Navigating the Future of Test and Assembly: The Imperative for Automation Intelligence
Assembly and test systems must have the ability to gather and analyze significant amounts of data at each step of the manufacturing process.
From automotive transmissions and transfer cases to fracking pumps, electronic controllers, hydraulic actuators, and the compressors used in refrigeration units, the modern world depends on highly complex electromechanical systems, all of them containing dozens, if not hundreds or even thousands, of precision components that must fit together perfectly.
The lion’s share of these devices are assembled by robots, dedicated machinery, or a combination of the two. And, because fit and function are crucial to both product longevity and performance, in-process as well as end-of-line testing and inspection have become an integral part of any automated assembly system, ensuring that the finished device performs as designed and will not fail unexpectedly weeks, months or years after leaving the factory.