Three ways to significantly improve manufacturing quality without breaking the bank

San Diego, CA, September 28th, 2009 – Firms in the light assembly and manufacturing spaces are facing a struggle to maintain product quality, while looking at shrinking budgets for capital equipment and personnel. Engineers and technicians are finding themselves having to do much more with much less. Eddie Silverberg, CEO of Flexible Assembly Systems, a leading integrator of torque tools and equipment, provides advice on three simple ways his customers have succeeded in improving manufacturing quality on small budgets:

#1- Create an in-house calibration and repair management program.

Equipment failure can cost many thousands of dollars in product recall, product replacement, and lost worker productivity. Manufacturing firms can face significant issues around throughput and product quality if equipment isn’t properly maintained. “Setting up an in-house calibration program is a lot easier than most people think. Being a little disciplined about tool use saves lots of money on the back end,” says Eddie. Calibration programs include finding an in-house advocate to lead the program, setting up regular calibration and maintenance intervals for tools, and investing in on-site calibration systems like torque testers.

#2 – Develop a more ergonomic workspace for the technician.

Ergonomics have a role in improving technician fatigue, throughput, and product quality. The sheer number of industrial ergonomic products available has grown tremendously over the past two decades. These options give manufacturers inexpensive options to implement. “Sometimes, improving the ergonomic workspace is as simple as buying a new tool balancer. Other times, an ergonomic torque screwdriver is worth its weight in gold,” states Eddie. Creating a thoughtful ergonomic improvement plan is simple, and doesn’t have to eat into your budget.

#3- Automate your manufacturing bottlenecks with measurable systems.

Automated workplace systems are becoming more and more inexpensive. These products can be measurable, reliable, and accurate. “Customers come to us after purchasing automated screwfeeders, and wondered how they got the job done before they found us. We’re always hearing positive feedback about the simple systems we’ve put in place that help the worker.” There are many standardized solutions in the marketplace. These systems can pay for themselves within a few weeks or months, help preserve the budget, and keep quality high.

Flexible Assembly Systems has been working together with firms requiring light-assembly solutions since 2003. The company's product list is extensive, and includes Assembly Tools, Robotic Assembly, Automotive Tools, Torque Products, Bits and Fastener Systems, Workplace and ESD Systems, and Material Handling Systems.

For additional information, contact:
Eddie Silverberg, President
Flexible Assembly Systems
800.696.7614, x250
www.FlexibleAssembly.com

Five Ways to Reduce Capital Equipment Spend in Tough Times

San Diego, CA, August 13, 2009 – Firms in the light assembly and manufacturing spaces are facing the smallest budgets for capital equipment in recent memory. Engineers and technicians at these firms are struggling to find ways to extend the lives of equipment on the shop floor, while still maintaining productivity and quality. Eddie Silverberg, CEO of Flexible Assembly Systems, a leading integrator of torque tools and equipment, provides advice on five simple ways his customers have succeeded on small budgets:

#1- Get manufacturer advice on how to extend the usage life of your equipment.

Industrial firms can place many thousands or millions of dollars on the purchase of new capital equipment. In Flexible Assembly’s case, a high-end torque screwdriver or electric screwdriver can have a lifespan of less than six months if not used properly. “We find that our happiest customers tend to be the ones who know what they’re buying. We work hard with every customer to make sure to educate them on how to properly torque down a fastener, maintain an ergonomic environment for the operator, and use ESD tools where appropriate,” states Eddie. Doing your background research can add many months and years to the life of heavily used tools and equipment.

#2 – Calibrate and maintain your equipment onsite, at regular intervals.

Equipment failure costs dollars in lost productivity and customer dissatisfaction, especially when part of an automated assembly system. Manufacturing firms, large and small, can face significant issues around throughput and product quality if equipment isn’t properly maintained. “In the past, our customers may have leaned towards replacing equipment that fell out of repair or calibration. Now, they’re leaning towards inexpensive ways of keeping their pneumatic screwdrivers and torque screwdrivers in shape,” says Eddie. Plan to check and calibrate your equipment and tools at regular intervals, and not when problems arise. Invest in an in-house calibration tool like a torque tester. Over time, you’ll save money, and you might just improve product quality, too.

#3- Contract an outside agency to calibrate and maintain your capital equipment.

There are many firms that specialize in maintaining and calibrating the equipment you already own. Build relationships with the ones you trust, and it will pay off. “Over the years, our customers know they can get a reliable NIST certification from us, or bring us into the manufacturing plant to discuss long term torque tool repair. The best capital equipment companies stay for the life of the tool,” Eddie states.

