Assembly articles from January 2005

Assembly archives from January 2005

Math time bomb.(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... We live in a society driven by technology. People in such a society need to understand technology and how it affects their everyday lives. At a very basic level, Bill Hammack, associate professor of engineering at the University of Illinois...

AS-i links sensors, actuators to controls.(X-Y-Z)
January 1, 2005... At Land Rover's factory in Solihull, England, truck bodies queue for the paint shop on conveyors arranged in parallel lanes. Each lane has 25 sections. When a body arrives at a lane, it passes automatically from one section to the next, until...

Make that a double, HAL.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... CARROLLTON, OH -- A new robot from Motoman Inc. performs assemblies both straight-up and on the rocks. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The RoboBar automated bartender comes equipped with a pair of five-axis manipulator arms and is mounted on a...

'Made in America' series embarks on 2nd season.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- Manufacturing aficionado John Ratzenberger is back, touting American manufacturing know-how in his Travel Channel series, "John Ratzenberger's Made in America." The program, which began its second season in December,...

Pepperl+Fuchs acquires Omnitron.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... TWINSBURG, OH -- Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. has acquired Omnitron (Griesheim, Germany), a supplier of Data Matrix 2D optical code readers for product identification and online data recording. Data Matrix is an internationally standardized code...

Dell to build new plant.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... ROUND ROCK, TX -- Dell Inc. is adding to its U.S. manufacturing operations with a third location, this one in North Carolina. The North Carolina facility will produce desktop computers for Dell's East Coast business and consumer customers. In...

Hollywood high-tech plays in Detroit.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... WARREN, MI -- Detroit is home to some cutting-edge special effects that rival Hollywood. Indeed, the new Global Visualization Center located at the General Motors Tech Center employs the same virtual reality technology used in many feature...

NAM supports commerce nominee.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers has voiced its strong support for the nomination of Carlos Gutierrez, currently chief executive officer of the Kellogg Co. (Battle Creek, MI), to replace Donald Evans as U.S. Secretary of...

Underwriters Labs testing for lead.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... NORTHBROOK, IL -- Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is offering a new program to help companies meet the European Union's strict Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive for electronics manufacturers, scheduled to go into effect...

X-ray representation in Taiwan.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... STAMFORD, CT -- Feinfocus, a manufacturer of high-resolution X-ray inspection systems and tubes, has formed a partnership with IslandTek International (Taiwan), a printed circuit board assembly equipment sales company, to enhance its presense...

Research aims for humanlike robot movements.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... WEST LAFAYETTE, IN -- Purdue University is leading a 4-year project to enable humanoid robots to move more like people, adapting to new situations so they can complete tasks they weren't specifically programmed to perform. "We are trying...

Distributor takes on repair work.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... SALEM, NH -- ConProTec Inc., the North American distributor for MIXPAC Systems AG (Rotkreus, Switzerland), manufacturer of the MIXPAC 200 and 400 manual and pneumatic dispensers, has created a dispenser repair division to help increase the life...

Honda building 2nd Chinese plant.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... GUANGZHOU, CHINA -- Honda Motor Co. (Tokyo) has announced that Guangzhou Honda Automobile Co. (GHAC), a joint venture between Honda and Guangzhou Auto Group Corp., plans to build a second auto plant. The new plant will be located in the Zeng...

Henkel offering medical apps seminars.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... ROCKY HILL, CT -- Henkel Corp. will hold its first advanced medical device adhesive seminar for 2005 on Jan. 26 in Minnetonka, MN. The session is the latest in a series of medical applications events first developed in 2001. The goal of the...

Partnership takes on RFID certification.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... OAKBROOK TERRACE, IL -- The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) and AIM Global--The Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility (Warrendale, PA) have announced they are working together to develop a certification...

Machine Hall of Fame adds new members.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... WINDSOR, VT -- The American Precision Museum has announced the addition of four new members to its Machine Tool Hall of Fame. The inductees bring to 47 the number of individuals honored for their work in the development of the American machine...

Service station serving up hydrogen.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Shell Hydrogen (Amsterdam, Netherlands) has opened a hydrogen pump at a retail gas station to service a fleet of six fuel cell vehicles from General Motors Corp. (Detroit). The station is located in northeast Washington, D.C.,...

