Assembly articles from August 2006

Assembly archives from August 2006

Disposable engineers.(Editorial)
August 1, 2006... Often buried in the rhetoric about immigration reform, and the pros and cons about this approach or that, are two serious questions. Do we have, today, the engineers, scientists, IT professionals and other skilled workers that American...

Roller chain drives conveyors, camshafts.(X-Y-Z)
August 1, 2006... In "Chain of Fools," Aretha Franklin laments her two-timing lover. In "Unchain my Heart," Joe Cocker begs his fickle lover to set him free. In affairs of the heart, chains are never good. In motion control systems, however, chains are an ideal...

Snap-fit hardware saves time, cuts costs.(Assembly Innovations)
August 1, 2006... An unfortunate truth in the world of product assembly is that it often costs more to install a handle in a piece of sheet metal than the handle itself. That's because an assembler needs time to align the parts, insert two or more screws, place...

Ultrasonic sensing system ensures correct fastening sequence.(Assembly Innovations)
August 1, 2006... Whenever an operator must install several fasteners in a part at an assembly station, the issue arises: How do you ensure that the fasteners are tightened in the correct sequence? In some cases, the installation sequence doesn't matter. The...

New peening methods attach thermocouples.(Assembly Innovations)
August 1, 2006... NASA engineers have developed new peening techniques for attaching thermocouples to metal parts. The technique was developed specifically for parts used in high-temperature applications, where other assembly methods, such as welding, fastening...

Device reads Data Matrix codes through paint.(Assembly Innovations)
August 1, 2006... Researchers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL) have developed a way to read Data Matrix codes even if they are obscured by paint or coatings. The technique enables a scanner to read the 2D codes through as many as six...

'Dilbert' creator to address ATExpo 2006.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... ROSEMONT, IL -- Nationally syndicated cartoonist Scott Adams, best known as the creator of "Dilbert," will be presenting the keynote address at this year's Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo), set for Sept. 26-28 and once again sponsored by...

Chrysler and Magna join forces in Toledo.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... TOLEDO, OH -- Chrysler Group (Auburn Hills, MI) and Magna International Inc. (Aurora, Ontario) have agreed to collaborate on production of Chrysler's 2007 Jeep Wrangler, with Magna taking over operation of the paint shop at Chrysler's Toledo...

ATExpo to co-locate with quality, NMW.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... LOS ANGELES, CA -- The 2007 trade show landscape will look markedly different from past years following the decision by Canon Communications LLC to co-locate a number of previously independent events, including Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo,...

Bosch to invest $408 million in India by 2008.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... BANGALORE, India -- The Bosch Group has opened a plant in Bangalore to build common-rail, high-pressure pumps for diesel engines, part of what the company is describing as a comprehensive, long-term expansion into India. The new plant,...

Medrad building new medical products plant.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... INDIANOLA, PA -- Medical equipment supplier Medrad Inc. is building a new plant in Pennsylvania to manufacture sterile disposable products. The 120,000-square-foot facility will supplement an existing plant in the area and eventually employ as...

A look at Toyota's 'DNA'.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... NEW YORK -- You'd think that people would have had enough of books on the Toyota production system (TPS). But, I look around me and I see this isn't so. Two new titles from Productivity Press are especially worth studying, because they...

Herrmann Ultrasonics building new headquarters.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Herrmann Ultrasonics is doubling the size of its North American headquarters with the construction of a 20,000-square-foot facility in Bartlett, IL, just outside Chicago. The company will relocate to the new facility in...

THK marks 25 years in U.S.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... SCHAUMBURG, IL -- Linear motion products manufacturer THK America Inc. is marking the 25 years of business in the United States. A subsidiary of THK Ltd. (Tokyo), the company has grown from a small, three-person office to where it now...

U.S auto companies to double 'green' vehicle output.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... DETROIT -- DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have pledged to double annual production of vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol and biodiesel to 2 million cars and trucks by 2010. "We need business and government...

Intel opens new high-volume 65nm assembly plant.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... SANTA CLARA, CA -- Intel Corp. has opened a third factory that uses the company's high-volume 65-nanometer (65nm) computer chip manufacturing process. The new facility, located in Leixlip, Ireland, cost about $2 billion and is one of the most...

