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What exactly is rivet/blind rivet technology?

GESIPA® makes it clear

Blind rivet nuts

In principle, a blind rivet nut is a threaded hollow rivet. It can be set blind – that is to say, with access from only one side – in a workpiece. It is precisely this level of simplicity that makes blind rivet nuts such a smart solution. GESIPA® blind rivet nuts are fasteners used to create highly durable threads for non-permanent connections – in thin workpieces that can only be accessed from one side in particular.  In the case of hollow profiles and components with one-sided access, setting blind rivet nuts is often the only way to create a thread in thin or soft components. This process allows threads to be added in just a few simple steps and with guaranteed speed, safety and reliability. GESIPA® blind rivet nuts and setting tools

are perfectly coordinated with one another. Minimum wear, short processing times and a long service life characterise GESIPA® riveting tools, making a significant contribution to cost optimisation. By manufacturing the fasteners ourselves at the GESIPA® centres of excellence, we are able to implement specific customer requirements economically and efficiently. Blind rivet nuts are used across many diverse areas of trade and industry – wherever a strong, non-permanent connection needs to be made. Examples include the automotive, white goods, electronics, food, solar and heating and air conditioning industries.

Blind rivet nuts – terminology

The setting head is the part of the blind rivet nut that rests on the visible surface of the component. The user can choose between the following variants: A blind rivet nut with a dome head provides a large contact surface on the component. If you are looking for minimum overlap of the blind rivet nut, thus allowing the assembly component to rest so it is almost flat, a blind rivet nut with a small head is the ideal option. Finally, there are countersunk blind rivet nuts, which are perfect for flat surfaces in countersunk holes. The shank is the part of the blind rivet nut that deforms during the setting procedure and fixes the blind rivet nut in the component. What is known as the closing head is formed in this process. The user can choose from the following shank variants: a round shank, a splined shank and a polygon shank (hexagon or square).
It is down to the customer to select the material used. Specific to the application, you can use blind rivet nuts made from steel, aluminium, monel or stainless steel.

Processing

Blind rivet nuts can be used to create load-bearing threads in thin materials. There needs to be a hole in the workpiece to be riveted using the rivet nut and it must measure at least 0.1 mm more than the diameter of the blind rivet nut. The blind rivet nut can then be screwed onto the threaded mandrel of the corresponding setting tool. The blind rivet nut is set in the drilled hole from one side. The length here depends on the thickness of the material. Using either manual rivet nut setting tools or an automatic riveting gun, the blind rivet nut is deformed and adapted in line with the material to be riveted. At this point, the threaded mandrel can be unscrewed. GESIPA® blind rivet nuts can be used to join further workpieces to the material.

Advantages at a glance

  • Easy and quick assembly while the component only needs to be accessed from one side
  • Placement of durable threads in thin and soft materials (steel, aluminium, magnesium, plastics etc.)
  • No thermal influences on the components and therefore no thermal distortion or damage to the surfaces of the components
  • No reworking required
  • High degree of flexibility in the production process
  • Low investment for assembly equipment
  • Versatility – option of use even for hybrid connections and soft materials
  • Production of watertight and gas-tight connections
  • No emission of heat, smoke and welding fumes into the surrounding area and therefore no adverse effects (danger) for people and the environment