Honda building 13th U.S. plant.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... ATLANTA, GA -- Honda Motor Co. (Tokyo) has announced it will build a $100 million plant in Tallapoosa, Ga., 40 miles west of Atlanta, to produce automatic transmissions as part of a broader strategy for North American powertrain manufacturing....

Oxford Automotive closing Alma plant.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... TROY, MI -- Oxford Automotive announced that it would be closing its Alma, MI, plant by the end of 2004. Employees were notified of the decision in November. The plant employs 262 people and no jobs are being relocated. The plant supplied...

Clean locomotives going west.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... MISSOULA, MT -- General Motors Electro-Motive Division (La Grange, IL) and Montana Rail Link (MRL) recently announced that in 2005 MRL will take delivery of 16 SD70ACe locomotives that meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Tier 2 engine...

GM develops China fuel cells.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... SHANGHAI -- General Motors Corp. and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC) are teaming up to develop hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles in China. According to GM chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, the companies will be developing a...

Lean manufacturing course set.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... ROCHESTER, NY -- The electronics assembly systems division of Siemens Logistics and Assembly Systems (Norcross, GA) is holding a 2-day course on lean manufacturing in partnership with the the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The...

757 airliner is now history.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... RENTON, WA -- After one of the most successful production runs in commercial aviation history, Boeing has built its last 757 airliner. Thousands of employees and special guests saluted the 1,050th and final 757, a Shanghai Airlines 757-200,...

Lead-free compliance a concern.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... LOUISVILLE, CO -- The National Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (NEMI, Herndon, VA) RoHS/Lead-Free Summit this past November drew close to 190 people. It featured 3 days of discussions on the European Union's Restriction on use of certain...

Book says look within.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... BOSTON -- Faced with a crisis, corporations often respond by naming a panel of outside experts or hiring high-priced consultants. But according to a new book by Janice Klein, a Sloan senior lecturer with the Massachusetts Institute of...

Brazil company to market dispensers.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... CARLSBAD, CA -- Asymtek has signed Fuji Do Brasil M quinas Industriais LTDA (Sao Paulo, Brazil) to market its automated fluid dispensing systems throughout South America. The company, founded in 1995, also has branches in Manaus and Campinas....

GM wants to work better globally.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... DETROIT -- How do global companies manage work between multiple cultures and across time zones? General Motors Corp. is collaborating with Stanford University (Stanford, CA) to identify engineering work processes and technology that will enable...

Philly copter plant expands.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... PHILADELPHIA -- AgustaWestland (Costa di Samarate, Italy) recently expanded the manufacturing facility where its U.S. subsidiary, Agusta Aerospace Corp., builds the A119 Koala helicopter. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The $6.8 million...

Nanosensors market to reach $592 million.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... NORWALK, CT -- The current market for nanosensors is $190 million and expected to grow at an average annual rate of 26 percent, reaching $592 million by 2009, according to a report by Business Communications Co. Inc. In 2003, the...

UIC offering process audits.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... BINGHAMTON, NY -- Universal Instrument Corp.'s surface mount technology laboratory is making its expertise available to electronics manufacturers through what the company is calling its Process Audit service. The goal of each audit is to help...

Stencils, not lead, the key factor.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2005... WEYMOUTH, UK -- Stencil quality, not the presense or absense of lead, is the main factor when manufacturing printed circuit boards, according to stencil manufacturer DEK. The company drew these conclusions in the wake of a series of lead-free...

PCB inspection equipment.(ASSEMBLY SPEC SHEET)
January 1, 2005... Looking for equipment to inspect printed circuit boards? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Agilent Technologies-Fax: 970-679-5984 ASC International-Fax:...

Magna uses robots, adhesive on hatches.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2005... Magna Door Systems/Uniport (Hambach, France) is a Tier 1 automotive supplier that manufactures hatchback assemblies for DaimlerChrysler's MCC Smart Car. As is the case with many automotive models, the Smart Car incorporates adhesives in a...

Carts replace forklifts.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2005... Chrysler Group's Indiana Transmission Plant II (Kokomo, IN) manufactures five-speed, rear-wheel-drive transmissions for a number of models, including the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 600,000-square-foot plant opened...

