Remember the nursery rhyme about the old lady who swallows a fly? She swallows a spider to catch the fly, a bird to catch the spider, a cat to catch the bird, and so on, until she finally swallows a horse and dies.
Traditionally, assemblers use semiautomated or manual tools to drive screws. While that technology is still used for some fastening applications, more manufacturers are investing in robotic screwdriving.
One of the largest manufacturers of residential and commercial water heaters in the country, Bradford White Corp. takes safety seriously. The private, American-owned company does not sell its products directly to consumers.
Robots have always struggled to match human touch. But, recent advances in sensor technology now enable machines to process the sensitive forces needed for delicate assembly tasks, such as placing, inserting and tightening parts.
Once upon a time, color vision technology was limited to large manufacturers with big budgets and lots of in-house technical expertise. But, recent advancements in cameras, lighting and software have made color vision more affordable, less complex and easier to use on assembly lines.