Assembly articles from February 2004

Assembly archives from February 2004

Globalization redux.(Editorial)
February 1, 2004... One year ago on this page, we examined the question of whether globalization offered promise or peril. Cost reduction is usually touted as the principal driving force for outsourcing but, as John Foreman, president of the Bourton Group, points...

Force sensors monitor press performance.(X-Y-Z)
February 1, 2004... In pressing operations, measuring the force applied by the ram throughout its stroke can provide critical information about the quality of the assembly. For example, in insertion applications, force and position sensors can detect misaligned...

Automaker takes to the sky.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... TOKYO -- First it was motorcycles. Then antomobiles. Now aircraft. Honda Motor Co. recently unveiled a compact, lightweight, fuel-efficient personal jet that it hopes to mass-produce in the near future. The 41-foot long plane has a 40-foot...

Nominations sought for 2004 CAD Society Awards.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... BETHESDA, MD -- The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Society is now accepting nominations for the 2004 CAD Society Industry Awards. "The three awards the CAD Society presents every year are our way of recognizing those who have contributed to...

CCD chips deliver imagery of mars.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA -- After landing on Mars, the Mars Exploration Rover "Spirit" has begun transmitting high-resolution color images of the planet. The charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor chips, designed by the National Aeronautics...

Productivity soars in third quarter.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- U.S. productivity soared by the largest amount in 20 years last quarter, raising hopes that the economic recovery is taking hold and businesses will soon increase hiring. Productivity increased at an annual rate of 9.4 percent...

Machine tool consumption is closing the gap.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... MCLEAN, VA -- October U.S. machine tool consumption totaled $157.58 million, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT) and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association. This total was down 26.6 percent from...

Third quarter industrial laser shipments down.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... MCLEAN, VA -- At $86 million, third quarter 2003 shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports were down 10 percent from 2002 levels, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology. ...

Guide to robotic systems integrators is online.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MI -- A new page has been added to Robotics Online to help engineers find robotic systems integrators at www.roboticsonline.com. Robotic Industries Association members with at least 25 percent of their business from systems...

Plasmatron promises better gas efficiency.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... CAMBRIDGE, MA -- A bus in Indiana is the latest laboratory for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) plasmatron reformer, a small device that could significantly cut U.S. oil consumption and reduce noxious emissions from a variety...

Counterfeit power tools appear in United States.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... CLEVELAND -- A trend that started in Europe has now appeared in the United States. The Power Tool Institute (PTI) is warning power tool users not to be conned into buying counterfeit power tools. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this new...

Kern-Liebers systems is part of Rampf.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... GRAFFENBERG, GERMANY -- The Rampf Group has acquired Kern-Liebers dispensing technology division. Kern-Liebers will now be called Rampf Dispensing Technology. Rampf produces one- and two-component polyurethane resins. Kern-Liebers produces...

Software costs on the rise in auto industry.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... NATICK, MA -- According to a recent survey from VDC, the cost of developing software for automotive electronics has increased dramatically in the past 4 years. Factors driving the rise of software development costs include: *...

Ford expects strong earnings.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. says it wants to earn between $900 million and $1.1 billion from its automotive business before taxes in 2004, with another $2.6 billion to $2.7 billion in pretax profit from financial services. Ford has projected...

Manufacturing in New York improves.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- New York state's factories reported increased sales, expanded labor forces and higher inventories for the eighth consecutive month. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's monthly survey of New York manufacturers,...

Solid oxide fuel cell market to increase.(Assembly Lines)
February 1, 2004... NORWALK, CT -- Due to the need for reliable power sources, the fuel cell industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the power industry. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are the second most developed fuel cell technology, after the proton...

Adhesives.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
February 1, 2004... Looking for an adhesive? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Avery Dennison--Fax: 440-358-3295 Bondloc USA--Fax: 813-849-0181 Bostik Findley...

