Assembly articles from January 2001

Assembly archives from January 2001

Manufacturing and the Economy.
January 1, 2001... By the time you read this, George W. Bush will be president of the United States. And regardless of whether the country is going through a temporary slowdown or headed for a genuine recession, one of his top priorities will be the nation's...

Wurth Adams Buys McAllen.
January 1, 2001... MAPLE GROVE, MN--Wurth Adams Nut & Bolt Co. has acquired McAllen Bolt & Screw Co. (McAllen, TX), a distributor of fasteners and industrial supplies to southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Wurth Adams Nut & Bolt Co. is a distributor...

What has your company done to improve shift work?
January 1, 2001... What has your company done to improve shift work? Changed work environment 20% Provided exercise room 6% Offered safety training and health...

Study to Gauge Welding's Effect on Economy.
January 1, 2001... COLUMBUS, OH--The Edison Welding Institute and the American Welding Society have commissioned a study to determine the economic impact of welding technology on the U.S. industrial economy. In addition to determining the amount of dollars...

Machine Tool Sales Increase.
January 1, 2001... McCLEAN, VA--U.S. machine tool sales in September totaled $581 million. That's an increase of 19 percent compared with August sales and an increase of 9 percent compared with September 1999 sales. According to the Association for...

Fuji Expands Headquarters.
January 1, 2001... VERNON HILLS, IL--Fuji America Corp. has expanded its North American headquarters facility here. The new facility encompasses 75,000 square feet and expands the complex to 150,000 square feet. The facility houses service, engineering,...

Aegis Adapts Software for Inspection.
January 1, 2001... PHILADELPHIA--Aegis Industrial Software will adapt its CircuitCAM software for use with automated X-ray and optical inspection equipment made by CR Technology (Aliso Viejo, CA). CircuitCAM software converts CAD, Gerber and ASCII files of...

Automotive Aftermarket to Reach $56 Billion.
January 1, 2001... CLEVELAND--The aftermarket for light vehicle components and parts in North America is forecast to increase 4.3 percent annually for the next 4 years. According to a report by The Freedonia Group, North American sales of auto parts will...

New Process Assembles Contacts Fast.
January 1, 2001... CUDAHY, WI--Handy & Harman Precious Metals Group has introduced a new process for in-die, high-speed fabrication of electrical contacts. The Consert process starts with specially shaped wire tape clad in precious metal. Supplied in long,...

Web Company Converts CAD, CAM Files.
January 1, 2001... LOVELAND, OH--A new Web-based company aims to help manufacturers convert electronic design files from one design program to another. Called cadverter.com, the company was launched by Theorem Solutions Inc. Engineers can send data to the...

Robotics Suppliers Win Award.
January 1, 2001... SAN ANTONIO--Robotic Workspace Technologies Inc. (Fort Myers Beach, FL) and Deneb Robotics (Troy, MI) have received a Market Leadership Award from consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. The two companies received the award for working together...

Automakers Recognize Adhesive Suppliers.
January 1, 2001... DETROIT--Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler have given awards to two adhesive suppliers. Ford's engine plant in Lima, OH, gave a Zero Defect Award to Loctite Corp. (Rocky Hill, CT). Of the 216 suppliers that serve the plant, Loctite is one...

Engineering Enrollment Tapers Off.
January 1, 2001... WASHINGTON -- After increasing for 2 years, the number of undergraduate college students choosing to study engineering has leveled off. According to a report by the Engineering Workforce Commission, the national total of full-time...

Bihler Donates Resistance Welder to EWI.
January 1, 2001... NORTH BRANCH, NJ--Bihler of America Inc. has donated one of its B 1000 midfrequency resistance welding machines to the Edison Welding Institute (EWI, Columbus, OH). Bihler developed the resistance welder for use in conjunction with its...

Captive Fastener Opens New Plant.
January 1, 2001... OAKLAND, NJ--Captive Fastener Corp. has acquired a new manufacturing facility here. The company's fifth manufacturing plant, the 60,000-square-foot facility is located within a 114 mile of the company's headquarters. Captive Fastener...

Machine Vends Manufacturing Consumables.
January 1, 2001... CINCINNATI--A vending machine dispenses drill bits and welding supplies as easily as other machines dispense candy bars and Cokes. Developed by Vertex Technologies, the Supply Bay vending machine can stock everything from safety gloves to...

Multimedia Program Teaches Project Management.
January 1, 2001... NEW YORK--A new browser-based, interactive training program teaches engineers the fundamentals of project management. Developed by the International Institute for Learning, Project Management Basics is available in CD-ROM, Internet or...

