A new system assembles spring bolts for a new range of Yale locks that can be switched easily from left to right-handed without dismantling, as required before.
Modular Automation has designed and built a new assembly system for Yale. The system assembles spring bolts for a new range of Yale locks that can be switched easily from left to right-handed. In the past, to switch a Yale lock from right to left-handed (or vice-versa), required the lock to be dismantled.

Now the company has developed a new system that allows the spring bolt assembly to be switched in seconds simply by removing and replacing one screw.

Modular Automation has designed the new assembly system that handles four variants (two sizes, left and right handed) without adjustment.

The process starts with the spring bolt head, bowl fed to a walking beam.

Here automatic stations drill and tap the fixing hole.

A gripper then inverts the bolt head, or not as necessary, to make the left or right-handed locks.

The head is then cleaned and all swarf collected for recovery.

The correctly-orientated bolt heads then transfer to a clean line for assembly.

Here the two parts are aligned and the fixing screw is blow-fed and driven home with an automatic screwdriver.

Although the completed locks can be switched easily from left to right-handed the company prefers to make both types for their customers’ added convenience.

Modular Automation has vast experience at developing innovative assembly systems using a modular approach and trusted technology.

By approaching its business in this practical way it ensures that its systems are realistically priced, effective and utterly reliable.