Assembly articles from April 2001

Assembly archives from April 2001

Why Not Engineering?
April 1, 2001... Regardless of the recent plague of layoffs, many U.S. manufacturers are still faced with a serious shortage of qualified engineers. Those that aren't right now, soon will be when we start pulling out of the current economic doldrums. Yet a vast...

Adhesive Breaks Bond With Electricity.
April 1, 2001... The U.S. Air Force had a problem. It wanted an adhesive for temporarily attaching small test packages to the exterior of a jet without mechanical fasteners. Each package weighed only a few pounds, but the adhesive bond had to withstand Mach 2...

Strong Growth Predicted for Computer Accessories.
April 1, 2001... NATICK, MA--U.S. sales of monitor arms, keyboard drawers and other nonelectronic computer accessories will exceed $1.2 billion in 2004. According to a study by Venture Development Corp., sales of the accessories will grow by 12.1 percent...

Keypad Sales to Exceed $2 Billion in 2004.
April 1, 2001... NATICK, MA--Membrane and conductive rubber technologies will continue to drive the market for keyboards and keypads, but alternative technologies are increasingly being used in many products. According to a study by Venture Development...

Mikron Builds 300th Flexcell.
April 1, 2001... BOUDRY, SWITZERLAND--Mikron Assembly Technology has delivered its 300th Flexcell. The modular, automated assembly cell was purchased by Bespak, a British manufacturer of medical devices. It was the 12th assembly cell purchased by Bespak...

Navy Contracts With ACI to Run EMPF.
April 1, 2001... PHILADELPHIA--The U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research has awarded the American Competitiveness Institute (ACI) a $120 million contract to operate the Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF). The EMPF develops affordable...

Sandia Builds World's Tiniest Robots.
April 1, 2001... ALBURQUERQUE, NM--Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed the world's smallest robot. At 0.25 cubic inch and weighing less than 1 ounce, it is the smallest untethered robot ever created. Powered by three watch batteries,...

Laser Sales Increase.
April 1, 2001... MCLEAN, VA--North American industrial laser manufacturers posted worldwide sales of more than $173.1 million during the third quarter of 2000, an increase of more than 30 percent compared with the same period in 1999. According to the...

EPA Lowers Threshold for Reporting Lead Releases.
April 1, 2001... WASHINGTON--Companies that manufacture, process or use more than 100 pounds of lead annually must report their environmental releases of the metal to state and federal authorities, according to a new rule enacted by the Environmental Protection...

Promess Earns Supplier Award.
April 1, 2001... BRIGHTON, MI--Promess Inc., a manufacturer of in-process sensing devices and computer-numerically controlled electromechanical presses, has been named Supplier of the Year by The Owen Automation Group (Jackson, MI). "Promess has allowed us...

Flow Automation Wins Contract for Assembly Machines.
April 1, 2001... KENT, WA--Unimotion Gear has awarded Flow Automation (Burlington, ON) with two new contracts for automated assembly systems. Valued at $2.8 million, the systems will be installed within the next 9 months. The systems will be used to process...

Thomas Register Joins Yahoo!
April 1, 2001... NEW YORK--The online version of the Thomas Register industrial directory is now available at the Yahoo! B2B Marketplace (http://b2b.yahoo.com) and Yahoo! Electronics Marketplace, which is part of Yahoo! Industry Marketplaces...

Unitek Miyachi Forms Systems Division.
April 1, 2001... MONROVIA, CA--In response to expanding market demand for integrated laser welding and marking systems, Unitek Miyachi Corp. has formed a new Laser and Systems Div. The division will he housed in a new facility adjacent to Unitek's...

A Car Is Born: GM Casts Pig in Gritty Role.
April 1, 2001... AUSTIN, MN--The food company that gave the world Spam is teaming up with General Motors Corp. to use pork and turkey byproducts to help make car parts. Hormel Foods Corp. will supply GM with a binding agent made from the animal protein...

ASSEMBLY Hires New Publisher.
April 1, 2001... BENSENVILLE, IL--ASSEMBLY magazine has hired Marty McClellan as its new publisher. For the past 17 years, McClellan has been a regional sales manager for Newport Communications Group, publisher of Heavy Duty Trucking, Roadstar and other...

AIAG Tackles Job Safety.
April 1, 2001... SOUTHFIELD, MI--The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) has begun an initiative to improve occupational health and safety in the automotive industry. The goal of the initiative is to provide carmakers with common ergonomic...

