2022 New Product of the Year Award Winners
At The 2022 ASSEMBLY Show a total of 20 products were nominated across five categories. Check out the incredible 2022 New Product of the Year category winners below!
Assembly Machines & Systems
Self-Programming Automation for Assembly
ASSEMBLY speaks with Kevin Konkos from The ASSEMBLY Show floor about Launchpad's product award winner, The Digitool.
The Digitool is a standardized, modular automated assembly cell that learns and executes manufacturing tasks based on a product CAD file without custom software or fixtures. The Digitool can per-form an array of assembly tasks, including pick and place, screwdriving, dispensing, laser engraving, labeling and testing. It can even perform disassembly. To understand a product, the Digitool is connected to the Launchpad enterprise software stack. Through simulation, it learns what it needs to do and transfers this knowledge to the real world using high-precision cameras and artificial intelligence. The Digitool simply needs to be provided with a product CAD file, and it will automatically configure itself and build the product. Digitool connects to cloud-based software and responds to process changes.
https://www.launchpad.build/
Adhesives, Dispensing & Curing
Process Combines Dispensing and Preactivation With UV Light
Devyesh Rana of DELO joins us from the ASSEMBLY Show to tell us what makes their award-winning product unique.
DELO has developed a new process for applying UV-cure adhesives that combines dispensing and preactivation in a single step. The DELO-Activis 600 process is ideal for bonding and encapsulating temperature-sensitive electronic components. Because the adhesive is already irradiated during dispensing, the curing reaction starts even before the adhesive meets the component. Exposed adhesive areas can be additionally irradiated and fixed after joining. The combined process provides immediate initial strength, preventing the adhesive from flowing out and the components from slipping. The adhesive cures reliably to final strength whether or not there is additional light fixation. No additional process steps are needed, even in undercuts and shadowed areas. DELO’s Katiobond FA adhesives are formulated to work with the new process. They contain two different initiators that react to different wavelengths.
https://www.delo-adhesives.com/us
Fastening Tools
Cordless Transducerized Pulse Tool
Panasonic's Aziz Lokhandwala joins us to tell us more about the development of their assembly tool award winner.
The AccuPulse 4.0 cordless mechanical pulse tool is equipped with four onboard microcomputers and a built-in torque transducer for better quality control, accuracy and data collection on the assembly line. The tools cover a torque range of 20-120Nm. The tools can be operated one-handed with no torque reaction. The tools provide two-way wireless communication for advanced error proofing and data collection. Annual maintenance costs are 90 less than competing hydraulic pulse tools. Up to 99 parameters can be programmed through the controller.
http://na.panasonic.com/us/assemblytools
Robotics
High-Payload Cobot
Bryan J d'Ouville joins us at the ASSEMBLY Audible booth from the show floor to discuss FANUC's High-Payload CR-35iB Cobot
The CR-35iB cobot can carry a maximum payload of 35 kilograms. It has a large work envelope and a small installation footprint, making it ideal for tight spaces. It has a maximum reach of 1,831 millimeters, a maximum speed of 750 millimeters per second, and a positional repeatability of ±0.03 millimeter. The cobot is 62 percent lighter than the previous model, making it suitable for mounting to a seventh axis or to an autonomous mobile base. The cobot does not require a levelling plate to counter any unevenness of the floor, making installation easier. The cobot is equipped with contact stop protection and FANUC’s Dual Check Safety technology, a safety system that monitors position and speed. The robot can be programmed through hand-guiding or an HMI. The robot can be equipped for vision guidance and force feedback.
https://www.fanucamerica.com/
Factory of the Future
Augmented Reality Workstation
Chris Bala discusses LightGuide's strategic and innovative approach
LightGuide’s smartAR Workstation is a preconfigured, turnkey workstation powered by the company’s augmented reality software. The workstation uses digital projection technology to display step-by-step work instructions onto a mobile, ergonomic production area. This helps to improve productivity and prevent errors in manual assembly processes. The system features no-code, drag-and-drop programming and seamless connection with various common factory tools. The workstation itself has a 30-by-60-inch work surface that can be raised or lowered by 18 inches. Attachment rails accommodate bins of various sizes. Locking casters provide mobility. Manufacturers that have implemented the company’s AR software have seen a 90 percent improvement in quality, 50 percent improvement in throughput, and 30 percent improvement in training effectiveness.
https://www.lightguidesys.com/
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