MEDIA SPOTLIGHT: More manufacturers are investing in robotic screwdriving, which is well suited for assembly applications that require high torque, multiple fasteners, quick changeover and high-mix production, Assembly Magazine reports.

“Robots allow a greater degree of consistency than traditional handheld screwdriving systems,” Semblex Corp. development engineer Brandt Ruszkiewicz told Assembly. “They will always move to the same location and drive the screw with the same parameters, leading to greater repeatability than a human can offer.”

In addition, robots have more flexibility than fixed screwdriving, Ruszkiewicz added.

“However, robotic screwdriving does not do well with part misalignment or poor quality fasteners,” Ruszkiewicz notes. “Most robotic systems will not adjust for variation in the parts they join.”

Until recently, robotic screwdriving was associated with large fasteners used to assemble automotive subassemblies, such as chassis and power trains, writes Austin Weber of Assembly. But the technology is now used with small screws in other types of assembly applications, especially in the electronics industry.

“Most high-volume portable electronics, such as smartphones, typically require some fastening applications for handling small screws that range in size from 1.2 to 3 millimeters,” says Samir Patel, director of product and applications engineering at Kawasaki Robotics USA Inc. “New tools equipped with error detection devices and data traceability functions appeal to these manufacturers.”

Automation is ideal for handling products that use smaller screws and smaller assemblies, explains Chris Blanchette, executive director for global accounts at FANUC America Corp.

“Robotic screwdriving offers more reliability in the assembly process and removes people from unsafe or challenging operations.”

The increasing cost of labor, as well as quick changeover, is driving the growing interest in robotic screwdriving, according to Assembly.

“Speed is the biggest advantage of robotic screwdriving, and accuracy is close behind,” says Ryan Guthrie, executive vice president of TM Robotics (Americas) Inc. “With automation, there’s no fumbling around getting a screw thread lined up with the driver. Everything is fixtured and repeatable.”

Click here to read the full article in Assembly Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Articles in Media Spotlight are excerpts from publications or broadcasts that show the industry what the public is reading or hearing about fasteners and fastener companies.