Aerospace Assembly | Assembly

Additive Manufacturing: The Quest for Automation

Robots and other tools are key to mass-producing printed parts

July 9, 2019

Plastic injection molding, metal casting and metal stamping are age-old processes that form the backbone of manufacturing. Traditionally, there's no better way to mass-produce plastic or metal parts.

Laser Sensors and Automated Assembly

Very accurate and super fast, these noncontact sensors are ideal for various measurement, inspection and defect-detection applications

Jim Camillo

June 6, 2019

Manufacturers love established assembly line technologies not only because they produce expected results. But, also because they occasionally provide an unexpected benefit.

What’s New With Power Tools

Data collection and ergonomics are driving development of next-gen fastening tools

John Sprovieri

June 5, 2019

Whether it's a car or a computer, a toy or a toaster, almost every assembled product has at least a few threaded fasteners. Indeed, 62 percent of ASSEMBLY's readers use threaded fasteners of one form or another to assemble their products.

New Aircraft Wing Structure Is Flexible and Lightweight

Austin Weber

June 5, 2019

Aircraft wings have been assembled the same way for decades. But, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and NASA have developed a flexible aerostructure that is produced from hundreds of tiny, identical pieces using composite lattice-based cellular materials.

Carbon-Fiber Composites Grow in Popularity

Adhesives and fasteners can be used to assemble many types of composite parts

Austin Weber

June 3, 2019

Strong and lightweight, carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) offers numerous benefits to automotive and aerospace manufacturers. Many engineers are intrigued by potential applications for the material, yet remain frustrated by joining challenges.

Honda Jet Division Expanding NC Production Space

May 21, 2019

GREENSBORO, NC—Honda Aircraft Co. announced Monday it is expanding its global headquarters here with an extra 82,000 square feet for expanded wing assembly and more parts storage for the private jets rolling off the production line.

We Are All John Glenn

Jim Smith Ph.D. ABD

May 17, 2019

John Glenn, the famous astronaut and politician, wrote about his history-making earth orbit flight, “As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind: Every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder.” Today, we are all John Glenn.

Saab Bringing Manufacturing Plant, 300 New Jobs to Purdue Campus

May 14, 2019

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN—Global defense and security company Saab has announced plans to bring a new assembly plant to Purdue University’s campus, creating up to 300 new jobs.

Generative Design Software Is Transforming the Design Process

Aided by cloud computing and artificial intelligence, generative design software is promising to transform the design process

John Sprovieri

May 13, 2019

This article is not as good as it could be. I spent many days researching the topic, finding sources, conducting interviews, and finally writing and organizing what I learned. I could have included extra information or contacted additional sources. I could have polished one section or an-other. But, at some point, the article needed to be done.

IIoT Tech on Assembly Lines

Manufacturers increasingly rely on mobile and stationary technologies to obtain worker- and machine- performance data that optimizes plant productivity

Jim Camillo

May 8, 2019

With wearable devices increasingly being used on the assembly line, it's definitely time to update the old expression that 'What you wear says a lot about you.' A more appropriate thing for manufacturers to now say about their assembly line workers is, 'What you wear tells us a lot about your productivity.'