CAPTIVE SCREW PRESS STATION

	1039 Goodwin Dr. Suite 200 Lexington, KY 40505	Phone: Fax:	859-533-7456 877-690-6772
	Custom Engineering Design Services

CAPTIVE SCREW PRESS STATION
CHALLENGE: As the final process in an assembly line for vehicle oil filters, an automotive supplier needed a means for pressing five captive screws into the body of the filter assembly. Tight clearances and quick cycle time were major factors in the process.
Click to Enlarge	SOLUTION: This station utilizes several stages to accomplish the design objectives. A two-station turntable aids with the cycle time challenge by allowing the station to press screws into one part while other parts are transferred in and out. A linear slide system with dual gripper heads transfers incoming parts from the line to the turntable, and finished parts from the turntable to an exit chute. Rejected parts are detoured to a secondary chute. Cycle time requirements also dictated that all five screws be pressed into the body simultaneously. In the pressing area itself, tight clearances necessitated the use of horizontal sliding grippers to present the screws to the part from the side. A vertical slide brings the pressing cylinder assemblies down to the part. Dedicated sensors ensure that every screw is present in the part.