Assembly articles from May 2008

Assembly archives from May 2008

At a crossroad?(Editorial)
May 1, 2008... At press time, American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (Detroit) remains locked in a month--plus long strike with the United Auto Workers union over proposed pay cuts. How swiftly things change; it wasn't all that long ago that American...

Thinking the unthinkable.(Fastening THREADS)
May 1, 2008... I was recently asked to serve as an expert witness in a lawsuit where catastrophic failure in a bolted joint led to a severe debilitating injury. The discovery phase of a legal proceeding, where information is requested and people are deposed...

Robots can help with test, inspection applications.(QUALITY in ASSEMBLY)
May 1, 2008... In the panoply of robotics applications, test and inspection are often overlooked. However, robots can bring the same flexibility, efficiency, accuracy and tirelessness to those applications as they can to more traditional tasks, such as...

Boeing acquires stake in supplier.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... CHICAGO -- Boeing Co. is acquiring Vought Aircraft Industries' 50 percent stake in Global Aeronautica LLC (North Charleston, SC), the company that processes fuselage sections for Boeing's troubled 787 Dreamliner airplane. Recent reports have...

Of profitability and ice cream.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Can a robot really do that? In today's global economy, small- and medium-sized manufacturers are continually looking for new ways to improve efficiency, quality and the bottom line. This June 10-12, manufacturers will be able...

Manufacturers group launches buying consortium.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... SCHAUMBURG, IL -- The American Hardware Manufacturers Association (AHMA) has created what it calls Advantage GPO, a buying consortium intended to increase the profitability of its members by lowering the cost of raw materials. "The focus...

Machine vision use holding steady.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Despite a tough economy, a new machine-vision market study finds that machine vision and automated imaging continue to be a growth industry in North America. According to the study, conducted by the Automated Imaging...

Correction.(Assembly Lines)(Correction notice)
May 1, 2008... The photo caption on page 64 in the March 2008 issue misidentified the source. It should have said: Photo courtesy Apex Automation Inc.

Henkel continues growing business.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... DUESSELDORF, Germany -- Adhesives manufacturer Henkel Corp. has acquired the adhesives and electronic materials businesses of National Starch (Bridgewater, NJ) for about $5.8 billion. In 2007, the two business segments generated sales of...

Ford investing $10 million in Vietnam.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... HANOI, Vietnam -- Ford Motor Co. will invest $10 million to expand production at the company's plant in Haiduong, Vietnam, increasing annual production capacity approximately 35 percent. The Haiduong facility currently assembles the Ford...

Alcoa fasteners going into Chinese jets.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... NEW YORK -- Aluminum components manufacturer Alcoa Inc. says a number of its products are being used to manufacture China's first commercial airplane, the ARJ21-700 regional jet. The China Aviation Industry Corp. (Shanghai, China) completed...

La-Z-Boy closing Utah plant.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... MONROE, MI -- Recliner manufacturer La-Z-Boy Inc. is closing its production facility in Tremonton, UT, at the same time it consolidates its domestic cutting and sewing operations in a plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The company's Utah facility...

Peterbilt producing hybrid vehicles.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... LOUISVILLE, KY -- Peterbilt Motors Co. is ramping up production of its Model 330 and Model 335 medium-duty hybrid vehicles at the company's manufacturing facility in Ste. Therese, Quebec. Both vehicles use a parallel hybrid system with an...

NAM pushing for more H-1 B visas.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is encouraging lawmakers to increase the number of H-1B visas for skilled workers from its current limit of 65,000. "We are grateful to those members of Congress who have...

Opportunity Village saves time and money for manufacturers nationwide.(Assembly Lines)(Company overview)
May 1, 2008... LAS VEGAS -- It wasn't all that long ago that people with intellectual disabilities were institutionalized and isolated from their families and communities. Education, vocational training, employment and integration into society simply weren't...

Toyota establishing U.S. research Center.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... ANN ARBOR, MI -- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. plans to spend $100 million over the next four years to establish a new research institute at its existing Toyota Technical Center at the University of Michigan in Ann...

Toyota to manufacture tow tractors in Indiana.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... IRVINE, CA -- Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing Inc. (TIEM) will soon be assembling diesel tow tractors at its plant in Columbus, IN. "Demand for Toyota's tow tractors has grown steadily in the North American market in recent...

Illinois Tool Works acquires Vitronics Soltec.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... GLENVIEW, IL -- Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) has acquired VS Acquisition Holding Inc., the parent company of Vitronics Soltec Corp. (Stratham, NH). Vitronics Soltec provides equipment, software and related services used in the soldering of...

