The Automatic Screwdriver

The Automatic Screwdriver May Be an Essential Part of your Automation Process

Photo from Vistamation

The Automatic screwdriver is used in many automatic assembly applications, from simple stand-alone, manual stations to quite complex, fully automatic stations.

1. Manual Station.
   The screw can be fed manually or automatically. When manually fed it can be placed directly onto a magnetic driver. It is essential to ensure that any torque or insertion forces are isolated from the operator. To ensure this many manufacturers offer manual torque absorption stands.
    
2. Fully Automatic Station.
   In this instance, the screw must obviously be automatically fed. Usually a bowl feeder is utilized, to orient the screw. (Click here for info on Bowl Feeders) It is a common practice to Blow Feed the screw from the exit of the bowl feeder to a chuck, at the screwdriver.

Consideration must be given to the type of screw to be used. In completely manual screw driving applications, the operator can accommodate many variations that are difficult or maybe impossible, when automated. The head type, of the screw, should be some form of socket-a conventional screwdriver slot is difficult to automate.

If blow feeding the screw - the length to diameter ratio must be greater than 1 - otherwise the screw can tumble in the blow-feed tube.

The power source, for the screwdriver, can be either electric or air.

Sensing can be minimal to fully SPC compatible.

It is usual to sense torque (Start, run and end), number of revolutions (equates to depth), and this generally ensures that cross-threads are detected.

For information on Screwdriver manufacturers try these links:

Dixon

Weber USA

 

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Please note that the above listed companies are by no means the only manufacturers, nor the only ones we have used, over the years, but they do make an excellent product, THAT IN THE CORRECT APPLICATION, should give years of trouble free service.

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To find out more about how your company can benefit from using an automatic screwdriver, please feel free to contact us.

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