Automation – Page 401
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ArticleNew power delivery
Mild hybridsA different takeBeyond series takeLimited resourcesAny vehicle that has two or more sources for its driving power can be referred to as a ‘hybrid’, but carmakers are employing three general hybrid types. A mild hybrid is a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine (ICE) that may turn itself ...
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ArticleAluminium clean up for Alcoa and BMW
Supercar weight savingAn environmentally-friendly solutionAluminium in powertrain applications has not always followed a logical evolution. The 1961 F-85 Oldsmobile all-aluminium V8 was quickly replaced by a cast-iron V8 in 1965 as the company perfected thin-wall iron casting techniques, while the BMW S54B32 engine used in the company’s performance-orientated M Cars ...
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ArticleForging ahead to reduce waste
Alcoa helps reduce the weightLife cycle assessmentCorrect tool selection builds efficiencySolving large part size issuesBuilding value into raw castsBlast finishing for complex castsOver 90% of manufacturers across all industries rely on metal castings or forgings for production of their engineered goods. Automotive industry castings are worth around $28 billion annually, ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: Opportunity knocks
Official attendance figures have yet to be released for EMO Milan, the Italian leg of the biennial metalworking event, but the numbers are unlikely to make happy reading. On the ground the crowd appeared thin, and although visitor numbers did appear to improve as the week progressed, it was a ...
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ArticleThermal camera from SKF
SKF has launched the TKTI 10, a low cost, easy-to-use two-megapixel digital camera that also offers thermal imaging. Suitable for use by automotive engineers and maintenance technicians with limited knowledge of thermal imaging, the new thermal camera looks and operates like a standard digital camera, but further allows thermal and ...
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ArticleMaster Bond introduces new polyethylene adhesive
Master Bond MB514 polyethylene adhesive addresses the bonding challenges presented by non-polar and low-energy polyolefi n surfaces.Typically, a pre-treatment stage, which may include fl ame treatment, etching or roughening, is required before being able to bond polyolefi n substrates. Specially formulated to eliminate this time-consuming operation, the MB514 polyolefi n-based ...
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ArticleNew Epson C3 series robots
Epson has introduced the new C3 series to its range of six-axis vertically-articulated robots. The new model, which is billed as combining best-in-class speed and accuracy in a slim body, returns average cycle times in the 0.3 second range (1kg load), with repeatability of ±0.02mm.The C3 series is the fi ...
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Article
Carl Zeiss releases Metrotom 800 CMM
The new Metrotom 800 tomograph was specifi cally developed for 3D measurements and structural inspections of complex parts made of plastic, composite materials and ceramic. With the help of ‘metrotomography’ – the combination of metrology and tomography – this measuring system enables both the dimensional measurement of the geometry and ...
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ArticleMotoman launches new VS50 spotwelding robot
Motoman has introduced the new seven-axis VS50 ‘Versatile Spot’ welding robot, designed to optimize automotive applications using DC spot guns with compact servo actuators. According to Motoman, the VS50 robot can be placed in close proximity to workpieces and other robots to create fl exible, high-density layouts, This can eliminate ...
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ArticleWelding wonderland
‘Olympics of Welding Technology’Trumpf, Hall 3.0, Stand 154Carl Cloos, Hall 3.0, Stand 547Fronius, Hall 3.0, Stand 302/3043M, Hall 1.0, Stand 217Sperian Welding Protection, Hall 3.0, Stand 318Schweissen & Schneiden, which translates to ‘welding and cutting’, is one of the most important shows for automotive technicians looking to peruse the latest ...
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ArticleTooling gets tough
As the EMO tooling expo makes its biennial location switch from Germany to Italy, Julian Buckley looks at what buyers, exhibitors and attendees can expect at this year’s event.DMG, Hall 4, Stand TBASchenck, Hall and Stand TBAPrima Industrie, Hall 18, Stand C14/C16Hardinge Inc, Hall 6, Stand L13Haas Automation, Hall 4, ...
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ArticleRust never sleeps
With five and seven year corrosion warranties being offered on many cars, the need for e-coat protection has never been greater Always aheadProtection and support with a global reachFor over 40 years, e-coats have been protecting cars from corrosion. BASF Coatings has now landed a coup with CathoGuard 800 and ...
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ArticleFronius technology saves GM time and money
The best Astra quality in EuropeMain joining technologyBridging wide gapsSuccessful technology with multiple usesBottleneck at doorRecognition for FroniusGeneral Motors’ Ellesmere Port facility manufactures the Astra model for a variety of markets, badged Vauxhall, Opel, Holden and Chevrolet. One of the defining features of the plant is its vertical integration – ...
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Article
Kidder will be Chairman of Chrysler Group
Detroit, MI. – C. Robert Kidder, former Chairman of Borden Chemical and of Duracell International will succeed Robert L. Nardelli as Chairman of Chrysler Group on completion of its acquisition of the operating assets of Chrysler and once it completes a global alliance with Fiat SpA.www.chrysler.com
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Article
Kant retires from his position but stays within Tata as Non-Executive Vice-Chairman
Mumbai, India – Ravi Kant, Managing Director of Tata Motors, has retired from his position. Kant will remain with Tata as Non-Executive Vice-Chairman on the board of directors.It has also been announced that Prakash Telang, who was Executive Director (Commercial Vehicles), has been made Managing Director, India.www.tatamotors.com
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Article
Fischer appointed to Plant Manager of Ford Southampton
Southampton, UK – Thomas Fischer has been appointed Plant Manager of Ford Southampton following the promotion of Martin Chapman to Operations Manager, Cologne plant.Fischer joined the Southampton plant in 2007 as area manager of trim and fi nal. More recently, he was responsible for quality and manufacturing engineering.Originally from Ulm, ...
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ArticleGermany plans for success
Numbers fall but strengths emergeExports and emissionsTruck and bus – how fast is the barometer falling?Suppliers under pressureBMW – quiet confidence behind cost cutsMercedes-Benz – sharing the painThe German car industry’s workforce has been dealt a bad hand by the global downturn; jobs that were almost guaranteed for life have ...
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Binger is named as Plant Manager at Ford's site
Detroit, MI. – Charles Binger has been named Plant Manager of Ford’s Cleveland engine production site, which includes Engine Plants No. 1 and No. 2 and Cleveland Casting.A 19-year veteran with the company, Binger replaces Jan Allman, who was named plant manager at the Chicago Assembly Plant.Most recently Binger served ...
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ArticleColour it green in construction
Green and leanTurning paint fumes into electricityWaste gas used to power BMW paintshopThe ‘living’ car factoryGreening the distribution chainGreen smartOEMs and Tier suppliers derive not only good public relations from minimising environmental damage in the vehicle manufacturing process, but may also realize significant cost savings.One area that has seen a ...
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ArticleMaterial of choice
Plastics offer a clear alternativeFuture battery powerFIM cuts production timeGood times for Chinese plastics Injection Moulding innovationsNatural composites or high-gloss plastics‘Ecological’ plasticAlmost a year since the financial crisis began, Tier suppliers continue to face major challenges in key markets. Against that backdrop, a temptation to drastically cut R&D investment is ...