Blind Rivet

The manufacturing process of a rivet begins with the cutting of a rod of material to the desired length. The rod is then inserted into a die, which is a shaped tool that forms the head of the rivet. The die is typically made from a hard material, such as steel or tungsten carbide.
There are two main types of dies used in the manufacturing of rivets: upset dies and pull dies. Upset dies are used to form the head of the rivet by upsetting, or compressing, the end of the rod. Pull dies are used to form the head of the rivet by pulling the end of the rod through the die.
Once the head of the rivet has been formed, the rivet is heat treated, if necessary. Heat treatment is a process that changes the properties of the material, such as its strength and hardness. The type of heat treatment that is used depends on the material of the rivet.
After heat treatment, the rivet is finished. This may involve cleaning the rivet, inspecting it for defects, and coating it with a protective finish.
The manufacturing process of a rivet is a relatively simple process, but it can be very precise. The accuracy of the manufacturing process is important to ensure that the rivets are strong and durable.
Here are some additional details about the manufacturing process of a rivet:
● The type of die that is used will affect the shape of the head of the rivet. Upset dies typically produce a round head, while pull dies typically produce a countersunk head.
● The heat treatment that is used will also affect the properties of the rivet. For example, heat treatment can increase the strength and hardness of the rivet.
● The finish that is applied to the rivet will protect it from corrosion and wear.
● The manufacturing process of a rivet can be automated, which can increase production speed and accuracy. However, some rivets are still manufactured by hand, especially for high-precision applications.

When choosing the right blind rivet size for the job, there are multiple specifications that you have to consider:
● Hole size: Blind rivets are installed in pre-drilled holes, and you want to be sure that the rivet diameter matches the hole for a snug fit. If the rivet is too small, the joint may loosen or the gap between the rivet and the sides of the hole might allow the blind head to expand in the space between the two workpieces. If the fit is too tight, it is difficult to properly place the rivet. Blind rivet sizes range from micro rivets on up and are available in both standard and metric units.
● Grip range: The grip range is based on the length of the rivet and needs to match the grip, which is the thickness of the materials being joined. Most rivets have a grip range from a minimum to a maximum thickness that will provide an optimal joint. If the rivet is too long, the blind head won't bind tightly to the blind side of the material; too short, and the head may not form on the blind side at all.
● Desired joint strength: The strength of the joint is determined by both the tensile strength and the shear strength of the blind rivet. When choosing the rivet size, you want to make sure the material and diameter are sufficient to withstand the load along the length of the joint, i.e., it has enough tensile strength. You also want to be sure that if the two parts of the joint material try to slide apart, the rivet has sufficient shear strength that it won't break. For example, heavy-duty applications, such as railway cars, mining equipment, and agricultural equipment, require stronger joints.
● Desired joint thickness: There are occasions when the thickness of the joint may vary, such as when you are joining different materials, when dealing with curved surfaces, or when pre-drilled holes may be difficult to align. For these applications, you may want a multi-grip rivet with a wider grip range to accommodate the variable joint thickness.
● Primary rivet head shape and size: The primary rivet head size on the visible side of the joint will vary based on the application. The head needs to be sufficiently wide that it won't pull through. For example, you can use small heads for hard materials such as steel, but may need a broader head size for softer materials such as plastic. The shape of the head also will affect the grip and the look. There are domed rivet heads that provide a good grip and countersunk heads that lie flush with the material but may need to be wider to guarantee against pull-through. There are a variety of blind rivet heads, each useful for different applications.
● Mandrel head size: Just as the primary head has to be sized for the job, so does the mandrel head on the blind side. Once set, the bulbed head formed on the blind side should create a flange wide enough to provide a strong hold and relatively flush with the workpiece. Soft materials such as plastics will require larger flange heads.
● Match the materials: A final and vital consideration is matching the blind rivet size to the materials being fastened together. If you are fastening hard and soft materials together, for example, the head sizes need to match the materials; you can use a smaller head for the harder materials but may need a larger head for the soft side. Sometimes you can use grooved rivets, which have rings that expand and will bite into materials such as wood or plastic when tightened.