Collaboration Improves Speed and Quality in High-Precision Assembly
In early 2015, Delta Sigma Company (DSC) and Laser Projection Technologies Inc. (LPT) teamed up to solve manufacturing’s most common and challenging production issue: improving assembly speed while, at the same time, maintaining accuracy and quality. A powerful dual-technology combination — optical projection offered by DSC’s ProjectionWorks and laser projection provided by LPT — delivers a practical solution to this need for the most demanding manufacturing environments, including aerospace, maritime, and heavy industrial applications.
The technology partnership of DSC and LPT provides a unified In-Process Verification (IPV) solution that combines the benefits of wide-area, no-flicker optical projection with highly accurate laser projection in complex production operations.
Leaders of the two companies realized there was a demand in the marketplace that called for both accuracy in lasers and flexibility of projection software. Engineers from both sides of the table have spent the last several months writing code together to come up with an integrated, visual manufacturing solution.
Delta Sigma Company specializes in using developing systems and tools to automate large, complex, precision-assembly, and manufacturing processes. The company’s products include
- the ProjectionWorks family — AssemblyWorks, PaintWorks, HarnessWorks (scheduled for release in Q1 2016), and supporting hardware products;
- the FlexMate automated mate tooling system;
- the Automated Fastener Installation System (AFIS); and
- systems for numerous engineer-to-order (ETO) projects.
ProjectionWorks is a 3-D optical projection package that projects real-time paint schemes in full color, which reduces traditional paint masking time by as much as 70%. During assembly, ProjectionWorks projects work instructions directly onto the work surface, presents images and videos, and can bring the workforce to a higher capability level with clearer work direction.
LPT is the top manufacturer of the world’s best laser projectors, employing the highest standards of accuracy and speed. The lasers increase precision in paint projects, reducing masking time and rework. In assembly applications, LPT’s lasers increase production output, help develop repeatable processes, and eliminate rework by fostering IPV. LPT has worked with Boeing for more than 15 years and continues to provide others in the aerospace industry with trusted results for paint and assembly processes.
This collaboration will combine the accuracy of the laser with the flexibility and color display of the projector in a way the industry has never seen before. The dual solution has not been fully released; however, early customer reviews have been enthusiastic as production leaders consider the range of uses for this solution.
DSC and LPT continue to diligently work together to create software that allows the systems to communicate and to create an interface that will enable users to harness the power of the combined system.
Look for an announcement from DSC and LPT in the coming months regarding the fully integrated visual manufacturing solution … you won’t want to miss it!
[cta]For answers to more questions about reducing or avoiding rework in your environment, call DSC at (770) 575-5100 or email info@deltasigmacompany.com.[/cta]
