Repetitive motion injuries have been plaguing assemblers for many years. In September 1970 (three months before OSHA was established!), ASSEMBLY Magazine first reported on a new term called "ergonomics."
Ford Motor Co. slashed its full-year 2001 earnings forecast and said it would cut 4,000 to 5,000 white-collar jobs in North America by the end of the year to streamline its business and become more competitive. The job cuts will be achieved largely through retirements.
Researchers at the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have been recognized for developing four of the 100 most significant innovations of 2000.
Phillips Service Industries Inc. integrated the products and services of Evana Automation (automated assembly systems), ESI Engineered Systems (assembly and test systems) and Clyde Corp. (automated feeders) under one name--PSI Automation Group.
Because of their ability to achieve fast speeds and high accuracy, linear motors have been used for years in semiconductor processing equipment. Now, the technology has finally found its way into automated assembly equipment.
Attendees to the Assembly West Expo and Conference, to be held Nov. 14 to 15, 2001, at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, CA, can tour the Boeing factory where the U.S. Air Force's Airlifter cargo jet is assembled.
National Instruments and the Automation and Drives Group of Siemens AG are cooperating to develop solutions for automated manufacturing applications requiring precise measurement and control.
To increase production, speed turnaround and enhance new product development, Multicore Solders, a division of Loctite Corp., will move its manufacturing, technical support and customer service operations to a facility in Industry, CA.
