Assembly articles from April 2004

Assembly archives from April 2004

The jobs dilemma.(Editorial)
April 1, 2004... The data continue to show economic growth as the United States emerges from the recession. The foremost exception to this positive view is the nearly 3 million manufacturing jobs lost during recent years and not yet made up; a statistic...

Vision systems help robots find, assemble parts.(X-Y-Z)
April 1, 2004... Atruism of automated assembly is that a robot is only as good as the fixture holding the parts. A robot can return to the same positions time and again. But, if the location and orientation of the parts deviate from what the robot has been...

Lockheed Martin considers a moving assembly line.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... FORT WORTH, TX -- The first-ever continuous moving assembly line for producing fighter jets is being explored by engineers at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. Adopting such an approach could increase production efficiency, reduce floor space and...

Dow to use fuel cells.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... MIDLAND, MI -- Dow Chemical Co. and General Motors Corp. (Detroit) recently unveiled the world's largest fuel cell installation. The fuel cells will convert hydrogen into electricity at Dow's sprawling Freeport, TX, chemical processing...

Robot orders jump 19 percent in 2003.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Evidence of the upturn in the robotics market continues. North American manufacturing companies ordered 19 percent more robots from North American suppliers in 2003 than in 2002, according to the Robotic Industries...

Motoman training programs eligible for funding under GI bill.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... DAYTON, OH -- Motoman Inc.'s Technical Education Center now offers training programs approved by the Veteran's Administration. This approval allows a military veteran, spouse or dependent who is entitled to funding under the GI Bill to...

Quality Expo Detroit to feature conference program.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... NORWALK, CT -- Quality Expo Detroit provides visitors with a full range of quality-related technologies and tools for improving productivity and reducing costs. The show will be held June 9 to 10, 2004, at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, MI....

Mobile exhibit brings technology to your door.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... TWINSBURG, OH -- The Pepperl+Fuchs mobile exhibit travels throughout the United States and Canada demonstrating the company's extensive line of products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Inside, visitors will find 15 application panels that...

Schmidt Feintechnik becomes Schmidt technology.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA -- In January 2004, SCHMIDT Feintechnik became SCHMIDT Technology. Along with the new name comes a new logo. However, its products, offices and staff will remain unchanged.

Fuel cell hybird scoots to market.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... NEWPORT, RI -- At November's Fuel Cell Seminar in Miami Beach, FL, Vectrix Corp. displayed a fuel-cell-equipped prototype scooter it plans to introduce in Europe, Asia and the United States by 2006. The prototype integrates a...

DVT signs NASCAR sponsorship agreement.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... DULUTH, GA -- DVT will become a major associate sponsor for the 2004 NASCAR Busch Series season. The DVT logo will appear on car number 20 driven by Mike Bliss of the Joe Gibbs racing team, as well as on the uniforms of pit crew members, the...

Business leaders optimistic about growth.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- According to Grant Thornton's latest survey of more than 300 middle-market business leaders, most feel that the economic environment is improving. According to the survey, 82 percent of manufacturers expect the economy to...

Michigan wins second engine plant.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... DUNDEE, MI-Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) will bring a second automotive engine manufacturing facility to Dundee. The expansion is expected to create 842 jobs directly and indirectly over the next 20 years and generate $323 million...

Sea Ray's RIMFIRE wins award.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... KNOXVILLE, TN -- Sea Ray Boats' robotic in-mold fiber reinforcement (RIMFIRE) technology received the Innovation in Manufacturing Process Award at the 2003 Excellence & Innovation Awards from the American Composites Manufacturers Association....

Shingo conference focuses on lean manufacturing.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... OGDEN, UT -- The 16th Annual Shingo Prize Conference will be held May 17 to 21, 2004, in Lexington, KY. This weeklong event will focus on lean production and world-class manufacturing. The conference includes keynote addresses by industry...

Conference will discuss fuel cell industry.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... NORWALK, CT -- More and more fuels cells are powering vehicles, computers, buildings, complexes and production lines. Opportunities are emerging for companies that develop fuel cells, fuel cell systems, hydrogen generation and conversion...

Learn more about machine vision.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... NATICK, MA -- Comprehensive free seminars to help assemblers understand and apply machine vision sensors are being conducted by Cognex Corp. Offered throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, the seminars explain how vision sensors...

