Variation analysis of auto-body aluminum alloy sheet metal assembly in self-pierce riveting

Self-pierce riveting has a future in the sheet metal assembly process in automotive industry. This paper aims to analyze the variation of auto-body aluminum alloy sheet metal assembly in self-pierce riveting and obtain the method of assembly variation analysis. With the help of the method of influence coefficients and the research of the assembly progress of auto-body aluminum alloy sheet metal in self-pierce riveting, a model which can reflect the effects of part variation, riveting tool variation, and fixture variation on assembly quality is established. The feasibility of assembly variation analysis is also verified by some practical cases. Finally, the orthogonal experiment has been carried out to analyze the effects of some variation sources on the variation of assembly in self-pierce riveting.