Vote for New Product of the Year at The ASSEMBLY Show
Some 220 exhibitors are displaying the latest products and services at the 11th annual ASSEMBLY Show. Fasteners, power tools, adhesives, dispensing equipment, conveyors, robots, software and, of course, automated assembly systems are among the myriad new products on display.
To help draw attention to the breadth and quality of new technologies on display, we’re holding the 5th annual “New Product of the Year” contest at the show, and you—the attendees—will be the judges. We’ve nominated 20 products in five categories that we think are particularly innovative. All you have to do is vote for your favorite by scanning the QR code or directly within the mobile app!
Visit booth #2025 to view the New Product Nominees and place your votes for your favorite new products in each category. Voting will be open throughout exhibit hall hours on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and Wednesday, Oct. 25. The winners in each category will be announced in booth #2025 on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 9:30 a.m.
Assembly Machines & Systems
Self-Adjusting Tooling for Flexible Automated Assembly
This custom automated assembly system for military-grade products has the flexibility to process hundreds of part variants with no manual changeover required. Servo-actuated nests, tools, fixtures and robotic grippers with pressure-sensing feedback allow for immediate and automatic changeover between part variants. The automated flexibility is even more impressive considering the complexity and precision of the processes to assemble the product. A high-speed delta robot picks components from a custom multi-lane feeding system that uses coin-change singulation and automated inspection. Pins measuring just 1 millimeter across are automatically de-reeled and stitched into housings in precise locations. The final product is laser marked and coated with lubricant before final pack-out.
Booth 331
MS Automation
msautomation.com
Servo-Driven Riveter
Orbitform offers a full line of servo-driven riveting equipment, including the PSV-1000, the largest on the market, with a peak forming force of 40,000 pounds. A servo drive gives manufacturers a higher level of process control with variable advance and retract rates, precise speed and position advancement, the ability to form to a force or distance, multiple programmable stop positions, and programmable dwell time.
This level of process control means manufacturers can achieve consistent, high-quality parts. Servo equipment provides stability in an assembly process without reliance on pneumatics, eliminating any precision issues caused by fluctuations in air pressure. By using the precision control of servo-driven equipment, manufacturers can form a pivoting joint to specific dimensions, check the torque, and if the torque specification is not met, repeat the forming cycle until the desired torque is reached.
Booth 219
Orbitform
www.orbitform.com
New Tech Simplifies Integration of Press Systems
The Work Flow Director provides a simple programming environment, reliable connectivity and easy integration of non-Promess devices with Promess devices, providing a low-risk step into smart manufacturing. The technology alleviates assembly and manufacturing challenges derived from complex PLC programming, device mismatches and operator error.
One example is bar code scanning. The Work Flow Director allows a traditional bar code scanner to be easily integrated with a Promess Work Station. Part fixtures, press tools and physical parts can thus be scanned and verified based on part models. This is accomplished through a few setup windows, instead of an entire PLC project, which normally would require hours of integration, programing and debugging. With the ability to store up to 350,000 part model configurations and corresponding tooling, this system can be enable manufacturers to be scanning and verifying parts within minutes.
The Promess Data and Device Hub, the backbone of this innovation, sets the stage for a future where manufacturing devices communicate seamlessly and easily. The Workflow Director is the first of many technologies that will be hosted on this platform.
Booth 305
Promess Inc.
www.promessinc.com
Heavy-Duty Conveyor Is IIoT-Ready
The HU twin-track pallet conveyor is suitable for assembly and test processes for heavy loads. Configurable standard modules allow engineers to quickly and easily create layouts for routing, balancing, buffering and positioning pallets. Modules include predefined control logic, which reduces programming time and enables true plug-and-play integration. Functions such as transfers, locating stations and stops are all electrical.
The conveyor is fully digitalized and prepared for IIoT and traceability requirements. The software includes tools for pallet routing, traceability, data acquisition and OEE data.
