Assembly articles from November 2004

Assembly archives from November 2004

Friends ... and others.(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... It's always good to know who your friends are. For American manufacturers, it's particularly good to know who in the federal government are your friends. Let's start with Albert Frink, assistant secretary of commerce for manufacturing and...

Control valves direct pneumatic actuators.(X-Y-Z)
November 1, 2004... In a pneumatic motion control system, directional control valves have a simple job: open and close. They send air to actuators, hold it back, change its direction or vent it to the atmosphere. However, the simplicity of their function...

Kenworth plant wins assembly honor.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... ROSEMONT, IL -- Kenworth Truck Co.'s Renton, WA, facility is the recipient of ASSEMBLY magazine's inaugural Assembly Plant of the Year award. Accepting the award at a special ceremony held during the 2004 Assembly Technology Expo in Chicago...

Motorola approves lead-free solder.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... BERKSHIRE, UK -- Henkel Electronics has announced that its Multicore LF320 lead-free solder paste, after undergoing intense evaluation and technical analysis, has been qualified for use by Motorola in electronics manufacture. According to...

New chip packs power in small space.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... SANTA CLARA, CA -- Intel recently announced that it has begun building fully functional 70-megabit static random access memory (SRAM) chips with more than half a billion transistors using the company's new 65-nanometer process technology. ...

Wayne State offers Production Management Degree.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... DETROIT -- Wayne State University's College of Engineering has introduced a new undergraduate degree track designed to provide skilled shop-floor leaders. The Production Management Leadership Program (PMLP) is being offered for the first...

Phoenix-x-ray moving east.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- Phoenix|x-ray Systems + Services Inc. is moving its U.S. headquarters from Camarillo, CA, to St. Petersburg, FL. According to company officials, the company will continue to maintain sales and technical staff on the West...

Laser shipments increasing in 2004.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... MCLEAN, VA -- At $173.6 million, second quarter shipments of industrial laser equipment and systems for North America and U.S. exports were up roughly 75 percent from the second quarter of 2003. According to the Laser Product Group (LSPG)...

NAM names manufacturing-friendly representatives.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... WASHINGTON -- The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has announced its Awards for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence in the 108th Congress. In all, the association chose 279 lawmakers to receive the award because they compiled at...

Save your factory.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... ROCHESTER HILLS, MI -- FANUC Robotics has launched was it is calling the Save Your Factory initiative in an effort to spread the good word regarding workplace automation. Citing the "erosion of manufacturing jobs to low-wage countries" as...

Misumi changes name.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... SCHAUMBURG, IL -- As part of a push to further expand its presense in North America, mechanical components supplier Misumi of the Americas Inc. has both changed its name to Misumi USA Inc. and opened a pair of new facilities. "This move...

Handbook outlines vacuum technology.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... HINGHAM, MA -- PIAB Vacuum Products has released a new version of its vacuum handbook, which is designed to serve as an educational resource tool for industrial vacuum professionals, providing content on general vacuum principles, specific...

MHIA names award winners.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... IRVING, TX -- The Material Handling Education Foundation's board of directors announced the winner for its Reed-Apple and Norman L. Cahners awards during a recent meeting of the Material Handling Industry of America (MHIA). The Reed-Apple...

Drawings compatible with CAD systems.(Assembly Lines)
November 1, 2004... All online CAD drawings for the PennEngineering line of fasteners can now be directly inserted into most CAD systems, without downloading or importing. The new capability allows designers to insert drawings directly into as many as 30 different...

Software examines threaded connections.(Assembly in Action)
November 1, 2004... Aerco International Inc. (Northvale, NJ) manufactures commercial water heaters and boiler systems. The company's signature product is a high-efficiency, self-descaling water heater that uses vertical stacks of helical coils that share a common...

Chip-placer boosts productivity, flexibility.(Assembly in Action)
November 1, 2004... In recent years, surface mount technology contract manufacturer MRP Electronics (Bedford, England) has been investing in both facilities and equipment to meet growing demand in the telecommunications, information technology and medical sectors....

Indent marker helps track product.(Assembly in Action)
November 1, 2004... Carleton Life Support Systems (Davenport, IA) specializes in ceramic injection-molding technology, producing ceramics capable of generating high-purity oxygen. Its products go into various life support systems, including those used onboard...

