Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Custom Component Supplier Speeds Design of Special Packaging Machinery

By Design World Staff | February 8, 2008

Share

The volatile custom machine building market challenges many companies to consistently produce a profit. ABCO Automation, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., has learned not only how to survive, but to thrive in such an environment. The engineers have consistently decreased costs and increased profits by looking for new ways to source custom components for their designs.
 
ABCO builds machines for a number of industries instead of focusing on a select few. The other side to a diversified customer portfolio, however, is that the company faces much competition, with its additional cost, time and performance pressures.

ABCO constantly searches for new ways to source custom components. In 2004 the engineers looked for a more cost efficient source for machined linear shafts. Previously they purchased blank linear shafts from a distributor and machined them in-house.  A visit with Misumi showed them a new option. “I explained that our Linear Shafts can be configured in one-millimeter length increments and offer an array of shaft end configurations as well as a standard manufacturing time of three days,” explained Donald Schmeltzer, senior account manager. No drawings were required because ABCO engineers could use the Misumi online CAD Configurator to design shafts to their specifications and download the native CAD files directly from the site.


Photo51.gif

The Misumi component list for this machine included linear shafts, flanged linear bushings, strut clamps, locating pins, locating bushings, belts, bearings, plates, bolts and rollers. Each packaging machine contained approximately 10,000 components. Out of this number, around 3,000 were
MISUMI components.

From this successful purchase, the engineers investigated other custom components they could replace. “By reducing the amount of custom components per machine we not only save time and money, we also produce more modular machines that perform their functions better,” explained Dan Pescariu, senior mechanical engineer. “I was impressed with the precision; what you configure is what you get.” Typically in custom work, no two components are the same. It’s common to get a one of a kind component that can’t be copied exactly again. With configurable components, though, it’s easy to work to the exact specifications and repeatedly order that component.

Configurable components were a deciding factor in choosing Misumi as a supplier. “We knew that we would have to duplicate some of the models and build the exact machine several times for one particular customer,” explained Pescariu. Duplicating machines can be a huge issue, especially when dealing with custom components. The ability to use native CAD files, and work with short lead-times and published prices and part numbers takes the guesswork out of the design and build.

The Misumi component list for this customer’s machine included linear shafts, flanged linear bushings, strut clamps, locating pins, locating bushings, belts, bearings, plates, bolts and rollers. Configurable components reduced the total component count of the machine. Each packaging machine contained approximately 10,000 components. Out of this number, around 3,000 are Misumi components. “For a project of this size, if we had to draw and machine all the mechanical components, it could have increased the tooling costs by five times,” estimated Pescariu.

Working with configurable components has changed the engineers’ design thinking. Pescariu explained that before, engineers designed the machine, then specified as many standard components as possible and filled in the rest with custom components. Now the engineers specify the standard components and then specify as many configurable components as possible.

MISUMI USA, Inc.
www.misumiusa.com

ABCO Automation, Inc.
www.goabco.com


Design World :



 


Filed Under: Automation components

 

Tell Us What You Think!

Related Articles Read More >

robotics-smart-farming-faulhaber-products
Faulhaber: The smart future of agriculture
EXAIR.com Improves Web Accessibility with ADA Compliance Features
Custom air knives from EXAIR for unique applications
Aerotech introduces two-axis laser scan head

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Industrial disc pack couplings
  • Pushing performance: Adding functionality to terminal blocks
  • Get to Know Würth Industrial Division
  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard

Design World Podcasts

July 26, 2022
Tech Tuesdays: Sorbothane marks 40 years of shock and vibration innovation
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • Subscribe!
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings