Assembly articles from July 2004

Assembly archives from July 2004

Pass the buck.(Editorial)
July 1, 2004... It wasn't exactly an amazing revelation when an economist at the Bank of Nova Scotia, after examining wages around the world, reported that auto parts makers producing high labor content products will have an increasingly difficult time...

Ball bearings keep assembly rolling.(X-Y-Z)
July 1, 2004... During World War II, ball bearing factories were important bombing targets. Military leaders knew that, without bearings, the machinery of war would literally grind to a halt. Today, ball bearings are no less important for keeping production...

Bill would toughen penalties for counterfeiters.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- Companies that manufacture counterfeit goods will face stiff penalties under legislation introduced to Congress in May. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Introduced by Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-MI, the bill would require law...

U.S. manufacturing expands.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... TEMPE, AZ -- U.S. manufacturing activity expanded for the 12th consecutive month, while the overall economy grew for the 31st consecutive month. The Institute of Supply Management's PMI index, which measures manufacturing activity, rose to...

OSHA review rules clear House.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved four bills that would help employers dispute citations imposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). One bill codifies that the Occupational Safety and...

Toyota to bolster U.S. design center.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Toyota Motor Corp. plans to double its engineering staff in the United States. By increasing engineering jobs here, the automaker hopes to better design vehicles for American tastes. Toyota is expected to increase the...

Tohnichi publishes Torque Handbook.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... NORTHBROOK, IL -- Tohnichi Manufacturing Co. Ltd. has published a new edition of its free Torque Handbook. The 385-page reference book and catalog contains information and technical data on power tools, torque wrenches, torque testers and...

Autosplice opens Regional Office in Michigan.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... SAN DIEGO -- Autosplice Inc. has opened a new Automotive Regional Office in Novi, MI. This office will provide design services for customers in the automotive industry. Engineers at the office are already working with key customers on a...

Maytag to cut workforce, lowers forecast.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... DES MOINES, IA -- Maytag Corp. is cutting its salaried workforce by 20 percent, or 1,100 jobs, as part of a restructuring. The company also lowered its earnings expectations for the year. The layoffs will come mostly at Hoover's factory in...

AIM hosts RFID boot camps.(Assembly Lines)
July 1, 2004... WARRENDALE, PA -- AIM Inc. is hosting a series of 1-day "boot camps" on the technology of radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product codes (EPC). The seminars are intended for resellers, integrators and end-users of RFID...

Marking and labeling.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 1, 2004... Do you need equipment to mark or apply identification codes? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Coupling eliminates heat and vibration.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2004... The Tri-Turn 383 from Tri-Turn Technologies Inc. (Cleveland) is a true CNC multi-spindle screw machine. It has three main spindles with two-axis contouring available for each spindle position, as well as an option for three true...

Cylinders ensure bottles are filled swiftly.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2004... Liquid propane gas in bottles is used all over the world. When empty, the bottles are refilled. Siraga (Buzan Vais, France) designs and assembles filling installations for companies that fill bottles with liquid butane and propane. These...

Miniature motors bring realism to doll.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2004... Baby Bright Eyes is manufactured by Playmates Toys Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA) and was previewed this year at the centennial American International Toy Fair in New York. The company sought to bring realism to its doll by enabling the doll's eyes to...

Marking system aids Test Lab.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2004... In the complex world of providing semiconductor services, Viko Test Lab (Santa Clara, CA) prides itself in its ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of its customers. Whether the customer requires electrical testing, wafer sorting,...

Preforms help transmissions run.(Assembly in Action)
July 1, 2004... General Motors Corp. (Detroit) is producing a new six-speed transmission for automobiles. When the company needed a supplier for steel gear preforms, the company looked no further than The Timken Co. (Canton, OH). Timken supplies 100...

Workstations and lean: workstations play a critical role in helping manufacturers eliminate waste in their assembly lines.(Workstations)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2004... Lean manufacturing is known by a number of names: agile manufacturing, cellular manufacturing, and just-in-time manufacturing. However, all these variants were born of the Toyota Production System. Regardless of what your company calls it, all...

Technology opens up new frontiers: more tools are available to push the leak testing envelope.(Leak Testing)
July 1, 2004... Manufacturing engineers use leak testing equipment to verify the integrity of products ranging from tiny medical devices to huge aerospace fuel tanks. However, as the need to increase production rates and reduce costs has increased, the degree...

Feedback controls the force: designing an assembly process to accommodate variations in the parts helps optimize product quality.(Presses)
July 1, 2004... In a perfect world, we would not worry about manufacturing variables. Parts would never be too big or too small, too hard or too soft, too long or too short, or too thick or too thin. Our assemblies would work exactly as required. Alas, we...

