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Feeding and Driving Small Screws

Specialized equipment is needed to feed and drive very small screws.

July 5, 2017

A cell phone manufacturer had a problem: Although it was staffed by four assemblers, the screwdriving station had become a bottleneck.

Dispensing Fluids for Portable Electronics

Manufacturers need equipment versatile enough to accurately dispense materials ranging from thin adhesives to thick solder paste.

Jim Camillo

July 5, 2017

Going with the flow of the marketplace not only makes sense for a manufacturer, it can also make the company lots of money. An equally beneficial strategy—implemented on an application-by-application basis—is to know the flow of each material being dispensed and equip accordingly. Electronics contract manufacturers are well aware of the benefits of both practices.

3D Printing With Metal

Engineers have more options than ever to create production-ready parts.

Austin Weber

July 5, 2017

Most people associate additive manufacturing with plastics. However, a slew of new materials and processes are now available that enable engineers to print a variety of metal components.

Figure 7: Infrared weld tooling featuring contoured infrared technology. Source: CIT Catalog

Understanding and selecting the right process for plastic part assembly, Part II

Once you’ve had an opportunity to review plastic part assembly and joining options, you can finish out the selection process with some guidelines in mind.

July 1, 2017

Plastic welding isn't one technology - the term encompasses a range of joining technologies that continue to evolve to meet a wide range of assembly needs.

Refrigeration Design

The simplest approach from a refrigeration system design perspective is to use a single evaporator coil.

July 1, 2017

A common domestic refrigerator consists of medium and low temperature sections. The challenge for the system designer is to find cost-effective solutions to properly control the temperature and humidity for both sections in an efficient manner.

Kitchen Appliances Go Colorful, Matte, and Retro

Learn more about current trends, from colors and textures to touches of nostalgia.

Leah Pickett

July 1, 2017

For many modern consumers drawn to nostalgic gems like physical books, vinyl records, and Polaroid cameras, there's something comforting and cool about going retro in the digital age.

Assembly Automation

What IIoT Means for Manufacturing: How the Industrial Internet of Things Can Enhance Efficiencies Throughout the Factory

Santi Clark

June 16, 2017

The IIoT is already affecting the way factories operate today, and it will increasingly impact businesses in the future.

Behind the Scenes at DeWALT

DEWALT’s assembly plant in Charlotte, NC, produces high-quality tools while beating overseas competition.

John Sprovieri

June 7, 2017

During a recent visit to this bright, open, state-of-the-art factory, I took a turn on the line assembling one of DEWALT’s hottest products, the 20-volt MAX XR three-speed cordless drill and screwdriver, which is powered by a brushless motor and a 5 amp-hour lithium-ion battery.

Adhesives Aid Truck and Trailer Assembly

High-strength adhesives and sealants can improve the durability and appearance of trailers and truck bodies, while enhancing throughput.

Bob Zweng

June 7, 2017

The main objective for manufacturers of commercial transportation equipment is to profitability build high-quality products. One way to meet this objective is to assemble trailers and truck bodies with advanced structural adhesives and seam sealers.

Ammunition Sealants and Bullet Pull Strength

UV-curing external ammunition sealants can make bullet pull strength more consistent and thereby improve performance and accuracy.

Drew Richards

June 7, 2017

Bullet pull strength is the force necessary to separate a bullet from the cartridge casing. This force can vary, depending on the type and size of the ammunition. It can even vary from cartridge to cartridge within the same type and caliber.