Fastener foils video thieves.(Assembly in Action)
November 1, 2004... A little over two years ago the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in upstate New York fell victim to a crime spree. The school owns more than 200 video projectors installed on ceiling mounts in classrooms and lecture halls throughout the...

Workstations improve productivity and appearance.(Assembly in Action)
November 1, 2004... Sentral Assemblies & Components Inc. (Lincolnshire, IL) is a contract manufacturer for interconnect assemblies, wiring harnesses, power cords, wire leads and sets, electromechanical assemblies, box builds, and data and signal interconnect...

Technology drives Kenworth to excellence; assemblers at Kenworth's Renton, WA, factory use high-tech tools to build world-class trucks.(Assembly Plant of the Year 2004)
November 1, 2004... Most people traveling along an interstate highway at 70 mph assume that all trucks look the same. But, many commercial drivers would beg to differ. They claim that one truck stands out among all the rest: Kenworth. The 81-year-old brand is...

Off-road equipment market picks up: new diesel engine emission rules and satellite technology spur demand for tractors.(Industry Watch)
November 1, 2004... Manufacturers of off-highway equipment love to dream about big things. Their cyclical assembly lines depend heavily on airports, bridges, dams, mass transit systems, skyscrapers, stadiums, highways, tunnels, water treatment facilities and other...

Intelligent fasteners: fasteners with embedded microchips could change the way many products are designed, assembled, serviced and recycled.(Fastening)
November 1, 2004... Virtually everything these days seems to contain a microprocessor. Your car's engine. Your refrigerator. But fasteners? A new technology invented by TZ Ltd. (Sydney, Australia) and licensed to Textron Fastening Systems (Troy, MI) has done...

The pros and cons of cells: assembly cells are not suitable for all applications.(Cellular Assembly)
November 1, 2004... Workcells come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they're often touted as one of the main elements of lean manufacturing. In fact, many people believe that they can implement lean principles simply by installing a few cells on their plant...

Terminals for terminators: the military demands the best when it comes to electrical terminals.(Wire Processing)
November 1, 2004... It's no secret the military is picky when it comes to its equipment. Electronics in particular need to be tough, capable of withstanding rugged use on land, sea and in the air. These standards encompass parts both large and small, including...

Measure surface contact pressure.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Pressurex[R], pressure indicating sensor film quickly, accurately and inexpensively measures pressure distribution and magnitude between any two contacting or impacting surfaces. Common applications include: * Bolted Joints/Gasketed...

Uraseal announces new series of Shake N'Seal products.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The EP series is designed for communications, electronic and fiber optic assembly applications by offering low viscosity for quick penetration and deep potting. These single use kits eliminate mix ratios and minimizes waste. They exhibit fast...

Easy to use Robots.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... EPSON Robots' has a complete line of high speed, robust, SCARA, Linear Modules and 6-Axis robots to fit all your automation needs. With EPSON Robots' powerful PC-based controls platform, and options such as Vision Guidance, Conveyor Tracking,...

Rexroth's modular tightening and press-fit systems.(Product Review)
November 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...

Bolted joint evaluation.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... BoltFAST[R] is the most comprehensive analysis software available. Assisting engineers to proficiently perform: * Joint Analysis * Torque Analysis * Thread Analysis [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FREE download available at:...

Diffuse sensors with cylindrical light beam.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... These new fully self-contained Contrinex sensors are characterized by their remarkably small size, [empty set] 4 mm smooth or M5, with a housing length of 35 mm. Their spherical sapphire lens projects a cylindrical light beam with a diameter ...

New pneumatic radial Riveting Machine--for a rivet head diameter of up to 18-mm.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... AGME Ltd., a radial riveting manufacturer introduces the newly available, pneumatic Riveting Machine Model No. RR18. This unit is a pneumatic unit, allowing the processing of rivets with a maximum head diameter of 18-mm [0.710-inches]. The...

New Robosizer sizing software!(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Robohand's Robosizer's HTML compatible product sizing software reduces design time by automatically identifying Robohand products that fit applications based upon parameters provided by the user. * Work on-line without downloading software...

New SLICE 142 cutting machine.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Designed to save waste. Allows loading of 4-ft. long double-wall sticks of heat shrink tubing without cutting off a long piece of material. Knows how many pieces it can cut from the 4-foot length. Cuts other tubing, conduit and wire. Other...

