The Labor Day weekend brought some needed rest and relaxation to employees at Thomas and Betts. A delivery just before the weekend brought much needed relief to operators working on an I-beam bracket assembly system. After more than 10 years of production the otherwise adequately designed machine needed a replacement feed system.
Using measurements of the machine, photographs and videos, the vibratory feeder was replaced with a brand new unit incorporating tooling features that eliminated recurrent problems with the old unit.
With the new feeder installed and adjusted the operators were thrilled to have the 'luxury' to focus attention on the packaging end of the machine rather than hand feed a supposedly automated system.
The engineers involved with the project were excited at the prospect of increasing production from the current 18-20 parts per minute up toward the bowl feeding rate of 45-50+ parts per minute.
After the technician from Action Feed Systems installed the new feeder a thorough test run was approved.
As a further service, a refresher course, in part feeding equipment maintenance, tuning and adjustment, was provided for employees involved in production, maintenance and engineering.
Thomas and Betts, established in 1898, is a manufacturer of electrical and electronic connectors and components.
The company is headquartered in Nashville, Tennesee with plants at various locations in the United States and Puerto Rico.