Assembly articles from April 2008

Assembly archives from April 2008

The challenge of e-waste.(Editorial)
April 1, 2008... Legend has it that as elephants age, they sense when they are soon to die and instinctively go to the mythical elephant's graveyard to die alone. Would that something similar could be programmed into the myriad electronic and electrical widgets...

Electrons and lasers.(Welding BEADS)
April 1, 2008... Beams of electrons and beams of coherent light are both excellent tools for welding metal parts. Both electron beam and laser welding excel at joining exotic and refractory metals and alloys, as well as common metals and alloys, and--in the...

Laser sensors can measure many parts of an assembly.(QUALITY in ASSEMBLY)
April 1, 2008... Laser sensors measure objects or distances in several ways. A time-of-flight system measures the time for a pulse of laser light to travel to a surface and return. Since the speed of light is constant, the sensor can calculate the distance. A...

North American robot orders jump 24 percent.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... ANN ARBOR, MI--After a weak 2006, North American-based robotics companies saw orders to North American manufacturing companies rise 24 percent in 2007, with especially strong sales to the automotive industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Last call for plant of the Year nominations.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... BENSENVILLE, IL -- There's still time to enter the 5th annual Assembly Plant of the Year contest sponsored by ASSEMBLY magazine. Any assembly plant in the United States is eligible. The goal of the Assembly Plant of the Year award is to...

Quality Measurement Conference 2008.(Assembly Lines)(Conference news)
April 1, 2008... BENSENVILLE, IL -- Set for April 28-May 1, this year's Quality Measurement Conference (formerly MMCW) will take place at the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach facility on Sand Key in Clearwater, FL, and marks the event's 10th anniversary. ...

BMW expanding U.S. plant.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... SPARTANBURG, SC -- BMW Group (Munich, Germany) is spending $750 million to expand and upgrade the plant where it builds its X5 and X6 sport utility vehicles, and the Z4 roadster. The 3-year project calls for construction of a new...

Honda to stop building cycles in U.S.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... MARYSVILLE, OH -- Almost 30 years after it began building motorcyles in the United States, Honda is moving production back to a new facility in Kumamoto, Japan. "This move allows us to improve the competitiveness and appeal of our products...

DE-STA-CO showcases facility in India.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... AUBURN HILLS, MI -- Robotic tooling, workholding and automation equipment manufacturer DE-STA-CO recently held an open house to mark the opening of its new manufacturing facility in Pune, India. The plant, which produces automation...

FANUC unveils certification program.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... ROCHESTER HILLS, MI -- FANUC Robotics America Inc. has created what it is calling its Certified Education Robot Training program to help high schools, community colleges and universities develop a new generation of robotics professionals. ...

Bombardier opens Aerospace plant in Mexico.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... MONTREAL -- Bombardier Aerospace has opened a new plant in Mexico's Queretaro Aerospace Park to produce electrical harnesses and structural components for its Challenger 850 and Q400 series airplanes. Among other components, the plant is...

Adept Technology expanding in Korea.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... LIVERMORE, CA -- Robotics manufacturer Adept Technology Inc. is expanding its presence in South Korea through a marketing agreement with the Korean automation and robotics company Han Shin PowerTechLtd. (Seoul, South Korea). Korea is...

ICR opens training center.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... WARREN, MI -- The industrial electronic and mechanical repairs company Industrial Control Repair has opened a new "Learning Institute" to train students interested in a career in robotics and resistance welding. The program features...

DeRocco to lead Manufacturing Institute.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... WASHINGTON -- Former assistant secretary of labor Emily Stover--DeRocco has been named as president of the Manufacturing Institute, the research, education and workforce arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). During her...

Deere expanding tractor capacity.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... MOLINE, IL -- Deere & Company is investing $90 million to increase production capacity for large, high-horsepower tractors at its plant in Waterloo, IA. In addition to selling the tractors in North America, the company also exports them to some...

