Insight

GESIPA^® stands for holistic blind rivet technology, with the company focusing on the development and production of innovative fasteners, such as blind rivets and blind rivet nuts, as well as high-quality tools for the efficient processing of these fasteners.

As a specialist in blind rivet technology, GESIPA^® can optimally match its riveting technology to individual productions according to specific customer requirements. “Due to geometry or design, many components are only accessible from one side during assembly, but still have to be joined securely,” explains GESIPA^®. “The blind rivet technique solves this challenge. A rivet or blind rivet nut is inserted from the front of the workpiece into the drilled hole and pressed with a special rivet setting tool. This creates a form-fitting connection that promises high strength and reliability. This fastening method is successfully used in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, construction and in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology.”

The demands on riveting technology can be many sided, with the products having to adapt to different materials whilst ensuring efficient work processes and safety. “The technology can be succesfully used in a variety of industries, for instance in the automotive industry rivets are used to attach components to the car body. In mechanical engineering, they are often used to connect housings, frame parts and structural elements. In construction projects, blind rivets are used to fasten façade cladding, sheet metal roofs, railings or metal structures, among other things,” reports GESIPA^®.

The setting process

A blind rivet consists of two parts, the blind rivet body and the mandrel. To install the blind rivet a hole is drilled in the components to be connected, which GESIPA^® points out should be at least 0.1mm larger than the diameter of the blind rivet body. After inserting the blind rivet into this hole, the setting head is on the processing side of the component and the hollow rivet shank is on the blind side. The rivet is then held in position with the help of a special blind rivet setting tool. 

To deform the rivet and create the joint, the setting tool is triggered. This causes the shank of the rivet to be pressed together by the closing head and the setting head to be pressed against the component. The hollow rivet shank is deformed by the mandrel in the component until the mandrel breaks off at the predefined point and force.

This creates a firm connection between the components. On one side of the component, the setting head holds the rivet in place, preventing it from slipping, while on the blind side of the component, the deformed shank ensures a strong connection. 

“If an internal or external thread is to be inserted into particularly thin components or components that are only accessible on one side, blind rivet nuts or blind rivet studs are the ideal solution,” adds GESIPA^®. “Unlike the blind rivet, the blind rivet nut is a fastening element with an additional function.”

Reliable, fast and cost-efficient

In contrast to other joining techniques, such as screwing or welding, the blind rivet technique does not require accessibility from both sides at the joint. In addition, the setting process is particularly simple and user-friendly, with the rivet being set within seconds – helping to shorten production and assembly times.  

GESIPA^® also underlines that even delicate, brittle or soft components can be reliably joined together. Moreover, since the rivet is set from the outside, there is no damage to the surface, which preserves the aesthetic quality of the material. “Blind rivet technology also scores points over other joining techniques when it comes to dynamic loads, such as the subsequent transport to the area of application of the components or when used in vehicles,” mentions GESIPA^®. “This is because riveted joints are vibration resistant and offer high-tensile and shear strength.”

Wide product portfolio 

GESIPA^® offers a wide range of rivet types to meet different requirements and materials. Even the standard range includes more than 400 blind rivets with different rivet shank and set head diameters, as well as flexible minimum and maximum clamping ranges. For the setting head, a choice can be made between flat round head, countersunk head and large head. The possibilities for material connections of the applied parts are also diverse. For instance, aluminium and steel, copper and steel or copper and bronze can be connected. The strength of the connection depends on the type of rivet used and the specific requirements of the application. 

“Should an application break out of the norm, our experts are on hand to help,” reports GESIPA^®. “With their broad technical and industry knowledge, it is possible to optimise the rivet to suit the application. With decades of experience in the consultation and development of blind rivets and nuts, as well as over 40 years of experience in the automatic processing of blind rivets, the technical sales department defines the project specific requirements. These include, among other things, the surface finish, application specific shear and tensile strength, as well as setting process reliability.”

The choice of the right ‘compatible’ product can influence the quality, strength and reliability of the joint. “Different materials require different types of blind rivets,” points out GESIPA^®. “The application environment also plays a major role, as factors such as temperature, humidity, vibration or chemical influences impact the performance of the rivet. Therefore, it is important to choose a rivet that is suitable for the specific application environments. Strength and design requirements, as well as quality and safety standards, should also be considered.”

In addition to the standard range, GESIPA^® also offers blind rivets for particularly demanding applications. For example, even extreme connections can be achieved with high strength structural blind rivets. Regardless of their structural properties – whether brittle, flexible, soft, porous or fragile – almost all materials can be joined using the right type of rivet. The technique is even suitable for components made of fibreglass, hardboard or gypsum laths. “With plastic parts, white breakage can be avoided by using functionally embossed rivets,” highlights GESIPA^®. “Furthermore, splash-proof connections can be realised easily and reliably. For projects where dimensions or spacings outside the standard dimensions are required, we also have products in special fits and designs.”

Application made easy

In addition to various types of rivets, GESIPA^® also has the right setting tools available. If particularly high performance is required, pneumatic-hydraulic setting tools are often suitable. The compressed air required for the setting process is used twice – both for setting the blind rivet and for extracting the residual rivet mandrel. 

GESIPA^®’s battery-powered setting tools allow maximum flexibility, as they work independently of cables and hoses. The consistent further development of battery riveting technology by the company has led to modern CAS-based battery technology in this field – with the GESIPA^® Birdie^® tool a particularly small, light, but at the same time powerful battery riveting tool. 

“All setting devices are characterised by their precision and simple handling. This enables error-free processing of the rivets with short processing times. In addition, the setting tools are particularly robust and durable,” states GESIPA^®. “By optimally matching the fasteners, individual productions according to specific customer requirements are possible. Our own certified quality management system also guarantees consistently high standards. Through the overall system, consisting of fasteners, processing equipment, and assembly techniques, we can offer comprehensive solution competencies for industry and trade from a single source.”