No-compromise linear modules: speed, precision, and load capacities.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2004... Conventional wisdom says that you can't achieve high speeds, precision, and high load capacity at the same time in pick-and-place or positioning systems. To increase one, you trade off the performance of others. In managing such tradeoffs,...

Fanatics create quality at Ben & Jerry's.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... When quality assurance folks are "absolute fanatics," like those at Ben & Jerry's ice cream facility in Burlington, VT, the outcome is high-quality products, cost savings and a reputation for consistent excellence. And because Ben & Jerry's...

Bearings keep engines rolling.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... Approximately 40 years ago, Timken Co. (Canton, OH) designed bearings for Rolls-Royce Corp.'s original Model 250 aircraft engine. Over the years, Timken Aerospace, a subsidiary of The Timken Co., has supplied 27 bearing part numbers for the...

Flow track drives product home.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... In 1994, BMW completed construction on its only manufacturing facility in the United States. Originally, the Greer, SC, plant was designed to produce 3-series sedans. Then, in late 1995, the Z3 roadster went into production, and the Greer plant...

Ultrasonic welding provides integrity to wire harnesses.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... Ultrasonic metal welding equipment from Sonobond Ultrasonics (West Chester, PA) is helping Electro-Canada (Toronto) improve its metal welding capability and reduce cost. Electro-Canada provides wire harnesses for the automotive industry,...

Structural frame reduces number of components.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... During development of its 2004 Sportster motocycle, Harley Davidson (Milwaukee) wanted to eliminate a six-piece forging and stamping process from the assembly line. The company turned to Signicast Corp. (Hartford, WI) to solve the problem. ...

UV is a perfect fit for integrator.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... Innovative Machines (Jenison, MI) finds innovative ways to automate screen printing or marking onto parts and products. The company specializes in integrating material handling and conveying, coating and printing, marking, vision systems and...

Ergonomics reduces risk and increases productivity.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2004... Humantech (Ann Arbor, MI) helped staff at Dow Corning's silicone plant in Hemlock, MI, analyze ergonomic risk and redesign a silicone processing operation. The result is an 80 percent reduction of manual material handling and increased...

Assemblers pull the plug: cordless tools offer an alternative to electric and pneumatic equipment.(Power Tools)
April 1, 2004... Once upon a time, battery-powered screwdrivers and torque wrenches were confined to workbenches and toolboxes. However, cordless tools now offer a serious alternative to traditional electric and pneumatic production equipment. Torque and...

Clean cuts: lasers remove insulation from wire without damaging the underlying conductors.(Wire Processing)(Cover Story)
April 1, 2004... We have all heard the saying, "If you can create a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door." Well, in the ever-evolving world of modern electronics where engineers constantly push the envelope on electrical circuit...

Epoxies: one component or two? Epoxies are unique in their applications and performance.(Materials Joining)
April 1, 2004... If you're looking for a one-size-fits-all material, you may not have to look any further than epoxies. Epoxies have been around since the 1950s, but they have now come into their own, due to their endless versatility and performance...

Wire bonding in optoelectronics: optoelectronic packages present unique challenges for wire bonding technology.(Electronics Assembly)
April 1, 2004... The hardest part about assembling optoelectronic packages--or at least the most publicized--is the process of aligning the various optical components to maximize light transmission and locking them in place. But, the challenges don't stop...

Assembly East returns to Boston: Assembly East, NEPCON East and Electro provide Northeast manufacturers with a convenient source for manufacturing equipment.(Events)
April 1, 2004... In today's competitive assembly environment, the goal is to reduce costs and cycle times, and increase capacity. And there is no better place than Assembly East to find the products and equipment to help assemblers meet these goals. This...

Consumer electronics: the industry is undergoing its biggest transition since the transistor.(Industry Watch)
April 1, 2004... Fifty years ago, consumers were awestruck by a new-fangled device called color television. In April 1954, RCA began assembling the world's first production color sets at a state-of-the-art plant in Bloomington, IN. The CT-100 cost $1,000 and...

DE-STA-CO offers ergonomic pneumatic swing cylinder clamps.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... DE-STA-CO's new pneumatic swing cylinder clamps are now supplied with sensing functionality as a standard feature. These sensors add more safety and control--making it easier to determine exactly when clamps are open or closed. To sense the...

Barrington Automation.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Barrington Automation, a leading supplier of industrial modular automation components, has released a new line of grippers and Combined Motion Units to complement their expanding line of "Tuff Series" linear actuators and table slides. The...

