Fori Automation, USA implemented a welding system for an SUV aluminum front suspension sub frame. The integration of weld scanning in North American automotive welding systems required an economical and robust concept to offer original equipment manufacturers (OEM's) European style weld verification and high system thru put. For this project Fori provided Robotic Aluminum MIG Welding, a Robotic Fori Weld Check System and In-line Inspect/Repair Stations.
Weld seam inspections for U.S. Automotive Structural Components are becoming a developing requirement to ensure critical welds are free of defects. Current weld seam inspection systems are not cost effective in North American markets due to high on-set costs and high levels of good part rejections that result in added production labor costs and lost production thru-put.
Current weld seam scanning inspection systems operate with extreme resolution to detect very small defects and weld bead profile conditions required to provide reliable weld certification. This results in high numbers of acceptable welds that are rejected due to the high accuracy image-processing requirement.
Fori Automation and a North American customer developed Weld Check as an alternative to high-resolution weld seam scanning systems. We combined low cost, high-speed 2D profile weld seam scanning and electronic data from the digital welders in a common database to provide reliable weld seam accept/reject capability. The combination provides customers with cost effective and truly efficient weld verification.
The solutions provided on this project offered high robot utilization and keyence profile scan and fronius weld database. Results eliminated part handling and the 100% weld check and allowed for 54 assembly jobs per hour (JPH) with a capacity of 40,000 lbs. or 18,181 kg. This weld project was successful due to the in-line robotic weld check system and the integrated sub-assemblies. To learn more about this project or Fori's welding systems check out our site.
The Manufacturing industry supports much of the U.S. economy. It's a backbone in Southeastern Michigan and pivotal to Macomb County but many in the manufacturing workforce are aging and retiring. Most schools no longer offer skilled trades, apprenticeships or promote manufacturing jobs as viable career paths. That's why Macomb County implemented Manufacturing Day more than ten years ago. The purpose of Macomb County's Manufacturing Day is to help students learn about modern-day manufacturing careers. Through Manufacturing Day students are able to visit local businesses that specialize in manufacturing and either learn more about careers they're familiar with or gain exposure to something new.
Today, careers in manufacturing are different from years past. Now, the manufacturing industry utilizes technology to create and build the latest and greatest products. And manufacturers need skilled workers who understand that technology. A skilled manufacturing team is essential to Fori's long term growth and the future of manufacturing in Southeastern Michigan. Fori's Vice President Paul Meloche gave his insight into Fori's experience with the event.
"Fori has been actively engaged in Manufacturing days since 2013, when County Executive Mark Hackle toured Fori with the media. We then attended a roundtable discussion with Mark and various local manufactures in an effort to raise awareness about the lack of young people entering the field of skilled trades. It was on that day that Manufacturing Day in Macomb County was established," said Paul.
In Macomb County Manufacturing Day has been around for almost a decade but the idea of this day isn't unique to Michigan. Manufacturing Day or MFG Day for short, is a national movement to inspire younger generations to take up careers in modern manufacturing. MFG Day is an initiative of The Manufacturing Institute, with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association as a founding partner. Across the country cities, schools and businesses come together through a series of events to promote and educate students, parents and teachers on what careers in manufacturing can offer.
Manufacturing Day 2022
This year Fori hosted over 75 students on Friday, October 7th. The students were divided into groups and then rotated through five stations each on a different aspect of manufacturing. The students stopped by Fori's Machine Shop where they saw the machines used to create and fabricate parts.
They visited Fori's Quality Department where students learned about the various tools and systems needed to check the engineering specifications prior to assembly. The Fori Quality Team went over a Faro arm details inspection, a laser tracker demonstration and a Zeiss CMM running auto, all processes used to verify precision and accuracy.
Students also had a chance to drive an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and learn about the use cases for different types of AGVs. They viewed a presentation from one of our sales engineers about the quoting process and even stopped by our 3D printing department.
Fori's focus on MFG Day is educating students that walk through the door. We want to showcase the engaging, challenging and lucrative careers that exist within manufacturing, what skills are required to succeed and a day in the life of the Fori team. We do all of this through hands on experience and our employees, who are passionate and proud to share their work with others. It's truly rewarding when our efforts pay off.
"By far my most memorable moment was not at Manufacturing Day itself but when a young man entered my office early one morning wearing a Manufacturing Day t-shirt, (Macomb County provides an MFG Day t-shirt to every student that participates.) He came into my office to introduce himself and thank me for hiring him and for hosting Manufacturing Day three years prior. That was his first day on the job at Fori and he was excited."
Paul Meloche, Fori Automation, Vice President
To learn more about Fori Automation check out our site. For more info about Macomb County's Manufacturing Day, find it here.
