I find that with some jobs, time can be my enemy. I used to work at a manufacturing plant that assembled electronic products, and part of my daily work involved fastening screws into circuit boards and other small components. With more and more pressing deadlines to meet, my company continuously looked for ways to help us work more efficiently.
Like everyone else at the plant, there were times when I had to rummage through a plastic bin for the screw I needed. Even if I didn’t drop the screw, I certainly wasted time handling them. Once, while reaching for a screw, I spilled a whole tray onto the floor. Thankfully times have changed, and so have the tools we use to do our work. Today, automatic screw dispensers help make our jobs more efficient and much easier.
An automatic screw dispenser does exactly what its name implies: it is an automated means of providing screws while you work, thus saving you the trouble of searching for them yourself. Whether you work on a large assembly line or at a small workstation, an automatic screw dispenser could be just the tool you need to avoid mishandling screws.
Advantages of an Automatic Screw Dispenser
Automatic screw dispensers are typically compact in size and easy to set up at a workstation. Because of its simple design, an automatic screw dispenser doesn’t contain a lot of moving parts. As such, it’s far less likely to jam—a major asset on a busy day at the job. Plus, because of its convenient size and portability, an automatic screw dispenser easily fits into different work environments.
These devices are perfect for when you do repetitive fastening tasks such as screwing in components on circuit boards or metal fabrication throughout an assembly area. An automation dispenser can also be programmed to match various screw sizes, so if you’re planning on performing a variety of fastening tasks, you can accommodate different sized screws.
Perhaps the biggest draw of an automatic screw dispenser, though, is its ability to dramatically increase efficiency. Because you don’t have to fumble with screws, you save valuable time placing the screw. In fact, an automatic screw dispenser can allow you to complete an assembly project in 50% less time. That kind of efficiency is a real advantage no matter what project you’re tackling, but it’s especially useful for companies working to maximize profits and productivity.
How to Use an Automatic Screw Dispenser
Before operating a screw dispenser, make sure it is sitting on a level and stable surface, like a workbench. You don’t want to risk it falling over after you start operating it.
Whether you use it for low volume or high volume production, an automation screw dispenser is simple to use. Here are the steps to follow:
- Pour the screws into the hopper.
- Fasten the lid.
- The mechanism will automatically line up the screws inside the dispenser into a rail system.
- The screws are now ready to be dispensed.
- Make sure the fastener sits in the bit guide.
- The bit is magnetized so it quickly engages with the screw head.
- Remove the fastener.
- Another screw is immediately dispensed, ready for pick-up.
An automatic screw dispenser is designed for ease of use. However, if you ever run into any issues with your automatic screw dispenser, always make sure you consult a professional.
Making the Most of Your Automatic Screw Dispenser: Beyond Basics
There are different models of automatic screw dispensers available, so consider your unique needs when selecting one. As an example, for manufacturing environments that have robotic screwdriver systems in operation, there are screw dispensers specifically designed for those types of tools.
Also, keep in mind that the speed at which the screws are dispensed can be adjusted to suit your work pace. So, once you are comfortable with using the device, you may want to increase the speed in order to complete your work even faster. To be useful in industrial settings, these devices have a pick-up rate of up to two screws per second.
Businesses will always have to face certain challenges in order to be profitable. For a company like a fast-paced assembly line that is always looking for ways to operate more efficiently, quality tools that save time are critical. We can’t slow time down, but by choosing the best tool for the job, we can make the minutes and hours an ally in our race to accomplish more.