No time to rest: Assembly East panel urges manufacturers to continue investing in productivity.(Events)
July 1, 2004... For U.S. manufacturers to compete with China and other low-cost labor centers, they must continue to increase productivity. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That was the consensus of an expert panel convened at Assembly East, which was held May...

Lead-free BGA assembly: flip-chip ball-grid arrays can be successfully assembled with lead-free solder using standard surface-mount equipment.(Electronics Assembly)
July 1, 2004... Editor's note: This article was adapted from a paper that was originally presented at APEX, which was held Feb. 24-26, 2004, in Anaheim, CA. Though development work on lead-free components is increasing, research on lead-free components...

Product review.
July 1, 2004... This special section is your opportunity to quickly review assembly equipment, tools, components and services that you can use to make your product assembly operations more productive and profitable. Check out the features and performance data,...

Two-component adhesive cartridge.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Universal two-component adhesive cartridge fits in a standard caulk gun and is available in 1-to-1 and 2-to-1 ratios. It maintains an accurate volumetric ratio and eliminates bulging or expansion of the cartridge. The 1-to-1 ratio cartridge...

Small inductive sensor.(Products)
July 1, 2004... This inductive sensor and connector combination is only 3 millimeters in length, and is available in both shielded and unshielded versions. Sensing distance is 3 millimeters for the unshielded version, and 1 millimeter for the shielded version....

X-ray inspection system.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The [mu]CT-FOX 2D/3D X-ray inspection system has direct digital detector (DDD) imaging. The 16-bit imaging subsystem provides high-contrast digital images in both 2D and 3D modes. The unit features an X-ray detector with three image-acquisition...

Epoxy packaging for small applications.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Packaging for reactive adhesives, sealants or resins allows users to dispense a minimal amount of material at one time. Dual syringes provide on-demand mixing and dispensing of two-component materials. Syringes are supplied frozen and, once...

Coaxial cable stripper.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Portable Model 824 cable stripper weighs only 2 pounds. It can strip materials from 0.03 inch to 0.43 inch OD. With a metal cutter head for longevity, it can strip up to four levels in less than 5 seconds. With its one-step action, the 824 is...

Servo system for Assembly.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Kollmorgen S200 servo drive and Kollmorgen AKM servomotor serve applications in semiconductor fabrication, electronic assembly, packaging, medical devices, and woodworking. SMART feedback device simplifies setup and reduces installation costs,...

Universal bar code reader.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The CR2 is small and lightweight. It reads both linear and high-density 2D bar codes. The unit also has a dual path optical system, CMOS sensor and processor in a lightweight, compact and durable housing. The CR2 is available as a cabled, batch...

Plug-and-play servo press.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Model No. 405/4000 servo press provides 180 pounds of peak force and 115 pounds of continuous duty force, up to 5.9 inches of ram stroke and maximum ram speed of 11.8 inches per second. It is fully configured and plug-and-play ready. The...

Fully automatic batch printer.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The SP500 batch printer automatically aligns the printed circuit boards with the stencils using an integrated vision system. All printing parameters are stored in an internal database, allowing storage of additional information. The loading and...

Push buttons, switches and pilot lights.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Line of 22- and 30-millimeter, metallic push buttons, selector switches and LED pilot lights is intended for heavy-duty applications. They are compact and easy to mount. The double-break contacts are self-wiping, with a mechanical life of over...

X-ray inspection system.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The XD7600 allows for oblique angle views of up to 70 degrees at any position 360 degrees around any point of the 18- by 16-inch inspection area. It inspects all interconnections on ball grid array and chip scale packages. The filament-free...

Linear actuator.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The RCP2 Robo Cylinder electric actuator performs up to 64-point positioning and enables complex movements. Speeds can be changed during slider and rod movement. Positioning repeatability is [+ or -]0.02 millimeter. The 73-millimeter-wide...

Compact printer.(Products)
July 1, 2004... All-in-one APU-F247 thermal printer needs only to be plugged in and connected to the device. It measures 99.3 by 92.5 by 173 millimeters, weighs approximately 1 kilogram and provides fast, high-resolution printing of eight dots per millimeter,...

Modular encoder.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The new modular hollow-shaft encoder offers easy installation. Called the RS 422, it features a single LED emitter and receiver for high reliability, as well as a sturdy glass code disk mounted on an aluminum hub. The low-profile unit is only...

Fast-curing epoxy.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Two-component EP24 epoxy cures at temperatures from 20[degrees]F to room temperature; raising the temperature accelerates curing. It is easy to use and has a convenient noncritical mix ratio of 1-to-1 by weight or volume. It quickly develops a...

