Assembly articles from June 2004

Assembly archives from June 2004

Tort accompli.(Editorial)
June 1, 2004... The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA), as amended, provides for minimum standards for both wages and overtime entitlement, and spells out administrative procedures by which covered worktime must be compensated. The act exempts specified...

Grippers give robots a hand.(X-Y-Z)
June 1, 2004... It's been said that, while God may provide the ability and inspiration, it is not without men's hands that great works of art are produced. Similarly, no robot or automation system can assemble a product without pneumatic grippers. There...

Wind powers assembly line at Ford factory.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... LONDON -- This month, horsepower meets wind power at Ford's 73-year-old Dagenham engine plant. All diesel engines assembled at the plant will be produced using wind power, thanks to two huge turbines located next to the sprawling facility along...

NAM revamps Web site.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has streamlined its Web site. It now offers additional information and is more user-friendly. The site, www.nam.org, is a good source of information about manufacturing, public...

Fabrinet invests in Thailand.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... SAN FRANCISCO -- Fabrinet, an engineering and electromechanical manufacturing services company, has expanded its operations in Thailand. Currently, Fabrinet operates a 232,000-square-foot facility. However, the company has completed a new...

Robots & Vision Show to colocate with ATExpo.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MI -- In the past, the International Robots & Vision Show has been a stand-alone event that drew wide attendance from manufacturing and design engineers. However, in 2005, the Robots & Vision Show will be colocated with Assembly...

UM Engineering marks milestone.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MI -- The University of Michigan College of Engineering is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Its first course was offered in 1854. The University of Michigan was the first public institution in the United States to...

Boeing launches 7E7 jetliner.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... CHICAGO -- After months of speculation, top management at Boeing has finally given the go-ahead to produce its much-anticipated new airliner. The company recently received an order for 50 twin-engine 7E7 Dreamliners. The $6 billion sale to All...

Picture book links productivity and ergonomics.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... PORTLAND, ME -- A new picture book from South-worth Products Corp. uses cartoons to portray a serious dilemma that faces many manufacturers--either increase production or move overseas. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Entitled "Matt Handling...

Semicon West to include symposium.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... SAN JOSE, CA -- Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International will hold its 29th annual International Electronics Manufacturing Technology Symposium July 14 to 16 at the San Jose Marriott Hotel. The symposium is being held in conjunction...

GM and Ford to produce front-wheel drive transmission.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. will jointly invest $720 million in their plants to build a fuel-saving, six-speed, front-wheel drive automatic transmission. The transmission will be built separately at GM's Warren...

Chrysler plant gets complete makeover.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... AUBURN HILLS, MI -- Daimler-Chrysler's Brampton, ON, Canada, facility is marking a new phase in its existence. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The facility is producing the 2005 Dodge Magnum. The facility changed from building a front-wheel...

Industry leaders win Engelberger Award.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... PARIS -- The robotic industry's most prestigious honor, the Engelberger Robotics Awards, were presented to four industry leaders here at the 35th International Symposium on Robotics on March 24. The Engelberger Awards are presented annually...

Adhesives research opens Technical Center in Singapore.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... GLEN ROCK, PA -- Adhesives Research Inc. is continuing to expand its presence in Asia. Recently, the company opened a new technical center in Singapore. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Technical Center builds on sales operations that were...

Nylok opens production facilities overseas.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... MACOMB, MI -- Nylok Fastener Corp. has opened new facilities in China and Brazil. The company pioneered the process of permanently bonding a nylon patch or permanently embedding a nylon pellet in the threads of any fastener. The process...

Machine tool consumption continues to increase.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... MCLEAN, VA -- U.S. sales of machine tools totaled $174 million in February. According to the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), February sales were level with January sales, but up 54.6 percent compared with sales in February...

Last Oldsmobile rolls off the line.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... LANSING, MI -- Oldsmobile has been around since 1897. It was the oldest automotive brand in the United States and has featured such models as the Rocket 88 and the Cutlass 442 muscle car. But sadly, the last Oldsmobile, an Alero, recently...

Adept founders launch new automation business.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... LOS ALTOS, CA -- Two of the founders of Adept Technology Inc. (Livermore, CA) have left the company and started a new automation company, Precise Automation. Brian Carlisle, Adept's CEO, and Bruce Shimano, Ph.D., its vice president of...

U.S. exports, trade deficit set records.(Assembly Lines)
June 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The U.S. trade deficit mushroomed to a record level in March, as a growing economy sucked up foreign-made goods and the costliest oil since 1983, data showed. The trade shortfall bulged $3.9 billion from the previous month to...

Resistance welding.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
June 1, 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...

Control system retrofits make old presses better than new.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... Most older hydraulic machines, especially press equipment, use limit switches and pressure limiters to control two-position hydraulic valves. These valves are often called "bang-bang" valves because of the shock and noise that result from the...

