Assembly Automation: Assembly Benches

TQC have designed and produced a number of assembly benches for several applications across a number of industry sectors.

Assembly benches (sometime knows as assembly fixtures or assembly jigs) are generally manual or semi-automatic in operation and use an operator to carry out the majority of functions. An assembly bench will incorporate location tooling for the parts, designed so that an operator can easily load the parts and technology modules such as part sensing, vision inspection, vision measurement, colour sensing, vision measurement for automatically checking. A pass stamp or other marking system can be included to indicate the assembly has been completely correctly using the assembly bench.

Poka yoke functionality is commonly incorporated into assembly benches, this ensures that only the correct parts can be loaded and only the correct assembly can be removed from the bench (incorrect parts would be locked into the tooling).

Benefits of using an assembly bench with dedicated location tooling instead of just a benchtop is that the tooling can act as a 3rd or 4th hand for the operator simply by locating parts in a manner that will help the assembly requirements.

assembly bench with automatic function testingThe format of an assembly bench is driven by the customers requirements, a manual assembly area and an automatic test station can be placed side by side on a bench so the manual assembly and automatic function testing operate concurrently. A back-to-back two station assembly bench allows commonising of the PLC control system and is a more compact footprint.

There is a list of case studies below of assembly benches we've produced to explore.

TQC have provided assembly benches for the automotive plastic industry where large plastic moulded need to be handled without damaging and the operator needed access to both faces of the moulding. Another bench we have supplied had multiple station for automatic pressing, manual assembly of automaticallt fed parts and a final function testing operation that was carried out automatically.

The business cases that are addressed by installing assembly benches into your production facility are operations can be carried out quicker, more accuratley and error free as the assembly bench checks what an operator is carrying out, only allowing good parts out.

An assembly bench is a cost effective solution that can help manual labour produce quality assured and automatically checked assemblies. 100% correct assemblies is pertinent to many production environments including the pharma and medical sectors, the automotive sectors, automotive plastics and aerospace and defence industries.

Assembly Bench applications

To find out more about how we can help you with your automated assembly, robotic or special handling systems:

We build all machines in-house, applying our 25+ years experience in specialised test and automated handling machines to the engineering projects we undertake. We offer customer support, backup and service call-out for all projects, whatever the size.

Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements and we will be happy to offer our professional advice and visit you at your site.

TQC Ltd, Hooton Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham, NG3 2NJ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)115 9503561   |   Fax: +44 (0)115 9484642   |   E-mail: sales@tqc.co.ukSGS