High-speed joining

RIVTAC® Automation

The fully automatic system with process monitoring

 

The innovative joining technique for all sorts of materials

Ideal for diverse material combinations and for applications involving mass production with maximum flexibility in terms of production planning.

Universal material combinations are becoming increasingly important, especially in the development of modern vehicle and car body designs. RIVTAC® is particularly suitable for joining aluminium, steel, plastics and non-ferrous metals as well as for mixed joints, multilayer joints and hybrid joints of these materials.
The RIVTAC® automation system permits fully automated joining and is ideal for applications involving mass production with maximum flexibility in terms of production planning.

This product is made by Böllhoff

Method / principle

The tack penetrates the materials of the components to be joined at high speed. A momentary rise in temperature in the joining zone and the resulting improved flowability causes the parent material to be displaced into the annular grooves on the shank of the tack. A high form fit is achieved.
At the same time, especially for higher-strength steel materials, a non-positive connection due to pressing and compression of the material is obtained.

Applications

RIVTAC® is particularly suitable for joints of aluminium, steel, plastics, non-ferrous metals as well as for mixed joints, multilayer joints and hybrid joints of these materials.

Product benefits
  • Joining without pre-punching with access from one side only
  • Reduction of joining and cycle times to a minimum
  • Joining of high-strength materials
  • Flexible application for mixed joints, multilayer joints and hybrid joints
  • Optimal possibility of combining with adhesion technology

Product benefits

There are many good reasons for using our products.

Find out more about strengths, options and specific product benefits. For every detail.

No pre-punching

Joining without pre-punching with access from one side only.

Flexibility in production

Flexible application for mixed joints, multilayer joints and hybrid joints.

Detailed description

 

RIVTAC® technology

What is the concept behind RIVTAC® high-speed tack setting?
RIVTAC® high-speed joining is an innovative mechanical joining process utilising a tack, a nail-like auxiliary joining part, that is accelerated to a high speed and driven into the parts. The ogival point of the tack displaces material and allows for penetration into the base materials without a pre-existing hole. The displacement of the material is the key to achieving joint strength through a combination of force and forming the material to fit specially designed knurls on the tack. The top layers are held in place by the material flowing into the knurls and are held captive by the head of the tack. An important condition for this method is sufficient stiffness of the joining parts so that they can resist the penetration impulse of the tack without major deformation. High-strength materials and multiple-layer joints can also be joined without loss of performance – providing good strength characteristics.
With joining times of under a second, this process is over three times faster than self-tapping fastening. As an added bonus, RIVTAC® uses a single fastener that provides a universal solution that fits most applications.
With tack setting, Böllhoff has taken a major leap forward and further emphasised our company's innovative strength. The tack geometry and the material composition of the fastener presented particular challenges, but at the same time, Böllhoff designers needed to accelerate the tack to the necessary speed. This resulted in a massive research effort, which fulfils current and future requirements in car body construction.

RIVTAC® setting procedure – 1) Positioning 2) Entering 3) Penetration 4) Bracing

Joining process

1) Clamping
2) Entering
3) Penetration
4) Bracing

RIVTAC® Automation

 

The RIVTAC® automation system enables fully automatic joining. It is designed for high volume applications and provides maximum flexibility in production planning.

 

Setting tool

  • Compact design for ideal joining point accessibility
  • Spiral feed magazines store up to 47 tacks
  • Limit position and position sensing
  • Real-time data processing
  • RFID chip to store all tool- and process-relevant parameters
RIVTAC® high-speed joining – Setting tool

RIVTAC® setting tool

System component

 

Station

  • With a max. loading capacity of 35,000 tacks
  • Faster reloading of the joining tool
  • Simultaneous loading of two joining tools – Twin version
  • Gimbal-mounted feed rail
  • Built-in compressed air service unit with air filter and pressure control sensor
  • RFID receiver to forward tool- and process-relevant parameters to the control
RIVTAC® high-speed joining – Station

RIVTAC® station

System component

 

Valve terminal

  • Fast response times due to short strokes
  • Proportional valves continuously regulate joining and feed pressure
  • Energy-optimised control of the joining tool
  • Capable of being integrated on the third robot axis
RIVTAC® high-speed joining – Valve unit

RIVTAC® valve unit

System component

 

Power unit

  • Local hardware configuration with central controlling of machine components by BUS-system
  • Embedded PC based control for the connection of a visualisation system
  • Multiple interface platforms (ProfiNet, Interbus, Profibus etc.)
  • Optimal space utilisation due to the integration onto the robot power unit
  • Air conditioning available
  • Twin version also available
RIVTAC® high-speed joining – Power and control unit

RIVTAC® power and control unit

System component software

 

Visualisation (optional)

  • Easy operation with an industrial touch screen
  • Equipped for communication via EtherCAT
  • Multi visualisation of several RIVTAC® systems
  • Joining and process parameter management
  • Process monitoring visualisation
  • Media docking possible (USB-Port)
  • Customer-specific adaptations of the visualisation also available
RIVTAC® high-speed joining – Visualisation

RIVTAC® visualisation

System component

 

Software

  • PLC and HMI software for control and visualisation via Ethernet
  • Calibration functions such as basic calibration, in-process calibration and referencing
  • Parameterisation of the individual joining points on the component
  • Process monitoring module with displacement transducer and windowing incl. statistics function
  • Process data transfer to a superordinate quality management system
  • Mobile Link – proactive maintenance management incl. maintenance indication and machine logbook
  • Wear detection for selected components
  • Easy-to-use with display of help texts
RIVTAC® high-speed joining – Process monitoring

RIVTAC® process monitoring

System component

Downloads

Find out more: related downloads.

If you would like to know more, simply download the relevant brochures.

Title Language Version File Download
RIVTAC® Automation P
High-speed joining
English 01/2020 1664 kB / PDF
English 01/2020 1664 kb / PDF

To view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

More information

Would you like to discover more of the World of Joining?

Here you will find information about successful applications and related topics.