Proper rivet and bonding techniques are essential for maintaining structural integrity on today’s vehicles.
From an engineering standpoint, there are a number of similarities between the automotive and aerospace industries. Maximizing performance and minimizing weight have always been a priority in the aviation sector. Take construction techniques. Rivet and bonding have been a primary method for assembling aircraft for decades as it creates a light and strong structure. In more recent times, we’ve seen it increasingly adopted by automotive OEMs as they continue to look for ways to minimize weight gains and achieve ever tighter fuel economy standards, while ensuring a stiff, robust vehicle structure.
Correct structural holding
When it comes to collision repairs, there are some things to consider when it comes to rivet and bonding techniques. A key one is ensuring the vehicle is held properly prior to the repair.
“If it is not held in place perfectly, you’re not going to get a correct result when it comes to the repair,” explains Mike Croker, Director, Product Management for Chief Collision Technology He also notes that when it comes to EVs, proper structural holding is also critical, since the battery pack forms a large part of the overall vehicle structure and needs to be removed when performing repairs. “You have to make sure you replicate the structure as if the battery were in place, on the frame rack when performing rivet bonding and structural repairs.”
There’s also the question of the equipment required. The challenge, at present, is that many OEMs still require different tools to perform the work, which can make it costly for shops, particularly if they are repairing multiple makes and models of vehicles, which many still are. Training is also a critical element. “Knowing what to do via specific guidelines and processes will ensure success and a solid repair,” explains Al McNeil, Field Technical Analyst, Western Canada; CSN Collision Centres. “Having the correct training on rivet bonding is important to the proper repairs and knowledge of the special rivets and bonding materials used for each specific vehicle,” he says.
OEM rivets essential
Rivets can be applied with or without adhesives. “It depends on the particular OEM repair procedure for a vehicle,” notes Arman Gurarslan, President, Arslan Automotive, which provides repair equipment and solutions for the collision industry, including rivet and bonding. Gurarslan explains that vehicles that incorporate aluminum structural and body components, such as Ford F-Series pickups and some luxury vehicles like high-end Audis and Jaguars, require the use of OEM structural repair rivets in order to perform body repairs. “Aftermarket structural rivets are generally not authorized by OEMs,” he explains. The reason why is that OEMs cannot guarantee the safety and reliability of the repaired vehicle if their own, approved structural rivets are not used.
Regarding the actual repair process, Russ Duncan, Director of Sales and Marketing, Canada for Pro Spot, notes that utilizing a workstation is critical when it comes to efficiency in performing rivet and bonding operations. “The right tool, correct dies for the job, the correct material, and applicator need to be on hand and ready to go,” explains Duncan. Additionally, the exact repair procedures need to be close at hand, so that the rivets are driven into the correct depth, resulting in a strong/safe join. Modern Single Pierce Rivet Guns, like CMO SPR units offered through Arslan Automotive, also features a memory card, so that the parameters for each rivet installation, including the pressure/force applied are recorded, enabling the shop to thoroughly document the work and demonstrate the correct procedures were performed.
And ensuring these correct procedures are maintained requires ongoing technician training, since OEMs frequently make changes to a vehicle as well as the repair procedures required. And today given the resources available to do that, there’s no excuse not to stay current.
The right resources
“OEM certifications are helpful because they ensure your technicians have the resources needed for the rivet bonding process,” says Bill Davidge, Director, OEM Strategy and Equipment, CARSTAR. “It’s a very simple process if you consult the most recent OEM guidelines for every repair.” By doing so, technicians get to know and understand the OEM-approved riveters and materials for performing repairs, avoiding many potential problems, including corrosion from performing incorrect procedures or using the wrong rivets or adhesives. “The right adhesive can stop corrosion and it’s easily seen when you are welding aluminum if it’s sat around too long. If we try and bond over the film, the result will never be successful.”
