May conveyor

Twenty years after making its first moving-coil electric actuator, SMAC Corp. has emerged as an industry leader in linear motor technology. The company manufactures a wide range of precision programmable actuators for high-production positioning, measuring, inspection and pick-and-place applications, particularly those that require 100 percent verification.

For the past several years, SMAC has grown at an annual rate of about 30 percent to become the largest manufacturer in the world of moving-coil actuators. Last fall, company managers considered two options to accommodate this growth: significantly expand its Carlsbad, CA, facility, or streamline production by implementing lean manufacturing practices. Extensive analysis, including consulting with distributor Nor-Cal Controls, showed the latter option to be more cost effective.