High Quality Rivets For CNC Machining and Manufacturing(aerospace cnc Gilbert)
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Rivet Strength and Durability
A rivet's strength comes from its head and shank design, as well as the materials used. For CNC applications, rivets must be strong enough to withstand machining forces and hold parts together securely over the long-term. Solid aluminum, steel, and stainless steel rivets are common choices that provide high shear and tensile strength. The shank diameter and head size should be specified based on the sheet material thickness and required grip range.
Using rivets with higher strength than needed is recommended to provide a safety margin. Fatigue resistance is also important for parts subject to vibrations. A rivet's durability depends on corrosion and wear resistance. Aluminum provides good corrosion resistance while steel offers better wear properties. Choosing the right coating or plating can enhance corrosion and abrasion protection.
Precision Head Styles
The type of rivet head impacts assembly precision and process reliability. For CNC applications, uniform flat head and countersunk head rivets allow for flush finishing. Low-profile styles, like modified countersunk and oval heads, minimize protrusions. Pan and round heads provide stronger and wider clamping. Precision engineered head shapes avoid issues like variable compression or inconsistent flushness.
Automating with quality rivets minimizes rejects and rework compared to lower precision alternatives. Dimensional consistency of the heads and shanks is also vital for precision positioning and hole alignment during automated installation.
Optimized Shank Design
The rivet shank design affects both functionality and machinability. Tapered shanks facilitate insertion while parallel shanks offer higher shear strength. Sharp chamfers on the shank make driving easier and minimize hole distortion. The shank surface should also be perfectly smooth to prevent jamming in automated feeding systems.
For CNC applications, the shank tolerance must match the hole size precisely. Too tight a fit risks cracking while too loose can result in poor alignment. The optimal fit should allow smooth automated feeding and positive placement without forcing. The straightness and consistency of the shanks are critical for avoiding automated assembly errors and preventing rejects.
Rivet Gripping Ability
The grip range of a rivet is the combined material thickness it can fasten together. Selecting the right grip for each application ensures the rivet fully engages both sheets for a secure joint. Too short of a grip will not clamp properly while too long leaves a gap between materials. For CNC processes, using the grip range needed improves quality and minimizes excess length that adds weight.
The gripping ability comes from the rivet design and ductility of the metal. Softer materials like aluminum provide a wider grip range than steel. Rivets with a groove under the head allow some material flow to accommodate wider grip variances. Consistent grip specifications are essential for high-precision CNC joining.
Optimized Feeding for Automation
For lights-out CNC manufacturing, quality rivets must feed reliably without jamming. Feeding issues lead to downtime and lost productivity. Rivets optimized for automated systems have several features to prevent hang-ups, including:
- Chamfered Shanks - Smoother entry into delivery tubes
- Lubricious Coatings - Reduced friction in tracks and guides
- Anti-bridging Geometry - Avoids tangling in vibratory bowls
- Consistent Head Styling - Prevents catch points and jams
Rivet packaging is also designed to work flawlessly with part feeders. Shank orientation, bulk vs. taped supply, and use of anti-static materials improve feed reliability. Choosing automated-friendly rivets minimizes human intervention and boosts process throughput.
High-Precision CNC Machining
The precision and consistency of the rivet itself directly impacts the results of CNC machining and alignment. Tighter dimensional tolerances allow for more accurate automated fabrication. Key factors include:
- Diameter Tolerance - Closer shank size matches hole precisely
- Head/Shank Squareness - Perpendicularity improves alignment
- Shank Straightness - Prevents hole mismatch and walking
- Head Height Consistency - Enables flush finishing and fit
Automated inspection of critical dimensions is needed to achieve necessary CNC tolerances of .001" or better. Each rivet feature must be controlled to optimize automated quality and precision.
Rivet Material Compatibility
The material and coating of the rivets must be compatible with the application. Dissimilar metals can corrode if insulating layers are not used. Any protective platings like zinc or cadmium should be thick enough to withstand wear during automated driving. Steel and stainless rivets provide hardness to penetrate tough materials.
Aluminum is suitable for joining softer aluminum components but may lack the strength for other metals. Any lubricious coatings must adhere under machining and driving forces without flaking off. Ensuring material and coating compatibility prevents assembly issues or premature failure in the CNC application.
Summary
From high strength alloys to anti-jamming geometries, every characteristic of a quality rivet is optimized for precision CNC manufacturing. Carefully selecting each feature - strength, head style, shank design, grip, feedability, tolerances, and material - results in reliable automated assembly, long-lasting product durability, and smooth machining with minimal rejects. Investing in the best CNC-optimized rivets brings quality and efficiency to advanced automated production. CNC Milling CNC Machining