Assembly - February 2009 - (Page 60) Advertisement Advertisement CASE STUDY Servo Press Improves Lamination Process & Quality LISTA’S ARLINK® 8000 WORKSTATIONS PROVIDE MODULARITY, FLEXIBILITY AND OPERATOR COMFORT lamination company recently came to FEC for a press solution for a newly developed process for applying film onto a glass substrate. The process required up to 60 tons to be applied for approximately 10 minutes while the material layers were heated to a “plastic” state. FEC’s solution was to use three of its enFORCE 20 ton bonding type electric servo presses, which can hold up to their rated load indefinitely, working in tandem to evenly spread out the required load. Synchronization, three decimal distance resolution and the ability to press at speeds as low as 0.05mm/sec. resulted in a more uniform and consistent pressing of the substrate than was previously possible while using a thinner and considerably lighter pressing plate. FEC also provided a “Main Unit” system controller which not only allowed single point control and judgment reporting of the three press units, but also communication through the customer’s EthernetI/P fieldbus network. Real time force and distance monitoring along with easy to understand “picture based” setup screens in the FEC software allowed the machine to be set up with only a few hours training. FEC Automation Systems 51327 Quadrate Drive Macomb, Michigan 48042 Email: sales@fec-usa.com Website: www.fec-usa.com A onin Medical Inc. (Plymouth, MN) manufactures precision devices for the medical, veterinary and consumer markets that measure physiological variables such as oxygen levels and pulse rates. During the early stages of an ongoing transition to lean manufacturing, the company decided they needed to purchase new workstations. Ultimately, employees and management chose the Arlink 8000 modular workstation from Lista International Corp. (Holliston, MA) because of the system’s flexibility—both in terms of configuration adaptability and operator comfort. Prior to installing the Arlink stations, Nonin Medical engineers had been frustrated by the fact that the company’s workstations were difficult to reconfigure and hard on employees physically. Among the features Nonin Medical is using to improve its assembly processes are the Arlink 8000’s “starter and adder” system, which enables a wide range of layout possibilities, including back-to-back options. The workstations’ proprietary Definite Positioning System® allows operators to relocate and adjust work surfaces, storage, shelving, lights, power beams and foot rests, without having to use any kind of special tools. The workstations are all mobile to allow for further ease in reconfiguration and cleaning. In its operations, Nonin Medical uses a range of workstation accessories, including adjustable-height shelving and bin racks to keep items like soldering irons, adhesive dispensers, wipes and other application-specific supplies within easy reach. The company also appreciates the Arlink 8000’s improved lighting. For more information on the Arlink 8000, call 800722-3020 or visit www.listaintl.com. N 60 ASSEMBLY / February 2009 www.assemblymag.com http://www.fec-usa.com http://www.listaintl.com http://www.assemblymag.com
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