Automation – Page 396
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Article
Ghosn re-elected as Renault’s chairman and chief executive
Paris, France – Carlos Ghosn has been re-elected as Renault’s chairman and chief executive officer for a four-year period. Senior boardmembers were also appointed for fouryear terms.In a speech following the announcement, Ghosn said that he expects Renault to return to profit in 2011, and anticipates the company repaying its ...
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ArticleReality meets potential
GM production set-upModulesGoing globalRapid responseImplementing efficienciesEngine and chassis productionBrazilian manufacturing chiefs from GM, PSA and Daimler reveal the key factors supporting record production figures - and whether those numbers are sustainableThe retail prices of new cars in Brazil have, like a lot of other products, been on the increase. But ...
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ArticleToxic haste
Suzuki tackles boron and fluorine leakageBMW implements water management strategiesLife after vehicle manufacturingDecontaminating waste water with sunlightThe clean-up of old – and even bomb-damaged – vehicle plants is a challenge for OEMs. The former Zastava car production facility, now located in Serbia, has only recently been cleaned in arguably the ...
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ArticleGreen materials from start to finish
Lightweighting by JSPEnvironmental swings and roundaboutsMaterial reuse at FordRecycling carbon fibreThe bigger pictureFlexible polymerThe quest for higher quality at the same price point or retained quality at a lower cost has driven the automotive industry forward for a century. Yet in recent times, the game has dramatically changed. Through a ...
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ArticleAutomated fluid management
High-pressure situationsThe daily grindWith virtually all machine shops scrutinising costs, ways to make coolants and cutting fluids go further have taken a much higher priority. One such method is automated filtration and recycling.The inherent nature of cutting metal using machine tools leads to the ingress of contaminants such as chips, ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: History lessons
Although collectively they have been more tragedy than success, tie-ups, alliances and cross-investment strategies are again gaining favour in the automotive sector. In a rudimentary way, such deals make sense; spreading the cost of technology development, platform sharing and joint vehicle production can save on investment while increasing turnover.The TPCA ...
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ArticleFive-axis volumetric error compensation from MAG
MAG has launched what the company claims to be the industry’s fastest volumetric error compensation (VEC) system, capable of simultaneously analyzing and correcting positioning errors in all machine-tool axes. The MAG VEC technology reduces the time required to determine error compensations from days to hours, integrating both linear and rotary ...
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ArticleMotoman MH-series robots
Motoman describes its new range of high-speed MH-series robots as having an extremely fl exible design, allowing them to be used in a variety of applications. These include coating, dispensing, material cutting, handling and welding. The long reach of the MH50 model (and the extended reach of the MH50-35 and ...
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ArticleLineside matting solution from Plastex
To help alleviate the dual problems of standing fatigue and slipping, Plastex offers its Vynagrip matting. The fl oor covering is suitable for use where workers are standing at specifi c production areas or workstations.Modules of Vynagrip matting, available in a range of sizes, are fi tted with PVC nosing ...
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ArticleDürr launches the EcoBell3 paint atomizer
Dürr has launched its new EcoBell3 atomizers for the electrostatic application of water-based paints in conjunction with external charging. The performance of this atomizer is said to surpasses its predecessor, offering new features that not only lead to minimal loss during colour changes and shortened color change times, but also ...
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ArticleNew SLG sensors from Sick
Sick has announced the launch of its new ´SLG´ family of non-safety, through-beam light grids. The SLG is said to be the slimmest light grid available, using 8mm for the optics. As such, the SLG can be hidden inside machines, frames and doors. In addition to its small size and ...
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ArticleKabelschlepp introduces new modular conveyor
Smooth transport of parts between processes can be decisive in determining fi nal part quality in production of stamped parts. To assist in this, Kabelschlepp has introduced a new parts conveyor for use with stamping machines, while also adding a modular version of its hinged belt conveyor. The new conveyor ...
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Article
QuietDose from Howard Leight by Sperian
Existing noise measurement devices only sample ambient sound, forcing employers to estimate workplace noise levels and base hearing protection on potentially fl awed conclusions. This can endanger employee hearing and risk violating regulatory codes. QuietDose, produced by Howard Leight by Sperian, is said to be the only personal dosimeter that ...
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ArticleFast solutions for hard materials
Hard done byRF improvementsWith hardened parts increasingly being called on to provide the long service lives demanded by consumers, ways to improve the efficiency of hard turning and grinding processes are high on the agenda for many automotive manufacturing engineers. Auto components such as bearings, transmission gears, injector nozzles, shafts, ...
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ArticleEisenmann introduces the E-Shuttle paintshop conveyor
The new E-Shuttle paintshop conveyor system from Eisenmann combines dipping electric monorail systems (EMS), heavy-duty EMS and the VarioShuttle. The result is a highly-fl exible system which offers individually programmable dipping curves and process times for each basin. The rotary principle allows every possible mode of operation to be achieved, ...
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ArticleStandard processes: future potential
Age of the robotAutomated tool monitoringNegotiating obstaclesSmart or ‘Smirt’?The mathematics behind the choice to automate machining operations like milling and turning make financial sense; robots work 24-hours per day with very few sick days; they cut associated labour costs while allowing redeployment of machine tenders; they complete potentially dangerous tasks ...
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ArticleAutomatica preview: Handling with care
Beckhoff, Hall A2, Stand 103Carl Zeiss, Hall A2, Stand 309Cloos, Hall B2, Stand 329DSM Messtechnik, Hall A1, Stand 506EWAB, Hall B1, Stand 117Festo, Hall B1, Stand 309Fronius, Hall A2, Stand 308Matrix Vision, Hall B2, Stand 303Schmersal, Hall A2, Stand 303Automatica 2010, the trade fair for automation and mechatronics, will be ...
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Article
Angelo heads the Toyota Quality Task Force
Toyota City, Japan – Steve St. Angelo, EVP for Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, will head the company’s North American Quality Task Force, responsible for ensuring product quality at the automaker.The move follows CEO Akio Toyoda’s earlier promise to the US Congress to create such a position.www.toyota.com
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ArticleVariations on a colour theme
Limitless possibilitiesPSA’s Pierre Budar explains how production of the new Citroën DS3 hatchback has been organised to allow for the car’s twotone paint finish.The DS3 is the first model in Citroën’s new line which will ultimately feature three distinctively styled cars; DS3, DS4 and DS5. Key to their appeal is ...
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Article
Goudriaan joined Bosal Group as their CEO
Liege, Belgium – Emissions control equipment supplier Bosal Group has appointed Aad L Goudriaan as new CEO. Goudriaan joins the company from DAF Trucks, where he held various managerial positions before being appointed company president in 2004.Replacing Goudriaan at DAF is Harrie Schippers, who was previously the truckmaker’s director of ...