Have you ever wondered how all the little bits and pieces of your smartphone are put together with such perfection? Robotics are an important part of the process, handling everything from intricate wiring to precise component placement. This speeds up manufacturing and cuts human error, which results in more reliable products.
As you go deeper, you will find the ingenious ways these machines are designed to mimic human actions while being fast and exact at the same time. Keep reading to explore the various innovations that robotics brings to electronic product assembly and learn how these advancements continue to drive technological progress.
Table of contents
- What robotics is
- 6 ways robotics helps during production
- 2 examples of Virginia electronics manufacturers using robotics for assembly
- More about advanced manufacturing
To sum up robotics:
- Robotics merges computer science, engineering, and technology to create machines capable of human-like tasks.
- Robotics is closely linked with automation, enabling processes to operate without or with minimal human involvement.
- Robotics is vital in today’s manufacturing for better productivity, accuracy, and safety.
- Robots are pros in tasks like welding, assembling, and sorting.
- Manufacturing employs various robot types, including SCARA, articulated, Cartesian, delta, and cylindrical robots.
6 things robots improve in your manufacturing production line
Challenging Applications
Robots are adept at handling display screens, assembling connectors, building subassemblies, and populating and coating circuit boards. Robots also apply adhesives and sealants, perform inspections, execute test operations, pack and palletize finished products, and engage in various other challenging applications.
Assembly
Robots boost the capabilities of electronics assembly automation in component placement tasks. They adeptly manage part-to-part variation, crucial for circuit board assembly, through high-resolution cameras and force sensing. These tools enable robots to recognize features within extremely tight tolerances and make real-time adjustments, so components are accurately positioned. This adaptability is amplified by integrating flexible part feeders and vision systems.
Inspection and Functional Testing
Arm-mounted cameras on robots help assemblies meet quality standards by verifying solder joints or reading unique identification codes for traceability. Computer and electronic product manufacturers can also use IR cameras to detect hot spots on activated circuit boards, which can signal early failures. Robots provide consistent pressure for touch-screen functional testing by applying even force and maintaining precise timing across cycles.
Packing
In the electronics industry, robots streamline the packaging process by quickly kitting and packing assembled products. Individual packages are packed into cartons and then palletized, all without human intervention. This makes for a faster, more accurate packaging pipeline that meets the demands of modern production rates.
Dispensing
Robots are integral in the exact application of sealants and protective coatings required for electronic products, protecting against environmental threats. During assembly, robots dispense adhesives to secure components with minimal waste and high repeatability, ensuring each part is consistently protected and adhered to.
Miniaturization
Thanks to the miniature size and precise placement requirements of components, robotics addresses the challenges of electronic assembly work that are difficult or impossible for humans. As more product engineers incorporate robotic capabilities into their designs, these machines are the solutions for achieving extraordinary precision and efficiency in assembling small-scale components.
2 Virginia electronic manufacturers who embrace robotics
General Dynamics Mission Systems
General Dynamics Mission Systems in Fairfax, Virginia, is one of the leading examples of robotics integration in electronic manufacturing. They integrate and manufacture unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) equipped with advanced robotics to operate autonomously in the most demanding environments. The Taunton facility assembles and tests these UUVs for the best precision and quality. Robotic integration boosts performance and accuracy, like in producing the Bluefin-21, a UUV that excels in arctic conditions with the U.S. Navy.
Jewett Automation
Jewett Automation, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, excels in using robotics for electronic assembly. With more than 40 years of experience, they specialize in crafting customized automated manufacturing systems using vision-guided robotics and advanced sensors for accurate component placement and alignment.
Be part of the future with advanced manufacturing
As manufacturing.gov states, advanced manufacturing is “the use of innovative technologies to create existing products and the creation of new products. Advanced manufacturing can include production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking.” Robotics is just one part of this strategy—only with it can electronics and computer manufacturers stay ahead. Another step is building a real presence on the market, which can be done with marketing consulting for manufacturing.
Other types of advanced manufacturing
- Additive Manufacturing
- Smart Manufacturing
- Flexible Manufacturing Systems
- Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machining
- Advanced Materials
- Nanotechnology
- Cyber-Physical Systems
- Simulation and Modeling
- Internet of Things (IoT) in Manufacturing
Learn more about optimizing your supply chain with this tech.GENEDGE helps professionals in computer and electronic product manufacturing implement the technology of the future with advanced manufacturing consulting. Schedule a one-on-one with your dedicated supply chain manager, Elisabeth “Maz” Mazza!
