Uses for Rivets in CNC Machining and Manufacturing(beed blast Julian)

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Rivets have been used since ancient times to join materials together using mechanical fastening. While welding and adhesives have taken over some of the traditional uses of rivets, they are still commonly used in manufacturing, especially in metal fabrication. Rivets installed with rivet guns continue to be a quick and reliable fastening method.
With computer numerical control (CNC) machining, rivets remain an important component for assembling CNC fabricated parts. Here are some of the top uses for rivets in CNC machining and manufacturing:
Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
Aircraft construction relies heavily on rivets to assemble the frame and skin. The aerospace industry was an early adopter of CNC which allows precise drilling of the rivet holes. Aircraft grade rivets come in specialty alloys, like aluminum and titanium, that meet the strength and weight requirements. Rows of flush rivets help reduce drag over the aircraft surface. Rivets also allow for fatigue resistance as wings flex during flight.
Metal Building and Bridge Construction
Steel construction of industrial buildings, bridges and towers uses thousands of rivets. CNC drills, punches or cuts the holes where structural steel beams and gussets come together. Riveting the connections creates strong joints that won’t come loose. The same is true for steel bridges where plates and bracing are riveted. Using hot rivets provides solid fastening even with vibration and loads.
Shipbuilding
Naval craft with steel hulls and superstructures rely on rivets for joining the heavy plates. CNC cut steel parts are pre-drilled for riveting which is usually done manually. The latest riveting tools have advanced pressure and heat capabilities to create tight seals. This prevents leaks as the hull flexes in the seaway. Rivets also withstand corrosion from saltwater better than welds in many cases.
Heavy Equipment and Machinery Manufacturing
Construction machinery, farm equipment and heavy trucks have thick steel parts that must handle high loads and impacts. Riveting is ideal for attaching brackets, gussets, panels and joints. CNC machining centers pre-drill mounting holes allowing precise alignment. Pneumatic rivet guns rapidly insert rivets in production. Hand riveting also sees use for final assembly and repairs.
Railroad Applications
Steel railroad car construction has long utilized rivets. Boxcars, hoppers, flatcars and tank cars all use riveting to assemble the frame, sides, ends, floors, and roof. Ease of installation and vibration resistance made rivets ideal fasteners. CNC drills the necessary holes in the panels and structural parts. Pneumatic rivet guns make quick work of assembly. Rivets also withstand the elements over years of service.
Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing
The production of heavy machinery for construction, mining, forestry, agriculture and other off-road uses relies on CNC-drilled riveted joints. The frames, booms, buckets, blades and more undergo extreme loads. Rivets are ideal for handling high stress better than welds. Vibration resistance also makes components last longer. And rivets allow parts to be removed for maintenance and repairs.
Elevator Manufacturing
Elevator cabs are essentially metal boxes that must handle fatigue over years of service. Rivets are perfect for assembling the four walls and roof. CNC cutting shapes and drills the panels. Automated riveting assembles the parts quickly while ensuring squareness. Rivets also allow some flexing without failure as the elevator moves. Elevator systems made with rivets maintain reliability over decades.
Playground Equipment
It may be surprising that playground equipment uses rivets. But swings, slides, climbers and other items have many metal parts. Rivets provide safety, so parts won’t come loose. CNC fabrication allows curved and rounded components. Precision drilled rivet holes align each piece. This helps the overall structure withstand years of use. Riveting also reduces sharp edges and pinching hazards.
CNC Riveting Machines
Dedicated CNC riveting machines have been developed to automate rivet installation. They combine precision drilling of rivet holes with automatic feeding and driving of rivets into the holes. This boosts productivity and ensures consistency in manufacturing.
CNC riveting machines have programmable controllers and tool changers. This allows installing many rivets in a sequence without manual intervention. They use servo motors for positioning so rivets can be placed in difficult to reach spots. Pressure, insertion speed and heat can also be adjusted for the rivet type and stack thickness.
Sophisticated systems use robotic arms, multiple axes of motion, part fixturing and cameras. This flexibility suits aerospace and aircraft manufacturing but also transfers to other high production uses. Larger CNC riveting cells handle both drilling and riveting for complete production.
Smaller CNC machines employ a riveting head attachment. This mounts like an end mill for versatility. Tool paths position the riveting head where needed to insert rivets. Indexers can also add fastener feed capabilities for automated production.
In summary, rivets remain a key component in CNC machining and manufacturing. Aircraft, vehicles, bridges, buildings, ships and equipment all rely on the strength, safety and reliability of rivets. CNC drilling/punching paired with automated or manual riveting improves construction across industries. And purpose-built CNC riveting machines increase throughput where high volume production is needed. With the precision of CNC, rivets will continue playing an integral role in fabricated metal products. CNC Milling CNC Machining