Assembly articles from July 2003

Assembly archives from July 2003

Cost cutting won't cut it.(Editorial)
July 1, 2003... Innovation never goes out of style. But it can be nearly asphyxiated when management takes a misguided approach in responding to a stagnant economy. The arguments are legion, but most are just some variation on the theme: "We know we need to...

A giant leap for small steps.(X-Y-Z)
July 1, 2003... The motions for most assembly operations are measured in centimeters or millimeters. As such, it's not hard to find an actuator to match the application. But, when the application calls for moves measured in microns or nanometers, engineers...

Cognex awards continuing education units.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... NATICK, MA -- The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has certified Cognex Corp. as an authorized provider. As a result, Cognex's courses now award continuing education units (CEUs) to students who...

Buick turns 100.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... DETROIT -- One of General Motors' leading brands, Buick, is celebrating its centennial this year. Buick may not have the fastest or flashiest cars in the vast GM stable, but it's the heart and soul of the company. In fact, GM grew into a...

Workers assist with product development.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... NASHVILLE, TN -- Tennessee Mat Co. is conducting a "Design a Mat" contest aimed at inspiring users of antifatigue mats to participate in the product development process. "Hopefully, the answers we receive will give us further insight into...

EPSON Robots celebrates 20th anniversary.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... CARSON, CA -- This year marks EPSON Robots' 20th year of providing robots. During this period EPSON has grown from being an early pioneer in the assembly robot market to developing and introducing new technology designed to make robots easier...

Datacon sees growth from packaging equipment.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... RADFELD, AUSTRIA -- Datacon Technology AG, a developer and manufacturer of high-precision die bonders and production systems for semiconductors, increased its European revenue in the automotive electronics segment more than 100 percent in the...

Universal launches online auction system.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... BINGHAMTON, NY -- Universal Instruments recently launched an online auction site. "We want to raise awareness of the fact that Universal Instruments not only has a new machine on the market, but one aimed squarely at midrange users....

Tornado damages general motors facility.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... MOORE, OK -- A tornado tore through Moore, 15 miles south of Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 8, during the evening rush hour. The twister tipped through large sections, of a General Motors plant, injuring two workers. This facility is one...

Yoshikawa and Superior finalize Agreement.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... OSAKA, JAPAN -- Yoshikawa Iron Works and Superior Press & Automation (Coopersville, MI) have entered into a sales and distribution agreement. This will provide North American manufacturers with quicker spare parts availability, as well as local...

Komax receives award from IIPP.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND -- Komax received the Merite au Developpement des Technologies award from the Institut International de Promotion et de Prestige. Some of the factors that helped Komax win the award were its product range, market...

Nissan unveils plant in Mississippi.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... CANTON, MS -- The lean manufacturing bar has just been raised higher in the U.S. auto industry. Another Japanese automaker has opened an extremely flexible assembly plant in the South. Nissan Motor Co. (Tokyo) has invested more than $1 billion...

Robotics Team shines at first competition.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI -- Team 469 (Las Guerrillas), with students from the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, won the 2003 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship in Houston. Their alliance partners were Team 65 (the Husky Brigade) of...

Common standards will boost vision market.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... SAN JOSE, CA -- The world machine vision inspection market generated revenues totaling $1.12 billion in 2002. Market revenues could reach $2.62 billion in 2009. However, the analysis from Frost & Sullivan reveals that a lack of operating...

ASME formulates code for 3D modeling.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- 3D modeling is rapidly becoming the design tool of choice among engineers. And the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) Codes and Standards Department is releasing a new standard for modeling on computers in 3D. Called...

First quarter laser shipments are level with previous year.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... MCLEAN, VA -- First quarter 2003 shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports were down just 2 percent from 2002 levels, according to the Laser Systems Product Group of the Association for Manufacturing...

Compression molding press produces lighting fixtures.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2003... NASHUA, NH -- Greenerd Press & Machine Co. recently shipped a compression molding press for producing lighting fixtures from sheet molding compound. To meet the customer's production requirements, Greenerd designed a pre-fill hydraulic...

Benches help assembly.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2003... MPC Products Corp. (Skokie, IL) is a supplier of electromechanical actuation systems and components. Its product line covers approximately 20 different items. Lot sizes range from five to 20. The company follows a build-in-place assembly...