The conveyor beam is rigid, ensuring smooth running with low noise. T-slots ensure easy but firm attachment of accessories. The upper slide rail is made of stainless steel, while the lower rail is made of plastic. The return chain runs within the beam. Three types of chain are available: steel roller chain, steel off-set roller-top chain, and lubrication-free steel roller chain.
Aluminum pallets come with an electrically conductive frame and are RFID-ready. The pallet has an accurate fixture interface and is tooled in relation to the locating holes. Standard pallet width is 1,040 millimeters. Conveyed products can range from a few grams up to 200 kilograms in weight.
A booster section doubles transfer speed when needed and reduces pallet exchange time by up to 50 percent. This reduces noise and stress on wear parts. Maximum speed is 15 meters per minute. Maximum conveyor length is 10 meters. Maximum accumulated load is 1,000 kilograms.
The conveyor has a mean time between failures of 12,000 hours (two years in a three-shift operation). All functions are plug-and-play and mounted in fixed positions, allowing a single digit mean time to repair. Smart motors and digital chain slack detection permit predictive maintenance.
A fully electric transfer is designed in two sections—lift and drive—to facilitate installation and maintenance. The locating unit stops the pallet and positions it with a repeatability of ±0.1 millimeter. The locating pins are situated on one side, but machined in the same piece to achieve perfect accuracy.
The system offers a range of stops and dampers. Stops can be electric or pneumatic. FlexLink also offers a unique gravity damper that gently slows down the pallet.
Smart asynchronous motors only run when needed, and thanks to the conveyor’s low-friction design, engineers can configure longer sections per drive. This reduces torque by 50 percent. Motor control can be integrated or separate. A chain tensioner with a proximity switch for alarming is optional.
Modules include FlexLink standard controls logic. The line controller manages routing and track-and-trace, while FlexLink device controllers manage sensors, functions and smart motors. The benefits are reduced PLC programming and fast reconfiguration of a system.
Booth 1723
FlexLink Systems Inc.
www.flexlink.com
Adhesives, Dispensing & Curing
Adhesive for Electric Motor Assembly
Dualbond HT2990 is a dual-curing, high-temperature adhesive for electric motor assembly applications, such as magnet bonding and magnet stacking. The adhesive achieves fixation in 5 to 10 seconds when exposed to light. This supplemental means of curing helps motor manufacturers quicken assembly processes and optimize efficiency.
While heat is the standard method of curing adhesives for magnet bonding, complementing it with light fixation creates an already-cured outer layer that helps keep everything in place. The adhesive does not seep outside or onto the motor laminations. In magnet stacking, supplementing heat curing with light fixation lets manufacturers forego having to keep magnets under a jig in the oven to reach the desired bond line thickness.
Final curing with heat takes 30 minutes at 150 C or 60 minutes at 130 C. If exposure to heat occurs later in electric motor assembly, for example via heat shrinkage, there is a possibility for the heat curing step to be skipped. Induction curing can be another alternative to oven curing as well.
At room temperature, the adhesive can achieve a compression shear strength of up to 70 megapascals (MPa) on steel. This compares to 45 MPa for standard high-performance heat-curing epoxies. It also has a high glass transition temperature of 165 C. In heat as extreme as 180 C, it still exhibits a tensile shear strength of 7 MPa on aluminum. This is equivalent to 70 kilograms per square centimeter of force.
Booth 1811
DELO Industrial Adhesives LLC
www.delo-adhesives.com/us
Adhesive Assembles ADAS Components
Loctite Ablestik NCA 01UV is formulated for assembly of high-resolution cameras and lidar modules for advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This active alignment adhesive is cured in a single step with just 3 seconds of exposure to UV LED light, eliminating the need for oven curing to save time, energy and CO₂ emissions.
With low and consistent dimensional change of 0.4 percent during cure, this adhesive can be used to assemble high-resolution camera modules. No outgassing from volatile compounds ensures high image quality and no fogging of optical components. It is free of CMT, SVHC, or any toxic substances and fully EU REACH-compliant.
