Assembly Planbook - June 2008 - (Page 22)

Assembly in Action six autoblockers, six generators, 12 polishers and four robotic edgers. To initiate the process, an operator ﬁrst enters the patient’s iPrint data into the system’s “tray-up” prep area. A corresponding barcode is then attached to a customized tray, which is loaded with a blank and placed in a de-stacker that holds 10 trays. The trays are then released automatically onto the production line. During production, an autotaper ﬁrst positions a protective tape on each lens, after which an autoblocker processes it according to the required prescription. Once this is done, the VarioFlow’s variable-speed drive slows the pallet from 45 fpm to a much slower USING TECHNO AUTOMATION GER OYA V SER VB1 IES Stock Lengths Up To 3 Meters Custom Lengths Up To 6 Meters All Steel Profile Rail For High Load Capacity 50mm Wide Steel Reinforced Belt For Heavy Loads VISIT OUR WEBSITE at www.technoautomation.com GANTRY TABLE DOWNLOAD 3D MODELS REQUEST FREE CATALOGS XY or XYZ 12 Series Glue Dispensing Assembly Inspection Pick & Place 3 fpm, providing it with a 25- to 45-minute cooling off period. After cooling, the lens undergoes more shaping and polishing, after which it receives a proprietary protective layer and is delivered to a series of assembly, inspection and packaging stations. In addition to its variable-speed capabilities, the VarioFlow’s UltraCurve design minimizes friction and allows the pallets to accumulate in its curved portions. This is important in the Ophthonix application because of the limited amount of production space. In all, the system includes approximately 40 horizontal curves, ranging from 45 to 180 degrees. UltraCurve technology also reduces the number of drives needed to power the system, reducing both up-front costs and overall power consumption. “Most labs are loaded with carts and people, and the entire process works in batches,” says Ophthonix vice president of operations John Lemperle. “With the Rexroth VarioFlow conveyor system and automated equipment, there is now a constant and continuous ﬂow. We’ve noticed our product cycle time is now approaching the process time of the equipment. Quality is improving daily, currently putting us at a 90 percent yield range…. If this process was done manually, we would need more people and a facility twice as large.” For more on conveyor systems, visit www.boschrexroth-us.com or call 800-739-7684. Meter Mix System Encapsulates Connectors QUALITY Linear Motion Systems AFFORDABLE Techno Inc. SINCE 1986 A 1-800-819-3366 www.technoautomation.com ugat Automotive, now part of Tyco Electronics Corp. (Wilmington, DE), manufactures precision terminals, fasteners and connectors for use in electronics applications. To protect one of its under-the-hood automotive connectors, the company needed to encapsulate some 80 wires that allow the plug-in device to tie together an onboard computer network. 22 ASSEMBLY / June 2008 www.assemblymag.com http://www.technoautomation.com http://www.boschrexroth-us.com http://www.technoautomation.com http://www.assemblymag.com

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Assembly Planbook - June 2008 Contents Editorial Bonding Lines Quality in Assembly Assembly Lines Assembly in Action Fastening or Bonding? Loose Lips Sink Assembly Systems DFMA Cuts Downstream Costs Robots Lend a Hand Products Advertisers Index Classified Leading Lean

Assembly Planbook - June 2008

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