Assembly articles from March 2009

Assembly archives from March 2009

Think opportunity.(Editorial)
March 1, 2009... Even though the economy today looks more like the green of gangrene than the green of profit, a brief look at history reveals that a recession--even a depression--is by no means a bad time to launch companies and products. Consider these...

Rotary dial system solders switches: because of the number of variants to be assembled on the machine, a high degree of flexibility was required.(Automation Profiles)
March 1, 2009... Rotary indexing dials have been a mainstay of automation systems for decades. They are simple, inexpensive, precise, reliable and durable. What's more, they can assemble a lot of product in a relatively small footprint and with a minimal number...

Software streamlines crimping processes.(NEW & NOTEWORTHY)
March 1, 2009... EASY ProductionServer software offers an alternative to manual order allocation for wire processing companies employing multiple automated crimping machines. From a central PC, production orders can be sent via network to one or more crimpers....

Compression limiters ensure robust joints.(NEW & NOTEWORTHY)
March 1, 2009... Series CL500 and CL550 roll-formed, insert-moldable compression limiters can be used in place of expensive machined limiters to preserve a threaded joint's integrity when fastening plastic-to-plastic or plastic-to-metal assemblies. Without a...

Gripper, rotary module handle small parts.(NEW & NOTEWORTHY)
March 1, 2009... The new, miniaturized RP gripper is fully modular and can be used in conjunction with the Gemotec line to handle smaller components. The system includes an RM rotary unit and a pneumatic parallel gripper. The gripper has been modified with a...

Workstations feature upgrades.(NEW & NOTEWORTHY)
March 1, 2009... This updated technical electronic workstation line is ergonomically designed and offers unlimited flexibility to accommodate an assembler's particular needs. Flexible standard components and accessory options, both above and below the work...

Precision-link conveyor offers lots of room for assembly.(STATION to STATION)
March 1, 2009... Rotary indexing dials are ideal for automated assembly of small products with a few parts. However, if the product has more than eight components, a rotary indexing dial can become unwieldy. There's simply not enough real estate around the dial...

Step up to the bar: the goal of analyzing torque and angle data is to identify variation before faulty joints can be assembled.(QUALITY in ASSEMBLY)
March 1, 2009... Last month, we talked about how to assess your fastening process by calculating the mean, variance and standard deviation ([sigma]) from torque and angle data collected by power tools. Now, well look at more ways to examine that data. The...

Boeing: troubled 787 back on track.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... EVERETT, WA--After months of parts shortages, a major work stoppage in late 2008, and a host of production and supply-chain problems, Boeing Co. says its cutting-edge 787 Dreamliner program is back on track. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In...

North American robot orders fall 21 percent.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Robot sales to North American manufacturers fell 21 percent in units and 16 percent in dollars in 2008, according to a recent report by the Robotic Industries Association (RIA). According to the RIA, the decline accelerated...

IPS begins delivering thin-film batteries.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... LITTLETON, CO -- Infinite Power Solutions Inc. (IPS), which manufactures solid-state, rechargeable thin-film batteries, has begun shipping its Thinergy micro-energy cells to a number of trial customers, including Lockheed Martin Corp....

Volvo selling buses in Canada, U.S.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... GOTEBORG, Sweden -- As part of an ongoing campaign to expand its market share globally, Volvo Buses has begun marketing its products in North America, specifically its 9700-model vehicle. The company has long had an indirect market presence...

ASCE: America's infrastructure needs $2.2 trillion in repairs.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... RESTON, VA -- After decades of under-funding and inattention, The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says the United States needs to spend about $2.2 trillion over the next four years if it is to maintain even an "adequate" system of...

NAM backs Obama Economic Recovery Board.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... WASHINGTON -- The leaders of 16 U.S. manufacturers, including National Association of Manufacturers members Caterpillar Inc. (Peoria, IL) and General Electric Co. (Fairfield, CT), have agreed to be part of a new Economic Recovery Advisory...

Maverick Technologies opens Thai offices.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... COLUMBIA, IL -- The engineering and systems integration company Maverick Technologies has begun operations in Bangkok, Thailand, under the name Maverick Technologies Ltd. Strategically located near the Map Ta Phut industrial complex, the...

Xian Aircraft to begin testing A320 wings.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... TOULOUSE, France -- Airbus and Xian Aircraft Industry Co. (XAC--Tianjin, China) have signed a cooperation agreement whereby XAC will both manufacture and test the wings and wingbox assemblies used on any A320 commercial jets assembled in China....

