Assembly articles from January 2007

Assembly archives from January 2007

Jobs? Yes, but do they pay?(Editorial)
January 1, 2007... President Harry Truman is alleged to have said that the only economists he would talk with had to have only one arm because, "Then those rascals can't give me this, well, on the one hand it could be this way, but on the other hand it might be...

Rugged cordless tools feature innovative charger.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Although cordless tools are becoming increasingly popular on assembly lines today, many manufacturing engineers continue to view them with suspicion. Cordless tools, say the doubting Thomases, are fine for the do-it-yourselfer, but they don't...

Device feeds, installs rivet nuts automatically.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Dixon Automatic Tool Inc. (Rockford, IL) has introduced a machine that automatically feeds and installs threaded rivet nuts and studs. Most fasteners that provide permanent load-bearing threads in thin materials require both sides of the...

Tiny sensor checks LEDs.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Let's say you have circuit board assembly that contains red and green LEDs. Automated optical inspection can tell you if the LEDs are present and oriented correctly. In-circuit testing can tell you if the LEDs have been soldered correctly;...

Custom screws assemble high-security applications.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Tamper-proof fasteners are intended to keep the average joe from, well, tampering with an assembly. For most applications, that's good enough. However, for someone who is determined to get at an assembly, finding a driver bit to match a...

New process assembles flip chips faster, better.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Henkel Corp.'s electronics group (Irvine, CA) has developed a new process for assembling flip chips that promises to reduce warpage, eliminate voids and cut cycle times by 50 percent. Called accelerated cooling, the process is used in...

Device monitors curing of epoxies.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Epoxies are strong, durable, and highly resistant to heat and chemicals. As a result, epoxies are used in a wide variety of demanding applications, such as automotive and aerospace assemblies. Problem is, epoxies can also take a long time...

Capaciflectors guide robots to bolt heads.(Assembly Innovations)
January 1, 2007... Vision systems are excellent for guiding robots--but only as long as there's a direct line of sight between the camera and the part. However, for some applications, such as tightening bolts, a vision system is of little help, because the...

U.S. robot sales down dramatically in 2006.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... ANN ARBOR, MI -- New orders received by North American robotics companies were down 36 percent through the first 9 months of 2006, thanks in large part to weakness in the automotive sector. On the bright side, nonautomotive orders were down...

BNP Media launches market research division.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... TROY, MI -- ASSEMBLY magazine's parent company, BNP Media, has created a new market research company called Clear Seas Research, to provide consumer and business-to-business market data to manufacturers in a wide range of industries. ...

Global Aeronautica opens 787 facility.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... CHARLESTON, SC -- Global Aeronautica LLC has officially opened a new 334,000-squarefoot facility where it will assemble fuselages for the cutting-edge 787 Dreamliner built by Boeing Co. (Chicago). "Today is a significant moment for all...

ATExpo accepting paper, workshop submissions.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... ROSEMONT, IL -- Canon Communications, organizer of the Assembly Technology Expo (ATExpo) trade show, is currently accepting paper and presentation submissions for the ATExpo conference program, as well as for conference programs at the...

Another EADS program in trouble?(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... PARI -- Already struggling to smooth out production problems with its A380 super-jumbo commercial jet, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) now says it is also experiencing problems with its A400M military transport aircraft....

China now second in world R & D investment.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... PARIS -- In 2006, for the first time, China spent more on industrial and technological research and development than Japan, in the process making it the world's second biggest investor in R & D, after the United States. According to a...

Denso expanding Hungarian diesel rail plant.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... TOKYO -- DENSO Corp. subsidiary DENSO Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. (Szekesfehervar, Hungary) will spend approximately $50 million to expand diesel common-rail production capacity with the addition of a new facility adjacent to the company's...

EPRI, Argonne lab to evaluate hybrid vehicles.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... PALO ALTO, CA -- The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Argonne National Laboratory (Chicago) have agreed to collaborate on a 3-year research program to assess the commercial feasibility of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)...

