RANDOLPH, Ohio – December 20, 2022 – East Manufacturing, manufacturer of aluminum flatbed, drop deck, dump and refuse trailers as well as steel dump trailers and aluminum truck bodies, is pleased to announce that it was recently honored by OTC DAIHEN together with Airgas for installing the 1,000th OTC DAIHEN Robotic Arc Welder.
The OTC DAIHEN robotic cell has the most advanced welding technology available with a long reach 6-axis robotic arm and 2-position servo controlled table. The Welbee power sources react faster to the arc and more times per second for optional weld quality and repeatability every time.

Through OTC DAIHEN, East robotic units are seamlessly integrated into the trailer production. The arc welding robots and components are highly versatile and increase the trailer line efficiency as well as consistency in weld patterns and quality.
After building its high-tech manufacturing facility in 2016, East incorporated robotic equipment. To increase productivity and decrease material waste, the robotic equipment served as part placers, while robotic welders in both beam and side rail construction areas ensured maximum output with consistent results for improved weld quality.

East’s new robotic arc welding installation is the first of many robots to bring relief into the fabrication assembly area. Early next year, East plans to install additional robotic arc welders in the fabrication area to weld sub-assemblies as well as much larger subassemblies to supply various product lines.

“After the success of our initial robotic installation, we are happy to report that robots will be a big part of our future. We’re implementing a plan to best apply automation to increase productivity,” said Howard Booher, President and COO at East.

East expectations of the new robotic work cells include:
• Improving efficiency
• Consistency in weld pattern and quality
• Repeatability of assemblies
• Improving overall delivery
• Shorter training cycles

Currently, East robotically welds the fleet line, floor decking, the main T-beam as well as assorted other flatbed trailer welds. We’re now working on a floor design concept to expedite East Genesis® trailer floors as well as the possible redesign and development of the flatbed line rub-rail fixture to expedite rails.

“This first installation is the first of many robots to bring relief into the fabrication assembly area” said Gary Brown, Senior Vice President of Operations. “Our future robotics plan includes our East Genesis floor assemblies, floor crossmembers and trailer fenders, to mention a few.”

We’re now working on a floor design concept to expedite Genesis trailer floors to increase productivity. It will also expedite the front frameless floor sub-assembly and the Unloader fifth wheel plate and crossmember sub-assembly.

We may redesign and develop the fleet line rub-rail fixture to expedite rails to further increase production. Because growing our workforce remains a high priority for us, the robot installations will help us.

Since we’re on the subject of robots, I also wanted to mention that we have completed several automation projects, including a Gorbel free-standing bridge crane and conveyors to improve cycle time and robotic assemblies.