Precision pressure regulators.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The regulators feature excellent repeatability, sensitive 20-turn adjustment, and miniature size. The output is virtually unaffected by changes in supply pressure, only 0.1 PSI output change with a 10 PSI supply pressure change. The unique...

New tricks for an old standard multiple seal placement from a single source.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Using innovative design, Amara can now offer assembly of a common size of o-ring or seal to various groove locations with no change tooling and a single handling of the target part. Ideal for valve spools and similar products. ...

Hot Bar Soldering for flex circuits.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Fancort Industries introduces microprocessor-controlled equipment that produces uniform and precise temperature distribution, fast heating and cool-down. The Pulse Heat Bonder and Soldering Systems offer a wide range of programmable profiles...

AIMCO.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... AIMCO's ATM-1-1 Tightening Monitor watches the performance of your torque controlled air tools insuring that they continue to perform consistently; qualifies your process to ensure your assembly procedures are being followed, by verifying the...

World's most powerful UV spot cure.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... With intensity levels up to 50 W/c[m.sup.2], LESCO MAX[TM] spot cures deliver sub-second cure speeds and increased bond strengths for high speed automated or difficult to bond processes. Match with LESCO FibreFire[TM] custom lightguides for the...

Fastening system controller is great communicator.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The CS4100 Controller shares fastening data collected by GSE tech-motive tool intelligent nutrunners with network databases, PLCs and workstations. Keypad model allows quick setup and prominent display of torque/angle readings. Base model...

Micro EC-electric Screwdriver Spindles.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... DEPRAG now offers two low-torque EC-Spindles (brushless DC-motor), having a minimum torque capability of 1.8 in.lbs. at speeds of 1,200 and 600 rpm. This is the lowest possible torque available for any DC Screwdriver. The tools feature the...

Mechanical sub-assemblies.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... AST Bearings' literature depicts photos, drawings, descriptions and typical applications for custom-designed precision bearing assemblies. Combining high quality bearings with technical design expertise, AST provides cost-saving solutions from...

Quad workstation.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Individuals working on a product or project together need to easily communicate and share ideas, tools and work. The Quad Station from Production Basics is a smart workstation configuration for a work cell or team, keeping all the members in...

SPECTRUM actuators.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The new "SPECTRUM" SLIM-LINE SERIES of actuators incorporates precision linear slim-line actuators and presses which have been designed to accommodate the broadest range of users. New unique features incorporated into the Spectrum line of...

Automatic Screwfeeding Systems.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... These units have been proven in applications throughout the assembly industry. You can double your screwdriving production with a TPI-1 Automatic Screwfeeding System. Simple in design, The Escapement has only one moving part. It can be supplied...

New CMS Cartesian Motion System cuts specification, design and installation time.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... To help integrators, OEMs and end users reduce the time required to specify, design and install multi-axis systems, Bosch Rexroth has introduced its new Cartesian Motion System (CMS): pre-configured Cartesian Robots in 1, 2, or 3 axes. The new...

Robotic/automatic tool changers.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The Quick-Change robotic tool changer provides the flexibility to automatically change end-effectors or other peripheral tooling. The products are designed to function reliably for millions of cycles at rated load while maintaining extremely...

New threadlocker dispensing system.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The new Ultra[TM] 1400 Dispensing System is a cost-effective way to apply uniform amounts of threadlockers and other adhesives in benchtop assembly processes. Its fast, consistent application increases productivity, reduces rework and rejects,...

Meter-Mix Dispense System overcomes traditional limitations.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Designed to dispense a continuous, uniform bead with 0.1 ml accuracy, the EZ-mix[R]VR Variable Ratio Meter-Mix Dispense System eliminates interruption from refilling and is ideal for highly abrasive and viscous materials. Controlled by stepper...

Made in the USA.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Disposable needles that can be supplied in a wide range of standard and custom designs for dispensing virtually any type of fluid and dot size. Available in standard .5", 1", and 1-1/2" lengths, Fishman Disposable Dispensing Needles come in 14...

Stop cast metal leaks.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Hernon Porosity Sealant (HPS[TM]) 1000 and 1100 represent a break through in sealing leak-prone porous metals such as powder metal castings and sintered metal parts. Benefits include increased lubricity, which lowers tool wear and resistance to...