RIA accepting Engelberger nominations.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Robotic Industries Association (RIA) is now accepting nominations for the 2007 Engelberger Robotics Awards, to be presented in Rosemont, IL, during the 38th International Symposium on Robotics, part of the International...

Delachaux group acquiring Wampfler.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... GENNEVILLIERS, France -- Heavy equipment, controls and fiber optics manufacturer Delachaux Group SA has acquired energy and data-transmission equipment manufacturer Wampfler AG (Weil am Rhein, Germany). Although Wampfler will eventually be...

AWS publishes titanium welding standard.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... MIAMI -- The American Welding Society (AWS) has published a new standard on titanium welding, titled "Guide for the Fusion Welding of Titanium and Titanium Alloys." The society's G2 Committee on Joining Metals and Alloys compiled this first...

Boeing wins contract for 11 helicopters.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- Boeing Co. has won a $151.9 million contract from the U.S. Army to build 11 new AH-64D Apache Longbow multirole combat helicopters. Boeing will begin assembly in 2008 at its manufacturing facility in Mesa, AZ, where Apache...

India Supply Chain Council hosting inaugural summit.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... NEW DELHI, India -- The India Supply Chain Council (ISCC) will be holding its first annual summit March 1, 2007, in New Delhi. The conference, which ISCC hopes will become an annual event, will feature a variety of presentations and panels...

ITW acquires Ark-Les Corp.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... GLENVIEW, IL -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. has acquired Ark-Les Corp. (Stoughton, MA), a manufacturer of electronic and electromechanical controls. Founded in 1937, Ark-Les Corp. produces a wide range of products, including switches,...

Caterpillar moves Asia-Pacific headquarters.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... BEIJING, China -- Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL) is moving the headquarters of its Asia-Pacific division from Tokyo to Beijing, a reflection of the growing importance of the China market to the company. "Caterpillar is growing in China, and...

Cessna earns FAA production certificate.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... WICHITA, KS -- Cessna Aircraft Co. has delivered its first saleable Citation Mustang business jet following receipt of a production certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. Production certification--a prerequisite for any...

Nordson Corp. acquiring Dage Holdings Ltd.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... WESTLAKE, OH -- Nordson Corp. is acquiring UK-based Dage Holdings Ltd. (Aylesbury, England), a manufacturer of test and inspection equipment used in the semiconductor and printed circuit board industries. Dage employs approximately 200 and had...

Bel Fuse building 15-acre China PCB complex.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... JERSEY CITY, NJ -- Electronics manufacturer Bel Fuse Inc. is opening a new 15-acre production facility in Zhongshan, China, to produce transformers, connectors and printed circuit board assemblies. The 395,000-square-foot factory will...

TRW opening new plant in China.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... LANGFANG, China -- The engineered fasteners and components division of TRW Automotive (Livonia, MI) has opened a new plant in Langfang to manufacture interior components such as air registers and center bezels. Located 40 miles outside Beijing,...

Electronics firms get a 'C' from the environment.(Assembly Lines)
January 1, 2007... ALAMEDA, CA -- When asked, "What grade would you give your company for keeping up with new product-focused substance and recycling legislation and regulations worldwide?" more electronics-company managers gave their companies grades of "D" and...

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 1, 2007... The article "Wire-soldering Workstation Triples Electronics Production," in the December issue, incorrectly described the workstation as being a wire-soldering system, when, in fact, it replaces wire solder with solder paste. For details on the...

Lear plant honored.(Assembly Plant of the Year)
January 1, 2007... During a recent ceremony at Lear Corp.'s Montgomery, AL, seat plant, officials received an engraved crystal award and a commemorative banner honoring ASSEMBLY magazine's 2006 Assembly Plant of the Year. The event was attended by all employees,...

High-speed automation systems can be flexible.(STATION to STATION)
January 1, 2007... Most automated assembly systems are designed to make one specific product. When production of that assembly ends, the systems are scrapped or reconfigured at great expense. But, it doesn't have to be that way. Several machine builders have...

Air-free dispenser ensures medical needle quality.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2007... Specialized Health Products Inc. (SHPI, Bountiful, UT) manufactures medical safety needles that minimize the threat of needle sticks to healthcare workers. The company both licenses its proprietary technology to other manufactures and produces...

