Automation – Page 379
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ArticleChallenges in China
Labour and automationBAIC: growth by acquisitionStepped expansionBYD – electric partnerships as sales struggleNew partnership of quality and classChery’s blossoming abroadIncentives and disincentivesGreat WallGuangzhou Automobile Group Motor CompanyPowertrain partnersOn a recent trip to China, Simon Duval Smith met with many car makers, domestic and joint venture companies to find out about ...
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ArticleEngine downsizing at Ford and VW
Ford EcoBoostVolkswagen EA211 enginesComponent optimisationDual-loop coolingLess frictionModular matrixEngine downsizing has gone some way to achieving the ideal combination of performance and efficiency. However, this concept presents challenges in both the design and production of the engines. To achieve greater efficiency the engines have to become physically smaller and lighter whileproducing ...
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ArticleRecovering from a fall across North America
Flexible thinkingThe United StatesDeveloping production facilitiesSuccessful transplantsCanadaNational auto policyMore focus on exportsMexico stands up The secret of success The future is brightAMS explores the lessons that were learned from the 2008 economic collapse and how the American, Canadian and Mexican automotive manufacturing industries have used them to move forward. Long ...
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Editor's Note: Focus on flexibility
Volatile markets are a cause for concern for Chinese OEMs and their joint venture partners. Although it has been the global economic success story of recent years, the days of ‘explosive’ growth are probably over for the Chinese car market. This was one of the themes to come out of ...
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ArticleRe-defining efficiency through 3D measurement
The FARO Laser Tracker is an extremely accurate, portable coordinate measuring machine that enables you to build products, optimise processes, and deliver solutions by measuring quickly, simply and precisely.Customers around the world are using the FARO Laser Tracker to solve their everyday measurement challenges as well as their most complex ...
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ArticleThe speed of light has brought carbon a long way
Slashing cycle timesAutomatic for the peopleBeyond supercarsCarbon fibre has come a long way in the 30 years since it was first used for a car’s chassis, but cost and production time have restricted more widesepread production. However, both of those issues are being overcome.When John Barnard and Ron Dennis of ...
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Small... but perfectly formed coordinate measurements
The new MICURA coordinate measuring machine from Carl Zeiss meets user demands for smaller coordinate measuring machines that are as accurate as their larger relatives. It is priced lower than the company’s larger machines but has a measuring range of 500 x 500 x 500 millimeters, and uses a VAST ...
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Flexible safety controller expands to bridge the gap
Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced a new a compact and fl exible stand-alone programmable safety controller with an expansion port that enables it to grow with the application. The device provides four redundant safe inputs and two independent safe electronic outputs. It runs on standard 24 VDC and allows any safe device ...
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New heavy duty toggle clamps
A new series of manual toggle clamps from DE-STA-CO are engineered for heavy-duty applications and feature forged clamping bars for high strength, hardened steel bushings and non-rotating pivot pins. They incorporate the company’s Toggle Lock Plus safety feature that adds a secondary lock to the clamp to help ensure that ...
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New-look network monitoring
Patlite’s new NHL intelligent signal tower with network monitoring function allows economical control of the functions of up to 24 network components for each signal tower. Used as a PING device monitor it detects whether all network components are connected with the network by initiating PING interactions for up to ...
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Free safety control software from Omron STI
The company is offering free G9SP programming software for customers who make one or more purchases of multiple G9SP safety controllers before May 31. The software enables users to easily design, verify, standardise and reuse safety control, while also making it easy to reconfi gure G9SP safety controllers when new ...
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Spatter protection in hollow workpieces
Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik has developed a system to avoid spatter residues in component interiors created when hollow workpieces, in particular pipes, are welded together. This spatter protection tool is particularly effective for welding hydraulic cylinders using the MSG laser hybrid process. The new system is based on a 3D suspended ...
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Safety light curtains detect fork lift trucks
SICK has added a new fork lift truck (FLT) detection capability to its M4000 light curtain range to permit pallet loading and unloading into light guarded areas, while protecting the safety of personnel. The M4000 FLT multiple light beam entry and exit protection system is supplied with an FLT ground ...
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New motorised weld head from Miyachi
Miyachi Europe has unveiled its new low force MFP-25 servo weld head with linear drive, for use in the AWS3 Active Welding System. The MFP-25 is particularly suitable for such applications as automotive sensors and airbags. The weld head is servo motor-driven for very short cycle times and uses a ...
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New 8-pole Circular Hybrid Technology (CHT) connectors from Molex
Molex Incorporated has expanded its Brad Micro-Change M12 Circular Hybrid Technology (CHT) Connector System with the addition of a new 8-pole (4+4) connector featuring two Cat5e twisted-pair data lines and four power lines capable of carrying up to 6.0A. The company says combining power and data lines into one connector, ...
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ArticlePlastic in flux as usage stalls
Reduced demand?Innovation in seatingRecyclingNew technologies and processesHow to handle a polymerUnderhood, mechanical and bodyworke-vehicles: challenge and opportunityThe advance of engineering plastics such as PA6 and PA66 polyamides, the improvement in touch and feel, and the development of engineering materials with high heat tolerance, rigidity, impact strength and corrosion resistance, has ...
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ArticleSolutions on show at Automatica
The potential of the robotic co-workerAutomotion and the challenge of alternative power sourcesMaterial gainsMan and machineThis year’s Automatica, taking place in Munich from 22025 May, will allow visitors can follow complete value-added chains—from components to system, and from application to services—to gain a comprehensive view of new developments and their ...
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ArticleGathering green intelligence in Hannover
Cross-disciplinary thinking to the foreManaging assetsInfrastructure developmentA focus on trends and solutions for sustainable industrial production was a central theme promoted by this year’s Hannover Messe organizers. The Green Intelligence concept formed a backdrop to many displays from various industrial sectors. Visitors were invited to consider the challenges of an ...
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ArticleGetting the right formula in machining
Critical partnershipsFast and furiousThe path to redemptionFirst-rate spindle technology is only one element of a four-part formula leading to optimised machining. As important as the machine tool might be, only the application of the right tooling, coolant strategy and cutting paths will offer up the desired outcome. Neglecting these is ...
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ArticleNew matrix resin for composite making
For the resin transfer molding process, Henkel has developed a new composite matrix resin based on polyurethane that enables improved economics and throughput in processing. Compared to standard epoxy matrix resins, the new Loctite MAX2 cures signifi cantly faster.During injection, it also enables more effi cient impregnation without stressing the ...