Industries topics | Assembly

Smart LEDs Light the Way at FCA Plants

February 18, 2019

AUBURN HILLS, MI—FCA US LLC recently installed intelligent lighting systems at several of its plants in the Detroit area. The smart LEDs are expected to help drive down energy costs by at least 50 percent and improve employee productivity.

Ergonomic Guide to a Safer, More Efficient Connector-Assembly Workplace

Understand key issues in connector and workplace design to improve worker and product performance.

February 15, 2019

Various types of connectors are used in home appliances and air-conditioning systems to create reliable contacts between different parts of electric circuits. In recent years, the number and types of connectors have multiplied as advanced sensors, controls, and communication/networking capabilities are incorporated into more intelligent appliances.

Rail-Guided Carts Enable Scalable, Flexible Manufacturing

Jim Camillo

February 8, 2019

Automotive manufacturers face several ongoing challenges, such as being able to introduce new products onto an assembly line without long retooling times.

Flow-Fasteners for HVAC Assembly Challenges

Flexibility should be of utmost importance when selecting an assembly joining system.

February 8, 2019

HVAC products and services offered to the consumer come with little to no room for revamping. As the cost of energy continues to rise, manufacturers have come under pressure to meet production goals, such as reducing energy usage, maintaining occupant comfort, and sustaining high levels of energy savings throughout the year.

Epoxy Bonds Composite Parts for Spacecraft

Jim Camillo

February 7, 2019

Several years ago, researchers from QSS Group Inc. and the Ohio Aerospace Institute were interested in finding a commercially available adhesive that bonds titanium pipes to carbon-carbon composite (CCC) sheets. The reason: Doing so would lower the cost of assembling spacecraft heat-rejection systems made of these joined materials.

Robot Spins Carbon Fiber Web to Make Rocket Parts

Jim Camillo

February 6, 2019

Titans aren't only located in Tennessee or gifted with god-like powers. Some operate in the real world and perform amazing manufacturing feats.

MDSAP Aims to Unifiy Standards for Auditing Medical Device Manufacturing Lines

Zoe Leduc

February 5, 2019

For medical device manufacturing, quality is crucial. To ensure quality in production, audits of the manufacturing facilities by a government health organization are standard. The audits and inspections are not, however, standard between countries. The Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP) is looking to change that.

Quality control keeps appliance manufacturer out of hot water

John Sprovieri

February 4, 2019

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.

Force-Controlled Assembly With Robots

Tactile sensing technology opens up new applications for automation

Austin Weber

February 1, 2019

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.

GM plant closures a slap in the face

John Sprovieri

February 1, 2019

In November, General Motors stunned the nation by announcing that it will cut 15 percent of its salaried workforce and idle assembly plants in Michigan, Ohio, Maryland and Canada.