Software helps distributor increase business without increasing staff.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... Established in 1972, G.S. Hydraulic (New Berlin, WI) is a distributor of fluid power and electrohydraulic equipment and electronic components. Primarily serving mobile equipment manufacturers, the company employs about 50 individuals. ...

Jet manufacturer soars to goal using software.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... Building fast, flawless jets requires innovative manufacturing systems. So when Dassault Aviation (St. Cloud, France) needed to improve how it distributed work instructions, it chose Fortis document management software from Westbrook...

Camera is brain and eyes of robotic vehicle.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... The U.S. Army hopes to automate one-third of its ground forces by 2015. Autonomous vehicles will carry supplies to troops or perform reconnaissance tasks like the unmanned aerial vehicles used by the Air Force. These vehicles must be able to...

Guidance system optimizes body fit on Mercedes cars.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... The AutoGuide robot guidance system from Perceptron Inc. (Plymouth, MI) is being used by DaimlerChrysler Corp. to automate critical assembly operations for a new model of Mercedes-Benz being produced in Rastatt, Germany. Fourteen AutoGuide...

Bar coding keeps visors moving.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... Crotty Corp. (Quincy, MI), is a small company that manufactures visors for the Big Three automakers. In 1996, General Motors Corp. (Detroit) asked Crotty to institute an automated identification program to improve quality and efficiency....

Dispensing systems puts company a chip above the rest.(Assembly in Action)
June 1, 2004... Oberthur Card Systems (Nanterre, France) manufactures smart bank cards. Oberthur manufactures smart cards for Visa, MasterCard, American Express and many others. Smart cards are embedded with a highly sophisticated microchip. Once the chip...

A new look at an old technology: hybrid joining processes combine the best of both worlds.(Riveting)
June 1, 2004... This month, gardens across the United States are bursting with color. Many flowers are hybrid varieties, a popular process pioneered by a French botanist in the mid-19th century. By experimenting with hybridization. Jean-Baptiste Guillot...

Beat the heat: today's low-power electronic devices can throw off a lot of heat, and engineers must find ways to dissipate it.(Electronics Assembly)
June 1, 2004... In 1946, Dick Tracy strapped on a two-way wrist radio and modernized crime fighting in the comic pages of America. Some 20 years later, in 1964, Chester Gould's fictional detective upgraded to a two-way wrist TV. Then, in 1986, Tracy began...

Household hardware: cabinet, door and window manufacturers slowly open up to automation.(Industry Watch)
June 1, 2004... It's the little things that make a house a home. And, every house is filled with many items that most people take for granted, such as cabinets, doors and windows, and the numerous handles, hinges, knobs and locks attached to them. Those...

The role for handheld dispensing: used in the right applications, handheld dispensers offer cost-effective process control during assembly.(Dispensing)
June 1, 2004... Robotic dispensing devices offer assemblers many capabilities that increase productivity, enhance quality and prevent rejects. But these capabilities come at a cost that many assembly applications don't warrant. For low-volume production, and...

Flexible feeding: machine builders have developed some innovative ways to get more use out of parts feeders.(Parts Feeding)
June 1, 2004... Flexible parts feeding is a lot like education spending. Most folks want only the best schools and the best teachers for their children. But, when it comes time to pay the piper, the enthusiasm quickly evaporates. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Stepping motor.(Products)
June 1, 2004... This size 34 high-torque stepping motor maximizes torque-to-package size, delivering up to 1,200 in-oz. of holding torque in a compact 3.38 square inch package. It can replace conventional size 42 stepper motors in downsized systems. ...

Cantilever slides.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The SXH series of cantilever slides are available with travel lengths up to 8 inches. These compact slides can handle high loads. They feature precision-machined, high-capacity TC fluoropolymer composite bearings and are available in five bore...

Miniature guideway module.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Minimodule is a compact linear guidance system with a miniature ball guideway and tooth belt drive. The rail and carriage are manufactured from corrosion-resistant stainless steel. The guideway is available with an integrated limit switch,...

Smart stepper motor.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The ServoStep is a fully integrated motion control system that features a high-torque 50-pole step motor, motion controller, drive amplifier and encoder in one integrated system. Its features include a RS-485 port, 4-kilohertz PID filter,...

Miniature linear guide.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The DP miniature linear guide has a recirculating ball track with a 45-degree contact angle, allowing it to carry high loads in all directions. The miniature guide is available in three versions: normal, high and precision accuracy. The height...

Motion controller.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The 64-bit ZMP motion controller uses a 466-megahertz processor for optimum flexibility and speed. Its increased processing power and double precision math allows the ZMP to run advanced control algorithms. It offers servo update rates up to 48...

Benchtop curing unit.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The SpotCure-B uses LEDs to produce ultraviolet light for curing adhesives. Light in the UV-A spectrum is directed through a handheld probe. The light automatically turns on when the probe is removed from its holder, and it turns off when the...

