Latest News & Features – Page 148
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ArticleDahl takes FCA compliance role
US – Replacing Scott Kunselman, whose retirement was previously announced, Michael Dahl will become head of Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance on December 1. He moves from his position as director, Gasoline/Diesel Engine Programmes and Global Powertrain Coordination.Dahl joined the company in 1985 as part of the Chrysler Institute of ...
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ArticleKia builds first Mexican plant
Mexico – The factory in Pesquería, Nuevo León, has been completed in 13 months, the fastest construction of any manufacturing facility in the OEM’s history. An initial investment of $3 billion has been made by Kia and its suppliers, which is expected to generate 14,000 direct and 56,000 indirect jobs.Kia ...
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Mercedes-AMG to build 12-cylinder engines in Mannheim
Germany – Assembly of the V12 bi-turbo engines will take place at a new location within Daimler’s manufacturing complex from February 2016. The employees in Affalterbach who currently assemble these products will switch to the eight-cylinder lines.Tobias Moers, chairman of the board of management at Mercedes-AMG, explained the decision by ...
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ArticlePart of the family
As Renault Palencia in Spain introduces CMF vehicles, AMS goes to see the plant-wide preparations There are a couple of words which crop up frequently when talking to Renault executives about the company’s Palencia plant in northern Spain: one is quality, the other is competitiveness. Palencia has long been the ...
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ArticleRenault Palencia: Part of the family
As the OEM's Spanish factory introduces CMF vehicles, AMS goes to see the plant-wide preparations There are a couple of words which crop up frequently when talking to Renault executives about the company’s Palencia plant in northern Spain: one is quality, the other is competitiveness. Palencia has long been the ...
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ArticleBMW celebrates 25 years of 3D printing
Germany – In 1990, the OEM’s Rapid Technologies Center in Munich commissioned the development of its first additive manufacturing facilities, and that year prototype parts were made on a stereolithography machine. Early examples featured on concept cars; BMW later developed further procedures and applications in line with component specifications.Today, the ...
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ArticleSteiner to handle compliance for VW
Germany – Moving from his current role as head of Total Vehicle Development/Quality at Porsche, Michael Steiner has become compliance commissioner for the Group. He now reports to Matthias Müller, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft.Steiner’s new responsibilities will include conducting talks with authorities worldwide with regard to vehicle regulations.Steiner joined Porsche ...
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ArticleSealed connection system
Molex claims its ML-XT Sealed Connection System, offers a reliable, securely sealed solution that helps minimise electrical failures in commercial vehicle applications. Rated IP68 and J2030 power-wash capable, the ML-XT system features a one-piece plug housing and seal design, which is permanently bonded using two-shot LSR (liquid silicone rubber) ...
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WebinarWEBINAR: Trumpf discusses RLP
The reduction of CO2 emissions is one of the key targets for all major OEMs worldwide. In addition, there is an exceptionally competitive environment which forces all carmakers to offer a diversified product portfolio based on cost-efficient design and production.In order to be able to cope with these requirements, vehicle-makers ...
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ArticleFCA hands Jeep Renegade contract to Kumho
Italy – Kumho Crugen Premium KL33 tyres are now being delivered in sizes 215/60R17 100V XL and 225/55R18 98H to the OEM’s plant at Melfi, where the vehicle is being made. The Renegade joins the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) line-up already fitted with Kumho tyres: the Jeep Grand Cherokee and ...
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ArticleUK joins global composites competition
If the number of exhibitors and visitors involved in the production of vehicles at this month’s Advanced Engineering 2015 (AE2015) show in Birmingham was anything to go by, the UK’s automotive industry is in rude health.This impression is supported by the statistics. According to the Society for Motor Manufacturers and ...
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ArticleNew hot stamping technology
Schuler has presented its new PCHflex technology, a further development of the "Pressure Controlled Hardening" process. The company says it allows a flexible and economical production of hot stamped parts with high output performance and consistently quality - combined with process reliability.By controlling pressure during hardening, the necessary press force ...
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ArticleMulti-axis energy supply system
igus claims its triflex R energy chain can be easily installed into complex robot applications, often found in harsh industrial environments. This multi-axis energy supply system features a high tensile strength ball and socket joint, offering high force absorption. The system also has a fibre rod and other retraction options ...
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ArticleFord in focus
In the past year, Ford has concentrated on delivering its high-profile programme for an aluminium-bodied F-150 pick-up truck, but the OEM has also started reorganising its manufacturing footprint in North AmericaFord's ambitious programme to produce an aluminium version of its F-150 pick-up truck has not been without its problems and ...
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ArticleSticking together
Engineers are developing processes for composites to be incorporated into high-volume vehicle productionIncorporating composite components into automotive structures – joining them to other composite parts and, perhaps more importantly, to parts made from metals – presents a new set of challenges. Resistance spot welding has been used by carmakers to ...
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ArticleDynamic motor for large machine tools
Siemens has launched a number of servomotors for use in machine tools. Covering a wide range of applications and offering high torques, the new developments include the Simotics S-1FT7 compact synchronous servomotor with shaft height 132 as well as the Simotics S-1FG1 servo geared motor, which is available in a ...
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ArticleIntelligent production
Mercedes has upgraded the van assembly lines at its Ludwigsfelde plant with a new, automated systemAccording to my guide around Mercedes-Benz Ludwigsfelde, Peer Braun, the working environment has been greatly improved; it is much quieter and open, the idea being to view the whole assembly process from one side of ...
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ArticleToyota Cambridge to build RAV4
Canada – The move is part of a reorganisation which will see Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) become the OEM’s North American hub for sports utility vehicles, with a line-up consisting of the Lexus RX at Cambridge and the RAV4 at both Cambridge and Woodstock. The RAV4 will enter production ...
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ArticleFiat 500 reaches 1.5m units in Europe
Poland – The production milestone was achieved at the Tychy plant, where a white 1.2-litre Pop rolled off the line for shipment to a customer in France. The Fiat 500 has reached 1.5 units eight years and four months after its launch.The car is now on sale in more than ...
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ArticleRobotic gear handling cell technology
ABB Robotics says its robotic gear handling cell technology will handle multiple gear styles and sizes and is suited for a variety of power transmission operations ranging from large commercial, military and industrial vehicles to automobiles.The handling cell is designed to improve system performance and uptime where the heat treating ...