Press meets lamp assembly tolerance.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2005... Dazor Manufacturing Corp. (St. Louis) manufactures task lighting and magnifier products used in commercial, professional, industrial, educational, medical and residential applications. Dazor's most popular line of task lights is the Classic...

Manufacturing software streamlines ramp-up.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2005... Tier 1 automotive supplier Tower Automotive (Novi, MI) designs and produces structural components and assemblies for automotive and truck manufacturers worldwide. In 2003-2004, the company won more contracts to launch more new product lines...

Hydraulics move Shanghai Concert Hall.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2005... Surrounded by a residential complex, as well as the city's busiest expressway, the 74-year-old Shanghai Concert Hall has been plagued with noise and exhaust fumes for years. Although building a new concert hall would have been less expensive,...

Quality control increases throughput.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2005... In the spring of 2004, Mercury Marine (Fond du Lac, WI) introduced the Verado a six-cylinder, four-stroke 275-horsepower outboard engine. In addition to being the industry's first supercharged outboard engine, it is noteworthy in terms of its...

New markets emerge as electronics converge: manufacturers grapple with reduced size, increased functionality, memory capacity and reliability.(Industry Watch)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2005... In the Olympics, the motto for athletes is "swifter, higher, stronger." But, in the electronics industry, the motto for manufacturing engineers is "faster, smaller, lighter." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New applications, such as smart...

Capping cap-testing costs: improving throughput and efficiency was a team effort for this medical device manufacturer.(Leak Testing)
January 1, 2005... When a product's success becomes a liability, something has to change. At Gen-Probe Inc., a fast-growing genetic diagnostics and testing company, that happened with our APTIMA Combo 2 Assay test for the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia...

Solder-free connections: compliant pins make electrical and mechanical connections that are durable and reliable.(Electronics Assembly)
January 1, 2005... Backplanes are the nerve centers of the information superhighway. Whether active or passive, these large circuit boards sport numerous connectors into which other circuit boards are plugged. It's not uncommon for a back-plane to contain more...

A world of welding: when joining plastic parts, different applications require different methods.(Joining Plastics)
January 1, 2005... When welding thermoplastic parts, there are a number of different technologies to choose from, including ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration, laser and spin. Hot-gas welding, in which heated air or nitrogen is used to melt a plastic welding rod,...

Close the loop on assembly operations.(Innovations in Assembly)(Advertisement)
January 1, 2005... A new generation, closed-loop, easily programmed control system for assembly presses is a recent design development of Promess Inc. (Brighton, MI). The programmable press developed by Promess-called EMAP (electromechanical assembly...

Chrysler unveils new production paradigm: a radical concept may revolutionize the way vehicles are built.(Assembly Trends)
January 1, 2005... Supplier relations have been a volatile topic in the auto industry recently. Both sides have been busy pointing fingers, lobbing insults and adding fuel to the fire. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To stay competitive, OEMs are consolidating...

The glow of success: UV luminescence sensors can do more than photoelectric sensors at less cost than vision systems.(Sensors)
January 1, 2005... Engineers don't often think of ultraviolet (UV) luminescence sensors for assembly applications, yet they are often the best choice. They are more sensitive and selective than photoelectric or infrared sensors, and they're more affordable than...

Rivets, steam and sweat: steam locomotive building was a labor-intensive process.(Assembly Then & Now)
January 1, 2005... Last year marked the bicentennial of the first railway. In 1804, Richard Trevithick's "Penydarren" locomotive became the first in the world to run on rails when it hauled a train in Wales. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Less than 100 years...

Feeders are compact, precise.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Small IC Feeders (SIFs) provide fast, error-free feeding of small integrated circuit packages for pick-and-place machines. Individual feeders are less than 15 millimeters wide. SIFs are compatible with placement machines made by Fuji,...

Clamp series is upgraded.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Upgraded Toggle Lock Plus manual clamps help maintain an over-center toggle position in applications where there is movement or vibrations. The clamps include bushings at major pivot points for longer life, greater hand clearance for ease of...

Sensor is small but speedy.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Checker 101 line of vision sensors is comprised of simple-to-use and inexpensive sensors for visually detecting item presence. In contrast to multipurpose vision systems, different models in the new sensor line perform just one action....