GM to build chevy plant in Russia.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... ST. PETERSBURG, Russia -- General Motors Corp. (Detroit) has begun construction of a factory that will build 25,000 Chevrolet Captiva sport utility vehicles annually in St. Petersburg, beginning in 2008. At a groundbreaking ceremony in St....

Car travels 3,145 miles on a single gallon of gas.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A team of engineering students from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has built a vehicle so efficient it could travel across their native land on a single gallon of gas. The futuristic-looking,...

Vought opens 787 fuselage plant.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... NORTH CHARLESTON, SC -- Vought Aircraft Industries Inc. has opened a new 342,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to produce composite fuselage sections for Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner airplane. Located on a 240-acre site adjacent to...

Lockheed Martin opens presidential helicopter facility.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... OWEGO, NY -- Lockheed Martin Corp. (Bethesda, MD) has opened a new integration center for work on the next-generation VH-71 Presidential Helicopter. "[This] puts us one step closer to seeing a new presidential helicopter flying from the...

Airbus selects site for Chinese A320 plant.(Assembly Lines)
August 1, 2006... TOULOUSE, France -- Airbus has selected Tianjin Binhai, China, as the site for a possible new A320 passenger jet final assembly plant. The decision comes in the wake of a memorandum of understanding signed by Airbus and the National Development...

Nutrunners decrease cycle times.(Assembly in Action)
August 1, 2006... Contract manufacturer New Era Ohio (Bryan, OH) has approximately 180 employees and a 300,000-square-foot facility where it manufactures diaphragm and piston pumps, as well as lubricating accessories. About a year ago, the company began an...

Ultrasonic approach reduces wire splice times by 60 percent.(Assembly in Action)
August 1, 2006... J & M Products Inc. (San Fernando, CA) manufactures support clamps, brackets and wire-harness assemblies for the automotive industry and companies like Boeing (Chicago) and truck manufacturer PACCAR Inc. (Bellevue, WA). Historically, the...

Rings simplify automatic running board assembly.(Assembly in Action)
August 1, 2006... Trucks and sport utility vehicles can make you feel like you're on top of the world. But, getting up to the driver's seat can be a real challenge for some. To solve this problem, AMP Research (Irvine, CA) has created an adjustable running...

Planning software cuts overtime, delivery costs.(Assembly in Action)
August 1, 2006... Olson International Ltd. (Lombard, IL) is a precision metal-stamping company that serves customers in the automotive, electronics, lawn and garden, computer and communications industries. The company performs staking, tapping, welding, drilling...

Sensors overcome assembly challenges.(Assembly in Action)
August 1, 2006... Telesis Automation Corp. (Baldwin Park, CA) manufactures assembly, packaging, labeling and inspection machines for the medical, food, cosmetics and electronics industries. Recently, it built a machine for Porex Medical Product Group (Ontario,...

Living the dream: after years of struggle, Boeing is finding new efficiencies in the way it builds its cutting-edge 787.(Aerospace)
August 1, 2006... What a difference a year makes! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In 2005, it seemed Airbus (Toulouse, France) had become an unstoppable force in the world of aircraft manufacture. For the fifth year in a row, the company would log more...

Use ATExpo to boost your career: Assembly Technology Expo 2006 is a unique opportunity to get a close-up look at new assembly equipment, and learn about the latest assembly methods.(ASSEMBLY EVENTS)
August 1, 2006... Assemblers in the United States will spend $2.73 billion on new assembly equipment and tools in 2006, according to ASSEMBLY magazine's 10th annual capital equipment spending report. It's worth noting that this is the highest total spending...

Parts, carts and appliance assembly: thanks to an innovative material handling system, assemblers at Whirlpool's Marion, OH, plant aren't hung out to dry.(Material Handling)
August 1, 2006... The Whirlpool Horizon is touted as one of the most efficient clothes dryers on the market. Coincidentally, the factory where the dryers are assembled is among the most efficient in the appliance industry. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Not all blisters are bad: blister packaging lets products be seen, but not touched.(Packaging)
August 1, 2006... If you're doing a lot of walking in new shoes at a trade show, blisters can be a painful curse. However, in the world of packaging, blisters are a blessing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Consumer goods manufacturers use blister packaging for...

