Among current riveting processes, the main methods include hot riveting, traditional cold stamping, and the newer spin riveting (also known as rotary riveting). Spin riveters are classified by drive medium into pneumatic and hydraulic types, and by rivet head motion path into orbital (roller) riveting and radial riveting.
Compared with traditional cold stamping and hot riveting, spin riveting offers clear advantages: smooth and attractive joint surfaces, secure formation, no damage to the rivet coating, and no twisting or upsetting after forming – especially suitable for workpieces with high surface finish requirements.
Comparison between pneumatic and hydraulic spin riveters
Pneumatic spin riveters feature fast response, high working efficiency, low noise, and extremely low failure rates, making them ideal for small to medium‑sized rivets in batch production. Hydraulic spin riveters deliver higher output force but are slightly inferior in overall performance such as response speed and noise control. The selection should consider rivet diameter and material strength. We can assist customers in selecting the appropriate drive type based on their rivet specifications and workpiece drawings, and also supply custom‑manufactured rivet heads to match the chosen equipment.
Technical differences between orbital and radial riveting
Orbital riveting: the rivet head rotates around the rivet centerline at a certain wobble angle, with a stable and mature process.
Radial riveting: the rivet head follows a petal‑shaped path via a spherical kinematic pair combined with planetary motion, theoretically providing more uniform stress distribution. However, radial riveting technology is not yet fully mature in China, with issues such as unstable riveting, short service life of spherical pairs, and high manufacturing costs. In contrast, orbital riveting is well‑established and reliable; therefore, orbital spin riveters are recommended as the preferred choice.
In summary, the final selection should take into account workpiece material, rivet size, production volume, and quality requirements. For most conventional applications, pneumatic orbital spin riveters offer an optimal balance between efficiency and stability.