Siemens investing another $190 million in China.(Assembly Lines)
March 1, 2009... MUNICH, Germany -- After announcing in 2006 that it would invest $1.3 billion in China by 2010, Siemens AG is bumping up that figure by another $190 million to tap into the country's demand for new energy infrastructure. "China is our...

Robots, machine vision cut defect rates.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2009... The Meister Group (Sprimont, Belgian) manufactures components for the automotive industry, including steering systems, injectors, valves and safety systems. At its plant in Haute-Savoie, France, the company produces electric valve parts for use...

Pallet-based conveyor facilitates flexibility.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2009... In 2003, HJS Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH (Menden, Germany) developed a new clean-exhaust diesel particulate filter that is now being manufactured commercially using a mixed-mode production line based on the TS 2plus pallet-based conveyor system from...

Coiled spring pins improve trigger assembly.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2009... Founded in 1917, Norica Laurona (Eibar, Spain) manufactures shot-guns, and compressed-air pistols and rifles. Recently, the company found it was having problems manufacturing the trigger assemblies for one of its air rifles because of the pins...

Three-robot cell welds crane outriggers: robotics notebook.(Assembly in Action)
March 1, 2009... Like many heavy equipment manufacturers, Manitowoc Cranes (Manitowoc, WI) is having a difficult time finding enough skilled welders to meet its production needs. It is also continually looking for ways to improve the quality and consistency of...

How flexible is your factory? Flexibility is more important than ever.(Planbook)
March 1, 2009... If you practice yoga, flexibility is extremely important. Bending and stretching helps people accomplish difficult poses such as downward-facing dog or the standing half-moon. Flexible thinking is equally important in today's complex...

Islands of automation: stand-alone automated workstations can improve quality and free up operators.(Planbook)
March 1, 2009... A fully integrated automated assembly line is a wonder to behold, but it's not for everybody. Full automation is expensive and can be limiting in terms of the variety of products it can handle. Below a certain production threshold, full...

Home, away--and back again: one American manufacturer keeps ahead of offshore competition through lean manufacturing, ingenuity and expertise.(Planbook)
March 1, 2009... After years of manufacturing contracts moving overseas, the tide is turning. It's not sweeping the manufacturing community all at once, but bit by bit, contract by contract, U.S. companies are realizing that American ingenuity and quality are...

How to improve your line in '09: tough times call for new ways to operate.(Planbook)(Company overview)
March 1, 2009... According to most forecasts, 2009 is shaping up to be one of the most difficult years that manufacturers have faced in the last seven decades. To survive and thrive in this challenging economy, engineers must renew their efforts to reduce...

The realities of green manufacturing: environmental initiatives are very much within the reach of even small manufacturers.(Planbook)
March 1, 2009... The subject of environmentally sustainable "green" manufacturing is so broad it can be overwhelming. On the one hand, there's the scale of the problem. On the other there's the scale of many of the solutions. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Make marks on round parts.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The fully programmable Handy Andy dot-peen marking system can now mark on the outside diameter of round parts, thanks to a third-axis upgrade featuring a 3.14-inch Rohm chuck. The system automatically applies serial numbering, date codes, job...

Ion gun is easy on users.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The G7-E static-elimination gun includes a trigger that is positioned for easy activation and an LED light that improves visibility in tight areas. The built-in transformer and slim power cable make it both maneuverable and easy to use in a...

Dispense with precision.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The GP80 adhesive dispensing system ensures accurate mix ratios, ease of use, low maintenance and flexibility in processing acrylic, epoxy, urethane and silicone adhesives. It offers adjustable ratios, liquid reservoirs around seals, and a...

Create labels fast.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The MARKINGenius high-speed desktop thermal printer can be used to create industrial labels for wires, terminal blocks, cables, tubing and various other panel-building components. In addition to printing in 4,000 different colors, the system...

System dispenses epoxies, silicones.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The A300 automatically dispenses epoxies, silicones, polyurethanes and thermally conductive materials with abrasive fillers. Continuous material agitation and circulation ensures that fillers remain in suspension. A vacuum system protects...

AGV is compact, manoeuvrable.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The SImon automated guided cart is smaller, more compact and less expensive than standard automated guided vehicles, but capable of performing similar transport tasks with a smaller footprint. Battery powered and optically guided, the cart can...

Handheld instrument detects material types.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The Niton XL3t handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometer has a geometrically optimized large-area drift detector, which it faster, more sensitive and better able to detect light elements, such as magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus and...

