Riveter
Riveters are skilled workers primarily involved in the manufacturing sector, where they play a crucial role in assembling various machinery, including automobiles and aircraft. Their tasks entail interpreting blueprints and specifications to ensure accurate assembly of parts. Utilizing a range of hand and power tools, riveters align, assemble, and fasten components using rivets, which are metal pins that secure parts together. The work environment is typically found in manufacturing plants, characterized by assembly lines and often noisy conditions due to the machinery involved.
This profession requires strong physical stamina and attention to detail, as riveters perform repetitive tasks while adhering to strict safety protocols. While a high school diploma may suffice for entry, vocational training and technical courses can enhance one’s employability in the field. The profession faces a projected decline in employment, with a median yearly earning of around $44,880 for metal and plastic machine workers. Overall, riveters are integral to the manufacturing process, requiring collaboration and effective communication with coworkers and supervisors to ensure seamless operations.
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Subject Terms
Riveter
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Manufacturing
Interests: Manufacturing, reading blueprints, inspection, manual labor, mechanical drawing
Earnings (Yearly Median): $44,880 (Metal and Plastic Machine Workers)
Employment & Outlook: -6% (Decline)
Overview
Sphere of Work. Riveters perform a variety of tasks related to the manufacturing of a wide range of machinery, including automobiles, airplanes, and other assembled equipment. They go over blueprints and other specifications to ensure the various parts are assembled correctly. Different components are aligned, assembled, and installed by riveters using a selection of hand and power tools.
Work Environment. Riveters are usually part of an assembly line in a manufacturing plant, working alongside other workers and supervisors. Because of the machinery and tools used in riveting, the environment is typically noisy, and the workers can be exposed to heavy vibrations for extended periods of time. The nature of the job requires riveters to stand for long periods as they perform physically demanding tasks, often involving bending, kneeling, and reaching. Safety procedures must be followed at all times because the machinery and tools can cause serious injury.
Occupation Interest. Being a riveter in the manufacturing industry requires great attention to detail and physical stamina. The profession tends to attract individuals who enjoy working with their hands. Many riveters enter the profession with a strong background in manufacturing, but there are courses offered at technical schools and vocational schools that can help inexperienced candidates.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Riveters and other workers in the manufacturing and assembly profession must follow schematics and blueprints closely. Typically, riveters are part of an assembly line, where they perform repetitive tasks throughout the day. The majority of the tasks performed involve using a range of riveting guns to fasten rivets, or metal pins, into parts. There are a variety of rivets designed for different degrees of fastening strength.
Before any riveting is done, a worker will go over the work order and schematics to determine the type of rivet and riveting gun needed, as well as the fastening pattern. Supervisors usually decide on the sequence of operations riveters will work in on the assembly line. Once the proper parts or assemblies are aligned, the rivets are fastened into predrilled holes using riveting guns, also known as pneumatic hammers. Sometimes, riveters drill the holes themselves using power drills. Any defective rivets are removed. For larger parts or assemblies, such as airplane wings, a riveter may have to communicate with a crane operator to align everything correctly.
Once the rivets are fastened in place, a riveter can attach dies to the tops and shanks of rivets to flatten them out. Riveters are also in charge of inspecting the parts and assemblies before and after they are riveted. During these processes, a riveter must adhere to safety standards and communicate with other workers to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Portable Pinch Riveters (800.682-010). Portable Pinch Riveters operate pinch-riveting machines to rivet together metal plates, castings, and structures such as bars and beams.
Pneumatic Riveters (800.684-014). Pneumatic Riveters rivet together parts, such as metal structures, plates, and castings, using an air hammer.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Riveters typically work in manufacturing plants and factories with assembly lines. Because of the nature of the work and the machinery involved, they have to closely observe safety practices.
Plant Environment. Working conditions in manufacturing plants and factories vary by location. The size of the parts and assemblies determines the size of the plant. Many are well-ventilated because of the heat put out by the machinery.
Human Environment. Riveters are in frequent communication with other workers and supervisors, so the job requires strong communication skills. Depending on the job, there may be more than one riveter at a workstation.
Technological Environment. Riveting requires the regular use of different riveting guns as well as other hand and power tools. There are different types of riveting guns, including one-shot guns, corner riveters, and hydraulic riveters.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. Usually, an employer will require an applicant to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, although it is not always necessary. There are several basic high school courses that can help prepare an individual for a career as a riveter, including mathematics, mechanical drawing, and English. Many high schools offer shop classes that provide hands-on training with machine parts such as automobile engines. Sometimes, students can even take part in an automotive club through their school.
Postsecondary. While most employers do not require applicants to have a college degree, community colleges and vocational and technical schools are great places for an individual to build a strong background in the industry. Many of these locations offer formal classroom instruction and hands-on training in a variety of industrial fields, including manufacturing. Students learn the basics of manufacturing tools, safety standards, and measurements.
Some schools offer specialty courses, such as the aircraft assembly training program offered by the Community Learning Center in Texas. Instructors in this program teach students all the skills needed for an entry-level position in the aircraft assembly profession.
Employers are more likely to hire someone who has successfully completed one of these courses. Some manufacturing companies will even look to these schools for potential new employees. Since most instructors at these schools have been part of the industry for some time, it is also a great way to network.
Related Occupations
− Welder
Bibliography
"Metal and Plastic Machine Workers." Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 19 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/production/metal-and-plastic-machine-workers.htm#. Accessed 24 Aug. 2024.