A riveting machine is a custom machine used to automate the process of fastening two laminated materials together with a metallic fastener called a rivet. Riveting processes are well suited to automation because they are repetitive and involve high input force. The goal of a riveting machine is to minimize the amount of deformation that occurs during the fastening process by applying controlled amounts of force and minimizing excess rivet displacement.
The first step to selecting the right riveting machine is defining your assembly process objectives and constraints. This will help narrow the field of options to a machine that can meet your needs.
Riveting machines are available in a wide range of sizes to suit different applications. Some are designed to handle large materials like car parts, while others are specialized for smaller tasks, such as riveting plastic components. The type of riveting machine you select will depend on the specific materials you are joining and how quickly you need them to be joined.
If you are working with materials that are not stable under high heat, such as aluminum, the most efficient method of connecting them may be by riveting. Riveting is also suitable for joining dissimilar metals and is a more durable method of connecting than spot welding. Riveted products can be disassembled without damage to the joints, making them a good choice for production lines that require frequent quality inspections and repairs.
Rivets are usually installed by drilling a hole in the two sheet metal parts you want to join and then installing a rivet in the hole. The rivet’s tail is then deformed, either by pounding it or using a machine to create a flattened head that prevents removal of the fastener. The three main categories of riveted joints are lap joints, butt joints and zigzag riveted joints.
A pneumatic riveting machine uses a powerful compressed air system to drive the rivet into place and is ideal for use in heavy-duty manufacturing applications. These types of riveting machines are capable of creating high-speed, high-quality rivets. They are ideal for a variety of manufacturing industries, such as aerospace, automotive and construction.
Another type of pneumatic riveting machine is the orbital machine, which uses an orbital motion to set the rivet. This method of riveting is popular because it can be done at a much faster speed than impact riveting and is more accurate. This allows the operator to maintain a higher level of quality control during the manufacturing process.
A riveting machine can be equipped with a special tool to monitor the rivet forming process. This tool is known as a ‘watchdawg’ and works by monitoring the rivet’s force and displacement data. This information is displayed on a graph and can be used to identify any issues with the rivet forming process. This can be used to correct the faulty processes and reduce the chance of a bad rivet that could cause injury or property damage.