Automation – Page 314
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ArticleAutomatic rotary changer for laser robots
Developments to Trumpf’s TruLaser Robot 5020 include an automatic rotary changer with turning axis which allows the operator to set up the next part in the changer as another part is being welded, reducing downtime to a minimum.Safety light beams and a system of sensors protect the operator during set-up. ...
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ArticleHi-tech cutting tool material
Becker Diamantwerkzeuge has undertaken extensive tests allow it to use new laser technology for PCD compound cutting-tool materials, in addition to solid PCD diamond processing, it says.The company claims the use of laser technology in the production of cutting edges increases their lifetime twofold compared to the commonly used grinding ...
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ArticlePotential for aluminium in high volume
When, at a demonstration of the new Range Rover Sport, the presenter talked about it being in excess of 25% stiffer than its predecessor, the point was made by forcing the vehicle’s front right wheel off the ground, tilting the whole thing across its diagonal axis and banging it back ...
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ArticleSimulation stimulates Ford's improvement
Mike Farish reports on Ford’s use of computer simulation to develop its manufacturing processesBefore any new engine goes into production within the Ford organisation in Europe, essential details about it will come to John Ladbrook’s team, based at the company’s Dunton Research Centre in the UK. Ladbrook is a simulation ...
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ArticleFreeform flexibility in stamping dies
Ford’s 3FT may one day provide prototype variations without the need for dies and stamping, AMS reportsStamping out sheet metal parts for production vehicles in a fullscale automotive manufacturing environment can be a matter of just a few seconds per part. Making the dies in which the parts are stamped ...
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ArticleFirst for Fiesta
Glenn Brooks talks to the man in charge at Ford’s Cologne manufacturing plant to find out what impact the company’s restructuring in Europe has had at the facility.A Ford veteran of 30 years, as plant manager at Ford Cologne Karl Anton finds himself in charge of a facility running at ...
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Jobs added on production anniversary for Nissan in US
USA – In conjunction with the recent 30th anniversary of its Smyrna, Vehicle Assembly Plant, Nissan has added more than 900 manufacturing jobs to support future production of the Rogue. This marks the first time it has been produced in the United States.Throughout the last 30 years, the Nissan Smyrna ...
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Kia Sorento SXL represents 1m US-built vehicles
USA: Kia’s West Point, Georgia manufacturing facility saw the one-millionth vehicle – a Sorento SXL – roll off the assembly line.Representing an initial investment of $1 billion, mass production of the Sorento CUV began at the plant in 2009.A $100m expansion completed in early-2012 increased the plant's annual capacity ...
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ArticleSystem improvements in automated welding
An improved tandem welding process, with a new torch and matched QINEO tandem welding power sources, has been developed by Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik.The QINEO CHAMP AC generates an alternating current with a special pulse form for optimum control of the welding process.Also available is a laser hybrid welding and cutting ...
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ArticleCAM machining software additions
SolidCAM’s 2013 SP2 software has more than 100 new enhancements across all its modules, including the improved handling of large models, with faster facet generation resulting in reductions in programming time for big CAM-parts.In addition to this, the company says new toolbox operations have been added to the 2.5D milling ...
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ArticleVauxhall celebrates two manufacturing milestones
UK – The 250,000th Astra Sports Tourer has been produced at Ellesmere Port and Luton has built its 900,000th Vivaro-type van.Both plants have been allocated new products securing production into the next decade. Ellesmere Port was awarded the accolade of lead European manufacturing plant for the next generation Astra.The Luton ...
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ArticleBig numbers for Skoda engine and car production
Czech Republic – Skoda has built the eleven-millionth engine in its corporate history – an EA211 series 1.4 TSI motor.Currently producing 1.2- and 1.4-litre versions of the EA211 and EA111 engine series, the Mladá Boleslav plant’s 3,600 employees manufacture up to 4,400 units every day.The manufacturer says it will continue ...
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ArticleHigh-speed torque sensor for electric motor and generator testing
Kistler’s type 4503A torque sensor has been designed to provide a flexible instrument for use at rotational speeds of up to 50,000rpm with a choice of fourteen measuring ranges, from 0.2–5,000Nm, says the company.Additional benefits are: two switchable ranges, with the second being either 1:10 or 1:5 of the rated ...
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Porsche hits half-million mark at Leipzig
Germany – The 500,000th Cayenne has rolled off the assembly line at Porsche’s Leipzig plant. “We started with around 70 units a day. Today we produce five times as much, owing to the high market demand.In the past year alone, over 83,000 Cayenne vehicles for customers in more than 125 ...
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ArticleVariety of large parts honed to perfection
The SV-20 honing system is a large-part machine with a true linear, vertical, servo-stroking system to produce precision bore geometries on automotive/truck blocks and similar parts, its maker says.Sunnen Products says the machine is equipped with a variable-speed 15-550rpm, 4.1kW (5.5hp) spindle motor to drive two-stage, metal-bond, diamond abrasives for ...
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ArticleMazda’s Hofu plants celebrate building 10m cars
Japan – Some 30 years after vehicle manufacturing first began at the Hofu Plant No.1, total production has passed 10m vehicles. Full-scale production at Plant No. 1 started in September 1982.Plant No.2 began operating in February 1992 with a flexibleproduction capability for vehicle bodies and modular assembly systems on a ...
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ArticleThe hardened facts
Some OEMs have been quick to take press hardening under their own roof. AMS asks what is still to come for the technique.Press hardening is the integration of a hot-metal forming procedure in which the material, until very recently some grade of boron steel, is heated to a very high ...
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ArticleProductive partnership for Audi in China
Germany/China – As well as delivering its two-millionth car in China (a locally produced Audi A6) Audi has celebrated the 25th jubilee of its partnership with First Automotive Works (FAW).Celebrations took place in the grounds of the future production site for the Audi A3 Sedan and Sportback in Foshan, which ...
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ArticleCompact transfer system allows for space and time savings
Schuler’s new Intra Trans transfer system transports parts by carriages mounted on the transfer rails within the press rather than through the press window, allowing the full width of the window to be used for material feeding so larger parts can be produced on the same press.The Intra Trans can ...
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ArticleRobotic machine tending software solution
The new robotic machine-tending software solutions from ABB are said to deliver flexibility and ease-of-use for applications from die-casting to injection molding and machining. The company says cycle times, postprocessing capabilities and potential risks for collisions can be simulated virtually by the software.The PC-based RobotStudio Machine Tending PowerPac and the ...