Modular Components Lend Flexibility to Assembly Lines

The average product life cycle is around five years, although this can vary greatly depending on the product, the industry and market conditions. The life cycle for some products might last only months, while others can persist for decades.

Many factors affect the length of a product life cycle, including the pace of technological advancements, market competition, changing consumer preferences, the availability of support and repair services, and the nature of the product. Durable goods, like appliances, tend to have longer product life cycles than, say, consumer electronics.

As a result, flexibility on assembly lines is more important than ever. A product that was run one week may not get produced at all the next. Assembly cells must be rearranged; part supplies must be repositioned; and it all must be done quickly and efficiently. Time spent on changeover is time not spent making product.

That’s where modular component systems come in. T-slot aluminum framing, pipe-and-joint systems, and other modular component systems let engineers build custom workstations, flow racks and other production structures. As needs change, these structures can be taken apart and reused to create something completely different. Welding is not required. Only hand tools are needed for assembly. These systems emphasize flexibility and ease of assembly, without compromising strength or durability.

Flex Craft LLC has been offering just such a system since 2006. Its system consists of perforated square tubing made of mild steel with a powder-coat finish, or anodized aluminum with a clear-coat finish. Tubes are supplied in standard lengths from 6 inches to 10 feet long, in 6-inch increments. Custom lengths are available by request.

Common Grade 2 nuts and bolts are used to assemble the components. Fasteners are tightened with a 0.5-inch wrench. Joints attach tubing at various angles and are made from 14-gauge mild steel with four strategically placed holes.

Accessories range from framing supports and plug-and-play components, to doors, drawers, towing hardware and specialty items. Rigid or swivel plate casters (with or without brakes), footers and conveyors are also available.

With Flex Craft, engineers can create workstations, U-shaped work cells, flow racks, carts, storage shelves, and other structures.

For example, with Flex Craft’s Assembly Workstation Kit, engineers can build a custom, mobile workstation up to 36 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 58 inches tall. The workstation gives assemblers ready access all tools and products necessary to complete the process. Workstations can be color-coded to designate specific departments throughout a factory.

Don’t have anything specific in mind? Flex Craft offers kits that provide a variety of tube sizes, fasteners, casters, brackets, and other hardware. For example, the Intro Kit, priced at $1,136.31, includes 12 6-inch tubes, 12 12-inch tubes, 12 18-inch tubes, 12 24-inch tubes, 12 30-inch tubes, 12 36-inch tubes, 12 42-inch tubes, 12 48-inch tubes, 12 54-inch tubes, 12 60-inch tubes, four 3-inch rubber expandable casters with brakes, two 5-inch rubber-ridged plate castesr, two 5-inch rubber swivel-plate casters with brakes, 16 1.75-inch hex cap bolts, 150 2.5-inch hex cap bolts, 16 2.75-inch hex cap bolts, 200 5/16-inch Nyloc nuts, and 100 notched-end plugs.

For more information on modular components, click https://flex-craft.com or visit the company’s booth at The ASSEMBLY Show. Flex Craft is one of numerous suppliers of modular components that will be exhibiting at the show, which will take place Oct. 21-23 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. Others include Creform, Industrial Profile Systems and Item America.

Besides suppliers of modular components, you’ll find 225 suppliers of automation, presses, robots, motion control technology, parts feeders, fastening tools, software and other assembly technologies. For more information, visit www.theassemblyshow.com.