The need for smaller, more precise as-semblies will stimulate major changes in assembly technology during the year 2000 and beyond. For example, new, smaller medical products are being developed at an accelerated pace each year. This is creating demand for compact, precise, high-speed assembly systems that can operate in clean rooms and meet Food and Drug Administration requirements. Similarly, in the automotive industry, assemblies are getting smaller and more precise. Moreover, manufacturers throughout the auto industry are requiring suppliers of assembly systems to be ISO 9001 certified. And by 2010, most automotive manufacturers will re-quire assembly systems suppliers to be QS 9001 certified.
To meet this demand, automation suppliers will offer standard assembly systems. These systems will be engineered for low cost, high reliability, and ease of use and maintenance. Because they can be built to a forecast, rather than to order, standard assembly systems can be delivered faster and take much less time to install and commission. This will allow assemblers to get new products to market faster.