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.