Flexible workcell installs pump covers.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2007... Grundfos Group (Bjerringbro, Denmark) manufactures approximately 10 million pumps annually at factories in Europe, Asia, South America and the United States. Its product line also includes electric motors and high-tech pump-control systems....

Improved data gathering boosts profits.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2007... Group Dekko (Kendallville, IN) employs approximately 1,500 workers in three divisions spread over 22 locations. The company is involved in wire harness manufacture, insert and injection molding, assembly, roll forming, powder coating, turret...

Robot attaches brackets to front ends.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2007... Automotive supplier Dynamit Nobel Kunststoff GmbH (Weissenburg, Germany) assembles a range of different products at its plant in Pappenheim, Germany. Among these is the front end for the Ford Focus, a structural component that is manufactured...

Supplier eases production bottlenecks.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2007... Hi-Heat Industries Inc. (Lewistown, MT) manufactures flexible heating elements that are used in a wide variety of applications, including everything from the restaurant industry to composites manufacture and the military sector. Frequently...

Industrial conveyors sort books.(Assembly in Action)
January 1, 2007... The city of Hamburg, Germany, has 17 libraries that handle approximately 2 million books, CDs and DVDs annually. Recently, the libraries implemented a fully automated check-in and checkout system to help their staffs maintain a more accurate...

Robots inject a dose of productivity: more manufacturers are using robots to cut costs and improve quality.(Medical Device Assembly)(Cover story)
January 1, 2007... Traditionally, robots have been heavily used in a wide variety of automotive applications. But, as the performance and reliability of today's machines continue going up, and costs continue coming down, medical device manufacturers are...

Best of both worlds: silicone reactive hot-melt adhesive is ideal for bonding low-surface-energy materials and dissimilar substrates.(Adhesive Bonding)
January 1, 2007... A new adhesive and sealant has been introduced that combines the best characteristics of two established chemistries--silicones and hot-melts. The new material, silicone reactive hot-melt, promises to improve performance, reduce assembly time,...

Design for medical electronics assembly: new technologies demand well organized design-for-assembly procedures.(Electronics Assembly)
January 1, 2007... The assembly of medical devices continues to increase in complexity due to newer, more advanced electronics technologies. The current trend toward portable wireless and handheld devices, in particular, is playing an important role in this area....

Does going paperless work? Electronic work instructions streamline production flow.(Workstations)(Company overview)
January 1, 2007... More manufacturers are adopting paperless work instructions, which are often displayed on flat-panel display monitors strategically placed on the plant floor. In fact, the last three recipients of the Assembly Plant of the Year award all use...

From through-hole to surface-mount and beyond: much has changed since Jack Kirby and his colleagues at Texas instruments invented the integrated circuit in 1958.(Assembly Past, Present & Future)
January 1, 2007... To get an idea of how far electronics assembly has come in 50 years, consider an article that appeared in the November 1958 issue of ASSEMBLY. The article discussed product assembly at the Victor Adding Machine Co. in Chicago. ...

Press is fast, accurate.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The Toggle-Aire 5-ton press features a toggle design that employs a mechanical advantage to yield higher ram forces using less air than a straight cylinder press. The system provides a large working area for loading and unloading tooling and...

Inserts serve in tough applications.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Heavy-duty Atlas MaxTite blind threaded inserts feature a thicker head and heavier walls than standard types to serve in demanding high-load applications. The fasteners provide permanent metal threads in blind attachment applications, where...

Workstations accommodate conveyors.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Modular workstations are available with an integrated conveyor system for high-efficiency workflow management through the entire production stream. The workstations can accommodate a variety of different conveyor types, and are available in...

Clamp is fully enclosed.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The 8031 pneumatic clamp is fully enclosed for use in harsh environments. The cylinder of the 8031 is sensor-ready to detect the open or closed position of the clamp, which can be hard-piped, eliminating the need for hoses. The 8031 easily fits...