Cool it! From grease to films to carbon fibers, engineers have many options for keeping microprocessors cool.(Electronics Assembly)
August 1, 2006... If you've ever used a laptop computer on its namesake location, you know these portable PCs can really put out the heat. If the heat is uncomfortable, you can at least take solace in knowing that somewhere inside your computer, a thermal...

Stop gate for conveyors.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The VE2/MP SmartStop is a multipole stop gate for power-and-free pallet-transfer conveyors. It is equipped with a pneumatic solenoid valve, an embedded microprocessor, three proximity sensors and an array of LED indicators to provide extensive...

Soldering system includes laser and dispenser.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Tabletop laser soldering system incorporates a tabletop dispensing robot equipped with an auger valve for precise pin-in-hole and SMT assembly. The laser reflow process combines the rapid deposition of dispensable solder paste with the...

Brushless motor powers conveyor.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Powered by a brushless DC motor, this conveyor has a digital drive that displays motor speed, conveyor speed and load factors. The operator can set conveyor speed digitally from 2.5 to 125 fpm. A PLC can be connected to provide starting,...

X-ray inspect complex electronic assemblies.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The [mu]CT-FOX X-ray inspection system is equipped with computed tomography (CT) technology to inspect complex electronic assemblies in 3-D. Volumetric isotropic tendering ensures highly accurate measurements. High-resolution CT images can be...

Create your own tool kit.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Through the Custom Tool Kitting Program, plant personnel can assemble the exact set of tools they need for their trade, putting them in a storage case that makes it easy to confirm that each tool is returned to its correct place after use. Any...

Curing lamp emits high-intensity UV.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The RX Firefly emits high-intensity ultraviolet light for spot-curing adhesives, inks and coatings. The target spot is 20 millimeters in diameter, and the peak intensity is more than 1.5 watts per square centimeter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Prox switch is compact.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Series 509 analog inductive proximity switch is compact and has a sensing range of zero to 4 millimeters. The sensor remains accurate in temperatures from -25 to 70 C, and is available in four sizes: M8, M12, M18 and M30. Output voltage can...

Machine vision software.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Vision 8 development module is a suite of vision software tools that includes acquisition software for thousands of cameras, including those based on the Fire Wire connection standard. The acquisition software is optimized for common...

System offers enhanced vision tools.(Products)
August 1, 2006... VisionPro machine vision systems now offer a complete set of interactive tools for creating vision applications without programming. These include QuickBuild, which quickly defines image acquisition, vision tools, and accept or reject criteria;...

Valve offers precision performance.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The model 2200-396-026 heated fluid-control valve enables precise dispensing of low- to high-viscosity materials, such as heated adhesives, sealants and lubricants. The valve is typically used to start and stop the flow of material on the...

System tests fasteners.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Model 3200 LabMaster Professional module contains data acquisition, servo control, and the necessary transducer interfaces to support a wide range of fastener testing. LabMaster for Windows software provides a user-friendly interface for...

Controller provides power in a compact package.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Micro PowerDrive robot controllers provide excellent path control, fast acceleration and deceleration, and powerful overall motion capabilities, all in a compact package. Features include 16-task multitasking, full-featured SPEL+ programming,...

Crimp in safety.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The CT 35 safety crimping machine includes a dual foot pedal as well as a convenient, hands-free preclose mechanism. In operation, the operator opens the crimping head with the right side of the foot pedal and inserts the terminal. The foot...

Enhanced assembly platforms are modular, flexible.(Products)
August 1, 2006... New, enhanced, modular G05 linear assembly platforms adapt flexibly to changing requirements in production, and can be used to construct hybrid systems comprising manual, semiautomatic and fully automatic cells. Individual process units in the...

Modules provide extra brightness.(Products)
August 1, 2006... SpecBright LED illuminators offer brightness and excellent uniformity. The SpecBright line includes area lights, line lights, ring lights and spotlights for use in machine-vision, security, biomedical and curing markets. Ultraviolet, visible...

