Assembly systems more than just cosmetic

The linear assembly systems are being used to assemble the new range of Rimmel face powder and eye-shadow range of cosmetics.

Recently installed at Coty Ltd in Ashford, Kent are two linear assembly systems supplied by Monk Automation Ltd, as Roger Monk himself explains.

The linear assembly systems are being used to assemble the new range of Rimmel face powder and eye-shadow range of cosmetics.

Due to the complex nature of the plastic mouldings, their high quality surface finish and the high production rate required it was decided to use operators to load the components.

The assembly lines use Monk's new linear pallet system.

This has been developed for light assembly operations and is ideally suited to this assembly.

It is arranged in a rectangular layout with pallets being loaded by operators situated along both sides.

Each free floating pallet is transported on twin conveyor belts and has two precision aluminium alloy assembly fixtures - these have been NC machined so that they accurately align the components.

The pallets are indexed automatically at a set time, although each operator has a foot-switch that allows the automatic cycle to be temporarily stopped.

This ensures that the line runs efficiently at a regular output - the dwell time can be set by the supervisor by adjusting a timer in the control enclosure.

The cycle time is set to match the operators capabilities so that they can operate at their maximum efficiency throughout the whole day.

If it is set too fast then time is lost due to mistakes being made, the operator would then have to press her foot switch to hold up the line - who wants to be the operator that holds up production?.

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