AEi SHIPS FIRST SET OF NEXT GENERATION PHOTONIC TRANSMITTER AND RECEIVER MODULES
New Lens Holder and Additional Key Component Designs Increase Performance and Yield
Wilmington, Mass. February 20, 2003 - Automation Engineering Incorporated (AEi), a leading supplier of flexible automation solutions, today announced that it has completed its first shipment of next generation integrated photonic devices. AEi and the customer's staff collaborated to modify the product design to achieve improved manufacturing throughput, yield, and performance in these telecommunications devices.
"We took existing designs our customer had developed and was previously making with manual means and then methodically modified the designs to make it easier to produce with our automation equipment. AEi applied design for manufacturing principles and modeled the components using finite element analysis (FEA) to determine the best geometric design and materials choices for key components of the devices to facilitate automation. This also allowed us to eliminate some components and simplify the overall product design to save on materials cost for the devices. The customer has placed an order for multiple Flex2000 automated assembly machines with us now and these will be delivered in the next few months." Said Andre By, Chief Technology Officer at AEi.
"This is an approach that is very typical for many of our contracts, particularly in demanding applications that can reap significant advantages from reduced manufacturing costs and higher yields. Photonics and telecommunications manufacturers need help in optimizing their product designs for automated manufacturing if they are going to still be in the game when this market comes back." Said Justin Roe, Chief Operating Officer at AEi.
"The versatility of the modules available for the Flex2000 platform allow many different products to be made on one machine. This includes quick-change tooling options for automated material handling and quick-change fixturing nests with kinematic couplings for precise repeatability. When combined with our available machine vision options this results in a very flexible and adaptable automation solution." Said Andre By, Chief Technology Officer at AEi.
AEi, founded in 1990, provides comprehensive engineering services for design for manufacturing and process prototyping plus complete flexible automation solutions for its customers. AEi specializes in automation applications and equipment that require the integration of advanced machine vision and motion control technology. AEi operates in this capacity as both a consultant and a systems integrator for turn-key automation machinery for the aerospace, consumer products, electronics, fiber optics, electronics, medical devices, photonics, and many other industries. AEi technology and systems are currently in production across North America and Europe. Additional AEi product and services information is available at its web site at http://www.aeiboston.com.