Military handgun manufacturing: Ensuring consistent trigger pulls with Promess EMAP

A handgun manufacturer for the U.S. military sought a solution to verify each firearm component met the strict standards necessary for reliable performance in demanding conditions. A key focus was the trigger mechanism, which required consistent force and operation across every unit produced. The challenge lay in ensuring each trigger pull required the exact same amount of force every time.

The manufacturer set a rigorous standard: a trigger force of 5.5 lb, with a tolerance of ± 0.5 lb, along with specific parameters for trigger engagement and reset. Meeting these requirements demanded precision engineering and advanced technology capable of accurate measurement and control.

To address these challenges, the manufacturer turned to Promess, a provider of smart assembly and test systems. Promess’ solution involved leveraging their Electro-Mechanical Assembly Press (EMAP) equipped with a high-precision 10 lb external load cell, offering accuracy of 0.5%. This setup allowed for precise control over force and positional accuracy, crucial for ensuring consistent trigger performance.

The EMAP system, integrated with Promess UltraPRO Software, enabled real-time monitoring of positional data and force measurements. This ensured each trigger pull was within required specifications. Any deviation from the set parameters triggered an immediate alert, allowing for rapid corrective action before defects could impact production quality.

The implementation of the EMAP system delivered significant benefits:

• Repeatability: The manufacturer achieved uniformity in trigger performance, ensuring compliance with military standards and enhancing overall product reliability.
• Continuous process improvement: Real-time data collection enabled ongoing analysis and refinements in the manufacturing process. This proactive approach minimized variations and improved production efficiency.

By integrating Promess’ advanced EMAP system, the handgun manufacturer could feel confident each handgun going through the test was within the military-grade standards. The quality of the handgun was improved; there were fewer defects, and the process was efficient.

Promess Inc.
https://www.promessinc.com