Composite trays/boxes.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Molded Fiber Glass Tray Co. manufactures a wide range of sizes and styles of reinforced composite trays and boxes offering static protection during assembly, faraday cage protection during storage, as well as high temperature sheet for...

Tog-L-Loc by BTM.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... BTM's patented Tog-L-Loc sheet metal joining system is a leak proof alternative to spot-welding, threaded fasteners and rivets. Painted, coated and dissimilar metals can be joined with simple mechanical punch and die tooling. Joints are strong,...

Digiforce[R] / Digiswitch[R] Press-Fit control and switch testing.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Burster products continue to offer industry leading value for a wide range of In-process Quality Control applications, providing excellent value and performance. Signature Analysis System for: * Press-Fit, Hinge & Rotary Torque, Switch...

Code-marking machines.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Sprinter Marking manufacturers Sprinter automatic ink code-marking machines. Machines apply date codes, product codes, dots, etc. on metal, plastic, rubber, and paper surfaces. Marking possible in any orientation. Message size up to 2 square...

The perfect pair for complete automation! - Eraser's model APF100 prefeeder & CS800 Cut & Strip.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Eraser's fully automated CS800 Cut and Strip machine processes wire from 10AWG - 30AWG and works in conjunction with the NEW Model APF100 Prefeeder & Wire Payout machine. Visit eraser.com and explore the depth of our product line. Our custom...

SpliceRite[TM] Ultrasonic welder.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... The new SpliceRite from Sonobond Ultrasonics produces consistent, solid-state metallurgical bonds for wire harness assembly. The microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic splicing system utilizes the Wedge-Reed coupling system that provides shear...

LINK SERIES plastic chain slider bed conveyor.(Product Review)
November 1, 2004... Automated Conveying Systems, Inc. is proud to announce its newest LINK SERIES extruded aluminum-frame conveyor. The PC Series conveyers can accommodate a 1/4" nose bar easing transfer of small parts in your automated systems. The conveyors can...

Dispenser mixes and meters.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The GP80 is a benchtop, adjustable-ratio, meter and mix dispenser for two-part materials. It works in potting, bonding, encapsulating, molding and cartridge-filling applications. The dispenser features a variable-speed motor for flow-rate...

Threadlocker stops drips.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Threadlocker gel comes in a pinpoint applicator for use in hard-to-reach situations. Being a gel it is less likely to drip than liquid threadlockers. It also penetrates more effectively than solid stick products. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Adhesives carry current.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Syon electrically conductive adhesive solders can be used to form conductive paths in applications where hot soldering would be ineffective or impractical. These epoxy and epoxide formulationsoincluding Tru-Bond 206A conductive adhesive, 214...

Tapes bond all materials.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The 9000 adhesive tape series is comprised of double-coated or transfer tapes for bonding similar or dissimilar materials. The tapes bond to metals, most films and plastics, and a wide range of rubber, sponge and foam. Specific applications...

Ranges vary for sensors.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Photoelectric proximity sensors can be used for triggering automated equipment, cameras or kill switches in industrial safety systems. Four different models provide working distances from 15 millimeters to 6 meters. All the sensors have rugged...

Fieldbus Multi-turn Encoders.(Products)
November 1, 2004... DeviceNet Fieldbus Multi-turn Encoders are available in a 58-millimeter-diameter size for shaft-style units and 90-millimeter-size for hollow-shaft units. Both models are capable of 25-bits of resolution through 13 bits per turn and 12 bits of...

High viscosity prevents messes.(Products)
November 1, 2004... With a formula that bonds plastics, rubber, ceramics and metal, 2011 cyanoacrylate adhesive is suited for applications that require high viscosity for ease of dispensing or gap filling.Thin bond lines will cure almost instantly. In larger gaps,...

Seal porous metals.(Products)
November 1, 2004... HPS 1000 and 1100 porosity sealants seal porous metals such as powder metal castings and sintered metal parts. The sealants also act as lubricants. This lowers tool wear, and provides resistance to degradation by hydrocarbon solvents such as...

Mix in Turbo mode.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The Turbo disposable, square-geometry static mixer uses "flow inverters" to channel the fluids from the walls into the center of the mixer. In addition, the wedge design eliminates stagnant areas where adhesives can build up and prematurely...

