Assembly Automation: Volume 26 Issue 4

A lean route to manufacturing survival

Aims to detail the ongoing implementation of lean manufacturing at a UK‐based electronic product‐manufacturing operation.

Welding innovations for thick and thin sheet

To highlight innovative welding technology exhibited at the Automatica exhibition in Munich.

Volkswagen highlights EOS assembly at Hannover Messe

To review the Hannover Messe and report on the latest developments in assembly technology.

Smart robot that picks parts from bins

To describe how one innovative company has developed software which teamed with a vision system allows an agile robot to be taught how to pick randomly place parts from a…

Inspection systems for electronic circuits from the “Close‐Ups” company

To examine the different types of equipment available for optical inspection of assembled electronic circuit boards.

Virtually formed manufacturing enterprises

To share the authors' view for an enterprise formation, and a product assembly using communication and information technology in economic manner.

A novel parallel robot for current microassembly applications

Aims to discuss how a Cartesian parallel robot with flexure revolute joints can effectively perform miniaturized assembly tasks.

Methodology for knowledge enriched requirements specification for assembly system reconfiguration

To present a methodology for requirements specification for assembly system reconfiguration.

The role of key characteristics in the design of mechanical assemblies

Products are complex and are comprised of many parts from many sources, designed at different times by different people and companies. The same holds true for the tooling and…

E‐learning of automated parts feeding

This paper seeks to describe the development of an e‐learning package in Automated Parts Feeding, by discussing the concept of e‐learning, the development process and presenting…

Strategic selection of assembly systems under viable demands

Aims to strategically compare assembly lines to cell production including flexible cell system (FCS) under viable demands using the pair matrix table by the lot size and the…

Learning not to do things

Awards for Excellence

Modular automation helps Birmingham curtain manufacturer make curtains ten times faster

ESI group releases PAM-ASSEMBLY for distortion engineering

High-speed valve testing machine uses Festo pneumatic grippers

More materials can now be soldered with new ultrasonic irons from Solbraze

PIAB introduces the BL40-3P suction cup for reliable plastic bag handling

Patent Abstracts

STRATASYS leads the rapid prototyping industry, according to industry report

Profil wins 500,000 euro fastening technology order at Swindon Pressings

Developing skills to exploit technology

Web sites

Novel hybrid optical assembly technique developed in the UK

iTi introduces inline curing printer for development of inkjet materials and processes

Assembly Automation and Product Design, second edition (Manufacturing Engineering and Materials Processing)

Technifor and Cognex guarantee complete security and traceability of biological samples for Central Labo Europe

No PLC required for new Cognex checker sensor

Schmersal introduces safety switch to non-contact family

Diary

Effortless real-time control of 40 axles

Industry uptake of RFID increases despite privacy concerns

Wind River expands DSO development solutions to support deployed devices with new management suite