Modular tooling saves time and money.(Assembly in Action)
February 1, 2004... PATCO modular tooling from Prototype Systems (Sterling Heights, MI) replaces conventional dedicated fixtures with reusable components that position and hold prototype parts to coordinated location points in a functionally repeatable mode. The...

PCB manufacturer goes digital.(Assembly in Action)
February 1, 2004... In printed circuit board (PCB) marking, silk screens must be made for each circuit pattern, and each screen must be kept in stock for a long time, resulting in the need for a large warehouse. Yokogawa Ibiden Components, a manufacturer of PCBs...

Automotive facilities implement Web-based program.(Assembly in Action)
February 1, 2004... The 17 North American facilities of EaglePicher Automotive (Inkster, MI) have implemented a comprehensive, Web-based software program provided by Plexus Systems (Clarkston, MI). EaglePicher Automotive is an operating unit of EaglePicher...

Multiplatform enterprise scheduling makes company more competitive.(Assembly in Action)
February 1, 2004... Cypress Semiconductor (San Jose, CA), a communications chip manufacturer, has realized a significant return on investment from using Advanced Systems Concepts' (Parsippany, NJ) ActiveBatch for cross-platform, distributed job automation and...

Company slashes production planning time from days to minutes.(Assembly in Action)
February 1, 2004... Freightliner LLC (Portland, OR), North America's largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer and a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, has implemented Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd.'s (Portsmouth, NH) eMPower software throughout its manufacturing plants....

Flip chip processing for SIP applications: when designing flip chips for SIP modules, engineers must consider I/O layout, solder mask design, pad shape and bond pad metallization.(Assembly Electronics)
February 1, 2004... System-in-packaging (SIP) allows designers to tailor high-density and high-performance electronic systems into application-specific packages at costs less than custom system on chip solutions. Depending on their application environment, SIPs...

TREAD threat affects threads: a new federal law could hold manufacturers accountable for their assembly processes.(Screwdriving)
February 1, 2004... Recalls are a fact of life in the automotive industry. And more often than not, a fastener is usually the culprit. Now, a new law makes manufacturers accountable for what happens to screws, nuts, bolts and brackets on the assembly line. ...

Small-scale success: when using resistance welding to join small parts, engineers must carefully consider the materials, current, force and time.(Welding)
February 1, 2004... When most engineers think of resistance welding, they picture six-axis robots welding car bodies on a moving assembly line with sparks flying everywhere. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But, says Kevin J. Ely, Ph.D., manager of microjoining and...

Nanotech: small products, big potential; Nanomanufacturing will transform the way products are designed and assembled.(Assembly Trends)
February 1, 2004... Maybe Walt Disney was right: "It's a small world after all." His popular theme park ride debuted 40 years ago at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, it has thrilled millions of visitors to Disneyland and Disney World. Within 10 minutes,...

No more forklifts: Tower Automotive improves ergonomics and boosts efficiency by using flexible, mobile carts to present parts to the assembly line.(Material Handling)
February 1, 2004... Forklifts are like German shorthaired pointers: You can't live with them, and you can't live without them. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Certainly, forklifts are necessary for moving heavy loads. But, like pointers, forklifts come with high...

Frame grabber.(Sensors & Vison)
February 1, 2004... The MVS-8501 can be used with high-speed analog cameras that use progressive scan CCD sensor technology. The half-slot frame grabber is compatible with standard speed analog interlaced and progressive scan cameras. It provides real-time image...

Hollow shaft rotary sensors.(Sensors & Vison)
February 1, 2004... Developed for accurate measurement, the GL series of hollow shaft rotary position sensors come in 6-, 10-, 20-, 30-, 40- and 50-millimeter bore sizes. Other bore sizes are available. Mechanical functions can be continuous or limited with end...

Miniature distance sensor.(Sensors & Vison)
February 1, 2004... These miniature analog output distances sensors are for noncontact distance and level monitoring. They are available in either a tubular enclosure or in rectangular housings, and offer a 0.3-millimeter resolution and 30-millisecond reaction...

