2.2.5.2 Cosmetic Appearance
The aesthetics of a product can be critical to ensuring that end users perceive the quality of a product to be high, so a designer or manufacturer needs to use a joining method that can provide the desired aesthetics. Figures 57 and 58 show some examples.
2.2.5.3 Automation vs Manual Assembly
Determining the most suitable production process is based on multiple parameters. The daily production rate is generally a good starting point.
Joining methods should be compatible with automation machines and robots to keep up with the production demands. For example, welding and adhesive bonding can be automated simultaneously on the same production line, while assembling fasteners and adhesive bonding cannot be easily automated.