Speed and versatility--at an affordable price.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... CRS articulated robots are ideal for applications that require complex movements, such as dispensing or machine loading and unloading. For applications requiring flexible movement without sacrificing speed or reliability, the CRS F3[TM]...

SpliceRite[TM] ultrasonic welder.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... The new SpliceRite from Sonobond Ultrasonics produces consistent, solid-state metallurgical bonds for wire harness assembly. The microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic splicing system utilizes the Wedge-Reed coupling system that provides shear...

CYCLOPS.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... The WORLDS BEST single point automatic soldering with "thru the tip" solder wire feed--Exclusively available only on CYCLOPS. This LOWEST MAINTENANCE automatic is ideal for your off shore production and so consistent one option is none...

EPSON Pro Six.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... The EPSON Pro Six is the new 6-axis robot from EPSON Robots. The Pro Six comes standard with easy-to-use EPSON RC+ software and powerful RC520 PC-based controller. The RC520 can control a combination of 6-axis robots, linear modules and SCARA...

Furnishing system.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... The GWS Workshop industrial furnishing system provides comprehensive workstation and storage solutions for light and heavy industries, complemented by a vast selection of accessories. Standard components can be configured in a myriad of designs...

Tog-L-Loc by BTM.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... BTM's patented Tog-L-Loc sheet metal joining system is a leak proof alternative to spot-welding, threaded fasteners and rivets. Painted, coated and dissimilar metals can be joined with simple mechanical punch and die tooling. Joints are strong,...

O-Ring gripper installer.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Copy: The 2.5 X 2.7 inch O-Ring gripper picks and places O-Rings on the parts. The 12 jaw gripper has independent spreading and ejector movements. The O-ring is stretched evenly in a hexagonal shape so it won't be deformed. The gripper can be...

Robohand introduces "DPG" next generation parallel gripper.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... A compact robust design with unique, unrivaled features and options. Features include synchronous and non-synchronous operation, spring assist in either open or closed position, magneto resistive or inductive sensing in up to four positions,...

Code-marking machines.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Sprinter Marking manufacturers Sprinter automatic ink code-marking machines. Machines apply date codes, product codes, dots, etc. on metal, plastic, rubber, and paper surfaces. Marking possible in any orientation. Message size up to 2 square...

Cyclo-Index.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Our 4800DT is the latest addition to the Cyclo-Index line of dial table drives. The 4800DT provides smooth mechanical indexing in a variety of motions. Cyclo-Index products range from parallel-shaft indexers and dial tables, to walking beam...

Dukane's new Vibration Welders.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Dukane's new Vibration Welders feature optimized magnetic heads and a digital drive with built--in diagnostics. These welders handle heavier tooling at higher frequencies resulting in shorter weld times. Its reinforced subframe provides greater...

FastFrames.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... The fastest and easiest way to protect your employees and enclose your plant equipment. Ordering FastFrames instead of traditional extrusions saves you time in design, purchasing and in assembly labor. FastFrames are the most cost-efficient...

FRAME-WORLD.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... FRAME-WORLD, a leading manufacturer of extruded aluminum profiles, accessories and modular safety guarding systems, announces the release of our new product catalog. This 576-page catalog is packed full of extruded aluminum profiles, brackets,...

Feeder systems.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... M & S Automated is fully equipped to design, fabricate and service a full range of quality feeding equipment and specialized product handling systems including: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Centrifugal & Vibratory Feeder Bowls *...

Ultrasonic sealers.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Sonitek's newest product, ultrasonic clamshell sealers, include the autocycle feature, which allows the machine to cycle without pressing the palm buttons. Rotary tables with auto eject options can be added. These benchtop systems can seal 48...

Mechanical sub-assemblies.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... AST Bearings' literature depicts photos, drawings, descriptions and typical applications for custom-designed precision bearing assemblies. Combining high quality bearings with technical design expertise, AST provides cost-saving solutions from...

Hot Bar Soldering for flex circuits.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Fancort Industries introduces microprocessor-controlled equipment that produces uniform and precise temperature distribution, fast heating and cool-down. The Pulse Heat Bonder and Soldering Systems offer a wide range of programmable profiles...

Robotic/automatic tool changers.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... The Quick-Change robotic tool changer provides the flexibility to automatically change end-effectors or other peripheral tooling. The products are designed to function reliably for millions of cycles at rated load while maintaining extremely...