Modular servo press.(Products)
July 1, 2004... This modular servo press system consists of an EPM servo mechanical actuator, EDC-Compact servo press controller and TOX-Ware servo press software suite. The system ships with all necessary cables and includes ready-to-use function blocks. The...

Workcell service displays.(Products)
July 1, 2004... These flexible workcell service displays provide critical information at a glance. Functions could include supervisor call, maintenance call or materials required. All controls are designed and built to individual specifications. ...

Angular gripper.(Products)
July 1, 2004... This angular gripper, called the Series SWG, is designed for small parts applications where space is at a premium. The gripper is available in six different sizes ranging from 8 to 25 millimeters. It has a grip force from 0.06 to 2.8 newtons...

Preprogrammed servo systems.(Products)
July 1, 2004... PosiDrive preprogrammed servo systems allow plug-and-play application. A multiaxis option allows up to eight drives to be controlled by one interface. PosiDrive systems feature a preprogrammed touch-screen interface that allows machine setup,...

Encoder cable.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The MR121 ZapFREE encoder cable solves interference and ground loop problems between the controller and sensor in industrial and harsh environments. ZapFREE has embedded fiber optics that function like an M23-type electrical encoder cable. The...

Dual riveter.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Designed for relining truck brakes, the Model 2850 dual brake machine reduces cycle time to less than 0.5 second and compensates for part thickness and rivet-length variations. It is claimed to increase production rates by more than 30 percent...

Reusable containers.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Ropak 4A48 reusable and collapsible containers feature four flat label areas on each sidewall for coding and routing. Also included standard with each container are two removable label surfaces. The container features a 45- by 48-inch footprint...

Card edge connectors.(Products)
July 1, 2004... The AMP PACE card edge connectors are based on 0.1- by 0.2-inch centerlines and accept 0.054- to 0.07-inch daughter cards. Eye-of-the-needle contacts accommodate simple, solder-free press fit into a printed circuit board. These card edge...

Suction cups and suspensions.(Products)
July 1, 2004... These oval vacuum suction cups and nonrotating suspensions stay aligned for the placement of long loads or lifting surfaces. The OC series feature more surface area than round cups and are suitable for a wide range of automation systems and...

Code-reading software.(Products)
July 1, 2004... IDMax is Data Matrix code-reading software for direct part marking identification. The software can be used in the automotive, aerospace, medical device and electronics industries. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cognex Corp. ...

Metering system.(Products)
July 1, 2004... PrecisionFlo LT is an electronically controlled fluid metering system that meters and dispenses ambient temperature and hot melt sealants and adhesives in automotive and industrial applications. The Easy-Key user interface offers an easy-to-use...

Inverter duty gearmotors.(Products)
July 1, 2004... These inverter duty gearmotors are designed for use with adjustable speed controls. They are rated at 3/8 hp running on 230 VAC, 60 hertz, three-phase power. They are available in a broad range of ratios in both right-angle and parallel-shaft...

Machinery alignment kit.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Microgage 2000 is ideal for checking stage and slide travel to measure straightness and run out. The kit consists of a laser transmitter, a receiver and digital display. The laser and display operate on batteries. A computer interface allows...

Long-range laser sensor.(Products)
July 1, 2004... This twin-detector laser sensor makes long-range measurements and has a long standoff distance. It tracks object displacements or running profiles at speeds up to 200 kilohertz. Thickness variations can be resolved when averaged at 100 hertz,...

Custom plastic trays.(Products)
July 1, 2004... Vacuum-formed custom trays are can include such features as cavities in any size and shape for holding parts, locating holes for robotic arms, engravings and matching covers. The trays can protect fragile or valuable components, assemblies or...

So you want a consultant? Your business enterprise is most likely to benefit from the services of a consultant if the strengths of the practice match your needs.(Uncommon Sense)
July 1, 2004... A qualified consultant can provide significant benefits to an enterprise. Those whose counsel reflects knowledge, experience and wisdom typically provide significant and lasting value to their clients in excess of the fees paid. One can...

Invention or Innovation?(Editorial)
July 15, 2004... Innovation never goes out of style, and many believe that new technology and innovation will return U.S. manufacturing to its glory days following WWII. There is, to be sure, ample precedent for this belief. When low-cost foreign manufacturers...

A turn for the better: assemblers are optimistic, but concerned over the growing threat of global competition.(State of the Profession 2004)
July 15, 2004... After many months of uncertainty, the U.S. economy appears to have turned a critical corner. Positive signs are everywhere. Inventories are down, backlog orders are up and exports are rising. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Worker productivity...

