Regardless, if fastening technology is on your shopping list, then The ASSEMBLY Show is the place to be! The show will take place Oct. 21-23 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. You’ll find numerous suppliers offering cordless nutrunners, pneumatic screwdrivers, screwfeeders, digital torque wrenches and other fastening technology. Here’s a taste of what’s on the floor.

Cordless Pulse Tool Eliminates Reaction Force

Photo courtesy of Desoutter Industrial Tools

The EABCLRT 110 is a battery-powered, pulse tool. This angle-head nutrunner delivers high torque and high speed without the reaction force. Operating at a continuous drive speed of 1,300 rpm, the tool tightens fasteners up to three times faster than conventional tools, significantly reducing takt time and boosting throughput. With a torque range of 29.5 to 81.1 foot-pounds, it is ideal for numerous applications, including chassis assembly, powertrain and engine work, strut mounting, and battery pack rework.

Equipped with RFID technology for effortless pairing and secured WiFi communication, the tool ensures smooth integration into existing assembly lines. 

The tool is engineered for maximum operator comfort. Its lightweight design eliminates the need for reaction arms and balancers. Its compact and balanced form factor, powered by 36-volt lithium-ion batteries, ensures long-lasting performance and ease of use. Featuring 360-degree reporting LEDs, the tool provides real-time visual feedback to assemblers. With an oil-free pulse unit, the tool minimizes the need for routine maintenance checks, enhancing uptime and reliability.

The tool is available in three models: standard, WiFi, and WiFi with accessory port. All battery models are compatible with Desoutter’s Smart Hub Connect, ensuring enhanced connectivity and control.

Desoutter Industrial Tools
www.desouttertools.com
Booth 517

Torque Arm Is Smart

Photo courtesy of GCI Engineering Solutions

Adaptics is a smart torque-reaction arm that error-proofs assembly and makes fastener installation safer and more ergonomic for assemblers. With encoders at each joint, the arm tracks the position of the tool tip and guides the assembler to each fastening location in the correct sequence. A visual interface enables engineers to easily program parameters and sequences for the assembly process.

The newest version of the technology breaks the software into modular components that work independently, but seamlessly, within a broader system. Each connected device (such as a fastening tool or a bar code scanner) can operate through dedicated software endpoints. This modularity enables easy expansion to support new devices or workflows. 

Engineers will be able to get new systems operational quickly by importing a 3D model of the smart arm instead of performing manual measurements or encoder homing. New processes can be configured simply by operating the arm in “training mode,” allowing the system to learn the correct sequence of movements automatically. A live rendering of arm movement and joint angles helps with diagnostics and fine-tuning. Onscreen crosshairs display the target area in either 2D or 3D, making it easier to verify accuracy.

The updated platform can manage multiple smart arms and tools within a single workstation or across multiple cells, supporting complex, synchronized operations. Support for native communication with EtherNet/IP PLCs reduces the need for third-party components in many environments, making integration into existing automation systems more straightforward.

GCI Engineering Solutions
www.gcilift.com
Booth 1610

Attachments Extend Reach of Fastening Tools

Photo courtesy of Luebbering Corp.

The L.SP3 product line consists of a variety of attachments to enable nutrunners to tighten specialty fasteners, such as tube nuts, or to tighten fasteners in hard-to-reach areas.

Geared offset heads provide access to fastening locations in hard-to-reach places. A closed head is required to fasten nuts and bolts, while an open head is necessary to fasten pipes and hoses. Heads are available in standard or inline designs, with various output torques (1 to 207 newton-meters) and various lengths (two-, three-, four- or six-gear stages). The heads transmit torque with an accuracy of ±6 percent of the set value.

Luebbering Corp.
www.luebbering.de
Booth 938

Transducerized Mechanical Pulse Tool

Photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems North America

Building on the success of the AccuPulse 4.0 platform, the AccuPulse 4+ transducerized mechanical pulse tool introduces several new features to meet the evolving needs of smart manufacturing environments.

The “snug torque detection level” feature enhances fastening accuracy in assemblies involving mixed joint conditions, where traditional tools may struggle to apply consistent torque. This breakthrough assures consistent torque application across variable materials and joint types. 

AccuPulse 4+ introduces a buffering capability that allows the tool to continue completing a batch count even when it temporarily loses connection with the controller. Once back in range, it syncs the data or resumes where it left off. 

The user interface has been redesigned to make programming, adjusting and replacing tools easier. This reduces setup time and simplifies training for operators.

The new tool retains the core features of the original AccuPulse 4.0. These include: one-hand cordless operation with no torque reaction; a torque range of 20 to 220 newton-meters; a highly durable noncontact transducer for reliable torque measurement; and a unique drive mechanism for optimized torque calculations. The tool also features a torque traceability and curve detection algorithm; wireless two-way communication; and real-time data collection for torque, angle, time, OK or not OK status, pulses, and fastening curves.

Panasonic Eco Systems North America
https://assemblytools.na.panasonic.com
Booth 631

Sleeve Protects Tools, Prevents Scratches

Photo courtesy of Assembly Tool Specialists Inc.

The Protekto Sleeve is a covering power tools, hand tools, fixturing and any item that could scratch or mar a painted or finished surface. The sleeve is manufactured from a durable rubber compound that will shrink to approximately 50 percent of its diameter. The product is supplied pre-stretched on a removable core for efficiency and ease of installation. To install the sleeve, simply position the tubing where it is needed and unwind the core by pulling the “pigtail” out from the center. The memory action of the rubber material will shrink around the tool, ensuring a permanent cover without the need of adhesives or clamps.

Assembly Tool Specialists Inc.
www.assytool.com
Booth 1517

Presenter for Large Screws, High-Volume Assembly

Photo courtesy of Delta Regis Tools

The DRFF-530 screw presenter is designed for high-volume assembly with large screws. Built for handling #2 to #12 screws (M2.0 to M6.0) with thread lengths of up to 1.18 inches, this presenter can withstand heavy-duty applications. The 600-cc hopper reduces the need for constant reloading, making it a great fit for manual and robotic operations in high-throughput environments. The screw presenter ensures consistent delivery and uptime.

Delta Regis Tools
https://deltaregis.com
Booth 1131

Pneumatic Screwdrivers

Photo courtesy of Du-Pas by TorqTec

The TDBS Series of pneumatic screwdrivers have a precision torque-control clutch for high accuracy and prolonged durability. Available in push-start and lever-start models, the screwdrivers cover a torque range of 0.3 to 10 newton-meters. Free speed ranges from 500 to 1,700 rpm. The reverse switch can be operated one-handed by right- or left-handed operators. The tools have a gravity-cast housing for high durability. Rubberized nonslip grips facilitate precision assembly and insulate against heat from the tool.

Du-Pas by TorqTec
www.torqtec.net
Booth 105

Hydropneumatic Riveter

Photo courtesy of Gage Bilt Inc.

The GB743 is a hydropneumatic tool for installing blind rivets. It weighs 6.25 pounds and can be operated in any position. It has a 0.9-inch setting stroke and a rated pull load of 4,000 pounds at 90 psi. At 90 psi, the tool does not exceed 81.5 dB(A) and consumes 0.3 standard cubic feet of air per cycle.

Gage Bilt Inc.
https://gagebilt.com
Booth 640

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