Atlas Copco opens facility in China.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Industrial equipment manufacturer Atlas Copco has opened a new plant in Shanghai, China, to manufacture piston compressors and oil-injected screw compressors in its Bolaite line. The plant includes a customer service center...

Insights from our readers: don't forget the cables!(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... Frank Maslar, technical specialist with Ford Powertrain's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Group (Livonia, MI), writes: "I read the article titled 'Equipping Robots With Readers,' by Jarid Feldner, in a recent ASSEMBLY E-newsletter, and I...

Chrysler LLC selling Tritec Motors to Fiat.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... AUBURN HILLS, MI -- Chrysler LLC is selling Tritec Motors Ltd. (Campo Largo, Brazil), which it established in 1996 in partnership with BMW Group (Munich, Germany), to Fiat Powertrain Technologies, a division of Fiat Group (Turin, Italy). ...

Report: robot sales on the rise worldwide.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... SAN JOSE, CA -- Annual sales of industrial robots will top 149,000 units annually by 2012, according to a study by the market research firm Global Industry Analysts Inc. Currently, Japan dominates the worldwide market, accounting for...

GEnx-1B receives FAA certification.(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... EVENDALE, OH -- General Electric's GEnx-1B engine, which is being developed to power the new Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has received airworthiness certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The extensive two-year ground- and...

Insights from our readers: Solar is viable!(Assembly Lines)
May 1, 2008... "I was quite interested in your Editorial in the February issue of ASSEMBLY," writes Kim L. Ground, industrial automation specialist at Falcon Laboratories (Tampa, FL). "While your conclusion is one that I heartily endorse, I have to take...

Welder produces fast, effective bonds.(Assembly in Action)
May 1, 2008... Lake Cable LLC (Bensenville, IL) manufactures wire and cable assemblies for the power generation, energy distribution, building automation and fire systems industries. Its low-voltage products are used in a variety of audio, video and...

Robots perform packaging on the line.(Assembly in Action)
May 1, 2008... As assemblers continue to integrate packaging into their production lines, many engineers are turning to other industries for insights into ways to increase flexibility and efficiency. For example, systems integrator Skinetta German...

Dispensers provide high repeatability.(Assembly in Action)
May 1, 2008... American Stove Parts (Temecula, CA) manufactures components for gas cook stoves, including filters, tube assemblies, injection molded components, valves, fittings, door gaskets and burner knobs. Recently, the company implemented an LDS9000...

Automation improves efficiency, ergonomics.(Assembly in Action)
May 1, 2008... A little over 300 years ago--in 1689 to be precise--King Charles XI of Sweden decreed that a weapons factory be built in the town of Huskvarna. A few decades later, some of the artisans working there switched from crafting firearms to making a...

Motion control critical to machine's success.(Assembly in Action)
May 1, 2008... Lambert Engineering Ltd. (North Yorkshire, England) builds automated production equipment for a wide range of customers, including those in the automotive industry. Recently, the company landed a contract with automotive supplier TI Automotive...

Frame-based robotic tooling: widely used for parts handling and packaging, grippers employing an extruded aluminum framework are cost-effective and flexible.(Robotics)
May 1, 2008... Amid all the talk of robots and controllers, it can be easy to forget about end-of-arm tooling (EOAT). Nonetheless, while it's true the cost of a gripper will pale in comparison to the robot wielding it, an effective gripper is crucial to the...

Appliances pose unique challenges: when leak testing appliances, manufacturers face increasingly complex requirements.(Leak Testing)
May 1, 2008... Leaks are never a good thing, especially in a home. Unfortunately, large appliances have numerous opportunities to leak every day. Air conditioners, barbecue grills, dishwashers, faucets, furnaces, garbage disposers, ovens, refrigerators,...

Specifying machine vision components: matching components to requirements goes a long way toward ensuring that your machine vision system is successful.(Machine Vision)
May 1, 2008... Vision systems excel at robot guidance, inspection and bar code reading, among other tasks. Motion control system integrators, machine builders and in-house automation system builders are increasingly using machine vision in a wide variety of...

Terminating wires efficiently: minimizing changeover times is crucial to leveraging the full potential of today's automated wire termination machines.(Wire Processing)
May 1, 2008... In the past, it was typical to see production batch sizes for automatic termination machines of between 1,000 and 5,000 pieces, or more. Most companies would simply make a large batch of parts and then inventory them until they were needed. ...

The missing link in inspection technology: new technology bridges the gap between simple sensors and full-blown vision systems.(Machine Vision)
May 1, 2008... Years ago, manufacturers relied on PLCs to handle many quality-related tasks. Today, assemblers depend on sensors and vision systems to ensure their products are in spec. The next step forward in quality management may well be the merger of...

