The annual ASSEMBLY Show is once again set to be a focal point for manufacturing innovation, with the "New Product of the Year" awards returning to highlight the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of assembly. This year, 24 nominees have been meticulously selected by the editors of ASSEMBLY magazine, showcasing a remarkable breadth of new and inventive solutions designed to tackle complex manufacturing challenges. These nominees represent merely the "tip of the iceberg" of the innovation present at the show, underscoring the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of the assembly industry.
Scheduled to take place from October 27-29 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, The ASSEMBLY Show serves as a crucial platform for professionals to explore advancements across various sectors of manufacturing. The event will feature 133 suppliers specializing in automation, fastening tools, robotics, presses, motion control technology, parts feeders, workstations, software, test and measurement systems, and other critical assembly technologies. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage directly with these innovations and, critically, cast their votes for the winners in each category, ensuring that the industry’s manufacturing professionals themselves determine which products stand out as truly transformative. Further information about the show and its offerings can be found at www.theassemblyshow.com.
Fostering Innovation: The Significance of The ASSEMBLY Show Awards
The "New Product of the Year" awards were established several years ago with a clear mandate: to identify and celebrate the most impactful and forward-thinking technologies introduced to the assembly market. In an era defined by rapid technological advancement and the imperative for enhanced efficiency and quality, these awards play a vital role in setting benchmarks for innovation. They not only provide a spotlight for deserving companies but also offer manufacturing professionals a curated look at solutions that can directly address their operational needs, from improving throughput and precision to enhancing worker safety and data integration.
The selection process, beginning with the discerning eye of ASSEMBLY’s editors, ensures that only products demonstrating genuine innovation and potential industry impact are considered. This initial vetting process is followed by a democratic voting system where the thousands of manufacturing professionals attending the show become the ultimate arbiters. This approach guarantees that the winning products are not just theoretically advanced but also practically relevant and highly valued by those on the front lines of production. The anticipation surrounding these awards underscores the industry’s continuous drive for excellence and its commitment to embracing new technologies that can redefine manufacturing processes.
Pioneering Solutions Across Key Assembly Categories
The 24 nominated products span a wide array of categories, reflecting the multifaceted nature of modern assembly operations. From advanced robotics and intelligent fastening tools to sophisticated software and precision test systems, each nominee brings a unique value proposition to the table.
Assembly Machines and Systems: Driving Automation and Efficiency
The "Assembly Machines and Systems" category showcases advancements aimed at streamlining production lines, enhancing precision, and reducing setup complexities. These technologies are crucial for manufacturers looking to upgrade their automation capabilities and achieve higher levels of operational excellence.
Promess Inc. – M-Series Servo Press and UltraPRO 2 Control: Promess Inc. introduces its M-Series servo press and UltraPRO 2 control, engineered to significantly reduce the time and complexity associated with system integration and production readiness. A standout feature is its intelligent calibration data storage, which eliminates the need for manual recalibration after component replacement, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal downtime. The system’s simplified cabling and connections further ease installation. Built with independently modifiable software, the UltraPRO 2 control allows Promess to adapt quickly to diverse application-specific requirements. This modular approach also positions the M-Series for future expansion, promising broader press force ranges and a forthcoming torque variant. For existing Promess users, the UltraPRO 2 retains the familiar operating environment of the first-generation UltraPRO, ensuring a smooth transition and continued support. This reflects a broader industry trend towards self-optimizing, user-friendly machinery.
Edgewater Automation – Flexible Automated System for Electrical Components: Edgewater Automation addresses the critical need for manufacturing flexibility with a system designed to produce two variations of an electrical header on a single automated line. This 21-by-14-foot machine, built around a linear motor transport system with twelve independently controlled carriers, navigates nine process stations. It integrates bowl feeders, hoppers, SCARA robots for precise pick-and-place operations, and vision systems for quality inspection. A separate four-position rotary indexing system manages subassembly for one variant, while load cells verify secure terminal seating and a laser marks finished assemblies. Achieving a demanding four-second cycle time, this system exemplifies the sophisticated integration required for high-volume, multi-variant production, particularly in the automotive sector where adaptability is paramount.
ASG, a Division of Jergens Inc. – AX-03 Preconfigured Robotic Screwdriving Cell: ASG’s AX-03 assembly cell offers a turnkey solution for automated screwdriving, comprising a robot, an integrated screw feeder, and a screwdriver. This pre-assembled, programmed, and tested package can be deployed in minutes, significantly reducing setup time and accelerating return on investment. Manufacturers can customize the cell with various screwdriver options, including ASG’s X-PAQ SD2500 or X-PAQ EH2, or a Fiam tool, along with 1- or 3-liter bowl feeders. Robot choices include six-axis, SCARA, or two- or three-axis Cartesian configurations, providing flexibility for diverse applications. The AX-03 represents a critical step towards accessible automation, democratizing advanced robotic assembly for a wider range of manufacturers.
