Automation – Page 407
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Article
Nair is the new Vice-President for Ford Asia Pacific and Africa
Bangkok, Thailand – Bangkok, Thailand – Ford has appointed Raj Nair as the new Vice-President of Operations for Asia Pacific and Africa, while Jeffrey Wellman has been appointed Executive Director of Purchasing for the region.They will be based in the Asia Pacific and Africa headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Nair reporting ...
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Article
Mondragon takes the President and CEO post of Ford Canada
Ontario, Canada – David Mondragon has taken up his new post as President and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada. “It’s an exciting time to join Ford of Canada as we accelerate plans to introduce new fuel-efficient vehicles, especially small cars and crossovers, which are exactly what Canadian consumers ...
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ArticleThe steel age for ArcelorMittal
The search for new marketsProducing lighter, stronger steelTailor-made steel solutionsThe coating process – a challenge for the futureArcelorMittal is continuing to develop stronger, lighter steels for use in the automotive industry. A looks at the latest materials, and seeing what the future holds for steel"The three most important factors in ...
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ArticleMaking light work of heavy equipment
Adapting to current economic conditionsFacility investment to improve efficiencyFarm and construction equipment innovationsDeveloping the product rangeJCB launches first in-house diesel engineGuarding against excessive complexityLessons for carmakersAs carmakers search for solutions to help steer them through tough economic conditions, there are lessons from recent innovations by agricultural and construction equipment manufacturersIt’s ...
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ArticleKemppi’s weld time measuring device aids productivity
Kemppi (UK) Ltd has launched ArcTimer, a small, easy-to-use device that is attached to the welding cable or the earth cable from an MMA, MIG or TIG welding machine to measure the actual welding time of the machine. Welding is labour intensive and the ability to determine the welding time, ...
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ArticleDriven to automation
There’s no shortage of innovative ideas and must-see presentations at this year’s SPS/IPC/Drives Electric Automation show in Nuremberg, from 25-27 November.The chance to see what’s new, compare notes and extend, strengthen and reinforce networks in today’s challenging market conditions isn’t to be lightly passed up. Probably the best opportunity this ...
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ArticleGoing in the white direction
Splitting, thinning and wrinklingPressing mattersMoving things alongLaser-based welding controls the heatExtending the focusing lengthTechnology streaks aheadTests show positive resultsAdjustable system is requiredThe need for speedAdding a dimensionEnhanced inspection measurementsAs a vehicle’s largest structure, the body-in-white is deserving of the attention it receives from a process optimisation perspective. AMS looks at ...
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ArticleFuture perfect for GM in South Africa
Different plants, similar challengesSourcing local suppliersTaking advantage of export marketsCatering for the local marketGood prospects for the futureDespite fluctuating demand, high inflation and volatile currencies, General Motors South Africa is optimistic about future prospectsBefore being appointed Vice-President of Manufacturing for General Motors South Africa, Rick Demuynck was head of the ...
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ArticleAt the ready at Vauxhall
Putting people firstGlobal Compact VehicleCutting the fatGreen can mean good businessSomething old, something newDespite tough economic conditions in Europe, Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant is prepared to face the future head on, as plant director Tom Schmidt, explainsThe first car produced by Vauxhall, in 1903, was a 5bhp (4kW) model that ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: Order of the day
Sales figures from America and Europe are no less than shocking, but for all the doom and gloom, there are still some carmakers managing to buck the trend. According to reports, Ferrari is expecting record sales for 2008; Audi CEO Rupert Stadler is forecasting the same for the German carmaker, ...
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Article
Focus software adds speed and versatility
Metris has released Focus Scan 5.1 and Inspection 9.1, which streamline the digital inspection process and embed it into the CAD-centric design-throughmanufacturing process, saving both time and money. Metris Focus is a fully-featured software suite for point cloud data acquisition and inspection. For non-contact 3D metrology applications, Focus drives the ...
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ArticleMisumi offers new linear motion systems
With the new LX Series range of linear motion units, MISUMI Europa offers compact ‘ready-tofit’ systems for applications with high precision and efficiency requirements. Due to the high number of options available, they are suitable for use in many industrial spheres, including single-or multi-axle applications in feeder units, adhesive dispensers ...
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ArticleEnergy for welding robots
Fronius’s new system package and its variants are designed for use with a combination of standard process arm robots and the tried and tested TransPuls Synergic welding systems. The system packages offer the user such benefi ts as cheaper, simpler and more reliable robot programming, reduced robot loading and therefore ...
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ArticleWear-free scanning – even with rough surfaces
Only the different gloss level of the surface shows that the ruby stylus of the coordinate measuring machine (CMM) must scan a rough surface. “This is often not good for the stylus,” according to Dr Frank Richter, responsible for stylus production at Carl Zeiss. “When measuring very hard materials, the ...
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Article
Dura’s cappings give stylish exterior trims
Dura has developed a new range of triple-injected plastic cappings for A-pillar, B-post and B-pillar structures. While ensuring optimal safety and quality, triple-injected plastic cappings are made out of a notably lighter material. The weight saving is 40 per cent compared to metal and there is at least a 25 ...
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Article
Capacitive accelerometers have wide measuring range
The new range of single-axis K-Beam capacitive accelerometers from Kistler Instruments covers the measuring range from 2g to 100g in fi ve models, with the option of either unipolar or differential output. The three-layer, micro-machined, variable capacitance, silicon-sensing element measures acceleration in truly static or low amplitude, very low-frequency environments. ...
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ArticleGE Fanuc platforms help reduce downtime
GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms, a unit of GE Enterprise Solutions, has released two new modules for its popular PACSystems RX3i that reduce downtime, provide high resolution for improved process control and high performance sampling of data to improve throughput. The new isolated Thermocouple analogue input modules and isolated Resistive Temperature ...
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ArticleProtective gear just got better
Over many years, the Optrel e640 Miraplus has successfully served many end users. This classic helmet is suitable for use in any applications requiring DIN4/10/11 functionality. The cartridge quality remains the same, with a new design to prevent the front lens cover from being scratched when placed face down on ...
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ArticleBuy, use, sell, re-use
In with the oldWaste not, want notBeware of the red tapeAdapting existing equipmentEnergy performance certificatesWhether it’s best to buy new equipment, refurbish existing, sell or lease depends on economic and accounting considerations and, increasingly, environmental influences and legislationsThere was a time when all production managers considered just one thing when ...
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ArticleGoing with the mold
EuroMold, the world’s leading trade fair and exhibition for mould-making and tooling, and their design and application development, takes place at the Exhibition Centre in Frankfurt am Main from December 3-6, 2008.It’s hard to think of a trade fair that’s more important to its industry sector than EuroMold. It has ...