Quality Rivets for CNC Machines(plastic injection molding service Meroy)
- Time:
- Click:4
- source:WEINBERG CNC Machining
The Importance of High-Quality Rivets
Rivets consist of a head and shank which are inserted through holes in two or more layers of material. The tail of the rivet is then deformed to create a second head, fastening the materials together. This simple fastening system allows for quick assembly times and joint flexibility. However, poor quality rivets can bend, break, or have other defects leading to joint failure. Some common problems that arise with low-quality rivets include:
- Head separation – The head of the rivet breaks off rather than deforming properly. This leads to a weakened joint.
- Shank bending – Inferior quality metal leads to the shank bending rather than piercing the materials cleanly. Angled shanks make insertion difficult.
- Inadequate material strength – Weak metal leads to rivets deforming, stretching, or breaking rather than holding materials firmly.
- Poor corrosion resistance – Low-grade metals corrode quickly leading to weakened joints, staining, and reduced aesthetic appeal.
- Dimensional inaccuracy – Improperly formed rivets result in poor fit, misalignment, and installation problems.
Using rivets that exhibit any of these defects can compromise joint integrity and increase the risk of product failures. This leads to increased quality control issues, rework, scrap, and customer dissatisfaction. With CNC equipment capable of high speeds and tight tolerances, having properly fabricated rivets is imperative for peak efficiency. Investing in quality rivets saves time, money, and headaches down the road.
Properties to Evaluate for Quality Rivets
So how can you identify rivets capable of performing reliably? Here are key factors to look at:
- Materials – Aircraft grade aluminum alloys like 2117 or 5056 are superior choices for rivets. Steel alloys can work too but may require surface treatments to prevent corrosion. The best rivets maintain ductility to bend rather than fracture.
- Head shape – Look for rivets with cleanly formed domed or countersunk heads without defects. The head should be concentric to the shank.
- Shank straightness – Quality rivets will have straight, properly tapered shanks. Curved or malformed shanks make proper insertion difficult.
- Dimensional consistency – Diameter tolerances of +/- 0.002” or better help ensure consistent sizing. Length tolerances of +/- 0.01” to 0.02” prevent insertion issues.
- Surface finish – Rivets should have a smooth surface sans burrs, debris, cracks, or other imperfections.
- Hardness testing – Rockwell or Vickers hardness tests help verify proper hardness and tensile strength. Testing also helps detect inconsistencies between lots.
- Testing certification – Reputable suppliers will provide documentation of quality testing results for each rivet lot. Review their testing standards.
- Special coatings – Certain applications may call for plated or coated rivets for corrosion resistance, aesthetics, etc. Validate the coating quality.
- Packaging – Quality rivets should ship in organized trays or boxes free of dirt and moisture. Disorganized bulk packaging indicates potential handling issues.
Following established industry standards like ASME and ISO specifications can also help ensure rivet quality. But due diligence in evaluating rivet properties and supplier standards is key.
Choosing the Right Rivets for Your CNC Needs
With an understanding of critical rivet qualities, you can zero in on the best rivet types, sizes, and materials to suit your CNC operations. Consider factors like:
- Products being joined – Pick rivets strong enough for the target materials and intended use. Using rivets that are too weak risks joint failure. Going overboard on strength adds unnecessary costs.
- Operating conditions – Higher strength alloys help where vibration, shocks, or temperature swings will occur. Plated or coated rivets improve corrosion resistance.
- Hole spacing and patterns – Make sure hole spacing matches your rivet length. Consider unique hole patterns matched to your rivet tray organization.
- Installation equipment – Hand, pneumatic, or specialty tools require rivets designed to work with the equipment force, jaws, and insertion methods.
- Joint design – The joint type dictates rivet head shape. Countersunk heads sit flush. Protruding domed heads offer easy inspection.
- Automated feeding – Countersunk rivets often feed better. Bulk fed rivets work for robotic or specialty tooling.
- CNC program – Programming approached vary by rivet type and your machine capabilities. Well-suited rivets simplify programming.
By taking the time to analyze your specific application requirements and machine capabilities, you can select optimal rivets in the ideal size, alloy, and style. Make sure to source rivets from suppliers with rigorous quality control and the ability to maintain consistency across batches. This produces repeatable results from your CNC equipment. Partnering with experienced rivet experts provides an invaluable resource to hone in on the best components for the job.
Investing in Quality for CNC Success
In today’s competitive manufacturing world, small details impact productivity, quality, and profitability. Few components may seem as innocuous as rivets. But subpar rivets introduce defects and downtime that undermine CNC capabilities. With a little diligence and input from knowledgeable suppliers, manufacturers can obtain perfectly fabricated rivets for their specific needs. Taking the time to analyze materials, critical properties, intended applications, equipment factors, and operating conditions pays dividends through enhanced quality control, faster cycle times, and improved throughput. By arming your shop with quality rivets suited for your CNC processes, you gain an advantage through reliability, consistency, and peak performance from your equipment and team. CNC Milling
