SPRING 2022

74
THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK
Anthony Di Maio
Anthony E. Di Maio attended Wentworth Institute and Northeastern University. In 1962 he
started working with Blind Fasteners as Vice-President of Engineering & Manufacturing for two
blind rivet manufacturers. He has been Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Industrial
Fasteners Institute (IFI) and is still involved in the writing of IFI specifications. In 1991, he
started ADM Engineering and is working with Fastener Manufacturers developing new fasteners
and special machinery. He can be reached at ADM Engineering, 6 Hermon Ave., Haverhill, MA
01832; phone and fax 978-521-0277; e-mail: tdimaio@verizon.net.
WHAT JUSTIFIES THE USE OF BLIND RIVETS?
Although blind rivets have been in use for numerous
years throughout the entire industry questions still
arise from time to time, as to why they are used and
the advantages of using them. I intend to answer these
questions and to prove that when correctly engineered
and installed, blind riveting is the most cost effective,
easiest mothed of jointing general application in the
market today.
Proven Product Design
Because blind rivets are installed from one side only
(hence blind) the need for access to both sides of the
work is not needed, so product design does not have to
have available both sides of the fastened joint.
Improved Design Strength
The use of only a single drilled or punched hole filled
effectively by the expandable high strength blind rivets,
offers a great increase in part design strength over
screws, bolts
Quicker Assembly
Blind riveting is faster than any other jointing method.
A hand held blind rivet setting tool can set a blind rivet in
a work application within one stroke of the power tool. For
extreme high volume blind rivet setting requirements there
are automatic blind rivet feeding and setting systems that
can set 50 blind rivets per minute.
Tooling
Because blind riveting is a simple process, blind rivet
setting tools can be designed to fit the application, rather
than making the design fit the tooling as it is done today.
Special nosepieces fit into narrow spaces, deep holes
and even right angle applications can be tooled for.
Lower Installation Costs
Adding up the lower tool costs, maintenance costs and
labor savings because of quicker assembly, blind rivets
are shown to be cheaper “in place” costs than screws,
bolts, nuts etc.
Lower Part Cost
Bind rivet costs are lower over other combinations of
fasteners.
Lower Inventory Cost
Because blind rivets have a wide grip range and are
single item attachments, inventory cost savings are
significant. Vary lengths grip ranges on washers or nonwasher
screws assembles etc. all add up to large parts
inventories. High volume of fewer parts on the other hand,
add up to dollars saved in not only piece price but in
warehouse and also labor and costs from purchasing to
the assembly line.
Effective Fastening Of Dissimilar Materials
The controlled expansion of blind rivets provides
uniform compression which in turn allows many types
of dissimilar material to be joined effectively. Metals to
plastic, plastic to plastic, glass to metal, paper to metal
are just a few of the possibilities. Various design features
on blind rivets allow for maximum load spreading for
joining even the softest materials.
CONTRIBUTOR ARTICLE
CONTINUED ON PAGE 144