Riveting Techniques

There are several common methods or techniques for performing riveting operations. There is the standard hand riveting with a bucking bar or a blind rivet. Three basic alternative methods of riveting are cold riveting, hot riveting, and automated riveting. Each method is used to achieve different characteristics.

In the standard riveting process and in cold or hot riveting a bucking bar is used at the bottom end of the rivet to cause it to form a head when the rivet is driven through the hole. Bucking bars are of different weights depending on the size of the rivet being used. In the cold riveting process the rivets are kept in a refrigerator until they are ready to be used. The rivet is driven while it is still cold. While it is cold the rivet remains soft and is more malleable. The rivet will cure at room temperature and become hardened. This process is necessary for rivets produced from certain aluminum alloys. The hot riveting process is done for the same reasons. The difference is the rivet will be at room temperature before its use. When the rivet is needed it will be heated and then driven while it is still hot. When it cools again it will return to its hardened state. Automated riveting processes are cheaper, but do to lengthy setup time they are usually limited to one rivet type. Automated riveting can include the hot or cold riveting methods.

The most common types of riveting other than the standard methods are cold riveting, hot riveting, and automated riveting. Each of the riveting methods have advantages, whether it is strength, ease of production, or cost.

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