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An archived article from MetalForming described this automated assembly station working at metalformer Buhrke Industries, Arlington Heights, IL, used to assemble car-radio chassis.

• Source the latest in automation and assembly technology for medical-device production at the Medical Device Assembly/Automation pavilion.

• And, see the latest in machine vision and sensing technology at the Sensors and Vision pavilion. Among the products on display at the exposition:

• End-of-line packaging equipment

• Fasteners and precision-formed parts

• Sensors

• Welding and brazing equipment

• Presses and forming equipment

• Robots and robotic systems

• Parts-handling conveyors

• Automated storage and retrieval systems

• Contract assembly services

View a complete list of exhibitors at www.devicelink.com/expo/atexpo09/ exhibit/showall.html.

Five Co-Located Conferences— Medical, Assembly, Design, Green, and Quality

A highlight of AT Expo is the Lean Factory, a series of complimentary educational sessions demonstrating a data-driven approach to assembly-line design and the tools used to create a visual factory. The sessions combine the expertise and technology of five sponsoring companies: Bosch Rexroth, Orgatex Americas (a supplier of visual-management and kanban tools), lean-manufacturing consultants Leonardo Group Americas, safeguarding-equipment manufacturer Omron STI, and equipment distributor Airline.

The Medical Design & Manufacturing Midwest Conference kicks off Tuesday, September 22, with a choice of full-day seminars, including Managing Challenges in the Supply Chain. Agenda items include:

• How to demonstrate control of the product or service you provide.

• Responsibilities of manufacturers and suppliers.

• Who is accountable when something goes wrong?

• Application of lean initiatives to provide value to OEM customers.

• Elements of supplier evaluations.

The session also features a case-study presentation from a small family-owned business supplying OEM medical-product manufacturers. For more details, visit www.devicelink.com/expo/mdmmw09/conference.html.

Tracks in the Assembly Conference include Lean Manufacturing/Automated Assembly, which features presentations on Growing Your Business in a Recovering Economy, and How to Profit from Agile Automation (of the assembly process). For more details, look here: www.devicelink.com/expo/atexpo09/ conference.html.

The schedule for the conference, Green Manufacturing: Strategies for Sustainability, includes presentations on Trends and Advances in Materials, Improving Competitiveness Through Sustainable Product and Process Design, and Wind Power Explained—Design and Component Integration; www.devicelink.com/expo/gmx09/ros_ conference.html.

Visitors to this mega event also can take in the Quality Expo Conference, covering supply-chain management, problem solving, and the presentation Use of Technical Risk Assessments, FMEA and Other Techniques in Driving Effective Product Development; www.devicelink.com/expo/qexpo09/ conference.html. MF