When David J. Zabrosky, North American sales manager for Schmidt Technology, gets a call from a customer asking for a servo-driven assembly press, the first question he asks is, “Why?”

Regardless of their location or industry, manufacturers are demanding more from leak test equipment than ever before. Tough economic times and increased competition require companies to use equipment that not only provides accuracy and repeatability, but accommodates a wider variety of parts.

Parts bins have been synonymous with assembly lines ever since the mass-production process was pioneered by Ford Motor Co. engineers 100 years ago.

Vision systems can help manufacturers reduce scrap, increase yield and discover better ways to assemble products.

Batteries are an environmentally friendly form of energy with fewer pollution and disposal issues than other green technologies.

In April, electronics assembler Mack Technologies completed work on a substantial installation of money-saving technology at its factory in Westford, MA. The company didn’t get a new paste printer, reflow oven or pick-and-place machine. In fact, the plant’s slick new technology had nothing to do with assembly.

Compliant mechanisms are jointless, elastic structures that reduce costs and simplify product designs. These single-piece flexible structures elastically deform without joints to produce a desired functionality.

Well known for its engineering expertise, The EDAG Group develops vehicles and production systems for auto manufacturers all over the world. In conjunction with FFT EDAG, its sister company, The EDAG Group also creates complete production facilities for body in white modeling and vehicle assembly.

Kids have loved robots and toys for generations. The Rodon Group has decided that now is the perfect time for a robot named Baxter to help pack toys in the company’s highly automated manufacturing facility.

For 17 days, NVC Lighting Technology Corp. lit up the 2008 summer Olympics—literally. Based in Huizhou, China, the company provided lighting for several facilities in Beijing, including the Olympic village and central area, China National Convention Center, China Agricultural University gymnasium, Beijing University of Technol-ogy gymnasium and Tianjin railway station.