Assembly articles from March 2008

Assembly archives from March 2008

Enough engineers?(Editorial)
March 1, 2008... Several months ago we asked whether there are too few engineers for American manufacturing, or whether there are too many. It's a controversial subject and we're gratified that several readers took the time to offer their own views on the...

Buffers maximize uptime in automated assembly.(STATION to STATION)
March 1, 2008... Contrary to the claims of promotional literature, no automated assembly system can be 100 percent efficient. Part feeders jam. Grippers release parts. Dispense valves clog. Screws miss their mark. Indeed, depending on the production rate, the...

Machine vision helps carmakers ensure quality: vision systems can inspect small assemblies, such as fuel injectors, and large ones, such as doors.(QUALITY in ASSEMBLY)
March 1, 2008... Whether it's for gauging, error-proofing or surface inspection, no other manufacturing group has used machine vision longer, better or more creatively than the automotive industry. Automotive OEMs and their suppliers use machine vision to...

Boeing, India's Tata joining forces.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... CHICAGO -- The Boeing Co. and Tata Industries Ltd. (Mumbai, India) are forming a joint-venture company that is expected to someday perform as much as $500 million in defense-related aerospace work in India for export to Boeing and its...

50 years of 'sticking' together.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... BETHESDA, MD -- The Adhesive and Sealant Council Inc. (ASC) will be taking advantage of the upcoming World Adhesive Conference and Expo in Miami to mark the council's 50-year anniversary and the tremendous strides that have been made in...

Denver orders 55 more rail vehicles from Siemens.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... DENVER -- Denver's Regional Transportation District is ordering 55 type-SD 160 light rail vehicles (LRVs), valued at about $184 million, from the Mobility division of Siemens AG (Munich, Germany)--the largest light rail vehicle order the...

Beckwood Press expands St. Louis office.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... ST. LOUIS -- Hydraulic press manufacturer Beckwood Press Co. has added 560 square feet of office space to its headquarters to accommodate the company's growing workforce. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Beckwood continues to enjoy steady...

ASI DataMyte merging with ddw Computersysteme.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... MINNEAPOLIS -- Global assurance equipment manufacturer ASI DataMyte Inc. and computer-aided- quality company ddw Computersysteme GmbH (ddw--Lubeck, Germany) are joining forces under the ASI DataMyte name. Central to the ddw product line is...

APS, Cartridge Application Technologies to collaborate.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... PEABODY, MA -- Adhesive Packaging Specialties Inc. (APS) and Cartridge Application Technologies (CAT--Mentor, OH), a newly formed division of adhesives specialist V.O. Baker Co., have agreed to collaborate over a 3-year period on the...

DE-STA-CO acquires motion control company.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... AUBURN HILLS, MI -- Robotic tooling, work-holding and flexible industrial automation equipment manufacturer DE-STA-CO has acquired motion control manufacturer Industrial Motion Control LLC (IMC--Wheeling, IL). With annual revenues of...

Peugeot building new assembly plant in Russia.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... PARIS -- Automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen has signed an accord with Russia's Kaluga Regional Government, which opens the way to build a new assembly plant in the city of Kaluga, about 100 miles southwest of Moscow. The new $440 million...

Ford investing $200 million in South Africa.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Ford Motor Co. plans to invest more than $200 million in its South African facilities to enable production of the company's next-generation compact pickup truck and the Puma diesel engine. The investment will...

Dell opens second European plant in Poland.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... LODZ, Poland -- Computer maker Dell has opened a plant in central Poland to met growing demand for its products in the region. "Dell's success as a business has been based on combining excellence in manufacturing with a deep understanding...

Adept Technology reaches milestone.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... LIVERMORE, CA -- Robot-maker Adept Technology Inc. recently marked a major milestone, shipping its 25,000 robot, an Adept Quattro robot that went to integrator and automated systems manufacturer Clear Automation Inc. (Southington, CT). ...

Welding handbook now available.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... MIAMI -- The American Welding Society (AWS) has published an updated ninth edition of the third volume of its industry standard Welding Handbook. The handbook is now available in both print and electronic formats. This latest version of...

Whirlpool reorganizing production.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... BENTON HARBOR, MI -- Whirlpool Corp. is closing its facilities in LaVergne, TN, and Reynosa, Mexico, as part of any ongoing effort to streamline the company's manufacturing operations. Production of the refrigerators currently manufactured...

