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How much does it cost to set-up and run a self-piercing riveting system?

   

Frequently Asked Questions

For high volume production, self-piercing riveting is an inexpensive, low-energy process requiring little maintenance. It has a proven track record for rapidly producing consistent, reliable joints with minimal equipment down-time. Rivets are the biggest contributor to running costs.

Typical breakdown of capital equipment costs (year 2002) for a single tool machine -

  • Hand held battery powered riveting tool for low volume work: £3,500 - £4,500. Manually operated riveting equipment with hydraulic power-pack and rivet feed system:
    £10,000 to over £20,000 (for single tool pedestal type or balancer-hung)
    £25,000 plus (for robot mounted system, excluding robot)
  • Riveting die:
    £30 to £50
  • Monitoring equipment (usually only for process-critical and robotic applications):
    £3,000 to £5,000, excluding PC equipment
  • Additional equipment, e.g. clamping/fixturing and safety measures:
    Costs dependent on specific requirements

It should be noted that significant cost variations can arise from the customisation of equipment to meet the requirements of particular customers.

Process operating costs include -

  • Rivets:
    costs vary depending on rivet material, size, design, coating, heat treatment, feed system, etc
    £15 to £50 per 1,000 (i.e. 1.5 - 5p per joint)
  • Power consumption:
    typically 0.003kWh/joint for thin sheet
  • Tooling:
    typical die life is more than 20,000 joints for most materials
  • Labour costs:
    very low in the case of automated operation
  • Additional costs, e.g. maintenance, etc:
    low, typical of standard hydraulic equipment

For more information please email:


contactus@twi.co.uk