheet layers. The rivet displaces and interlocks with the top sheet and locks into the bottom layer.
Hammer Rivets - Pneumatic CNC riveting hammers or hand-held air riveters upset conventional solid rivet shanks protruding from workpieces to form shop head clamping. Hammers allow access behind holes.
Orbital Riveting - CNC orbital riveting systems use a hydraulically-driven dome-shaped clamping anvil that upsets the rivet tail into a button shape to fasten the joint. The orbital process uniformly clamps the rivet.
Laser Riveting - Focused laser beams briefly melt the protruding rivet tail end. The pin then gets pressed into the melted area to form a rivet head for clamping. Lasers avoid contact clamping.
In summary, rivets serve many critical fastening applications in CNC machining and manufacturing. CNC automation allows mass inserting and deforming rivets to join components accurately, rapidly, and reliably. The versatility, strength, and process benefits make rivets a popular production fastening choice. CNC Milling CNC Machining