Robotic dispenser.(Products)
June 1, 2004... All axes of this dispensing robot are driven by leadscrews. The valve moves above a 12- by 15-inch work area. Multiple head designs and a pick-and-place module are available. The control system is self-contained with an LCD display and...

Composite preforms.(Products)
June 1, 2004... These composite preform materials are formulated to meet ASTMD 3850, as well as MIL 883 section 3.8.5.1 outgassing specifications. These preforms are suitable for electrical conductivity and electrical insulation applications. Preforms come in...

Mechanical dispenser.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The I & J123-D50 dispenses two-component materials from dual-syringe cartridges. Each piston is driven independently by its own stepping motor. Materials can be dispensed in microliter amounts. An integral Palm computer stores 100 programs. The...

Pneumatic crimper.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The CT pneumatic crimping machine is suitable for loose-piece crimping applications. It can deliver up to 1.95 metric tons of crimping force and can crimp up to 10 AWG wire. The spring-loaded head ensures correct terminal placement and promotes...

Wire and tubing cutters.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The WC601 series of automatic wire and tubing cutters can cut flexible tubing up to 1.125 inch OD into lengths from 0.1 inch up to 99,999,99 inches. Its self-centering belt mechanism accurately positions the material without crushing it. The...

Scissors cuts cable.(Products)
June 1, 2004... These "pliers-like" scissors fit comfortably in the hand. Called the 440, it features a cutting head that produces a clean, square edge on PVC jacketing and photoetched metal parts. It has soft rubber handles and a return spring, and is...

Laser wire stripper.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Sienna 55 laser wire stripper processes one wire at a time. It uses a rotating optical system and a sealed C[O.sub.2] laser to strip a wide range of wire sizes and insulations. It strips extruded wire insulation on single conductor, solid...

Cable stripper and crimper.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Strip-All cable stripper and crimper features a built-in crimper for UR, UY and UB connectors. It comes equipped with a wire trimmer and an A-201 adapter that allows it to strip cables sized 0.125 to 0.3125 inch. The adapter can be removed...

Miniature inductive sensor.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Q-Pak Q18 miniature inductive sensor detects metal objects without contact. It measures 18 by 18 millimeters, and has a nonembedded sensing range of 5 millimeters. Integral circuitry protects against short-circuit, overload, wire breaks and...

Automotive components.(Products)
June 1, 2004... These industry-approved, impact-resistant glass-filled nylon fittings are for automotive, agricultural, marine and heavy equipment applications with temperatures up to 270 F. Flexible polyethylene tubing is for low-temperature, duct, vacuum and...

Rotary actuator.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The SA-1 pneumatic rotary actuator features a compact, square body that can fit in tight spaces and allows mounting in any plane. The unit features bearings on both sides of the output flange to provide high loading capacity. It can rotate from...

Tapered clip.(Products)
June 1, 2004... This compact tapered clip can transform the edge or lip at the junction of pipes and joints to a gradual surface transition. It fits pipe 28 millimeters in diameter and can be added to existing units by snapping over the pipe and sliding up the...

Light uses compressed air.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Air Light attaches to any air tool. It uses the same compressed air as the tool, providing a bright light that can be easily adjusted to illuminate the workpiece. It operates independently of the air tool. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Gravity flow line carts.(Products)
June 1, 2004... These gravity flow line feed carts feature open-wire construction for high visibility and reduced dust buildup. The carts are easily assembled without tools, and the shelving can be adjusted on 1-inch vertical increments, providing for variable...

Load modules.(Products)
June 1, 2004... These load modules use standard shop air to inflate and float heavy loads. They include four or six aerocasters, interconnecting hoses, air pressure control console and air source hose. AeroGo Inc. www.aerogo.com 206-575-3344 ...

Cart tilts containers.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Low Rider cart positions tall, reuseable containers on the assembly line. The cart can tip the container to within 9 inches of the floor, so that operators can reach the last few parts without straining the waist, back, shoulders and arms....

Magnetic conveyors.(Products)
June 1, 2004... These maintenance-free magnetic conveyors are completely sealed and self-lubricating. They fit in spaces where other conveyors can't. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Prab Inc. www.prab.com 800-968-7722 Reply 123

Flat belt conveyor.(Products)
June 1, 2004... The Genesis Series F3000 flat belt conveyor can be configured to meet specific requirements. It can transport printed circuit boards by adding a high-temperature electrostatic discharge belt, or it can be configured into an ergonomic...

Aerotech announces new brochure.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Aerotech announces the Automation Solutions for Electronic Manufacturing, Test and Inspection, and Data Storage brochure that presents Aerotech's motion control and positioning system solutions for electronic assembly, pick and place, PCB laser...

