Assembly articles from October 2004

Assembly archives from October 2004

Ten opportunities.(Editorial)
October 1, 2004... Whether for comic relief or political satire, we see "top 10" lists everywhere. The typical list merits no more than a laugh or a groan, if that. But every now and again, an institution with genuine credentials assembles a list that means...

Torque sensors turn in new directions.(X-Y-Z)
October 1, 2004... By far, the most common application for torque sensors on the assembly line is measuring the tightness of joints secured with threaded fasteners. But it's not the only use. Torque sensors are increasingly finding their way out of the tool crib...

Fuel cells go to work with UPS.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... ANN ARBOR, MI -- In August, DaimlerChrysler unveiled the first medium-duty fuel cell vehicle for commercial use in the United States. The vehicle, a modified Dodge Sprinter van, is now in regular service as part of the United Parcel Service...

Laser welding absorbents meet med standard.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... CARBONDALE, PA -- The near-infrared absorbents used in Gentex Corp.'s Clearweld process for laser welding plastics have been shown to meet the requirements of USP Class VI testing. Namsa, an independent testing organization serving the...

SME launching networking tool.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... DEARBORN, MI -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers will be officially launching its EXPOtential networking tool at the organization's Fabtech. International 2004 event, October 26-28 at the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The service debuted...

Japan leads in lead-free.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... NEW YORK -- Japan is leading the world in lead-free solder paste use, but Western Europe will likely catch up in the near future, according to a recent study by Frost & Sullivan. According to the market-research firm's World Surface Mount...

Digital simulation market to top $2.1 billion.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... CAMBRIDGE, MA -- The technology market research firm Daratech reports that investment in computer-aided-engineering software and services will top $2.1 billion in 2004, an 12-percent increase over the previous year. The firm notes that in...

Nanotechnology conference set for November.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... BALTIMORE, MD -- NASA Tech Briefs will be holding its Nano 2004 conference November 11-12 at the Wyndham Baltimore. The second-annual event will focus on emerging business opportunities in nanotechnology. As in 2003, the conference will feature...

Free seminars on semiconductor assembly.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... FRANKLIN, MA -- Speedline Technologies (Franklin, MA) is holding a series of free monthly technical Web-cast seminars studying the challenges facing engineers in the semiconductor manufacturing process. Each of the seminars, to be hosted by...

Nachi robot opens new support center.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... NOVI, MI -- Nachi Robot Systems Inc. and Wyco have opened a joint sales and service center in Greenville, SC, to provide support to customers in the Southeast. The 3,000-square-foot facility offers sales, training, spare parts and service...

ITW Performance Polymers acquires Krafft.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... RIVIERA BEACH, FL -- ITW Performance Polymers has acquired Krafft S.A. (Andoain, Spain), a producer of adhesives, lubricants and sealants for industry and the automotive aftermarket. According to Mike Underwood, general manager of the...

SAS receives Ohio Exporting Award.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... XENIA, OH -- End-of-arm tooling manufacturer SAS Automation Ltd. has received Ohio's 2004 Governor's Excellence in Exporting Award, in recognition of its recent growth in sales and market presence abroad. According to company officials,...

Phoenix Contact acquires Entivity.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... HARRISBURG, PA -- Phoenix Contact Inc. has acquired control-software supplier Entivity (Ann Arbor, MI). According to company officials, the acquisition provides Phoenix Contact with a U.S.-based software provider that will help the company work...

New workbook aids lean manufacturing.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... RICHMOND, VA -- Oaklea Press has published a workbook companion to its earlier Lean Transformation: How to Change Your Business into a Lean Enterprise. Entitled A Workbook for Assessing Your Lean Transformation, the new title contains more...

Honeywell secures rights to Optrand fiber sensors.(Assembly Lines)
October 1, 2004... FREEPORT, IL -- Honeywell has signed an agreement providing it with exclusive rights to the Optrand company's line of fiber optic pressure, sensors for use in direct-measurement of in-cylinder pressure in engine applications. "This...

Curing equipment.(Assembly Spec Sheet)
October 1, 2004... Looking for equipment to cure adhesives, coatings and other materials? Complete this form and fax it to your potential suppliers! [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Supplier Contact Information American Ultraviolet Co.--Fax: 765-483-9525 Dymax...

Machine vision guarantees fit.(Assembly in Action)
October 1, 2004... The 100,000-square-meter Ford motor assembly plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has 1,200 employees working in three shifts. Every day, the plant produces approximately 1,100 engines for Ford's Fiesta, Courier, Focus, Ka and Eco Sport models. The...

