ABOUT RADIAL AND ORBITAL
FORMING TECHNOLOGIES

Baltec radial forming machines manufacture products with superior joint strength, superior finish, and virtually no grain distortion.

That is because, unlike other processes, radial forming uniformly displaces material in three directions by kneading microscopic amounts of material radially outward, radially inward and tangentially overlapping.

An Explanation of Radial Forming and Its Advantages

The radial forming process was developed in Europe in the mid 1960s, and since has been adapted for various applications.

Radial Forming is often confused with orbital forming, but there are major differences between the two processes. Radial forming is unique. It displaces material uniformly at a constant speed, in an eleven-sided rosette pattern to ensure uniform and consistent material displacement. This results in higher joint strength and superior surface finish.

At center, minimum material is displaced. as distance from the center increases, so does material displacement. This uneven rate of material flow leads to inconsistent flow patterns.

Radial Forming technology:

• Supporting fixtures can be simpler and less expensive because side loads are minimal to non-existent
• Reduces friction between tool and rivet leads to substantially longer tool life
• Radial forming tools do not spin, creating safer workstations.
• Simple and inexpensive riveting tools can easily be made in most machine shops.
• Our tool holder and pressure cup design eliminates the need for thrust bearings.

Radial forming is highly versatile in its ability to form ferrous and non-ferrous metals, die cast materials and case-hardened fasteners. And because the machines can be set to precise pressures, it has been used successfully in conjunction with assemblies containing Bakelite, ceramics, glass, and other brittle materials. Radial forming facilitates riveting of precision parts, precious metals and various thermoplastics. You can also engrave, mark, coin and burnish surfaces.

Orbital Forming

Orbital forming and fastening combines both pressure and orbital motion to accurately form and fasten parts. The form tool is held at a slight angle. As the peen tool moves in a orbital path, material is displaced with each rotation of the forming head until forming is complete.  

Your Benefit

At the end of the day, Baltec is the only riveting manufacturer that can offer both technologies for all riveting applications. This translates into optimum machine performance, while maximizing the cost of ownership for your assembly equipment.