and the hole jamb pressure are reduced by means of the appropriate layout. Because of the variable thickness of the material, the only type of rivet that can be considered is a multiuse blind rivet with a hollow rivet made of AlMg 2.5 of the appropriate shape. A special surface coating was also necessary, and we developed a special device for testing water-tightness. The obvious choice for an economical riveter was a handheld pneumatic-hydraulic machine. The functional substantiation was not forgotten either: it was produced with an exemplary simulation of the connection, and calculated and documented by a force-travel diagram showing its tapering and residual-mandrel release force.
This was a typical case for our technical sales force, which always swings into action when problems arise with regard to connection technology. All the possibilities are sounded out step by step, always, of course, taking into account the economic and ergonomic aspects.
One more point: The reason why so many customers from heavy industry rely on our technical competence must also be at least partly due to the fact that we have plenty of manpower available in Germany. Our highly qualified, new generation of employees is ensuring that we will always have this advantage.
Let's start with an example. It was not all that long ago that a well-known manufacturer from the automotive industry came to us with the following problem: A loudspeaker basket was to be mounted on a door carrier module. So far so good, but this simple task concealed some tricky challenges. Different materials were to be joined together without being damaged. Access had to be assured to the riveting points, but they still had to be protected from spray water. Another point was that no noise was to be allowed under dynamic loads. And, last but not least, proof of correct function had to be provided along with each delivery. We proceeded like this – we first chose the starter material for the hollow rivet, taking into account the requirements for distortion and fastening strength. Then, because of the brittle plastic basket, the breaking strength of the rivet mandrel