John Sprovieri, Editor-in-Chief

Soft Robotics Introduces Modular, Flexible Gripper for UR Cobots

November 20, 2019

Soft Robotics Inc. has introduced a new version of its mGrip soft gripper technology for collaborative robots. Called coDrive, the gripper has its own control logic and an independent air source, so the device can be used in applications without the need to be tethered to source of pressurized air.

Collaborative Robots Help Finish Cars at Ford Assembly Plant in Germany

John Sprovieri

November 20, 2019

For the first time, Ford Motor Co. has deployed a team of collaborative robots, or cobots, to work alongside employees at its assembly plant here to ensure that every Ford Fiesta has a perfect finish

Linear Motor Transport Systems

Linear motors enable pallets to be accelerated, moved and positioned independently of one another

John Sprovieri

November 7, 2019

A leading medical device manufacturer in North America had a problem: how to expand production without increasing its manufacturing footprint.

Agile automation system assembles automotive inverters

The flexible system can produce three variants of the product

John Sprovieri

November 5, 2019

The automotive industry is at the threshold of a disruption not seen since the Brass Era of the 1900s. Electric vehicles, connectivity, mobility-as-a-service, and autonomous vehicles promise to change the future of transportation in the same way that the "horseless carriage" did a century ago.

Tariffs Have Moved Some Production From China, but not to the US

John Sprovieri

November 4, 2019

Recently, I received an e-mail from a U.S. electrical products company warning me that, on Oct. 15, the tariff on power supplies and power cords imported to the U.S. from China would increase from 25 percent to 30 percent.

Four Fastening Tools Among Nominees for ASSEMBLY Product of the Year

John Sprovieri

October 16, 2019

To draw attention to the breadth and quality of new technologies on display at The ASSEMBLY Show, we’re holding the 2nd annual “Product of the Year” contest at the show, and you—the attendees—will be the judges. We’ve nominated 20 products in five categories that we think are particularly innovative. Among them are four fastening tools.

See the Latest Fastening Tools at The ASSEMBLY Show!

New Fastening Tools Improve Ergonomics, Throughput

John Sprovieri

October 16, 2019

According to ASSEMBLY magazine’s annual Capital Equipment Spending Survey, half of all U.S. assembly plants will purchase electric or pneumatic fastening tools in 2020.

If fastening tools are on your shopping list, then The ASSEMBLY Show is the place to be! Here, you’ll find dozens of suppliers offering cordless nutrunners, pneumatic screwdrivers, screwfeeders, digital torque wrenches and other fastening tools. Here’s just a taste of what’s on the floor.

Cartesian Robots Are a Simpler, Lower-Cost Alternative to SCARA and Six-Axis Robots

John Sprovieri

October 11, 2019

Of the various robots used for automated assembly, the Cartesian robot is the least complex. Also known as a linear or gantry robot, a Cartesian robot can only move its end effector in straight lines along the X, Y and Z axes.

Linear Guides Provide Smooth, Precise Positioning

John Sprovieri

October 11, 2019

Engineers have a bewildering array of choices for linear guides. Does the application require round rails or profile rails? Should the sliders ride on plain bearings or ball bearings?

Pallet-Transfer Conveyors Position Parts for Assembly

In asynchronous assembly systems, modular pallet-transfer conveyors get the right parts to the right spot, at the right time

John Sprovieri

October 10, 2019

The most common pallet-transfer conveyor carries pallets on twin strands of belt or chain. Each strand rides in a track within an extruded aluminum profile.