All Ford articles – Page 58
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ArticleBuilding the perfect light curtain
We don’t give them much thought, and nor should we – assuming they’re doing their job properly. AMS in conversation with Joe Lazarra and Sergio Aguilar at Omron STIFrequency selection/Scan codesCascading light curtainFixed blankingFloating blanking and mutingReduced resolutionOmron STI’s Joe Lazarra wants to change the way you think about light ...
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ArticleKnock down construction
BMW has pulled apart its Spartanburg plant in the US in order to convert it to a one-line flexible assembly system. New demands are defining the OEM's manufacturing infrastructureFlexible footstepsExpansion plansRobot buildTime constraintsNew process efficiencyMinutes after the last BMW Z4 rolled off the line at the carmaker’s Spartanburg, South Carolina ...
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ArticleRunning a three legged race at GM
GM’s Conveyors, Controls, Robotics & Welding group has implemented a common conveyor strategy with benefits for modules engineering and integrationGlobal standardisationRewards out of the boxDigital efficienciesGetting one’s bearingsExpanding bundleDuring the AMS 2004 AutoMan Global conference in Dearborn, Michigan, GM’s Phillip Disch, General Motors’ Executive Director of Controls, Conveyors, Robotics and ...
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ArticleBuilding on common ground with Fanuc
GM’s drive for a common assembly technology is aimed at a more streamlined and stable global supply base. AMS looks at what the Global Mid-Size Vehicle platform means for Fanuc.Common approachNew applicationsFixed supplyRobotic consolidationGeneral Motors is going truly global in the next few years with its Global Mid-Size Vehicle platform. ...
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ArticleWelcome to the House of Flex
Gary Cowger, Group Vice President for Global Manufacturing and Labour Relations at General Motors discusses the carmaker’s “avowed aim” of manufacturing flexibility using its Global Manufacturing System“House of Flex”Making flex work: a global initiativeMoving east in Europe and beyondCowger’s views on technologyAGV applicationsShifting biasWhile flexibility is a much-used term that ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: Wanted: one careful owner
Who will buy Chrysler? High level talks were taking place recently between DaimlerChrysler and General Motors. Could another major merger work? Whatever the outcome, industry analysts expect DaimlerChrysler to cut thousands of jobs and close two North American plants at the Chrysler group. But to put today’s situation in perspective, ...
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ArticleLaser marking with the Electrox Raptor
A British company has launched a unique laser marking system that sets a new four-year warranty benchmark and which places it at least two years’ ahead of its competitors.Letchworth-based Electrox claims its new Enhanced Fibre laser technology platform provides an optimum balance between performance, price and product lifetime.“This enables us ...
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ArticleFlomerics’ EFD.Pro supports Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica
Flomerics Engineering Fluid Dynamics (EFD) analysis software – EFD.Pro – now supports Wildfi re 3 as well as an integrated interface with Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica for structural analysis. EFD.Pro, which is embedded in Pro/ ENGINEER, is used to design and optimise products in the automotive industry and now, Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica users ...
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ArticleThe new standard in compact horizontal machining centres
DMC 55 H duoBLOCK® – at its OpenHouse in Pfronten DECKEL MAHO will be presenting its new horizontal machining centre in the compact class.Optimised for the high demands of fl exible series production the new DMC 55 H duoBLOCK® horizontal machining centre from DECKEL MAHO is a convincing successor to ...
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Article
Pepperl+Fuchs for sense in a tight space
Pepperl+Fuchs has expanded its family of short-barrel Pile Driver inductive proximity sensors by adding a new Remote Amplifi er version. Just 23mm in length, these shielded sensors are fully flush mountable and are ideally suited for space restricted applications in harsh environments such as those found in the welding and ...
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ArticleAutomatic wake-up call for plant maintenance
The new Simatic Teleservice Adapter IE from Siemens Automation and Drives (A&D) facilitates cost-effective remote maintenance of machinery and plants. In acute service cases or emergencies, an e-mail can be sent via the device. The engineer then scans the plant status via remote connection and carries out modifi cations.A new ...
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ArticleHeat treatment system for aluminum parts from Can-Eng
Can-Eng Furnaces has developed a new basketless rotary heat-treating system for the processing of aluminum intensive automobile components. The new Basketless Heat Treating System reduces energy consumption by 40 per cent and fl oor space requirements by 30 per cent when compared to conventional roller hearth systems. Product is transferred ...
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ArticleParts are within easy reach with the Toshiba Machine TH450
TM Robotics (Europe) has launched a ceiling-mounted version of the Toshiba Machine TH450 SCARA (Selective Compliant Assembly Robot Arm), which saves space in the manufacturing cell by allowing access to the working area from above. The robot is set to fi nd applications in automotive component handling where it will ...
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ArticleKerk’s new lead screw coating offers best performance
Kerk Motion Products, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of non-ball lead screws, offers superior performance lead screw, linear rail, spline shaft and ScrewRail® actuator assemblies with its Kerkote® TFE coating. Kerkote reduces friction and extends the life of Kerk’s costeffective, maintenance-free assemblies, which are ideal for motion control applications ...
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New version of DELMIA V5 succeeds with complex simulation
Dassault Systemes’ has updated its PLM simulation software DELMIA V5 Robotics to cater for complex flexible manufacturing devices such as multi-wrist robotic arms. This allows for more accurate simulation of the manufacturing processes and better defines resource allocation.Additionally, new native language teach pendant capabilities allow off-line programmers to program robots ...
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ArticleEffective guarding with STI’s MiniSafe
Omron Scientific Technologies has introduced its MiniSafe® MS4800 series of safety light curtains available in advanced, standard and basic versions.A cascaded confi guration reduces cabinet space requirements and provides effective guarding in multi-sided and dual-axis applications. Optical scan codes eliminate cross talk, which enables OEMs to consistently build identical machines ...
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ArticleNVision reduces test track expenses
NVision is helping a leading Tier One automotive supplier reduce its test track expenses with its multibody simulation software. A solid model of a 53-foot trailer was developed with NVision’s laser scanning technology helping to validate the lifetime of trailer components such as axles and suspensions. This sort of validation ...
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dSPACE advances diesel engine simulation
dSPACE has added new functions for diesel engine simulation to its Automotive Simulation Models (ASM). From the start of 2007, the ASM Diesel Engine Simulation Package has an exhaust gas aftertreatment system consisting of physical models for a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF). The model ...
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ArticleCogniTens Introduces CoreView Lite
CogniTens’ new CoreView Lite is used for sharing, viewing and collaboration on the dimensional measurement data collected directly from engineering and production shop floors. It makes critical information available for engineers and managers located in different facilities, delivering highly meaningful dimensional measurement results.CoreView Lite streamlines the process of evaluating such ...
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ArticleDeltaSpot – the innovative resistance welding process
Circulating tape instead of wear-inducing electrodes characterise the completely new robot electrode system for resistance spot welding from Fronius. The tapes used in DeltaSpot protect the electrodes and the workpieces, prevent spatter and set new quality standards. The process is characterised by absolutely repeatable welding points and, compared to conventional ...