2019 June

Carbon-Fiber Composites Grow in Popularity

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

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.

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.

Surface Preparation and Medical Silicone Adhesives

Cleaning and priming substrates prior to bonding can significantly improve adhesion

Brian Reilly James Darlucio

June 7, 2019

Medical device manufacturers often use silicone adhesives to assemble products such as catheters, pacemakers, cochlear implants, aesthetic implants and gastric balloons.

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.

Choose the Best Conveyor for Assembly

Whether you make mobile phones or aircraft seats, your assembly processes will require some combination of manual and automated transfer operations.

Mark Dinges Gerald Berzins

June 4, 2019

Whether the product being manufactured is a mobile phone or an aircraft seat, the assembly processes will likely require some combination of manual and automated transfer operations.

Flex’s Multi-Industry Success is by Design

Zoe Leduc

June 4, 2019

For Flex, there isn't a question of what can't they do, but what they will do next. The 50-year-old company began manufacturing electronic products, something it still does today, but has expanded to offer end-to-end production across the globe.

Ergonomics Software System Reduces Risk at Cummins

Zoe Leduc

June 11, 2019

Cummins Inc., founded in 1919, designs, manufactures, sells and services diesel engines and technology globally. Between its four business units, Cummins has 107 manufacturing plants, 600 company-owned and independent distribution facilities and over 5,000 dealer locations in more than 160 countries.

Lab Experiment Produces Real-World Welding Benefits

Jim Camillo

June 10, 2019

Although Kuopio, Finland-based Savonia University of Applied Sciences (SUAS) is a multidisciplinary school, its common theme amongst all areas of study is developing real-world solutions based on creative experiments.

Microscope Ensures Additives Keep Plastic Parts Pristine

Jim Camillo

June 7, 2019

"Scratch-resistant plastic parts" is more than a phrase with great appeal to car buyers. It also presents a great challenge to automotive Tier 1s to make sure these parts perform as promised in the real world.

Human-Robot Collaboration Quickens BIW Completion

Jim Camillo

June 6, 2019

Some automotive enthusiasts get their fix by building a car themselves. Others thoroughly enjoy watching the pros do it; i.e., assemblers on the production line.

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.

Manufacturers cut out the middleman (part 1)

Harry Moser

June 11, 2019

For years, manufacturers have depended on the middleman to distribute goods and get merchandise in front of customers.

Manufacturers must promote themselves to attract workers

John Sprovieri

June 3, 2019

Some 12,838,000 million Americans held manufacturing jobs in April 2019. That's 12 percent more than in April 2010, it's the highest total since December 2008.