Quality Rivets for CNC Machines(bronze tensile strength Christine)
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- source:YESCOM CNC Machining
What Makes a Good CNC Rivet?
There are several factors that contribute to a rivet being well-suited for CNC riveting processes:
Material - Aircraft grade aluminum is a common material for CNC rivets as it is lightweight while maintaining strength. Steel, titanium, copper, and other alloys are also used depending on the application. The material must be machinable and consistent.
Head Shape - Many CNC rivets feature a flat head shape which provides a flush surface and allows for high density riveting. Dome head and countersunk head rivets are also common CNC rivet head styles.
Accuracy - Precision and consistency in the rivet length, diameter, head height, and other dimensions are critical for automated riveting. Tight tolerances on CNC rivets ensure good fits and alignment.
Grip Length - This refers to the length of the rivet body needed to span the material being joined. CNC rivets are available in a range of grip lengths to accommodate different application requirements.
Strength - Shear and tensile strength are important factors based on the forces the riveted assembly will encounter. CNC rivets must maintain strength after being set.
Coatings - Some CNC rivets feature special coatings that reduce friction during automated driving and setting. This helps prevent jamming in the machinery.
Threading - For automated screw riveting, the quality of the threads is paramount for performance. CNC rivets with pre-rolled or machined threads help ensure consistent engagement.
Testing - Extensive testing of CNC rivets during research and development and incoming quality inspection ensures reliable performance. Fatigue testing is critical for high-vibration applications.
By selecting rivets optimized for key criteria like materials, strength, precision, coatings and testing, manufacturers can be assured of getting a quality CNC riveting solution.
Benefits of CNC Riveting
Utilizing CNC machines for riveting operations offers many benefits compared to manual riveting including:
Speed - CNC setups with multiple rivet guns can install hundreds of rivets per hour versus a few dozen per hour manually. This drastically increases production rates.
Consistency - The programmed specs for location, angle, driven depth and more are repeated precisely for each rivet placed. This leads to uniform quality.
Automation - CNC systems can run unattended for mass riveting tasks, freeing up workers for other functions. The automated nature also improves safety.
Flexibility - CNC programs can be quickly adapted to handle different rivet patterns, sizes, locations etc. Manual adjustments are confined to tooling changes.
Accessibility - Robotic CNC arms can access hard to reach spots that human riveters cannot, expanding layout options.
Strength - CNC heads apply even, measured pressure resulting in tightly set rivets and strong joints. Inconsistent hammering affects manual quality.
Lower Costs - While CNC systems require an upfront investment, they save significantly on labor in the long run with lights out operation.
Overall, utilizing CNC for riveting provides excellent efficiency, quality, flexibility and cost benefits thanks to automation and digitally programmed instructions. This makes it the method of choice for high volume production.
Choosing the Right CNC Rivets
With thousands of rivet options available, it can be daunting to select the best CNC rivet type and specifications for your application. Here are some tips on choosing quality CNC rivets:
- Consider the materials being joined - is an aluminum, steel, or specialty alloy rivet required? What strength is needed? Input from your engineering team is crucial.
- Determine the grip range based on the thickness of the materials. Allow for some tolerance. Grip is among the most important factors.
- Factor in any special platings or coatings that may be needed like Teflon for low friction.
- Pick a head style (flat, dome, countersunk) appropriate for the part design and accessibility.
- Confirm the rivet shank diameter fits neatly into the prepunched or drilled holes. Loose fits cause problems.
- Specify necessary head height to accommodate flush or protruding head placement.
- Understand the clearances required for your CNC rivet tooling to avoid physical interference.
- Request samples to test the rivets in your specific machine and materials prior to full procurement.
- Ask about minimum order quantities and lead times especially for custom lengths or specialty alloys.
- Select a reputable supplier capable of certifying the rivet meets stated specifications. Get warranties.
Taking time upfront to properly evaluate your CNC riveting needs and select the optimal fastener will prevent headaches during production. Partnering with an experienced distributor is wise to leverage their expertise.
Quality rivets built for automation are crucial for taking advantage of the tremendous efficiencies and accuracy of CNC machines. With precision manufactured and tested rivets feeding into optimized riveting programs, manufacturers can assemble components faster and more consistently. This combination of automated machinery and quality rivets will lead to tighter tolerances, stronger assemblies and reduced production costs. The continued advancement of CNC technology promises even more innovations in industrial riveting processes. CNC Milling CNC Machining