Booth 1616
Henkel Corp.
www.henkel-adhesives.com
Adhesive for Low-Surface-Energy Plastic
TA4610 is a two-part toughened acrylic adhesive for bonding low-surface-energy plastics, such as polypropylene, polyethylene and polyolefins, without the need for primer or surface treatment. It can also be used to bond a wide variety of other materials, such as metals and composites, and it can bond dissimilar surfaces. It has a 1-to-1 mix ratio. It achieves full cure at room temperature. Set time is 12 to 15 minutes; handling time is 40 to 50 minutes; and working strength is 6 to 8 hours.
Booth 1448
Permabond
www.permabond.com
Adhesives for Assembling Lithium-Ion Batteries
El-Cast epoxies are formulated for potting and encapsulating lithium-ion batteries. These epoxies keep batteries secure from damage caused by shock, moisture, vibration, chemicals and other elements. Epoxies can be used in batteries for EVs, power tools, garden equipment, marine components, military applications, GPS systems and other applications. All materials are nonhazardous, REACH and RoHS compliant, and solvent-free.
Epoxies are UL-approved, lightweight, thermally conductive, and heat-resistant with low exothermic properties. They resist chemicals, acids, fuels, solvents, moisture and salts. They come in a wide range of hardness ratings and viscosities.
El-Cast with 641 hardener is a medium-viscosity potting and encapsulation resin. It has excellent bonding properties to metals, plastics, and ceramics. With good air release, the cured part will have a gloss finish. Maximum use temperature is 250 F.
El-Cast VFR with 117 hardener is a 100 percent epoxy system. Soft and flexible, this low-viscosity epoxy offers excellent air release, allowing it to cure to a high gloss finish.
El-Cast VFR with 118 hardener is a filled two-component epoxy. It has excellent air release and cures to a high gloss finish. It is heat resistant to 400 F.
Booth 451
United Resin Corp.
www.unitedresin.com
Fastening Tools
Smart Controller and Transducerized Screwdriver
Sumake is introducing the SMT-C2 smart controller with a touchscreen user interface and a transducerized screwdriver with angle-controlled tightening.
Angle-controlled tightening tools provide precise and controlled tightening of fasteners. Unlike a traditional electric torque screwdriver that relies solely on torque measurement, an angle tightening driver incorporates angle measurement into the process, enabling more accurate and repeatable results. The driver features a built-in LED light to illuminate the work area. An ergonomic design with a covered rubber grip offers better handling and comfort during operation.
The smart controller optimizes the fastening process with a visible LED signal system. It also helps the operator analyze all fastening results to improve production efficiency. Users in an angle tightening assembly application are granted the flexibility to switch between multiple programs to effectively accomplish various tightening angles, turns and torque tasks. The smart controller saves historical data (up to 1 million run-downs), displays the data in a curved graph for simple analysis, and exports the data via FTP or USB storage. The digital display shows the real-time angle measurement as the fastener is tightened.
The ability to monitor the angle in real-time eliminates the need for multiple passes, reducing overall assembly time and labor costs. One of the primary functions of the SMT-C2 smart controller is the ability to track the tightening and angle status. This allows operators to monitor the progress of each tightening operation in real time, ensuring that all fasteners are properly tightened. By having this visibility, issues are easily detected during assembly and corrective actions can be taken swiftly.
Booth 940
Sumake North America
sumakenorthamerica.com
Intelligent Screwdriver
The CHP ATX intelligent screwdriver is equipped with a nonslip grip, a high-quality DC brushless servomotor, a high-precision transducer, and a high-resolution digital encoder for accurate angle measurement. The tools are accurate to within ±3 percent of the set torque value.
The screwdrivers have an LED status indicator ring and a 1/4-inch hex bit. Model ATX-12 has a maximum speed of 2,000 rpm and a torque range of 2.4 to 12 kilogram-centimeters. Model ATX-30 has a maximum speed of 1,200 rpm and a torque range of 6 to 30 kilogram-centimeters. Model ATX-50 has a maximum speed of 700 rpm and a torque range of 10 to 50 kilogram-centimeters. The tools can be programmed for lever start, push to start, or both.
