Appliance Assembly - Articles - Page 27

Mastering Changeover

Smooth flow is vital to high-mix production initiatives

December 1, 2016

Quick change is a popular type of magic in which performers appear in entirely different costumes within just a few seconds. It’s an act that takes tremendous skill and lots of practice to perfect.

Our 2016 Assembly Industry Naughty and Nice List

John Sprovieri

December 1, 2016

Lumps of coal go to Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for giving us a choice between Scylla and Charybdis. An extra lump goes to The Donald for running a campaign that set new lows in civil political discourse.

New Machine Rolls, Welds Stainless Steel Drums for Laundry Appliances

November 15, 2016

COLDWATER, OH—Systems integrator Coldwater Machine Co. has developed a new machine that automatically rolls and welds stainless steel drums and baskets for washers and dryers.

Statistical Process Control of Torque Data on Assembly Lines

Power tools collect a wealth of data about the fastening process, but what can engineers learn from it?

John Sprovieri

November 7, 2016

Power tools collect a wealth of data about the fastening process. With some simple statistical analysis, engineers can obtain valuable insight into the fastening process.

Whirlpool Assembly Plant to Get 30 Percent of Power From Wind

October 31, 2016

OTTAWA, OH—Whirlpool Corp. began construction on a $3.3-million wind-turbine project at its freezer assembly plant here. The project will generate more than 30 percent of the plant’s power needs.

Dryers Remain Centerpiece of Work at Whirlpool’s Marion Plant

October 3, 2016

MARION, OH—When you arrive at the largest clothes-dryer plant in the world, the first thing you see is not some whiz-bang new product, but a really old one. Inside the visitor entrance is a dryer made when the plant had just opened in 1955. The appliance was used in someone’s house for 60 years and still works.

Joining choices: welds, fasteners or adhesives?

No matter which method is used, the goal is low production costs and a quality end product.

October 1, 2016

Design engineers consider a number of factors when deciding which joining method is best suited to a particular application. Each has pros and cons, and this article will look at some of the reasons behind the choices for one over the other.

Welding Incompatible Thermoplastics

Incompatible thermoplastic polymers can be welded by using polymer blends that are compatible with both components.

September 8, 2016

Ideally, every component in a plastic assembly would be made from the same material. However, cost, functional and aesthetic requirements often dictate that a mix of materials be used.

Whirlpool Breaks Ground on Factory Distribution Center Expansion

August 25, 2016

GREENVILLE, OH—Whirlpool Corp. will expand its Factory Distribution Center here, which ships KitchenAid small appliances worldwide. The project will nearly double the space at the facility, to 650,000 square feet.

InSinkErator Transitioning Racine Facility to Assembly Only

August 22, 2016

RACINE, WI—InSinkErator will transition its factory here to an assembly-only plant over the next three years, and much of its motor production will move to other plants both inside and outside the U.S.