In a rivet squeeze, what component acts as the piston that extends to squeeze the rivet?

In a rivet squeeze, the component that acts as the piston to squeeze the rivet is the ram. The ram is a critical part of the riveting machine that provides the necessary force to deform and set the rivet properly. When the ram extends and contracts, it applies pressure to the rivet, causing it to spread and secure the materials being joined.

The effectiveness of the ram in this process lies in its ability to exert consistent pressure, which is essential for ensuring a proper and strong rivet installation. Understanding the role of the ram is vital for aerospace assembly mechanics since it directly relates to the quality and integrity of the aircraft structures being assembled. The other components such as the arm, lever, and handle serve different functions, such as controlling movement or facilitating the operation of the machine, but it is the ram that performs the key action of squeezing the rivet itself.