Assembly Considerations
| Rivets |
Rivets provide a low-cost simple installation process that can be easily automated. Use them to join thin sections of plastics, plastic to sheet metal or plastic to fabric. To minimize stresses, use rivets with large heads—three times the shank diameter is suggested—and washers under the flared end. Never use countersunk rivets (see figure). Calibrate the rivet-setting tools to the correct length to minimize compressive stress and shear in the joint area.