Machine vision solves seal inspection problems.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2003... Phasor Ltd. (Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, U.K.) specializes in applying vision technology and has completed a state-of-the-art inspection machine that checks every surface of shock absorber seals. The seals are rubber moldings, and they are checked...

Robot helps dispense DNA.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2003... Research Genetics Inc. needed a fully automated system that would increase productivity, meet extremely tight repeatability specifications and achieve high dot placement density when dispensing DNA genetic material. In addition, the company...

System reduces time and cost in product launch.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2003... BMW (Munich, Germany) chose Perceptron Inc.'s (Plymouth, MI) AutoGauge robot-based flexible measurement system to improve quality, reduce time and cut cost from its new model launch. The new system was used to diagnose and correct line and...

Design hinges on a hinge.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2003... In most industries, new regulations and standards force equipment manufacturers to confront increasingly demanding challenges. For instance, food processing equipment manufacturers must develop machines that are hot only safe for the user, but...

CD and DVD duplicators benefit from motion control.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2003... Some people believe in love at first sight. Others are more skeptical, believing that true love takes time to grow and flourish. John Klein, a design engineer with Amtren Corp.'s Optical Systems Group, falls into the first group. Once he...

Increase uptime with adaptive indexing: adaptive indexing can help manufacturers increase the uptime of high-speed, continuous motion assembly systems.(Automated Assembly)
July 1, 2003... Large, in-line continuous motion systems are often used for high-speed automated assembly. These systems can produce a large volume of products economically. However, one weakness of in-line systems is uptime. If one element of the system...

Beyond the bowl: trays are one option for feeding fragile parts in automated assembly systems.(Parts Feeding)
July 1, 2003... Vibratory bowls have long been the method of choice for feeding parts in high-speed automated assembly systems. But, they're not appropriate for every application. Screws, caps, clips and other durable parts can bounce around in vibratory bowls...

Boosting first-pass yield: laser-based inspection of solder paste deposits and component placement can dramatically improve first-pass yield.(Electronics Assembly)
July 1, 2003... In-line inspection during surface mount assembly has become increasingly necessary as components shrink, boards get smaller and more complex, and profit margins narrow. Nearly 40 percent of all printed circuit board (PCB) defects are...

Leak testing trend: smaller, more precise components require a higher degree of accuracy.(Medical Device Assembly)
July 1, 2003... Medical devices are unlike most mass-produced products, such as auto parts, razors, pens or spray pumps. Blood filters, catheters, diagnostic probes, syringes, ventilator tubes and other disposable items need to meet strict criteria set by the...

Injecting light cure adhesive: fast cure times and simple, processing improve needle joints.(Medical Device Assembly)
July 1, 2003... Disposable needles make up a large percentage of the disposable medical device market. Billions of needles are assembled annually. A wide variety of medical devices incorporate a needle or cannula, such as insulin syringes, hypodermic and...

The high-speed challenge: increased demand for faster automation can create unanticipated problems.(Medical Device Assembly)
July 1, 2003... Time to market is critical in the medical device industry. Manufacturers depend on automation to increase production rates, decrease per-unit-cost and improve quality. However, high-volume assembly presents technical challenges to engineers....

Workcells for optoelectronic assembly: as optoelectronic assembly processes mature, increasing levels of automation will be developed.(Workstation)
July 1, 2003... Prior to the downturn in the telecommunications industry, numerous barriers to automating optoelectronic device assembly existed. Such barriers include unusual form factors, visual and physical barriers within packages, lack of references for...

Automation solutions.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... POWER Engineers' Automation Group provides complete systems automation, integrating manufacturing plant floor controls with enterprise business systems. POWER is a leading provider of engineering services, including instrumentation and...

Cylinder clamps.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Pneumatic Swing Cylinder Clamps: DE-STA-CO's new pneumatic swing cylinder clamps are now supplied with sensing functionality as a standard feature. These sensors add more safety and control, making it easier to determine exactly when clamps are...

LESCO's superspot max[c].(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... is matched with LESCO's FibreFire[c] UV fiber to deliver extreme UV curing intensity for high speed industrial and medical applications. These integrated systems feature precision Touch Panel intensity control and can deliver over 30 watts of...

Edmund industrial optics.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The EO" ThermoVision' A20 cameras (powered by FLIR Systems') are ideal for applications ranging from material inspection/analysis to food processing to security. At the heart of these ruggedly designed cameras is a maintenance-free, uncooled...

