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The DCAM (DEPRAG COMPACT ASSEMBLY MODULE) came into the world at a time when mobile phones were still being assembled by time-consuming manual procedures. Any manufacturer that could produce mobile phones faster and more cost-effectively would be ahead of the game. The assembly platform for use in industrial manufacture came into being and began on its course to conquer the world. That was over 25 years ago and today the greatly admired assembly cell is well established all over the world. And of course over those years the engineers at DEPRAG SCHULZ GMBH u. CO have constantly been enhancing their much emulated work platform. A pioneering optimised and modular form of the DCAM has recently been launched on the market. In an interview with Norbert Widder, Automation Sales Manager at DEPRAG, technical journalist and editor Trixy Schmidt discussed the benefits for customers.

Trixy Schmidt: Over the past 25 years the DCAM has made a name for itself throughout the world. It can be deployed very flexibly for a wide variety of assembly and production tasks. Now there is a new, modular DCAM. Which enhancements and improvements can be seen? Where do the benefits for the customer lie?

Norbert Widder: DEPRAG has gathered together all the experience it has gained over the past 25 years, carried out a strategic study and analysis, and incorporated the results into the new DCAM. In the optimised DCAM customers now have a standardised assembly platform providing the proverbial dependability and high level of operating reliability of the established assembly cell. However the modular structure means that it is now easier to calculate investment costs, and it can be delivered sooner. It means that the new “off the peg” DCAM is available at a fixed price and comes with a manageable delivery lead time.

Trixy Schmidt:The base frame for the work cell has to stand up to the dynamic loads created by an axis-based screwdriving process. What materials did DEPRAG decide on when designing the new version DCAM?

Norbert Widder: Our work cell has been frequently copied. In our view, the aluminium profiles used in such copies for the machine bases do not meet stability and safety requirements in the presence of heavy mechanical loads. Our machine bases are therefore manufactured from canted sheet steel with torsion-resistant screw fastenings. It is this powder-coated steel frame which ensures the internationally recognised stability and durability of the platform.