Autosplice Invents New Pin for PCBs.
January 1, 2001... SAN DIEGO--Autosplice Inc. has successfully tested a new "tread-head" surface mount pin that has better alignment and pull strength than conventional pins. The new pins were designed to meet the strength and alignment requirements of...

Komax Buys U.S. Machine Builder.
January 1, 2001... DIERIKON, SWITZERLAND--The Komax Group has acquired Ascor Inc. (York, MA), a manufacturer of automated assembly systems for medical, telecommunications and photovoltaic products. Ascor is the third automation builder Komax has acquired...

A Warm Welcome!
January 1, 2001... OAK BROOK, IL--It is my privilege to welcome Donald B. Ewaldz, director of Bourton Group (Rockford, IL), as a regular columnist in ASSEMBLY magazine. Don's column, Uncommon Sense, will appear each month, beginning with this issue. Don...

High-Speed Positioning Tool Does Nanoassembly.
January 1, 2001... To keep pace with higher production throughput and tighter precision assembly requirements, manufacturers of fiber optic devices are turning to a new generation of production-oriented automated assembly platforms as an alternative to earlier...

ENGINEERING AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY.
January 1, 2001... To make strategic use of high-speed automated assembly systems, manufacturing engineers must be technical specialists, manufacturing strategists, operations integrators and expert politicians. IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 21st century, the role...

ADVANCED LEAK TEST METHODS.
January 1, 2001... Before new technologies were available to directly measure very small leaks, most leak measurements were done indirectly. LEAK TESTING IS AN engineering challenge. On one hand, engineers must meet stricter leak rate standards. On the other,...

MEETING THE FIBER OPTICS CHALLENGE.
January 1, 2001... Fiber optics is one of today's hottest industries. But, manufacturers can't supply enough optical components to keep up with demand. One of the biggest challenges facing the industry is finding a way to automate the assembly process. IF...

SPECIALTY FASTENERS.
January 1, 2001... Retaining rings, Speed Nuts, rivet nuts and other specialty fasteners solve myriad assembly challenges. NUTS AND BOLTS AREN'T the only types of fasteners used in product assembly. Retaining rings, Speed Nuts and a variety of other...

Remote Laser Welds Automotive Underbodies.
January 1, 2001... Trianon Industries Corp. (Yvelines, France), a Tier One supplier of automotive sheet metal components and assemblies, was faced with increasing the manufacturing efficiency of its welded automotive underbody assemblies. The company contacted...

A Few Pennies of Adhesive Equals Reliable Bond.
January 1, 2001... Medical Packaging Corp. (Camarillo, CA) designs, develops and manufactures devices for the medical diagnostic, food and hygiene testing markets. For years, the medical testing industry has been using a swab device with glass ampoules...

Snowmobile Fasteners Torqued Correctly.
January 1, 2001... Arctic Cat Inc. (Thief River Falls, MN), a manufacturer of off-road recreational vehicles, is using digital torque analyzing tools and precision sensors to tighten fasteners on its snowmobiles. David Ulrich, quality analyst, explains, "The way...

Supplier Assembles Car Parts on Conveyor.
January 1, 2001... Plastics manufacturer Dr. Franz Schneider Kunststoffwerke (Kronach, Germany) is an automotive supplier and producer of plastic components. The company specializes in functional trim elements, such as fresh-air grills, produced using various...

Advanced Presses Automate Fastener Installation.
January 1, 2001... Jaco Inc. (Franklin, MA) manufactures chassis for high-tech industries. "In certain chassis that we manufacture," says Bert Santucci, vice president of operations, "75 pieces of hardware are installed in each unit. This high, constant...

Modular Flow Storage Sharpens Assembly Technology.
January 1, 2001... To ensure just-in-time parts availability at every automotive assembly station, along with orderly interfacing with computerized inventory activities, DaimlerChrysler Corp.'s South St. Louis, IL, assembly complex installed Interroll's...

Device Calibrates Torque Wrenches.
January 1, 2001... This torque wrench calibration system tests needle-indicating, dial-indicating wrenches, click-type wrenches. An "Easy Loader" attachment minimizes user input force and ensures that the same test is achieved every time. Inter changeable load...

UV Spot Cure System.
January 1, 2001... Rugged spot curing system delivers maximum ultraviolet (UV) light energy for optimal curing of adhesives. The spot curing system includes a fan for cooling and a manually operated shutter control that blocks UV light energy from the operator...