Engineers use a 10-inch, LCD touchscreen digital controller to set torque and speed. The user-friendly controller includes a network interface to store and export graph data. It comes with either one or two ports for powering and controlling the drivers. As a result, two drivers can be operated simultaneously or in a user-defined sequence. Each fastener parameter is programmable for various combinations of time, torque, rotation angle and direction. Programmable digital I/O and definable user profiles with password protection provide process control.
Booth 1715
American Hakko Products Inc.
hakkousa.com
Transducerized Cordless Screwdriver
This programmable, transducerized cordless screwdriver delivers precise torque control. Model DFT060TMZ has a torque range of 2 to 6 newton-meters. Model DFT120TMZ has a torque range of 4 to 12 newton-meters. The tool is equipped with an efficient Makita-built brushless motor, with a no-load speed of 400 to 1,300 rpm. Including the battery, the tool weighs just 2.4 pounds. A built-in LED light illuminates the work surface for better visibility in low-light environments.
The tool automatically shuts off when a preset torque is reached, and it provides both visual and audible feedback on each fastening operation. A USB connection allows for six-stage programming of both direction and speed control throughout the fastening process. The tools are certified for a repeatability of ±4 percent of mean torque.
The tool is powered by a 14.4-volt lithium-ion battery for extended run time and a greater number of lifetime charge cycles. The tool is automatically disabled once battery capacity drops below 5 percent. The battery recharges in only 30 minutes.
Booth 1323
Makita U.S.A. Inc.
makitaassemblytools.com
Cordless Screwdriver Is Smart
The EPT all-in-one transducerized cordless screwdriver has a built-in sensor that continually measures torque in real-time and feeds data back into the system. An error-proofing system helps prevent defects. Engineers can easily program the tool, setting torque tolerances for each fastener in a sequence. The tool records and stores torque and fastening data. Weighing 4.5 pounds, the tool has a 3/8-inch square drive and a torque range of 11.5 to 57.5 inch-pounds. Driver speed can be adjusted from 100 to 1,250 rpm.
Features include a built-in bar code scanner; digital I/O for interfacing with a machine; a PLC interface for line control monitoring techniques; and a screw counting function to ensure that all screws are accounted for during assembly.
Booth 605
Mountz Inc.
www.mountztorque.com
Robotics
Flexible Smart Gripper
The Flexible Smart Gripper (FSG) is a fully electric gripper with flexible, soft-bodied fingers for handling objects of varying size, shape and weight. The FSG allows for the picking and placing of parts with a multitude of shapes and sizes due to its FDA-compliant silicone fingers. The ability to rotate in the roll degree of freedom, while keeping rigid in the pitch and the yaw degrees of freedom, allows for dependable, soft and flexible gripping of delicate objects.
The Enhanced Intelligence version of the FSG provides additional finger positions for grip precision and efficiency, as well as force control, allowing the user to reliably handle delicate objects.
The FSG can be easily programmed through a simple user interface that can be accessed with any Wi-Fi-enabled device.
Booth 807
Applied Robotics Inc.
www.appliedrobotics.com
Compliant Tool for Robotic Grinding and Finishing
The CGV-900 compliant angle grinder provides an automated alternative to grinding and finishing by hand. The device has built-in compliance, allowing the tool to compensate for irregularities in part surfaces and maintain contact with a workpiece. The compliance force is adjustable, enabling engineers to fine-tune finishing processes in real time. The CGV-900 also provides position sensing data to help indicate media wear. This lets engineers establish media replacement intervals, eliminating unexpected rework and downtime. Additionally, the data can be used for process verification.
The angle grinder contains a governed, vane-style motor which provides a more consistent speed during grinding and finishing processes. This ensures an even finish throughout the contact path of the tool. It is compatible with industry-standard grinding media, such as flap wheels, sanding discs and wire brushes that are commonly used with handheld grinding tools.
