Automation – Page 124
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ArticleZaragoza to run Corsa line
Spain – Opel has announced that the next generation of Corsa model will be produced exclusively at the Zaragoza plant from 2019. The OEM also confirmed that, by 2020, the electric variant of sub-compact car will be produced at the Spanish factory.The move will make Zaragoza the first Groupe PSA ...
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ArticlePSA upgrades Iberian plants
PSA upgrades look to bring the Vigo plant into the Factory 4.0 eraSpain/Portugal – PSA will introduce a fourth team in Vigo and a third in Mangualde to service production of the group's new line-up of leisure activity vehicles (LAV).The two plants in PSA’s the Iberian Industrial Division, have ...
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ArticleStandard bearers
A current programme run by the International Automotive Task Force is looking to revise the technical specification IATF16949, the published standard informing quality management across the automotive industry worldwideThe concept of quality management is now a well-established aspect of all forms of business. It essentially denotes implementing a system of ...
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Article
- 标准制定旗手
国际汽车特别工作组目前项目的工作目标是修订全球汽车业资讯质量管理标准 — IATF16949的技术规范目前，各行各业的质量管理概念都已经相当成熟、完备。这些概念被书写成册，各公司按照上面成熟的流程和系统实行，保证工厂内的连贯生产、标准执行，最终实现可靠地产品性能。其中最有名的当属国际标准化组织（International Standards Organisation）出版的ISO 9001。虽然这个标准覆盖面非常广，而且其初衷是为了适应所有行业，但是对汽车业来说还是不够，因为行业里的各种复杂因素盘根错节、相互作用 — 远远不止于管理供应链长度、操作复杂的生产线，遵守不断严苛的环境法规，以及满足客户对产品安全性的要求，这个行业就是这么独特。因此，汽车业，或者更准确的说是大型制造商不仅要自我定义这些标准，而且要对供应链提出要求 — 这就要量身打造质量管理系统，或者使用一个混合系统，即在ISO9001基础上补充更加具体的汽车业要求。上述第二种方法被国际汽车特别工作组（IATF）一直沿用，这个组织建于20世纪90年代，现在有9个大型制造商组成，包括宝马（BMW），大众（VW），戴姆勒（Daimler），通用汽车（GM），菲亚特克莱斯勒（FCA），菲亚特克莱斯勒意大利（FCA Italy），福特（Ford），标致雪铁龙（PSA）以及雷诺（Renault）。这个组织成立之初的目的就在于建立尽可能统一的全球质量管理系统，即综合ISO9001与具体的汽车业相关技术规范ISO/TS16949 — 这个系统大约从2002年开始生效。但是时至今日，IATF已经修订规范有一年多的时间了，形成名为IATF16949:2016的规范，其目标是进一步深化质量全球汽车业管理目标，及综合性、统一性和一致性的目标。综合了官方ISO标准之后，就能覆盖机构质量管理流程，也就是说行业可以将通过一个机构将客户的要求体现在产品中，最终满足客户的需求。为了这个目标，这个规范通过规划、实行和检测这种循环，解决了环境、领导、规划、支持和操作等问题 — 也就是设计、开发和制造。整个规划是在全球5个地方协调进行的，这些地方包括英国的伯明翰（这里是英国汽车制造业的传统核心地带，各种事务有英国汽车制造商协会操作）、美国、德国、法国和意大利，行政机构分别由密歇根州的IAOB，柏林的VDA-QMC，法国的IATF（在Suresnes Cedex）和都灵和ANFIA负责。尽管最初的TS16949规范于2009年进行修订，新版规范覆盖面更加庞大，但是基本概念仍然需要不断更新。 通用肯塔基Bowling Green工厂的一名工人在装配Chevrolet Corvette Stingray的时候取下发动机托架这里涉及很多因素。新版TS16949规范的最初动力是要在2015年修改ISO9001，通过ISO实现多个目标，这些目标包括：*提供与其他ISO管理标准相同的“高水平体系”，这样公司就能更加容易地使用多种管理系统，比如环境问题或卫生安全问题。