Slow monitors that don’t pick up the exact end-point when a part is seated properly can hamper high-volume press-fitting operations. This process-control problem is especially widespread in automotive-powertrain assembly. A transmission, transfer case or differential can contain four to six bearings that are press-fit into place on an assembly line turning out 3,000 transmissions a day. Press fits are also widely found in assembly or rebuilding of turbomachinery, aircraft, industrial machinery, motion-control systems and precision medical devices.

Whatever the industry or application, the dilemma is the same: Pressing the part a few microns too far can ruin it; stop too soon, and the part doesn’t seat properly, leading to excessive scrap or rework, early failure in service, warranty problems or poor performance. Slowing down the process to ensure proper seating impairs throughput and competitiveness.

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