Sensor line adds three new models.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The Series 10 miniature photoelectric sensor line includes three models for use in industrial equipment applications with limited space. Designed to detect the presence of an object, the expanded sensor family now includes a model with...

Low-cost O-ring installation.(Products)
May 1, 2008... This system provides economical O-ring or seal installation onto components and assemblies in low-volume applications. O-rings are manually loaded into a magazine and then automatically positioned onto a two-stage installation mandrel. An...

Modular components line expands.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The Gemotec line of modular components is expanding to accommodate an even wider range of assembly applications. The Gemotec line includes pneumatically and electrically operated linear units, gripper modules and rotary actuators. Intuitive...

Dispenser conforms with RoHS.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The JB1113-LF dispenser conforms to RoHS requirements and can be employed in either timed-pulse-shot or continuous modes. A regulator controls air pressure at the syringe or valve, while a vacuum snuff-back feature helps prevent dripping or...

Sensors are fast, tough.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Checker 200 inspection sensors offer built-in lighting, variable working distances and high-speed inspection rates of more than 6,000 parts per minute. All Checker 200 series inspection sensors have a rugged IP67 housing and quick-disconnect...

Monitor force, position for less.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The affordably priced EMAC-LF electro-mechanical assembly controller can be used for single-axis press-to-position and press-to-force operations requiring force vs. position monitoring. By monitoring the relationship of force to position during...

Robot is fast, compact.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The YP-X Series is comprised of six models, available in both 2-axis and 4-axis configurations. Pick-and-place cycle times of 0.45 second enable higher productivity, while the robots' unique servo system facilitates easier programming. A...

Press provides large strokes.(Products)
May 1, 2008... This large-stroke press features a two-post frame with a 10-inch bed height. It is equipped with a bed shuttle and two spring-loaded roller tracks. Currently, one of the presses is being used to assemble electric motors. The system has a 25-ton...

Threadlocker packaging provides better control.(Products)
May 1, 2008... New medium-strength 2033 Gel Threadlocker is packaged in a bottle that provides both pinpoint and wide coverage. The ergonomic 35-millimeter bottles feature two dispense heads--pinpoint and flat-top--that ensure application accuracy and...

Tool positioning system improves fastening.(Products)
May 1, 2008... This articulating tool positioning system monitors assembly tool location and sets specific control parameters for each fastener. A sequence of X-Y-Z fastener positions can be programmed to ensure assembly to specification. A socket tray option...

Ergonomic chairs are tough.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The "Tough" line of seats and stools can be paired with any standard storage cabinet, technical bench or workstation to maximize on-the-job comfort, productivity and efficiency. The seats are available in an array of designs with or without...

Conveyors are reliable, adaptable.(Products)
May 1, 2008... DCM series conveyors offer customizable options and guaranteed reliability. They are available in light-, medium- and heavy-duty configuration. Each component is equipped with pivotal motor mounts for continuous operation and fast belt changes....

System ensures quality welds.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The Weld Tip System (WTS) is a new tool for use in robotic spot welding that inspects spot welding electrodes to ensure face diameters and general appearance meet acceptance criteria. Ensuring weld tip quality is one of the critical factors in...

Limiters preserve joint integrity.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Series CL500 and CL550 roll formed, insert-moldable compression limiters can be used to preserve a threaded joint's integrity when fastening plastic-to-plastic assemblies or plastic-to-metal assemblies. As a bolt is tightened to achieve the...

Cyliners offer options, savings.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The EFP Extruded Flat MultiPosition cylinder is a double-acting, single rod end cylinder that provides three positions in one cylinder package, thereby simplifying machine changeovers. The EFQ Extruded Flat Multi-Force cylinder is a...

Meter, mix, dispense accurately.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The PR70 is a new meter, mix and dispense system built to handle medium- to low-viscosity materials. It is well suited to potting, gasketing, sealing, encapsulation and syringe filling. The system is designed for applications requiring shot...

Sensor works with black, shiny objects.
May 1, 2008... The DS30 distance measurement sensor line is a proximity style sensor with a single PNP or NPN output capable of detecting virtually any target within its 2-meter range. The DS30 combines push-button setup with excellent detection performance,...

Nutrunners provide precision torque.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The QA8 series of pneumatic nutrunners offers a torque range of 20 to 225 newton-mters and is ideal for critical fastening applications that require precise torque control. Like the QA4 and QA6 series, QA8 series nutrunners can be used on hard...

Sensor fits in C-slots.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The BMF 273 sensor is specifically configured for use with C-slot-equipped pneumatic cylinders. Today, sensor installation from above into a standard C-slot is often a requirement for fast, simple installation. The BMF 273 can be used to...

