Automation – Page 386
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ArticleFederal-Mogul introduces the CrushShield cable protection system
Federal-Mogul has developed a product that will help protect occupants of hybrid and electric vehicles in the event of a crash. The new material, called CrushShield, surrounds and protects electrical cables, keeping the electrical system isolated from the rest of the vehicle.CrushShield is one of the first cable products on ...
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ArticlePerfecting plastic plating
Just as Moldflow has become indispensable to the plastic injection molding industry, so PlatingMaster simulations are becoming the norm for plating on plasticsPlateability and profitThis move has been catalyzed by the US auto industry’s refocus on quality and manufacturing risk elimination.For example, General Motors’ new standard for plated plastic parts ...
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ArticleSKF launches Sound Monitor Kit for easy detection of conveyor faults
SKF has launched its new Idler Sound Monitor Kit. This easy-to-use handheld monitoring device can detect faults in conveyor belt idlers. Conveyor idlers support the length of a conveyor belt and are a common cause of belt damage - and production downtime.The Idler Sound Monitor Kit is ideal for monitoring ...
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ArticleNew CNC controllers from Fanuc
Fanuc has released a selection of new CNC process controllers, Model A, B, C and D.For example, the new Fanuc CNC Series 30i, 31i, 32i Model B Series controllers are ideal for sophisticated and complex machine tools. Features include a large number of axes and multichannel capability. Compared to previous ...
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ArticleBASF Coatings launches new ‘XColors – designed by BASF’ system
‘XColors – designed by BASF’ is described as ‘a unique colour concept bringing together colour trends and paint development’. One segment in the XColors product range is the ‘XFine’ colours. XFine offers strong metallic effects, the result of very fine aluminium particles arranged flat next to each other, producing a ...
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ArticleRofin introduces the FL 030 C fibre laser
The new Rofin FL 030 C fibre laser is a compact version of the company’s existing fibre laser series which has been specially developed for direct integration into existing machine installations. With a maximum power output of 3,000W, the FL 030 C is available as a multi-mode laser with a ...
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ArticleEpson launches new LS6 SCARA robot
Seiko Epson Corporation has introduced the LS6, which within the automotive sector is ideal for companies looking to boost throughput when working with electronics components and other similarly-sized parts.The new LS6 is the latest addition to the LS series of SCARA robots, designed for use in automated assembly and transfer ...
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ArticleSiemens 3SE63 safety switch for safety equipment
Siemens’ Industry Automation Division has launched an electronic contactless safety switch for equipment including covers, flaps and doors.The new 3SE63 safety switch, which uses RFID transponder technology, offers a high level of protection against interference, tampering and bypassing. The safety switch has a plastic enclosure which provides protection up to ...
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ArticleHyperform HPR reinforcing fibre cuts weight and costs
Milliken’s Hyperform HPR high-performance reinforcing agent can produce finished parts with improved stiffness and impact resistance, that weighs less than parts made with talc.Hyperform HPR-803i, which has been launched in all geographic markets, is primarily intended for use in polypropylene compounds, making it of particular interest to companies delivering automobile ...
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ArticleNew era in metal pretreatment
Technical limitations call for a rethinkStable and robust chemistryGrowing number of OEM customersClean green and even coatingAfter almost 100 years of making vehicles, the ever more stringent environmental legislation as well as the trend towards an increased use of light-weight metals are giving phosphating processes a hard time. A new ...
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ArticleESAB launches Hybrio hybrid laser arc welding equipment
ESAB has launched the Hybrio family of hybrid laser arc welding equipment. The units combine the benefits of laser welding and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) to create an automated process that is up to ten times faster than conventional alternatives, with up to 90% less heat input and substantially ...
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ArticleInnovation and partnership
As one of the top three materials suppliers of OEM coatings BASF is not relaxing; it continues to research new products and collaborate with chemical company partnersOn January 1 this year Dr. Alexander Haunschild assumed responsibility for the Automotive OEM Coatings Europe business unit at BASF Coatings.Haunschild faces many challenges; ...
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ArticleVive l’Alliance!
In an exclusive interview with AMS, Bruno Ancelin, General Manager of Renault Russia, describes about how the French carmaker, together with Nissan and AvtoVAZ, is putting in place additional production capacity with the goal of cornering 40% of the Russian passenger car marketLike most of his colleagues at the Renault ...
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ArticleAlliance and expertise from Taikisha in India
Recent alliance with GeicoNew manufacturing facility in Gujarat state2010-2011 - a champion yearThe ILAS system - Impact Blast Washer (quality improvement)No mist painting system (environmental protection)Heat Pump system between PT & ED processes (energy conservation)PCS Flow Control System (energy saving and quality improvement)Lean and green initiatives set to growWith the ...
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ArticleTotal plant management at a glance
As paintshop processes become ever more sophisticated and throughput continues to rise, a holistic approach to visualising and analysing plant operation is called forCentralised and global accessAndon monitoring and energy savingEfficient production processes require continuous monitoring and optimization and manufacturing execution systems (MES) are often used for this task in ...
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ArticleHard pressed benefits
Speed is keyWorking with exoticsFlexibility in production and processPress shop productivity is typically controlled by upstream design decisions, from both a product and process perspective. Therefore, close co-operation between car stylists, bodyin-white engineers and press shop engineers is critical. Here, a number of measures dictate success. Designers must minimize the ...
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ArticleContinuous improvement
While GM Thailand is preparing for production of the second-generation Colorado pickup, Ford is building a new in-country plant that will produce the third-generation Focus. Key personnel from each company talk about how the two carmakers are managing their respective projectsPreparing for the new ColoradoThe decision to automateEngine production at ...
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ArticleLogical work flow
The Bentley factory has seen changes for production of the new Mulsanne, plus various updates to the existing Continental lineBody-in-white processSpecial joint finishingBIW testingLuxury interiorsAssembly line updatesLineside setupFuture perfectIn 2002, Dave Hudson, then Senior Production Manager at Bentley Motors, was part of the team that designed and implemented the production ...
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ArticleGroup dynamics at VW
In an exclusive interview for AMS, Dr Andreas Tostmann, CEO of Volkswagen Slovakia, covers SUV and upcoming small car production at the plant. Plus a report on Audi Q3 production in Martorell, SpainProduction in SlovakiaVehicle and component productionVolkswagon Group global productionAudi Q3 starts volume productionWith almost one in four passenger ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: Process involvement
In a conversation with Stefan Heulsenburg at this year’s AMS China conference, the vice-president of manufacturing at BMW Brilliance noted that factory workers at the plant did not earn enough to be able to afford a new car. Not a BMW, of course, but any new car.Although this is perhaps ...