Composite trays/boxes.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Molded Fiber Glass Tray Co. manufactures a wide range of sizes and styles of reinforced composite trays and boxes offering static protection during assembly, faraday cage protection during storage, as well as high temperature sheet for...

Hi-torque nutrunners.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Muscle, speed and intelligence make our 177/277 family of tools the invincible solution for high torque, high precision fastening applications. Available in in-line, offset, right angle, and hold-and-drive configurations up to 3,000 Nm, ISO...

Hernon Fusionbond[TM]--engineered structural adhesive.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Fusionbond[TM] is a two-component, methacrylates adhesive that is specially formulated to bond diverse substrates such as ABS, Nylon, PVC, Gel Coats, PBT blends, Steel, and more. Temperature resistance from -100o to 300[degrees]F....

SAS Automation.
April 1, 2004... Automating Packaging or Palletizing? End Effectors, EOAT (end-of-arm tooling) for all makes of robots. Modular systems reduce robot wear. Get a grip! components for heavyweight applications. GRIP IT!--for lightweight applications, nip...

Robotic soldering.
April 1, 2004... * Consistent Quality Solder Joints [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Labor-saving * Versatile & reliable * Simultaneous soldering and loading * High performance at competitive cost Options: Turn-key package with combined...

ZX--the next generation of rod-less cylinders.
April 1, 2004... AIRTEC Pneumatics is proud to announce a new line of Rod-less cylinders with a newly designed sealing system which improves the operating characteristics and greatly reduces leakage. Available in three styles: Standard, with External Slide...

Polyurethane chairs.
April 1, 2004... Bevco's best-selling 7000 Series polyurethane chairs and stools are now available in gray, blue, burgundy, green and yellow, in addition to black, at no additional cost. All Bevco 7000 Series chairs feature a "maximum comfort" self-skinned...

InterTech.
April 1, 2004... InterTech Development Company, ISO9000 registered, is a turnkey designer and builder of production automation systems for assembly, testing and gauging. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Systems feature patented technology, proven designs and...

Sicron.
April 1, 2004... The Industrial Series from Sicron is one of four platform families. Constructed from 3" X 3" by 1/4" wall welded tubular steel, the Industrial Series is ideal for applications requiring a stable frame design. Available as a frame only, frame...

Minimat-F "Smart Screwdriving System".
April 1, 2004... The Minimat-F Screwdriver is self-monitoring for a 100% correct assembly at a competitive price! The DEPRAG "Smart Screwdriving System", can be supplied with many different tool designs: inline, pistolgrip and angle-head. The controller allows...

AIMCO.
April 1, 2004... AIMCO's TM Fastener Counter system provides process and cycle verification for our standard AE Series Electra Drivers. Also, by integrating the driver's power supply, you save money and space on your workbench. Verify your assembly procedures...

New CMS Cartesian Motion System cuts specification, design and installation time.
April 1, 2004... To help integrators, OEMs and end users reduce the time required to specify, design and install multi-axis systems, Bosch Rexroth has introduced its new Cartesian Motion System (CMS): pre-configured Cartesian Robots in 1, 2, or 3 axes. The new...

Edmund optics "high tolerance corner cubes".
April 1, 2004... EO's new high tolerance corner cube retroreflectors are designed to return a beam upon itself, regardless of the angle of incidence. These high precision retroreflectors provide an impressive 1 arc second parallelism between the incoming and...

SRS 5 Radial Riveting.
April 1, 2004... Radial Forming Technology Corporation offers a complete line of riveting equipment for manufacturers that require a permanently fastened joint. SRS 5 Radial Riveting Machine has been designed to provide the end-user with forming capacity of...

Fluid Dispensing System Integrated with XYZ Motion Control.
April 1, 2004... DTIC Dispensing Technologies Integrated XYZ Motion Control/Fluid Dispensing Systems feature customized software that lets users enter motion control and dispensing commands into the same program, making it easy to write and document shot...

Cart lift system keeps product moving in high volume assembly cells.
April 1, 2004... Lift elevator increases productivity and improves ergonomics in high-volume production assembly cells. Automatic cart movement at beginning and end of production line saves time and eliminates cart handling. A valuable enhancement to FlexiMate...

Mobile Workstations.
April 1, 2004... Arlink's Modular Mobile Workstation Systems enable users to custom create in-line, mobile assembly and production workstations of unlimited length. Easily relocate entire production lines, and combine or vary the length of lines, by using...