Kenworth to produce LNG trucks.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... KIRKLAND, WA -- Kenworth Truck Co. is teaming up with Westport Innovations Inc. (Vancouver, British Columbia) to produce a line of environmentally friendly, liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks, beginning in 2009. Specifically, the two companies...

IMTS 2008 promoting 'Green' Technologies.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... MCLEAN, VA -- This year's International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), set for Sept. 8-13, is placing a greater emphasis than ever on environmentally friendly manufacturing. Among other efforts, this year's exhibitor...

Adept acquires Cerebellum Automation.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... LIVERMORE, CA -- Robotics manufacturer Adept Technology Inc. has acquired the motion control company Cerebellum Automation SAS (Chavanod, France) for $1.2 million. Founded in 2004, Cerebellum Automation specializes in OEM robotics and...

Ford investing $500 million in India operations.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... CHENNAI, India -- Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, MI) will spend $500 million to expand its existing assembly facility in Chennai, India, and construct a new engine manufacturing plant in the country by 2010. The new investments are part of an...

Vision Show returns to Boston.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... ANN ARBOR, MI -- The Vision Show, North America's largest machine vision trade show and conference, will return to the Hynes Convention Center in Boston June 10-12. Organized by the Automated Imaging Association (AIA), this year's event...

Welding guide highlights growing demand.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2008... MIAMI -- With nearly half of the North American welder workforce due to retire soon, the American Welding Society (AWS) is saying the United States faces a potential shortage of more than 200,000 skilled welders by 2010. "Our quality of...

Portable marker facilitates traceability.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2008... Northstar Aerospace Inc. (Bedford Park, IL) manufactures gears, transmissions, accessory gearbox assembles, rotorcraft drive systems and other machined and fabricated parts for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The company also performs...

Unovis employs flexible conveyor.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2008... Unovis Solutions (Binghamton, NY) builds assembly machines for a variety of electronics manufacturers serving the automotive, medical and semiconductor industries. The company's Polaris line of assembly machines employs flexible assembly cells,...

ERP helps machine builder manage demand.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2008... Belvac Production Machinery Inc. (Lynchburg, VA) manufactures high-speed trimming, necking, base re-profiling and reforming, shaping, bottom rim coating and flanging machines for beverage can makers around the world. The machines it...

Actuators ensure precision.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2008... MacGregor Welding Systems (Milden-hall, UK) manufactures a wide range of micro-resistance and pulsed micro-arc equipment, which is used in the medical, aerospace and automotive industries to perform high reliability joining and interconnection...

Product design for greater profits: smart manufacturers use innovation to develop hot products.(ASSEMBLY Planbook)
March 1, 2008... Innovation is one of the hottest buzzwords in the business world today. Many companies love to throw the word around and talk about how they are "innovative." Even the U.S. Department of Commerce (Washington, DC) has gotten in on the...

Benchmark your assembly process: to get the most out of a benchmarking visit, you'll have to do more than just knock on your competition's door.(ASSEMBLY Planbook)
March 1, 2008... Benchmarking is a method of comparing your product or process with someone else's. This can be your competition, a noncompeting company or a different organization in your own company. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Benchmarking can be used to...

Man vs. machine: humans continue to play a key role on the plant floor.(ASSEMBLY Planbook)
March 1, 2008... Ever since machines first began to alter the manufacturing landscape in the mid-19th century, humans have had a love-hate relationship with the devices. On one hand, steam engines, electric motors, conveyors, automated looms and machine tools...

Assembly Plant of the Year 2008.
March 1, 2008... Call for Nominations! The 5th annual ASSEMBLY MAGAZINE Assembly Plant of the Year Award... Superior assembly plants deserve special recognition. The Assembly Plant of the Year Award is presented annually by ASSEMBLY magazine to...

A 'plant with a view': manufacturing execution systems allow assemblers to "see" exactly what's happening on the plant floor.(ASSEMBLY Planbook)
March 1, 2008... In the fifth act of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the title character complains of life being a tale "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Well, that may be true for treacherous Scottish generals and their ambitious wives. But it...

Use your best assets to reduce turnover: manufacturers can reduce turnover through better hiring practices.(ASSEMBLY Planbook)
March 1, 2008... You're losing line efficiencies. Lost-time accidents are at an all time high. Product is rejected daily for questionable quality. When everything is running perfectly, your operation can only maintain current production levels. Achieving...

