Automation – Page 153
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ArticleAdditive manufacturing software package
Granta Design says it has enhanced its Granta MI:Additive Manufacturing software package, with this new version offering graphical analysis tools to plot material properties and process parameters against one another to identify trends. Users can manage and compare data from both experiments and simulation.The company claims new ‘workflow’ features enable ...
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ArticleBinnacle moulding assembly
Telsonic UK’s recent collaborative project with China Tools resulted in the company applying its ultrasonic welding technology to assemble the moulded binnacle for the new Nissan Infinity.The first stage assembly is carried out on a floor-standing machine which incorporates 3 angled, long stroke 20kHz actuators, sequenced and switched using a ...
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ArticleMMM’s new lights and manifolds plant
India – The joint venture operation between Magneti Marelli and Samvardhana Motherson at Bawal will make lighting systems and air intake manifolds for customers in the National Capital Region, Delhi, such as Maruti Suzuki and Honda Motors. It will make up to 1.2m rear lamps and 900,000 manifolds per year.The ...
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ArticleHonda spends $85m at Lincoln
US – The investment is for the first stage of a multi-phase project aimed at improving vehicle manufacturing flexibility and logistical efficiency as well as preparing for future technologies. The initial phase at the Alabama plant, which will involve expansion in assembly, is due to be completed in 2018.“This significant ...
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ArticleFord’s $1.2bn Michigan investments
US – The funds will go towards upgrading Michigan Assembly Plant, increasing capacity at Romeo Engine and developing an advanced data centre. Ford says the investments will help it to “strengthen its leadership in trucks and SUVs and support the company’s expansion to an auto and mobility company”.Ford is spending ...
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ArticleBMW's latest sustainability results
Germany – The OEM’s Sustainable Value Report, published alongside the Annual Report 2016, shows improvements in manufacturing, among other areas. This year the vehicle-maker recorded a drop of 4.9% on average in resource usage and emissions per vehicle produced, compared with 2015.The report also shows that, based on 2006 levels, ...
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ArticleHigh-speed recording camera
With a shock resistance of 100 G’s the fanless EoSens Quad 1.1 high-speed recording camera has been designed to operate in high shock and vibration environments, claims Mikrotron. The company says the Quad 1.1 is suitable for automotive crash test and manufacturing troubleshooting applications.The Quad 1.1 has a 14.9μm 10-bit ...
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ArticleHigh-speed electronic weld head
The Series 300 weld head enables up to three welds per second, with programmable force and weld positions, force and position repeatability, and displacement monitoring, says Amada Miyachi. The company claims it’s suitable for safety critical applications, such as automotive sensors and switches.The company says the unit features a newly ...
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ArticleAfter PSA and Opel, who's next?
The acquisition of Opel/Vauxhall by PSA, which should be complete by the end of this year, took the industry by surprise. With Opel/Vauxhall still losing money in Q3 2016, GM’s chief financial officer, Chuck Stevens, said the company would do what was required to put the situation right. Most observers ...
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Article5-axis, 30-taper, mill-turn centre
Brother has introduced an uprated version of its Speedio M140X1 5-axis, 30-taper mill-turn centre. Called Speedio M140X2, the company says improvements include an integrated, high output, direct drive motor in the C-axis to replace the previous roller drive powering the 2,000rpm turning table. The A-axis trunnion rotates through a 50% ...
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ArticleFineblanking machine
The reinforced model of the XFT 2500speed press offers an effective solution for the special challenges in fineblanking production claims Feintool. The company says this model is equipped with stronger knuckle joints, which increases the press force at the tip to 3000kN (time-limited).It’s claimed that this additional reinforcement makes this ...
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ArticleNew London Taxi plant inaugurated
UK – The £300m ($377.1m) factory at Antsy, Coventry, will be able to produce up to 20,000 range-extended electric vehicles (EVs) per year for global markets. The investment by parent company Geely, the Chinese carmaker, has created over 1,000 jobs, including 200 engineers and 30 apprentices.“The opening of our new ...
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ArticleDaimler now using Schuler laser tech
Germany – The OEM has commissioned two laser blanking lines at its Kuppenheim plant, in place of conventional lines with dies. The equipment will initially be used for the serial production of compact cars but can be quickly reprogrammed for other models in future.In the Schuler system, three laser heads ...
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Valmet to make next-gen Mercedes
Finland – The manufacturing contract is described as being comparable in duration and extent to existing deals for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and GLC SUV. The manufacturing engineering project for compact cars will begin immediately.“The new manufacturing contract takes the cooperation of Valmet Automotive and Daimler to a new level, and ...
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Valmet expands recruitment campaign
Finland – The contract manufacturer is adding 800 roles to 1,000 that were announced in November 2016, as a result of high demand and the finalisation of shift arrangements. The company's largest-ever recruitment campaign will boost the number of employees at Uusikaupunki Plant to almost 3,700 by late 2017.The hiring ...
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ArticleLTC announces van for new factory
UK – Following the official launch of its new facility at Antsy, Coventry, London Taxi Company (LTC) said that a range-extended light commercial vehicle would be the second vehicle to roll off the line after an electric taxi. An additional £25m ($31.5m) from parent company Geely brings the total investment ...
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ArticleNew Bobber a triumph for Avon
UK – The tyre manufacturer has increased volumes of its Cobra product at its Melksham, Wiltshire, factory to match demand for the recently launched Triumph Bonneville Bobber. Each motorcycle of this type leaves the assembly line with bespoke Cobra tyres for the front and rear wheels.Doug Ross, head of Global ...
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No quarteirão
A mistura de abastecimento in-house e externo que OEMs implantam regularmente na produção de motor do veículo tornam a sua cadeia de fornecimento bastante distinta da de todos os outros componentes ao longo da linha de montagem.Motores, seja a diesel ou a gasolina, possuem uma cadeia de suprimentos que é ...
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Ergonomia macro
Ao avaliar centenas de tarefas de montagem por meio de simulação virtual, ergonomistas da Ford têm ajudado a reduzir drasticamente as taxas de lesão por trabalhoAtletas industriais, que é como a Ford carinhosamente chama seus funcionários da linha de montagem. A frase é um reconhecimento da fisicalidade exigida para trabalhar ...
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ArticleBattery box castings
Rheinmetall Automotive says it is supplying components for battery boxes of electric vehicles using its expertise in the manufacture of complex vehicle components in die-cast aluminium.Weighing 9kg, these components serve to hold the rechargeable battery cells installed in an SUV and a high-power sports limousine from a leading German OEM. ...