Automation – Page 125
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ArticleEurope: OEMs continue to invest
We are barely a month into 2018 and Europe’s vehicle manufacturers continue to change their production geographies, investing in some factories and adjusting model allocations between others as they seek to optimise their assets. TMMF will upgrade its Valenciennes plant to produce TNGA based vehiclesToyota will invest 300m euros in ...
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ArticleEditor's note: Going local
Not too long ago ‘global’ was the buzzword and in the context of automotive manufacturing it encompassed expanding worldwide networks of vehicle makers and tier suppliers, which benefited in part from low-tariff trade agreements.However, the world continues to change and globalisation has taken on a less benign connotation. Although the ...
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Article
Going local
Not too long ago ‘global’ was the buzzword and in the context of automotive manufacturing it encompassed expanding worldwide networks of vehicle makers and tier suppliers, which benefited in part from low-tariff trade agreements. However, the world continues to change and globalisation has taken on a less benign connotation. Although ...
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ArticleUK vehicle output slows
Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant has suffered job losses in recent monthsUK – Production figures released by the SMMT revealed a 3% reduction in UK vehicle manufacturing, seeing 1.6m cars produced in 2017. This was in part attributed to consumer confusion over government plans for diesel vehicles and the ongoing ...
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ArticleOlympus white paper: 4 Ways to Measure Coatings
A Guide to Olympus’s Coating Measurement SolutionsCoatings come in all shapes and sizes – and so do coating inspection technologies. Ultrasound, X-ray fluorescence, eddy currents and microscopy all offer coating inspection capabilities, but their suitability depends on the type of coating.Find out the best destructive or non-destructive techniques for thin ...
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ArticleAlliance takes the lead
Paris/Yokohama/Tokyo – The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance announced that its member companies sold a combined total of 10.6m units in the 12 months to December 31, 2017, which makes it “…the number-one automotive group worldwide,” according to chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.Total unit sales were given a lift of 6.5% in 2017 ...
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ArticlePneumatic management system
Festo claims its VTEM motion terminal combines the latest developments in piezo technology and software to offer an Industry 4.0 solution for pneumatic control applications.The system uses piezo technology, integrated stroke and pressure sensors together with control via motion apps. Changes in pneumatic functions and adaptations to new formats are ...
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ArticleFluid technology for reaming applications
Proper set-up of a padded reamer presents particular challenges for the metalworking fluid, says Quaker. The fluid is required to deliver the necessary lubrication in a sufficient film thickness and also emulsion properties that will carry away the fines produced in the cutting process. The company says it has developed ...
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ArticleO caso da fibra de carbono
O lançamento do i3 mudou a conversa sobre a futura aplicação de fibra de carbono nas estruturas de veículosAs champanhes foram estouradas em Leipzig em outubro de 2017, quando a BMW celebrou a fabricação de seu i3 de número 100.000, que possui um monocoque feito de plástico leve e rígido, ...
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ArticleVitalidade comercial
A produção europeia de VCL é uma mistura dinâmica de volumes crescentes, eletrificação e novas aliançasEm geral, o mercado de veículos comerciais ligeiros da Europa (VCL) é abastecido por fabricantes nativos, com apenas duas marcas não europeias, Nissan e Hyundai, com uma pegada de produção própria no continente (Toyota traz ...
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ArticleDigital welding solutions
Fronius says that documenting, visualising and analysing data from welding processes is becoming increasingly important in production operations. The company claims its new WeldCube data management system makes it possible to record, analyse and evaluate welding data across multiple power sources, and help the user to identify any potential areas ...
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ArticleVitalidad comercial
La producción europea de pequeños vehículos comerciales es una combinación dinámica de volúmenes en aumento, electrificación y nuevas alianzasPor lo general, el mercado de pequeños vehículos comerciales en Europa es suministrado por los fabricantes locales, con solo dos marcas no europeas, Nissan y Hyundai, que tienen una huella de producción ...
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ArticleEn defensa de la fibra de carbono
El lanzamiento del i3 ha cambiado la discusión sobre las futuras aplicaciones de fibra de carbono en la estructura de los vehículosCorchos de champán volaron en Leipzig en octubre de 2017 ya que BMW celebró la fabricación de su i3 número 100,000, el mismo posee un monocasco hecho de un ...
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ArticleE-axle systems for trucks
AVL claims its newly developed electric axle drive and battery systems, for trucks and buses, feature a modular design and a low number of interfaces to offer easy integration into the overall system. The company says that sub-systems such as electric motor, electronics, transmission, differential gear, axle, lubrication and cooling ...
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ArticleUltrasonic processing of plastics
Weber Ultrasonics and Hufschmied Zerspanungswerkzeuge have developed ultrasonic systems for milling, cutting and sawing brittle lightweight materials. The companies claim these systems use reduced process forces so in the processing of carbon and glass fibre the material removal rate is higher. In addition, they claim tool life is increased through ...
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ArticleNew CLS line starts at Sindelfingen
Site manager of the Sindelfingen plant Michael Bauer (left) and Ergun Lümali, chairman of the Sindelfingen Works Council (right)Germany – Mercedes-Benz has started production of its latest CLS model at the Sindelfingen plant. The CLS will share the same assembly line as the E-Class sedan and T-models, with the ...
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ArticleTube and pipe bending machines
The CNC 100 E TB MR tube-bending machine is equipped with numerous components, which can reduce downtimes and increase productivity, claims Schwarze-Robitec. Features include the Quick Tool Unlock rapid clamping system, which allows for a fast change of bending tools. The company says this machine can be used to bend ...
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ArticlePrimary circuit connectors
Stäubli RobiFix primary circuit connectors for use on welding robotsStäubli Electrical Connectors says it has developed the RobiFix range, a system of primary circuit connectors designed for use on welding robots. The company says this design allows the power cables to be divided into sections, so that in the ...
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ArticleToyota upgrades Valenciennes plant
TMMF will upgrade its Valenciennes plant to produce TNGA based vehiclesFrance – Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) will invest more than €300m in the plant to enable the production of vehicles based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).The upgrading of equipment and systems will allow the plant to ...
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Article3D non-contact volume gauging
LMI Technologies (LMI) has launched the Gocator volume checker. The company says this is a volume gauging solution suitable for inspecting cylinder heads and piston bowls in small to medium-sized internal combustion engines. LMI says this approach replaces traditional volume gauging methods (i.e., fluids, pressurized air, and acoustics) with a ...