Assembly processes play a central role in industrial production. Especially in times of crisis, innovations pave the way to a competitive future. Where high production volumes and minimal product changes converge – coupled with sufficient financial resources – the automation of assembly processes offers an economical solution. It enables reliable and high-quality products. The use of modern screwdriving technology, handling systems, and robots, complemented by automated guided vehicles (AGVs), makes automated assembly more efficient and flexible than ever before. Intelligent camera systems and testing procedures also ensure additional process reliability.
However, the conditions for automation are not always present. Especially for small batch sizes, often caused by limited market demand or varying product requirements, manual assembly according to the latest standards remains indispensable. Here, it offers the necessary flexibility to respond to different batch sizes and product specifications, ensuring efficient utilization of production capacities.
Especially when introducing new products or in situations where a so-called "one-piece flow" is preferred, manual assembly remains unbeatable. It allows for the economical production of small series or individual items.
Even when a limited budget or upcoming design changes shape the planning, manual assembly remains the most effective solution – provided it is properly designed and organized.
When relocating production facilities abroad, modern work instructions and the ELAM system offer the advantage that the onboarding of new employees is faster and more efficient, as work instructions can be provided in multiple languages and with visual aids.
In this series of articles, we at Armbruster Engineering would like to share our extensive knowledge and 30 years of experience in developing and equipping modern manual assembly systems with you.