Organizations.(2004 Buyers Guide)
July 15, 2004... AIM Inc. 125 Warrendale-Bayne Rd. Warrendale, PA 15806 724-934-4470 Fax: 724-934-4495 www.aimglobal.org AIM Inc., a nonprofit trade association consisting of more than 175 member companies, serves the automatic data...

Trade shows & conferences.(2004 Buyers Guide)(Calendar)
July 15, 2004... July 2004 The 19th National Conference on Artificial Intelligence July 25-29, 2004 San Jose Convention Center San Jose, CA American Association for Artificial Intelligence 445 Burgess Dr. Menlo Park, CA...

Glossary of assembly terminology.(2004 Buyers Guide)
July 15, 2004... Automated Assembly Additive assembly: A process in which a series of discrete parts are added to one another in a specific sequence. Any failure to add a component directly affects subsequent operations and may even prevent them. ...

Product index.(2004 Buyers Guide)
July 15, 2004... A Abrasive Blasters 44 Acoustical Inspection Machines 44 Actuators, Linear 44 Actuators, Rotary ...

Product listings.(2004 Buyers Guide)
July 15, 2004... ABRASIVE BLASTERS Comco Inc. Crystal Mark Inc. Vaniman Manufacturing Co. ACOUSTICAL INSPECTION MACHINES Laser Technology Inc. Ono Sokki Technology Inc. Panametrics-NDT ACTUATORS, LINEAR AdvanTech...

Dispensing equipment.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for dispensing equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Editor's note: This list is not comprehensive. For more suppliers, please visit our...

Adhesives.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for an adhesive? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Avery Dennison--Fax: 440-358-3295 Bondloc USA--Fax: 813-849-0181 Bostik Findley Inc.--Fax:...

Multistation automated assembly systems.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Planning an automated assembly project? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Aladdin Engineering & Manufacturing--Fax: 262-544-0116 Automation Tooling...

Conveyors.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for conveyors? Complete this form, fax it to your potential suppliers, and ask them to quote! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information ASG, Div. of Jergens Inc.--Fax: 216-481-4519 Automated Conveying Systems...

Modular structural framing components.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for modular structural framing components? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Alcan Singen GmbH--Fax: 480-391-7549 Automation Guarding...

Parts feeders.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for vibratory or centrifugal bowl feeders? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Accu-Tech Automation--Fax: 317-352-1500 Action Feed Systems--Fax:...

Component insertion and placement machines.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for component insertion and placement machines? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Adept Technology--Fax: 925-960-0452 Advanced Techniques US...

Assembly presses.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for assembly presses and related equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information AGME Ltd.--Fax: 972-221-8163 Air-Hydraulics Inc.--Fax: 517-787-7585...

Power tools.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for power tools and related equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Aero-Motive Co.--Fax: 800-333-6119 AIMCO--Fax: 503-255-2615 ...

Reflow ovens.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for a reflow oven? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Advanced Techniques U.S. Inc.--Fax: 215-364-1952 Applied Thermal Solutions--Fax: 508-798-2155...

Radial and orbital forming equipment.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for radial and orbital forming equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information AGME--Fax: 972-221-8163 BalTec--Fax: 724-873-5757 Grant Assembly...

Robotics.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for robots and end effectors? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Editor's note: This list is not comprehensive. For more suppliers, please visit...

Automatic screwdriving equipment.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for automatic screwdriving equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information AIMCO--Fax: 503-255-2615 ASG--Fax: 216-481-4519 Assembly and...

Machine vision systems.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for a machine vision system? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Adept Technology Inc.--Fax: 925-960-0452 Advanced Control Technologies--Fax:...

Resistance welding.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for resistance welding equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Acro Automation Systems Inc.--Fax: 414-352-1609 Automation International...

Ultrasonic welding equipment.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for ultrasonic welding equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Editor's note: This list is not comprehensive. For more suppliers, please...

Wire processing equipment.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for wire processing equipment? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Editor's note: This list is not comprehensive. For more suppliers, please visit...

Workstations and ergonomic accessories.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
July 15, 2004... Looking for workstations and ergonomic accessories? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information Aero-Motive Co.--Fax: 800-333-6119 AIMCO--Fax: 503-255-2615 All...

Suppliers.(2004 Buyers Guide)
July 15, 2004... 3M Co. Industrial Adhesives & Tape Div. 3M Center, Bldg. 220-5E-06 St. Paul, MN 55144 800-362-3550 Fax: 651-778-4244 adhesives_bonding@mmm.com www.3m.com/adhesives See ad in this issue A ABB Inc....