Automation – Page 279
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ArticleDaimler acquires lithium-ion battery manufacturers
Germany – The vehicle-maker will become the sole owner of Li-Tec Battery and Deutsche ACCUmotive after buying all of the shares held by Evonik (50.1% and 10% respectively). Details of the acquisition have not been released. Daimler and Evonik previously collaborated on developing the serial production of lithium-ion battery cells ...
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ArticleHankook’s Ventus S1 evo2 set for BMW 4-Series Coupe
Germany – The UHP tyre will be fitted as original equipment after Hankook was selected by BMW as a supplier for its new model. The tyres will be provided in size 225/50 R 17 W.The 4-Series Coupe will be the sixth BMW model to be produced with Hankook tyres, after ...
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ArticleHow an i3 is born
At a cost of €400m, BMW has expanded in Leipzig so that its new, “born electric” models can be made in a simpler and more modern way than conventional vehiclesIn this article...CFRP productionMaking thermoplasticsBodyshopBody assemblyDrivetrain assemblyMarriage and final assemblyWhat does the future of mobility look like? BMW asked itself this ...
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Daihatsu announces new COPEN technology
Japan – The structure of the updated COPEN, called the ‘D-Frame’, will consist of an advanced framework of resin outer body panels, providing rigidity but also freedom of materials and design. The DRESSFORMATION interior and exterior components can be selected by customers to suit their preferences.The new-concept D-Frame chassis, with ...
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ArticleContiTech buys Inotec and PTG
Germany – The two companies, which are long-time suppliers to the tyre manufacturer, have expertise in blow-moulding technology. Continental says the acquisition will create a new technology centre for its blow-molding business, complementing the in-house machine and plant engineering team at ContiMachinery.“The market for plastic charge-air hoses and clean-air hoses ...
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ArticleAutomated welding tip & gas nozzle changer
Carl Cloos claims that its SpareMatic tool eliminates non-productive time on robot-welding systems, caused by replacing worn welding components. Using an automatic, operator-free process the changer replaces the wearing parts of the torch with new ones. The company says an integrated torch cleaner and measurement module offer improved welding results ...
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ArticleHigh-volume production hydroforming press
A new four-column hydroforming press system designed for running high-volume production and reducing cycle times has been introduced by Interlaken Technology.The company says it offers this new hydroforming press system in clamp forces from 250 to 5,000 tons. It features multi-channel closed loop control system which can be programmed to ...
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ArticleNew solid wire bulk packaging
ESAB says its new Jumbo Marathon Pac 2 is a GMAW bulk wire drum system suitable for continuous, high-volume welding applications.The company claims this wire drum system features an all-new de-coiling system that reduces feeding stops for continuous, trouble-free operation. Available in an “endless” version to form a continuous, in-line ...
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ArticleZF stops making six-speed automatic transmission
Germany – The last such transmission for passenger cars, in this case a Jaguar model, rolled off the assembly line at the company’s Saarbrücken plant earlier this month, bringing the total to more than 7m produced over the past 13 years.The six-speed automatic transmission entered into production in 2001. Michael ...
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MMPC acquires old Ford site at Santa Rosa
The Philippines – The 21-hectare manufacturing plant in the Greenfield Automotive Park will enable Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) to relocate from its existing 18-hectare facility in Cainta. The acquisition is part of the Japanese parent company’s strategy to boost sales and production capacity up to the end of fiscal ...
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ArticleOpel pours €245m into Ruesselsheim
Germany – The investment, equivalent to $337m, will be used to build another model in addition to the four Insignia variants and the Zafira Tourer which will be produced at the plant from January 2015. Details of the vehicle will be announced toward the end of this year.Ruesselheim has also ...
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VW, SAIC and FAW to develop ‘green’ models
Germany/China – Volkswagen announced that it will work more closely with its joint venture partners on “forward-looking technologies”. The further development of eco-friendly models and a joint research project has been agreed with Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW), while the development and production of a new, ‘greener’ model in China will be ...
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ArticleFord invests $500m in Ohio engine plant
US – The vehicle-maker is upgrading its facility in Lima to support production of the new 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine for the 2015 F-150; the workforce will also be increased by 300 from the current 900.The new investment follows the previous announcement this month that early next year Ford will shift ...
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ArticleChrysler’s Windsor plant achieves WCM first
Canada – The vehicle-maker’s assembly site in Ontario has been awarded silver status after implementing the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) strategy which is designed to increase productivity, reduce waste and improve quality and safety. Chrysler says this is the highest ranking of any of its North American manufacturing facilities.WCM was ...
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ArticleBMW expands in South Carolina
US – The OEM will spend $1billion up to 2016 in order to double the annual production capacity at its Spartanburg plant to 450,000 vehicles. According to Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the board of management of BMW, the expansion is intended to meet “strong global demand” for the X models.Spartanburg ...
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ArticleSeat confirms it will produce its first ever SUV
Spain – Seat says it has been working on the design and development of the compact SUV model at its Martorell facility for almost two years. The new model is planned to come to market in 2016. Seat chairman Jürgen Stackmann commented. “The SUV is an important pillar in the ...
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VW reshuffles production management
Germany – Frank Fischer, currently head of the company’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will take over as manager at Emden after Jens Herrman was named plant manager and head of production at Wolfsburg. Herrman replaces Siegfried Fiebig, who becomes management spokesperson at Sachsen. Christian Koch will lead Chattanooga, after serving ...
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ArticleRenault-Nissan to merge key business units
The Netherlands – In its 15th anniversary year, the Alliance is to embark on what it says is a “significant wave of integration”. The two companies will merge Engineering, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Purchasing and HR from April. A new management committee will oversee the implementation, while an Alliance ...
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ArticleMazda’s overseas production increases
Japan – Last month, the OEM recorded a 6.2% rise in production year-on-year, with Mazda6 output amounting to 5,539 units (+28.3%). Mazda3 output increased by 25.1% to 3,966 vehicles. Also overseas, the company produced 4,114 units of its CX-5 model.Meanwhile, domestic production decreased by 1.5% due to lower output of ...
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ArticleBorgWarner to expand powertrain centre
US – The 46,000 sq. ft addition to the company’s Auburn Hills facility in Michigan, which was originally opened in 2002, will support programmes in North America plus a global network of technical centres. The Powertrain Technical Center will accommodate 200 engineering personnel, programme managers and sales staff once it ...