Sensor Techniques solve a tricky problem for Bosch

Citation

(1999), "Sensor Techniques solve a tricky problem for Bosch", Sensor Review, Vol. 19 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.1999.08719baf.006

Sensor Techniques solve a tricky problem for Bosch

Sensor Techniques solve a tricky problem for Bosch

Keywords Force, Sensors

Bringing customer and supplier together is not always an easy task especially in the field of test and measurement. However for two companies in South Wales the need for special measuring equipment and the ability to supply this in an expedient and efficient manner has resulted in a successful conclusion to a tricky problem.

Robert Bosch, which celebrates 100 years of business in the UK this year, manufactures alternators for a wide range of automotive applications. Product performance, quality and reliability are vitally important with customers placing ever increasing and exacting demands on suppliers.

One such demand for Bosch related to measuring the forces applied when making a joint on critical alternator components. During manufacture, two parts, one plastic and one metal, are secured together with three rivets, simultaneously closed using an orbital rivetter.

Ensuring the applied force is distributed evenly among the three rivets is of paramount importance to guarantee product reliability and although Bosch knew the total force applied through the rivetting cylinder they had no method of measuring and recording the individual force applied to each rivet during the operation.

At this point Bosch engineers turned to local specialist company Sensor Techniques for assistance in solving the problem of instrumentation and supplying equipment in a short lead time. Sensor Techniques is an entrepreneurial and versatile company providing bespoke force measuring and weighing solutions to a diverse range of industries. The solution comprises three 5kN load cells each together with its own FMD Force Measurement Indicator (see Plate 5). The particular load cells were chosen for their compact design, ease of mounting and ability to handle reverse loading. For Bosch it was vitally important that the load cells could be fitted without affecting the rigidity or height of the existing pallet which is used to transport the components through the manufacturing process. The FMD electronics provide a clear display of the forces applied during the rivetting procedure and each unit has a peak hold facility which captures the maximum force applied to each rivet within a time frame of 4 milliseconds.

Plate 5 Sensor Techniques load cell + FMD indicator

Converting the existing tooling was very straight forward and only required the drilling of additional mounting holes and three threaded posts to be fitted directly to the top of the load cells. Sensor Techniques calibrated the individual load cells and indicators thus providing Bosch with a complete measuring system reading in newtons.

Bosch can now carry out systematic checks on the components passing through the operation by simply replacing the existing tooling with the force measuring unit. The total force applied to the three rivets is approximately 9,000 newtons (900kg force) and tests now show that this force is being equally distributed.

Bosch Engineering needed a swift solution to a problem and within hours of the first phone call Sensor Techniques had come up with an efficient and cost effective system.

For information contact Sensor Techniques Limited, 21g Vale Business Park, Llandow, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7PB UK. Tel: +44 (0)1446 771185; Fax: +44 (0)1446 771186.