When a chain manufacturer came to Orbitform seeking a faster and more efficient way to assemble their product, they had one major requirement: to increase production speed without compromising part quality.
To meet this challenge, our team developed a custom servo-driven orbital forming machine using a high-speed servo motor; a solution that significantly reduced cycle time while maintaining tight process control.
The Challenge: High Volume, High Precision
The manufacturer needed to assemble multiple rivets across a single chain link in rapid succession. Traditional forming equipment required full retract cycles between each rivet location, adding unnecessary delay.
They needed:
Fast advancement to the part
Controlled, high-precision forming
Minimal retraction to reduce time between rivets
The Solution: A "Special" Servo-Driven System
We engineered a custom servo-driven orbital forming machine equipped with a high-speed servo motor. This setup allowed the forming head to:
Rapidly advance to the forming location
Form the rivet with exact force and displacement control
Retract only slightly—just enough to allow the part to shift to the next forming location
By minimizing unnecessary movement and maximizing control, we were able to significantly reduce cycle time while ensuring consistent, high-quality results for each rivet.
> "It’s not just about speed—it’s about combining speed with control to ensure a consistent, high-quality result every time."
Why Servo-Driven Equipment?
Servo-driven equipment offers several key advantages over pneumatic or hydraulic systems:
Precise Force and Position Control: Operators can program exact force, speed, and distance for each application.
Repeatability: Ideal for high-volume production where consistency is critical.
Programmability and Flexibility: Easily adjust forming parameters for different parts or process requirements.
Process Monitoring: Built-in feedback systems allow for real-time monitoring and quality assurance.
Faster Indexing and Movement: Especially beneficial in multi-location or high-speed applications like this chain assembly project.
In this case, the servo system not only increased speed, it also enhanced reliability, reduced mechanical wear, and provided the flexibility to fine-tune the process with ease.
The Results: Speed + Control
With this servo-driven system, the chain manufacturer achieved:
Reduced cycle time
Improved throughput
Consistent, repeatable forming results
Better long-term durability and control
Need a Custom Solution?
Every assembly application is different—and Orbitform specializes in tailoring solutions to match your production goals. If you’re facing a challenge with cycle time, quality, or process control, we’re here to help.
Contact our team to discuss how we can support your next servo-driven assembly project.