Bulb Rivets – Everything You Need To Know

By Author: Nick Neal
Total Articles: 18
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Bulb rivets are small, yet brilliant fasteners that are often found in a number of applications today. They’re simple to use and require little maintenance, making them popular even among do-it-yourself enthusiasts who don’t work on major production processes. You can also use Bulb Tite rivets in many other applications where you need a sturdy, internal fastener to hold things together. If you’d like to learn more about bulb rivets, this guide will help.

What are Bulb Rivets?

Bulb Tite rivets refer to the original load-spreading rivet. When it is installed, the rivet body folds into three legs that make for a large blind side surface area. Therefore, bulb rivets makes it possible to put together soft or thin materials without getting torn or smashed. The rivet mandrel will then be locked inside the rivet body after the installation is done. This strengthens the product against shearing forces. Bulb Rivet often has an EPDM rubber washer to create a weather-proof seal.

What is Bulb Rivet Used for?

Gesipa Bulb Tite rivets can be used for a variety of applications and can offer many advantages over ...
... traditional rivets. They are most commonly used in consumer electronics and auto manufacturing. Because these parts need to work seamlessly together without any looseness or movement, they usually utilise bulb rivets as connectors.

Even though Bulb Rivets were originally created for the steel construction industry, they are able to be used perfectly for other applications as well, such as construction and repair on trucks and trailers, height safety and installation of anchoring points for abseiling as well as installing ventilation systems and repairing roofs.

Is it Possible to Use a Normal Rivet Gun to Install Bulb Rivets?

Yes, you can use a normal rivet gun, but the tool needs to be configured with the Bulb's nosepiece and jaws. Also remember that the jaw pressure must be a little higher for effective penetration. You don’t want to risk creating any divots in your work surface and making them difficult to install. You should also note that the rivet diameter must be smaller than the capacity of the rivet gun. Even if it’s possible to force larger diameter hardware into a smaller capacity tool, experts recommend to not do so.

What’s the Popular Application of Bulb Rivets in Australia?

One of the applications of bulb rivets in Australia is in industrial machinery. When creating a massive machine like a mining equipment, it can be difficult and expensive to keep adding new pieces when something breaks. But by using more durable parts that can be replaced quickly with bulbs, you can increase safety and longevity. Another popular application is in fall arrest systems.

You probably might not have heard the term bulb rivet until now, but you should know that they are commonly used on several applications from home appliances to modern aircrafts. If you are thinking about adding bulb rivets to your products, or you are still trying to figure out if it is ideal for your specific application, contact one of the best rivet suppliers today.