Real-time production data enables efficiency.(Assembly in Action)
October 1, 2004... Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America (MEAA, Maysville, KY) manufactures a range of electronic components for automobiles, including starters, alternators and ignition coils. Last November, the company embarked on a $32-million,...

Bone blaster up to the task.(Assembly in Action)
October 1, 2004... Dexter Research Center Inc. (Dexter, MI) manufactures infrared sensors that are no larger than a pencil eraser and are widely used in medical, commercial and aerospace applications. To create the detectors, a thin, metal microstencil, or mask,...

Supplier plays role in profitability.(Assembly in Action)
October 1, 2004... Stryver Manufacturing Inc. (Dayton, OH) designs and builds automated fixtures, custom production machines, material handling equipment and automated weld systems. Its success depends on the company's ability to find dependable, low-cost custom...

Overhead busway smoothes changeovers.(Assembly in Action)
October 1, 2004... Sypris Electronics (Tampa, FL) is an electronics manufacturing firm with over 35 years experience as a supplier for numerous aerospace, avionics, defense and industrial customers. The company offers a full range of design, manufacturing,...

The Assembly Top 50: GM is the No. 1 assembler in the United States and the world.(Special Report)(Cover Story)
October 1, 2004... In 1952, Charles Erwin Wilson, president of General Motors Corp., told a congressional committee: "What is good for the country is good for General Motors, and what's good for General Motors is good for the country." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Eliminating NVH: sensors remove the guesswork from testing engines for noise, vibration and harshness.(Testing)
October 1, 2004... When consumers shell out $10,000 or more for a new car, they have little tolerance for unexpected engine noise and vibration. Trouble is, today's vehicle technology has made controlling noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in engines more...

Nanotech frontiers: molecular manufacturing promises to change the way many products are assembled.(Assembly Trends)
October 1, 2004... Billions of dollars are being poured into nanotechnology--the science of building devices at the scale of individual molecules. Because it promises to revolutionize many industries, ranging from automotive to aerospace and consumer products to...

The best of both worlds: threaded inserts make plastic assemblies strong and reusable.(Threaded Inserts)
October 1, 2004... In many ways threaded metal inserts in plastic provide the best of all possible worlds. On the one hand, you have the ease and flexibility of plastic construction. On the other, parts can be safely and securely fastened using machine screws,...

Stirring the pot: lead-free solders can cause severe corrosion in wave-soldering equipment.(Electronics Assembly)
October 1, 2004... Wave soldering can easily be converted to a lead-free process. However, assemblers will need to modify existing equipment and tightly control process parameters. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Besides a higher melting temperature, the biggest...

Get a grip on uneven surfaces.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Mini bellows vacuum cups are available in sizes as small as 3 millimeters in diameter, fitting a wide range of vacuum equipment used for small part handling. They adhere to convex, concave and uneven surfaces, making them suitable for...

Assembly systems are flexible.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The G05 line of flexible linear assembly systems includes everything from manual workstations to semiautomatic stations to fully automatic cells. The fully automatic cells are also available as micro cells that allow for production rates of up...

Robot for heavy payloads.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The E2H853 heavy duty SCARA robot can handle a maximum payload of 20 kilograms and a moment of inertia of 0.45 kilogrammete[r.sup.2], making it suitable for heavy payload applications that require speed and precision. The robot comes standard...

Laser sensor is rugged, reliable.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The SLS 2401 sensor is for high-speed profiling of problematic surfaces, such as green and high-silicone rubber. Specific applications in the rubber and tire industry include inspecting dimensional thickness and cross-sectional profiles of...

Tape offers rugged service.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Duofoam S3608B-PE is made of a 1/8-inch, black, cross-linked polyethylene foam tape, double coated with a solvent-based pressure sensitive adhesive. Supplied on a red polyethylene release liner, it performs well over a wide range of temperature...

Epoxy for medical applications.(Products)
October 1, 2004... EP42HT-2 two-part epoxy cures at room temperature and can be used as a sealant or for coating and casting. It can be used in medical devices thanks to its ability to withstand repeated sterilizations by radiation, ethylene oxide, chemical...

Pinch apart PCB tabs.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The N200 is a top-down, air-operated punch for singulating tab-routed PCB panels. An upper and lower matching knife blade is used to pinch the tabs apart, producing less stress on the PCB than a punch and die. The tab is positioned on the lower...

