However, after designing the original Proprinter for automated design, it was found that almost all assembly time was eliminated for manual assembly. A person could assemble the Proprinter in under three minutes. Therefore, the design team decided to use manual assembly for later Proprinter manufacturing because the manual assembly required was less expensive than robotic assembly. The design for automated assembly (DFAA) rules were still followed because those rules were effective at eliminating labor content in the manufacturing process. By eliminating robotic assembly, significant set-up time and calibration requirements were eliminated which further reduced the time to market. Manual assembly provides flexibility which is vital when products are changed from year to year.

Changes made to adapt to manual assembly	Present product family

Last Updated: October 26, 1998, NEEDS Staff
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