Orbital Forming of Rivets
Typical Rivet Dimensions and Forces Required

Typical Rivet Dimensions

Typically, less rivet material is required when orbitally forming solid rivets than when forming them using impact or squeeze riveting. Following is a rule-of-thumb chart for selecting rivet length based on the use of common mild steel rivets and standard formed head shapes using flat and conical peens (forming tools).

NOTE: This chart is intended for a general reference only as there are too many variables in an assembly application to provide firm recommendations here. We strongly recommend using this data as a starting point for your design work, then contacting our Applications Lab at saless@orbitform.com to schedule running of sample parts for your inspection and testing prior to fastener selection for production.

 

Note: A conical peen produces a flat rivet head and a flat peen produces a conical rivet head.

TYPICAL ORBITALLY FORMED RIVET DIMENSIONS
Rivet Diameter A	Formed Head Dia. B	Formed Head Thickness C	Req'd Clinch Allowance D
.062	.109	.014	.031
.094	.165	.021	.047
.125	.219	.027	.062
.156	.273	.034	.078
.188	.329	.041	.094
.218	.382	.048	.109
.250	.438	.055	.125
.281	.492	.062	.140
.312	.546	.068	.156
.375	.656	.082	.188
.438	.767	.096	.219
.500	.875	.109	.250
.562	.984	.123	.281
.625	1.094	.137	.312
.688	1.204	.151	.344
.750	1.313	.164	.375

Typical Orbital Forming Forces

As mentioned in our section on orbital forming, the downward force required to orbitally form a rivet is less than that required to impact or squeeze it. Following is a chart showing typical orbital forming forces for common mild steel rivets. This information will help you size the machine required to form your rivet.

(Please note that this chart is for reference only and is assuming a simple flat or conical form is being used.)

TYPICAL ORBITAL FORMING FORCES
Finished Head Diameter	Force (lb.) 6 Degree Head	Force (lb.) 4 Degree Head	Force (lb.) 3 Degree Head	Force (lb.) Impact Press
.125	129	184	233	648
.187	291	415	524	1458
.250	529	753	952	2646
.312	820	1169	1476	4104
.375	1188	1692	2138	5940
.437	1620	2308	2916	8100
.500	2116	3016	3809	10584
.562	2678	3816	4820	13392
.625	3304	4709	5948	16524
.687	3996	5694	7192	19980
.750	4773	6802	8592	23868
.812	5583	7956	10050	27918
.875	6490	9249	11682	32454
.937	7441	10602	13393	37206
1.000	8478	12081	15260	42606
1.062	9568	13635	17223	47844
1.125	10735	15296	19323	60750
1.187	11944	17021	21500	64098
1.250	16564	23603	29816	66258

See chart below for forming capacities of Orbitform Powerheads.