All articles by aladmin – Page 124
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ArticleJoining forces for lighter components
Metal moulding is shaping up to bring the automotive industry a range of savings thanks to a partnership between Husky Injection Molding and the USCAR research group. AMS looks at benefits of ultra-large magnesium castingsMetal injectionUSCAR projectShape of casts to comeWhen you think of injection moulding materials, metals haven’t traditionally ...
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ArticleSeamless integration at Jaguar
When Jaguar closed down its Browns Lane facility in the UK recently, it had the daunting task of moving final assembly of its XK model to the nearby Castle Bromwich plant. It called on conveyor supplier Dürr to help solve the problem.Process of assembly has been improvedSuccesses to dateThe closure ...
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ArticleKeeping the machines running
Fastems has worked with Doesburg Components of the Netherlands to become more productive while remaining competitive with companies which have shifted production to the EastBuilding for the futureQuality recognitionThe art of flexibilityFilling the gaps in the labour forceWhat does a heavy truck parts supplier to do when its competitors are ...
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ArticleAuto wheel mounting and rotor-rooting
A vision system assists in automated wheel fitting, solving one of the toughest final assembly challenges. Ever tried lifting 35-pound castings on to a machining line for a whole shift? Nor have the operators at TRW Automotive, because it has systems in place to do thisHow the camera system worksAdditional ...
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ArticleMetton lightweighting in the hood
Vehicle makers are continually looking at ways to reduce the weight of their products, thereby decreasing costs but, at the same time, improving efficiency for consumers. Heavy duty rigs dressed in Metton are becoming the lightweight champions of the worldCycle times have been reducedSeasonal effects on materialsThe challenges of using ...
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ArticleTrucking’s new titans
China’s commercial vehicle market is keeping pace with the boom but don’t expect to see Chinese trucks in the West. Meanwhile, a robust economy and keen interest in Indian vehicles is driving sales for the country’s commercial vehicle makersOverloaded roadsTechnology transferBrand loyaltyExport marketsWith all those outbound container ships laden with ...
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ArticleModular safety at Eisenach
The process of welding the tailgate on the Corsa at Opel Eisenach has been overhauled without any compromise to safety, with automation expert PilzSensory deprivationPeople scannersLike most body shops the one at Opel Eisenach is heavily automated, almost a 100 per cent in fact, save for eight workstations on the ...
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ArticleGrand range of parts at Crewe
While a Bentley may be something more than the sum total of its parts, making sure those parts are engineered, regardless of model year, to the company’s exceptional standards is a priority for continued prestigeWhat’s in a nameParts and parcelsPrice and ApplicationKey to the pastBuried deep within the bowels of ...
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ArticleCutting out the carbon
Volvo Trucks is paving the way for CO2-free truck making while Ford embraces wind power and the photovoltaic cell. These are just two of the innovations emerging from an industry committed to reducing both carbon output and the cost of manufacturingBiomass and windpowerEnergy reduction remains criticalDifferent energy models for each ...
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ArticlePump up the volume
Carbon fibre has long been the preserve of the super car elite – but those days are coming to an endCarbon fibre is finding favour in structural componentsProduction processes must be developedCarbon gives the necessary weight savingsMention composites in the context of car design and thoughts automatically turn to the ...
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ArticleDesmo dangers solved
Ducati’s famed Desmodromic valve system allows its engines to reach tremendous speeds but demands absolute precision in machining and assembly Taking controlEye for detailDucati has realised that the machining of valuable components for its Desmodromic engines must be carefully controlled. Different tools are used hundreds of thousands of times during ...
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ArticleFrom function blocks to engine blocks
Schneider Electric has developed digital function blocks that allow cost efficiency and application support for major Tier One suppliersReady for reuseProgramming project bookAs Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programmers know well, there are two schools of thought on how you program them. There’s the North American “ladder logic” camp, and the ...
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ArticleThis smart little worker needs no rest
New module programming and configuring technology from Mahle Powertrain puts an end to end-of-line testing. AMS reports on the opportunities for assembly line flexibility and cost savings that come with VPPRail systems become expensivePlug and let playMeasuring contentWhen it comes to the programming and testing of today’s electronically sophisticated vehicles, ...
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Manufacturing in full view
Engineered Machined Products is North America’s leading producer of pumps and components for the heavy duty industry. AMS reports on how its adoption of PC-based automation is securing manufacturing efficiency across its operationPC-based automationQuality controlFuture trendsEver since Engineered Machined Products (EMP) started moving towards a PC-based front end for the ...
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Audi names Strotbek as its new Chief Financial Officer
Ingolstadt, Germany – Audi has named Axel Strotbek as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective September 1st. He takes over from Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, who has been acting CFO since taking charge of the luxury brand in January.Strotbek studied in Sweden and earned a masters in business administration in ...
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ArticleGetting the right mix
Thanks to Quaker Chemical’s detection of shortfalls in its emulsion and deburring activity, one German truckmaker was able to ensure more reliable transmission manufacturing while also lowering maintenance costsPerformance indicatorsImproving the emulsionWhen a large German car and truck subcontractor encountered several problems with the manufacturing of its transmission housings for ...
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Schalow is the new head of DaimlerChrysler plant in Hamburg-Harburg
Hamburg, Germany – Werner Schalow has been appointed the new head of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Hamburg-Harburg, effective July 1st, 2007. He succeeds Dr Jürgen Böhm, who retired on June 30th after 27 years of service.Schalow has held various specialist and management positions at the Hamburg plant, most recently as ...
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ArticleGM’s Euro laser lines
GM has been honing its machining applications in Hungary for engine supply across Europe. AMS talks to Plant Manager Andor Paizer about his facilityEstablished by General Motors in 1990, GM’s Szentgotthard plant in Hungary produces the 16-valve Ecotec engines (1.6L and 1.8L) for the passenger car segment, as well as ...
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Koch becomes GM LAAM Vice President, African Operations
Milford, MI. – Steve Koch, currently GM Latin America, Africa and Middle East Vice President And Regional Director, Africa and Middle East Operations, will become GM LAAM Vice President, African Operations and President And Managing Director, GM South Africa. Koch, 55, will report to Maureen Kempston Darkes, GM Group Vice ...
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VanderWert named as President of Prima North America
Champlin, MA. – Laser systems provider Prima North America has appointed Terry L. VanderWert as its President.VanderWert succeeds Dr Paolo Cigna who continues as a member of Prima North America’s Board of Directors.He will be responsible for all Prima North America businesses which include the sales and service activity in ...