MDSI Signs Deal With Automation Solutions.
April 1, 2001... ANN ARBOR, MI--Manufacturing Data Systems Inc. (MSDI), a supplier of motion control software, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Automation Solutions Inc. (Petaluma, CA), a supplier of motion control devices. Under the...

Extraction Arms Help Efforts to Restore Flag.
April 1, 2001... WASHINGTON--A pair of fume extraction arms from Nederman Inc. (Westland, MI) are helping historians at the National Museum of American History restore the American flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner." Efforts to restore the...

Prototyping Demonstration Center Opens.
April 1, 2001... FAIRFIELD, CT--MCP Systems, a manufacturer of rapid prototyping equipment, has opened a technology demonstration center in Farmington Hills, MI. The facility has equipment for casting metal prototypes in aluminum and copper beryllium. It...

Tyco Opens Demonstration Center.
April 1, 2001... HARRISBURG, PA--Tyco Electronics has opened a new demonstration center here for electrical and electronic connection products. The center is equipped with a variety of hand tools, bench machines and fully automated application machinery....

Yaskawa Buys MagneTek Drives.
April 1, 2001... WAUKEGAN, IL--Yaskawa Electric America Inc. has acquired the drives business unit of MagneTek Inc. (New Berlin, WI). A manufacturer of drives, motion control equipment and robotics, Yaskawa had been manufacturing AC inverter drives sold...

New Company Uses Internet to Help Procure Custom Parts.
April 1, 2001... BEVERLY, MA--A new Web-based company promises to expedite the process of procuring custom-made parts. The company, ThreeCore Inc., secured $2.2 million in first-round venture financing in February. The company will use the money to build a...

Loctite Backs BattleBot.
April 1, 2001... ROCKY HILL, CT--One of America's newest televised sports is a contest of engineering, creativity and mechanical endurance. Now in its second year on the Comedy Central television network, "BattleBots" showcases combat between robots in an...

ESAB Donates Welding Tools to College.
April 1, 2001... ALBANY, OR--ESAB Welding and Cutting Products (Florence, SC) has replaced much of the Linn-Benton Community College's aging collection of welding gas regulators, cutting torches and welding tips with state-of-the-art equipment. Valued at...

Web Site Offers Information on Static Control.
April 1, 2001... AUSTIN, TX--A new Web site provides information on controlling electrostatic discharge (ESD). Sponsored by 3M's Electronic Handling and Protection Div., static-planet.com offers industry news, standards and trends, frequently asked...

Sales of Surge Suppressors to Exceed $1 Billion.
April 1, 2001... NATICK, MA--North American sales of surge suppressors are expected to grow 10.5 percent annually during the next 5 years. According to a study by Venture Development Corp., North American sales of surge suppressors will increase from $690.4...

Tool Maker Atlas Copco Reorganizes.
April 1, 2001... FARMINGTON HILLS, MI--Atlas Copco Tools and Assembly Systems has reorganized to better focus on its automotive and general industry customers. As part of the reorganization, Atlas Copco has created a Customer Center and a Project Center....

Build or Buy? When to Outsource.
April 1, 2001... Among manufacturers of electronic products, few have been as vertically integrated as Fluke Corp. (Everett, WA). Indeed, this manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment once fabricated all its printed circuit boards (PCBs) and...

MICROASSEMBLY AUTOMATION.
April 1, 2001... Tabletop precision assembly systems are poised to move out of the lab and onto the plant floor. This evolving technology promises to improve automated assembly of small products, such as fiber optic components. Many products are getting...

PRODUCTIVE POSITIONING.
April 1, 2001... Getting the right part in the right place at the right time is vital to manual and automated assembly applications. One of the oldest and most popular magic tricks is the ball-and-cup routine. A magician places a ball or some other small...

HOW TIGHT IS TIGHT?
April 1, 2001... How you measure torque can affect your perception of how well your fastening tools perform. Torque measurement has become an integral part of using electric and pneumatic tools to install threaded fasteners. Assemblers routinely test...

GASKETS FROM A CAN.
April 1, 2001... Liquid gaskets have many advantages over solid gaskets. Liquid gaskets are used in a wide variety of applications. These adhesives seal the housings on gear reducers and the chain case covers on snowblowers. Liquid gaskets can be found in...

CHANGES ABOUND.
April 1, 2001... The name has changed; the focus has not. Assembly East is still the only East Coast trade event dedicated to engineered solutions for product assembly. Change is in the wind at the former Assembly Northeast and the former NEPCON...

