Mechanical engineers at PennEngineering in Danboro, PA,
buy new laptop computers, flat screen TVs, video game players and a myriad of
other products and then take them apart – just like they did when they were
kids.
"We're looking for ways to reduce costs or improve value,"
says Leon M. Attarian, director of marketing for the mechanical fastening
company. "We're looking for opportunities to reduce the number of fasteners,
and reduce assembly time."
The program even has a name: Cost Savings Investigation
(CSI).
Recent visits with major fastening technology companies
reveal a trend toward more value engineering that focuses on opportunities to
improve mechanical assembly. The big
savings aren't in piece-part costs but rather in reduction of manual labor and
improvement in product integrity. Often new functionality is built into
fastening systems, such as electronics, or improved heat-dissipation
capabilities.
"We started doing the product tear downs on our own because
we wanted to get some momentum going," says Brian G. Bentrim, manager of global
new product development at PennEngineering. "Part of the problem is that the
assembly technology is the last phase of design, and doesn't get the attention
it deserves." CSI is now a service that
PennEngineering offers current or prospective customers.
One of the products to emerge from CSI is a mini clinching
tack pin that can be used to replace 56 M1.2 screws that hold a keyboard
assembly in place in the frame. "Use of
the mini clinching tack pin in this application would eliminate the need to tap
the 56 holes, and simplify the assembly process since the pins are pressed in
and do not require rotation for installation," says Jay McKenna, global product
manager for PennEngineering. "The
installation force of the tack pin is only 75 lb. This coupled with the fact that very little
metal is displaced during the installation make this ideal for use in this
application," he says. The expected maximum pull-out force for one tack pin is
45 lb.
Electronic security
One of the big new value pushes at Southco, based in Concordville, PA,
is mechatronics, the incorporation of electronic functionality into mechanical
assemblies.
"We are a company of
mechanical engineers who have looked at how we can integrate electronic
systems," says Steve Spatig, business development manager for electronic access
solutions at Southco. "We started with
electronic glove box latches
One of the big factors in many markets, particularly medical
is determining who has access to prescription drugs or medical devices. A
company operating a server center may want to know who entered and left, and at
what times. "Most of our customers are like Soutcho," says Spartig. "They have been
traditionally mechanical and are transitioning to electronic."
One new product is an R4-EM electronic rotary latch, which
combines electronic access control with an all-metal rotary latch design in a
compact, integrated package. Easy push-to-close operation and electronic
actuation simplify access across a wide variety of applications, such as
electronic enclosures and display cases. A gear-motor drive distinguishes the
R4-EM latch from solenoid-driven electromechanical latches, providing lower
power requirements, higher load capability and a better feel to latch
operation. Microprocessor control accepts a variety of access signals for
versatile application options.
Continuing the theme of value through improved fastening
technology, Dirak introduced a compression latch that offers a compression
range of up to 12 mm. The compression range can be modified depending on the
length of the cam. Standard cam heights are 22 and 28 mm with other cams
available. Use of a planetary gear for actuation provides significant
compression at very low torque while ensuring strength and durability.
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