Riveting in Sheet Metal Fabrication(steel compressive strength Cecil)
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Rivets are a common and reliable fastening method used in sheet metal fabrication. They create strong joints between metal sheets while allowing some flexibility. Riveting has been used for centuries in applications like aircraft construction, ductwork, electronic enclosures, and more. This article will explore the benefits of riveting, types of rivets, proper rivet spacing, techniques for riveting, and tips for quality riveted joints in sheet metal projects.
Benefits of Riveting
Compared to other sheet metal fastening techniques like welding or adhesives, riveting offers unique advantages:
- Allows for disassembly and repairs. Rivets can be drilled out to separate parts later if needed. This enables maintenance, upgrades, and repairs.
- Flexible joints. The rivet shank allows slight movement so riveted assemblies can handle vibration, thermal expansion, and load shifts.
- Only access to one side needed. Riveting is often done from one side which is useful where the backside is inaccessible.
- Works for overlapping or edge-to-edge joints. Rivets can join metal sheets in lap joints or butt joints.
- Speed. Automated tools allow fast riveting for high volume production.
- Low cost. Rivets themselves are inexpensive hardware. Installation tools like squeezers, impact rivet guns, and rivet presses are also economical compared to welders or adhesive dispensers.
For these reasons, riveting is commonly used for metal fabrication across many industries.
Types of Rivets for Sheet Metal
There are various types of rivets suited for different sheet metal riveting applications:
- Solid rivets are one-piece and come in round, flat, or countersunk head styles. They are the most common type for basic sheet metal joints.
- Blind rivets can be installed where access is only available to one side of a joint. They are inserted blindly and use a pulling mandrel to expand the rivet body.
- Self-piercing rivets pierce and join sheets without pre-drilled holes. This allows very quick fastening during mass production.
- Drive rivets are hammered in and expand like a nail shank. They produce a flush surface and are often used for soft or thin metals.
- Split rivets have a pre-cut split mandrel that snaps off after insertion to create a rivet with wide gripping power. The mandrel bits fall away internally.
Choosing the right rivet type ensures a lasting, reliable bond between sheet metal pieces. Like using the proper size drill bit, it's important to match the rivet style and specs to the application's material thickness and assembly requirements.
Rivet Spacing Guidelines
Proper rivet spacing is important for maximizing joint strength. Some general spacing guidelines include:
- Space rivets evenly along the seam with at least 2 rivet diameters between rivets. Excessive crowds can split the metal.
- Use more rivets around corners or curved areas that see higher stress. Add rows of rivets along inside bends.
- Include rivets along both sides/seams for box-shaped enclosures or ducts. This strengthens all walls evenly.
- Place rivets no closer than 3x the material thickness from edges and ends to prevent edge pull-out.
- For lap joints, stagger the rivets on each side rather than directly opposing them. This prevents lapping and uneven stress.
- Space end rivets on butt joints no more than 4x the material thickness from the open edge.
Following proper rivet pitch results in robust, long-lasting sheet metal constructions that hold up to vibration, shock, and movement over time.
Techniques for Riveting Sheet Metal
While specialized rivet guns and tools increase productivity, riveting sheet metal can also be done manually. Here is an overview of common techniques:
- Clamp or brace the workpieces so they don't shift and are flush along the joint line.
- Use a center punch to mark hole locations evenly spaced as planned.
- Drill holes to match the rivet diameter. A tight fit is ideal.
- Chamfer holes to ease rivet insertion and improve finish.
- Insert the rivet into the hole and upset the protruding end to flare it. This is done with a bucking bar on the backside anvil while hammering the rivet head.
- For blind rivets, the mandrel is pulled to expand and set the rivet. Jaws, pliers, or a rivet gun can supply sufficient grip and force.
- Stagger multiple rows with zig-zag or diagonal offsets between rows.
- Caulk around final rivets for water-tight sealing if needed. Apply protective paint over raw rivet edges.
While manual riveting takes time and practice, it produces quality results. For production jobs, pneumatic squeezers, impact riveters, and auto-fed tools increase riveting speed dramatically.
Tips for Quality Riveted Joints
Follow these tips for professional, lasting riveted joints in sheet metal:
- Use rounded head rivets for softer metals like aluminum. They reduce material dimpling compared to flat heads.
- Select rivet alloy to match the metal sheets joined. This prevents galvanic corrosion.
- Consider flush rivets for smooth aerodynamic surfaces. Countersunk rivets also improve aesthetics.
- Make sure gripped parts are flush so rivet heads can sit flat without gaps.
- Add sealant for water-tight joins in ducts, tanks, or enclosures. Caulk under the rivet head.
- Replace any rivets that spin or rattle indicating a loose fit. Drill them out and install oversized replacements.
- Deburr all holes thoroughly to prevent cutting the rivets during insertion.
- Use rivet diameters at least 2.5x the sheet thickness for adequate grip and overlap.
