Uses for Rivets in CNC Machining and Manufacturing(hot rolled vs cold rolled Paula)
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- source:LONTL CNC Machining
Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
The aerospace industry relies heavily on rivets to assemble airplane fuselages, wings, and other components. CNC technology allows drilling and riveting operations to be programmed into the machine control software. The CNC machine can be set up with special riveting heads to automatically drill holes and insert rivets with consistent quality and precision. Automating the riveting process improves build accuracy and reduces assembly time for aircraft manufacturers.
Metal Fabrication and Enclosures
CNC fabricating machines like laser, plasma, and waterjet cutters are commonly used to cut sheet metal and plate components for enclosures and structures. The cut metal parts then need to be riveted together to create the final products. Using CNC riveting automation, manufacturers can accurately join cut metal parts to form electronic enclosures, machine guards, and kiosks. The automation ensures proper rivet placement and consistency compared to manual operations.
Automotive Parts Assembly
The auto industry relies on CNC technology for machining engine blocks, gears, and other critical components. Riveting is also needed to assemble stamped body panels and interior parts like door skins and trim pieces. Automated riveting cells can be integrated into the production line to rapidly fasten the components together as they move through the manufacturing sequence. CNC enables flexibility to rivet varying parts by changing the program as needed.
Heavy Equipment Manufacturing
Construction equipment manufacturers utilize CNC to fabricate huge components like backhoe buckets and bulldozer blades. Riveting provides a fast way to join sections of sheet metal and structural parts together to form the shapes needed. By automating the riveting process, manufacturers can optimize the cycle times and achieve consistent high quality rivets on every part.
Pipeline and Pressure Vessel Fabrication
CNC cutting is commonly used to profile steel plate for pipelines, storage tanks, boilers and other pressure vessel fabrication. To create the final cylindrical or box shapes, the cut steel plate sections must be riveted together along the seams. CNC controlled orbital riveting machines can rapidly fasten the plate edges together to form high-strength and leak-proof seams critical for containing pressure. The automation provides precision and repeatability for large volume fabrication.
Sheet Metal Joining
From computer cases to HVAC ducting, CNC fabricated sheet metal components must be securely joined. While welding provides a robust method, the heat can potentially warp thin metal. Rivets offer a mechanical fastening alternative without heat. CNC riveting machines can be integrated into sheet metal fabrication lines to precisely insert rivets along panel seams and joints. Different sized rivets can be automatically fed and installed as programmed for each application.
Scaffolding and Structural Building
Scaffolding used in construction is comprised of tubular metal pipes that must be joined together. CNC machining centers can rapidly cut pipes and brackets to length. Automated riveting technology then provides a fast way to assemble the scaffold sections by joining the pipe connections. CNC riveting also supports modular structural building construction by fastening cut metal studs and framed components.
Ship and Boat Building
Naval vessel and boat hulls involve substantial riveting to interconnect the steel or aluminum plating. Traditionally this was labor intensive handwork. CNC automated riveting machines now drill holes and install hundreds of rivets per hour to assemble hull components. The programmable precision enables consistent high quality and strength. On very large vessels, portable CNC riveting machines can maneuver inside confined spaces to complete the assembly work.
Precision Machinery Manufacturing
CNC machining builds components for precision machinery like medical equipment, semiconductors, optics, lasers, and scientific instruments. Small parts and assemblies for these devices are often joined with rivets. Miniature CNC riveting machines can install micro-rivets with accuracy down to thousandths of an inch for tiny complex assemblies. The automated precision provides accuracy needed for high-end applications.
Electronics Assembly
Computer servers, telecom, and other electronics consist of many components mounted to racks and chassis platforms. While screws are common, rivets also provide solid fastening for circuit boards, power supplies, cable connectors and hardware pieces. CNC automated riveting efficiently attaches thousands of components continuously to panels and frames during the assembly process. Programming optimizes the fastening points and patterns.
Maintenance and Repair Operations
CNC riveting equipment is designed for rugged shop environments and can withstand high throughput production. However, these flexible machines also support lower volume maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations. Portable CNC riveting capabilities enable technicians to replace worn or damaged rivets on equipment like overhead cranes, mining machines, or industrial frames that would be difficult to manually refasten.
In summary, computer controlled riveting automation provides accuracy, speed, and repeatability for critical assembly operations across many manufacturing industries. As CNC technology has advanced, so has the ability to strategically incorporate programmed riveting into fabrication processes in ways not feasible with manual methods. This supports tighter production tolerances, faster assembly, lower labor cost, and greater manufacturing consistency. CNC Milling CNC Machining