*“风险为导向的思考”不断突出*对领导力的不断强调*使用简化语言*高效解决供应链问题同样，IATF自己的文件需要更改，这样双方能够继续融合，互补。但是这也为IAFT提供机会，重新起草TS916949，提现更多的汽车业特点。其中一个特点是，新版规范尽可能地在文件中提现“客户特殊”要求，这些要求过去是由制造商自己制定，或者直接推给供应商，这是行业普遍存在的事实。而新的规范则最大限度地扩大实践，而其流程在整个行业全面铺开，同时也不需要取消特定供应链的客户化要求的可能性。不断提高普通程序的领域通常会被认为存在“流程变更”。另外一个特点突出反映了车辆开发过程中涉及到的软件 — 这个规范现在提供了软件开发过程中的质量保证。同时，其他要点包括产品安全领域、担保和现场反馈。在更深的层次上来说，虽然整个规划暗示了，一个行业根据全球公司的经营而体现越来越多的特点，因而需要制动全球认证的程序要求，提供分散供应链所需的必要信任。目前，尽管距离临界点的时间非常紧迫，但所有的机构都需要调整遵守新的规范，并获得证书。这个关键性的日起就是2018年9月14日。到了那个时候，ISO/TS16949和2008年版本ISO9001都会失效，IATF成员公司和供应链中那些制造零部件的所有公司都会受到影响。此后，所有机构内的公司都需要取得最新版ISO9001和IATF16494:2016证书。全球有69,000个这样的机构必须要获得证书，而43个公认的认证机构从去年初九开始加班加点完成评估工作。整个规划在全球范围实行的过程中，认证机构包括American Systems Registrar, Lloyds Register Quality Assurance, Korean Standards Institution, China Jiuding Automotive Supplier Certifications, DEKRA Certification GmbH以及Intertek等机构。对IATF内的制造公司而言，他们对新标准的态度也各不相同。虽然所有公司都在努力在整个供应链中遵守新的规范，但不是所有公司都会应用它。但是通用汽车（GM）不管对内还是对外都综合采用ISO和IATF规范。这已经得到GM Component Holdings在密歇根州Wyoming工厂质量部经理Patricia Smith的证实：“通用汽车全球制造系统包括强大的质量管理系统，足以支持新的标准。这对通用汽车供应商的影响在于，客户特定要求的批准已经包括在新标准框架之内了。”她还解释说，这是因为IATF规范是一个“重点强调汽车业质量管理系统标准的”，其中的“风险环节”是一个重要因素。 IATF旗下制造商，比如通用汽车在原来规范失效之前就着手向新的质量管理标准转型 Smith对规范更新非常坦承：“原来的标准并不能实现通用产品供应基础所需的质量水平，也不能实现年复一年的性能改进。”她证实，通用汽车一直忙于准备迎接新的标准。她说，“企业质量组织在标准生效之前主动提供新标准培训。培训使用问答及共享学习平台。此外，开提出空白弥补计划。”此外，新的质量体系已经开始实施。Smith说，“很多通用工厂已经采用新的标准，其余工厂会在目前标准失效之前完成转变。”这种转变在公司的供应链也在悄然发生。她证实说，“供应基地也在转变新标准。”尽管新的标准就其本质而言可以普及，但是Smith认为有些方面对通用而且非常重要。她举例称，“机构条款中的条件提到要包括客户特定要求，理解机构及条件的要求，特别是决定所有标准中目的战略方向相关内部及外部问题，还有文件信息要求，都会产生标准执行证据数据。”但是Smith还说，新的标准应该在更加广泛的水平上有用。她说，“汽车业拥有一套全新的通用指南就能拥有通用的语言、互相了解需要、还能拥有共同的重点和清晰的鳄鱼漆。”“将客户特定要求融入到标准框架，是保持客户为本原则的重点。”到目前为止，预测新规范的影响还为时尚早。她总结说，“现实中的评估还无法实现，因为采用新标准的转变过程才刚刚开始。但是我对未来结果非常乐观、看好。”
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ArticleGM Korea set to shut Gunsan plant
GM Korea has stated that it will close its Gunsan plant by the end of May 2018 as part of its plan to improve profitability in the region. The facility has housed the production of the Chevrolet Cruze and Chevrolet Orlando, but has been running at 20% capacity over the ...
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3D PDF solution for CAD data
Theorem Solutions claims the latest version of their Publish 3D-3D PDF solution improves the processes of sharing design data helping to improve communication and reduce any ambiguity based around product design data.The software enables the publishing of 3D CAD data directly from within the design application, alongside any associated metadata, ...
