Choosing the right fastener for an automated process can prevent exorbitant machine and fixture costs, decrease set-up and cycle times, and lower manufacturing costs.
When a company automates an assembly process, the fastening pins that will be used during assembly are just as important as the automation equipment.
Two of the biggest motivators for companies choosing to use automatic fastening over manual fastening are increasing productivity and reducing costs. Unfortunately, many managers don’t realize the effect fasteners have on achieving these goals. Not all fasteners are easy to orient, feed, or install. Also, the more tooling needed to orient and deliver the fastener, the more expensive the equipment is going to be. It is important to select fasteners that meet the application requirements and are conducive to automation if you really want to see higher productivity and lower costs.(…)
via Selecting Dowels and Pins for Automated Assembly | Industrial content from Machine Design.