Good Material Handling Makes Good Sense at Goodwill.
April 1, 2001... A conveyor system used by Goodwill's Commercial Services Div. production plant in Milwaukee is customized in more ways than one. The conveyor is configured to meet the needs of the 187,000-square-foot center for work and training, and to the...

Arm Speeds Inspection.
April 1, 2001... As demand for just-in-time delivery increases, manufacturers of fabricated parts are discovering a new bottleneck in production--inspection. They must now increase parts production, but maintain high quality. However, the science of part making...

Polymer Improves Durability of Industrial Flashlight Lens.
April 1, 2001... Rayovac Corp. (Madison, WI) carefully selects the materials that make up its industrial flashlights, because industrial and construction workers purchase flashlights based on their ability to withstand harsh conditions. Industrial flashlight...

Urethane Gets in the Groove.
April 1, 2001... Round drive belts tend to slip as they reach maximum load capacity. Struggling with this occurrence, Dura-Belt Inc. (Hilliard, OH) chose Stevens Urethane's (Holyoke, MA) thermoplastic polyurethane for its groove sleeve. The substance enables...

Modules Allow Machines to be Customized.
April 1, 2001... Lasko Metal Products Inc. (West Chester, PA), a manufacturer of ventilation devices and household appliances, needed a welding method for the assembly of reservoir jugs for its humidifiers. These oddly-shaped reservoir jugs are large and can...

Part Marker Makes Good Impression.
April 1, 2001... The Marshalltown, IA, plant of Lennox Industries, a manufacturer of residential and commercial heating and air conditioning equipment, required automation for a new portion of their gas furnace manufacturing process. The company needed to...

Adhesive Bonds Composite Grid to Boat Hull.
April 1, 2001... Traditional construction methods for high-performance boats use plywood egg crate and heavy glass epoxy laminate in the hull structure to provide the power, rigidity, security and ride qualities needed for speed over the water. Thunderbird...

Zenite Cuts Transformers Down to Size.
April 1, 2001... BG Laboratories Inc. (Binghampton, NY) manufactures space-saving miniature transformers for laptop computer modems, and the thin-wall molding capabilities and other properties of DuPont's (Wilmington, DE) Zenite LCP 7130 play a key role in the...

Workstation for Semiautomatic Assembly.
April 1, 2001... The Raven Super Cell is a horse-shoe-shaped workstation for manual and semiautomatic assembly operations. A rotary indexing table in the center of the workstation can be equipped with four to 12 fixtures. Table indexing is controlled by a foot...

Dispenser for Surface Mount Assembly.
April 1, 2001... The Millennium M-2010 automatically dispenses medium- and high-viscosity fluids and pastes used in surface-mount assembly. When configured with the noncontact DispenseJet head, the machine can apply more than 50,000 dots of adhesive per...

Vision Sensor Is Self-Contained.
April 1, 2001... The In-Sight 1000 machine vision sensor combines a camera, processing software and networking technologies in one package. Vision applications are easily set up through a spreadsheet interface. Tools and parameters are selected from drop-down...

Servovalve Controls Actuators.
April 1, 2001... The Model 27N R-DDV servovalve provides precise, closed-loop feedback control of pneumatic actuators. It controls load position, velocity, acceleration and force. Used in conjunction with a low-friction cylinder, the servovalve can produce a...

Radio Frequency Tracker.
April 1, 2001... Mobile Spider radio frequency tracker combines a radio frequency identification reader, tags and tag capture software with a PPT-2740 handheld scanning device. Spider tag IDs, once scanned, can be stored in a database for future reference....

Dot Peen Marker.
April 1, 2001... The handheld, electromechanical PryorMark Portadot can mark items with text, symbols and DataMatrix codes, without a PC. Its trial-run function can check the fit of marking data without marking.

Ink Code Marking Machines.
April 1, 2001... These ink code-marking machines can be washed down. They print characters from the 1/16 to 1/4 inch high, and up to 22 characters per line.

Bar Code Scanner.
April 1, 2001... The MS-820 can read high-density bar codes. A raster feature and scan rate up to 1,100 scans per second allow for multiple looks at each label. Additional features include IP65-rated die-cast metal housing and reverse video.

Thermal Transfer Ribbon for Electronics.
April 1, 2001... Smudge and scratch resistance for electronic product identification and coding is offered with the TR3370. The white, thermal transfer resin ribbon prints on silver, black, blue and clear substrates and is suitable for various applications. It...

