Each fire rescue vehicle E-ONE manufactures contains a large amount of parts that must be measured and inspected prior to assembly. For many years, E-ONE assemblers had used various hand tools to measure these parts. Unfortunately, such tools often limited the assemblers’ ability to make sure each part met the company’s design tolerances.

Wagic Inc. is the What A Great Idea Co. Since 1985, it has specialized in designing, prototyping and manufacturing innovative consumer products. Based in Los Gatos, CA, Wagic recently developed the RE:Solve line of handheld multi-tools, which are available to consumers at big box stores like Lowe’s.

In early 2010, Draper Laboratory was in need of a semiconductor platform that met two criteria. First, it had to perform flip chip assembly, in which microelectromechanical systems are connected to circuitry with solder bumps that have been deposited onto the chip pads. Second, the platform had to be adaptable, because Draper develops products for a wide range of applications requiring the latest technology.

SMB Schnekenburger GmbH provides assembly-ready parts made of thin sheet metal to electronics firms, equipment manufacturers, and companies in ventilation and medical technology. For the past several years, SMB has faced increased competition from suppliers in low-wage countries. This situation has forced SMB to make parts more cost-effectively without lessening fastener-insertion accuracy.

Before Autoliv Electronics America can provide top-notch products to its automotive customers, the company must make sure the equipment at its facility in Southfield, MI, performs top-notch. One type of equipment Autoliv uses there is pick-and-place machines, which are used in the assembly of printed circuit boards that mount onto various electronic safety components.

Many of the 4,300 people who work at Caterpillar’s heavy-equipment manufacturing plant in Gosselies, Belgium, are assemblers who bolt together hydraulic valves and hoses before installing them in medium- and large-sized excavators and wheel-loaders. Until recently, assemblers used a manual torque wrench to tighten the bolts.

German manufacturer Fontaine Engineering und Maschinen GmbH makes hot-dip galvanizing equipment, which several U.S. automakers use for coating metal strips. Since 2010, Fontaine has installed sensors in the equipment’s edge-coating control system to ensure uniform coating.

On April 21, 2011-more than 3-1/2 years after first being unveiled to the world-the Sukhoi Superjet 100 completed its first commercial flight. Assembly for all versions of the Superjet is done at the facilities of Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association in the Russian Far East.

Late in 2009, the Raymond Corp. decided to enhance the material-handling capabilities of its 9000 Series Swing-Reach lift truck. The unit now features a multiturn angle sensor that tracks the position of the truck’s mast to ensure consistent and efficient operation.

Janda Co. Inc. recently upgraded the control system on its welding machinery. No longer are the company’s machines based on relay logic and cam timers. Rather, the company’s machines use either a programmable logic controller or programmable automation controller.