Air & DC electric push to start auto shut-off screwdrivers.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... AIRPRO Straight, Pistol Grip, Right Angle Torque Range From 2 in/lbs to 52 in/lbs KILEWS DC Electric, Push Start, Auto Shut-off Torque Range from .4 in/lbs to 20 in/lbs, 500-1000 RPM Prices range from $500.00 to $700.00 All...

SAS automation.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Most comprehensive line of EOAT and gripper systems. Unlike others, our lines service all makes of robots: Get a grip! EOAT components for heavyweight applications. Grip it! EOAT for lightweight applications. Nip it! Sprue nippers. Custom...

Diamond Machine Werks Inc.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... For over forty years Diamond Machine Werks has been a leader in the design and manufacture of high-speed automation and assembly equipment. DMW is introducing our ACE-trac Vial Coding and Inspection Machine, used to print and visually inspect...

Mobile workstations.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Arlink's Modular Mobile Workstation Systems enable users to custom create in-line, mobile assembly and production workstations of unlimited length. Easily relocate entire production lines, and combine or vary the length of lines, by using...

Grant Orbital Riveter.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Fastens precisely to a specific depth and/or to a 4-psi accuracy with five adjustable preset backpressures. The pressure system automatically compensates for product stack-up height tolerance issues. Grant pneumatic orbital riveters are...

LINK conveyor.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Automated Conveying Systems Inc. is proud to announce its newest conveyor in its LINK Series. The LINK 1000's frame profile is less than 1 1/4 inches and is available with 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-inch belt widths. The conveyor can be used with a...

Code-marking machines.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Sprinter Marking manufacturers Sprinter automatic ink code-marking machines. Machines apply date codes, product codes, dots, etc. on metal, plastic, rubber, and paper surfaces. Marking possible in any orientation. Message size up to 2 square...

Bonding and soldering.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Pulse bonding and soldering machines for flex circuits--Fancort's new line of pulse heat bonders with microprocessor based controller for precise, consistent control of temperature, time and pressure. The machines are easy to program, ruggedly...

Furnishing system.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The GWS Workshop industrial furnishing system provides comprehensive workstation and storage solutions for light and heavy industries, complemented by a vast selection of accessories. Standard components can be configured in a myriad of designs...

Levi Industrial Group.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... * Full Service Steel Fabrication Shop * Precision Machine Shop * Precision Machine Bases * Standard Modular Sizes Available * Custom Built to Your Specifications * Engineering/Design Staff * Blanchard Ground, Mill...

Coming soon!(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... SPECTRUM 60 UV Spot Cure--LESCO's newest UV spot cure entry. It features medium to high UV cure intensity, precision "LESCO" stainless construction, and competitive pricing. With premium short arc lamp and Multi-cure program routines, this...

Clauss.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Clauss is your single source for assembly tools. The company offers electronics tools, fiberoptic tools, machine assembly tools and ergonomic tools for every phase of your assembly operation. No other company offers a more complete line, plus...

Automation gripper.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Robohand Introduces The Next Generation Parallel Gripper: A compact robust design with unique, unrivaled features and options. Features include synchronous and non-synchronous operation, spring assist in either open or closed position, magneto...

Composite trays/boxes.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Molded Fiber Glass Tray Co. manufactures a wide range of sizes and styles of reinforced composite trays and boxes offering static protection during assembly, faraday cage protection during storage, as well as high temperature sheet for...

Cleco 2-Channel Tightening Manager Controller.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... CooperTools introduces the new Cleco 2-Channel Tightening Manager Controller. This new controller looks just like the single channel controller but handles 2 tools. The 2 tools can be independent, hand-held tools or two tools mounted together...

New spring plungers.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Schmalz has developed a new series of short-stroke spring plungers "FSTI" with internal compensation springs for vacuum applications. The overall height and the weight of the plungers have been minimized, and nylon bearings incorporated in the...

Electric ServoPress for intelligent assembly.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Schmidt Feintechnik offers four programmable ServoPresses that offer 100% in-process monitoring with forces from 1 lb. to 11,000 lbs. Available as modular units for system integration or complete lean assembly cells. PressControl 4000 operates...

Quad workstation.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Individuals working on a product or project together need to easily communicate and share ideas, tools and work. The Quad Station from Production Basics is a smart workstation configuration for a work cell or team, keeping all the members in...

