BattleBots®, the internationally recognized combat robotics competition, has evolved into one of the most visible engineering platforms in modern entertainment. Each season, teams design and build 250-pound robots capable of delivering and surviving extreme mechanical forces inside the BattleBox®. While the show is known for its spectacle, the underlying engineering challenges are substantial: structural integrity, rapid serviceability, and fastening reliability often determine whether a machine can withstand more than a single match. This environment has created a natural point of alignment with Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co., a century-old supplier whose fastening systems already support builders competing at the highest level.
Founded in 1912, Industrial Rivet has grown into a global leader in permanent fastening technology, supplying manufacturers across automotive, aerospace, industrial, and high-tech production sectors. The company maintains one of the industry’s largest rivet inventories and develops advanced tooling systems designed for precision, consistency, and repeatability. Its RivetKing® brand, known for professional-grade fastening solutions and robust tool systems, has become a trusted resource for engineers working with hardened materials, mixed-material assemblies, and tight-tolerance designs.
This year, RivetKing formalized its presence in the robotics community by becoming an official sponsor of BattleBots. The partnership highlights a technical reality familiar to builders: fastening performance is a competitive factor. Many teams rely on dozens of rivet nuts throughout their robots to secure armor panels, mount high-impact weapon systems, and enable rapid access to electronics during repairs. In a sport defined by violent impacts and tight turnaround times, the ability to maintain reliable threaded connections is essential.
As SafetyRob, a senior BattleBots engineer, explains, hardened materials and complex geometries make traditional tapping impractical in many areas of a robot’s frame. “With thicker hardened materials, tapping is difficult and welding is not a quick change option. This is why we use rivet nuts. We are able to remove armor to access the delicate electronics or gears we are trying to protect.” The need for fast, repeatable serviceability is one of the reasons RivetKing products have become common in the pits, where teams often rebuild significant portions of their machines between matches.
For Industrial Rivet, the sponsorship reflects a broader alignment between the company’s engineering focus and the demands of advanced robotics. “BattleBots represents the innovation, technical excellence, and performance mindset that aligns naturally with the RivetKing brand,” says Taryn Goodman, Vice President of Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. “We’re proud to support builders who continue pushing the limits of what’s possible through advanced robotics and engineering.”
The connection becomes even clearer when seen in person. Jay Franetovich, Senior Tool Product Manager, attended BattleBots live in Las Vegas and observed firsthand how punishing the environment can be. “The speed, accuracy, and punishment these robots withstand is incredible,” he said. “Fastening performance is critical in an environment where every connection matters. I’d recommend seeing a show live if you are in Las Vegas.”
What makes the partnership notable is how seamlessly it bridges entertainment and industrial practice. The same fastening principles that keep a robot’s armor attached after a high-energy impact are the ones that support production lines, precision-engineered assemblies, and heavy-equipment structures. Combat robotics may be a unique application, but the underlying engineering challenges mirror those found across modern manufacturing: mixed materials, limited access, vibration, shock loading, and the need for repeatable, high-strength connections.
As BattleBots expands its Las Vegas residency and introduces new robotics formats, the engineering demands placed on builders will continue to rise. Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. is positioned to support that evolution, providing fastening solutions that perform under pressure, whether it’s on a factory floor or in the most aggressive robotics arena in the world.
Originally featured in American Fastener Journal, July/August 2026. Written by Brianna Medeiros, Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co.