DC sensors simplify wiring.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Two-wire DC sensors provide cost savings in complex machines by reducing the number of cable and connection points compared to conventional three-wire systems. The metal-bodied sensors feature high-frequency outputs. They are available in M12,...

Light cure quickly, efficiently.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The Loctite Zeta 7720 visible light wand system provides safe, efficient and immediate curing for a wide variety of assembly applications, including medical devices. It features a 100-watt visible arc bulb that delivers up to twice the life of...

Feeder handles small components.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The DDf Ultra die feeder can be used for handling small flip chips. It is capable of feeding die down to 0.5 square millimeter. A single wafer, vertically loaded into the feeder, is positioned automatically and then located using a vision...

Stop gate simplifies sensor use.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The VE2/MP stop gate combines the functionality of a VE2 stopgate with a pneumatic solenoid valve, an embedded microprocessor, three proximity sensors and an array of LED indicators to provide extensive operations control and feedback in a...

Impulse tools easy on operators.(Products)
January 1, 2007... PT series pneumatic impulse tools minimize noise, vibration and operator fatigue while consistently delivering the desired torque. They are available in 11 different shutoff models and seven different nonshutoff models. The shutoff tools...

Parallel grippers handle slippery products.(Products)
January 1, 2007... DPG-plus sealed two-finger parallel grippers can be used to handle components under extreme environmental conditions, such as applications where parts are in contact with water, grease, oil or coolant. The grippers are available in seven...

Controller works in several modes.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The SMC-4000 multiaxis Ethernet motion controller provides several modes of operation, including point-to-point positioning and multi-axis interpolation. Plug-and-play cables provide quick and easy amplifier connection. Programs and data can be...

Bulk melt system.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The Therm-O-Flow 200 bulk-melt system features heated, ram-mounted supply pumps and a nonstick, heated platen. It transfers hot- and warm-melt adhesives up to 400 F from drums to a variety of manual or automatic extrusion or swirl applicators....

Pump is fast and tough.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The compact ejector X-Pump features high suction capacity and a powerful blow-off function to permit short cycle times. Intelligent condition monitoring automatically detects faults and deviations from prescribed functions. The pump is...

Surface mount terminals.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Surface mount terminals feature capillary action enhanced solder joints that reduce solder joint fractures resulting from shock, vibration and thermal cycling. The devices include a surface mount post tab that can be automatically placed on the...

Conveyors eliminate control panels.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Quickdraw [Q.sup.2] (Q-squared) conveyors save time and money by eliminating control panels, software and metering stops. The systems offer communication-based transfer of pallets and product between workcells. They provide flexibility in a...

Modular fixtures get production up and running.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Alufix modular measuring fixtures provide faster turnaround times for assemblers and manufacturers of die-cast parts. In contrast to dedicated fixtures, modular fixtures can be ready for use within a week once all the necessary product data has...

Flow monitors help machines keep cool.(Products)
January 1, 2007... CoolPoint vortex-shedding flow meters provide consistent flows of cooling water, water-glycol coolant and low-viscosity fluids in automated machinery. The devices are available in pipe sizes ranging from 0.25 inch to 4 inches, providing...

Controller works in 3 modes.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The SL101 digital, air-controlled dispenser controller offers three modes of operation--manual, timed and cycle--as well as 10 memory positions to give the user optimum control and flexibility over the dispensing process. The system is...

Solder iron is set for Pb-free.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The compact, PS-800E high-power production soldering system is well suited to lead-free repetitive manual soldering and precision touchup. The system provides enhanced thermal performance with the help of an innovative power coil assembly,...

Two-part dispensing valves offers precision.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The PD44 two-part micro-dispensing valve features balanced inlet and outlet spool assemblies that don't displace material while shifting from the reload to the dispense position. This allows pressure feeding of components up to 1,200 psi during...

Welding cell works in big and little shops.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The Mini-Z "personal weld cell" is a standalone system that can be used in short-run shops or integrated into large-scale production manufacturing operations. The system's small footprint provides ease of mobility and accessibility for tooling...