Press Installs Self-Clinching Fasteners.
January 1, 2001... The 824 OneTouch press installs self-clinching fasteners. It is equipped with four automatic feeders and a four-station upper and lower tool-change system. This lets one machine insert four different fasteners. A positive-stop cylinder ensures...

Gloves Protect Hands.
January 1, 2001... Jomac work gloves have reinforcement patches bonded to the critical area between the thumb and forefinger. The patches protect the hand and extend glove life. The patches can be made from cotton terrycloth, Kevlar and other materials.

Aqueous Cleaning Unit.
January 1, 2001... The Storm Cell modular, compact aqueous cleaning unit fits into existing production lines. Functions include rotation, oscillation, turbojet wash, heated D.I. spray and hot air drying. It also has optional ultrasonics. All are programmable via...

Parts Cleaner.
January 1, 2001... The PI 66000 is a heavy-duty industrial-grade cleaner. The 6- by 6-foot unit is constructed with a structural steel frame and gutter. The floor is fiberglass and stainless steel. Load capacity is 200 pounds. It conserves water through a...

Vacuum Lifting Unit.
January 1, 2001... Air balancer-based vacuum lifter-tilters can handle nonporous to semiporous loads, such as sheet, panels and glass, in high-speed production environments. They provide a 100 percent duty cycle and instantaneous attach and release. A positive...

Material Handling Unit.
January 1, 2001... Intelift air balancers combine mechanical balancing technology with precise electronic controls for lifting and placing components and equipment. Capacity is 150 to 1,000 pounds with 100 percent duty cycle and vertical speed capability of 300...

Zero Pressure Accumulation Conveyor.
January 1, 2001... The Accuzone zero-pressure accumulation conveyor provides flexibility in configuring or modifying system layout. Photodetectors detect fast-moving, short cartons. It can be equipped with full bidirectional capability on all straights, curves...

Dispense Valve.
January 1, 2001... The 752V-SS dispense valve's controlled adhesive application secures container caps at line speeds of more than 500 cycles per minute without compromising bond integrity or container appearance. It uses a timed air pulse to apply a consistent...

UV-Pulsed Curing Lamp.
January 1, 2001... The UV-pulsed curing lamp provides deep, penetrating cures without damaging substrates. The RC-747 delivers high-peak, damage-free broadband light. It can be used on various heat-sensitive products, such as DVDs, CDs, flat panel displays,...

Dispensing Robot.
January 1, 2001... The I&J2200 automatic, bench-top dispensing robot is 322 millimeters wide by 377 millimeters deep and weighs 18 kilograms. It comes with ready-to-use dispensing software, teach pendant RS232C lead and memory card for program storage. It...

Zero Cavity Adhesive Dispensing Gun.
January 1, 2001... The zero cavity adhesive dispensing gun's sent assembly delivers adhesive placement accuracy and module-to-module flow consistency. Copper alloy in the seat provides thermal conductivity for adhesive cutoff and less stringing. A carbide insert...

Blind Fasteners.
January 1, 2001... The Auto-Bulb blind fastener offers a large diameter head and broad bulb spread that diffuses load over a large space, generating a lasting clamp. A tapered, hole-seeking tip provides for quick installation. The fasteners are available in sizes...

Self-Clinching Threaded Standoffs.
January 1, 2001... Self-clinching threaded standoff fasteners can be installed in ultra-thin aluminum or steel sheets so that PC boards and other thin product components can be stacked or spaced in an assembly. Type TSO, TSOS and TSOA self-clinching threaded...

Threaded Rivet Nut.
January 1, 2001... SpinTite threaded rivet nuts are used in blind attachment applications. They can be used in panels as thin as 0.02 inch. Only a mating screw is needed to complete final assembly. Types include half-hex shank low-profile head, rib-wall...

Threaded Fine-Adjust Stop Collars.
January 1, 2001... Fine-adjust stop collars allow for easy and precise stroke adjustment for linear sliding guide rods or shafts. Simply slide the whole collar in place and tighten, then rotate the knurled nut portion for extra-fine adjustment. The nut has a...

Belt-Driven Linear Stage.
January 1, 2001... The AccuSlide Model 2HE is a low-profile, pre-engineered, pre-assembled linear motion stage with prealigned linear guides and an integral timing belt assembly. The timing belt is driven through a planetary gear head that integrates easily with...

Surface Mount Rework.
January 1, 2001... The QX2 SMT offers complete power control and component handling flexibility for reworking large, fine-pitch devices and multilayer boards. The SmartHeat feature minimizes the risk of thermal stress to sensitive boards and components. Because...