Mbinu sahihi za rivet na bonding ni muhimu kwa kudumisha uadilifu wa muundo kwenye magari ya leo. Kutoka kwa mtazamo wa uhandisi, kuna idadi ya kufanana kati ya viwanda vya magari na anga. Kuongeza utendaji na kupunguza uzito daima imekuwa kipaumbele katika sekta ya anga. Kwa mfano, fikiria mbinu za ujenzi. Rivet na bonding wamekuwa njia ya msingi kwa ajili ya kukusanya ndege kwa miongo kadhaa kama inaunda muundo mwanga na nguvu. Katika nyakati za hivi karibuni, tumeona inazidi kupitishwa na OEMs magari kama wao kuendelea kutafuta njia ya kupunguza uzito faida na kufikia viwango vya mafuta uchumi zaidi, wakati kuhakikisha rigid, imara gari muundo. Wakati wa kurekebisha mgongano, kuna mambo kadhaa ya kuzingatia linapokuja mbinu za rivet na kushikamana. Jambo muhimu ni kuhakikisha kwamba gari linashikiliwa vizuri kabla ya kurekebishwa. "Ikiwa haishikwi mahali pake kikamilifu, hautapata matokeo sahihi linapokuja ukarabati, ""anaeleza Mike Crocker, Mkurugenzi wa Usimamizi wa Bidhaa kwa Teknolojia ya Chief Collision." <unk>Lazima kuhakikisha wewe kuiga muundo kama kama betri walikuwa katika nafasi, juu ya rack frame wakati wa kufanya rivet bonding na ukarabati wa muundo.<unk> Pia kuna swali la vifaa zinazohitajika. Tatizo ni kwamba OEMs wengi bado wanahitaji vifaa tofauti kufanya kazi, ambayo inaweza kufanya gharama kubwa kwa maduka, hasa kama wao ni kurekebisha bidhaa nyingi na mifano ya magari, ambayo wengi bado ni. Mazoezi pia ni jambo muhimu. "Kujaribu kufanya kazi kwa njia ya miongozo maalum na taratibu itahakikisha mafanikio na ukarabati thabiti,"" anaelezea Al McNeil, Mchambuzi wa Ufundi wa Shamba, Magharibi mwa Canada; CSN Collision Centres." "Kuwa na mafunzo sahihi juu ya rivet bonding ni muhimu kwa ukarabati sahihi na maarifa ya rivets maalum na vifaa vya kuunganisha kutumika kwa kila gari maalum", anasema. Rivet ni muhimu kwa ajili ya matumizi ya vifaa vya OEM, na inaweza kutumika kwa ajili ya matumizi ya vifaa vya OEM. "Inategemea utaratibu maalum wa ukarabati wa OEM kwa gari, "Arman Gurarslan, Rais wa Arslan Automotive, ambaye hutoa vifaa vya ukarabati na suluhisho kwa sekta ya mgongano, pamoja na rivet na kuunganisha, anasema. Gurlson anaelezea kwamba magari ambayo yanajumuisha sehemu za muundo wa alumini, kama vile Ford F-Series pickups na baadhi ya magari ya kifahari kama vile Audi na Jaguar, yanahitaji matumizi ya rivets za ukarabati wa muundo wa OEM ili kufanya ukarabati wa mwili. <unk>Aftermarket rivets muundo kwa ujumla si kuidhinishwa na OEMs,<unk> yeye anaeleza. Hii ni kwa sababu OEMs hawawezi kuhakikisha usalama na kuegemea ya gari kurekebishwa kama wao wenyewe, kupitishwa rivets muundo si kutumika. Kuhusu mchakato halisi wa ukarabati, Russ Duncan, Mkurugenzi wa Mauzo na Uuzaji, Canada kwa ProSpot, anasema kwamba kutumia kituo cha kazi ni muhimu linapokuja ufanisi katika kufanya rivet na kushikamana shughuli. <unk>Chombo sahihi, dies sahihi kwa ajili ya kazi, nyenzo sahihi, na applicator haja ya kuwa mkononi na tayari kwenda, <unk> anaelezea Duncan. Kwa kuongezea, taratibu halisi za ukarabati zinahitaji kuwa karibu, ili rivets ziendeshwe kwa kina sahihi, ikisababisha kuungana kwa nguvu na salama. "Pierce Rivet Guns, kama vile vifaa vya CMO SPR vinavyotolewa na Arslan Automotive, pia zina kadi ya kumbukumbu, ili vipimo vya kila ufungaji wa rivet, pamoja na shinikizo au nguvu iliyotumika, iandikwe, ikiruhusu duka kuorodhesha kazi kwa undani na kuonyesha taratibu sahihi zilizofanywa.""" Kuhifadhi utaratibu huu wa usahihi inahitaji mafunzo ya msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi wa msaidizi. Na leo kutokana na rasilimali zinazopatikana kufanya hivyo, hakuna udhuru wa kutokuwa na sasa. "Uhakikisho wa OEM ni muhimu kwa sababu wanahakikisha wataalamu wako wana rasilimali zinazohitajika kwa mchakato wa kushikamana kwa rivet, ""anasema Bill Davidge, Mkurugenzi, Mkakati wa OEM na Vifaa, CARSTAR." "Ni mchakato rahisi sana ikiwa utaangalia miongozo ya hivi karibuni ya OEM kwa kila ukarabati, kwa kufanya hivyo, mafundi wanajua na kuelewa riveters na vifaa vilivyokubaliwa na OEM kwa kufanya ukarabati, kuepuka matatizo mengi ya uwezekano, ikiwa ni pamoja na kutu kutoka kwa kufanya taratibu zisizo sahihi au kutumia rivets au adhesives zisizo sahihi.""" <unk>The haki adhesive inaweza kuacha kutu na ni kwa urahisi kuonekana wakati wewe ni welding alumini kama ni kukaa karibu kwa muda mrefu sana. Kama sisi kujaribu na bond juu ya filamu, matokeo kamwe kuwa na mafanikio. <unk>