Verification of Assembly Processes Using Signatures
The Signature Technologies
SA-2000 “SAM” module, and Signature
Technologies “SamView™” Software package can be used to monitor the force
vs. distance characteristics of press-fit assemblies, and “snap-together”
type assemblies. The signatureACE® product provides high
accuracy and very detailed monitoring in order to assure a high level of process
verification. This technology is also a great quality verification tool
for PEM insertion.
Basic Assembly Process Illustration
The illustrated method can perform the same type of test every stroke of the
machine so that each part can be individually verified as having
been assembled acceptably with properly sized components.
The system works by measuring the force required to displace the
assembled component onto it’s mating part.
Minor variations in the process can be detected and using the feature extraction
technology of the SAMview software one can establish specific outputs to address
failure modes in an annunciation or closed loop control method.
Process Signature Display
This
Graph
shows the type of force vs. press position signature that could be expected:
The process test points are completely programmable and can
include:
The SAM™ module can handle inputs in groups of 8 up to 56 total
points. If desired,
Signature Technologies can
provide controls to adjust the forming station(s) dynamically based on the
dimensional measurements.
Signature Technologies can supply a wide variety of
solutions to various manufacturing process
problems dealing with measurement, verification of properties, tool condition,
and machine health. We can also
“close the loop” by performing process adjustments in response to specific
variations in force, location, or shape of the work piece, as well as more
simple controls which can track and reject specific parts which don’t meet
specific quality criteria.
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