Lean automation is not an impossible dream: Kaizen, poka yoke and other tools can be applied to production equipment.(ASSEMBLY Planbook)
March 1, 2008... Semi- and fully automated assembly systems come in many formats, ranging from rotary indexing systems to high-speed continuous motion systems to six-axis robots. But, no matter the shape, size or speed, engineers can use lean manufacturing...

Device handles motion, logic, robots.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The IndraMotion MLC controls conveyors, actuators and robots in automation systems. With more than 100 ready-to-use kinematics for delta, SCARA and Cartesian robots, the controller has a full six-axis path planner and the ability to run...

No-drip, lead-free solder paste.(Products)
March 1, 2008... This no-clean, lead-free solder paste (tin-silver-copper 305) is formulated for drip-free dispensing in mechanical soldering applications. It is good for gap filling and application on vertical surfaces. It was created to solder a good joint...

Motors for adjustable-speed applications.(Products)
March 1, 2008... BMC brushless adjustable-speed controls and servomotors are suitable for various industrial applications, including conveyors, mixers, door openers, material handling and packaging machinery. Benefits include low maintenance, quiet operation,...

Screw prevents cam-out.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The cruciform recess of the Totsupura screw is compatible with conventional Phillips screws, but transmits torque more efficiently, allowing more stable tightening with less force. The driving area of the screw is approximately double that of a...

Standards calibrate leak testers.(Products)
March 1, 2008... Calibrated leak standards are produced under strict A2LA accredited calibration standards and are supplied with NIST-traceable documentation for calibration to ISO/IEC 17025 compliance. These standards are available for most gases, ranging from...

Press has presence-sensing initiation.(Products)
March 1, 2008... This hydraulic press is equipped with presence-sensing device initiation for increased productivity and safety. The control system involves the use of electro-optical guarding to activate the press cycle, as opposed to the traditional...

Selective soldering for big boards.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The KISS-104 selective soldering system has an internal preheating module for soldering large, high mass assemblies. The module pre-heats the top side of the assembly, while process heat is applied only to the bottom side of the assembly....

Robot meets ROHS requirements.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The I&J4000-LF benchtop dispensing robot is manufactured according to ROHS requirements. Programming is carried out with a teach pendant. Resolution is 20 microns and interpolation is in all axes. The robot accepts a tool weight of 5 kilograms....

Camera monitors high-speed motion.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The InLine camera captures the high-speed motion of production and packaging equipment. Using advanced software and triggering techniques, the camera captures line stoppages and automatically downloads the images, via gigabit Ethernet, to a...

Self-clinching nuts have locking feature.(Products)
March 1, 2008... Tri-Dent self-clinching steel locknuts have a unique feature to meet demanding locking performance requirements and promote reliability of locking threads for thin-metal component assemblies. The locking feature can accommodate locking torque...

Press controls linear, rotary motion.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Rotational Electromechanical Assembly Press gives engineers complete, independent, programmable control of both linear and rotary motion. The press is available with capacities of 1 kilonewton at 5 newton-meters, 5 kilonewtons at 20...

Laser marks medical devices.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The SpeedMarker is a compact, galvanometer-based fiber laser for high-speed marking of implants and other medical devices. It can engrave 1,000 characters per second. It can operate as a stand-alone device or be integrated into automated...

Carrier protects cables on robots.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Triflex R multiaxis cable carrier protects cables and hoses on six-axis robots. The carrier can twist up to 380 degrees per yard. Its smooth, tubular design permits the carrier to glide around the exterior of the robot without catching. It...

Silicone cures in two ways.(Products)
March 1, 2008... RTV 800 is a dual-cure silicone material for use in potting, encapsulating and gasketing applications. The material cures in less than 3 seconds when exposed to ultraviolet light and ambient moisture. The material is available as a gel or...

Drives, handlers are hygienic.(Products)
March 1, 2008... Medi-Redi indexing drives, conveyors and parts handlers are made from high-grade stainless steel for use in pristine environments. Steel shafts and mounting surfaces are coated with electroless nickel plating. Viton seals protect against...

Tools are insulated.(Products)
March 1, 2008... Wrenches, L-keys, knives, cable cutters, sockets and ratchet wrenches are insulated against 10,000 VAC and 1,500 VDC. They are safety-tested according to EN/IEC 60900, ASTM F1505 and NFPA-70E standards. The insulation material resists...

