Automated riveting refers to the use of automatic rivet machines or robotic riveting systems to set rivets or rivet nuts with minimal or no manual intervention. These systems increase speed, accuracy, and consistency in manufacturing processes, particularly in high-volume production environments like automotive, aerospace, and industrial manufacturing.

Automating your riveting process with automated rivet machines or robotic riveting solutions offers:

Reduced inconsistencies: Eliminates errors common with manual riveting, ensuring consistent, high-quality joints.

Improved cycle times: Automatic rivet machines can set rivets/rivet nuts much faster than hand-held tools, boosting production output significantly.

Enhanced workplace safety: Automation reduces repetitive strain injuries (RSI) for operators, creating a safer work environment.

Data collection: Many automated riveting systems monitor and record process data, which is crucial for quality control, compliance, and traceability.

For context, setting a blind rivet manually with a battery-powered hand tool takes around 4.8 seconds, translating to about 12 rivets per minute per operator. Automated riveting systems like the GAV8000 can set up to 40 rivets per minute, more than tripling production rates.

Consider automating your riveting process if:

- You set a high volume of rivets/rivet nuts (more than 500,000 per year is a common benchmark).

- Your current manual riveting process causes production bottlenecks or repetitive strain injuries.

- You need to capture process data for safety-critical or highly regulated products.

- If you only set a small number of rivets/rivet nuts occasionally, an automatic riveting machine might not deliver a worthwhile ROI.

There are two primary types of automated riveting solutions:

1. Semi-automatic riveting systems

Best for manufacturers who still require some operator control due to space constraints or complex applications.

Semi-automatic riveters automatically feed rivets and remove mandrels but allow manual positioning of the tool.

2. Fully-automatic riveting systems

Ideal for high-volume, fully automated production environments.

These systems, often paired with collaborative robots or robotic arms, complete the entire riveting process without human intervention.

Fully-automatic rivet machines can seamlessly integrate into Industry 4.0 production lines.

Yes! Many modern automatic rivet machines can be mounted on robotic systems to create a fully automated, robotic riveting process. This integration dramatically reduces the need for human labor, improves efficiency, and guarantees repeatable high-quality results.