Lotus creates hybrid, electric vehicle group.(Assembly Lines)
April 1, 2008... HETHEL, England -- Renowned sports car builder Lotus has created a research and development group dedicated to the creation of technologies for electric and hybrid vehicles. According to Group Lotus CEO Mike Kimberley, the formation of this new...

Surface mount printer doubling company output.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2008... Founded in 1991, ProtoDesign Inc. (Utica, MI) is a mediumsized electronics contract manufacturer that specializes in short-run product design and prototype production. The company prides itself on its production expertise, product quality and...

Trackers achieve unprecedented accuracy.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2008... The $1.4 billion Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee is used to create high-energy neutron beams to investigate the molecular structures of everything from superconductors to proteins in...

Curtains promote better space usage.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2008... LDI Industries Inc. (Manitowoc, WI) manufactures lubricating equipment and hydraulic components for OEMs and the MRO market. The company, which specializes in fabricating hydraulic reservoirs, recently moved to a new 100,000-square-foot...

Code readers save $5,000 a week.(Assembly in Action)
April 1, 2008... Effective readability and traceability are critical to success in the consumers electronics industry. By keeping track of products throughout their life cycle, manufacturers can protect themselves against costly recalls and product mix-ups, as...

Little lessons from the big boys: sometimes, even lean leaders suffer quality lapses.(Quality in Assembly)(Company overview)
April 1, 2008... Once a product leaves the assembly line, even the tiniest quality problem can quickly escalate into a big headache for manufacturing engineers. The key is to address quality issues on the plant floor and to build quality into every product....

Soldering the unsolderable: with ultrasonics, assemblers can solder aluminum, titanium and other difficult materials without flux.(Ultrasonics)
April 1, 2008... Ultrasonic energy can be used to weld metal and plastic; clean and degrease parts; and spray thin coatings of flux, conductive ink and other liquids. Now, assemblers can add one more application to that list--soldering. In ultrasonic...

Ensuring effective robotic dispensing: a strong team and clear expectations are critical to implementing a system that will provide a good return on investment.(Dispensing)
April 1, 2008... Whether a manufacturer is considering the purchase of a new robotic dispensing system or simply considering converting or upgrading an existing line, there are a number of factors that will determine the project's ultimate success. Selecting...

The intricacies of accumulation: alpine and serpentine systems are assembly workhorses.(Conveyors)
April 1, 2008... Manufacturers use accumulator conveyors to move a wide variety of products horizontally and vertically throughout their plants. An accumulator is any piece of equipment that allows product to amass in a production line so that upstream machines...

Torque trade-offs: some suppliers tout the ergonomic benefits of their tools; others emphasize the accuracy of their products.(Fastening)
April 1, 2008... When choosing a power tool to install threaded fasteners, engineers have never had so many options. Clutch, pulse and impact tools are now available in pneumatic, electric and battery-powered versions. Each tool offers a different set of...

Put your coat on: conformal coatings protect electronic assemblies from the elements.(Dispensing)
April 1, 2008... April might officially be spring, but here in the Midwest at least, you'd be wise to have a raincoat and a stout umbrella if you don't want to get soaked. Many electronic assemblies need protection from the elements, too. Conformal...

Wireless network links up remote sensors.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The SureCross DX70 is a wireless network system built around two devices and configured I/O. The network allows sensors to be installed in remote or hard-to-access areas. The network includes a gateway and a node that operate in the same...

Valve shuts off cleanly.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Model 2600-041 Snuf-Bak valve shuts off quickly and cleanly for dispensing thixotropic and cohesive materials, such as silicones, epoxies and urethanes. When the valve closes, a suction action eliminates or reduces strings and drips from...

Sealant family adapts to needs.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Family of UV-curable sealants can be used for pour-in-place gasket applications, with individual formulations tailored to the production characteristics of each assembly operation. Customizable variables include viscosity, cure speed and...

Precise & powerful: the PreFeeder 60.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The PreFeeder 60 is a high speed prefeeding unit for use with automatic cut, strip and terminate (CST) machines. A controlled roller drive feeds the wire into an accumulator to reduce tension on the wire before it is pulled by the high-speed...

