Assembly articles from October 2002

Assembly archives from October 2002

Real Sustainable Development. (Editorial).
October 1, 2002... The more things change, the more they remain the same. Nearly 30 years ago a group of elite intellectuals, environmental activists and other grand visionary thinkers announced it would convene in Washington, DC, to censure manufacturing...

Encoders measure rotary motion. (X-Y-Z).
October 1, 2002... Every assembly machine has one or more rotating shafts. These shafts drive conveyors, indexing tables and power screws. They rotate parts. They wind material. They even perform processes, such as drilling or welding. To do all that, the...

Sales of surge suppressors to stay strong. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... NATICK, MA--Sales of power-line surge suppressors in North America and Europe will increase from $978 million in 2001 to nearly $1.5 billion by 2006, a compound annual growth rate of 8.8 percent. According to a study by Venture Development...

Fuel cell industry to ignite. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... ANNANDALE, VA--Significant technological progress in the fuel cell industry is expected. According to Stan Borys, chief operating officer at the Gas Technology Institute, the industry is on the edge of a significant spurt in growth. "The market...

Keynote speaker to discuss fiber optics. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... NORWALK, CT--Fiber Optic Automation Expo, Nepcon West and Assembly West are just around the corner. This year, the events will be held Dec. 4 to 6 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. A free keynote address will be...

Competition holds key to fuel efficiency. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... APPLETON, WI--The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM) has won the U.S. Department of Energy's annual Future Truck competition. Fifteen schools sent teams of engineering students to the competition, which is designed to develop...

Tyco to sell soldering machines. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... WILLOW GROVE, PA--Tyco Electronics has entered an exclusive marketing agreement with Robotics Process Systems (Spokane, WA). The agreement provides Tyco with distribution rights in North America, Europe and Asia for Robotics Process...

Directory lists robotics suppliers. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... ANN ARBOR, MI--Today, businesses are looking for ways to reduce costs and increase productivity, and robotics is a key tool being used to help turn business around. For companies considering implementing robotics into their assembly...

Palomar offers prototyping for optoelectronics. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... VISTA, CA--Venture capitalists are now asking for working prototypes and validation before they invest in a new company or product. This is particularly true for optoelectronic and high-frequency wireless packages. With this thought in...

New business provides parts feeders. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... WINTERBACH, GERMANY--Mueller + Kurtz, a builder of automated assembly systems, has formed a new division for making parts feeding equipment. The SFA (sorting, feeding and automation) Div. will supply vibratory hoppers, swivel conveyors,...

Students are ready for robotics. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... MOFFETT FIELD, CA--Thirty San Francisco Bay Area high school students entering their senior year this fall participated in a new robotics summer course offered by Carnegie Mellon University at its West Coast campus at Moffett Field. The course...

Schleuniger forms new company. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... HORGEN, SWITZERLAND--As automobiles become more electronic, and to reduce the weight and space of cables in vehicles, manufacturers are beginning to use more fiber optic cable, as well as thin, flat foil cables. To play an increasing role...

Motoman is supplier of the year. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... DAYTON, OH--GKN Automotive Inc., a supplier of automotive drive line components, has named Motoman Inc. as its 2001 Capital Equipment Supplier of the Year. This newly created annual award is based on criteria from 10 categories, including...

Photonics Manufacturers Association is formed. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... NORTHBROOK, IL--The Photonics Manufacturers Association (PMA), a newly formed council of IPC-Association Connecting Electronics Industries, will organize and coordinate road-mapping, standardization, legislative, market research and education...

Ergo concerns lead to strike. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... DES PLAINES, IL--Manufacturing engineers arriving to work at Juno Lighting Inc. after a long Labor Day weekend were confronted with an unfamiliar sight in the parking lot: picket signs. More than 400 assemblers went on strike after negotiations...

Henkel Loctite provides zero-defect product. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... ROCKY HILL, CT--For the fifth consecutive year, Henkel Loctite Corp. has received an award from Ford Motor Co. for providing products that have resulted in zero defects at Ford's Lima, OH, engine manufacturing plant during 2001. Ford...

Brazing method shows promise for HVAC assemblies. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... NEW YORK--A brazing technology originally developed for automotive radiators is showing promise for use with stationary heat exchangers in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning equipment. Developed by the International Copper...

Entegra gets new warehouse. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... CHICAGO--Entegra Fastener Corp. will move its distribution center from Wood Dale, IL. to Frankfort, IN. It is hoped that this move will improve delivery times and provide additional manufacturing capacity. The company will combine its...

