Automation – Page 370
-
Article
Gerris takes the Bentley Motors regional director post
UK – Bart Gerris has been appointed as Bentley Motors regional director for Europe.In the role, Gerris will head up European operations for Bentley Motors and will be based in Crewe, England.Bart joins Bentley from PGA Netherlands where he held the post of chief operating offi cer for almost fi ...
-
Article
Rivoal becomes president of Volkswagen France
Germany – Jacques Rivoal (54) became president of Volkswagen Group France at the beginning of 2013, taking over from Marie Christine Caubet (61) who has retired.Rivoal joined Volkswagen in 2010 from Renault-Nissan, where he was general manager for Germany. Prior to taking over at VW France he was head of ...
-
Article
Verrier promoted to president and CEO of BorgWarner
USA – James R. Verrier (49) became president and CEO of BorgWarner at the beginning of 2013, stepping up from his previous position as COO.Former chairman and CEO Timothy M. Manganello will continue as executive chairman until his planned retirement in April.www.borgwarner.com
-
Article
D-SNAP technical guide book
FDB says its D-SNAP technology handbook illustrates how this fixing and assembly system for the sheet metal and panel building industries can provide an alternative to traditional fastening methods.The company says the system has the potential for use in a number of other areas including industrial machinery, HVAC equipment and ...
-
Article
Bearings to prevent mechanical breakdown in linear guide systems
Linear bearings supplier igus UK has produced drylin T, a range of linear guide systems that it says are chip and debris resistant, maintenance free and 100% lubrication free.The products’ design consists of six sliding pads made from the iglidur J plastic bearing material and a rail and carriage made ...
-
ArticleIn the groove at John Deere
Cutting timeInterpolation turningTwo grooves - one stepAt its factory in Mannheim, Germany, John Deere assembles 40,000 tractors each year for sale around the world. It also produces a wide range of gearbox components and housings, and the company is constantly seeking ways of optimising the manufacturing techniques it uses for ...
-
ArticleAutomated balancing act
With ABB robots and a new material from 3M, Esys Automation claims it is now bringing automated processes to wheel balancingIn tyre and wheel assembly there aren’t a lot of game-changing advances you can point to that have completely altered the paradigm for how wheels get fastened to cars and ...
-
ArticleThe law is an asset
The legal framework for control of waste, emissions and the handling of hazardous substances is not just a burden – it also sets a much-desired, international, ‘level playing field’.Environmental legislation has real teeth. Executives of companies that pollute the land, air and (especially) water supply can find themselves in serious ...
-
ArticleA cleaner legacy
The repercussions of toxic chemical and metal use keep coming, but this legacy is being dealt with and can be prevented reports Ruari McCallionThe automotive industry has been heavily involved in reducing pollution as legislation, consumer movements and competitive pressures have led to massive reductions in the amount of toxicity ...
-
ArticleTrue to form for IAC
Ford’s new compact MPV’s architecture is unique and required a high-quality cockpit solution. Simon Duval Smith travelled to Romania for the launch of an exciting new moulding process at supplier IACThe B-Max features 1.5 metres of unobstructed access to the cabin, its central body pillar uniquely integrated into the hinged ...
-
ArticlePlastics evolution
Lightweight and strong, plastic composites are increasingly used in automotive manufacturing but is Henry Ford’s all-plastic car concept coming any nearer to reality, asks Malcolm WheatleyLocated in a leafy suburb of the Canadian capital of Ottawa, the country’s National Research Council (NRC) is one of the world’s premier scientific and ...
-
ArticleIt all adds up
Steed Webzell reports on the evolution of additive manufacturing techniques as they become more valuable in the product development processAnyone labouring under the misapprehension that additive manufacturing (AM) is still a conceptual technology should think again. For instance, according to the Wohlers Report 2011, AM is already a US$1.8 billion ...
-
ArticleA gauge of quality
Digital modelling and laser measurement are just some of the technologies being used to prove the latest vehicle systems and maintain quality, writes Mike FarishProtean Electric’s product validation manager Mark McDonnell has a 90-strong team working to bring to the market an in-wheel electric drive system in which motor, inverter ...
-
ArticleHigh speed design
Mike Farish looks at some examples of how CAD systems have become an indispensible part of vehicle manufacturingAston Martin Racing (AMR) based in Banbury, Oxfordshire is an autonomous design operation that effectively uses the [Aston Martin] road car designs as a starting point to create heavily modified vehicles for quite ...
-
ArticleDigital comes to life
Steed Webzell reviews advanced digital reality technologies available for automotive manufacturers looking to expedite product developmentFor modern automotive manufacturers who must deliver high levels of innovation and flexibility in shorter cycles at the lowest cost and highest quality, digital manufacturing tools present a significant opportunity to improve productivity, streamline compliance ...
-
Article
Small motoring dynamometers for automotive
The MicroDyne series of small motoring dynamometers is suitable for a range of automotive testing applications, claims SAKOR Technologies.The company says it is capable of testing all types of small rotary devices such as motors, pumps, generators and compressors. The MicroDyne is a four-quadrant dynamometer engineered specifi cally for low ...
-
Article
Production scheduling software now in German
Preactor International says it is now offering a free, downloadable software package that allows companies to schedule production to make optimum use of finite resources.Preactor Express is a fully-functioning, entry-level version of the Preactor family of scheduling products, aimed at small to medium-sized companies.All product information such as routing (operational ...
-
Article
Tandem welding process
Fronius says its CMT Twin tandem welding process lets users exploit two cold-metal-transfer (CMT) processes, or combine a CMT process with a GMA pulsed-arc welding process.The system features the configuration and synchronised start-up of two separately controllable power sources, two wire electrodes and a gas nozzle, combined with the CMT ...
-
ArticleEngine room of Toyota UK
AMS interviewed Richard Kenworthy, director engine manufacturing division and Tony Walker, deputy managing director corporate, production control, to find out more about operations at Toyota’s Deeside engine plant.AMS: Can you explain how Toyota’s philosophy of continuous development in its manufacturing processes is carried out and outline what Deeside contributed to ...
-
Article
Non-contact power steering torque sensor
Designed to sense very small differential angles, the new TT electronics SX-4428 Magnetorque II non-contact steering torque sensor is based on Hall Effect technology.The free floating torque rotor within the device offers infinite rotational life claims the company.The new sensor enables the end user to program output levels and reduce ...