Machine dispenses very thick fluids.(Products)
April 1, 2008... This machine dispenses very thick polymers, providing precise volumetric control even when high pressure is needed to push out the material. The system consists of two independent, servo-controlled dispensing cylinders. The cumulative volume...

Tamper-proof screw won't cam-out.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The tamper-proof drive recess of the Hios Clover Screw consists of three wide, curved wings for efficient transmission of torque from the driver to the fastener. Sloping sides guide the bit to the center of the recess. Driving force per unit of...

Reservoirs hold adhesive.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Fluid reservoirs for automatic dispensing systems come in sizes ranging from 2 quarts to 5 gallons. Top-ported models are for liquids of less than 150,000 centipoise. Bottom-ported models are for fluids of less than 300,000 centipoise. The...

Screwdriver has automatic feed.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The LCM4 handheld, autofeeding screwdriver is preconfigured for use with most common screw sizes. The operator positions the tool and presses the trigger bar. The screwdriver bit then advances automatically without rotation until it interlocks...

Dispenser is programmable.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Advantage III automatic dispensing system is fully programmable. The operator can change the mix ratio and shot size by pressing a few buttons. The machine stores 110 programs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fluid Research Corp. ...

Modular dispensing system.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The GP80 modular dispensing system consists of two precision gear meters coupled to a single motor drive. Flow rate, mix ratio and shot size are adjustable. Additional features include fluid heating, vacuum degassing and dynamic mixing. A wide...

FRL preps compressed air.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The AS5 is a modular FRL unit for high-flow compressed air systems. Besides the standard functions of filtering, regulating and lubricating, the device also includes shut-off valves, 3/2 valves and soft-start valves. With a width of only 3.3...

Conductive ink for high-speed printing.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Water borne conductive inks are formulated for high-speed rotogravure and flexographic printing. No. 124-02 is a conductive silver ink. No. 124-43 is a carbon ink. The inks are used for printed electronics applications, including polymer...

Sensor inspects small features.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Checker 262 vision sensor can inspect small features on big parts, such as clips or springs on large automotive assemblies. It is also good for applications in which the sensor must be mounted far from the area to be inspected. The system...

Robot feeds parts from trays.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The DS1100 is equipped with a six-axis robotic arm for loading and unloading parts between trays and conveyors. An over-under conveyor delivers full trays to the robot and removes empty ones. The system accommodates any tray for any...

Linear position sensor has no moving parts.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The LP750 is a friction-free, hermetically sealed linear position sensor that can be used in a wide range of applications, including machine tool positioning, hydraulic cylinder positioning, valve position sensing and automatic assembly...

Laser marker moves in three axes.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The ML-Z 9500 CO2 laser marker can apply marks along the X, Y and Z axes of a part. This high-speed marker makes distortion-free marks on cylinders, cones, inclined planes, spheres and other difficult shapes. It has a variable focal length of...

Hinges protect against vandalism.(Products)
April 1, 2008... F6 concealed hinges provide protection against vandalism and lend a more aesthetic appearance to exterior doors on equipment housings. Spring-loaded pin designs with detents at each extreme facilitate one-handed operation. Fully removable pin...

Connector shielded from EMI.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The 713, 715 and 825 series of M12 network and sensor connectors includes an iris spring, which shields them from electromagnetic interference. The spring allows quick and easy connection of the cable shield to the connector housing. ...

Mini bearing is self-aligning.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Igubal miniature spherical bearing is a lightweight, wear-resistant self-aligning bearing that requires no lubrication and adapts to all angular misalignments. The housing and spherical ball-liner absorb vibrations differently than steel....

Machine depanels PCBs.(Products)
April 1, 2008... This machine depanels scored printed circuit boards quickly, safely and precisely. An upper blade does the cutting while a lower blade guides the board along the score line for clean, burr-free cuts. Cuts can be made as close as 1 millimeter...

Ultrasonic energy cleans parts.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Elmasonic S uses ultrasonic vibrational energy to remove grease, dirt, carbon and other contaminants from metal, plastic, glass and printed circuit boards. In normal mode, the cleaner produces a stabilized frequency field, forcing the...