Components for profiles.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Profile Components' product line includes both standard and custom components for aluminum profiles, stock T-nuts, hinges, handles, brackets, catches and fasteners fitting many existing profiles on the market today. Standard parts can be...

Lose weight with slide units.(Products)
October 1, 2004... ZSC series slide units feature a ball rail system between twin piston rods resulting in a very flat, low-mount guide. Their design allows them to have a 35-percent lower profile and 35-percent less weight than conventional double-rod slide...

Antistatic components protect electronics.(Products)
October 1, 2004... ESD antistatic components can be used to construct material handling structures that eliminate static buildup, protecting delicate circuitry. ESD components include standard-size pipe, slide pipe (tubing with a flat side, typically used in flow...

Smart cameras are also faster.(Products)
October 1, 2004... Legend 550 series smart cameras, designed for robotic and other assembly applications, operate at speeds up to eight times faster than their predecessors, the high-speed Legend 540 series. The 550 series incorporates a Texas Instruments DSP...

Actuators handle range of chores.(Products)
October 1, 2004... HBBY pneumatic actuators function in a wide range of gantry-style, linear-motion applications where space is restricted. Applications include material handling, packaging, assembly, parts transfer, machine load and unload, clamping, and product...

Acquisition board for line-scan cameras.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The X64-LVDS is a high-performance, 64-bit image acquisition board for parallel output digital area and line-scan cameras compatible with LVDS (EIA-644) and RS-422 standards. It is universal PCI-slot compliant and compatible with 8-, 10-, and...

Cut costs and effort.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The MultiLine is a low-cost alternative to automated assembly systems. It combines the benefits of workstations, manual transfer systems, flow-through shelving and buffer storage in a multifunctioning, integrated package. The modularity of...

Modular guards OSHA-approved.(Products)
October 1, 2004... This fully modular guarding line includes an extensive range of components that are adaptable for virtually any in-plant application. It complies with OSHA norms and encompasses everything from basic guarding panels to complete swing, scissor,...

Feeder positions pins.(Products)
October 1, 2004... The Multi-Pick Feeder increases overall production by enabling standard placement cells to pick and place multiple discrete interconnect pins in a single cycle. The feeder automatically translates the 24-millimeter tape carrying the pins from a...

Shock absorbers.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Ace Controls offers product information on its full line of industrial and safety shock absorbers, as, well as feed controllers. Featured products include the award winning S[C.sub.2] Heavy weight Series and Magnum Group Industrial shock...

Motion control and positioning systems.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Aerotech manufactures motion control and positioning systems and components including nanopositioners; air-bearing and mechanical-bearing linear, rotary and lift stages; gantries; linear and rotary servomotors and drives; PC-based,...

10-32 UNF Quick Disconnects.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... The 10-32 UNF male-threaded Quick Disconnects are available in three barb configurations: straight, elbow, and tee. Depress the latching pushbutton to remove the barb; re-insertion of the barb locks it into position. Barbs can be provided for...

Brazing and soldering automation.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Find ideas for automating your brazing or soldering application with Fusion's 16-page capabilities brochure. Review rotary index and fixed station, "Braze Mate" machine types. Paste dispenser concepts and heating methods discussed, including...

UV adhesives for plastics.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Site features UV/Visible light curing adhesives for bonding plastics. Wide selection of products can be used for bonding dissimilar plastics or plastics to glass or metal. Adhesives cure in seconds with curing equipment also featured on the...

Plastic fasteners.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... This NEW catalog #35 is over 250 pages and details more than 20,000 plastic fasteners to accomodate a wide range of applications. This FREE catalog features 10 NEW product lines with 160 new items. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] FREE...

Positive displacement dispensing.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... EFD's new Ultra 2800 Dispensing System is perfect for applications that require precise metering of epoxies and other assembly fluids with changing viscosity or where a specific flow rate is necessary. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Intelligent nutrunners for heavy duty fastening.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Brochure reveals how muscle, speed and intelligence make our 177/277 Series nutrunners the invincible solution for high torque, high precision fastening applications in aerospace, automotive and off-highway markets. Available in in-line, offset...

Rexroth's modular tightening and press-fit systems.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 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...

CD features linear motion products.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... This Linear Motion Product CD from Bosch Rexroth Corporation is a one-stop resource for Rexroth's complete range of linear motion products including Ball Rail[R] Systems, Precision Ball Screw Assemblies, Bushings and Linear Modules. Electronic...

