Articles by John Sprovieri

One of the simplest devices for partially automating an assembly process is a rotary indexing table.

The increasing use of lead-free solder has renewed interest in the vapor phase reflow process.

With careful planning, assemblers can get the most out of automatic screwdriving equipment.

Because of their ability to provide high thrust and accurate positioning, ballscrews can be found in many automated assembly applications that require linear motion.

Don’t pull the plug yet—there’s still a place at the rework bench for the soldering iron.

As the U.S. economy heads toward recession, assemblers hold back on capital equipment purchases.

Parts fixtures don't actually do anything, like weld a joint, yet they're the first part of an automated assembly system that gets made. They represent a small part of the overall system cost, but if they fail, even the best-designed machine will produce junk. In truth, "start with the part," the axiom of automated assembly, could easily be "start with the fixtures.

Orbital and radial forming haven't changed much mechanically since they were invented in 1962. But, that's not to say the two technologies haven't changed at all. Over the past few years, both have benefited significantly from the same sensing technologies that have given assemblers so much control over ultrasonic welding, press-fitting and other force-dependent processes.

"Lean manufacturing" means different things to different people. To the ruthless, it means "lay off workers and get more from who's left." But to others, lean manufacturing is a strategy for delivering high-quality products quickly and cost-effectively. To get the real story, we spoke with Tom Greenwood, Ph.D., director of the University of Tennessee's Lean Enterprise Forum.