Vanedrivet

Vanedrivet is a term used to describe a family of mechanical fasteners designed to improve retention in assemblies that experience vibration or pull-out forces. A vanedrivet incorporates small vane-like projections around either the rivet shank or the rivet head, creating a mechanical interlock with the surrounding material as the fastener is installed. The vanes may be formed integrally with the rivet or applied as separate inserts that engage the hole walls.

Design and variants

Rivet bodies are typically made from aluminum, steel, or titanium, with vanes shaped to maximize contact area without significantly enlarging the required hole. Some designs use straight vanes to resist pull-out, while others employ helical or angled vanes to provide anti-rotation or damping effects. Vanedrivets may be employed in blind or solid installations, depending on the variant and manufacturer.

Installation

Installation usually involves standard riveting equipment adapted for the specific vaned design. The process deforms the rivet shank so that the vanes engage the surrounding material, producing an interference fit that increases shear and pull-out resistance. Proper hole preparation and alignment are important, and some variants require controlled setting speeds and pressures to avoid vane damage or excessive material deformation.

Applications and considerations

Vanedrivets are used in applications where conventional rivets may loosen under vibration, including aerospace panels, automotive assemblies, and composite-to-metal joints. They can offer improved retention and reduced loosening risk, but may be more expensive and more difficult to remove. Compatibility with material type and thickness, hole size tolerance, and installation tooling are key factors in performance.

See also

Rivet, expanding rivet, lock rivet, blind rivet.