Micro-abrasive blasting has advantages. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... BURBANK, CA--Micro-abrasive blasting can remove oxides, coatings and other unwanted material from difficult-to-reach surfaces. Micro-abrasive blasting works by uniformly mixing air with an abrasive media. The mixture is then propelled out...

Dow receives technology award. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... WASHINGTON--President George W. Bush presented the National Merit of Technology to the Dow Chemical Co. The award cites technical breakthroughs that enable development of new, advanced products that offer consumers many benefits. The...

Baldor recognized for Energy Efficiency. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... FORT SMITH, AR--The Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) has recognized Baldor Electric Co. for its Super E Premium Efficient motors. For the fourth year in a row, Baldor was the only manufacturer with totally enclosed fan-cooled and open...

Corporate campaigns may be questionable. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... WASHINGTON--The labor union practice of using "corporate campaigns" to increase membership and generate union dues is questionable, according labor experts and union members testifying before the House Workforce Protections Subcommittee. ...

GCE partners with Motoman. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... DAYTON, OH--GCE Technologies has become a recognized integrator of Motoman robots. A division of The Gem City Engineering Co., GCE Technologies designs and builds automated assembly systems for a range of industrial applications, including...

Airflow Systems merges with Fab-Tech. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... DALLAS--Airflow Systems Inc. has merged with Fab-Tech Inc. "Our customers will benefit from Airflow's expanded metal fabrication capabilities, improved manufacturing processes, and increased throughput," says Tony Bodmer, president of...

DOE approves Nanotechnology Center. (Assembly Lines).
October 1, 2002... ALBUQUERQUE and LOS ALAMOS, NM--Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories will jointly receive S75.8 million to construct the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT). The Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy approved...

Company meets the need with critical speed. (Assembly in Action).
October 1, 2002... Whirlpool needed to service its residential, over-the-counter microwaves quickly, and it wanted to do this with only one service technician. Servicing was done inside homes. However, the microwaves can weigh over 70 pounds and can be very hard...

Automation boosts optical component throughput. (Assembly in Action).
October 1, 2002... Digital Optics Corp. (Charlotte, NC) needed to expand its component production requirements for several customers in the telecommunication and data communication industries. The company manufactures photonic chips, which are optical...

Robots support Meteor machines. (Assembly in Action).
October 1, 2002... Meteor Maschinen AG (Hunenberg, Switzerland) manufactures winding machines for electrical coils. As a rule, wire with a diameter between 0.01 and 0.7 millimeter is processed on up to 16 spindles. The modular machines can operate alone or be...

Assembly automation eliminates wrong numbers. (Assembly in Action).
October 1, 2002... AT&T's private brand exchange (PBX) phone systems, manufactured in Denver, are customized for individual customers. They are in small and large businesses, hospitals and universities. Yet people take the complex technology behind each clear...

Control system integrator implements electrohydraulic controls. (Assembly in Action).
October 1, 2002... As part of the process of manufacturing power steering pumps for the automotive industry, a metal bushing is pressed with a measured force into the case. Horizon Technology Group (Wyandotte, MI) recently incorporated electrohydraulic...

Inventory system manages hardware parts. (Assembly in Action).
October 1, 2002... Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s Stratford, CT, manufacturing facility is now using an inventory management system from NYF Corp. (Paramus, NJ). The point-of-use system manages hardware parts for Comanche, Black Hawk, Cypher, S-76, S-92, Seahawk and...

Engine assembly: catching defects earlier. (Machine Vision).
October 1, 2002... Instead of being reserved for end-of-the-line engine assembly verification, machine vision can now be cost-effectively deployed at various key process paints along the way. Over the past several years, many automotive manufacturers have...

Selecting power tools: the best power tool for a particular application depends on the requirements for productivity, ergonomics, reliability and quality. (Fastening).
October 1, 2002... Today, assemblers have more options for power tools than ever. The array of tool types and brands can be dizzying. Even when you narrow your scope to one type, perhaps a dozen models fit a particular torque range. How do you choose? If you...

Grounding the sparks: the pesky problem of electrostatic discharge can be controlled and monitored. (Electronics Assembly).
October 1, 2002... Electronic product assemblers fight a constant battle. Any time they stand, walk or pick up tools and parts, they risk damaging sensitive components with an electric shock. Even the slightest movement can lead to time-consuming repair and...

Considering pressure-sensitive adhesives: pressure-sensitive adhesives bring unique conveniences to assembly applications. (Adhesive Bonding).
October 1, 2002... Today's manufacturer strives to make devices lighter and smaller, and to make the manufacturing process more efficient and cost-effective. These goals, combined with a boom in polymer chemistry in the latter half of the 20th century, have...