It's a wrap.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Fully automatic and semiautomatic 360-degree wrapping systems are most commonly used to attach labels. But they can also apply functional die-cuts that are wrapped around cylindrical and noncylindrical parts. Examples include labeling a battery...

Inductive proximity sensor.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Osiprox inductive proximity sensors feature auto-adaptable technology, allowing the sensor to be used in a shielded or nonshielded environment while providing a precise actuation point of the output via fine-teach mode. The sensors are...

Dispense from containers.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The PF-DMS system uses a PosiFlow programmable rotary-positive displacement metering pump to dispense individual shots or continuously extruded beads of single-component material directly from shipping containers. The pump is mounted to a...

Sensor uses lasers.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The BOD 26K LB employs laser triangulation as its basic sensing technology. It also incorporates a microprocessor to provide additional embedded functions including signal averaging, minimum and maximum hold, and signal hold, as well as full...

New stencil mounting system.(Products)
November 1, 2004... VectorGuard-PumpPrint stencils are available in two standard sizes, 23 by 23 and 29 by 29 inches. Stencil thickness is 3 millimeters. The stencils incorporate a new mounting system that eliminates the mesh and aluminum frames found on standard...

Mixer handles tough jobs.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The MR line of rotary mixers feature a mixer element on a specially modified meter mix and dispense manifold head. The mixers can be used with hard-to-mix foams and urethane elastomers. They are constructed of polyacetal to resist the added...

Guides now in large size.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The SNS300 LM guide is the largest LM guide with caged ball technology. The SNS300 features a height of 300 millimeters, a block width of 540 millimeters, a block length of 976 millimeters and a rail width of 300 millimeters. Caged technology...

Swivel units offer options.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Angled swivel units work in load and unload applications, and for handling two different parts simultaneously. Both swivel units have a pivoting transfer plate with the mounting surfaces positioned at a 90-degree angle to one another. The...

Enhance your vision.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Upgrades are available for PatMax geometric pattern-matching software for machine vision systems. PatMax XLC improves the ability of PatMax to find barely visible objects or patterns in grainy or faint images, like those produced by powerful...

Take a closer look.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Automated inspection machine includes integrated parts handling and pass-fail location. The system includes an industry-standard Cognex or DVT vision sensor, programmable logic controller, part gripper and controls to interface with customer's...

Depanel PCBs with ease.(Products)
November 1, 2004... This benchtop pneumatic press includes precision tooling to separate tab-routed printed circuit boards. It has a semiautomatic sliding base that holds the lower die for ease of loading panels and unloading separated boards. An operator...

Sensor measures 360 degrees.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The RSC2200 noncontacting rotary sensor provides 360-degree absolute-angle measurements with 12-bit resolution. A microprocessor incorporated into the sensor enables the output characteristic curve to be preprogrammed to a customer's...

The Dot says it's hot, or not.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Jumbo-CelsiDot temperature detectors offer an economical, reliable, easily applied and easy-to-read means of keeping an eye on component temperatures. With their own self-adhesive labels, they can be applied to any surface that needs to be...

Slides adapt to any motor.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The Thomson Piloted RediMount allows Thomson slides to easily mount to nearly any motor, with guaranteed alignment horizontally, vertically, inclined or inverted. The mounting incorporates an intermediate housing sandwiched between a shortened...

Sensor features compact size.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The F3 series of photoelectric sensors features a flat, thin and robust aluminum anodized housing measuring 13.5 by 13 by 3 millimeters, as well as an epoxy lens with glass cover and visible, red-light performance. It is easy to mount with a...

Slim down with thin-section bearings.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Reali-Slim TT series thin-section turntable bearings save weight, reduce product envelope size and increase design flexibility for such turntable applications as robotics, radar antennae, and factory position and inspection tables. The bearings...

Nutrunners are easier to use.(Products)
November 1, 2004... The QPM nutrunner line and the QPM Alpha Controller have been upgraded to improve ease of use and productivity. The nutrunners feature an enhanced handle design with a number of changes including a longer, flush-mounted lever and a...

Cabinets provide dust protection.(Products)
November 1, 2004... Eagle enclosed vertical cabinets provide dust-free storage for sensitive products and components. The cabinets feature a chemically resistant stainless steel exterior. Cabinets are constructed from 18-gauge stainless steel with interior...