Freedom of Assembly

Robotic manufacturing is one of the oldest and most well-known applications of modern industrial automation. There are an estimated three million industrial robots in use today. Using more programmable robots in manufacturing may be a viable solution to the current labor shortage woes.  Programmable robots increase efficiency, reduce injury risk and can be used for…

Automatic dispensing and UV light curing provide a myriad of benefits for plastic assembly operations. Light-curing adhesives are fast, easy to implement and provide exceptional bonding strength, according to Assembly. Nonetheless, there are common mistakes made during the dispensing and curing process that can wreak havoc on your assemblies. Wasted material, off-target gluing, inconsistent adhesive…

Automation Fast-Tracks Assembly for Medical Device Manufacturer  Challenge A Cincinnati-based medical device manufacturer of minimally invasive wearable injectors was in a bind: The company’s senior manufacturing engineer needed a process for joining three small metal tube spikes to the plastic device. The joining technique had to be repeatable and efficient, and it required verification at…

Effective leak testing is literally a matter of life or death in the medical device industry. Medical devices separate body fluids or deliver precise dosage of medicines. Given the stringent needs for accuracy, medical device manufacturers need to develop processes that are foolproof to ensure that each and every medical device performs precisely as intended.…

In a recent interview, Chris Edwall, VP and General Manager, explains the origin of AMS’s 17-Step Automation Process that is used in every project and why it is a key differentiating factor for manufacturers. Check out Our Processes to read about each step individually as well as view a short animation of the 17-Step Process. It’s…

Purchasing an automated assembly system can be a big step, and may seem intimidating for an organization. If you see the benefits of automation for your company but need help getting management buy-in, read on for rationale you can share with leadership. Drive Efficiency With Automated Assembly Systems Mature markets can be especially price-sensitive. There…

In today’s economy, American industrial manufacturing is at a pivotal crossroads. Consumer demand for manufactured products has increased steadily over the past 10 years, yet the manufacturing labor shortage has also increased over that same time. We have more things to make, and fewer people available or interested in making them.  To some, this manufacturing…

Recently a Tier 1 automotive supplier came to us in desperation: They needed a duplicate pressure decay leak testing machine fast. As a returning industrial automation customer, they knew our typical project time was 16 weeks. But they wanted the machine in just eight weeks.  That eight-week timeline simply wasn’t feasible for us, still we…

A variety of industries frequently use an air leak tester for quality control. For the medical industry, air leak testers check the quality of catheters, IV sets, tubing, implantable devices and infusion sets. In the automotive industry, air leak testers are frequently used to check plastic air intake manifolds, clean and dirty side ductwork, washer…

Medical device manufacturers benefit by involving their suppliers early on in the development process. Medical device designers are under increasing pressure to develop medical devices faster and cheaper than their competitors. Project managers are seeking ways to cut timelines, streamline processes and tighten deadlines. The development of new medical devices takes several years, so when…