Orbital Riveting and Forming for High-Quality Assembly

How to achieve a rock-solid connection without compromising the structural integrity of the parts involved? At VIAL Automation, we’ve seen that the answer often lies in the physics of the process.

While traditional impact riveting or pressing applies brute force, there is a more sophisticated alternative that we specialize in: Orbital Riveting (the BK-Taumel technique), developed by our partners at Bodmer Küsnacht (BK).

What is Orbital Riveting?

Unlike traditional methods that deform a rivet head all at once, orbital riveting uses a tool held at a specific angle (the “Taumel” principle). The tool moves in an orbital path, creating a wave of deformation that moves around the rivet.

Instead of a sudden impact, you get a gradual, controlled flow of material.

Why this matters for your production line:

1. Minimal Lateral Force: Because only a small area of the rivet is being deformed at any given millisecond, the total downward pressure is significantly lower (often by 80%) compared to traditional pressing. This is crucial when working with fragile materials or sensitive electronic components.
2. Superior Surface Finish: The orbital motion creates a smooth, polished finish on the rivet head, which is essential for visible “A-surface” components in industries like automotive or high-end appliances.
3. Consistency & Longevity: The cold-forming process preserves the material’s grain structure, leading to joints that are more resistant to vibration and mechanical fatigue.
4. Versatility: Whether you need a joint to be high-strength and rigid or a pivot point that remains movable, the BK-Taumel process allows for incredible precision in the result.

From Integration to Contract Manufacturing

Our role at VIAL Automation is to bridge the gap between high-end Swiss technology and your specific production needs. We don’t just sell components; we provide the engineering expertise to integrate these systems into your processes.

Furthermore, for companies not yet ready to bring this technology in-house, we offer contract manufacturing services. We use these exact orbital riveting systems in our own production facilities to deliver high-quality assembled components for our clients.

Is your assembly process as efficient as it could be?

In a market where precision and reliability are the primary drivers of competitiveness, switching from traditional joining methods to orbital riveting can be a game-changer for your ROI and product quality.

Are you dealing with material stress or inconsistent assembly quality? Let’s discuss how a “Taumel” approach could stabilize your production.