"Amerex started several years ago to automate parts of our production line because of an increasingly tight labor market," says Jeff Layfield, production manager. An automated assembly system from Jewett Automation (Richmond, VA) produces one completed valve every 4 seconds using only two operators and one technician per shift. Previously, this assembly required approximately 13 people on each shift.

The major challenge was installing, orienting and inspecting the pressure gauge, which is located on the valve assembly and indicates whether the fire extinguisher is charged correctly. The gauge has a green, pie-shaped area to indicate acceptable pressure. This area must be correctly oriented at twelve o’clock. An automated approach that mimics the combination of vision, torque and intuitive feel applied by operators replaces the manual assembly for this part.