Machine Places Odd-Form Parts.
January 1, 2001... The Chadiq 3D adaptive technology assembly head allows odd-form parts handling without tool changes. The new VisionTeach option, combined with end effector modularity, allows easy programming.

Electrically Heated Inert Atmosphere Oven.
January 1, 2001... No. 842 is a 1250 F electrically heated, inert atmosphere oven. Incoloy-sheathed 24-kilowatt tubular heating elements furnish the heat. A 1400, 1 1/2-horsepower recirculating blower provides front-to-back horizontal airflow to the workload. The...

Split Beam Vision for Rework.
January 1, 2001... Placement and reflow are colocated in the AT707, eliminating errors caused by moving the board after placement. The program permits vacuum release and component clearing automatically before reflow. Placement of same-type components is...

Articulated Robot.
January 1, 2001... The VM-6083D is a midsized vertical articulated robot. This high-speed robot has a maximum reach of 1,000 millimeters and a maximum load capacity of 10 kilograms. The arm is 130 milli-meters wide, minimizing interference with peripheral...

Automated Guided Vehicles.
January 1, 2001... A laser guidance system provides accurate control of automated material handling vehicles. A scanner sends out a rotating laser beam that detects passive targets mounted on walls. When the laser hits the targets and signals are returned to the...

Grippers.
January 1, 2001... Type PZB three-finger gripper features a large center bore to handle a wide range of parts. The device is available with clamping forces from 90 to 1,034 pounds. Bore sizes of 0.295, 0.787 and 1.42 inches are available. Gripper strokes can be...

SCARA Robot.
January 1, 2001... The TMB 100 is a high-performance SCARA robot for pick-and-place applications. It can carry a maximum weight of 5 kilograms with repeatability of [+ or -]0.02 millimeter. Maximum point to point movement speed is 1,500 millimeters per second.

Benchtop Hydraulic Press.
January 1, 2001... This benchtop C-frame hydraulic press is available in sizes of 6, 8, 12 and 15 tons. Options include rotary indexing tables and various controls.

Device Installs O-Rings.
January 1, 2001... The ASP-1M can install more than 3,700 O-rings per hour in less than 2 square feet of floor space. Available in either right- or left-hand configurations, the machine also installs cup rings, split seals, back-up rings and quad rings. An...

Robotic Workcell.
January 1, 2001... The ERS robotic workcell consists of a robot, a rack magazine for palletized work-pieces, a rotary magazine for changeable tools, and a loading station to exchange pallets. The robotic arm can be horizontal or vertical and comes with...

Solder Paste for Surface Mount Assembly.
January 1, 2001... CR39--a lead-free, no-clean solder paste--can solder numerous metal finishes without nitrogen during reflow. It meets Bellcore and IPC standards and is suitable for fine-pitch, high-speed stencil printing.

Water-Soluble Solder Paste.
January 1, 2001... ESP 477 water-soluble solder paste resists drying, clogging and degradation. It prints to 12-mil pitch and resists slump at elevated temperatures or in high humidity. Residue is easily removed. The paste is available in various alloys.

Monitor for Flow Quality.
January 1, 2001... The Fluid Waveform Analyzer detects plugged and broken nozzles, nozzle voids, no dispense, low and high pressure, and air bubbles. The program software is customized to each specific dispensing application and process condition. The system...

Antitrap Pinch Force Tester.
January 1, 2001... Model 10293-450 pinch force sensor uses interchangeable spring packs and adjustable initial gaps to check automatic window, door and sunroof closing mechanisms under defined spring rates and displacements. Standard capacities for the sensor are...

Resistance Measurements.
January 1, 2001... The Horizon 1500 line of harness testers have been expanded with a new feature that can be used in conjunction with the four-wires technique to perform resistive measurements on wires and resistors with resistance values of less than 4 ohms.

Magnet and Enamel Wire Strippers.
January 1, 2001... The D1, DV1 and DP magnet and enamel wire strippers strip magnet, enamel and film insulation on round wires from 16 to 35 AWG, square wires up to 1/4 by 1/4 inch and rectangular wire up to 1/4 by 1 inch. They use FybRglass stripping wheels or...

Automatic Cable Tie Tool.
January 1, 2001... AT2000 cable tie tool installs a cable tie in less than 1 second. Ergonomically designed, it can help reduce repetitive motion injuries and increase efficiencies. It is electrically powered and can be used as a handheld or bench-mount tool.

Back to School.
January 1, 2001... Regardless of how imaginative and technically skilled, the engineer-CEO must also know how success is measured to become successful. A company we know is sending its executives and managers back to school to learn accounting. Why? Because...