Uses for Rivets in Manufacturing and Construction(cnc machine tools Neil)

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Rivets are a versatile fastening technology with a wide range of uses in manufacturing, construction, and other industries. A rivet is a mechanical fastener that connects two or more materials by inserting a metal shaft through aligned holes in the materials and deforming the protruding shaft end to secure the rivet in place. The deformation process is called riveting.
Rivets have been used for thousands of years in construction and manufacturing due to their strength, durability, and reliability compared to other fastening methods. Modern rivets are made from various metals including aluminum, steel, copper, and titanium. The material and design of the rivet can be customized to suit the application.
Key Uses of Rivets:
Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
Rivets play a critical role in aircraft assembly and construction. The fuselage, wings, floorboards and many other components are held together using specialty rivets. Parts must be securely fastened to handle vibration and aerodynamic stresses. Rivets made from lightweight aluminum alloys, steel, and titanium are commonly used. Structural blind rivets and cherry rivets are popular choices. Riveting provides consistent fastening strength without cracking or loosening over time.
Automotive Manufacturing
Rivets are ubiquitous in automotive manufacturing for assembling vehicle bodies, frames, doors, hoods, and interior parts. A variety of rivet types including semi-tubular, blind, and self-piercing rivets efficiently join sheet metal panels, connectors, brackets, and subcomponents. Rivets allow flexibility in design while ensuring mechanical strength, crash resistance, and durability under road conditions. Lighter weight aluminum rivets help improve fuel efficiency.
Appliance and Electronics Manufacturing
Rivets securely fasten the outer shells, frames, brackets, and internal components of appliances and electronic devices. The press fit joining action provided by riveting provides consistent results for high volume manufacturing. Blind rivets allow access from one side which simplifies assembly. Using rivets instead of screws or welding minimizes damage risk to sensitive underlying electronics. Riveting also seals joints from moisture, dust, and corrosion.
Bridge, Tower, and Building Construction
Structural rivets play an important role in the construction of towers, bridges, buildings, transmission towers, offshore oil rigs, cranes, and more. High strength carbon or stainless steel rivets withstand shear stresses and joining forces encountered in structural framing connections. Large diameter rivets also securely fasten steel girders, braces, and columns. The reliability of correctly installed rivets minimizes risks in critical applications.
Shipbuilding and Marine Applications
Ship hulls, decks, bulkheads, masts, and other components are joined with rivets due to their high shear and tensile strength. The harsh marine environment demands robust, corrosion-resistant rivet materials like stainless steel. Structural joints are also sealed with caulking to prevent water intrusion. Riveting remains a trusted, traditional technique for boat building and repair.
Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical Equipment
Behind the walls, rivets play an important but unseen role in assembling plumbing fixtures, HVAC ducting, electrical boxes, circuit breakers, and similar equipment. The uniform clamping force and easy automation provided by rivets allows efficient production while meeting safety and reliability standards. Accessibility for maintenance and repairs is also considered.
Railway and Subway Construction
Riveting provides robust, permanent fastening for assembling rail tracks, ties, switches, and connections that must stand up to vibration and impact forces from passing trains. Rivets are also extensively used in assembling subway cars, underground tunnels, stations, and associated infrastructure. Custom rivet alloys resist corrosion from weather exposure.
Securing Screws, Bolts, and Nuts
In addition to direct component fastening, rivets provide an indirect use by permanently securing screws, bolts, nuts, and other threaded fasteners from loosening over time due to vibration or rotation. Tight clearance rivet holes around the threads prevent rotation while allowing axial movement for tensioning during assembly.
Attachment of Labels, Signs, and Nameplates
Rivets offer a simple, low-cost method of permanently attaching instruction labels, safety signs, equipment nameplates, serial number plates, and similar information tags. This avoids risk of information loss through adhesives failing over time or fasteners vibrating loose. Riveting also prevents tampering.
Temporary Fastening for Fixtures and Jigs
The friction grip and consistent clamping action of rivets allows their use for temporary fixturing of parts during fabrication, assembly, welding, coating, and other manufacturing processes. Quick-release rivets speed up fixture reuse. Locating jigs may also utilize rivets for accurate part positioning.
There are many applications where rivets provide optimal fastening performance and reliability. As one of the oldest yet still highly advanced mechanical fastening technologies, rivets will continue improving manufacturing and construction well into the future. With an understanding of rivet types and properties, engineers can specify the best riveting solution for any application need. CNC Milling CNC Machining