Dual-axis servo amplifiers accept different types.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Model 800-1514 dual-axis servo amplifiers accept encoder and Hall feedback data from a wide range of servomotor types, including both Yaskawa Sigma-Mini and Panasonic Minas-A motors. Drive torque is controlled by a 10-volt command from a motion...

Part design software.(Products)
August 1, 2006... DFMA 2006 is a new version of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) software. It contains new versions of both modules in the integrated DFMA suite: DFA Version 9.3, and DFM Concurrent Costing Version 2.2. DFMA 2006 software guides...

Distance sensor works in tight spots.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The PMD laser sensor provides noncontact distance measurement with a 10-meter sensing range. It features a compact, robust metal housing that lends itself to use in applications with limited space. The laser light source enables the sensor to...

Let magnetic tapes guide part carts.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The BST automated guided vehicle drive unit features a low profile that allows it to slide under push carts and then carry them to workstations. The system consists of a drive motor, 24-volt DC power supply, control electronics and guidance...

Protect your sensors.(Products)
August 1, 2006... QuickMount components are designed for use with tubular proximity sensors. The products reduce the sensor damage, failure and downtime often associated with commonly used angle brackets. They feature a stop shoulder to establish a fixed...

Dispenser pistons load with ease.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Preassembled pistons are available for use with two-part adhesives and handheld dispensers. The pistons feature air-venting technology to provide for easier insertion by minimizing the effect of entrapped air. The system consists of a manual...

Torque arms.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Heavy-duty torque arms improve production efficiency and product quality by limiting the operator's influence on the assembly process. The arms securely maintain tool location while allowing smooth, easy movement of assembly tools. The arms...

Long angle plates facilitate connections.(Products)
August 1, 2006... WSF long angle plates allow end users to quickly connect vacuum holders used in medium- and heavy-duty robot tooling applications. Three sizes are available: 10.5 millimeters, 12.5 millimeters and 16.5 millimeters. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Rail system handles heavy loads.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The SBC profile rail system incorporates both linear guide rails and blocks. It is available in two ranges for high-load capacity, and two ranges for ultra-high-load applications. Rail lengths are available up to 4,000 millimeters in a single...

Lubricant lowers assembly costs.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Nytorq lubricant can be used on industrial or automotive fasteners that require controlled or lower-drive torque during installation. In addition to lowering total installation costs, the opaque-colored liquid helps reduce operator fatigue. The...

Linear guide system.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Speed Demon OSG and SG linear guide systems are quiet, low-profile products for applications such as high-speed assembly and pick-and-place robots. They are designed to operate at speeds up to 32.8 feet per second. The OSG guides are available...

EMAPs provide pressing precision.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Two new Electro-Mechanical Assembly Presses (EMAPs), provide 200 Newtons and 1,000 Newtons of power, for use in a wide range of precision pressing applications in the medical, electronics, automotive and general manufacturing industries. Each...

Gripper handles O-rings with care.(Products)
August 1, 2006... New six-finger gripper fits O-rings to both shafts and holes, with the help of six fingers comprised of a pair of triple jaw sets that move independently. These two jaw sets make it possible to control O-ring placement, because the O-rings no...

Clamping locators secure workpieces.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Pin locator clamps can be used for clamping through-holes or slots in workpieces in stationary part nests, welding fixtures and transfer systems. They are ideal for locating and holding inverted or overhead parts on robot end effectors, moving...

Dispense and load at the same time.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Dual worktable dispensing robots are powered by servomotors and use ball-screw motion systems to ensure high repeatability. The robots feature two X-axes that work alternately. While one X-axis is working under the Y-Z head, the other X-axis...

Adhesives reduce the need for mechanical fasteners.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Speedbonder line of two-part structural acrylic adhesives delivers tough, durable bonds to a variety of metals, including aluminum, steel and galvanized metals, as well as plastics and composites. In doing so, it can dramatically reduce the...

Protect cords in critical applications.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Strain relief clamps can be used in wire harness and cable assemblies to prevent high-voltage power cords from being damaged as a result of pulling or stretching. Fabricated from heavy galvanized steel, the clamps were originally developed to...