#4- For the simple repairs, buy the spare part, and fix it yourself.

When purchasing capital equipment, find a company that sells the equipment, knows how it’s put together, and sells the spare parts. “A few minutes of homework can be the difference between a three dollar clutch spring, and the purchase of a brand new tool,” continues Eddie. In Flexible Assembly’s case, they’ve launched a spare parts section of their website, created step-by-step YouTube repair videos, and exploded online views of their tools for customers to reference. By keeping things simple, the company has been able to help customers with some common basic repairs.

#5- Seek out product replacement with firms focused on ongoing repair.

Equipment and tools eventually need to be replaced, and dollars eventually do need to be allocated to purchase. Again, try seeking out firms with a long-term maintenance policy, as opposed to a focus on new product purchase. If you do your research online, you’ll notice these firms because of easily accessible technical resources and product warranties they provide. “We were very vigilant when we went online to let customers know we were there for the long-haul”, Eddie says. “We wanted our customers to know that if their electric screwdriver fell out of repair, we were the experts, whether or not they bought the tool from us.” Try calling a technician at the firm, and ask a few basic questions before throwing down your money. Some quick conversations can give you a much deeper sense of how devoted the company is to maintaining your budget.

About Flexible Assembly Systems, Inc.

Flexible Assembly Systems has been working together with firms requiring light-assembly solutions since 2003. The company’s product list is extensive, and includes assembly tools, automotive tools, torque products, bits and fastener systems, and material handling systems.

For additional information, contact:
Eddie Silverberg, President
Flexible Assembly Systems
www.FlexibleAssembly.com
800.696.7614, x250

New Torque Tester Web Page

Flexible Assembly Systems Inc recently posted a new Torque Tester page to include a larger variety of torque testers, torque meters, and torque gauges. Please visit the link below for additional information.

http://www.flexibleassembly.com/Products/torque-tester

New Pneumatic Screwdriver Web Page

Flexible Assembly Systems Inc recently updated the Pneumatic Screwdriver page to include a larger variety of torque controlled Pneumatic screwdrivers. Please visit the link below for additional information.

http://www.flexibleassembly.com/Products/pneumatic-screwdriver

New Electric Screwdriver Web Page

Flexible Assembly Systems Inc recently updated the Electric Screwdrivers page to include a larger variety of torque controlled electric screwdrivers. Please visit the link below for additional information.

http://www.flexibleassembly.com/Products/electric-screwdriver

Manufacturing Industry Sees Surge in Maintenance And Calibration

Since the recent downturn in economic conditions in the manufacturing marketplace, manufacturing companies have not just been trimming payrolls, but also capital budgets, as a way of staying competitive. Despite the growing need for assembly with high torque accuracy, expenses associated with ISO 9000 or internal quality metric compliance have stayed constant for assembly firms. Poor product quality due to improper torque measurement has been costly for many firms. Recognizing the need for torque calibration and maintenance with its own clientele, Flexible Assembly Systems launched a torque calibration and maintenance program for light assembly companies seeking to extend their capital budgets, without compromising on quality.

In the past, light assembly companies would allocate significantly more dollars to new capital equipment, including new torque screwdrivers. Maintenance and calibration were important, but have taken a new role as companies are seeking ways to extend the life of their tools. “Instead of buying new capital equipment, one of the services we’re providing is helping companies maintain existing electric screwdrivers, torque screwdrivers, and torque tools,” states Eddie Silverberg, President of Flexible Assembly Systems. The company has launched a series of well received services over the last year, including YouTube repair videos, a torque screwdriver spare parts section of its website, torque tool resource pages, an expanded torque tester webpage, and a revamped NIST certification request process.

“Our customers have asked for a 360 degree field of services to help them keep their tools functioning well over the long-run. With our torque tool calibration and repair services, we’ve seen a spike in electronics, automotive, and other industries seeking to maintain existing fastening tools in the face of cost-cutting,” states Eddie Silverberg. By providing products and services for both in-house calibration and repair, and a full-time torque calibration and repair staff at Flexible, the firm has been able to help with the increasing demand for these types of customer requests.

About Flexible Assembly Systems, Inc.

Flexible Assembly Systems has been working together with firms requiring light-assembly solutions since 2003. The company’s product list is extensive, and includes assembly tools, automotive tools, torque products, bits and fastener systems, and material handling systems.

Industry Report with Eddie Silverberg from Flexible Assembly Systems

Listen to Eddie Silverberg and Ken Rayment discuss how Flexible Assembly Systems has helped its customer base maintain capital equipment and their budgets in tough economic times.

Podcast Interview with Eddie Silverberg from Flexible Assembly Systems