Producing High Quality Rivets with CNC Machines(3d printing service cost Riva)
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In this article, we’ll look at how CNC machines are used to produce top-notch rivets efficiently.
The Benefits of CNC machining for Rivet Manufacturing
CNC machining offers several advantages for rivet production:
Precision: CNC machines provide extremely precise and consistent machining. Complex programs can be developed to control all aspects of the drilling, milling and other cuts needed to produce rivet heads and shanks. This precision minimizes variation between rivets in a batch.
Speed: Once programmed, CNC machines can produce high volumes of rivets far faster than manual machining. Multiple operations can be combined and automated to maximize throughput.
Adaptability: The programmability of CNC systems allows fast switching between different rivet designs and sizes. Adjustments to programs can be made on the fly as needs change.
Efficiency: CNC machining produces very little waste material compared to manual machining processes. More rivets can be machined per block of raw material.
Automation: CNC rivet production can run largely unattended once programs are verified. This frees up workers for other tasks and reduces labor costs.
Consistency: The automated nature of CNC machining creates uniformity between batches. This consistency improves quality control.
How are Rivets Made on CNC Machines?
The basic process for machining rivets on CNC equipment involves three stages:
1. Cutting blanks from rod stock
The starting material is usually a cylindrical rod that’s inserted into the machine spindle. A cutoff operation saws individual blank pieces from the rod - these become the rivet shanks. Hardened tool steel or specialty alloys like aluminum and titanium are commonly used rivet materials.
2. Forming the rivet head
The blank moves to a milling operation where a spinning end mill forms the rivet head. The program controls the milling cutter’s movement to carve the precise head profile and diameter for the rivet design. A drilling operation can be incorporated here to create the rivet hole if needed.
3. Shaping the shank
Additional milling, turning and other machining steps refine the shank diameter and length to specifications. Threading operations can be added to create threaded rivets. A chamfering cutter shapes the shank tip. The finished rivets are then automatically deposited into bins or other collection areas.
Secondary finishing steps like heat treating, coating, and quality checks follow machining.
Maximizing CNC Rivet Production Efficiency
To get the most value from CNC rivet manufacturing, shops should:
- Take advantage of multi-axis machining capabilities. Using mills and lathes with 4, 5 or more controllable axes allows completing multiple operations in one setup. This avoids extra handling and changeover time.
- Combine milling, drilling and turning in one program. With proper fixturing, different machining operations can run sequentially on a multi-function CNC machine.
- Optimize material flow through the machining workcell. Use bar feeders, gantry loaders, conveyors and part output systems to maximize process automation.
- Take full advantage of spindle speeds. Fast spindle speeds coupled with optimized feed rates and depth of cuts boost output. Variable speed spindles help match the best RPM for the material and operation.
- Develop programs offline. This avoids wasting expensive machine time on program creation. Simulation software also verifies programs for errors.
- Standardize on quick-change tooling. Tool holders with preset offsets enable fast changeovers between tooling. Repeat jobs are simpler.
- Employ wear-resistant coatings and tool materials. This prevents tool failure and reduces downtime for tool changes during long production runs.
Rivets may seem basic, but producing them to meet quality targets takes advanced CNC capabilities. The programmability and precision of CNC machines makes them the go-to production method for all types of quality rivets. CNC Milling CNC Machining