An innovative world leader in medical devices manufacturing was ramping up production on a new ultrasound instrument but was struggling to optimize their new manufacturing process. Building this new piece of equipment involved a variety of different torque requirements. In the initial assembly, workers were using seven different drivers due to the various specs of the electronic and mechanical…
There are no hard and fast answers to this question since there are several points to consider. These include the frequency of use, general care, ambient conditions, and the torque setting of the power tool. The type of fastening process must be considered as well. An airplane assembly company may undergo rigorous daily testing whereas…
Almost everyone has had the experience of buying an expensive bit of machinery—like a shop lathe, a high-end computer, or even a car—and having it fail catastrophically shortly after the purchase. Usually, this is enough to keep us from ever using that product again and maybe even from considering using any other product from that…
If you know something’s broken, you can fix it. But if you know how something got broken, then you can prevent it—and anything like it—from breaking in the first place. Which would you rather be able to do? In the assembly world, ideally, pieces in production don’t break at all. But, inevitably, they will and…
Can you open a can with a hammer? Sure. But it would probably be easier with a can opener. Special jobs take special tools; using the right tool for your job saves effort and increases productivity. In the business world, specifically in manufacturing or equipment service and repair, saving effort and increasing productivity means lowering…
Roller coasters are thrilling. Riders soar and dive and flip upside down. They get blasted out of tunnels and splashed down through ponds. It’s an experience that causes people to grip their handrails, white-knuckled, to scream in terror, to pant for breath, and, when it’s over, to laugh. The intended effect is to expose riders…
Whether you’re in manufacturing or maintenance, it’s essential to use the right tools in order to get the job done right. After all, the tools you invest in will determine the type of work your business is capable of handling. Understanding the differences between similar tools and choosing correctly between them is, therefore, an important…
Manufacturing high volume products—such as electronics, toys, or appliances—requires speed and precision. After all, hundreds of thousands of identical products have to be assembled and fastened, correctly, in as little time as possible. Many products involve multiple fasteners that require complex fastening sequences. Most, if not all, of the fasteners have specific torque requirements. Often,…
Efficiency separates companies. Given the same costs for supplies and access to the same demand, companies operating in the same space are competing based on who is able to produce more, faster, and at a lower cost. Increasing production line efficiency can be achieved by many means, and the most effective methods depend on the…
If you’ve done a day of work, you know that even a light tool can get real heavy after a couple hours on the line. Which is no big deal, usually; it’s just part of the job. A week or a month will go by, you’ll get stronger, and using your tool won’t feel like…