Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: Rivian

Did you know that many OEMs specify nugget size for spot and plug welds? This information is typically found within vehicle-specific repair procedures or can be found under general welding guidelines. Let’s see what Rivian has to say.

Rivian provides general information pertaining to welding within their Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines document. This document is typically found linked within vehicle-specific collision repair procedures. Otherwise, it is found in vehicle-specific service manual under: Introduction ➤ Collison Repair - General Information.

Rivian states in this document:

• "DO NOT: Grind or sand weld nuggets flush unless noted in the repair procedure."
• "All welding will require weld machine set up and destructive testing. Refer to: Welding Inspection & Testing."
• "Use only approved GMA welding wire for repairs. This list of approved welding wire can be found in the Tools & Equipment Guidelines."

Spot Welding

Per the Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines:

• "Match the original quantity and location(s) of factory spot-welds unless explicitly stated otherwise in the repair procedure."
• "Resistance spot welds should be placed adjacent to their original location(s) unless welding through multi-layer bonded joints."
• "If welding through multi-layer bonded joints, place the spot weld through the existing spot weld location."
• "All resistance welding must be performed before the structural adhesive cures."
• "Use only spot-welder caps that produce weld nuggets matching the original size."

Plug Welding

Per the Collision Repair - Vehicle General Repair Guidelines:

• "When determining plug weld hole size, refer to the vehicle specific repair procedures."
• "GMA plug weld locations identified via fastener path(s) in repair procedures should replace the factory fastener locations that were separated during removal 1:1 along the path."
• "Adhesive should be kept 25mm away from any MIG/MAG welds."

Where the spot weld and plug weld nugget size was not identified, refer to the Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE article. This article provides general guidelines.

For additional Rivian information, check out the Rivian OEM Information page.

Additional I-CAR Collision Repair News you may find helpful:

• Back-To-Basics: Destructive Weld Testing
• Dressing Steel GMA Welds: UPDATE
• Steel Spot And Plug Weld Nugget Size: UPDATE
• Step-By-Step: Accessing Rivian Repair Information
• Welding And MIG Brazing Hotspot

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