Pneumatic components and systems.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Air Logic manufactures a comprehensive line of pneumatic and vacuum control equipment; products include Precision Pressure Regulators, Pressure and Vacuum Switches, Quick Disconnects, Plastic Fittings, Assortment Kits, Interface Devices and...

Brazing and soldering automation.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Find ideas for automating your brazing or soldering application with Fusion's 16-page capabilities brochure. Review rotary index and fixed station, "Braze Mate" machine types. Paste dispenser concepts and heating methods discussed, including...

Free washers, spacers and shims catalog!(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Boker's FREE, 48-page Catalog 2004 lists over 18,000 non-standard sizes with no tool charges. Outside diameters of 0.080" to 5.140", a wide range of inside diameters and thicknesses, and 2,000 material variations provide millions of...

Catalog features new inch-series aluminum profiles.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... The Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies business unit of Bosch Rexroth Corporation has added new robust, inch-based aluminum framing sizes to its already extensive aluminum structural framing system. The nine new, high-strength profiles...

Flexible chain conveyor.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... A new flexible chain conveyor system is now available from Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies. The new conveyor, VarioFlow[TM], is a significant enhancement to the existing family of conveyors because it lets...

Installation equipment.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Fastener-installation equipment, pioneered by PennEngineering Fastening Technologies, can deliver a competitive edge. No matter how demanding a job, our systems and expertise provide time-proven solutions. PEMSERTER[R] brand presses are...

SAS Automation.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Automating Packaging or Palletizing? End Effectors, EOAT (end-of-arm tooling) for all makes of robots. Modular systems reduce robot wear. Get a grip! components for heavyweight applications. GRIP IT!--for lightweight applications, nip...

Light cure adhesives for medical device assembly.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Website features light curing adhesives for manufacturing syringes, catheters, masks, reservoirs, optical devices and electronic assemblies. All adhesives are USP Class VI and ISO 10993 certified. Link to technical papers and download product...

Rexroth's modular tightening and press-fit systems.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Need tightening and press-fit technology flexible enough to accommodate change and accurate enough to meet exacting quality standards? Find out about Rexroth's open solutions--from stationary spindle-type tightening and press-fit systems for...

Error proof light assembly.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Discover the error-proof qualities of the SD25 Screwdriver for electronics, interior and light assembly! Brochure describes how the tool delivers ISO 5393 Class "A" precision with documented evidence and easy programming! Learn why operators...

How do I assemble it faster, better, for less?(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... September 28-30, 2004 Rosemont (Chicago), IL www.atexpo.com Assembly Technology Expo, North America's largest event where manufacturing professionals go to source new products and learn about technology for the entire assembly process. The...

Ultra[TM] 2400 Dispensing Workstation.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... EFD's all-new Ultra[TM] 2400 Dispensing Workstation applies accurate, consistent amounts of adhesives and other fluids used in benchtop assembly processes--from uniform dots as small as 0.004 inches in diameter to neat, controlled beads....

Assembly tool Guides at your fingertips.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... All Web inquiries receive a response within 24 hours! View our library of Quick Start Guides to understand torque, joint types and learn about the variety of fastening tools available from AIMCO. The "Guides" will help you select the right...

Fasteners catalog #34.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... This new catalog from the leading manufacturer of nylon industrial fasteners covers an extensive product line that includes thousands of fastener items. This newest publication features 11 new product lines with 123 new items added. Free...

O-Ring/Seal assembly.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... AMARA provides complete automation for INTERNAL & EXTERNAL assembly of O-Rings and Seals of all types and sizes. Semi-automatic, automatic and stations for integration. Contact AMARA, the leader in SEAL ASSEMBLY AUTOMATION. [ILLUSTRATION...

Radial rivet-forming.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... AGME introduces the new pneumatic radial riveting machine, model RR-18. This size riveter is available either as a stand-alone-or tabletop riveting machine, a riveting head for integration, or as a component used in our CNC-riveting machines....

DE-STA-CO raises the bar ... again.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... Launch of New Generation Toggle Clamps! DE-STA-CO Industries' new 2002, 2007, 2010 series toggle clamps offer more than twice the holding capacity in the same envelope size as previous generation models. Additional benefits include...

Expansion to 2nd Generation EC-Electric Screwdriver Spindles.(Literature/Website Review)
June 1, 2004... DEPRAG has again expanded the 2nd Generation of EC-Screwdriver Spindles, by adding a driver with an extreme high torque capability. The EC-Spindles are similar to the DEPRAG stationary pneumatic spindles in sizes (smallest major [phi] 30-mm /...

Beware the poison apple.(Uncommon Sense)
June 1, 2004... Since the re-engineering days of the 1980s every process or facility improvement project has chased the elusive low-hanging fruit. Groups with colorful names like quick-hit teams, early wins committees and rapid action teams were mobilized, and...