Assembly articles from November 2002

Assembly archives from November 2002

Destroyed from within. (Editorial).
November 1, 2002... "The mighty oak tree" often succumbs to decay from within. Assailed by insects or injury, a tree that looks indestructible gradually deteriorates inside until a modest wind pushes it over. I've lost several grand old oaks this way but it's...

Walking beams: The 'other' indexing system. (X-Y-Z).
November 1, 2002... When engineers think about synchronous automated assembly systems, they most often picture rotary indexing dials or carousels. But, there is another synchronous automation platform that should not be overlooked: the walking beam. A walking...

Robot training is part of technology program. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... DAYTON, OH--Beginning with this year's fall semester, Motoman robotic training courses are now a part of the electronic engineering technology (EET) associate's degree program at RETS Tech Center in Centerville, OH. Students who...

CASIT promotes use of surgical robots. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... LOS ANGELES--The operating room of the future may be quite different from the present, and it may all begin at the Center for Advanced Surgical and Interventional Technology (CASIT). CASIT is a unique academic and business partnership...

NAM helps companies find new opportunities. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... WASHINGTON--The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has partnered with the Department of Commerce's BuyUSA.com program to help companies identify and pursue new sales opportunities in overseas markets. "Smart manufacturers are...

Laser shipments show strength. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... MCLEAN, VA--Shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports in the second quarter of 2002 were up 47 percent compared to the first quarter of 2002. However, numbers were down 10 percent from the second...

Emhart to recognize innovation in product design. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... NEW HAVEN, CT--Emhart Teknologies has started a nationwide engineering design competition to identify and recognize outstanding innovation and applications in product design. The Emhart "Create the Future" Design Contest has three entry...

Tyco to be reseller for Vitronics. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... HARRISBURG, PA--Tyco Electronics Automation Group will be a worldwide value-added reseller of Vitronics Soltec's solder reflow equipment. Tyco will provide process know]edge, financing, line integration and other one-stop-shopping benefits. ...

X-Tek relocates. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... TYNGSBORO, MA--X-Tek Inc. has opened its new head office in Tyngsboro. The new office will also double as the company's East Coast sales and service facility. The West Coast office will continue to operate out of the Santa Clara, CA, facility.

Delmia provides simulation software to students. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... TROY, MI--Delmia has extended its partnership with Oakland Schools Technical Campuses in California by providing more than $750,000 worth of simulation software at discounted prices. Through an original academic partnership agreement, the...

System extinguishes engine fires. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... SCOTTSDALE, AZ--A Fire-trace fire suppression system can detect and extinguish an open flame at the source. The product is self-contained and requires no electricity or external power. It features flexible polymer tubing that can be routed...

International Truck and Engine wins Safety Competition. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... ITASCA, IL--Winners for the Outstanding Achievements in Safety and Productivity Competition have been chosen. Sponsored by the National Safety Council (NSC), Aon Corp. and Cambridge Integrated Services Group Inc., the competition honors...

Automation Conference in Switzerland. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... FRANKFURT, GERMANY--The 2nd annual European Factory Automation Committee (EFAC) Conference will be held Jan. 17 to 18,2003 in Davos, Switzerland. Entitled "Building the Network," the conference is a unique opportunity for senior manufacturing...

Volunteer standards committees get help. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK--The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has formed the Standards Technology Institute operating under the Council on Codes and Standards. The institute will give the volunteer standards committees a dedicated resource...

Yaskawa Motoman relocates. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA--Yaskawa Motoman Canada (YMC) has moved to a larger facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. This new facility will accommodate the growth in both their Motoman robotics and Yaskawa mechatronics businesses. ...

E-business is key to automotive suppliers. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... COLUMBUS, OH--According to a report from the Center for Automotive Research, mid- and lower-tier automotive suppliers are viewing e-business as a good way to boost revenues through better customer service and improved inventory management....

QuadTech releases new Testing Guide. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... MAYNARD, MA--QuadTech Inc.'s new Product Safely Testing Guide is intended for engineers and test equipment operators involved in manufacturing and servicing electrical and electronic products. It contains detailed information on...

Soybean modification leads to new coating. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... CHESTERFIELD, MS--The paints and coatings industry, with its environmental concerns and restrictions, has been turning to alternative chemistries and technologies to meet regulations. And many expect the overall market for these chemistries to...