The Wright stuff: a hand-built flying machine will attempt to recreate history next year. (Then & Now).
October 1, 2002... A blue haze fills the late morning sky above Mark Miller's woodworking shop nestled along the busy railroad tracks in a western suburb of Chicago. Overhead, a Boeing 757 begins its final descent into O'Hare Field. Inside the small shop, Miller...

System assembles spring-loaded devices. (Products).
October 1, 2002... This system automatically assembles spring-loaded safety devices. All aspects of production are integrated into the system, including spring coiling, assembly, inspection, test and packaging. The cam-driven system produces 60 to 360 assemblies...

OCR and OCV. (Products).
October 1, 2002... Optical character recognition (OCR) and optical character verification (OCV) tools have been added to the software library of the In-Sight vision sensor. The OCV tool verifies the correctness and legibility of characters. The OCR tool...

Device lets robots rotate. (Products).
October 1, 2002... If a robot needs to rotate an end-effector more than 180 degrees, energy supply lines may wrap around the robot's arm, limiting the robot's capabilities and causing downtime due to line problems. The DDF rotary feed-through unit solves this...

Terminal block. (Products).
October 1, 2002... The ST mini spring-cage terminal block is available in various models. A knife-disconnect model comes in two-, three- and four-wire versions. Test sockets for 2.3-millimeter test plugs are on both sides of the isolation point. Multilevel models...

Roller conveyor. (Products).
October 1, 2002... The Slip-Torque conveyor transports products with individually powered shafts covered with segmented rollers. The rollers are made from EP-0047, a static-safe, silicone-free material that resists wear, chemicals and high temperatures....

Valve applies large beads. (Products).
October 1, 2002... The FC300 dispensing valve is for high-volume fluid applications, such as large beads and potting. This stainless steel, front-closing valve is compatible with any chemistry. It has a 0.25-inch NPT fluid port for high-volume flow rates. It...

Adhesive bottle won't clog. (Adhesives).
October 1, 2002... Turbo Fuse line of cyanoacrylate adhesives comes in no-clog bottles. One- and 2-ounce bottles have a pin in the cap that keeps the nozzle from clogging. This one-part adhesive has the strength of two-part adhesives. It can bond most...

Fiber optic assembly adhesives. (Adhesives).
October 1, 2002... These fiber optic adhesives prevent movement of components during curing and thermal cycling. The line includes three fixturing and positioning adhesives, and 10 adhesives with refractive indices from 1.42 to 1.58 for use in the optical path....

Epoxy bonds big components. (Adhesives).
October 1, 2002... D 125 F3 is a one-component epoxy that bonds large components, such as SOs and PLCCs to printed circuit boards. The adhesive can be applied without stringing. It does not sag during curing, and uncured material doesn't absorb moisture. It cures...

Heat-resistant epoxy. (Adhesives).
October 1, 2002... HP 250 epoxy adhesive resists heat, chemicals and impact. With a viscosity of 105,000 centipoise, it is a thixotroic paste that can fill gaps and will not run or sag when used on vertical or inverted surfaces. It cures at room temperature and...

Surface-insensitive thread-locker. (Adhesives).
October 1, 2002... Nuts N' Bolts grade 434 surface-insensitive thread-locking adhesive can be used on various substrates without surface primers or other preparation. Breakaway torque is 180 in.-lb. Fixture strength is achieved in 10 minutes; full strength is...

Adhesive for large assemblies. (Adhesives).
October 1, 2002... Available in 490-milliliter cartridges, 5-gallon pails and 50-gallon drums, MA557 two-part methacrylate adhesive can bond large parts for boats, trucks and buses. It can bond a wide variety of substrates, requires no surface preparation, bonds...

Machine vision software. (Controls & Software).
October 1, 2002... GrayMorph, an extension package for Halcon 6.0.1, contains four new operators for fast gray value morphology. The functions are useful for many surface inspection applications. The new operators work with such limited structure types as...

Real-time SPC monitoring. (Controls & Software).
October 1, 2002... This monitoring system provides simultaneous real-time and [C.sub.p] and [C.sub.pk] performance data for up to six riveters. Quantum 2000 STF-3's front panel displays performance data. Riveters are linked by an Ethernet connection to the unit,...

Productivity software. (Controls & Software).
October 1, 2002... This suite of software programs, called Enterprise Productivity Solutions, speeds time-to-market by eliminating needless portions of the data preparation and manufacturing process. It speeds the conversion of CAD and BOM data into useful...