Proper drill hole preparation, rivet selection, and installation technique results in robust sheet metal assemblies. Riveting remains a quick, easy, and reliable fastening method for both light and heavy duty fabrication. CNC Milling
Benefits of Riveting
Compared to other sheet metal fastening techniques like welding or adhesives, riveting offers unique advantages:
- Allows for disassembly and repairs. Rivets can be drilled out to separate parts later if needed. This enables maintenance, upgrades, and repairs.
- Flexible joints. The rivet shank allows slight movement so riveted assemblies can handle vibration, thermal expansion, and load shifts.
- Only access to one side needed. Riveting is often done from one side which is useful where the backside is inaccessible.
- Works for overlapping or edge-to-edge joints. Rivets can join metal sheets in lap joints or butt joints.
- Speed. Automated tools allow fast riveting for high volume production.
- Low cost. Rivets themselves are inexpensive hardware. Installation tools like squeezers, impact rivet guns, and rivet presses are also economical compared to welders or adhesive dispensers.
For these reasons, riveting is commonly used for metal fabrication across many industries.
Types of Rivets for Sheet Metal
There are various types of rivets suited for different sheet metal riveting applications:
- Solid rivets are one-piece and come in round, flat, or countersunk head styles. They are the most common type for basic sheet metal joints.
- Blind rivets can be installed where access is only available to one side of a joint. They are inserted blindly and use a pulling mandrel to expand the rivet body.
- Self-piercing rivets pierce and join sheets without pre-drilled holes. This allows very quick fastening during mass production.
- Drive rivets are hammered in and expand like a nail shank. They produce a flush surface and are often used for soft or thin metals.
- Split rivets have a pre-cut split mandrel that snaps off after insertion to create a rivet with wide gripping power. The mandrel bits fall away internally.
Choosing the right rivet type ensures a lasting, reliable bond between sheet metal pieces. Like using the proper size drill bit, it's important to match the rivet style and specs to the application's material thickness and assembly requirements.
Rivet Spacing Guidelines
Proper rivet spacing is important for maximizing joint strength. Some general spacing guidelines include:
- Space rivets evenly along the seam with at least 2 rivet diameters between rivets. Excessive crowds can split the metal.
- Use more rivets around corners or curved areas that see higher stress. Add rows of rivets along inside bends.
- Include rivets along both sides/seams for box-shaped enclosures or ducts. This strengthens all walls evenly.
- Place rivets no closer than 3x the material thickness from edges and ends to prevent edge pull-out.
- For lap joints, stagger the rivets on each side rather than directly opposing them. This prevents lapping and uneven stress.
- Space end rivets on butt joints no more than 4x the material thickness from the open edge.
Following proper rivet pitch results in robust, long-lasting sheet metal constructions that hold up to vibration, shock, and movement over time.
Techniques for Riveting Sheet Metal
While specialized rivet guns and tools increase productivity, riveting sheet metal can also be done manually. Here is an overview of common techniques:
- Clamp or brace the workpieces so they don't shift and are flush along the joint line.
- Use a center punch to mark hole locations evenly spaced as planned.
- Drill holes to match the rivet diameter. A tight fit is ideal.
- Chamfer holes to ease rivet insertion and improve finish.
- Insert the rivet into the hole and upset the protruding end to flare it. This is done with a bucking bar on the backside anvil while hammering the rivet head.
- For blind rivets, the mandrel is pulled to expand and set the rivet. Jaws, pliers, or a rivet gun can supply sufficient grip and force.
- Stagger multiple rows with zig-zag or diagonal offsets between rows.
- Caulk around final rivets for water-tight sealing if needed. Apply protective paint over raw rivet edges.
While manual riveting takes time and practice, it produces quality results. For production jobs, pneumatic squeezers, impact riveters, and auto-fed tools increase riveting speed dramatically.
Tips for Quality Riveted Joints
Follow these tips for professional, lasting riveted joints in sheet metal:
- Use rounded head rivets for softer metals like aluminum. They reduce material dimpling compared to flat heads.
- Select rivet alloy to match the metal sheets joined. This prevents galvanic corrosion.
- Consider flush rivets for smooth aerodynamic surfaces. Countersunk rivets also improve aesthetics.
- Make sure gripped parts are flush so rivet heads can sit flat without gaps.
- Add sealant for water-tight joins in ducts, tanks, or enclosures. Caulk under the rivet head.
- Replace any rivets that spin or rattle indicating a loose fit. Drill them out and install oversized replacements.
- Deburr all holes thoroughly to prevent cutting the rivets during insertion.
- Use rivet diameters at least 2.5x the sheet thickness for adequate grip and overlap.
Proper drill hole preparation, rivet selection, and installation technique results in robust sheet metal assemblies. Riveting remains a quick, easy, and reliable fastening method for both light and heavy duty fabrication. CNC Milling