Accelerating factory automation, connectivity and productivity for manufacturing industries.

Start simple when considering any level of automation for the first time. It can be easy to get excited about a completely automated system running 24/7 in your facility. To ensure success, start simple and demonstrate a few quick wins. Deciding on moving from a handheld power tool to different levels of automation is not like buying a catalog product and turning it on. Start with a smaller project, a single work cell or a single assembly process. It could be as simple as adding an articulating arm to a handheld power tool to alleviate fatigue and strain on the operator. At this point, focus on getting your team comfortable with the idea of what automation is needed and agree on next steps. The easiest way to show management return on investment is to scale back the concept and automate one core piece. The scope of work should be written internally, before any integrators and partners are brought into the picture. Stick to a plan with less risk and build upon it as you achieve those small, quick wins.

Despite reduction in the cost of batteries and improved range, there is pressure to decrease EV prices to levels that more consumers will be comfortable with. Getting to a point where EVs meet mass-market expectations and are profitable for OEMs is still a burning issue. Many EV models in their base version, even including options, may not meet OEM margin expectations especially when compared to current internal combustion engine (ICE) levels. This is where STANLEY^® Engineered Fastening can help identify cost reductions through VA/VE activities toward fastener consolidation, improved installation methods, and complexity reduction.

Globally the concept of using clean and renewable energy as an alternative to conventional fossil fuel is growing rapidly. This drive to protect the environment cuts across industries and countries. Efforts are ongoing to build networks of EV-friendly cities removing negative impacts of transportation such as noise and air pollution. In the infrastructure space, renewable sources of energy, such as solar, hydropower, biomass, wind, and geothermal provide sustainable energy services. Leveraging STANLEY^® Engineered Fastening's multi-industry insight, we provide customized fastening systems with features specifically designed for clean energy applications.

As more people start to drive electric vehicles over long distances, the need for large-scale charging networks becomes increasingly important. There is a trend toward increasing local government initiatives and support with policies driven to support EV adoption. Industry challenges include the speed with which charging infrastructures are put in place, charge time, life cycle ramp, and battery cell production capacity. Drivers need to be assured on the availability to boost adoption rates for EVs.

Technologies capable of adapting automatically and modifying behavior to fit the environment. Sensors that detect potential failure and provide data for analysis and improved decision making. Software capable of learning using experience to improve performance and anticipate and propose solutions. Real time data collection and wireless technologies allow collaboration and boundaryless connectivity across environments. These are some of the smart technologies that STANLEY^® continues to incorporate and adopt into their fastening systems and solutions.

Commercially available electric vehicles must meet local and international safety standards and undergo the same rigorous safety testing as conventional vehicles. Efforts to improve fuel efficiency drive weight-reduction improvement, however too large a decrease in the weight of vehicles may result in lower passenger safety and design durability. To enhance the safety of passengers, vehicles are equipped with various safety systems such as safety airbags, automatic braking system, and stability control systems, and the assembly of these products benefit from customized fastening solutions.