Software Interface. (Controls & Software).
October 1, 2002... CATIA Metaphase Interface software streamlines the design and engineering phases for large equipment manufacturers. It provides a functional enhancement between CATIA and Metaphase so that product changes in one application are immediately...

Linear motion system. (Motion Control).
October 1, 2002... This linear motion system requires no programming. It has mechanically triggered controls that automatically adjust the tool head stroke length and reversal. A control knob on the framework controls the stroke length. The system is suited for...

Digital servo drive. (Motion Control).
October 1, 2002... The DR100RE series of digital drives can be used with brushless, rotary or linear servomotors that use resolver feedback. The 20-kilohertz digital current loop uses space vector modulation switching techniques that result in high current loop...

Slotless motors. (Motion Control).
October 1, 2002... Brushless DC motors have slotless stator winding and rotor construction for zero cogging torque and vibration. Compact nominal frame sizes range from 1.4 to 5.8 inches in diameter. Speeds up to 50,000 rpm with torque constants to over 600...

Actuators for small parts handling. (Motion Control).
October 1, 2002... These rotary actuators are intended for small parts handling. An air-over-oil feature provides the advantage of hydraulics without hydraulic plumbing. They operate on standard shop air, but have a self-contained hydraulic system to absorb...

Brushless DC motor. (Motion Control).
October 1, 2002... Brushless DC motors BNDl2 and BND23 have torque ratings from 1.7 to 22 in.-oz with speeds up to 12,000 rpm. Each frame size is available in different lengths with the integrated electronics optimized for each motor's operating parameters. All...

High-force linear actuators. (Motion Control).
October 1, 2002... The Digit-HT compact linear actuators develop up to 440 pounds of force. Available in 2-, 4-, and 8-inch stroke lengths, and moving at up to 14 inches per second, they can provide up to 440 pounds of force using a 35 VDC driver at 1.7 to 3.4...

Array package rework system. (PCB Assembly).
October 1, 2002... The ARP-5000 array package rework system, ideal for reworking small PCBs, is capable of handling boards up to 9 by 10 inches with a placement accuracy of 0.001 inch. It can handle interconnection pitches as low as 0.012 inch. Closed-loop,...

Odd form and photonics assembly. (PCB Assembly).
October 1, 2002... The linear motor driven CHADIQh odd form final assembly and photonics assembly platform has a footprint of less than 1 meter and can handle virtually all odd form through-hole and surface mount applications. It can also handle automatic...

Exhaust filtration system. (PCB Assembly).
October 1, 2002... Impell exhaust filtration systems are a new option in the Total Line Solution series. These air filtration systems enable electronics manufacturers to eliminate exhaust ductwork and venting to the outside environment. They also reduce HVAC...

Position sensors. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... These air-extended, spring-retracted, low-voltage differential transducers are used for dimensional gauging and position measurement in factory automation applications. Standard measurement ranges are [+ or -]0.05, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2...

Proximity sensor. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The Superprox Model SM300 ultrasonic proximity sensor detects any material at a distance of 6.35 to 50.8 millimeters. Packaged in a 12millimeter-wide housing, the sensor detects a 2.5-millimeter-diameter rod or a 1-millimeter-wide flat bar at a...

Fiber optic sensor. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The OB fiber optic sensor is for applications that are prone to mechanical damage or have limited mounting space. The glass fibers are fitted with a 316 stainless steel jacket that withstands mechanical damage and a temperature of 600 F....

Long-range sensor. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The 3X Long Ranger inductive proximity sensor detects metal objects. M8, M12 and M30 sizes have a range of 3 to 40 millimeters. M12 and Ml8 "shorty" sizes have a range of 6 to 12 millimeters. Balluff Inc. www.balluff.com ...

Vision sensor. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The F160 machine vision sensor can inspect objects at a rate of 5,000 per minute. A "variable box" system for area and defect inspection ensures that optimum measurement regions are always used for inspection. This region can be set to change...

Two-hand control. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The Duo-Touch SG two-hand control system ensures that an operator's hands are out of the way when a press, riveter or other machine is activated. The system consists of two self-checking touch buttons and a DIN-mountable, microprocessor-based...

Vision processor. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The Mamba-l00 is a PCI-based embedded Vision processor. Equipped with a Pentium III microprocessor, the vision processor transfers images at a rate of 120 megabytes per second. It's 100-megahertz CPU-to-memory bus is 30 percent to 50 percent...

