Traditional fastening methods for this type of structure, such as solid riveting, blind riveting and bolting, resulted in high production costs and variable quality due to highly skilled, labour intensive hole drilling and fastener insertion techniques, together with a high cost for the blind bolts used in highly stressed areas of the structure.
Because of these disadvantages, Freightliner Corporation decided to adopt self-piercing riveting as the main fastening technique for the cab structure, with 700 rivets being used in each cab, at a production rate of 75 cabs per day.
The advantages to Freightliner in adopting self-piercing riveting are as follows:
- Elimination of the skin drilling operation
- Improved fatigue life of the cab structure
- Elimination of leaks through the fastener position
- Replacement of expensive high strength bolts
- Reduction of operator skill requirement
- Consistent quality of the joints
- Automation of the assembly process
- Reduction in factory noise
For more information, please email contactus@twi.co.uk