Uson.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The Qualipak 700 Series of nondestructive seal integrity and leak testing equipment provides the flexibility to be applied to a wide variety of packs sizes, shapes and designs in many different industries. Easy to use by packing machine...

SpliceRite[TM] Ultrasonic welder.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The new SpliceRite from Sonobond Ultrasonics produces consistent, solid-state metallurgical bonds for wire harness assembly. The microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic splicing system utilizes the Wedge-Reed coupling system that provides shear...

Screw feed units.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Assembly Automation screw feed units combine bulk hoppers with coated vibratory bowls for high cycle screwdriver operations. The feed and escape mechanism, valves and controls are housed in a steel enclosure with access doors. Go to...

24/Seven[TM] Gritworks![R]: the true slip-resistant mat from Tennessee Mat Company, Inc.(Products Review)
July 1, 2003... Introducing 24/Seven[TM] GritWorks![R], the next generation in slip-resistant matting from Tennessee Mat Company, Inc. The only molded rubber anti-fatigue mat with grit, it provides 40 percent more traction than OSHA recommends. The grit stays...

Needles (teflon, polypro, stainless, taper) UV & clear syringes, flux bottles.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... JGD, the dispensing division of Jensen Global, offers the most extensive line of teflon, polypropylene and stainless steel dispensing needles. Other products include air-operated syringes (clear, black and amber), manual assembled & calibrated...

3M[TM].(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... NEW 3M Scotch-Weld Structural Plastic Adhesive DP-8010 bonds cost-saving LSE (low surface energy) plastics in many applications with little or no surface preparation and with strength to replace mechanical or fusion fastening. 3M...

The Flexcell-S automated assembly cell.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... A new version of Mikron's proven Flexcell concept. Designed to be more compact, flexible and faster. Consistent with the Flexcell, the Flexcell-S is also available with standard configurations such as palletizing and depalletizing, cam or NC...

Amara.(Production Review)
July 1, 2003... Amara specializes in custom-built assembly solutions for O-rings and other types of seals: As the originators of the Expand-O-Ring and Insert-A-Seal technologies, along with our years of experience, we can custom design to your specific...

Laser Marking System.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The new Alase Technologies, Inc. Ultra-scribe 10-Watt C[O.sub.2] Laser Marking System offers a complete solution for marking on plastics, wood, packaging, glass and semiconductor components. Clearly marks barcodes, alphanumeric text,...

Simple to specify, simple to order.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Bishop-Wisecarver Corporation introduces Simple-Select[R], a new Vee slide linear guidance system that is simple to specify and simple to order. Simple-Select[R] offers four useful sizes of spacer slides complete with carriages assembled ready...

Ultrasonic sealers.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... Sonitek's newest product, ultrasonic clamshell sealers, include the auto-cycle feature, which allows the machine to cycle without pressing the palm buttons. Rotary tables with auto eject options can be added. These benchtop systems can seal 48...

AIMCO.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... AIMCO's AE Series Electra Drivers are a broad line of fastening tools for light assembly applications. The Electra line of electric drivers delivers torque from as low as 0.5 in-lbs to as high as 45 in-lbs in a variety of handle styles and...

Robot installs threaded rivets.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... This six-axis robot installs SpinTite, MaxTite and PlusTite blind threaded rivets. The robot positions a workpiece into a holding fixture using an interchangeable gripper. The robot then switches to an installation tool and puts in the...

Shelf eases parts picking.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The Quick-Tilt shelf allows operators to adjust the position of bins to optimize parts picking for efficiency and ergonomics. The forward position reduces reach, and the tilt position improves visual part presentation. The shelf holds 100...

Cordless dispensing gun.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The EZ-mix HI is a cordless, motorized gun that dispenses from standard 50-milliliter dual cartridges. Drip-Free feature significantly reduces or stops oozing from the mix-tip after releasing the trigger. It can dispense material with a...

Error-proof screwdriver.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The SD25 electric screwdriver can control fastening by torque, angle or yield. Torque output ranges from 2 in.-lb to 10 to 36 in.-lb. A green light indicates acceptable rundowns. Yellow and red lights, respectively, indicate low and high torque...

Self-learning vision camera.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The Zi-640 is a self-learning machine vision system embedded into a digital video camera. The camera has a neutral-network-based zero instruction set computer, which eliminates the need for programming to execute image understanding algorithms....

