"F. George McDuffee" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 16 May 2006 13:42:53 GMT, "Tom Gardner"
wrote:

I just recieved a mandate to automate a fastening opperation. We have to
drive two #10 x 1-3/4" SMCs to hold this handle. This has become a
full-time job, so it's a high priority and high budget because the job is
menial and high risk of repetitive motion injury.

http://www.bettymills.com/shop/produ...FS4067600.html

Don't reinvent the wheel.

Contact the vendors/manufactureres of automatic screw driving
equipment. They have the expertise. Supply them with sample
parts and prints and they will come up with a "turn key"
solution.

Having been there and done that -- for best results you will most
likely need to change the head style of the screw -- from slotted
to pozi or one of the newer styles to eliminate cam out. For
some reason the product design people will oppose this
vehemently. When evaluating prices, remember it is the total
piece part cost and not the individual operation/component cost
that counts.

Also the quality of the screws will become critical with the
automatic equipment. Save yourself a bunch of problems and
specify camcar or other specific brand name on the engineering
print and possibly the sampling plan.

see:
http://www.designtoolinc.com/DTI5K.html
http://www.depragusa.com/
http://www.vibromatic.net/
and a bunch more at
http://www.thomasnet.com/products/au...2207004-1.html

You may also want to examine replacing the screws with driver
rivets if disassembly/service is not an issue. Tamper proof,
faster, and cheaper.


Unka George
(George McDuffee)

Good info, thanks! You're right on with me doing a "turn-key" set-up, I'ts
worth ponying up the money up front and not take this on as a project with
the experts already out there. The pay-back will be quick as the labor is
costing me $1k+ a month. I'd like to see the machine opperator fill the
brush, drill the handle holes, (already automated) screw on the handle and
pack the brushes 12 to a box. I will make it lucrative to the opperator.