Smart Label Printer and Encoder.
April 1, 2001... The Zebra R-140 radio frequency identification (RFID) printer and encoder prints, encodes and verifies printable labels embedded with 13.56-megahertz RFID transponders. Data in the RFID transponder can be updated, eliminating the relabeling of...

Automatic Marker.
April 1, 2001... This portable, programmable marker, part of the 300 Series, can inscribe most materials. It can be configured as a stylus or scriber according to the marking head. It can be used as a handheld device or suspended from a counterbalance.

Replaceable Ring Ink Cups.
April 1, 2001... Replaceable doctoring cups allow manual replacement of rings without tools or press. The rings attach to the cups, forming a leak-proof seal. Ceramic or steel rings are offered.

Arm Extracts Work Area Fumes.
April 1, 2001... SS-50BME stainless steel macro arm removes work area soldering fumes from solder pots and dispensers. The flexible arm draws high volumes of air and gases away from work areas and into purifying or ventilating systems. The arm is adjustable and...

Telescoping Aluminum Lifter.
April 1, 2001... The MechLift supports loads up to 325 pounds and adapts to various overhead material handling applications. The conveyor offers high torque resistance, precise load placement, smooth movement and low operator effort. It can be incorporated into...

Air Lift and Turn Table.
April 1, 2001... A combined air lift and turntable features 24 inches of travel and 2,000- or 3,000-pound capacities. The SALM-24848 operates off in-plant power supplies.

Adjustable Lifting Device.
April 1, 2001... The Quick-Lift automatically adjusts to weight, motion and direction of the operator and material being lifted. Two versions are available. One version has a swing arm for a fixed area, and the other is mounted to an overhead gantry for...

Recyclable Plastic Transport Packaging.
April 1, 2001... The 12-millimeter walls allow for increased inner volumes, and the packaging can be folded together using a hinge. Folding reduces volume by 80 percent, which means lower return costs. The packaging can handle load weights up to 100...

Cable Reel With Compact Frame.
April 1, 2001... The compact NSCR700 cable reel has a sturdy, narrow frame for live electrical cable. It can be mounted in confined spaces and used with power tools, lights, machinery and generators. It accommodates 40 to 85 feet of to 3/16- to 3/8-inch live...

Conveyor Belts.
April 1, 2001... These belts can be used on 2100, 3100, LPZ and 6100 series conveyors. They come in widths ranging from 1 to 40 inches. Variations include heat-resistant belts, electrically conductive belts, color-contrasting belts, chemical-resistant belts,...

Adhesive Dispenser.
April 1, 2001... The 1500XL dispenser uses a timed air pulse to deliver consistent amounts of adhesive, eliminating waste and rework. This microprocessor-based dispenser can deliver dots, beads and fills. A teach function determines the correct amount of...

Automated Coating System.
April 1, 2001... This automated Parylene deposition system, the PDS-2060 H-M/C, has individual cells that allow simultaneous coating of multiple products without intermixing. It incorporates individual removable cells for a total batch capacity of 2,796 cubic...

Curing Conveyor.
April 1, 2001... The UVCS-6 Side Cure conveyor uses medium- to high-intensity UV light for curing adhesives, coatings and sealants. Overhead and side-mounted lamps provide uniform lighting. Belt speeds can be set from 0.5 to 27 feet per minute, accommodating...

Ball Transfers Provide Free-Rolling.
April 1, 2001... Series 5600 ball transfers use a recirculating ball design suitable for loads up to 125 pounds. The main load ball is available in a 1-inch-diameter size for light- and medium-duty applications.

Self-Lubricating Bearing Plugs.
April 1, 2001... Simplicity bearings can be used to provide a self-lubricating bearing surface. Threaded on the outside diameter, installation requires a drilled and tapped hole. A thread locking agent fixes it in place. Various bearing materials are available....

Rotary Actuator.
April 1, 2001... This rotary actuator has two independent, internal, adjustable hard stops that eliminate pinion breakage and can handle heavy payloads. A four-point angular contact bearing supports the low-profile output turntable. Mounting and standard dowel...

Pneumatic Mini Slides.
April 1, 2001... Pneumatic mini slides provide mobility for assembly tools, fixtures, grippers and rotary actuators. Made of aluminum with stainless steel piston rods, the mini slides come in three sizes. Bore sizes range from 8 to 25 millimeters, with strokes...

