Assembly Planbook - July 2008 - (Page 22)

Assembly in Action Handheld. Fast. Affordable. Introducing the Henrob Lightweight Pneumatic Self-Pierce Riveting (SPR) Tool • Overall cycle time of 2–5 seconds, depending on rivet length • Uses standard shop air • Mobile – Low weight – Uses a single pneumatic hose – No tool suspension required • Other c-frames available 800.4.HENROB (800.443.6762) MI: 248.344.0032 NC: 704.987.8005 sales@henrob.com www.henrob.com To facilitate the welding process, the four part-holding ﬁxtures had to be customized to accommodate the irregularly shaped parts that make up each ﬁrebox. They also had to be conﬁgured in such a way that part loading and unloading wouldn’t take longer than welding times. Because the shape of the assembly is such that mechanical clamps would get in the way of the welding head, the ﬁxtures employ vacuum clamping to hold the requisite components in place. “The advantage of the vacuum clamping system is that the operator can load and unload the ﬁ xtures in a matter of seconds, and nothing gets in the way of the machine’s welding head and electrode,” says Contour-Arc president Steven Pfahl. “This allows us to run the machine at its maximum speed. We also programmed the CNC to monitor a number of vacuum sensors placed in the ﬁ xtures, so if the vacuum level falls below the minimum set-point, machine motion will stop, and an alarm will display on the control panel.” All the ﬁ xtures on the machine, including locating pins and quick disconnect electrical and vacuum ﬁttings, can be changed out at the same time the robot is welding an assembly on the other side of the table, further reducing system idle time and maximizing the production on each shift. “We spent a considerable amount of design time standardizing the partholding ﬁxtures, so that minimal or no changeover would be needed when going from one size to another,” says R. H. Peterson senior vice president Jon Bridgwater. “The ﬁxtures have no moving parts or mechanical clamping devices that might interfere with the spot welding head. This system has allowed us complete ﬂexibility in the models, sizes and quantities we can run at any time. This is the ultimate in lean manufacturing.” Bridgwater adds that another advantage of the new system is ease of programming. A typical welding program can be written in less than one hour. Operators can enter a new welding program in about an hour. Overall, the new system has cut welding time by 30 percent. “On the ﬂoor at R.H. Peterson, we run eight different grill sizes of three different models,” Bridgwater says. “Once we set up the programs, no additional programming must be performed. After we program the CNC, it is a fully automated process. There is simply no comparison between the way we did things in the past and this new system.” For more on systems controllers, visit www.siemenscnc.com or call 847-640-1595. For more on welding and systems integration, call 949-837-5790 or visit www.contour-arc.com. Humidiﬁcation Units Solve Static Problems F ounded in 1977, Itron Inc. (Liberty Lake, WA) manufacturers metering devices for electric, gas and water utilities. At its plant in Waseca, MN, the company assembles radio frequency devices and automated meter reading equipment used by utilities to monitor high-volume water and power users. Like many electronics manufacturers, the 110,000-square-foot Waseca plant has long struggled to eliminate defects due to electrostatic discharge, especially in winter. When the outside 22 ASSEMBLY / July 2008 www.assemblymag.com http://www.siemenscnc.com http://www.contour-arc.com http://www.henrob.com http://www.henrob.com http://www.assemblymag.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Assembly Planbook - July 2008

Assembly Planbook - July 2008 Contents Editorial Quality in Assembly Station to Station Assembly Lines Assembly in Action Surviving the Roller Coaster The Human Side of Manufacturing Do Your Fasteners Need a Preapplied Thread-Locker? Manufacturing Innovation A Century of Progress Trendsetting Plants Pulse Tools Get Smart Plastics: Design for X Product Reviews Products Advertisers Index Classified Leading Lean

Assembly Planbook - July 2008

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