Riveting machines
Encyclopedia
Machine
A machine manages power to accomplish a task, examples include, a mechanical system, a computing system, an electronic system, and a molecular machine. In common usage, the meaning is that of a device having parts that perform or assist in performing any type of work...
offers greater consistency, productivity, and lower cost when compared to manual riveting.
Types
Automatic feed riveting machines include a hopper and feed track which automatically delivers and presents the rivet to the setting tools which overcomes the need for the operator to position the rivet. The downward force required to deform the rivet with an automatic riveting machine is created by a motor and flywheel combination, pneumatic cylinderPneumatic cylinder
Pneumatic cylinders are mechanical devices which utilize the power of compressed gas to produce a force in a reciprocating linear motion....
, or hydraulic cylinder
Hydraulic cylinder
A Hydraulic cylinder is a mechanical actuator that is used to give a unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. It has many applications, notably in engineering vehicles.- Operation :...
. Manual feed riveting machines usually have a mechanical lever to deliver the setting force from a foot pedal
Pedal
The word pedal comes from the Latin and relates to the foot.A pedal is a lever activated by one's foot. The term "foot pedal" is redundant, and should be avoided...
or hand lever.
Riveting machines can be sub-divided into two broad groups — impact riveting machines and orbital (or radial) riveting machines.
Impact riveting
Impact riveting machines set the rivet by driving the rivet downwards, through the materials to be joined and on into a forming tool (known as a rollset). This action causes the end of the rivet to roll over in the rollset which causes the end of the rivet to flare out and thus join the materials together. Impact riveting machines are very fast and a cycle time of 0.5 seconds is typical.
Orbital riveting
Orbital riveting machines have a spinning forming tool (known as a peen) which is gradually lowered into the rivet which spreads the material of the rivet into a desired shape depending upon the design of the tool. Orbital forming machines offer the user more control over the riveting cycle but the trade offTrade-off
A trade-off is a situation that involves losing one quality or aspect of something in return for gaining another quality or aspect...
is in cycle time which can be 2 or 3 seconds.
There are different types of riveting machines. Each type of machine
Machine
A machine manages power to accomplish a task, examples include, a mechanical system, a computing system, an electronic system, and a molecular machine. In common usage, the meaning is that of a device having parts that perform or assist in performing any type of work...
has unique features and benefits. The orbital riveting process is different from impact riveting and spiralform riveting. Orbital riveting requires less downward force than impact or spiral riveting. Also, orbital riveting tooling typically lasts longer.
Orbital riveting machines are used in a wide range of applications including brake linings for commercial vehicles, aircraft, and locomotives, textile and leather goods, metal brackets, window and door furniture
Door furniture
Door furniture or Door hardware refers to any of the items that are attached to a door or a drawer to enhance its functionality or appearance....
, latches and even mobile phones. Many materials can be riveted together using orbital riveting machines including delicate and brittle materials, and sensitive electrical or electronic component
Electronic component
An electronic component is a basic electronic element and may be available in a discrete form having two or more electrical terminals . These are intended to be connected together, usually by soldering to a printed circuit board, in order to create an electronic circuit with a particular function...
s.
The orbital riveting process uses a forming tool mounted at a 3 or 6° angle. The forming tool contacts the material and then presses it while rotating until the final form is achieved. The final form often has height and/or diameter specifications.
Pneumatic orbital riveting machines typically provide downward force in the 1000–7500 lb (453.6–3,401.9 kg) range. Hydraulic orbital riveting machines typically provide downward force in the 6000–50000 lb (2,721.6–22,679.6 kg) range.
Radial (Spiralform) riveting
Radial riveting is subtly different from orbital forming. Radial riveting lightly peens (hammers) the rivet head into the desired shape whereas orbital forming spreads the rivet head in one, continuous contact, motion. While orbital forming is the superior process in most applications, spiralform riveting can produce better results when very small rivets are involved.Rollerform riveting
Rollerforming is a subset of orbital forming. Rollerforming uses the same powerhead as orbital forming but instead of a peen has multiple wheels that circle the workpiece and combine two similar or non-similar materials together with a seamless and smooth gentle bonding via downward pressure as the rollers move downward or inward on the piece.Automatic drilling and riveting machine
These machines take the automation one step farther by clamping the material and drilling or countersinking the hole in addition to riveting. They are commonly used in the aerospaceAerospace
Aerospace comprises the atmosphere of Earth and surrounding space. Typically the term is used to refer to the industry that researches, designs, manufactures, operates, and maintains vehicles moving through air and space...
industry because of the large number of holes and rivets required to assemble the aircraft skin.
Applications
Riveting machines are used in a wide range of applications including brake linings for commercial vehicles, aircraft, and locomotives, textile and leather goods, metal brackets, window and door furnitureDoor furniture
Door furniture or Door hardware refers to any of the items that are attached to a door or a drawer to enhance its functionality or appearance....
, latches and even mobile phones. Many materials can be riveted together using riveting machines including delicate and brittle materials, and sensitive electrical or electronic component
Electronic component
An electronic component is a basic electronic element and may be available in a discrete form having two or more electrical terminals . These are intended to be connected together, usually by soldering to a printed circuit board, in order to create an electronic circuit with a particular function...
s.