2023 June

Dealing With the Helium Shortage

Assemblers that depend on helium for leak testing are looking for alternatives.

June 12, 2023

According to an old saying, “what goes up must come down.” Unfortunately, that’s not true for either a helium-filled balloon or helium used in leak testing applications.

JOT Helps Battery Manufacturer Automate Assembly

John Sprovieri

June 2, 2023

JOT Automation Inc. has overhauled a production line to assemble and test battery packs for electric vehicles and renewable energy projects.

Ten Tips for Automated Assembly of Medical Devices

Chris Lovendahl

June 5, 2023

Based in Northbrook, IL, Concep Machine Co. has been designing and building custom automated assembly systems for the medical device manufacturing industry since 1967.

What’s New With Riveting

Here’s a look at some of the latest riveting technologies.

John Sprovieri

June 6, 2023

Threaded fasteners are the most common method of product assembly. The primary advantage of threaded fasteners is that they permit disassembly of the parts for repair or recycling.

Johnson Controls Mexico assembly plant 1

Manufacturing Software

Johnson Controls and LeanDNA Build Digital Thread

Software connects 14 manufacturing sites and more than 800 suppliers.

April 27, 2023

To improve its manufacturing and supply chain operations data, Johnson Controls implemented LeanDNA, a cloud-based platform that connects the company’s numerous ERP systems. Like many companies with distributed locations and processes, Johnson Controls data was scattered and difficult to find and understand. LeanDNA provides the company with a comprehensive, organized view of cross-site analytics.

Automated Dispensing for EV Motor Assembly

A fully automated line dispenses and cures a filled, two-part epoxy to encapsulate bus bars for ev motors.

Carolin Gachstetter

June 8, 2023

Numerous dispensing applications are required in the production of traction motors for electric and hybrid vehicles. Bus bar potting is one of them.

Hydraulic Presses Form Eco-Friendly Hangers

Automated press line forms sustainable cellulose garment hangers.

Tracy Howard

June 9, 2023

For Ekoligens in Kungälv, Sweden, sustainability is not just an important part of operations: It’s the basis for its business idea.

Precision Motion Control Helps Map the Universe

Precision motion control technology is helping astrophysicists map stars, galaxies and black holes.

Drew Adrienne

June 13, 2023

If the cartographers at Rand McNally think they have a tough job keeping maps of states and countries up to date, they won’t get any sympathy from the scientists of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Their job? Map the entire universe.

Ultrasonic Welding of Copper Foils for EV Battery Assembly

Ultrasonic welding is a viable alternative to resistance welding and laser welding for joining copper foils in ev battery cells.

Seungmin Shin

June 14, 2023

Batteries for electric vehicles are manufactured by connecting several cells and a bus bar to form a single module. Dozens of modules are then assembled into a battery pack.

Ag Equipment Maker Reaps Benefits of Cranes

Cranes and hoists help assemblers position heavy loads safely, precisely and efficiently.

Christoph Kreutzenbeck

June 15, 2023

In 1828, Joseph Kuhn, a blacksmith from the small town of Eckartswiller, France, began manufacturing livestock weighing equipment at his village forge.

Robotics

SCARA Robots Solder Circuit Assemblies

Electronics assembler’s DIY automation project saves money and increases efficiency.

May 8, 2023

Delta Systems uses more than 20 Epson robots for pick and place, assembly, dispensing and soldering operations.

Manufacturing Projects for EV Batteries and Semiconductors Catapult Reshoring

Harry Moser

June 15, 2023

Reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) created more than 364,000 new U.S. manufacturing jobs in 2022, a 53 percent increase from the 2021.

Four New Screwdriving Tools

John Sprovieri

June 1, 2023

Check out four brand new screwdrivers from top brands!

Manufacturing and Job Security During Difficult Times

John Sprovieri

June 1, 2023

In the past 20 years, the global economy has suffered through many difficult events, such as pandemics, conflicts and natural disasters. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered one of the worst job crises since the Great Depression.

Approximately 98 percent of American manufacturing consists of small to medium-sized businesses. Join Greg Whitt, process improvement manager for RV manufacturer MORryde, and Ryan Kuhlenbeck, CEO of Pico MES, to discuss how midsized factories can transition from manual to digital manufacturing—starting with the shop floor.

Sponsored by:

Our society faces unprecedented economic, social, and environmental challenges. Management consultant and author Olivier Larue argues that the basis for solving many of these challenges can be found in a surprising place: the Toyota Production System (TPS).

Sponsored by: