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How Pneumatics Has Changed Manufacturing

Published: Jan 24 2017

PNEUMATICS IN MANUFACTURINGThanks to Industrial Automation, manufacturing has come a long way since it’s beginning. Automation started with Eli Whitney, well-known for his creation of the innovative cotton gin. What many don’t know is he also perfected interchangeable parts for manufacturing, which proved useful when he had to build 10,000 muskets for the U.S. Army in 1799. In 1910, Henry Ford took the manufacturing process to the next level. Ford combined people; machines and tools to automate the Model T automobile building process. Through the years, technological innovation and industrial revolutions introduced robotic and pneumatics to automation and manufacturing. How has pneumatics changed manufacturing from back in 1799? Take a look at what Pneumatics gives us and how it improves the overall manufacturing process.

Pneumatics and the Assembly Line

The assembly line has been drastically influenced and improved by pneumatics for automation. Without pneumatics, assembly lines wouldn’t be nearly as efficient or produce the needed product to meet customer demand. Automation would be nearly non-existent, and assembly lines would be more dependent on human workers with a higher chance of error in assembly line operations. The robotic arm is a prime example of pneumatics and automation working simultaneously to improve production. Controlled by pneumatics and hydraulics, this arm moves in a precise manner and performs repetitive operations that must make it hit the same spot and use the same pressure for tightening bolts or using welding to secure parts together. Fortunately, we do have pneumatics and this paves the way to improve assembly lines with faster and more precise operations from robotics in assembly lines. With these robotics counterparts in factory assembly lines, operations requiring pinpoint accuracy and sometimes potentially hazardous tasks are done in repetitive cycles, without risk of life, injury or risk of error from human workers.

Industries Improved

The computer industry relies heavily on assembly line automation. A computer assembly line requires precise placement of computer chips into assembled computer systems. Robotics in these assembly lines makes this possible and reduces the risk of error a human worker would pose if they had to place an exactly measured computer chip in an extremely small case. The automotive industry is another prime example of pneumatics for automation improving the manufacturing process. For automotive makers the robotic arm and it’s precise welding capabilities are crucial. There is no margin for error when the vehicle you build must transport and protect the passengers inside. Speed and accuracy are two key factors to successful assembly line operation for many industries, which is why these production lines rely heavily on pneumatics for automation. In fact, without these automation solutions, many businesses wouldn’t have a way to build their products, which require exactly measured placement – something human workers are unable to do, on a consistent basis. With this understanding, CBT Partner SMC Pneumatics USA provides the pneumatics products for manufacturing automation many industries trust, from the auto industry to electronics and computer hardware manufacturers. For more information on pneumatics in manufacturing, our suppliers, and how pneumatics can benefit your application contact your CBT specialist today.

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