Automated Assembly Systems

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AUBURN HILLS, MI—Patti Engineering Inc., a specialist in control systems integration, will expand its collaboration with McClellan Automation Systems, a company that designs and builds automated assembly systems.

The new, compact C4 six-axis robot from EPSON Robots can perform a standard cycle—move a part 1 inch up, 12 inches across, 1 inch down, and back again—in just 0.37 second. 

Methods Machine Tools has built top-notch automation equipment in North America since the late 1950s. It has seven regional technical centers across the United States, including one in Wixom, MI, that focuses on automotive applications.

When designing a complex machine, engineers have two options. They can get all parts of the system—controller, drives, motors, I/O and human-machine interface (HMI)—from a single vendor. Or, they can pick and choose devices from mul-tiple suppliers.

Choosing between linear and rotary indexers for an automated assembly application depends on application requirements and space availability on the plant floor.

GUANGZHOU, China—Robots are playing a greater role in Chinese industry as manufacturers there feel the pressure of a severe worker shortage and soaring labor costs.

EVANSVILLE, IN—Systems integrator Evana Automation Specialists has shipped two multistation assembly systems to a Tier 1 automotive supplier to produce lane-departure warning systems.

MUNICH—BBS Automation Group has acquired fellow systems integrator ixmation AG from Conzzeta AG.

BRISTOL, CT—Systems integrator The Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc. has acquired Bodine Automation Technology, a division of Missouri-based DTE. The Bodine assets acquired include its intellectual property, engineering/service operations, and parts inventory.

There are two opposite ways to equip factories to respond quickly to downstream customer orders: One way is for sequential production, and the other is for concurrent production. Both draw heavily from best practices in lean manufacturing.