Booth 239
ATI Industrial Automation
www.ati-ia.com
Smart End-Effector Makes Robots More Sensitive
The Smart Flex Effector, a new, sensor-based compensation module, gives robots and Cartesian linear systems human-like sensitivity. Processes which are difficult to manage can now be automated, optimized and monitored through simple retrofitting. Thanks to a kinematics system that works independently in six degrees of freedom, the tactile device with sensitive touch precisely records the position of the workpiece and passes the information to the robot control unit for active compensation purposes.
Typical applications are joining processes with minimal tolerances, complex assembly work or difficult handling tasks. Errors and rejects are minimized and teaching and commissioning can be carried out more easily and quickly. The Smart Flex Effector is designed for handling loads of up to 6 kilograms.
With its differentiated kinematics, the Smart Flex Effector is able to correct processes with great complexity and tight tolerances, as in the case of positional deviations between the tool and the workpieces or in complex joining processes with minimal tolerances. Thanks to this tactile sensitivity, tasks that were not automatable can now be performed by robots.
The device also reduces the time previously needed for teaching processes. Thanks to the 6D position recording, the robotic control system can read the exact coordinates for gripping and placing points directly. Repeated learning during operation is therefore possible in an automated manner. Robots can also be taught manually, simply by moving them into position by hand.
Even during sampling, the Smart Flex Effector can be used to recognize positional deviations and, with the help of the sensor system, determine the exact position of the object. The robot accurately picks up objects, positions them in a controlled manner, and places them reliably. Even parts made of glass or other fragile materials can now be handled safely. To ensure maximum productivity, the compensation module can be actively moved into the zero position and electromechanically locked for fast transfer runs.
The effector offers an RS-485 interface as well as an I/O interface for exchanging data. Installation is easy: For a passive compensation function, the device is simply screwed to the robot flange and the gripper. The locking function and data transmission are available as soon as the unit is connected to the power supply and the control system.
Booth 119
Bosch Rexroth
www.boschrexroth.com
AI for Robot Guidance
MIRAI is a new control system that enables robots to handle variance in shape, position, color and light conditions in the work space. Using AI, MIRAI generates robot movements in real time and can respond automatically to movements of the target object. MIRAI takes control of the first and last centimeters of the robot’s path, eliminating the need for rigid fixturing of parts.
MIRAI also simplifies the task of robot programming. Robots equipped with MIRAI are able to learn many tasks through observation, so they can easily be trained and retrained for various process steps. No knowledge of programming or AI is required.
The system consists of a MIRAI controller; a six-axis robot (supplied by FANUC or Universal Robots); a force-torque sensor; an end effector; a camera (supplied by Micropsi Industries); and a ring-light.
MIRAI augments the robot’s native controller, enabling the machine to perceive its work environment. Through AI, MIRAI-enabled robots observe actions performed by a person and then imitate those actions. Observations are recorded by a camera attached to the robot’s wrist or situated at a fixed position proximate to the workspace. To train the robot, a person performs and records repeated demonstrations of a task by manually guiding the robot by the robot’s wrist. The recordings are then transformed into a vision-based, real-time robot control schema.
Booth 352
Micropsi Industries GmbH
www.micropsi-industries.com
Factory of the Future
AI for Line Monitoring
LinePulse 3.0 bridges the gap between continuous IIoT data collection in production and the data preparation required for machine learning and artificial intelligence, allowing modern algorithms to keep a constant pulse on the overall health of a manufacturing line.
Through advanced analytics, LinePulse provides actionable insights from complex product data to maximize the value of a manufacturer's investment in digitizing their production processes.
LinePulse users do not need a data science or machine learning background to derive value from the product because its unattended AI runs in the background to provide actionable insights. LinePulse identifies problems like signal drift on the line and displays anomalies and root causes of failures in intuitive dashboards. Line operators and engineers can see a list of parts that ran in the past hour, their build history charts, and the solution directs their attention to stations or devices that can make the most impact to immediate product outcome. Configurable alerts through email or Microsoft Teams can also notify individuals or groups about high-impact predictions.
