What Is a Caulking Machine?
A caulking machine is a tool dedicated to performing a fixing method called “caulking” to join two different parts.
Caulking, also known as “pigeonholing,” is a method of fixing two overlapping parts by drilling a common through-hole, inserting a rivet made of soft metal, and then deforming the rivet. This deformation causes the end of the rivet to expand within the hole, securing the parts together. A caulking machine, often referred to as a riveter, uses rivets to fasten parts together.
While caulking can be used to fasten parts so that they do not move, it can also allow parts to rotate around each other with the rivet as the central axis. Unlike screw fastening, once applied, caulking cannot be removed.
Uses of Caulking Machines
Caulking has been used historically, such as to fasten armor during the Warring States period, and continues to be used in a wide variety of applications today. It is utilized in products like school bags, jeans, trains, bridge steel frames, clothing, electronic components, housing equipment, and moving parts of scissors and wheels, including plastic parts.
For these applications, caulking machines are employed in production plants and construction sites.
Principle of Caulking Machines
Caulking machines facilitate the process of crushing the end of a rivet to secure it within a through-hole, employing various methods based on specific requirements.
1. Blind Riveting
Blind riveting is applicable when access is only available from one side. This method involves pulling out a mandrel through the rivet body and deforming the rivet end for fastening. While blind rivets are less strong due to their thin shafts, they are widely used in DIY projects. Riveting machines for blind rivets pull and trim the mandrel shaft, with hand-type tools being most common for general use.
2. Press Caulking
Press caulking deforms and secures rivets by applying pressure along the rivet shaft, providing a thicker, stronger connection but is not ideal for link mechanisms. This method generates significant noise and vibration.
3. Spin Caulking
Spin caulking secures rivets by rotating and deforming the rivet’s end under pressure, suitable for parts requiring mobility or high dimensional accuracy due to the less forceful deformation compared to press caulking.
Additionally, for plastic rivets, machines that perform heat and ultrasonic welding are available.
- Heat Fusing Machine (Heat Welding Machine)
Suitable for caulking plastic parts. - Ultrasonic Welding Caulking Machine
Ideal for caulking plastic parts through frictional heat.
Types of Caulking Machines
Caulking machines vary by drive type, including hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric servo types, each suited to different scales and precision levels of work.
1. Hydraulic Type
The hydraulic type is standard, offering a wide range of equipment options but requiring regular maintenance due to its complexity.
2. Pneumatic Type
The pneumatic type is smaller and suited for smaller tasks compared to the hydraulic type.
3. Electric Servo Type
With precise control via PC, the electric servo type is ideal for extremely small, precision parts, offering high precision and minimal vibration noise.