Orbital forming is a cold forming process in which an orbiting tool held at a fixed angel (typically 3 to 6 degrees) is used to progressively move malleable material into a desired predetermined shape. Orbital forming is used to head swage, crown, flare or draw a column or projection of malleable material and is used most often in fastening and assembly to produce a high quality head form- to rivet without disruption of component material grain structure. While similar in nature to impact or compression forming and riveting in that a compressive axial load is applied to the part being formed, the axial load is greatly reduced due to the mechanical advantage of the angular orbiting tool and progressive forming action. The axial load required for forming is reduced up to 80% with orbital forming due to this mechanical advantage. |
