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The article focuses on modular automation components. Topics include the use of extruded structural framing from Bosch Rexroth Corp. by Zodiac Business Aircraft Interiors, comments from Markus Walderich of Schunk Inc. on the modular components the company offer to end-users, and the popular types of modular components such as those used for transporting parts from manufacturing assembly automation products supplier Afag Automation AG.

The article discusses the benefits of specialty tack fasteners for manufacturers in terms of sheet metal assembly. Topics mentioned include the RIVTAC high-speed joining system of Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH, press-in micro fasteners preferred by consumer-electronics manufacturers, and the benefits of SFP and SFW fasteners.

The article discusses the importance of clamps in securing the parts used in assembly line methods. It states that clamping has a significant effect in boosting the productivity and ergonomics of workers. Comments from Steve Moilanen, vice president of global strategic initiatives at pneumatic equipment manufacturer PHD Inc., are also included.

The article reports on the increasing need for flexible vibratory bowl feeders as automated assembly increases. Topics include the components of vibratory bowls including screws, nuts, and lightbulb filaments, the location of the feeders' feed tooling as the basis of their category, and ways to increase the flexibility of vibratory bowls including establishing and sticking to a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule.

The article focuses on the silicone adhesive that are useful for the manufacturing assembly lines. Topics discussed include use of silicone adhesives as alternative to fastening, three categories of silicone adhesives which include flowable, semiflowable and thixotropic adhesives, specialty adhesives formulated for thermal conductivity and increased use of adhesives in LED lighting industry.

The article discusses the greater torque accuracy, power-to-weight ratios and flexibility being offered by pulse tools in the world of assembly. Topics covered include the use of pistol-grip pneumatic pulse tools to build transaxles for agricultural equipment makers and how short pulses eliminate or minimize torque reaction experienced by the assembler.

The article compares the efficiency of linear and rotary indexers in an automated assembly line of automotive firm BMW. Topics covered include the impact of space availability on the functionality of the indexers as well as popularity of having compact design in servo-driven indexers. Also mentioned are the types of operations performed using indexers such as dispensing, screwdriving and crimping.

The article provides information related to assembly lines, particularly on the use of adhesives. It provides an overview about cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesives, which cure quickly and offers high bond strength as well as greater flexibility, and impact resistance. The Apollo Xtraflex 2240, a rubber-toughened and partly flexible cyanoacrylate adhesive, is mentioned.

The article discusses the benefits that advanced technology offers to feeders to handle a wide range of threaded, nonthreaded and oddshaped fasteners. It notes that crews are not the only fasteners that can be fed to fully or semiautomatic installation tools. It mentions the company DEPRAG Schulz GmbH & Co. that used system based on a rotary indexing dial.

The article reports on the possible increase in demand of self-tapping screws for plastic assembly which are the favored fasteners of many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the U.S. The author discusses the two types of the self-tapping screws, the thread-forming and the thread-cutting, which are made of steel. He presents the screws developed by some companies including Infastech, Semblex Corp., and ITW Shakeproof Industrial Products.

The article focuses on the cycle times of robotic workcells. It notes that it cannot always be shortened but there are ways on how to improve it depending on the types of robots including six-axis, selective compliant assembly robot arm (SCARA), and end-effectors. It mentions that for six-axis robots, one should limit the robot travel time and distance to and from areas where the assembly occurs. For SCARA, one should run both joints as close to 100 percent capacity as possible.

The article discusses some best practices used in the fastening workstation. It emphasizes the importance of error-proofing principles when installing fasteners to ensure the quality of the products. It cites the factors to consider in determining whether the production process needs to be automated, including product design, labor costs, and hardware and software costs. It also suggests that assembler should be critical in tool selection, workstation design and technologies.

The article focuses on the advantage of using signature analysis for manufacturing procedures of several assembly industries. It notes that the strategy works by allowing the assembly process to run while data for desired variables are being collected by sensors. According to Dave Zabrosky, Schmidt Technology Corp.'s sales and marketing manager, the said process monitoring provides perfect quality control when components are assembled.

The article describes vibration welding used by automotive engine components supplier, Mahle Filter Systems North America since the 1990s. Mahle product engineer Gary Henry said that the benefits of vibration welding include strong parts, cost and cycle reduction and a more efficient assembly line. A detailed discussion of the process and machines involved in vibration welding is included.

The article focuses on a dual-arm robot by the Motoman Robotics Division of Yaskawa America Inc. Motoman in 1990 sought to make use of research done on dual-arm control and dexterous manipulators by academia and apply them on industrial robots. The early 2000s saw the company producing two design breakthroughs that can be used in the assembly line such as the use of hollow bore actuators for the robot's electrical and pneumatic lines and the creation of a 7-axis robotic arm.

The article offers information on several technological products for insertion of wire into connector assembly. It explores the significance of using lamps, lasers, and real-time video for guiding assemblers inserting wires into complex connectors. It highlights the introduction and application of Light Director system from CAMI Research Inc., HarnessMate connector-assembly system from Chad Industries Inc., and the computer-based assembler Pin-Sight from Cirris Systems Corp.