Uses for Rivets in Manufacturing and Construction(overlapping welding David)
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- source:GAENOR CNC Machining
Rivets come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials for different applications. Some of the most common uses for rivets include:
Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
Rivets are extensively used in the assembly of aircraft and spacecraft. They are the preferred fastener in aviation because of their light weight, high strength-to-weight ratio, reliability, and ease of installation. Aircraft-grade aluminum, titanium, and specialty alloys like Monel are commonly used for rivets in airplanes and rockets.
Rivets securely fasten the skin to the frame and stiffeners in the fuselage, wings, and tail sections. They are also used to join stringers, ribs, bulkheads, and other structural components. Solid and blind rivets are commonly used where only one side is accessible for bucking the tail. Rivets must withstand vibrations, fatigue loads, and extreme temperatures experienced during flight.
Building and Bridge Construction
Rivets are a popular fastener in building and bridge construction projects. They are used to join structural steel members like beams, girders, and trusses. Riveting provides a strong and reliable connection that can handle the tension, compression, and shear forces encountered in bridges and highrise buildings.
Steel rivets are inserted in pre-drilled holes and then bucked or hammered to mushroom the tail. This cold works and compresses the rivet, creating a tight fit. Rivets help transfer loads through connections and are resistant to loosening due to vibrations and movements. They are also used in handrails, ladders, platforms, and other building components.
Shipbuilding
Ship hulls, decks, bulkheads, and other marine structures are assembled using rivets. The joining of metal plates using rivets creates a watertight seal critical to floating vessels. Stainless steel and copper rivets provide excellent corrosion resistance in marine environments.
Riveted construction allows for relative movement between structural members due to wave action and cargo loads. Riveting also reduces crack propagation that could lead to catastrophic failure. Marine-grade rivets have high clamping force to withstand dynamic loads and slamming action in rough seas.
Automotive Industry
Rivets are commonly used to assemble auto body panels like fenders, hoods, doors, and trunk lids. Riveting provides a strong and durable method to join sheet metal components of uniform or dissimilar thicknesses. Self-piercing and blind rivets allow riveting of panels where only one side is accessible.
Rivets are also used in chassis and frame construction of cars and trucks. Large structural rivets join metallic components like crossmembers, suspension links, drivetrain housings, and brackets. Riveting allows some flexing between connected members to absorb road shocks and twisting forces.
Consumer Goods Manufacturing
Rivets find widespread use in consumer products for durability and appearance. They are used in appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators, and ovens to fasten sheet metal housings and frames. Handheld power tools, cooking pots, electronic devices, jewelry, and sports equipment also employ rivets for assembly and decoration.
The commercial availability of various rivet types like semi-tubular, round head, countersunk head, and customized head shapes allows manufacturers broad design flexibility. Colored and corrosion resistant rivets can be matched to product aesthetics.
Industrial Equipment
Heavy machinery used in agriculture, construction, mining, and other industries rely on rivets for robust and reliable construction. Large steel rivets join structural members like beams, frames, bearing housings, and brackets to withstand harsh operating conditions. Riveting allows vibration dampening critical in excavators, tractors, forklifts, cranes, and mining equipment.
Stainless steel and Monel rivets provide corrosion resistance in demanding environments. Copper rivets also resist corrosion and create an air and watertight seal. Critical components like buckets, booms, and shovels are riveted for extended service life.
Railroad Applications
Rivets have been the traditional fastener used in railroads for over a century. Early wooden rail cars and now modern steel freight cars are assembled using rivets. They connect side frames, bolsters, brake rigging, end ladders, and other car components. Riveting withstands the constant rattling and jolting associated with rail transport.
Steel bridges, repair shops, rail yards, and stations also employ rivets for durability. Railroad rivets come in various head shapes like flat countersunk and button head for different applications. High strength carbon steel provides reliable performance under dynamic loads and vibrations.
HVAC Ducting Systems
Rivets are commonly used to fabricate sheet metal ducting for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Duct assemblies transport conditioned air through buildings via an extensive network. Ducts experience internal pressure stresses and must resist deformation.
Joint connections in rectangular, round, and flat oval ducts are riveted for strength and air-tightness. Riveting is preferred over other joining methods like welding, bonding, and soldering due to speed and reliability. Self-piercing rivets allow easy fastening of ducting where one side is not accessible.
In summary, rivets serve as a versatile, economical, and dependable fastening method in a broad range of manufacturing and construction applications. From delicate electronics to massive ships and bridges, rivets meet demands for strength, durability, and reliability. Advances in materials and rivet designs continue to expand applications across industries. CNC Milling CNC Machining