Stainless steel hand tools.(Products)
March 1, 2008... Kraftform stainless steel screwdrivers, L keys and bits are used to install stainless steel screws. If such fasteners are installed with standard steel tools, traces of carbon steel can contaminate the screw head and later bloom into corrosion....

Multiaxis machine controller.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The MP2300 combines the capabilities of a motion controller and a PLC. The digital network, which runs at 10 megabytes per second, is equipped to handle up to 20 nodes, 16 of which can be populated with network servo amplifiers. Up to three...

Meter, mix and dispense.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Liquid Control PR70 is a meter, mix and dispense system for medium-to low-viscosity materials. The device accommodates mix ratios ranging from 1-to-1 to 12-to-1 with an accuracy of [+ or -]1 percent. The device can dispense a shot as large...

Rotary encoder collars sense speed.(Products)
March 1, 2008... Standardized line of rotary encoder collars can be mounted on virtually any shaft to provide speed-sensing capability from their outer diameter or face. The collars feature corner-mounted steel targets that allow speed sensing using a variable...

Id system labels cable and wire.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Heatex identification solution is a complete on-demand system for labeling wires, cables, tubes and other equipment. The system, which includes printers and label software, produces sharp, durable labels that improve the overall quality of...

Rugged flat panel monitors resist vibration.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The SeaBrite family of flat panel monitors is resistant to shock and vibration. The monitors are available in a wide range of screen sizes from 8.4 through 23.1 inches. Viewability is enhanced through an anti-reflective protective glass and...

Tool boots can withstand abuse.(Products)
March 1, 2008... More than 25 models of tool boots are available for use with Impactools, ratchets and drills. They fit snugly around casings to protect tools from damage and keep external casings clean. The bright red tool boots provide a tough, elastic...

Orbital riveters offer cost-effective assembly.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Ecoline family of riveters features outstanding performance in a cost-effective package. The riveters are available in five different sizes and can form rivet shanks ranging from 5 to 18 millimeters in diameter. The riveters are ideal for...

Automatic wire crimpers provide versatility.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Gamma 333 PC-B has three workstations to process double crimps with up to three different terminals, seals and sleeves. The system also performs tinning and inkjet marking, and features a belt drive for maximum transport force and gentle...

Electric screwdriver prevents errors.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The Multi Torque current-controlled electric screwdriver enables engineers to program eight torque values, ranging from 4 to 132 in-lb. Engineers can set ramp time, rundown speed, slow stop, auto reverse and the hardness of the joint. The...

Miniature industrial shock absorber is compact.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The MC 5M industrial shock absorber is 1.18 inch long. It offers three effective weight ranges from 0.22 to 11.1 pounds, with an energy per cycle rating of 6 in-lbs. The fully threaded steel body is ideal for mounting in confined spaces....

Modular part positioner is ideal for arc welding.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The MH1600-500TR positioner combines two standard headstock modules to provide highly flexible, AC servo-controlled part positioning with two rotational axes of motion. Positioner motion can be coordinated with robot motion to keep weld joints...

Photoelectric sensor provides improved conveyor control.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The M18 photoelectric sensor features an integral right-angle prism to improve the reliability of conveyor control. It can be flush mounted onto a conveyor side looking across the belt or rollers. This results in a slim-profile setup and secure...

Stage is precise, robust.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The MT 130-50-DC precision micro-manipulator stage is manufactured from high-strength anodized aluminum and offers travel of 50 millimeters with positioning accuracy of 10 micrometers, and straightness-flatness runnout and repeatability of [+...

Robot is faster, stronger, more compact.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The FlexPicker IRB340 delta robot combines a 20 percent higher payload of 3 kilograms with increased speed and a smaller footprint. Even at max payload, the system can perform as many as 110 picks per minutes. The system features a fourth axis...

Marker is fast, compact.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The PRO-PEN P5000 benchtop marking machine can be used to mark a range of materials up to a hardness of a 62 HRC and features an integrated control unit, which operates without a computer interface. The system uses micro-percussion technology...

Jet is precise, flexible.(Products)
March 1, 2008... The new PicoDot jet non-contact dispensing system allows manufacturers to deposit controlled amounts of fluid on hard-to-access areas, uneven surfaces, or in applications where a conventional dispensing needle cannot be used at speeds of up to...

Leadership or management?(Leading Lean)
March 1, 2008... You can always start an argument by asking whether leadership or management is more important to a lean transformation. The fact is that both are necessary and neither alone is sufficient. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The most common reason...