Created through a merger of the helicopter divisions of Aerospatiale-matra (Paris) and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (Munich, Germany), Eurocopter (Marignane, France) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the European Aeronautic, Defense and Space Company (Schiphol Rijk, The Netherlands) and one of the world's leading helicopter manufacturers.
Despite years of research by electronics assemblers, the problem of tin whiskers defies an easy solution. And the stakes are high, to say the least. Since 1992, tin whiskers have been blamed for the complete failure of three commercial satellites and the partial disabling of four others.
Intense heat and flame make welding a harsh process. As a result, manufacturers often spend thousands of dollars replacing sensors that are damaged or destroyed. However, ravenous consumption of sensors in welding cells is largely preventable.
No matter what type of product they make, all manufacturers walk the same fine line and face many of the same burdens. For example, when the path to profitability reaches a T or a Y, management often must make a critical decision: go left and invest in assembly automation technology, or go right and outsource production.
Bosch Rexroth Corp. (Buchanan, MI), long a fixture in the world of manufacturing and assembly, is making its first foray into the architectural world, providing structural support for the new, prefab "iT house," created by the office of Taalman Koch Architecture (Los Angeles).
The Koko Smartrainer exercise machine, manufactured by Koko Fitness Inc. (Norwell, MA), includes an integrated computerized "personal trainer" that automatically customizes each workout to an individual's particular needs. Not surprisingly, given the level of technology involved, actually manufacturing such a system required overcoming a number of assembly challenges.
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