Wolf Production Systems – SkyLine Standardized Cell for Laser-Based Processes: The SkyLine platform from Wolf Production Systems introduces a standardized workcell concept, adaptable as a standalone unit or integrated into multistation automated assembly systems. Its modular design allows for the easy swapping of processing stations, accommodating evolving production needs. Available in various sizes (800-2,200mm wide, 1,000-2,200mm deep), the AM 100 cell (1,000×1,000mm) is particularly suited for most laser processing methods. Engineers have multiple options for part handling, from manual loading via safety doors to automated integration with motor-driven linear slides, rotary indexing tables, or pallet-transfer conveyors. This flexibility underscores the industry’s move towards reconfigurable manufacturing environments that can quickly adapt to new products and processes, optimizing space and investment.
Adhesives, Dispensing and Curing: Precision in Bonding
The "Adhesives, Dispensing and Curing" category highlights innovations that enhance the strength, reliability, and application precision of bonding solutions, addressing critical needs in material science and manufacturing.
Permabond Engineering Adhesives – TA4551 Adhesive for Nylon Bonding: Permabond Engineering Adhesives presents TA4551, a two-part, low-odor acrylic adhesive specifically formulated for structural bonding of nylon to diverse substrates, including metals, plastics, and composites. Mixed at a 2-to-1 ratio, this high-performance, toughened adhesive offers exceptional resistance to shear, impact, vibration, chemicals, and environmental conditions. Its delayed set time and lower viscosity cater to the processing requirements of larger components. Notably, TA4551 can bond certain nylon grades without primers or extensive surface treatments, achieving working strength in two to three hours and full cure within 24 hours. This innovation addresses a long-standing challenge in bonding difficult-to-adhere materials like nylon, expanding design possibilities.
Surehold – MXBON Light-Curing Cyanoacrylate Adhesives: Surehold introduces MXBON cyanoacrylate adhesives, featuring a dual-curing mechanism that allows instant cure upon exposure to ambient moisture or visible/UV light. This "cure on demand" capability is ideal for applications requiring rapid fixturing, fillet cure, or surface cure, offering manufacturers unparalleled control over the bonding process. Meeting ISO 10993 standards, these adhesives are suitable for disposable medical devices, where reliability and biocompatibility are paramount. MXBON is available in two viscosity options: 21446 (600-1,200 centipoise) and 21443 (150-300 centipoise), providing versatility for various application needs.
Techcon – Side-by-Side Dispensing Cartridges: Techcon’s side-by-side cartridges are designed for the precise metering, mixing, and dispensing of two-component adhesives. Available in 50 and 200 milliliter sizes and three standard mixing ratios (1-to-1, 2-to-1, and 10-to-1), these cartridges are particularly suited for adhesives with a short pot life, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency. Constructed from polypropylene, they offer wide chemical compatibility and are compatible with most standard dispensing guns. Sold as complete sets with cartridges, caps, plungers, and O-rings, in quantities of 100 and 500, Techcon’s solution simplifies the handling of complex adhesive systems, a common requirement in modern manufacturing.
IC Flow Controls – RS5 Flow Meter for Micro Dosing: The RS5 from IC Flow Controls represents a breakthrough in micro-dosing precision, being the first helical screw flow meter capable of highly accurate measurement for extremely small liquid volumes, ranging from 0.25 to 1 milliliter per minute. This compact device, weighing only 700 grams, provides low-resistance, high-precision, pulsation-free measurement with minimal pressure loss, making it ideal for applications with limited installation space. It excels with medium- to high-viscosity fluids and is frequently employed in bonding and potting electronic components. The RS5 can be paired with progressive cavity pumps for real-time value control and, thanks to its rotor principle, precisely measures filled and critical media, addressing the growing demand for sub-milliliter accuracy in advanced manufacturing.
Fastening Tools: Intelligent and Ergonomic Solutions
The "Fastening Tools" category showcases innovations that improve accuracy, ergonomics, and automation in assembly processes, critical for both manual and robotic applications.
