As part of its continuous process-improvement program, a manufacturer of automotive air-bag systems has installed a vision-inspection system to ensure that its double-stage air-bag-inflator assembly contains the proper parts before an igniter ramming procedure is carried out. After the air-bag igniters are rammed and crimped into position, the completed inflator assembly cannot be repaired. At that production stage, the inflators are classified as either accepted or rejected. During air-bag-inflator assembly, the gas needed to inflate the air bag is generated by the combustion of a small mass (40-50 grams) of generant contained in a canister (see Fig. 1). The inflation process begins with an electrical signal from the assembly system's control module that fires off a squib, which, in turn, explodes the igniter material. The burning igniter sets off the generant, which inflates the air bag.
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