Engineers are needed for mentoring program. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... NEW YORK--The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) needs experienced engineers to serve as mentors for its student and young engineer mentoring program. ASME expects an increase in demand as more students and young engineers...

Sandia and Boeing to develop mutually beneficial products. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... ALBUQUERQUE, NM--Sandia National Laboratories and Boeing Co. signed an umbrella cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to develop technologies that mutually benefit both. CRADA will enable Sandia and Boeing to do business...

Herrmann Ultrasonics opens West Coast facility. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... SCHAUMBURG, IL--Herrmann Ultrasonics Inc. now has two locations. Due to an increase in West Coast customers, the company has opened a West Coast tech center in Sylmar, CA. This additional site will provide local technical support and facilities...

Danaher broadens motion control range. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... CLEVELAND--Danaher Corp. has purchased Thomson Industries Inc. Thomson Industries manufactures linear motion control products--including linear actuators, ballscrews, linear bearings and rails, and precision gearboxes--for a range of...

RIA seeks nominations for Recognition Award. (Assembly Lines).
November 1, 2002... ANN ARBOR, MI--Robotic Industries Association (RIA) and the Automated Imaging Association are seeking nominations for the Robots & Vision User Recognition Award. Presented every 2 years at the International Robots & Vision Show (to be held...

Parts storage enables low-cost plant consolidation. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... In 1999, Parker Hannifin's plant in Forest City, NC, integrated its manufacturing operations with another Parker Hannifin plant. Initially, management considered assigning the incoming operations to 17,000 square feet of space being used by the...

Software turns boards in hours instead of days. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... MC Assembly (Melbourne, FL) has dramatically shortened turnaround times on printed circuit board (PCB) assembly and final integration work by implementing a TransCollaborative Manufacturing (TCM) software system from Aegis Industrial Software...

A change in philosophy brings manufacturing change. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... A simple change in philosophy has led to a major change in results at Dorner Manufacturing Corp. (Hartland, WI). Since the company implemented cellular manufacturing, even the most specialized orders are now commonplace. Dorner's revamped...

Miniature rollnut actuator makes a picture-perfect partner. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... Imaging Business Machines LLC (IBML, Birmingham, AL), a manufacturer of high-speed color scanning technology, is using a miniature rollnut actuator from Norco Inc. (Ridgefield, CT) in its new ImageTrac II scanner. The ImageTrak II scanner...

Software streamlines capital equipment changeover. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... Every manufacturer eventually has to change capital equipment in active production lines. It is always best to do this during normal downtime, but that is not always possible. Reflow ovens pose an additional challenge because they require...

Dispensing plays an instrumental role. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... Remo Inc. (Valencia, CA) is in the business of making music. It is one of the world's leading drum and drumhead companies and exports its products to over 100 countries. When Remo was founded in 1957, it transformed an important segment of...

Laser welding builds cancer therepy devices. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... Also known as internal radiation thereapy, brachytherapy is a popular treatment for prostate cancer. In brachytherapy, titanium-encased pallets of radioactive material are inserted directly in or near the tumor. By confining and targeting the...

Epoxy wins Olympic gold. (Assembly in Action).
November 1, 2002... At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Great Britain took home a gold medal in curling. The team used a curling stone bonded with Araldite 2012 epoxy adhesive supplied by Vantico's (Los Angeles) Adhesive Group. The adhesive, which is...

The proof is in the picking: light-guided parts picking systems help reduce the risk of errors and improve throughput. (Assembly: Workstations).
November 1, 2002... "All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it." Those words were written by English philosopher John Locke in the late 17th century. The U.S. Declaration of Independence is based...

Now hear this! to produce hearing aids on an automated assembly system, engineers had to figure out how to join, package and test small, fragile parts at micron accuracies. (Assembly: Automated Assembly).
November 1, 2002... How have consumer electronics manufacturers managed to cram so much functionality into such small devices at such low costs? The answer is not cheap materials, but rather fully automated assembly processes. In fact, automation is the only...

Rx for dispensing: medical products often present assemblers with unique challenges. These tips from the field can help relieve your medical dispensing headaches. (Assembly: Dispensing).
November 1, 2002... Advances in medical device research and development constantly continue. To keep pace with these advances, dispensing manufacturers must also advance. However, dispensing manufacturers must not only keep pace with the medical industry, they...