Speed Drives for Adjustable Speed Control.
April 1, 2001... For use as a primary or secondary drive, these speed drives are adjustable from 0 to 400 rpm with an input speed of 1,800 rpm. Accepting input speeds from 0 to 2,000 rpm, output speed changes can be quickly made. Five drive ratings are...

Miniature Profile Guideways.
April 1, 2001... Miniature profile guideways make precision motion control suitable for tightly packaged applications. The new Minirail series features two-row miniature guideways made from stainless steel. An advanced ball-retainer design simplifies assembly...

Feeder Reel Assembly Eliminates Incorrect Placement.
April 1, 2001... The PVS 901 series verifies component placement with fixed feeder locations. Feeder identification codes identify specific feeders, and infrared tag technology identifies the feeder location.

Desoldering Braid With Static Dissipative Bobbins.
April 1, 2001... Soder-Wick desoldering braid is offered on static dissipative bobbins in a variety of widths and flux types. The braid is available in lengths of 5 and 10 feet.

Reflow Oven Has 20-Inch Heat Zone.
April 1, 2001... The OmniFlo 14 reflow oven, with cast aluminum heater panels, features 20 inches of heated length and 93 inches of cooling capacity. The oven's crossshafts ensure conveyor parallelism to [+ or -] 0.02 inches. An optional programmable...

Ball Grid Array Sphere Placement.
April 1, 2001... The Model 9000-1 BGA sphere placement system can place spheres for prototype, mid-volume production or rework. No-clean tacky flux, or solder paste for ceramic ball grid arrays, is screen-printed onto the pads. An interchangeable vacuum wand...

Multipurpose Zip Kit.
April 1, 2001... This 45-piece multipurpose zip kit incorporates a tool kit and tote. Outside pockets have adjustable flaps for test equipment and personal items, along with a separate compartment for documents. The kit includes 45 tools. Booth P1654

Impact Locking Extensions for Replacing Sockets.
April 1, 2001... The 1/2-inch-drive impact locking extensions allow sockets to be replaced quickly and easily without setscrews, binding pins or impact retaining pins. Featuring a patented locking mechanism, the locking extensions also prevent the accidental...

Rivet Tool Kit.
April 1, 2001... The Pop PowerLink 30 rivet tool kit contains a rivet tool and 200 Pop blind rivets and rivet washers. The tool can set rivet sizes up to 3/16 inch. Other nosepieces can set 3/32-inch, 1/8-inch and 5/32-inch rivets.

Self-Adjusting Hook Wrench.
April 1, 2001... The self-adjusting hook wrench is available in 8-, 9- and 10-inch sizes. The self-sizing feature allows it to fit any nut or bolt within its designated size range.

Ergo Angle Grinders.
April 1, 2001... The 5-inch ergo angle grinders, models WP7-125 Quick and WPS7-125 Quick, feature S-automatic safety clutch and long-life motor. They also come equipped with tool-free wheel and guard adjustment systems. Both models weigh 5.1 pounds, provide 20...

Manipulator and Coordinated Linear Track.
April 1, 2001... The Wave Track, a fully integrated unit featuring a five-axis manipulator and coordinated sixth-axis linear track, is ideal for multistation applications involving light machine tending, assembly and quality control testing. The five-axis...

Drop In Place Cell.
April 1, 2001... Designed for high-volume production, the System 40 is an arc welding robot cell with a pre-engineered 180-degree indexing turntable and workstation. The cell incorporates the Fanuc Arc Mate 100i, six-axis robot arm; RJ-3 controller with a...

Robotic Palletizer.
April 1, 2001... The SR-1504HZ robotic palletizer has a payload of 70 kilograms and an arm length between 1,050 and 1,950 millimeters. An elevation mechanism optimizes the range of the robot's working envelope. It features an absolute position detecting system....

Parallel Grippers for Parallel Gripping Motion.
April 1, 2001... The P5G Series of parallel grippers provide parallel gripping motion with a life span in excess of 10 million cycles. Designed for factory automation, the grippers have a high grip force to weight ratio; extended travel jaws; spring assist,...

Six-Axis Robot.
April 1, 2001... Targeted for assembly and material handling tasks, the Vector family of six-axis robots consist of multiple models to accommodate varying payload and application requirements. Payloads range from 3 to 20 kilograms and reach from 650 to 1,650...

Gate Monitoring Safety Module.
April 1, 2001... The dual microcontroller-based GM-FA-10J gate monitoring safety module utilizes redundant self-checking circuitry for reliability and can monitor one or two positive-opening safety switches for failures or faults. It also features two redundant...