The basic concept of
press-force monitoring has evolved into
two branches. One focuses on pressing applications, but offers
assemblers more flexibility and precision when capturing information about the
force-distance curve. The other branch, called signature analysis, lets assemblers apply the
monitoring concept to applications beyond press force.
Systems integrator Orientech Inc. recently designed an automated assembly system for surgical pens. The system assembles pens at a rate of 120 per minute.
Traditionally, robots have required a large footprint and a big pocketbook. However, a new breed of lightweight, benchtop machines provide big performance in a small package. Mini robots offer a cost-effective way to handle and assemble small parts, especially when space is scarce.
Springs are often a very inexpensive component in an assembly. However, the problems created in detangling and handling them can greatly affect the productivity and efficiency of automated assembly systems.
Just as both the quality of the joint and the quality of the joint designer’s knowledge base will be limited by reliance on numerical analysis, the same limitations occur when experience and applied experimentation is all one has to draw from.
Hol-Mac wanted to increase technician efficiency
in its plants by making test equipment and computers more mobile. This mobility
would let technicians bring equipment to areas throughout the four facilities
as needed, rather then walking back and forth endlessly to static workstations.
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