High-resolution camera. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The 4M25 area scan camera has a resolution of 2,048 by 2,048 pixels and a 12-bit digital output at 25 frames per second. Dalsa www.dalsa.com 519-886-6001 Reply 132

Unit stabilizes lighting. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The Equalizer stabilizes light output in machine vision applications. Lamp output will remain consistent at [+ or -]2 percent over the life of the lamp, with an [+ or -]8 percent lamp-to-lamp variation. With optional equipment, the device...

High-speed camera. (Vision Systems & Sensors).
October 1, 2002... The Photron fastcam-PCI is a high-speed camera for PC-based vision systems. Its resolution is 512 by 480 pixels. It records color and monochrome images at a rate of 250 full frames per second or 10,000 partial frames per second. Itronles...

Coaxial cable stripper. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... The CoaxStrip 5400 can perform multiple stage strips on various wire and cable. The maximum cable diameter that can be processed is 11 millimeters, and the maximum stripping length is 40 millimeters. It can process all common coaxial cable,...

Fiber optic cable cutter and stripper. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... The Airstrip 2715 cuts and strips fiber optic cable in volume. Using a special blade assembly, it cuts and strips the fiber optic cable and insulation by shearing either single or parallel and duplex cable to length and stripping the outside...

Terminal eliminates post insulation. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... The Ultra-Pod .250 Series Faston tab offers F-crimp wire termination and is applied with an applicator that crimps the terminal to the wire and inserts it into the insulation housing. It is suitable for quick-connect and power applications....

Automatic cutter. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... The MMC100 automatic cutter can cut round or flat material up to 3.94 inches wide and 0.63 inch thick. This microprocessor-controlled unit has a maximum cutting force of 600 pounds. It can be programmed to cut to length within a 1 percent...

Wire cutter and stripper. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... This cutter and stripper is suitable for small to medium wire and cable processing. Called the TSS 100, it can process single and multiple conductor cables with stranded conductors between 32 and 5 AWG. It simultaneously strips the outer jacket...

Crimping tool. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... The PZ series of handheld crimping tools attach insulated and noninsulated ferrules onto wires. The tools have ergonomically shaped handles and a ratchet release in case of incorrect operation. Weidmuller Inc. www.weidmuller.com ...

Machine cuts large wire. (Wire Processing).
October 1, 2002... The Model 141 operates at 80 psi and cuts up to 1 AWG wire. Speed is adjustable from 1 inch per second to 30 inches per second (4-inch cuts at 5,200 pieces per hour or 10-inch cuts at 3,400 pieces per hour). Accuracy is [+ or -] 1 millimeter....

Full-featured, UV-curing system bonds adhesives in seconds! (Literature/Web Site Review).
October 1, 2002... Uvitron-UV curing systems designed to meet demanding needs! The Intelli-Ray 400 4 flood curing system features microprocessor control and shutter. PLC, RS-232 and RS-485 remote interfaces. Available with UVA, UVB or visible spectrum lamps. See...

Fluorescent sealed linears (SL series). (Literature/Web Site Review).
October 1, 2002... Designed for use in industrial environments, StockerYale's fluorescent fixtures are completely sealed to meet NEMA 12 specifications. Units are available in Twin 4 Watt, Twin 6 Watt, Twin 8 Watt and Twin 13 Watt configurations. Lamps for all...

We can tell you a lot ... about leak and flow testing. (Literature/Web Site Review).
October 1, 2002... TM Electronics provides leak and flow product testers and package integrity test equipment, gas leak detectors and custom fixturing equipment. Our motto is, "We can tell you a lot." Along with detailed product information, our website...

Linear motion catalog offers components and complete systems. (Literature/Web Site Review).
October 1, 2002... Over 400 products and systems are showcased, including precision case-hardened and ground steel shafts, aluminum support rails, shaft support blocks and shaft rail assemblies, roller bearing pillow blocks/carriage plates, as well as complete...

Omega: the future is now! (Literature/Web Site Review).
October 1, 2002... AIMCO's Omega Series Pulse Tools are smaller, with tight torque accuracy. These 6,000 rpm tools provide fast cycles times with no torque reaction. Powerful but light -55 Nm in just over 2 pounds. With over 230 models, we have your best fit. For...

Radial rivet-forming. (Literature/Web Site Review).
October 1, 2002... AGME introduces the new radial riveting machine, model RR-14. This size riveter is available either as a stand-alone, tabletop riveting machine, a riveting head for integration, or as a component used in our CNC-riveting machines. The RR-14...