Assembly eMagazine

2013 May

The 2013 May Assembly includes a cover story about considerations for selecting vision systems and articles about leak testing, optimizing parts bin layout, and what's new with assembly presses. Check it out today!

Cover Story

Back to Top

Features

Back to Top

What’s New With Air Presses

Servo-driven presses may have gained market share in recent years, but there’s still plenty of work for pneumatic and hydropneumatic presses on assembly lines.
John Sprovieri
May 1, 2013

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?”


Read More

Optimizing Parts Bin Layout

Engineers must minimize excessive movement while maximizing productivity.
Austin Weber
Austin Weber
May 1, 2013

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


Read More

The Challenge of Flexibility in Leak Testing

Market conditions demand manufacturers use equipment that accommodates, and accurately tests, a wider variety of parts.
Jim Camillo
May 1, 2013

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.


Read More

Columns

Back to Top

Manufacturers Save Energy

John Sprovieri
May 1, 2013

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.


Read More

Function Blocks Simplify Programming

PLCopen has a library of 25 single- and multiaxis function blocks.
May 1, 2013

Software is playing an increasing role in industrial automation. That’s been good in terms of boosting the functionality and flexibility of machines. But, writing code can also add cost and time to the development process.


Read More

Paperless Instructions Streamline Electronics Assembly

Although a small business, Sechan Electronics is one of the most respected electronics assembly companies in the United States.
May 1, 2013

Sechan’s services include circuit board assembly, wiring harness assembly and final assembly. In addition, Sechan can act quickly to change the configuration of any product in terms of how it will be used in the field.


Read More

Walking Beam System Assembles Medical Device

Centrifugal feeders singulate and orient cylindrical parts.
May 1, 2013

Farason Corp. has been designing and building automated assembly systems for more than 25 years. Based in Coatesville, PA, the company has designed automation systems for food, cosmetics, medical devices, pharmaceutical products, personal care products, toys and solar cells. The company’s client list includes Blistex Inc., Crayola Crayons, L’Oreal USA, Smith Medical and even the U.S. Mint.


Read More

BYU Engineers Push Product Design Boundaries

Traditionally, automobiles, lawn mowers, airplanes, dishwashers and other products contain a wide variety of rigid parts connected by joints that are designed to be strong and stiff.
Austin Weber
Austin Weber
May 1, 2013

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.


Read More

Flow Racks Clear Growth Path for Canadian Auto Plant

The flow racks allow TTA to make incremental improvements to its storage systems.
May 1, 2013

Based in Somerset, KY, Toyotetsu America (TTA) is an automotive stamping division of Toyota. TTA operates several plants, including one in Sincoe, ON, since 2007. There, workers stamp metal frame parts for cars such as the RAV4, Corol-la and Lexus.


Read More

LED Platforms Raise Lighting Company to Market Leadership

May 1, 2013

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.


Read More

Rotary Table Bears Heavy Load for Small-Lot Welding System

May 1, 2013

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.


Read More

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the manufacturing industry

Stay in the know on the latest assembly trends.

JOIN TODAY!