In-Sight Explorer free trial offer.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... The Industry's most powerful vision sensor just became the easiest to use. Experience how the new In-Sight" Explorer from Cognex Corporation can make development of your vision applications and management of vision sensor networks easy. Ask...

Hot Bar Soldering for flex circuits.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 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...

Grippers and automation components.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... This new 544-page catalog from Techno-Sommer Automatic features over 800 off-the-shelf automation components including over 200 different types of grippers, plus; tool changers, swivel units, pneumatic linear actuators, rotary actuators, vacuum...

Linear motion products.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... The new 176-page catalog H834 features a large selection of completed X, X-Y and X-Y-Z linear position systems. This includes gantry tables, belt driven and ball screw driven slides for all types of automation including inspection, dispensing...

Crimp, twist, flux and tin ultra-thin wire.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... The Gamma 255 from Komax is a flexible crimping machine that can process both ends of a wire from 16 AWG to 36 AWG--fully-automatically. The operator can leave the crimping press in place as a changeover is made to twisting, fluxing and tinning...

Glob top encapsulants for flex circuits.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Site features DYMAX 9001E Series Glob Top Encapsulants that form a thick, elastic coating over components and flexible circuit materials. Curing in seconds with UV light, they protect against moisture and other contaminants. Room temperature...

Installation equipment.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Fastener-installation equipment, pioneered by PennEngineering Fastening Technologies, can deliver a competitive edge. No matter how demanding a job, our systems and expertise provide time-proven solutions. PEMSERTER[R] brand presses are...

Assemble it faster, better, for less.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Find the new technologies and ideas at Assembly East. May 4-5, 2005 Boston, MA www.assemblyeast.com Assembly East is the leading event in the Northeast where manufacturing professionals go to source new products and learn...

Catalog features new inch-series aluminum profiles.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... The Linear Motion and Assembly Technologies business unit of Bosch Rexroth Corporation has added new robust, inch-based aluminum framing sizes to its already extensive aluminum structural framing system. The nine new, high-strength profiles...

HemiLite[TM] model 12 spherical fluorescent vision illuminator.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... StockerYale's Model 12 HemiLite is designed for use in machine vision applications where highly diffuse, uniform illumination is required to detect surface defects on rough and/or specular surfaces. The HemiLite lamp assembly is available in a...

Phoenix Contact online.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... The Phoenix Contact website is a user-friendly site complete with a variety of information. It offers a comprehensive online catalog with over 10,000 part numbers, CAD drawings, data sheets and detailed technical information. Product selector...

Assembly tool guides at your fingertips.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... All Web inquiries receive a response within 24 hours! View our library of Quick Start Guides to understand torque, joint types and learn about the variety of fastening tools available from AIMCO. The "Guides" will help you select the right...

O-Ring/Seal assembly.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... AMARA provides complete automation for INTERNAL & EXTERNAL assembly of O-Rings and Seals of all types and sizes. Semi-automatic, automatic and stations for integration. Contact AMARA, the leader in SEAL ASSEMBLY AUTOMATION. [ILLUSTRATION...

DE-STA-CO raises the bar ... again.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... Launch of New Generation Toggle Clamps! DE-STA-CO Industries' new 2002, 2007, 2010 series toggle clamps offer more than twice the holding capacity in the same envelope size as previous generation models. Additional benefits include...

Repair products and OEM adhesives.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... New catalog presents Devcon's comprehensive line of plant maintenance/repair products and OEM adhesives. Advanced compounds repair metal, rubber, and concrete and protect against abrasion, corrosion, and chemicals. OEM adhesives include...

Radial rivet-forming.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... AGME introduces the new pneumatic radial riveting machine, model RR-18. This size riveter is available either as a stand-alone-or tabletop riveting machine, a riveting head for integration, or as a component used in our CNC-riveting machines....

Expansion to 2nd Generation EC-Electric Screwdriver Spindles.(Hot Website & Literature Review)
October 1, 2004... DEPRAG has again expanded the 2nd Generation of EC-Screwdriver Spindles, by adding a driver with an extreme high torque capability. The EC-Spindles are similar to the DEPRAG stationary pneumatic spindles in sizes (smallest major [empty set]...

What's in a number?(Uncommon Sense)
October 1, 2004... Decades ago management reported very few numbers to the workforce, except what they were supposed to produce today and maybe how well they did yesterday. In today's manufacturing environment, numbers are everywhere. There are so many numbers...