Motors are smooth, precise.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The MAE S Series of hybrid stepper motors provides high torque and smooth operation for applications requiring fine positioning. The series includes three models that come in standard NEMA23 frame sizes with step resolutions of 1.8 degrees in...

Tough new epoxy.(Products)
January 1, 2005... EP34AN is a two-component temperature-resistant epoxy that cures at room temperature and offers good thermal conductivity. It adheres to metals, glass, ceramics, woods, vulcanized rubbers and most plastics, and maintains its physical properties...

Actuator is fast, forceful.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Compact linear voice coil actuator can be used in applications that require a linear force with high acceleration or high frequency actuation. The actuator applies force directly in the linear direction without using a mechanical conversion...

Reliable, flexible grippers.(Products)
January 1, 2005... VGS 3010 grippers feature Duraflex polyurethane suction cups and Coax ejectors. Because the suction cups can grip porous, leaky materials and uneven or curved surfaces, they are effective in both material-packaging and pick-and-place...

Mark in four modes.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Technomark Multi 4 modular marking machine is available in four different configurations: a fixed benchtop model; a portable handheld model; a mixed-use combination version; and an integrated unit for automatic marking in production lines....

Screwdriver is adaptable.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Retract-A-Bit self-storing screwdriver features bits that can be changed with the push of a button. Because the bits are integral to the screwdriver, they can never be lost. A locking collar ensures its stability during use. The screwdriver...

Precise linear movement.(Products)
January 1, 2005... For applications requiring precise, linear movement this one-ton capacity ballscrew actuator has a 23.1-percent efficiency rating, can be driven at 1/2 maximum horsepower, and is available with top-plate, clevis or threaded-end mounts. The worm...

Slide marker knows its place.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The TLM series captive slide marker incorporates a ball coupling to create a physical link with a moving part, without sacrificing accuracy. It provides signal conditioning and linearization for absolute linearity of better than [+ or -]30...

Slide carries a load.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The RGS 10000 slide can be used for a variety of applications, including material handling, industrial packaging, automated cutting and slitting, and large X-Y tables. The slide handles dynamic axial loads of up to 100 pounds at speeds of more...

Tiny tester takes temps.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The THI-440S is a portable, pocket-size infrared thermometer that includes an LED target-sighting ring for noncontact temperature measurement. It weighs 5 ounces, can be adjusted for sensitivity and registers temperatures ranging from -58 to...

Look into the light.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The GJ18 incorporates an X1-1 optometer and one or more interchangeable detector heads capable of measuring luminance, radiance, color chromaticity, color temperature and irradiance for applications in the automotive, aerospace and electronics...

Safely make small measurements.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The White Light Interferometer (WLI) measures surface profiles, roughness, step height and microstructures without damaging targets. A reference-point mirror or object controlled by either a motor or piezo drive allows measurement to high...

Protect against premature curing.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Flexible clear and orange UV filter sheets offer 99.8-percent protection against ultraviolet radiation from windows, skylights and light fixtures for protecting radiation-curable coatings prior to processing. Pieces are available in precut...

Meter adhesives for high-speed applications.(Products)
January 1, 2005... VersaBlue 100 adhesive meters use variable-speed AC motors and a range of pump options to meet specific manufacturing needs. Meters are available in 12-, 25-, 50- and 100-liter tank sizes, and operate with a VxWorks-based industrial PC for use...

Dispense inks, oils, adhesives.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The CV629 is a pneumatically operated valve that dispenses a range of fluids including solvents, oils, silicones, inks and adhesives. Designed for use with a valve controller and reservoir tank, it can be integrated into a robotic system or...

Improve fastener quality.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The TX III Qualifier assembly process monitor eliminates many fastener-related assembly errors by monitoring fastener profiles. Specifically, it can determine if a screw has been driven to its full depth, torqued to its correct value,...

Eliminate O-rings, gaskets.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Nyseal pre-applied sealant creates a gasket-like seal capable of withstanding pressures up to 500 psi. When applied to the bearing surface of a fastener it compresses slightly, filling the void under the surface. In doing so, it offers an...

Bond problem applications.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Dublfilm SP454E is a double-coated pressure sensitive adhesive film that bonds irregular surfaces. Specific applications include those in foam fabrications, rubber bonding and difficult splicing. The acrylic adhesive bonds well to...