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ArticleWelding simulations for sheet metal structures
Welding 7 is the latest version of Simufact’s software for the simulation of welding processes, which the company claims offers shorter processing times, more accurate results, and a more intuitive operational use. Functions include solid-shell elements, simplified calculation methods for resistance spot welding processes and the more flexible consideration of ...
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Article3D snapshot
The Visionary-T is an industrial imaging camera that can capture high-resolution 3D data with a single snapshot, says Sick. The system uses high-resolution Time-of–Flight (TOF) technology to achieve 3D imaging for vision applications and the image is captured with one shot of light, without the need to profile a moving ...
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ArticleStratmann steps up at Mahle
Dr Jörg Stratmann - Mahle CEOGermany - Dr. Jörg Stratmann has been named as Mahle Group’s new CEO and management board chairman.Taking up the post on 1 February, Stratmann has transitioned quickly into the role following the departure to ZF of former Mahle CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider.Stratmann joined Mahle from ...
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ArticleTesting electric steering systems
Sakor Technologies says its dynamometer testing system for electric steering systems can be used by engineering teams for validation and performance evaluation of electric motors and electronic control units (ECUs) that directly control the motor during electric steering.The system features a 1.5 kilowatt 4-quadrant AC motoring dynamometer and includes a ...
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ArticleAlto teor de fibra
Os compósitos reforçados com fibras de vidro têm sido utilizados na produção em massa de peças pendulares e parafusadas durante décadas. A AMS analisa algumas inovações recentes.A pressão de montagem sobre os OEMs para reduzir o peso de seus veículos significa que os fornecedores de materiais e sistemistas que fabricam ...
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ArticleContando com os dados
A implementação de ferramentas digitais está transformando os processos de controle de qualidade nas operações de fabricaçãoOs gabaritos físicos agora estão sendo processados como modelos digitais e a Audi diz que está no caminho para representar um conceito que reside no mundo digital "virtual". A empresa agora está explorando o ...
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ArticleAutomated welding systems
Cloos says it is developing and manufacturing automated welding systems to meeting the specific requirements of its customers. The company says the range offers compact systems as well as complex, chained systems with automated workpiece identification and loading and unloading processes.Its new QIROX QRC-290 welding robot offers an entry into ...
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ArticlePorsche doubles e-mobility investment
Expansion at Porsche Zuffenhausen will facilitate Mission E projectsGermany - Porsche is to invest significantly more funds into its electromobility development to produce both plug-in hybrids and purely electric vehicles at its Zuffenhausen plant. The move will see the Stuttgart-based OEM take its expenditure on e-mobility from around €3bn ...
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ArticleStorage and retrieval systems
Kasto says it can now supply its automated storage systems, for long stock and sheet, with an integrated energy storage unit that allows for flexible use of the recovered power.The company says this solution, which can be retrofitted to existing installations, can reduce energy costs and also improve the quality ...
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ArticlePehrson spec suits Polestar
Hans Pehrson, Head of R&D, PolestarVolvo’s performance road car brand Polestar has appointed Hans Pehrson as its new head of research and development and electric propulsion strategy.Pehrson joins from a role supporting the London EV Company with the new London Taxi. In a career spanning more than 3O years, ...
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ArticlePulsed fibre laser welding system
An updated version of the LMWS pulsed fibre laser welding system is now available says Amada Miyachi. The company claims the LMWS is suitable for welding dissimilar metals, including copper to aluminium, aluminium to stainless and steel, and copper to stainless steel, and with a change of settings, it can ...
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ArticleAlto contenido en fibra
Llevamos décadas utilizando materiales compuestos con fibras de vidrio en la producción en masa – AMS analiza las últimas innovacionesCada vez es mayor la presión de reducir el peso de los vehículos, lo que significa que los proveedores de materiales que producen paneles de carrocería, interiores, ensamblados, etc. tienen que ...
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ArticleContando con los datos
La implementación de las herramientas digitales está transformando los procesos de control de calidad en las operaciones de producciónLos planos se generan primero como modelos digitales y Audi asegura que ya está desarrollando un concepto que reside en el mundo digital, 'virtual'. La marca explora ahora el concepto de ‘plantillas ...
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ArticleScheider takes the helm at ZF
ZF Friedrichshafen has named Wolf-Henning Scheider as its new CEO. The move, effective 1 February, sees the former Mahle CEO also head up the ZF Group. He succeeds interim CEO Dr. Konstantin Sauer, who assumed the role of ZF's CEO in addition to his function as CFO following the departure ...