Automation – Page 205
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High payload robot
ABB has introduced its highest payload, multipurpose industrial robot, the IRB 8700. The company claims this robot has a reach of 3.5 metres and is capable of handling a payload of up to 800kg (1,000kg with the wrist down; 630kg with LeanID).The IRB 8700 has only one motor and one ...
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Additive manufacturing equipment
Trumpf says it is expanding its technology and product range in the field of industrial 3D printers. Along with its established laser metal deposition (LMD) technology the company is now offering a new laser metal fusion (LMF) process.The company says its compact TruPrint 1000 LMF machine can generate parts that ...
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Casting machine for glass encapsulation
BBG and Hennecke claim their Glassline casting machine has specifically been optimised for encapsulating vehicle windows. The companies say the Glassline 650/270, the standard version of the two-component machine, is designed for a maximum output of 650 cm3/s polyol and 270 cm3/s isocyanate. This allows for encapsulating around 80% ...
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JLR confirms new factory at Nitra
Slovakia – The OEM announced that it will become the first British carmaker to open a manufacturing facility in the country, after reaching an agreement with the Slovakian government. A letter of intent had been signed in August for the development of the production facility at Nitra, western Slovakia.The £1 ...
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Photoelectric proximity sensors
SICK says it has included time-of-flight technology in its PowerProx MultiTask photoelectric sensors and also to have increased detection speed. The company says objects being conveyed at high speed, small and flat objects, and jet black and shiny objects can be reliably detected over a high sensing range. It’s ...
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Airbag cutting solutions
Lectra says its new FocusQuantum airbag cutting solution combines high-performance laser cutters for one-piece woven (OPW) and flat airbags, as well as a purpose-built software suite and a full range of value-added professional services.The company claims the integrated software suite eliminates errors throughout the processes, from design to cutting. Following ...
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Polymers with power
Composites are now being explored as alternative materials for engine-cylinder housings and may soon become mainstream – enabling the production of lighter-weight powertrains and more fuel-efficient vehiclesIn as little as three years, automotive engine housings made of polymer materials will start to enter the market as volume production items. That ...
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Webinar
KUKA Webinar: Industry 4.0 - Revolution in robotics
“Industry 4.0” and “internet of things“ will be key to future production concepts for global automotive manufacturing. Mass customisation and built-to-order production concepts are just some of the challenges automotive OEMs will have to address within the next five to ten years.This webinar will discuss how to face these and ...
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Deep draw hydroforming press
Beckwood Press says it has advanced its Triform sheet hydroforming product line with the introduction of several new deep draw models. The company claims the 20-10-10BD, 25-10-12BD and 32-10-12BD models offer improved cycle times resulting from updates to the pressure containment system.Beckwood says every new BD deep draw press comes ...
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Reimold to rule Porsche Production
Germany – Moving from his management responsibilities at the Volkswagen plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, which also makes Porsche Cayenne bodies, Albrecht Reimold will become member of the executive board for Production and Logistics in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. He will replace Oliver Blume, who became chairman of the Porsche executive board in October, ...
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Interview: Markus Fallboehmer, BMW
Having joined the OEM’s Hams Hall team in January 2015, here the plant director discusses the scale of redevelopment which was recently completed to produce the next generation of Efficient Dynamics enginesAMS: Before coming to Hams Hall you worked for BMW in Germany. How are your previous experiences informing ...
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Efficient, dynamic and flexible
As BMW Hams Hall ramps up its manufacture of next-generation engines, AMS becomes the first to take a look at its new production lines – installed as part of the OEM's £750m investment across UK facilities“Our new engine family of highly efficient, three-, four- and six-cylinder engines have a standard ...
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Hot forming aluminium
Following successful tests with high-strength alloys, Schuler says it is now developing hot forming of aluminium sheet for serial production. The company says this newly developed technology for hot forming of aluminium sheet enables the forming of complex shaped parts.With the aid of specially designed forming dies, Schuler claims ...
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Nissan Sunderland starts making Q30
UK – The manufacturing launch follows a £250m ($375m) investment in almost 40,000 sq.m of new facilities at the plant, including a fully automated bodyshop. The workforce has also been expanded by 300 personnel, including master craftspeople.The Q30 is Infiniti’s first compact model and its first vehicle to be manufactured ...
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Webinar
TRUMPF Webinar: Remote Laser Processing - A driver for efficient production and light weight design
The reduction of CO2 emission is still one of the key targets for all major OEMs worldwide. In addition there is an exceptional competitive environment which forces all car makers to offer a diversified product portfolio based on cost efficient design and production.In order to be able to cope with ...
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Webinar
DRAFT - TRUMPF Webinar: Remote Laser Processing - A driver for efficient production and light weight design
The reduction of CO2 emission is still one of the key targets for all major OEMs worldwide. In addition there is an exceptional competitive environment which forces all car makers to offer a diversified product portfolio based on cost efficient design and production.In order to be able to cope with ...
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Lightweight constant velocity joint
GKN Driveline says it has developed a new family of lightweight constant velocity joint (CV joint) systems that it claims enable rear-wheel drive platforms to save more than 4kg of weight.The new VL3 CV joint is claimed to increase torque capacity by up to 27% with no increase in packaging ...
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Ford prepares Kentucky for 2017 Super Duty
US – The OEM is spending $1.5 billion on a new bodyshop, facility upgrades and retooling to support production of the latest F-Series truck. The investment will also create 2,000 jobs.There are now five models in the Super Duty line-up: the XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. The new ...
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Does 3D printing add up?
Additive manufacturing has long assisted prototyping, but OEMs are now exploring its uses in productionA hot topic for a number of years, it now appears that additive manufacturing (3D printing) technologies are starting to be used more widely by a number of automotive OEMs. But while additive manufacturing has been ...
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Ford and UAW ratify new deal
US – The collective bargaining agreement, which covers around 53,000 United Auto Workers (UAW) employees, confirms $9 billion of investments at the OEM’s plants in the country and secures or creates 8,500 hourly jobs. Ford says the new arrangement provides several opportunities to improve its overall productivity.“This agreement enables us ...