Sensor offers options.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Photo Virtu photoelectric sensor works in four different sensing modes, including diffuse, background suppression, polarized retroreflective and through-beam. It has a sensing range from 120 millimeters to 15 meters, depending on the mode....

Blocks and guides available.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Miniature linear guides offer high rigidity, smooth operation and dynamic load capacity in a small footprint. Available for delivery in 6 days or less, the guides can be custom ordered using downloadable CAD drawings. Short-block, long-block,...

Clip mount option.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Screw-mounted clip mount tie holders offer a two-way entry and are secured with no. 8 mounting screws. Cradle mounts, screw tabs and cable tie holders, some with adhesive backing for easy mounting, are also available. All are molded in...

Create forgiving flooring.(Products)
January 1, 2005... ErgoDeck anti-fatigue matting comes in 18-by-18-inch tile sizes for covering large areas. Flex points on the underside of the tiles provide cushioning. Proprietary LockSafe connectors link up tiles for neat, clean, secure installation. Tiles...

Tough but small.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Series RCC rotary actuators provide high axial thrust loads in a small package. Actuators are available in 8-, 12- and 16-millimeter bore sizes with 90- and 180-degree rotations. Internal shock pads eliminate metal-to-metal contact, reducing...

Camera does double takes.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The SU320Mvis 1.7 RT MiniCamera is a dual-wavelength camera that simultaneously records images in the visible and short-wave infrared ranges. The camera features a 320-by-240-pixel array with a 40-micron pitch. It weighs approximately 11...

Mix and dispense.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Fully-integrated positive displacement meter mixing head can be mounted on a benchtop robot for automating two-part dispensing applications. A quick-change cartridge release mechanism facilitates easy changeovers. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Laser marker is compact, precise.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Archer markers incorporate Nd:YVO4 lasers for marking metals, composites, ceramics and plastics with 2D Data Matrix codes, bar codes, serial numbers, logos and photo-quality graphics. The system is compact, easily moveable and runs off standard...

Connectors are quick and watertight.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Speedcon connectors secure with a half turn and are both watertight and vibration-proof. Compatible with all standard M12 connectors, no special adapters are required, making them backwards, forwards and future compatible. Applications include...

Eliminate cage creep.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The ACS anti-creep system prevents "cage creep" in cross-roller precision rail guides, reducing friction and drag. It is available in PEEK plastic, which exhibits low outgassing properties for X-Y positioning applications in vacuum or clean...

Tapes bond ether foam.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The 3189 and 3474 series of double-coated adhesive tapes bond well to a variety of substrates, most notably ether foam. The tapes can be used in acoustical absorption, vibration damping, medical equipment and automotive interior applications....

Cable and harness tester.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Signature 1000RX cable and harness tester comes standard with 128 test points and can be expanded to 256 test points with an optional add-on box. The tester can be used to find opens, shorts and miswires. Connection resistance thresholds...

Place high-mix boards.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The FLX2010 pick-and-place machine offers flexibility for high-mix production with 190 feeders. Feeder changeover during operation allows production with almost no downtime. In high-mix applications, the FLX2010 is capable of placement rates of...

Dispense with speed, precision.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The TS5622VU-DVD stainless steel diaphragm valve dispenses low- to medium-viscosity fluids over a range of shot and bead sizes. It is accurate to a microliter for precise dispensing. A stainless steel fluid housing is compatible with adhesives,...

Motors are fast, powerful.(Products)
January 1, 2005... Compact, brushless DC motor delivers a peak of 10 in.-oz of torque with 3.6 amps at 7,000 rpm. Its stainless steel housing measures 0.75 by 3.4 inches. Its mechanical time constant is 1.43 milliseconds, and its electrical time constant is 0.15...

Printer is rugged and portable.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The EZL-100 thermal transfer wire marker printer serves as a labeling tool for users who need a heavy-duty, easy-to-use printer that is both portable and rugged. One-touch wire wrapping allows users to select the wire gauge and automatically...

Syringe offers adaptability.(Products)
January 1, 2005... The Loctite analog syringe dispenser is a pressure-time-vacuum system that dispenses from 10-, 30-, 55- and 300-milliliter syringe packages. The unit functions in both manual or automatic-timed-dispense mode to dispense dots or beads. It also...