Booth 539
Acerta Analytics Solutions Inc.
https://acerta.ai/
AI-Powered Manufacturing Chatbot
Andi is an AI-powered manufacturing chatbot designed to bring AI augmentation to workers. Andi is advanced, natural language processing software driven by AI technology, enabling workers to engage in human-like conversations and request expert help and support. Andi can assist with tasks such as automatically monitoring machine and process performance, solving problems, and generating action plans, checklists and work instructions.
Andi can also learn company-specific information, such as machine operation and troubleshooting manuals, quality systems and HR manuals. This enables the software to provide instant support for specific questions like how to fix particular machine failure codes; identifying the top three problems causing the most downtime in a machine; determining first-time quality for the past hour; or even clarifying company vacation policies.
With Andi, workers can access a manufacturing expert on demand when needed, without delays or constraints. Andi can send timely automatic notifications when a problem or anomaly is detected when monitoring a machine or process. Whether on WhatsApp, Web, iOS or Android, factory teams can instantly consume performance metrics and access expert help to make informed decisions.
Andi is part of the Andonix Smart Work Station product suite, and it can adapt to any size company. Leveraging AWS’ leadership position in manufacturing cloud infrastructure, Smart Work Station can easily be integrated with IIoT sensors; PLCs; business intelligence software, like Power BI; Google Locker Studio; Quick; SCADA systems; MES and ERP.
Booth 361
Andonix
andonix.com
Software Creates Work Instructions from PLM Data
Product lifecycle management (PLM) software is the single source of truth for all product data. PLM underpins the digital thread, informs other core systems such as ERP and MES, and ensures critical business processes are managed and optimized according to the most current data.
Manufacturers now need to make that data truly work for them, by extending the digital thread to the front line workers responsible for production and output. Canvas Envision integrates with Aras Innovator PLM, enabling anyone within an organization to create and consume interactive digital instructional documents that leverage up-to-the minute design data.
Design engineering generates huge volumes of data. PLM does the plumbing; it keeps track of versions, sends data to the right places, and is great at orchestrating workflows. And it lets engineers visualize 3D CAD. But PLM won’t let manufacturers take the 10 or 15 other sources of data it houses and rapidly aggregate them, along with CAD data, into intuitive and easy-to-consume content that meets the unique contextual requirements of all the stakeholders in manufacturing.
Canvas Envision Creator does that. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use desktop graphics application that gives everyone the ability to leverage 3D CAD models to create interactive visual documents. With Envision, manufacturers get easy to use 3D visualization combined with text layout, 2D drawing tools, vector graphics and photo editing, and a host of smart tools and features to help them visually communicate key information about their products.
Booth 1918
Canvas GFX Inc.
www.canvasgfx.com
Video Analytics Software Monitors Shop Floor Operations
Dori AI is a full-stack, end-to-end computer vision and deep learning video analytics platform for monitoring shop-floor operations. Dori AI is a no-code platform that transforms images and videos into actionable insights.
The system can be tailored for any enterprise use case. It can instantly detect any person, process or asset. Engineers can choose from one of several preconfigured application templates designed to provide intuitive dashboards interfaces and instant video replay of any event. The software can be configured and deployed on the edge or cloud. Engineers can easily connect any camera or visual data source, and then deploy and manage thousands of endpoints through centralized dashboards and APIs.
The software turns visual data into predictive AI models. Engineers can monitor workforce movements and activities to improve productivity; ensure standards are followed; detect and flag risks and hazards before they escalate; and monitor how much time workers spend at various tasks or workstations. For example, engineers can use computer vision to ensure worker safety. The software can be used to detect PPE violations, track usage of restricted areas, and flag equipment violations. On the assembly line, the software can track cycle times, measure production yields, detect missing parts or steps, and flag violations of standard operating procedures.
Booth 1606
Dori AI
www.dori.ai