Tacks fasten plastic to metal.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Self-piercing Twist-Tacks attach materials such as rubber and plastic to steel tubing and aluminum extrusions without drilling. Installed with a compression riveter, the fastener first punches a hole in the attachment and then forms an anchor...

In-line solenoid valve.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The CPE solenoid valve can be installed on a cylinder or on moving parts. This slim, compact valve can be used as an individual valve, or it can be mounted on a sturdy aluminum manifold. Models are available for flow rates of 350,800 and 1,500...

Cable includes Teflon tubing.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Hollow Teflon tubing is integrated into these flat power and signal cables so that fluids and pneumatics can be integrated with electrical wiring in one compact cable instead of using multiple cables, wires and tubes. The tubing can be used...

Timing belts run clean.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The PowerGrip TruMotion timing belt has a polymer-free nylon tooth facing for clean-running performance. The durable facing reduces dust, prolongs belt life, and decreases operating noise. Belts are available with MXL, XL, L and G2 profiles....

Automated line metallizes solar cells.(Products)
April 1, 2008... This automated metallization line for solar cell manufacturing can produce 1,200 wafers per hour. The system includes automatic equipment loading, buffering, inspecting, printing, flipping and drying wafers. The loader can store six magazines...

Adhesives bond membrane filters.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Filter-Lok polyurethane and epoxy adhesives are formulated for bonding membrane elements used in filters for water and other filters. These two-part adhesives resist a wide range of acidity, chemicals, temperatures and pressures. They provide...

Device calibrates, tests tools.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The LTT torque analyzer can be used to test various torque tools used for production, maintenance and calibration. The analyzer expedites the process of setting up and running tool tests, as well as the transfer, analysis and storage of test...

Ergonomic carts are strong, versatile.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Dimension 4 rolling carts can be used to support and store different types of mobile equipment. They complement the Dimension 4 workstation and are constructed of D4 aluminum extrusion uprights, a welded tubular frame, support beams and a...

Stretch wrappers automate packaging.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Series 200 and 300 semiautomated stretch wrappers are designed for medium to heavy duty packaging applications. They allow end users to standardize wrapping applications and produce consistent results. Standard prestretch is 200 percent, with...

Shaft coupling adapters are flexible.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Two new rigid clamp-type coupling adapters feature square and hex shaft outputs for mating dissimilar style shafts. They fit securely over an output shaft to change its mating configuration or size to suit application requirements. The rigid...

Linear actuators are corrosion-resistant.(Products)
April 1, 2008... Jaeger brand IMD3 Series electromechanical linear actuators run quietly and deliver long service life for a wide range of industrial actuation applications. Their enhanced corrosion resistance and rugged construction contribute to reliable...

Machine performs two-sided crimping.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Alpha 358 automatic crimping machine performs two-sided crimping and seal loading of wires up to 985 inches long on a machine just 158 inches in length. By coiling and bindingwires right on the machine, the system frees up substantial floor...

Laser sensor withstands harsh conditions.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The M12 laser sensor works in hostile environments that prohibit the use of photoelectric and fiber optic sensors, or where inductive devices are susceptible to failure. It features a body length of only 50 millimeters and an operating range of...

Magnetic gripper is strong and flexible.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Magnos MAU magnetic gripper fits on a robot arm and provides a secure grip along with a small profile and low weight. Elector-permanent magnets can be activated in seconds. Even in a power outage, the magnet grippers ensure an absolutely...

7-axis robot works in tight spots.(Products)
April 1, 2008... The Presto MR20 robot can handle a payload up to 30 kilograms, while its 7-axis design allows it to closely emulate the motions of a human arm. The robot is well suited to machine tending, material handling and case packing. When coupled with...

Manage your time!(Leading Lean)
April 1, 2008... Congratulations! You've committed to a lean journey. Now you need to make it happen. You plan to lead the waste walks, do the direct observation, dig deeper into problem solving, and facilitate and support improvements. Lean is important, so...