Reduce leak-detection costs.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The HLD5000 refrigerant leak detector reduces cost of ownership by extending sensor life, improving the lifetime of all mechanical and electronic parts, and minimizing the number of consumables used. The HLD5000 detects various refrigerants,...

Motors deliver long life.(Products)
January 1, 2007... EC-10 motors deliver the performance of a brushless motor in a compact package. The motors are electronically commutated, enabling extremely long motor life, since there are no mechanical brushes to wear out. The motors are available with or...

One tool for many tasks.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The model BTP140 18-volt LXT lithium-Ion cordless Hybrid impact-hammer-driver-drill kit can drive lag bolts and screws, as well as drill into concrete and wood. The tool features dual steel ball bearings and a four-pole motor that generates...

Adhesives can replace welding.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Flex Welder FC methacrylate adhesive and Dev-Thane 5 urethane adhesive can be used instead of welding to bond galvanized, galvanneal, or Galvalume metals. In doing so, the adhesives save time and labor, and minimize the distortion of thin...

Amplifier offers flexible control.(Products)
January 1, 2007... ACS300 series low-voltage, all-digital, brushless AC servo amplifiers use a DSP-based architecture to provide software selectable torque, velocity or position mode operation. Sine wave commutation provides smooth torque at low speeds for...

Solder paste facilitates lead-free assembly.(Products)
January 1, 2007... New no-clean solder paste line is specifically formulated for SAC 305 and features a clear, colorless no-clean flux residue that allows the solder joint to sparkle. The paste can be used in those products requiring a shiny, cosmetic finish. It...

Handheld marker offers speed.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The HMG 60 all-electric handheld industrial dot-peen marker has a marking window measuring 2.36 by 1.18 inches. Marking speed is three characters per second, with a maximum of 20 pounds of marking force. The marker is 10.5 inches long and...

Bearings provide compact performance.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Miniature single-row, deep-groove ball bearings can perform in a wide range of industrial equipment and medical instrument applications, including drills, handheld tools and spindles. The bearings are available with bore diameters as little as...

Compressors improve efficiency.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The 1100e, 1500e and 1800e series of encapsulated compressors reduce energy, utility and fluid costs for plant managers. Each compressor is equipped with a variable speed drive that adjusts to changes in air demand, thereby increasing...

Tooling cuts compressed-air costs.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Ultimate PMAT modular automation tooling makes it possible to reduce compressed air consumption by as much as 98 percent. The systems combine COAX vacuum cartridges with DURAFLEX suction cups and Vacustat check valves, and can be used in a...

Cart powers up computers on the go.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The NB400 Powered Equipment Cart makes it possible to transport and operate electronic devices such as computers, barcode scanners and printers in even the most remote corners of a manufacturing facility. The cart provides seamless power with a...

Fork trucks lift higher, heavier.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Updated 7000 Series Reach-Fork trucks can now reach higher and lift heavier loads than ever before. The model 7420 truck lifts up to a height of 421 inches and has a capacity of 4,500 pounds. The model 7440 truck lifts up to a height of 444...

Get new ballscrews-fast.(Products)
January 1, 2007... New KSS ground-screw stocking program speeds delivery of 448 different ground ballscrew configurations, 15 rolled ballscrew configurations and two bidirectional ground-screw configurations. The program includes the SG Series, the SR Series and...

6-axis robot offers extended reach.(Products)
January 1, 2007... The Viper s1700 six-axis robot is slim and powerful, with a 20-kilogram payload capacity and 1,717-millimeter reach. Assemblers can mount the robot on the floor or ceiling for use in a variety of applications, including material handling,...

Motors are small and tough.(Products)
January 1, 2007... Series 6000 22-millimeter brush-commutated iron-core DC motors can be used in applications requiring the power of an "ironless core" or "coreless" motor without the associated cost. The motors employ a skewed five-slot armature and bonded...

Lean or Six Sigma?(Leading Lean)
January 1, 2007... Lean or Six Sigma? This question is asked continuously, but it's the wrong question! One company that I know of wasted an entire year debating whether to do lean or Six Sigma. It isn't an "either-or" question. The essential point is that...