In many industries, automation is an afterthought—considered only after a process is stable, “everything works,” and an organization assesses the “risks and paybacks.” Ideally, however, automation should be considered from day one.

Fixtures are essential to most assembly and machining processes. Their design is vital, as they have a direct effect on productivity, cost and quality. It is estimated that 40 percent of rejected parts stem from inappropriate fixturing.

In response to markets that constantly demand new and more products, many manufacturers are turning from hard automation and off-shoring to flexible automation.

MILWAUKEE—Rockwell Automation has agreed to purchase MagneMotion, a manufacturer of intelligent conveying systems.

Systems integrators wrestle with the notion of flexibility in multistation automated assembly systems.

SOUTHFIELD, MI—The automotive assembly line of the future will be more flexible, more capable of handling new materials, and make greater of the mobile technology, says Martin Kinsella, director of advanced materials and process technologies for systems integrator Comau Inc.

BIRMINGHAM, UK—A way of teaching robots to pick up unfamiliar objects without dropping or breaking them has been developed by researchers at the University of Birmingham. The research paves the way for robots to be used in more flexible ways and in more complex environments.

As high-mix, low-volume manufacturing increases, so does the need for flexible feeders.

A new servo-driven system could change how engineers think about continuous motion assembly.