Latest News & Features – Page 102
-
ArticleRenault Samsung goes Rogue
Since launching in 2000, Busan Plant has developed into a flexible and productive operation. The OEM has pushed through a 'Big Deal' with unions which halts the automatic wage increase typical of South KoreaBusan in the south-eastern corner of Korea is the location for Renault Samsung Motor’s (RSM) sole vehicle ...
-
ArticleGoing with the flow
AMS takes a look at Honda's innovative ARC production system, recently installed at Prachinburi in ThailandDescribed by Honda as a unique assembly line that differs from conventional systems by incorporating flowing cell production units into the main line, the newly developed Assembly Revolution Cell (ARC) line became operational at Prachinburi, ...
-
Article
SAIC seeks a niche in South-East Asia
By expanding its production in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, SAIC hopes to break into the market share of the dominant Japanese OEMsGiven their mushrooming domestic market and traditional heavy dependence on imported European, US or Japanese technology, China’s car companies have, until recently, developed only a limited presence outside the ...
-
ArticleRebooting Mitsubishi
As the OEM is integrated into Renault-Nissan, new possibilities open up for its production in South-East AsiaIn October 2016, with its own fuel-economy scandal at its peak, Mitsubishi was subsumed within Nissan when the latter acquired a controlling 34% stake. Still flushed with the success of the Alliance with Renault, ...
-
ArticleBigger not always better
The largest automotive manufacturing complex in the world boasts five high-tech plants, but sales slumps and strikes have affected output at Hyundai Ulsan. AMS paid a visit to Fifth Plant to see Genesis productionThere is no place in the automotive world like Hyundai Ulsan. With five vehicle plants spread over ...
-
ArticleEditor's note: The politics of production
I hate to give more attention to an egotist, but when the leader of the most powerful nation on earth threatens to start trade wars with other global big-hitters you have to at least allow for the possibility that he might do what he says. Among others, the key countries ...
-
ArticleSsangYong: SUV-iving
Korea’s smallest carmaker has recently reported record sales, but its only vehicle plant is still underutilisedSales of 12,697 in a month may not seem like much for a mainstream vehicle-maker – and this figure is certainly dwarfed by the 376,109 units reported for June by Korean giant Hyundai – but ...
-
ArticleNissan Tochigi's human touch
Automotive manufacturing is known for its robotics, but Nissan’s ‘master craftsmen’ show that there is still a place for human skill. AMS went to see them at work on the GTR and Infiniti models made at Tochigi, JapanMost countries value luxury products, but few cherish the beauty of production quite ...
-
ArticleAutomated CNC turning centres
DMG MORI says it has introduced a mobile robotic cell, Called Robo2Go, to automate its CNC turning centres. The company says it will load raw billets from a tray and unload machined components automatically. The unit can be relocated by pallet truck to serve up to four different lathes sequentially ...
-
ArticleWorkholding equipment
The Deuce range of vices from 5th Axis’ feature dovetail technology, says supplier YMT Technologies, which it’s claimed offers secure and reliable workholding. The new Deuce vice comes in two sizes, the DV56 which clamps parts up to 152mm and the DV510 which clamps parts up to 254mm. Both vices ...
-
ArticleMaking a Mirai-cle
A lack of infrastructure is holding back the take up of alternatively powered vehicles, but the manufacturing process can be a wonder of manual labour. AMS went to Motomachi to see Toyota making its fuel-cell modelIt seems fitting that the factory where Toyota made its first passenger cars, in the ...
-
ArticleHonda India two-wheeler production boost
India – The addition of a fourth assembly line at Honda’s Narsapura plant will add another 600,000 units capacity, increasing the facility’s annual production capacity to 2.4m units. This latest expansion increases Honda 2Wheelers India’s total annual production capacity to 6.4 million units from its four plants.With this capacity expansion ...
-
ArticleTVR celebrates 70th anniversary
UK – The OEM will mark its 70 years with the release of a new, handbuilt sports car which will be unveiled at the Goodwood Revival Earls Court Motor Show in September. TVR has worked with the specialist engineering team at Gordon Murray Design to create a car which is ...
-
Article
VW makes production appointments
Germany – Andreas Krüger will become head of Product Line Small, Stefan Gies will be head of Product Line Mid-/Fullsize and Friedrich Eichler will be head of Chassis Development. The appointments will be effective from September 1.After joining VW at Wolfsburg in 1991, Krüger went on to take senior positions ...
-
ArticleAutonomous mobile platform
Modular, scalable and re-configurable, Comau claims its Agile1500 automated guided vehicle (AGV) can carry up to 1,500kg with a maximum speed of 1.7m/s. The company says this new AGV can be utilised in core operations including just-in-time and just-in-sequence production, as well as in-factory logistics.The AGV features an integrated laser ...
-
ArticleDigital documentation
Dürr claims its EcoDocu smart documentation system simplifies commissioning, operation, and maintenance in a paint shop. The company says that until recently the technical documentation for a paint shop took up around 150 ring binders, but now EcoDocu stores this information digitally on a data carrier so that it is ...
-
ArticleBosch breaks ground on Nanjing plant
China – Further extending its manufacturing capacity in China, Bosch is investing nearly €100m for a new brake component plant in the south-eastern city of Nanjing. Commencing in 2019, the 20,000 sq.m plant will produce the firm's iBooster product, electromechanical brake booster used for electromobility and driver assistance systems. “The ...
-
ArticleToyota and Mazda plan JV factory
US – The two companies have signed an agreement to enter a business and capital alliance which will include the production of vehicles in the US. Toyota and Mazda have also pledged to jointly develop connected-car and electric-vehicle technologies; collaborate on advanced safety technologies; and to expand complementary products. The ...
-
ArticleA collaborative future
The use of collaborative robots in automotive assembly operations is gaining pace. AMS reports on the applications, technology and why this is a growing trendA new robot went into operation just a year ago at the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany. But this machine is not a massive, powerful piece ...
-
ArticleChanges ahead for Europe
Manufacturers operating in Europe are continuing to push into the lower cost east as overall sales volumes in the region approach pre-crisis levels againMakers such as Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen, Ford and Daimler are among those building new plants or expanding existing ones to take advantage of benefits such lower ...