Recent advances in automatic assembly

Reference is made to recent and probable future development of machines for the preparation of electronic components and their automatic assembly into printed wiring boards. The design of components and the processing of printed wiring boards is discussed in relation to the requirements of automatic assembly and mention is made of current practice with regard to the problem of inter-connection and the incorporation of sub-assemblies. The field of application of fully automatic machines and that of semi-automatic machines using manually-operated bench machines is surveyed in the light of production experience gained up to the present date, concluding with some indication of possible future trends in mechanized production.