Ekatec Inc. – Radansetzer Multi-Spindle Tool: Ekatec Inc.’s Radansetzer is a pneumatic multi-spindle tool designed to revolutionize wheel assembly by simultaneously starting and seating up to five lug nuts. This innovative tool combines a compact, lightweight pistol-grip driver with a five-socket head, enabling operators to align and pre-thread all lug nuts in a single, smooth motion. The floating socket arrangement intelligently compensates for minor positioning tolerances between the wheel and hub, preventing cross-threading and ensuring reliable engagement. The ergonomic pistol grip significantly reduces operator fatigue, while the customizable spindle configuration and socket sizes adapt to specific wheel bolt patterns. This tool exemplifies efficiency and precision in high-volume fastening tasks, particularly in the automotive industry.
Sarissa – PositionsBox Gen2 and QualityAssist Software: Sarissa’s PositionsBox Gen2, integrated with QualityAssist software, offers a sophisticated solution for guiding assemblers and ensuring fastening accuracy. This system determines the real-time 3D position of a worker’s hands or a fastening tool, then uses laser-based visualization to guide the operator through the assembly process, indicating where and in what sequence fasteners should be installed. Crucially, if an assembler attempts to install a fastener in the wrong location, the tool is prevented from activating, providing an effective poka-yoke mechanism. The system can manage an unlimited number of fastening positions and tools and can guide multiple assemblers simultaneously. Using ultrasonic transmitters and sensors, it achieves positional accuracy within 1 millimeter and is impervious to ambient light or sound interference. Engineers can teach 200 fastening positions in just 10 minutes, and the system is compatible with various tools and standard PLC interfaces, representing a significant leap in augmented reality for manual assembly.
Weber Screwdriving Systems Inc. – SBM25 Insertion System: The SBM25 insertion system from Weber Screwdriving Systems Inc. is engineered for continuous, automated production of blind rivet-nuts and bolts, processing both round and hexagonal-head fasteners with insertion forces up to 25 kilonewtons. A laser system ensures precise alignment of the fastener with the workpiece, particularly vital for hexagonal fasteners requiring specific rotational orientation. The system combines precision path and force monitoring with automated process control for reliable and repeatable fastening. A standout feature is its ability to automatically change mandrels, eliminating production stops for manual replacements, with an optional feeding and nesting system further automating this exchange. The spring-loaded mandrel protects threads during insertion and removal, and the mechanical system is designed for over 7 million cycles. Fastener feeding is synchronized for efficiency, achieving cycle times of five seconds. The system also supports a dockable spindle system for alternating fastener sizes (M4-M10 rivet nuts, M5-M8 rivet bolts) and provides automatic quality control through precision monitoring, capable of ejecting defective fasteners. This solution highlights the advanced capabilities of automated fastening in complex scenarios.
Sumake North America LLC – SMT-C3 Smart Controller: Sumake North America LLC introduces the SMT-C3 smart controller, bringing enhanced accuracy, traceability, and connectivity to screwdriving processes, aligning perfectly with Industry 4.0 principles. Featuring a built-in torque transducer, high-resolution encoder, and an intuitive 7-inch touchscreen, it enables consistent fastening results while capturing critical production data. The controller provides real-time torque and angle curve analysis, stores 1 million fastening results, and supports up to 100 jobs, 100 sequences, and five steps. It accommodates a wide torque range (0.05 to 60 Newton-meters) and offers extensive connectivity options including USB, RS485, Modbus, and Ethernet RJ45. With a built-in barcode scanning function and 11 I/O ports, it seamlessly integrates with automation systems. The SMT-C3 represents the intelligent evolution of fastening tools, providing granular control and data insights for quality assurance and process optimization.
Robotics: Collaborative and Compact Automation
The "Robotics" category showcases innovations in robotic systems and end-effectors, focusing on increased collaboration, precision, and efficiency in automated tasks.
Epson America – AX6 Six-Axis Cobot: Epson America’s AX6 six-axis cobot is designed for a new era of collaborative automation, featuring a lightweight carbon-fiber chassis, a 6-kilogram payload, and an impressive 900-millimeter reach with a positional repeatability of ±0.03 millimeter. Weighing just 17 kilograms, the robot is certified for ISO Class 5 clean rooms and carries an IP54 rating for challenging industrial environments. Its internal cable routing and smooth, screw-hole-free chassis facilitate cleaning and minimize dust accumulation. Paired with Epson’s SafeSense technology, the AX6 intelligently slows down when workers are detected, resuming full speed when the workspace is clear, ensuring human-robot collaboration safety. The robot head is equipped with an M12 Ethernet port, two M8 tool connectors, and two 4-millimeter pneumatic couplings, and its flange allows for endless rotation. Multifunctional buttons enable motor unlocking, gripper control, position saving, and two freely assignable functions, while an LED ring indicates status. Its hand-guided jog-and-teach functionality allows for quick and safe programming of points or paths, and Python programming support eliminates the need for specialized language learning, promoting broader adoption.