Full-function vision camera.(Sensors & Vison)
February 1, 2004... The 3600 series small, full-function camera comes in three color sensor sizes to maximize optical views. Its graphical user interface provides auto or manual adjustment of shutter and gain, white balance and up to 8.5-second integration with a...

Thru beam fork sensor.(Sensors & Vison)
February 1, 2004... The Laser BGL through beam fork sensor features prealigned optics integrated into a metal, fork-style body. A Class 2 laser provides resolution down to 0.03 millimeter. The laser sensor is available in 30-, 50-, 80- and 120-millimeter sizes. No...

Machine vision illuminator.(Sensors & Vison)
February 1, 2004... The Doal-50 V2 series machine vision illuminator is for applications that have flat specular surfaces requiring uniform lighting. It has a fan-free design and is available with an anti-reflective cover to protect optics. It is available in red...

Parallel grippers.(Robots)
February 1, 2004... PGN-plus series of parallel grippers are compact and made of anodized aluminum alloy for wear resistance and weight optimization. Functional parts are made of hardened steel. The gripper can be mounted and plumbed from three sides and offers...

Clamps have "W" jaw design.(Robots)
February 1, 2004... "W" jaws allow Series PFC clamps to clamp short, wide parts closer to the tooling surface. The W jaw produces 7,200 pounds of total clamp force 2.187 inches above the tooling surface at 87 psi. Clamps operate quietly in less than 0.6 second....

Dispensing robots.(Robots)
February 1, 2004... I & J9000 Power series robots are suitable for conveyor operations and bench applications that require X-Y-Z movement. These servo-driven, gantry-style Cartesian robots have a 32- by 24-inch working area. Ballscrew transmissions ensure...

Vacuum tube lifter.(Robots)
February 1, 2004... Called the VT-Series tube lifter, this device can be customized with quick-connect vacuum pad attachments for handling odd-shaped and fragile items. It is constructed of stainless steel and has up-and-down controls in the handle. The pad...

Vacuum gripper.(Robots)
February 1, 2004... The VGS 3010 features suction cups and a multistage air-driven vacuum pump integrated into a single unit. The unit can function at operating pressures below 45 psi. Suction cups are made of Duraflex polyurethane and can adhere to many surfaces....

Six-axis robots.(Robots)
February 1, 2004... The AR6 has a 650-millimeter working radius, and the AR8 has an 850-millimeter working radius. These articulated robots can transport up to 5 kilograms at high speeds with a repeatability of [+ or -]0.02 millimeter. With their slim design, they...

Linerless wire harness tape.(Adhesives)
February 1, 2004... Soundgard 3510 is a linerless, nonwoven polyester tape coated with a rubber-based adhesive. It can minimize rattles and noises and is suitable for sound damping in automotive wire harness applications. It is halogen-free, easily torn and...

Light-curing cyanoacrylates.(Adhesives)
February 1, 2004... Flashcure 4306 is a low-viscosity light-cure adhesive. 4307 is a medium-viscosity material. Both are ISO-10993 compliant, making them suitable for medical device assembly. They are also suitable for applications where the ability to verify the...

Rubber-based adhesive.(Adhesives)
February 1, 2004... IB-1185 is a rubber-based adhesive for general-purpose bonding applications, such as gasketing, sound damping and dust sealing. It has a 12-point liner and polyester carrier. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Morgan Adhesives Co. ...

Instant epoxy.(Adhesives)
February 1, 2004... Bond-It 7056 bonds quickly and contains no volatiles or solvents. It can be used on most plastics, metals, ceramics, glass and wood. Cure time is 4 minutes. Supplied in a dispenser package, it forms a durable plastic bond with tensile strength...

Potting and encapsulating resin.(Adhesives)
February 1, 2004... Low-viscosity 20-3001 is an electronic-grade epoxy with a 1-to-1 mix ratio. It is unfilled, so filler settling does not occur in containers or in dispensing equipment. Bulk amounts are available. Application results in a bubble-free,...

