Assembly Automation: Volume 25 Issue 4

Rethink assembly design

Rapid manufacturing processes provide designers, mechanical and process engineers with a lot of chances and opportunities. It is necessary to show them, how their work and their…

Case study: selective laser sintering of the USUSat II small satellite structure

This paper illustrates an effective application of rapid prototyping (RP) to produce a high definition polymer model of a satellite structure prior to final machining of the…

New high speed imaging CMM system aids car production

To describe a new vision‐based co‐ordinate measuring machine (CMM) developed in France by ActiCM, which has undergone successful trials with car maker Renault.

A study of capillary forces as a gripping principle

This work aimed at studying the use of capillary forces as a gripping principle in the handling of sub‐millimetric sized components. The goal was to present the results as design…

Medical rapid prototyping applications and methods

Aims to investigate medical rapid prototyping (medical RP) technology applications and methods based on reverse engineering (RE) and medical imaging data.

Temperature controlled laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) using thermal imaging

To describe the thermal imaging control system used to deposit lines of graphite in a laser chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) system.

Direct tool steel injection mould inserts through the Arcam EBM free‐form fabrication process

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the benefit of design flexibility afforded by the Arcam free‐form fabrication process in the direct manufacture of injection mould inserts…

Rapid tooling in support of accelerated new product development

The paper examines whether additive manufacturing can deliver durable injection‐moulding tools – fast, reliable, accurate and economic. Researchers from the Central University of…

Thermal characteristics of a new metal/polymer material for FDM rapid prototyping process

Presents development and characterisation of a new metal/polymer composite material for use in fused deposition modelling (FDM) rapid prototyping process with the aim of…

Embedded micro‐channel fabrication using line‐scan stereolithography

In an effort to directly manufacture devices with embedded complex and three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐channels on the order of microns to millimeters, issues associated with…

New British joint venture aims to improve automated manufacture, productivity and profitability in the global aerospace industry

ABB announces dedicated channel for new software product]

Web sites

Cognex tracks injectors from cradle to grave

Robot-mounted camera makes new inspection system infinitely flexible

Book review

Semi-automated workstations from Contax

THK develops super ultra high rigidity technology

Diary

Sandvik launches surface engineered strip materials

Mydea Technologies commissions first three-dimensional color rapid prototyping technology

Patent Abstracts

Contax in exclusive agreement with Sysmelec

RP – JIT

Moldflow awarded European patent for dual domain technology

Local Industrial Data Communication Handbook

PCB assembly gets reel

Automated component inspection system provides fast product changeover for production flexibility

Stratasys introduces rapid prototyping “Triplets” – three variations on the FDM vantage

Gantry offers impressive design flexibility

New compact surface mounters combine speed and accuracy for cost-performance benefits

Mazda develops world's first steel and aluminium joining technology using friction heat

Modular Automation becomes UK distributor for Easy-link</B><SUP>®</SUP>

The next and last industrial revolution?