Coval Vacuum Technology Inc. – MPXS Micro Vacuum Pump: Coval Vacuum Technology Inc. introduces the MPXS series of micro vacuum pumps, distinguished by their intelligence and energy efficiency. Measuring a mere 12.5 millimeters wide and weighing 87 grams, these pumps generate a suction of 26 normal liters per minute with a 1-millimeter diameter nozzle. Featuring adjustable blow-off, they can operate as standalone units or in banks of up to eight with common pressure and exhaust. An intelligent vacuum regulation system can reduce energy costs by up to 90%. Equipped with an HMI and an IO-Link interface, the MPXS pumps offer continuous diagnostics, centralized configuration, and efficient communication with higher-level protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and EtherCAT. This miniaturized yet powerful solution addresses the demand for compact, smart components in robotics and automated handling.
Gimatic – PRP1806 Pneumatic Rotary Gripper: Gimatic’s PRP1806 pneumatic rotary gripper is specifically engineered for applications requiring combined gripping, rotation, and orientation of components. This innovative device integrates both actions within a single unit, significantly reducing component count, simplifying mechanical design, and saving valuable space. It provides a gripping stroke of 3 millimeters and a robust gripping force of 136 Newtons. The rotation angle is adjustable to 45, 90, 135, or 180 degrees, with integrated end stops for further optimization of the final position. The gripper features a robust T-slot guide for high precision and load resistance, and its jaw movement is generated by a high-efficiency linkage mechanism designed for effective force transmission, compact dimensions, and reliable operation. Guaranteed for 10 million maintenance-free cycles, the PRP1806 exemplifies durable and multi-functional end-effector design.
IAI America Inc. – Miniature Electric Three-Finger Gripper: IAI America Inc. presents a miniature electric three-finger gripper, optimized for handling circular and cylindrical loads. Its design ensures easy centering, as all three fingers grip the part simultaneously, providing stable and precise manipulation. Both gripping force and speed are adjustable, offering flexibility for delicate or robust applications. With a maximum gripping force of 70 Newtons and a maximum stroke length of 30 millimeters, this compact gripper is ideal for intricate tasks involving small components where accuracy and controlled handling are paramount. Its electric actuation offers precise control and feedback, a significant advantage over pneumatic alternatives in many applications.
Manufacturing Software: Intelligence for the Shop Floor
The "Manufacturing Software" category showcases cutting-edge solutions that leverage data, AI, and advanced analytics to optimize production, improve decision-making, and enhance traceability.
TeepTrak – PerfTrak Production Performance Monitoring: TeepTrak’s PerfTrak software offers real-time production performance monitoring, automatically capturing data to provide operators and management with an immediate view of output, downtime, efficiency, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). Its ability to connect directly to PLCs, OPC UA, or external sensors means it can collect data from virtually any machine, regardless of age or automation level, allowing both legacy and modern equipment to coexist within the same performance monitoring environment without extensive overhauls. A touchscreen interface displays real-time performance and enables operators to categorize production stops and losses, helping teams understand when, why, and where production was lost. Comprehensive dashboards and reporting tools monitor key indicators like output, efficiency, OEE, downtime reasons, actual vs. expected production, Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), and Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), providing actionable insights for continuous improvement.
Retrocausal – Assembly Copilot AI for Manual/Semiautomatic Assembly: Retrocausal introduces Assembly Copilot, an innovative computer vision and machine learning technology designed to monitor manual and semiautomatic assembly lines. This AI system provides real-time feedback to assemblers, effectively reducing quality and compliance issues. Assembly stations can be onboarded on a self-serve basis using a no-code programming environment, enabling engineers to create digital work instructions and poka-yoke mechanisms. The system offers live guidance via multimedia screens and devices, tracking each assembly step and providing audible/visual alerts to prevent or correct mistakes, even integrating with signal towers for reinforced guidance. It automatically collects timing data for every cycle, allowing engineers to compare performance, differentiate value-adding work, and analyze video footage to identify trends and optimize processes across shifts and operators. Integration with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) stores product identification alongside assembly records, enhancing traceability for potential recall events.