Insert wire A into hole B: A new technology has greatly simplified the process of installing wires into complex electrical connectors. (Assembly: Wire Processing).
November 1, 2002... If you've never installed wires into an electrical connector for a military aircraft, consider yourself lucky. The process is similar to finding a needle in a haystack. The cavities you must aim for are the size of a grain of sand. With...

How good are your crimps? if wire harness manufacturers want to offer world-class products, crimp testing is mandatory. (Assembly: Wire Processing).
November 1, 2002... Quality standards are getting tighter, and customers expect their vendors to have quality assurance systems. This is as true for wire harness assemblers as it is for any other manufacturer. Having a good quality system will not only show...

Box-build insights: devices are getting smaller and smaller, making it more difficult to assemble electro-mechanical enclosures. (Assembly: Electronics Assembly).
November 1, 2002... Some of the most sophisticated technology in the world is assembled with some of the most basic assembly techniques. Before printed circuit boards, wiring harnesses and other sensitive components go into computers and other high-tech products,...

Flexible production is key goal at Ford: Anne Stevens outlines the automaker's new assembly strategy. (Assembly: Automotive Industry).
November 1, 2002... After a record-setting year in 1999, Ford Motor Co. (Dearborn, MI) hit a brick wall. Under the leadership of former CEO Jacques Nasser, the automaker suffered a devastating series of quality lapses that resulted in expensive product recalls,...

New technologies boost GM: digital and wireless technologies are helping GM increase productivity, improve quality, reduce costs and bring new products to market as fast as possible. (Assembly: Automotive Industry).
November 1, 2002... By any measure, General Motors Corp. is having a pretty good year. Back in January, GM predicted that it would earn $2.60 per share in 2002. In September, the automaker more than doubled its earnings target for the year, to $6.10 per share....

Toys that launched careers: Erector and Meccano sets helped many engineers develop useful skills. (Assembly: Then & Now).
November 1, 2002... They're considered playthings, but they've launched the careers of generations of engineers. The Erector set and its English cousin, Meccano, are the ultimate assembly toys. They allow users to design and build a wide variety of machines,...

Fiber optic illuminator. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Model 21AC is a 150-watt halogen illuminator with an extruded housing. It is suitable for use in both inspection and assembly applications. The V-port design with three-point contact allows for nonslip coupling to almost any fiber optic...

Linear motors. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Model ICD is a compact iron-core linear motor with a low attractive force and anti-cogging mechanisms. The motor comes in two lengths and four widths. Corresponding magnet assemblies have stainless steel covers. Model IL03 is a short, ironless...

Induction heat for brazing. (Products).
November 1, 2002... Induction heating produces accurate, uniform results in brazing applications. Heat is transferred to the assembly via electromagnetic waves generated by custom-made coils. Localized heating pinpoints the area to be brazed, while protecting...

Rivet nuts join sheet metal. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The PN-Plusnut is available in a pre-bulbed version. This enables the nut to be installed blind in sheet metal, plastics and tubular materials using simple torque-type hand tools. As the fastener is installed, the slotted body expands behind...

Arm absorbs torque. (Products).
November 1, 2002... The Flexarm absorbs torque reaction from power tools. Model CVA-10 absorbs 10 ft-lbs of torque. It can be used as close as 8 inches from where it is mounted to the table, and it extends to 28 inches. The two-piece motor mount accommodates tools...

Modular leak tester. (Products).
November 1, 2002... All major functions of the Model CMC mass spectrometer leak testing system are modular, icnluding hardware, wiring and software. The system operates seamlessly with application software, I/O drivers and factory communications. An...

C-frame hydraulic press. (Products: Assembly Machines).
November 1, 2002... This 20-ton C-frame press monitors force and position. Sensors mounted in the press measure key attributes of each assembly. By using a "taught master" as a comparison, the system sends a pass or fail output signal and identifies any attribute...

Pneumatic press. (Products: Assembly Machines).
November 1, 2002... This tabletop crimp tool accepts a variety of dies from different manufacturers. It is pneumatically operated and has a pressing capacity of up to 1,200 kilopascals. The unit can also be used to assemble insulation-displacement connectors to...

Electromechanical assembly press. (Products: Assembly Machines).
November 1, 2002... This stand-alone CNC electromechanical assembly press and test machine is suitable for laboratory and plant assembly operations. It has a 22,000-pound capacity and can be Loaded and unloaded robotically. Applications include production, offline...

