Challenge

A manufacturer of handguns for the US Military sought a solution to verify that each firearm component met the strict standards necessary for reliable performance in demanding conditions. A key focus was the trigger mechanism, which required consistent force and operation across every unit produced. The challenge lay in ensuring that each trigger pull required the exact same amount of force every time.

The manufacturer set a rigorous standard: a trigger force of 5.5lbs, with a tolerance of +/- 0.5lbs, along with specific parameters for trigger engagement and reset. Meeting these requirements demanded not only precision engineering but also advanced technology capable of accurate measurement and control.

Solution

To address these challenges, the manufacturer turned to Promess, a leading provider of smart assembly and test systems. Promess’ solution involved leveraging their Electro-Mechanical Assembly Press (EMAP) equipped with a high-precision 10lb external load cell, offering an accuracy of 0.5%.. This setup allowed for precise control over force and positional accuracy, crucial for ensuring consistent trigger performance.

The EMAP system, integrated with Promess UltraPRO Software, enabled real-time monitoring of positional data and force measurements. This ensured that each trigger pull was within required specifications. Any deviation from the set parameters triggered an immediate alert, allowing for rapid corrective action before defects could impact production quality.

Results

The implementation of EMAP system delivered significant benefits:

• Repeatability: The manufacturer achieved uniformity in trigger performance, ensuring compliance with military standards and enhancing overall product reliability.
• Continuous Process Improvement: Real-time data collection enabled ongoing analysis and refinements in the manufacturing process. This proactive approach minimized variations and improved production efficiency.

By integrating Promess’ advanced EMAP system, the handgun manufacturer could feel confident that each handgun that went through the test was within the military-grade standards. The quality of the handgun was improved, there were less defects and the process was efficient.