CNC (Computer Numerical Control) turning is an integral component of modern industrial processes. This sophisticated technology revolutionized the manufacturing industry by making it possible to produce intricate parts with high precision, markedly reducing production time while enhancing affordability.
This article will provide detailed insight into the process of CNC turning and how it contributes to producing one of the most widely-used fastening elements in the construction and manufacturing industries – rivets. We’ll also delve into different types of rivets, expanding your understanding of this crucial hardware.
Firstly, let’s comprehend what CNC turning is. It’s a manufacturing process where bars of material are held in a chuck and rotated while a tool is fed into the workpiece to remove material and create the desired shape. In essence, you take a block of material then ‘turn’ it until you’ve carved out the necessary part or object. Given its level of accuracy and efficiency, it does not come as a surprise that the method is essential for creating a variety of mechanical parts including various types of rivets.
A rivet is a type of permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed, a typical rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite the head is known as the buck-tail. Once installed, the buck-tail is upset, or deformed, so that it expands to about 1.5 times the original shaft diameter, holding the rivet in place.
Rivets have renowned strength and durability which contributes significantly to their wide application in numerous industries such as construction, automobile manufacturing, aircraft manufacturing, amongst others. Let’s explore more about the common styles of rivets made through CNC turning:
1. Solid Rivets: Known for their robustness and reliability, they represent the oldest type of rivets. They are heavily used in structural work where high load-bearing capacity is required.
2. Semi-tubular Rivets: These have a partially hollow shaft which reduces the force needed for installation and controls the expansion of the rivet tail during setting, thus creating a tighter clench against the parts being fastened.
3. Blind Rivets: Also known as ‘pop’ rivets, these are installed from one side via access holes. They’re perfect when you can’t reach the reverse side of the workpiece.
4. Drive Rivets: Their simple structure includes a short mandrel protruding from the head that, while driven in, expands the legs cutting into the material and holding it securely.
5. Flush Rivets: These have conical heads that get pulled into pre-drilled countersunk holes leaving them virtually flush with the surface.
6. Friction-Lock Rivets: Commonly used in aircraft structures; they are faster to install than solid rivets and have excellent shear strength.
The process of producing rivets through CNC turning requires skilled operators who set up the machine properly and input accurate coding instructions. Every phase from gantry loading, rough turning, finish turning, drilling, thread cutting, to unloading the finished product – all could be accomplished on automatic CNC turntables under precise computer control, ensuring reliable output quality every single time.
In conclusion, understanding the mechanics behind CNC turning operations and various types of rivets represents valuable knowledge for anyone involved in the manufacturing industry. It enables businesses to maintain high-quality standards in their products and fuels innovation across diverse sectors, bolstering economies worldwide.