Linear positioning slide.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Linear Sigma Trac is a positioning slide powered by a brushless, permanent magnet, linear servomotor. Stroke length ranges from 100 millimeters to 2 meters, and peak force ranges from 86 to 1,200 newtons. The maximum acceleration is 5 g and...

Encoder for large shafts.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The ERM 2X0 is a magnetic, modular rotary encoder for large shafts. The scanning head is 20 millimeters in diameter, enabling the encoder to accommodate a maximum speed of 24,000 rpm. The largest scale drum in the series has an inside diameter...

Precision linear actuators.(Products)
February 1, 2004... Thomson TN linear actuators are alternatives to pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders. The TN-D is powered by a 24 VDC motor. It provides simple extend-and-retract motion, stopping at predetermined locations or positioning to an analog voltage...

Sensor measures laser light.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The LP-9930 power detector measures the output power of bare and connected optical fibers, laser diodes, and LEDs from 1 nanowatt to 100 milliwatts. The detector works in combination with a one- or two-channel optometer. [ILLUSTRATION...

Connectors for harsh environments.(Products)
February 1, 2004... Tuff-Seal wire management products and Tuff-Link molded connectors withstand extreme environments, such as chemical plants and food processing plants. Tuff-Seal products include strain-relief cord connectors, wire mesh grips and liquid-tight...

High-speed cables.(Products)
February 1, 2004... These flexible cables attach to high-speed I/O on 0.5- and 0.8-millimeter pitch, Joint Test Action Group interfaces, and edge-card interfaces. They are made with 38 AWG, miniature coax cable with a low dielectric constant. They have a bend...

Powered roller conveyor.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The CDLR conveyor can move 5-ton stacks of sheet steel or loads as small as 18 inches long. The conveyor has 3.5-inch-diameter powered rollers spaced on 4.88-inch centers. The conveyor is made up of independent zones powered by 3-hp drives and...

Tray handler.(Products)
February 1, 2004... This device automatically loads trays of parts into and out of automated assembly systems. It includes inflow and outflow conveyors and a gantry-style tray transfer unit. Tray positioning is servo-controlled, and the handler can be equipped...

Modular, flexible conveyor.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The length of the DynaCon conveyor can be increased or decreased in increments as small as 6 inches. The conveyor can be specified in widths from 4 to 60 inches and lengths of 2 to 100 feet. Modules are easily added or subtracted as needs...

Device stamps parts.(Products)
February 1, 2004... The Benchmount is an off-line code-marking machine. Date codes, product codes, shift codes and lot numbers are stamped onto products with fast-drying ink. Up to three 1-inch wide lines of alphanumeric type can be stamped onto products. ...

Machine dispenses urethanes.(Products)
February 1, 2004... This machine dispenses two-part urethanes for casting applications. It has two positive-displacement gear pumps that accurately meter the two materials. The materials are then dispensed through a static or dynamic mixing head. The materials can...

Linear motion catalog offers components & complete systems.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... This special section offers you a convenient way to keep informed about assembly equipment, tools, components and services through quick access to catalogs and brochures. To receive literature on a specific item, just write the corresponding...

Free washers, spacers and shims catalog!(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Boker's FREE, 48-page Catalog 2004 lists over 18,000 non-standard sizes with no tool charges. Outside diameters of 0.080" to 5.140", a wide range of inside diameters and thicknesses, and 2,000 material variations provide millions of...

O-Ring/Seal assembly.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... AMARA provides complete automation for INTERNAL & EXTERNAL assembly of O-Rings and Seals of all types and sizes. Semi-automatic, automatic and stations for integration. Contact AMARA, the leader in SEAL ASSEMBLY AUTOMATION. [ILLUSTRATION...

Fasteners catalog #34.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... This new catalog from the leading manufacturer of nylon industrial fasteners covers an extensive product line that includes thousands of fastener items. This newest publication features 11 new product lines with 123 new items added. Free...

Brazing and soldering automation.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Find ideas for automating your brazing or soldering application with Fusion's 16-page capabilities brochure. Review rotary index and fixed station, "Braze Mate" machine types. Paste dispenser concepts and heating methods discussed, including...

