Mike Page, Editor, writes:
We see from your search that you're looking for information on the term "Assembly Line",
and we have a large number of manufacturers' news releases and technical articles here on Manufacturingtalk which will be of interest.
Let me be your guide.
Start with
the news release HMCs replace VMCs and raise productivity 25% from
NCMT, which we summarised at the time by saying "Two of the latest 4-axis horizontal machining centres are machining aircraft steel engine mounts and have raised productivity by 25% compared with vertical machining centre work".
A couple of weeks before,
we featured the news release Automatic systems scan car bodies for defects from
Micro-Epsilon UK: "Surface defect detection systems operate as stationery or robotic arm test rigs to scan multiple inspection points on car body parts, automatically identifying and marking any surface defects".
In November 2007, we covered the news from Zwick Roell
concerning its Solenoid testers on teamtechnik line
- take a look at Modular assembly line accepts quick alterations
which says: "While installing a modular assembly line to produce cartridge valves, the user asked that a solenoid actuator be assembled and tested in the same line, which was done thanks to line modularity".
Take a look also at the news release from Clare Instruments, Automating electrical testing systems,
as well as Modelling reduces press tool design time from CoCreate Software,
and Flexible pallet transfer lowers assembly costs from ACI-ecoTec UK.
See also:
Automotive containers assembled and tested
(September 2007)
An automated assembly and test cell for automotive screenwash containers automatically produces and leak-test some 75,000 units annually at a 99% success rate
Modeling for stamping and die casting
(September 2007)
Electric motor component maker, Stanzwerk, has cut its development time in half for tool design and parts production using CoCreate OneSpace Suite from CoCreate Software
Learn more about lean manufacturing
(September 2007)
Set up with the express intention of spreading the benefits of lean manufacturing, a series of free UK seminars provide expert advice and practical demonstrations
Barcode parts picking speeds up assembly
(September 2007)
A barcode-based automotive parts picking system ensures accuracy, enables the assembly process to operate at high speed, and prevents downtime
Assembly systems provider makes vision choice
(August 2007)
More demand from users for machine vision systems on assembly lines to support quality assurance led a German supplier to choose a provider offering user-friendly, reliable systems with support
Power press automation uprates output/safety
(August 2007)
A US presswork subcontractor's decision to automate was based not only on raising production efficiencies and cost savings but improving operator safety too
Flow drill screws replace BIW rivets and welding
(August 2007)
Using flow drill screws rather than rivets or welding in BIW vehicle assembly, enables tough joints to be achieved faster and more efficiently, without affecting the strength or long term integrity
SCARA robot needs less assembly line space
(July 2007)
Intended to offer highest versatility at lowest cost, a high-speed, horizontal, multi-joint SCARA robot is of a compact size to fit into assembly lines having limited space
Wireless platform designed for industry
(July 2007)
Specifically designed from basic principles for industry, a wireless communications platform has RF design, power management and system integrity
Highly-visible indicators offer up to five colours
(June 2007)
Banner Engineering has introduced the K50L and K80L to its range of EZ-LIGHT indicator lights which offer up to five colours in a single unit, with two housing styles and flexible mounting options
Highly-visible indicator with compact design
(June 2007)
Banner Engineering has introduced the highly-visible K50L and K80L indicators with compact, low-profile designs for easy installation and use in challenging plant applications
Steel slat conveyor system delivers green vehicles
(May 2007)
A steel slat conveyor system built by Excel Automation is being used by Modec to manufacture environmentally-friendly, electric urban delivery vehicles
Part inspection time reduced by 50%
(May 2007)
Heat transfer equipment maker has bought a portable CMM for checking their radiators, oil coolers, heat exchangers and charge-air coolers, reducing inspection time by 50%
Changing automotive manufacturing in Europe
(May 2007)