Machine separates PCBs. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Datum has both a saw and a router for depaneling circuit boards. The router makes complex contoured cuts, while the saw handles V-scored boards. The Z axis is servo-controlled to accommodate varying board heights. Maximum cutting speed is 8...

Convection reflow. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Paragon convection oven is for semiconductor packaging applications requiring highly uniform reflow temperatures and precise atmospheric control. The conveyor is 14 inches wide, with a 1-inch clearance. The oxygen level inside the reflow...

Tips for fine rework. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... These soldering iron tips are for reworking miniature components, such as 0402s and 0201s on compact, high-density boards. Model SMTC-X171 works from a topside angle for a better view when working through a microscope. Model SMTC-X172 is for...

Pallet far wave soldering. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The adjustable pallet carries printed circuit boards through the wave soldering process. The one-piece pallet has adjustable hold-downs to secure boards from 0.031 to 0.093 inch thick. The pallet allows connectors to overhang the hoard edge up...

Machine transfers components. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The CTS-1000 transfers electronic components to and from matrix trays, JEDEC trays, Auer boats, tubes and tapes. The machine can be equipped with a variety of machines, including bowl feeders, indexing tables, inspection equipment, lead...

Oven and hot-plate. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The GF-C2 has a high-mass hot-plate for conductive heating or forced-air convection heating. The device can be used for preheating, curing, reflowing, reworking or thermal cycling. A large window lets the operator view the product and process....

Carts store components. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... EPS feeder carts store component reels and feeders for use with pick-and-place equipment. The cart can be customized with various interchangeable components. Feeder setup stations come in four sizes to fit a variety of component reels....

Soldering iron for military work. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Antex Model 660-TC soldering station can be used for soldering heat-sensitive military components. It features a 25-watt soldering iron, control unit, iron stand, sponge tray and a selection of gold-plated tips. The temperature can be set...

Universal rework center. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The M-8000 universal rework center removes and replaces integrated circuits, ball grid arrays, chip scale packages and through-hole devices. Its computer-controlled heating unit replicates the thermal conditions of the original soldering...

High-speed chip-shooter. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The 4797S HSP turret-style chip-shooter can place up to 48,000 cph. It places 0201s, 26-millimeter square components and area array packages. It can handle a maximum board size of 10 by 13 inches. Universal Instruments Corp. ...

Oven heats evenly. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The X-600 phase convection oven is for soldering surface mount assemblies, curing flip chip underfill, and glob top encapsulation. Reflow occurs in a hermetically sealed environment, which reduces nitrogen consumption. The temperature in each...

Robot routes boards. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... This tabletop robot routes tab-connected circuit boards or component assemblies that are too delicate to be separated with a punch and die. The robot can be programmed with a teach pendant or a PC. A powerful vacuum system pulls debris into a...

Machine produces gold bumps. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Gold Bumper produces gold wire ball bumps for flip chip applications. Using standard gold wire in a process similar to wire bonding, the device creates planarized, tail-free bumps with a placement accuracy of 5 microns. The device produces...

Desoldering ribbon. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Matrix desoldering ribbon is constructed with four layers of fine, precision copper screen. It removes more solder, more quickly, than braided wick. The ribbon is available in three widths, with rosin flux, no-clean flux or bare copper. ...

Device removes BGAs. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Tin Up automatically solders and desolders ball grid arrays. It removes balls and reinserts them in small series without disrupting connectivity. It can also remove balls and locate them to another type of connection. It deballs components...

Ionizer for clean rooms. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The Guardian CR2000 overhead ionizing air blower is safe for Class 10 clean rooms. All fan and air bearing surfaces are manufactured without silicones. Available in two- and three-fan models, the blower produces a balanced amount of positive...

Lead-tinning machine. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The LTS-1000 lead-tinning machine dips the leads of through-hole and surface mount components into a solder bath. Entry and exit speeds, dwell times, dipping positions and process flow are computer-controlled. The machine has a self-skimming...

Nozzle neutralizes charges. (Products: PCB Assembly).
November 1, 2002... The 43325 Ion Viper air nozzle uses compressed air or nitrogen to neutralize electrostatic charges from a small, defined area. The device is triggered with a foot pedal or photoelectric sensor. Replaceable air filters keep air free of...

