Keywords
Citation
(2003), "New move into automatic assembly for Yale", Assembly Automation, Vol. 23 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2003.03323caf.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited
New move into automatic assembly for Yale
New move into automatic assembly for Yale
Keywords: Assembly
Modular Automation has designed and built a new assembly system for Yale. The system assembles spring bolts for a new range of Yale locks that can be switched easily from left to right-handed (Plate 2).
In the past, to switch a Yale lock from right to left-handed (or vice-versa), the lock to be dismantled was required. Currently, the company has developed a new system that allows the spring bolt assembly to be switched in seconds simply by removing and replacing one screw.
Plate 2
Modular Automation has designed a new assembly system for Yale
Modular Automation has designed the new assembly system that handles four variants (two sizes, left and right handed) without adjustment.
The process starts with the spring bolt head, bowl fed to a walking beam. Here, automatic stations drill and tap the fixing hole. A gripper then inverts the bolt head, or not as necessary, to make the left or right-handed locks. The head is then cleaned and all swarf collected for recovery.
The correctly-orientated bolt heads then transfer to a clean line for assembly. Here, the two parts are aligned and the fixing screw is blow-fed and driven home with an automatic screwdriver. Although the completed locks can be switched easily from left to right- handed, the company prefers to make both types for their customers' added convenience.
For further information, contact: David Cockayne, Modular Automation, Talbot Way, Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham B10 0HS, UK. Tel: 0121 766 7979; Fax: 0121 766 6385; E-mail: cockayne@modular.co.uk