Riveting Methods and Rivet Equipments Used in the German Light Metal Aeroplane Construction

Extract

For many years there have been used in aircraft construction aluminium alloys to a steadily increasing extent, and particularly alloys of Al.-Cu.-, Mg. and Al.-Cu. capable of being improved by heat treatment. Among the different methods known for permanent connection of structural parts, the rivet is still to-day the most reliable and safest connecting element. According to the special quality of this light metal group, due to their natural material characteristics and owing to the fact that in most cases the connections of aircraft structural parts are very complicated and highly stressed, the rivets are always driven cold. Due to these conditions, the tools, machines and working methods for strengthening of riveting diverge essentially from the commonly known riveting methods of general machine construction. In the course of my lecture I shall give further details regarding these questions.