Tip provides precision.(Products)
May 1, 2008... New 27-gauge tapered dispensing tips make it possible to apply extremely small, precise amounts of silicones, epoxies and lubricants. Intended for use with air-powered dispensing equipment, the tips produce accurate, consistent dots and lines...

Inserts provide strong, reusable attachments.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Threaded inserts provide strong, reusable metal threads in plastics, allowing for subsequent access to assemblies when required. Fabricated from brass, stainless steel or aluminum, the inserts serve as practical alternatives to permanent...

ESD straps include alarms.(Products)
May 1, 2008... New ESD wrist strap controls static electricity during assembly of electronic equipment and components. When the operator is not correctly grounded, a blinking LED indicator and audible alarm go on. The LED alarm will also notify the technician...

PLC simplifies programming.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The IndraControl L10 PLC features scalable hardware, pre-developed machine functions, reusable code and unified programming software to reduce engineering time for machine builders who work with complex machines. The system is well suited to...

Encoder well suited to harsh conditions.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The compact Acuro XR absolute encode incorporates three design elements that make it well suited to harsh environments, including magnetic, as opposed to optical functionality; oversized bearings for handling high axial and radial shaft loads;...

Gels speed production.(Products)
May 1, 2008... RTV 800 Series UV/Dual cure and RTV 800 Series UV gels can be used as conformal coatings, or for potting and encapsulating delicate electronic components, printed circuit boards, lighting designs and various other current-carrying electrical...

Drive units fit the bill.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Hydra-pneumatic drive units can be easily adapted to a wide range of manufacturing applications. Ease of space utilization, in particular, makes them an attractive alternative to conventional hydraulics. Because the work cylinder is separate,...

System features top-end welding technologies.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The Power Wave i400 and AutoDrive 4R robotic welding package cobines top-end performance technologies and welding processes in an efficient inverter power source and compact, durable wire feeder designed for high-end welding. It can be...

Torque driver easy on operators.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Torq2 HCP Series pistol grip drivers are available with easily adjustable torque ranges and an ergonomic design that provides operator comfort and gripping power. The sculpted thermoplastic elastomer housing has been designed to deliver...

Retrofit wireless control.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The Swiftcomm wireless interface for encoders provides a robust wireless signal in real time over a secure network for motion control applications. Fast boot-up and transmission times allow the system to seamlessly interface with existing...

Barriers provide affordable safety.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Low-cost, PSEN op2S/4S single-beam light barriers are available in either infrared or laser configurations, the latter for applications where extremely rapid response or a long sensing range is required. The light barriers are suitable for use...

Sensors are rugged.(Products)
May 1, 2008... PX Series photoelectric sensors carry an IP-69K environmental rating, allowing them to be subjected to high-pressure washdown applications, even at temperatures up to 176 F. The sensors' stainless steel casing prevents damage due to vibration...

Toggle clamps adapt to user needs.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Toggle clamps can be used in a wide range of workholding applications, including those in the welding, assembly, fabricating and molding industries. The standard clamp line includes horizontal and vertical hold-down, pull-action,...

PCB racks are easy to adjust.(Products)
May 1, 2008... New line of PCB magazine racks uses a simple gear track to move the adjustable card guide from one setup to another in seconds. The racks are available in various sizes to handle boards up to 18 by 21 inches. They are ESD safe and standard...

Pumps are compact, powerful.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The HiPace line of compact turbopumps offers pumping speeds ranging from 10 to 700 liters per second. The pumps feature a new rotor design that reduces run-up times and provides high gas throughput and exceptional compression for light gases....

Torque wrench calibration system.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The SDI 90229 allows operators to verify and calibrate click-type or electronic-display torque wrenches to insure they are providing accurate torque settings. The system consists of a set of interchangeable torque sensors supplied with...

Dispense two-part materials.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The DXBG dispenser is a benchtop unit that enables fast, simple and accurate dispensing of two-component reactive resins. Materials are gravity-fed from refillable 2-gallon containers and then forced by metering rods directly into a disposable...

Stage offers precision.(Products)
May 1, 2008... The model HT 16-LM vertical positioning stage offers 16 millimeters of travel with a resolution of 33 nanometers and an accuracy of 2 microns for use in wafer positioning. In operation, a compact piezo linear motor is used to drive a 3:1 ratio...

Connectors prevent mistakes.(Products)
May 1, 2008... Blank-tongue HYLUG compression terminals ensure easy, mistake-free installation and inspection, with each connector clearly marked with the wire size and type, die index, color coding, and the proper number and location of the crimps. The...

Measure for success.(Leading Lean)
May 1, 2008... One of the most common questions I get is how to measure lean progress. You can, for example, easily measure how many people you've trained or how many events you've done. But while these might be worth tracking, they are useless as...