Selecting an industrial riveting machine requires more than comparing the nominal riveting force of different machines.

The machine needs to match the rivet, workpiece, joint design and production requirements.

Rivet Specifications

Start with the rivet itself.

Important information includes:

• Rivet material

• Rivet diameter

• Rivet length

• Required finished rivet shape

• Number of rivets per workpiece

These parameters help determine the appropriate riveting process and tooling.

Workpiece Material

The material being joined affects the riveting process.

Different metals can have different forming characteristics, so the machine and tooling should be selected according to the actual workpiece materials.

Required Riveting Force

Riveting force is an important machine parameter, but it should not be considered alone.

The required force depends on the rivet, material and forming process.

A machine with excessive capacity is not automatically better if the application does not require it.

Riveting Method

Different riveting machines use different forming methods.

Depending on the application, manufacturers may consider:

• Rotary riveting

• Radial riveting

• Press riveting

• Automatic riveting

Each method has different operating characteristics and potential applications.

Workpiece Geometry

The shape of the workpiece can affect machine selection.

The machine needs to provide enough space for the workpiece, tooling and operator access.

For irregular components, tooling and positioning can become particularly important.

Production Volume

Production requirements should also be considered.

For lower-volume production, a conventional riveting machine may be sufficient.

For repetitive high-volume production, automatic riveting equipment may provide greater process consistency and reduce manual operations.

Conclusion

The right riveting machine is determined by the complete application.

Rivet specifications, workpiece material, required force, riveting method, tooling, workpiece geometry and production volume should all be evaluated before making a selection.