Automation made modular.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The SLA modular servo slide series features proprietary "Directconnect" technology, making it easy to integrate pneumatic slides, grippers and rotaries. Other features include fully integrated servo and pneumatic motion control; easy-to-use...

GuideS feature prelubricated reservoirs.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Rail guides incorporate prelubricated reservoirs to optimize lubrication of rails for reliable performance. Square configuration of raceways provides a rigid system that can accommodate loads in all directions. Two-point contact of rolling...

Keep watch on process details.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Watchdawg process-monitoring control system provides visual status and adjustment of a variety of parameters when riveting, forming, staking, pressing and welding. Multiple programs can be stored to allow for quick changeovers. System...

System assembles complex products.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Spaceline linear transfer system offers outstanding performance for the assembly of complex products consisting of multiple individual parts, such as devices for the medical industry. The high-precision system supports between 13 and 54...

Fasteners create right-angle attachment points on PC boards.(Products)
August 1, 2006... ReelFast surface-mount R'ANGLE fasteners provide an efficient and reliable method to create permanent right-angle attachment points on printed circuit boards. The threaded fasteners mount to the edge or interior of the boards in the same manner...

Structural adhesive is flame-retardant.(Products)
August 1, 2006... New 10 Minute Epoxy FR can be used with any assembly that requires a self-extinguishing structural adhesive. The epoxy fills gaps and bonds metals, fabrics, glass, wood and concrete in all combinations. Because of its flexibility, impact...

Sensors offer precision, ease of use.(Products)
August 1, 2006... R-Series synchronous serial encoder magnetostrictive position sensors include options for synchronized 7,500 kilohertz update rates and position accuracy as low as [+ or -]20 microns. The system's proprietary synchronization technology...

Arm reduces operator fatique.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Titanmate articulated tool positioning arm reduces operator fatigue and absorbs dangerous torque reaction to promote safety and ergonomics. The system offers precise positioning and smooth, fluid motion with a wide range of operation. ...

Machine vision light offers options.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Fiber-Lite DC950 150-watt quartz halogen fiber optic illuminator features DC-regulated output, fast lamp response and a 0- to 5-volt DC remote intensity controller with linear voltage adjustment for use in machine-vision applications. The...

Impact wrench provides power, less vibration.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The Cleco WP-255-3P impact wrench has a torque range of 60 to 75 ft-lb. and features a twin-hammer clutch mechanism that contains two identical hammers, delivering an instantaneous and balanced blow. This arrangement both reduces vibration and...

Portable microscope goes where needed.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The DG-3 portable digital microscope uses LED-illuminated lenses to provide magnification from 25X to 1,000X. A 2.3-million-pixel CCD sensor provides crisp object images. The system weighs just 500 grams and is powered with a lithium-Ion...

Cups grip curved or textured parts.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Duraflex polyurethane vacuum cups are constructed of two different materials to provide enhanced performance. The stiffer green bellows resists bending and provides a much sturdier grip than most bellows cups. A large, flexible, yellow bellows...

New line of SCARA robots.(Products)
August 1, 2006... The KR5 SCARA robot line can be used in high-speed applications that entail long-reach tasks. The line includes models with reaches ranging from 350 and 550 millimeters, and maximum payloads of 5 kilograms. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KUKA...

Sensors deliver noncontact performance.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Inductive analog proximity sensors deliver precise, noncontact proximity, position and distance sensing for metal objects. These heavy-duty sensors are reliable at temperatures ranging from -10 to +70 C, and are capable of measuring distances...

Navigate assembly with wheel bends.(Products)
August 1, 2006... Conveyor wheel bends incorporate a flat-top design that easily facilitates both large and small items. Bends are available in standard 30 degree, 45 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree configurations. Equipment can be easily attached to the wheel...

Don't just see: observe!(Leading Lean)
August 1, 2006... Carnack the Magnificent--Johnny Carson's psychic persona on "The Tonight Show"--would pull an envelope from a jar, hold it to his forehead, and answer the question sealed inside. Then he would open the envelope and read the question....