features

TAS South Best In Show

What will be the best new product on display at The ASSEMBLY Show South? You decide!

TAS South Showcase

More than 150 exhibitors will be on hand at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN, from April 4-6 to display the latest in assembly machines and systems during the inaugural ASSEMBLY Show South.

AI, digital twins and robots boost quality at a state-of-the-art appliance assembly plant in Clarksville, TN.—Austin Weber

Inside LG’s Smart Factory

Factory floor with conveyor carrying white parts, storage racks, and an autonomous robot.

Suppliers of assembly technology are optimistic about 2026.—John Sprovieri

US Manufacturers Make Big Plans in 2025

Technician inspecting a large jet engine with a flashlight.

Detroit’s No. 3 automaker had a topsy-turvy existence, with lots of highs and lows.—Austin Weber

Chrysler Thrived, But Also Struggled to Survive

Worker assembling a yellow car on an assembly line.

Offline programming eliminates the need to halt production.—Vanessa S. Stiles

Software Saves Time When Programming Robotic Welding

Factory floor with overhead crane, red automated storage, and Yaskawa robots.

Cold welding is a solid-state process for joining two pieces of metal together with high pressure.—Sarah Breckon

Join Ductile Metals With Cold Welding

Two rectangular copper components on a brushed metal plate.

Automated material handling system replaces forklifts and manual transport.—Katie Pearson

Automation Boosts Efficiency at Drive Manufacturer

Industrial conveyor system with gray crates and green bins.

Modern manufacturing is no longer just fastening tools and conveyers; it is a mix of artificial intelligence, automation, and the engineers and assemblers who work alongside technology. Nowhere is this more evident than at LG Electronics’ appliance assembly plant in Clarksville, TN, which produces washers and dryers. The state-of-the-art factory produces one new appliance every 13 seconds. More than 900 people work alongside 200 autonomous mobile robots and 130 fixed robots. We take you behind the scenes. Photo courtesy LG Electronics

About the cover

LG Electronics industrial robots on a factory floor, surrounded by manufacturing equipment.

Fastener supplier helps engineers to prototype, refine and launch the automated system in record time.—Marina Wood

Fasteners Enable Creation of Robotic Salad Bar

A modern counter with KAIKAKU ingredient dispensers filled with nuts and grains, alongside digital menu screens.

departments

From the Editor

Workers believe robots are more help than hindrance — John Sprovieri

Dual-cure potting compound and other new bonding products — John Sprovieri

New & Noteworthy

Presses will be vital for assembling ‘green’ technologies.—John Sprovieri

See It At The Show

Cobots May Enable Autistic Adults to Thrive in Manufacturing.—Austin Weber

Assembly Lines

Lasers etch precise marks on small titanium devices.—John Sprovieri

Focus on: Medical

Interviews with leaders and innovators in product assembly.

Assembly Audible

Ad Index

Sourcebook Premium Sponsorship

Staff

Learn how our advertisers are helping assemblers solve problems.

Corporate Profiles

Special Section

Wire Processing

Options for Braiding Wire Harnesses

Electrical cable, Computer hardware, Electronic component, Wire, Technology

Buyers Guide

Search our database of suppliers and products.

December 2025 | Vol. 68, No. 12

Table Of Contents