Why FRC Teams Use Rivets

Rivets are permanent mechanical fasteners commonly used in FRC for joining thin materials such as sheet metal and gussets to structural members.

What Is a Rivet?

A rivet is a fastener that permanently joins two or more materials by expanding inside a drilled hole. Once installed, it cannot be removed without drilling it out.

Why FRC Teams Use Rivets

FRC teams use rivets because they are:

• Fast to install
• Lightweight compared to bolts and nuts
• Reliable under vibration
• Ideal for thin materials like aluminum sheet and gussets
• Useful in high-density assemblies where space is limited

Common Applications

Rivets are often used for:

• Attaching gussets to aluminum extrusion
• Mounting sheet metal panels
• Securing lightweight structural brackets
• Enclosures and protective panels

Installation Tool

Rivets are installed using a hand rivet gun or pneumatic rivet tool, which pulls the mandrel and expands the rivet body inside the hole.

Limitations

• Permanent (must be drilled out to remove)
• Not suitable for joints that require frequent adjustment
• Limited strength compared to bolted joints in high-load areas

Best Practice

• Use correct rivet size for the drilled hole
• Ensure materials are tightly clamped before riveting
• Deburr holes before installation
• Avoid using rivets in joints that may need future disassembly

Key Idea

Rivets are a fast, lightweight, and vibration-resistant fastening method, making them ideal for sheet metal and non-adjustable structural joints in FRC robots.