DE-STA-CO raises the bar ... again.(Literature/Website Review)
February 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...

DYMAX is a leading supplier of UV Light.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Cure products for Electronic Assembly including conformal coatings, encapsulants, fixturing adhesives, one-part potting compounds, thermally conductive adhesives, peelable and water soluble masks, and protective coatings for LEDs. Selector...

Next generation DirectConnect[TM] double wedge parallel grippers from Robohand mount to more devices without adapter plates.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Robohand has announced its new DPD series, next generation DirectConnect[TM] double wedge parallel grippers offered in 12 sizes covering a range of strokes (1/16-2 inches) and grip forces (12-400 lbs.) in two distinct families--the DPDL for...

Motion control systems.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Aerotech is a leading supplier of motion control and positioning systems and components. The company's product lines include nanopositioners; air-bearing and mechanical-bearing linear, rotary and lift stages; high-speed gantries; brushless...

Pneumatic accessories.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Air Logic offers a comprehensive line of subminiature pneumatic accessories for industrial, medical and scientific applications. The pneumatic accessories include Preset Flow Controls, Inline Filters, Filtered Orifice Restrictors, Needle Valves...

Imagelite[TM] Model 21 DC fiber optic illuminator.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... StockerYale's Model 21 DC, 150 watt halogen illuminator, has been designed specifically as a cost-effective, high-quality DC regulated light source for use in various machine vision applications where light output stability is a requirement....

Radial rivet-forming.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... AGME introduces the new radial riveting machine, model RR-14. This size riveter is available either as a stand-alone, tabletop riveting machine, a riveting head for integration, or as a component used in our CNC-riveting machines. The RR-14...

XYZ dispensing system.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... EFD's new Ultra[TM] TT Automation Series is an easy-to-use, easy-to-program integrated dispensing system for applying accurate amounts of cyanoacrylates, epoxies, sealants and many other assembly fluids. It's the only XYZ dispense system that...

Catalog features new inch-series aluminum profiles.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... The Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies business unit of Bosch Rexroth Corporation has added new robust, inch-based aluminum framing sizes to its already extensive aluminum structural framing system. The nine new, high-strength profiles...

Adhesives for OEM assembly.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Website presents Devcon's adhesives for OEM assembly: high-strength epoxies; advanced methacrylates for bonding plastics, composites, and metals; fast-curing cyanoacrylates; and chemical-resistant threadlockers. Site also discusses Devcon's...

How do I assemble it faster, cheaper, better?(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Assembly East is the only event in the Northeast where manufacturing professionals go to source new products and learn about technology for the entire assembly process. Co-located with NEPCON East/Electro, the event gives visitors hands-on...

Installation equipment.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... Fastener-installation equipment, pioneered by PennEngineering Fastening Technologies, can deliver a competitive edge. No matter how demanding a job, our systems and expertise provide time-proven solutions. PEMSERTER[R] brand presses are...

Flexible chain conveyor.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... A new flexible chain conveyor system is now available from Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies. The new conveyor, VarioFlow[TM], is a significant enhancement to the existing family of conveyors because it lets...

Expansion to EC-Screwdriver Spindles.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... DEPRAG has further expanded the 2nd Generation of EC-Screwdriver Spindles, by adding two new design series. Available with ten different closed-loop tools to cover a torque range from 1.8-1,240 inch pounds at 250-1,200 variable RPM. The...

In-Sight Explorer free trial offer.(Literature/Website Review)
February 1, 2004... The Industry's most powerful vision sensor just became the easiest to use. Experience how the new In-Sight" Explorer from Cognex Corporation can make development of your vision applications and management of vision sensor networks easy. Ask...

Does outsourcing cut costs?(Uncommon Sense)
February 1, 2004... The trend in outsourcing operations so that companies can, allegedly, focus on their core competencies and reduce costs has gone so far that the dictionary definition includes the basic assumption of lower cost: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...