While technique for fastening two parts using screws requires control over rotary motion of screws for fastening and fastening torque for fastening reliability, this technique has become an important automation technology in terms of environmental concerns and so on.

(1)Components of automating screw fastening

・ Automating screw fastening consists of two components: hardware which includes fastening devices and parts feed mechanisms, and software which controls and manages fastening conditions such as fastening torques etc. (Fig. 1).

(2)Analysis of troubles while automating screw fastening

・ Fig. 2 shows typical troubles encountered while automating screw fastening.

・ Factors for these troubles suggest necessity for solving issues in automation equipment such as (1) fastening failures, (2) screw parts feeding errors, (3) positioning failures, etc.