Device feeds balls. (Products: Parts Feeders).
November 1, 2002... This feeder automatically dispenses one ball into a subassembly on command. The balls are stored in a stainless steel hopper and are fed through a hollow shaft to a cam-operated escapement, where the balls are transferred to a discharge tube....

High-grip suction cups. (Products: Parts Feeders).
November 1, 2002... Suction cups are made of Duraflex, a material that combines the soft elasticity of rubber with the wear resistance of polyurethane. The cups retain their grip despite tough conditions, such as oily parts or rapid handling in different...

Electronic counting scale. (Products: Parts Feeders).
November 1, 2002... The Super II has high accuracy and internal resolution for counting that exceeds one part in 600,000. It is ideal for material handling, inventory control and packaging applications. It is available in five capacities ranging from 12,500 to...

Torque reaction arm. (Products: Screwdriving).
November 1, 2002... The vertical motion of the T-2000 ergonomic torque reaction arm is pneumatically adjustable. The arm comes with heavy-duty bearings and blank aluminum tooling blocks. Custom-made tooling blocks are available. Delta Technology Inc. ...

High-torque driver. (Products: Screwdriving).
November 1, 2002... The DWSE 6.3 electric screwdriver has 10 torque settings, ranging from 27 to 159 in-lbs. It drives sheet metal screws and self-drilling screws up to 1/4 inch in diameter, with or without a sealing washer. A two-piece adjustable depth stop...

Cordless screwdrivers. (Products: Screwdriving).
November 1, 2002... Cordless, adjustable-clutch screwdrivers are lightweight and powerful. The tools have keyless chucks, two operating speeds, and soft, ergonomic grips. Torque can be set in multiple increments with an adjustment ring. Maximum torque is 15 to 18...

Screwdriver for clean rooms. (Products: Screwdriving).
November 1, 2002... The BL-5000 torque-controlled, electric screwdriver is safe for Class 100 clean rooms. It's brushless motor stays cool and does not emit carbon dust. The tool can be converted from lever-start to push-to-start operation. Torque can be set...

Pneumatic screwdriver. (Products: Screwdriving).
November 1, 2002... The CZE pneumatic screwdriver shuts off immediately and automatically when the desired torque is reached. The tool produces minimal noise, vibration and torque reaction. It comes in pistol-grip, forward-grip and inline models. Torque output...

Ultrasonic power supply. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... This compact power supply improves the setup, operation and control of ultrasonic welding of nonferrous metals. Welding parameters are set through a touch-screen control panel. Onboard computing power obviates the need for an external PC. ...

Laser welder. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... The JK700TR pulsed Nd:YAG laser system can be used for welding, drilling and cutting applications. The power supply provides up to 10 kilowatts of power. The peak power, shape and duration of the laser can be adjusted. GSI Lumonics Inc....

Heat-staking machine. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... The 2020 Vision benchtop heat-staking machine produces 120 pounds of downward force. The temperature of the staking tool can be set from 80 to 999 F and is accurate to [+ or -] 2 degrees. Heating and cooling times are programmable. Parts can be...

Plasma arc welder. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... This plasma arc welding station consists of a controller, lathe and plasma torch. The power supply can be programmed for up-slope, down-slope and pulse welding. The controller stores 100 programs and includes two analog channels for other...

Stud welder. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... The Studhorse 1200 is a portable, drawn-arc stud welder. Generating an output of 1,200 amperes, the device welds studs up to 5/8 inch in diameter. It can be powered from a 40-ampere utility breaker at 480 volts, three-phase, or from a 30-ampere...

Software for resistance welders. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... Enlink software can be used to remotely program 64 resistance welder controls from one location. The software gathers and stores all weld data and parameters for archiving or statistical analysis. Maintenance and error status information can...

Air-cleaners. (Products: Welding Equipment).
November 1, 2002... Portable air-cleaning systems remove welding pollutants from the air. Collection arms are externally supported, allowing them to be positioned in tight spaces. Arms come in various lengths and can be motorized for quick, precise positioning....

Cost reduction myths. (Uncommon Sense).
November 1, 2002... If manufacturing casts really went clown as much as industrial engineers, consultants and other enthusiastic cost reducers project, the cast of making the entire wand's products would approach zero. Most cost reduction efforts don't cut...