Adding Digital Positioning Capabilities to Your Manufacturing Process? Here’s What You Need to Know

The digital world has slowly made its way into each industry, with the manufacturing industry incorporating its share of changes and updates.

Many of our everyday processes, traditionally completed by hand, have been replaced with digital and automated processes. Manpower and energy have been funnelled towards more productive tasks, while automated processes and SMART technology now complete many repetitive and non-repetitive processes.

Many intricate and detailed processes in the manufacturing industry, which require the highest level of accuracy, have been replaced by digital equipment. The result of these upgrades is the increased availability of manpower and energy, which can then be devoted to other more important tasks and projects. Additionally, the chances of human error are greatly reduced by the transition of many repetitive tasks from humans to SMART, automated technology.

The manufacturing industry consists of several different stages and processes, each requiring a unique set of skills and equipment. Digital positioning capabilities are manufacturing processes that include such equipment as position control torque arm systems.

If you’re in the market for digital positioning tools, we’re here to provide you with all the information you need to get the most from your new addition.

What are torque arms?

Torque arms are essential tools of the manufacturing industry. Generally, they play two roles, including the absorption of torque that is generated during the tightening process and providing the lift required to ensure that the nut-runner floats at all times on the end of the torque arm, following naturally horizontally and vertically.

Several torque arm models are available to choose from based on the required torque, arm size, typical reach, and payload. Torque arms have many defining features, including:

• The ability to assist the operator in supporting the weight of the end effector/tooling
• Allowing a workload to “float”
• Lightweight and agile arms
• Adjustable soft spots at the first and second axis
• Adjustable arm height

Position Control Torque Arms

Position control torque arm systems are important components of a manufacturer’s toolkit. Torque arm systems help manufacturers to detect and remove errors resulting from incorrect screw-fastening during the assembly process. Errors in the assembly process can cost manufacturers both time and money; it’s time-consuming and costly to repair simple errors, which ultimately could have been avoided.

This is where the position control torque arm systems play a key role, reducing the risk of improperly fastened screws. Position control arms can be equated to a quality control manager who is dedicated to monitoring screw-fastening processes in the assembly area.

Many newer models can memorize hundreds of assembly sequences and are accompanied by touch screens allowing for visual aids for the operator. Adding digital positioning capabilities on the assembly line greatly decreases the chance of screw-fastening errors, which could be overlooked by even the most vigilant quality control teams.

Benefits of Digital Positioning Capabilities

Digital positioning capabilities are very beneficial aspects of any assembly process because they ensure that every screw is placed in the correct location and at the correct torque. The technology has many other beneficial features, including:

• Error-proofing
• Programmable sequence operation
• Wall-mounting capability
• Password protection
• Visual indicators to help the user follow along with the desired tightening sequence
• The tool is only operable when in the proper programmed location
• Reducing the incidence of Repetitive Motion Injury and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Ability to absorb torque reaction from electric air screwdrivers, angle nut-runners, pulse tools, and pistol grip tools
• Offering a smooth and flexible range of motion
• Quick and simple to set up
• Self-teaching and automation program modes available
• Increased overall production capability

Digital torque arm positioning systems are excellent contributors to quality control processes in the manufacturing industry. They remove the burden of detailed quality control monitoring and transfer most of the responsibility to digital positioning technology.

Reducing the chances of errors involved with screw-fastening on the assembly line can help save a significant amount of time and money spent correcting these errors. Digital torque arm positioning systems improve the efficiency and accuracy of the assembly process and provide a return on your investment.

If you want to learn more about adding digital positioning capabilities to your manufacturing process, call Delta Regis Tools at 1-888-473-6862 or contact us here.