Advantive – Advantive ONE with AIVA Intelligent Virtual Assistant: Advantive ONE is presented as a unified intelligence layer spanning Advantive’s portfolio of industry-specific software, designed to connect data across various systems and empower businesses to make faster, smarter decisions. The initial manifestation of this concept is AIVA, an intelligent virtual assistant that provides a conversational interface for accessing native intelligence across support, data, and future innovations. AIVA offers two types of intelligent agents: support agents deliver instant, context-aware assistance, guided troubleshooting, and real-time answers within Advantive products, accelerating issue resolution. Data agents provide natural-language access to data within Advantive systems, allowing users to ask questions in plain language and receive contextual insights on demand. This platform exemplifies the shift towards AI-powered decision support and user interaction in complex enterprise software environments.
Almetra – Comprehensive AI Platform for the Shop Floor: Almetra’s comprehensive AI platform for the shop floor unifies data from diverse sources including cameras, sensors, PLC signals, MES, ERP, and machinery into a single operational record. The platform deploys AI-powered cameras over production lines and work areas, processing raw video locally and converting it in real-time into structured production data such as cycle times, output rates, and utilization patterns, without requiring complex IT integration. A critical feature is built-in worker privacy, achieved by anonymizing all footage and ensuring most video data remains within the factory, with only short, randomized snippets retained for root-cause analysis. Almetra’s AI models are optimized for industrial production and adapt dynamically to each customer’s specific processes, offering a powerful tool for operational intelligence and continuous improvement while respecting privacy concerns.
Test and Inspection: Ensuring Quality and Traceability
The "Test and Inspection" category features advanced systems designed to detect defects, verify assembly processes, and ensure the highest standards of product quality and reliability.
ivii GmbH – ivii iriis Edge AI Camera System: The ivii iriis edge AI camera system from ivii GmbH offers real-time process deviation detection and direct operator support at the workstation. This system is versatile, handling quality inspection, part identification, assembly verification, and image documentation to prevent errors early and enhance process monitoring and traceability. Its plug-and-play setup allows for rapid installation and on-site training for diverse assembly tasks. As an open platform, it seamlessly connects with third-party systems, integrates into existing production environments, and can be managed centrally across multiple facilities. This system embodies the power of distributed AI at the edge, bringing intelligence directly to the point of production for immediate quality feedback.
SiteVue AI – AI System for Defect Prevention: SiteVue AI’s system leverages a manufacturer’s standard operating procedures to train an AI model that monitors complex assembly processes step by step. It verifies each action against the specified build sequence, triggering audible or visual alerts, or flagging issues on a station monitor if a step is missed or performed out of order, enabling immediate correction. The system captures work as it happens on the shop floor in real-time, utilizing cameras with AI analysis to provide visibility into actual cycle times, takt time adherence, standard work compliance, assembly quality, and station-by-station throughput across all shifts. Dashboards offer current and historical data, backed by actual video footage, allowing managers to identify and fix issues, discern trends, and continuously improve processes. SiteVue AI offers a proactive approach to quality control, turning potential defects into immediate learning opportunities.
ACS – Acselerant Software Platform for Automated Test Systems: ACS presents Acselerant, a flexible, modular software platform designed for seamless real-time data acquisition and control in automated test systems. Built with an open architecture using LabVIEW, it empowers engineers to customize and scale test systems from launch through evolution. Acselerant unleashes the full potential of high-performance test hardware, integrating subsystems and delivering precise control over the entire test cell. Editable configuration files define module setups, control algorithms, and routing. A modular framework with an abstraction layer and standardized communication ensures adaptability. User-defined states enable flexible transitions triggered by logic, events, or alarms. Script-based execution with variable access supports complex computations and increases system flexibility. Real-time alarm monitoring triggers automated control actions for enhanced reliability, and a multi-threaded scripting engine supports complex sequencing and test procedures. The software also integrates with modeling platforms for advanced, simulation-driven system design, positioning it as a cornerstone for advanced testing.
Fukuda Co. Ltd. – MSX-7000 Leak Test System: Fukuda Co. Ltd.’s MSX-7000 leak test system is specifically designed to check the airtightness of compact electronic components such as crystal devices, ceramic oscillators, optical devices, power semiconductors, CAN devices, laser diodes, MEMS, SAW filters, relays, and capacitors. Available in both benchtop and fully automatic models, the system can detect both gross and fine leaks. It employs a "helium bombing" technique, where components are exposed to helium gas, and then the system checks for any gas penetration, indicating a leak. This highly sensitive method is crucial for ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of critical electronic components, where even microscopic leaks can lead to significant functional failures.
The Road Ahead: Broader Impact and Industry Evolution
The diverse array