Rework system works with three handpieces.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The MFR-1100 single-output soldering and rework system offers the choice of three different handpieces: a cartridge-based hand-piece for fine-access soldering, surface-mount rework and pad cleanup; a less-expensive, tip-based handpiece is for...

Six-axis robot carries 7-kilo payload.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The VS series of six-axis robots can handle a maximum payload of 7 kilograms. Models are available with a maximum reach of 650 to 850 millimeters and an accuracy of [+ or -]0.02 to [+ or -]0.03 millimeter. The robot can complete a standard move...

Conductive epoxy endures 400 F.(Products)
March 1, 2009... Duralco 125 silver-filled epoxy forms a flexible, electrically conductive bond for continuous use at 400 F. This stress-free epoxy adheres to glass, ceramics, plastics, steel, aluminum and lead. It bonds flex circuits, semiconductors,...

Cart reduces handling costs.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The ProFlow material-handling cart can be used to move boxes and pallets manually, or one or more carts can be towed behind a motorized tugger. Available with four or six wheels, the cart has a maximum capacity of 2,000 pounds and maximum deck...

Conveyor is easily reconfigured.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The QWIK Conveyor 5200 is now available with a Z-frame that enables engineers to transport products up or down without transferring them to another conveyor. The conveyor can be reconfigured quickly and easily with a few basic tools, and its...

Device reduces wear on headstocks.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The Motomount is a compliant tool-mounting system for headstock and tailstock positioners. The device simplifies changeover and minimizes installation expense by eliminating the need for machine bases and surveying tools for precisely aligning...

Screwfeeder accepts 11 sizes.(Products)
March 1, 2009... This screwfeeder has an adjustable rail system to accommodate 11 screw sizes ranging from 1 to 5 millimeters or #000 to #10. Vibration at the feed point is minimal for fumble-free pickup. The system feeds most screws less than 19 millimeters...

Threaded inserts resist corrosion.(Products)
March 1, 2009... Atlas SpinTite stainless steel, half-hex, shank-threaded inserts resist corrosion. When installed in hexagonal holes, they also resist rotation and provide a secure attachment point in those applications in which only one side of a panel is...

Compact robot paints small parts.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The Paint Mate 200iA is a compact, six-axis robot for painting small parts. It can be mounted in a variety of positions, including floor, tabletop, angle and inverted. It meets all relevant standards for operating in a hazardous environment. It...

Photoelectric prox switch endures wash-downs.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The 5050 series of photoelectric proximity switches is available in three models. The diffuse model has a sensing range of 800 millimeters. The retroreflective model has a range of 4 meters, and the through-beam version has a range of 50...

Ultrasonic welder for battery applications.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The Sonoweld 1600 is a digital ultrasonic metal welder specifically configured for spot-welding applications. It can weld wires to terminals or other wires. It can also join multiple sheets or delicate foils to tabs or terminals for lithium-ion...

Instrument measures torque, angle.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The TSTM-DC motorized torque test stand measures the torque needed to turn caps, lids, closures, fasteners and other rotating parts. With a capacity of 100 in-lb., the unit can be programmed to stop at or cycle between angle and torque limits....

Screwdriver with interchangeable bits.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The BitFlip is a 0.25-inch magnetic screw-driver with eight interchangeable bits stored in the handle. The grip is cushioned, and the shaft is hardened tool steel. One set contains slotted, Phillips and square bits. Another set contains...

Self-filleting die-attach paste.(Products)
March 1, 2009... Ablestik self-filleting die-attach paste is a less expensive alternative to expensive die-attach film. Excessive placement force is not required, which prevents damage to the die. Three formulations are available. AAA3300 is a nonconductive...

Product attaches rods to latches.(Products)
March 1, 2009... This assembly method eliminates the need for screws and tools when attaching round rods to a latch in multipoint locking applications. A round rod slides easily into the polyamide adapter and remains in place without the need to attach it with...

Custom structures.(Products)
March 1, 2009... Flexpipe reusable components can be combined to create custom workstations, carts, racks and other structures. Components include resin-coated steel tubes, steel connectors, conveyor rails, wheels and various accessories that can be easily...

Linear actuators with specialized components.(Products)
March 1, 2009... The CAR series of ballscrew-driven linear actuators can be equipped with a wide range of specialized components to create custom motion-control systems. Left- and right-hand models come in three standard sizes with a maximum load capacity of...

Win as a team.(Leading Lean)
March 1, 2009... March Madness is close upon us. The number of teams and the intensity of the tournament itself are fantastic reminders of what a team really is. There are always pretournament favorites who lose early and a few Cinderella stories where a...