New pneumatic Radial Riveting Machine--for a rivet head diameter of up to 18-mm.
April 1, 2004... AGME Ltd. a radial riveting manufacturer introduces the newly available, pneumatic Riveting Machine Model No. RR18. This unit is a pneumatic unit, allowing the processing of rivets with a maximum head diameter of 18-mm [0.710-inches]. The...

Automated feeding DC Press-Fit System.
April 1, 2004... Rexroth's economic, pre-engineered and off-the-shelf DC Press-Fit Systems are a standard product offering providing manufacturers with world-class equipment capable of force, time and/or distance control in the manufacturing process with data...

Nut presenter.
April 1, 2004... Nasco Industries manufactures a new, rugged nut presenter for standard flat hex nuts. The presenter is supplied for individual nut sizes #2 to 1/4". A modular track assembly allows easy changeover without tools to accept alternate size nuts....

Deliver positive results.
April 1, 2004... EFD's new Ultra DispensLink[TM] positive displacement system is ideal for applying two-part epoxies and other fluids that change viscosity. Patented technology gives the user precise, repeatable results--regardless of changes in fluid volume,...

LINK conveyor.
April 1, 2004... Automated Conveying Systems Inc. is proud to announce its newest conveyor in its LINK Series. The LINK 1000's frame profile is less than 1 1/4 inches and is available with 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-inch belt widths. The conveyor can be used with a...

Digital Linear Vibration Welder.
April 1, 2004... Forward Technology's DLVW-2248 250Hz Digital Linear Vibration Welder is capable of welding thermoplastic parts 22"X48" with up to 90 square inches of weld area utilizing our high-powered continuous tuning 2-Pole Digital Drive. System features...

Rinco-USA Dynamic 3000.
April 1, 2004... The Rinco Dynamic 3000 20kHz Ultrasonic Welder is one of the most advanced ultrasonic welding systems available. The 32-Bit ACU Controller/Generator and Servo-Pneumatic system ensure precision control of virtually every aspect of the welding...

Vanadate laser marking system.
April 1, 2004... The new air-cooled, VersaScribe Vanadate series laser markers from Alase Technologies, Inc. are ideal for fine surface engraving and black stain annealing for product coding and identification. The Vanadate technology enables high speed marking...

New SLICE 142 cutting machine.
April 1, 2004... Designed to save waste. Allows loading of 4-ft. long double-wall sticks of heat shrink tubing without cutting off a long piece of material. Knows how many pieces it can cut from the 4-foot length. Cuts other tubing, conduit and wire. Other...

New tricks for an old standard multiple seal placement from a single source.
April 1, 2004... Using innovative design, Amara can now offer assembly of a common size of o-ring or seal to various groove locations with no change tooling and a single handling of the target part. Ideal for valve spools and similar products. ...

New! Position Feedback Cylinder now available with integral Rod Lock.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Bimba Manufacturing now has a Position Feedback pneumatic cylinder that incorporates a clamp/cam device that holds the piston rod in position when air pressure is removed. The Position Feedback Cylinder with Rod Lock (PFCL) allows a very...

Automatic Screwfeeding Systems.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... These units have been proven in applications throughout the assembly industry. You can double your screwdriving production with a TPI-1 Automatic Screwfeeding System. Simple in design, The Escapement has only one moving part. It can be supplied...

DE-STA-CO raises the bar ... again.(Product Review)
April 1, 2004... Launch of New Generation Toggle Clamps! DE-STA-CO Industries' new 2002, 2007, 2010 series toggle clamps offer more than twice the holding capacity in the same envelope size as previous generation models. Additional benefits include greater...

Dispenser for two-part materials.(Products)
April 1, 2004... The 123-DMIX can dispense two-part materials from 200-, 400- or 600-milliliter cartridges with mix ratios of 1-to-1, 2-to-1 and 10-to-1. In addition, any ratio can be programmed into a 1-to-1 twin-pack or two 6-ounce Semco cartridges. It is...

Help for sprue-handling robots.(Products)
April 1, 2004... This spring-loaded elbow arm for sprue pliers helps robots remove plastic parts from injection molding machines. The device is designed so that the force created by the ejected sprue is centered above, and in line with, the gripper arm. ...

Handheld pneumatic applicator.(Products)
April 1, 2004... This handheld pneumatic applicator dispenses two-part adhesives. It accepts dual 50-milliliter cartridges with 1-to-1 and 2-to-1 mix ratios. Dispensing pressure is adjusted with an eight-position thumbwheel. A quick-acting trigger ensures...