Rivet Nuts and Rivet Studs

[Jeff Waegelin]

I used about a dozen 1/4-20 nut rivets on this year's robot for mounting chain tensioners and mechanical stops to our arm. It was my first experience using them, and it worked quite well. Both applications were places where we had a large tube with wires inside, which I could not (or did not want to attempt) to drill a through-hole in. They were very light-duty applications, as any forces would be applied parallel the bolt, in an inward direction. I would not use them in any situation where the bolt could conceivably be pulled out, or where a significant moment could be applied. They're just not that durable, and the aluminum ones in particular can strip very easily.

[David Brinza]

Team 980 uses Riv-Nuts where we rather not just use a rivet. If you use them, you won't have to deal with nuts that fall into the least accessible places on the robot.

When we want easy access under a lexan panel, we'll use Riv-nut/fastener combos there.

Try 'm, you'll like 'm!

[JM987]

our team uses rivets to attatch our wheel tread to our drive wheels.
we also use them on the roller wheels at the end of our claw.