Spin welder.(Product Review)
July 1, 2003... The 2080 spin welder has a touch screen interface that lets the operator control weld time, weld distance, hold time, teach position and deviation. It welds thermoplastic parts up to 6 inches in diameter. Options include a manual or pneumatic...

Miniature soldering iron.(PCB Assembly)
July 1, 2003... About the size of an artist's paintbrush, the Antex G/3U miniature soldering iron has tips that fit over the heating element. The handle can stay cool, while the tip reaches 750 F in 45 seconds. It is 6.5 inches long and weighs under 1 ounce....

Rework system.(PCB Assembly)
July 1, 2003... The IR-X400 focused infrared surface mount and ball grid array rework system has independent component and PCB closed loop temperature control for optimum process control. A digital controller with ThermoActive V3 software lets the operator...

Insertion platform.(PCB Assembly)
July 1, 2003... The MultiSert insertion platform is available in single-head or dual-head versions, and can be configured for either standalone or in-line operation. It has a work area up to 18 by 18 inches and can handle board sizes 20 by 20 inches in...

Depanelizer saw.(PCB Assembly)
July 1, 2003... The S200 diamond blade depanelizer saw singulates assembled PCBs. The saw blade is 2.95 inches in diameter and 0.021 inch thick. The saw leaves a smooth edge finish with minimal stress to the PCB. The saw can singulate boards without score...

Grommet edging material.(Fasteners)
July 1, 2003... This grommet edging material has multiaxis flexibility and installs without adhesive on flanged openings in metal frames or housings. Made of spring-tempered stainless steel fusion-bonded with thermosetting polymer resin, the Flexi-Grommet can...

Low-profile panel fasteners.(Fasteners)
July 1, 2003... The LPH series of low-profile panel fasteners have a knurled, skirted head to grip and operate. The screw head is also slotted for tool operation. They can be pressed into removable sheet metal panels and remain permanently attached. The screw...

Screw and nut fastener.(Fasteners)
July 1, 2003... This one-piece screw and nut fastener is made of two clear, plastic parts that are molded together as one piece. During assembly, the two pieces are snapped apart, and the bi-directional nut component is ratcheted down on the mating screw...

Thread-masking coating.(Fasteners)
July 1, 2003... Nycote coating masks and protects fastener threads. The powder PFA fluorocarbon process eliminates manual masking, plugging or capping of threads, and the need for slave bolts. The coating also eliminates retapping operations that can...

Vacuum pumps.(Pneumatics & Hydraulics)
July 1, 2003... The low-pressure M Series of pneumatically driven vacuum pumps can handle low or fluctuating compressed air pressures. They provide vacuum of up to 27 inches of mercury. Each pump has broad capabilities that allow users to choose a pump without...

Rotary shaft seals.(Pneumatics & Hydraulics)
July 1, 2003... Suitable for the toughest environments, Rotaflon seals are available in two versions--a polymer seal lip with or without an embedded spring energizer or a polymer sealing surface bonded to an elastomeric seal lip. Seal specifications include a...

Multi-inlet vacuum ejector.(Pneumatics & Hydraulics)
July 1, 2003... The MI-E-S/40 multi-inlet vacuum ejector has an integrated controller and three solenoid valves that control the on and off, blow off and energy-saving functions. By monitoring the vacuum level, the vacuum can be turned on and off, providing...

Digital dispensing system.(Dispensing & Curing)
July 1, 2003... The Champion 6809 is a servo-driven automated dispenser for precision processes. Suitable for nanodispensing, it can dispense dots or beads down to 0.003 inch wide. Dispensing rate is 90,000 deposits per hour with a repeatability of 1.7 percent...

Dispensing needles.(Dispensing & Curing)
July 1, 2003... These Luer Lok disposable and reusable dispensing needles can be used with solder mask, solder paste, adhesives, solvents and grease. The tips range in size from 5 gauge to 33 gauge in standard lengths of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 inches. Needle styles...

Two-part adhesive dispenser.(Dispensing & Curing)
July 1, 2003... This motorized, handheld dispenser applies fine beads of two-part adhesives without drips. Called the EZ-mix HI, this cordless dispenser has an instant retraction button for rapid cartridge changes. It accepts most 50-milliliter dual cartridges...