In the world of modern manufacturing, intricacy and precision are two vital parameters. One technique that perfectly blends these criteria is CNC turning. It has performed a significant role in revolutionizing industries with precise component production capabilities – including rivets, fasteners that have been essential throughout history and remain so in our contemporary times. Understanding this topic further requires an exploration into what CNC turning exactly entails and an examination of the types of rivets it helps to produce.
CNC or Computer Numerical Control turning is a machining process where material bars are placed in chucking and rotated while a tool is fed into the rotating workpiece to remove more material until only the required size remains. With computers directing this subtractive machining method, CNC turning excels in producing complex parts with tight tolerances, high repeatability rate, and impressive speed – benefits that have found particular application in creating different types of rivets.
Rivets are permanently installed mechanical fasteners made up of a cylindrical shaft (body) having a head at one end and tail at the other. When inserted through components’ holes, the tail-end deforms either by pressing down using a bucking bar or utilizing heat expansion to form another ‘head’, locking the pieces tightly together. The result is a robust joint that can withstand high loads and vibrations—an attribute mandated across industries such as aerospace, construction, automotive, and many others.
Now you might wonder how rivets relate to CNC turning? The answer lies in the engulfing range of types of rivets available today—each variety demanding distinct configuration for which CNC dictates the execution pace. Some common types include blind rivets, solid rivets, drive rivets, semi-tubular rivets, and Oscar rivets.
Blind rivets, often referred to as ‘pop’ rivets, comprise a mandrel attached to a smooth, hollow rivet body. They are handy when access to only one side of the workpiece is possible. CNC turning machines, with their versatile multi-axis configuration and high precision levels, help design blind rivets—tailoring each part in line with specific requirements.
Solid rivets are the oldest forms, typically made of soft, malleable metals like copper or steel. The deformation process involves putting pressure or striking the tail end after insertion. With CNC technology, these can be produced in large quantities ensuring consistent size, strength, and aesthetic finish every time.
Drive rivets bear a short mandrel protruding from the head and bulge out upon hammering on the exposed head. Like solid rivets, drive rivets manufactured using precise lathes flourish not only in standardization but also in efficient production timelines.
Semi-tubular rivets possess partially hollow shafts which reduce the force needed for installation—a characteristic that fosters application variety including brake linings or leather goods. Here again, CNC turning systems bring about uniformity across multiple batches whilst maintaining exceptional speed.
Finally, Oscar rivets carry resemblance to semi-tubular ones but comprise two legs spreading outward during installation—aptly suited for low joint loads such as framing pictures or securing insulation materials. Manufacturing these becomes effortless with computer-operated tools—offering accuracy even for complex geometric attributes besides fostering lean inventory via rapid production.
To conclude, almost all types of rivets thrive on detailed attention during fabrication –a demand conveniently met by CNC turning. Indeed, this welding cousin’s unison-enabled mutual growth; whilst CNC garnered popularity unlocking endless prototyping capabilities, different rivet types benefited from improved manufacture quality and speed, aligning perfectly with modern manufacturing needs. Thus, it’s safe to say that while riveting might seem an antiquated technique, its effectiveness vouches for relevance, further amplified through modern technology trends like CNC turning. As industries continue evolving, this compatibility will only deepen, showcasing that even in the most sophisticated futures; resilience built on historical knowledge indeed succeeds.