The European automotive manufactures face many technical and strategic changes in how and where they build cars and trucks, reports Mike Page from a recent German conference
Electronic access control for tool drawer cabinets
(May 2007)
Intellikey has supplied its electronic key-based access control systems to Bott for installation into tool drawer cabinets for use by one of the UK's leading aerospace manufacturers
New IMPACTO Glove X7
(May 2007)
New impact and vibration protective glove style number X7 from Impacto Protective Products
Adhesive 'dots' applied at up to 3600 dots/h
(April 2007)
A semi-automatic machine quickly, cleanly and precisely applies a super-sticky, double-sided, preformed 'dot' of permanent and removable adhesive - at up to 3,600 dots/h
Extruders assembled in synchronized flow
(April 2007)
Builder of twin-screw and single-screw plastics extruders, Krauss Maffei Kunststofftechnik, is now using a synchronized flow assembly to maintain price competitiveness
Image recognition software an Italian fashion
(April 2007)
Evolut, an Italian integrator of vision-guided robotic solutions, has installed over 1100 robotic systems including 850 with Cognex vision systems, which utilise VisionPro and PatMax software
Robots and tool changers in flexible manufacturing
(March 2007)
Chrysler Group has adopted a flexible manufacturing process where robots and tool changers are utilised in manufacturing multiple cars on one assembly line to cut costs
CAD/CAM choice improves machine tool links
(March 2007)
Helicopter maker's skills centre is using CAD/CAM that gives a close link between the software and the machine tool and a reliable toolpath with clear collision control and display capabilities
Flexible manufacturing process for Chrysler
(March 2007)
Equipped with over 700 ABB robots and 237 Master-side and 576 Tool-side ATI tool changers, Chrysler Group's new flexible manufacturing process was designed to cut costs and increase flexibility
Noise management systems ease problems
(March 2007)
Noise management systems have eased problems caused by noisy testing plant at a Wirral-based engineering firm, installed by local noise management specialists, Kimpton Acoustics
24V spring-loaded position sensors
(February 2007)
Macro Sensors has introduced a line of 24V spring-loaded position sensors that offer the industry an accurate position measurement with maximum linearity error of +0.10% of full scale output
High speed USB 2 capability
(January 2007)
Moxa announces the two-port UPort 1250I and the four-port UPort 1450I, the world's first USB-to-serial hubs with 2 KV optical isolation protection on each serial port
Large mill-turn centre has extensive probing
(November 2006)
A 3.4m bed mill-turn centre is equipped with several on-machine probing/measuring options to aid in machining high value billets - eliminating scrap or rework
Manual turntable speeds up caravan assembly
(November 2006)
Caravan builder has installed a manually operated 2.5m, 7.5 tonnes capacity turntable that will speed up production and, at the same time, save space
Traceability the key to effective safety testing
(November 2006)
Integration and automation have become key factors in the development of modern production line electrical safety testing systems
Automation system upgraded to 5m units/year
(November 2006)
A tyre pressure sensor manufacturer wished to upgrade its production line - installed in 1999 - to increase the capacity from 3 million to 5 million units/year by installing more automation
Scanner and probes for body-in-white inspection
(November 2006)
The first thing you'd notice while walking up and down the seemingly endless corridors of DaimlerChrysler's sleek, ultra-modern Bremen plant is the almost complete absence of people
Workstations help reduce assembly lines space
(November 2006)
Leading central heating boiler manufacturer has reduced floor space occupied by two assembly lines by 33% by switching to modular workstations and lineside storage
Assembly workstations improve manual work
(November 2006)
A manual assembly or insertion line is used to handle insertion of odd-form components - those that cannot be machine- inserted
Step conveyor improves assembly line times
(November 2006)
A step conveyor, with feed unit and control module is designed to improve throughput times, productivity and profits at assembly shops undertaking production line screwdriving tasks
Machining centre has rigid rotary/tilt table
(October 2006)
Highly-rigid tilting rotary table of a recently-installed 5-axis machining centre enables workpieces, however complex their contours and features, to be completed in one set-up