Latest News & Features – Page 161
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ArticleGM and Isuzu team up for CVs
US – According to a statement from the two companies, their commercial vehicle (CV) collaboration in the US will enable Isuzu to strengthen its product line-up and GM to expand its CV portfolio.Isuzu will produce low-cab forward models for GM, based on the Isuzu N-Series. The vehicles will be distributed ...
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ArticleBenecke-Kaliko’s Mexican expansion
Mexico – Costing around €11.4m ($12.8m), the new 7,000 sq.m production hall will sit next to the company’s existing plant in San Luis Potosí. It will produce Tepeo and Tepeo 2 foils for the North American market from the third quarter of 2016.“All of our customers in the NAFTA region ...
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ArticleHazardous-area safety light curtains
The deTec4 Core Ex, C4000 Select Ex and C4000 Advanced Ex light curtains are all-in-one pre-assembled safety devices suitable for automotive and manufacturing spray booth industries, say SICK.The company states that the light curtains, designed to ATEX and UL Listed hazardous area standards, offer a range of protective field heights ...
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ArticleNew heavy lift robot
Fanuc claims to have launched the strongest robot in the world, the M-2000iA/1700L. The company says this new robot can lift payloads of up to 1.7 tonnes and is capable of lifting and positioning entire car bodies. It has a reach of up to 4.7 metres, operates through six axes ...
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ArticleGKN’s expertise used for Volvo XC90
UK – The company worked with Volvo Cars in the development of the front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) drivelines for the new model, which will hit British roads this month. The collaboration aimed to find technical solutions to maximise efficiency, rear interior space, durability and performance.“The system created ...
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ArticleToyota Technical Center expands, Michigan
US – The $126m project, which includes the construction of two new buildings in York Township, got underway today with a groundbreaking ceremony. Besides a prototype facility for vehicle development and a supplier centre, the development will enlarge Toyota’s powertrain development facility at its Ann Arbor Township campus. The work ...
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ArticleMercedes-Benz Pune starts making GLA
India – The compact car will join five other models in the plant’s production line-up: the S-, E- and C-Class sedans plus the GL- and M-Class SUVs. The factory was recently extended to produce 20,000 units per year and was also upgraded with new technology for the GLA, including extra ...
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ArticleGreat leap forward
Thanks to its Haval SUV brand, Great Wall Motor is experiencing record production levelsThe rate of market growth might be slowing, but Great Wall Motors (GWM) is going from strength to strength in its home country. A decision taken five years ago to pour resources into the then Hover brand ...
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ArticleStriving for safety
With OEM footprints stretching worldwide, consistency is key to tackling danger points in productionSafety in automotive manufacturing starts with boosting awareness about global safety requirements – which can be a tough ask, given the way some local engineering teams operate. According to George Schuster, TÜV-certified functional safety expert and senior ...
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ArticleNissan Sunderland expands for Q30
UK – The workforce at the OEM’s plant in the north of the country is growing by 300 individuals, more than the 180 originally announced in 2012 following the allocation of the Infiniti model. The factory has already been extended by 25,000 sq.m at a cost of £250m ($388m), incorporating ...
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ArticleAll tooled up for part production
The latest cutting-tool innovations are better able to tackle part complexity while coping with heavy wearTool wear is undoubtedly one of the biggest threats to automotive component production. With this in mind, a familiar practice at automotive part shops is to change tools before maximum tool life is reached, just ...
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ArticleAutomatic fanatics
Lathe manufacturers are offering single- or multi-spindle machines to meet cost and productivity demandsAutomotive turning shops face numerous market demands, with piece-part price heading the pack. Automatic-lathe manufacturers have been well aware of customer requirements for many years and many now offer both single-spindle and multi-spindle versions. So, which to ...
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ArticleNew Employee Relations head, FCA
US – With Al Iacobelli retiring from the company, Glenn Shagena will assume the role of head of Employee Relations for North America with immediate effect. Shagena was most recently head of FCA Mexico Human Resources.Shagena joined the company in 1985, working in the Labor Relations department at the Sterling ...
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ArticleRenault Dieppe starts making Bolloré Bluecar
France – Assembly began this month of the all-electric city car, which was previously made only in Italy. The vehicles are being assembled from bodies and parts brought into the plant by Bolloré.Renault Dieppe, which was established in 1969, specialises in small production runs and currently makes the Clio RS ...
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ArticleFixed-mount barcode readers
The DataMan 150, 260 and 360 series of fixed-mount, image-based, ID readers run the latest Cognex algorithms to achieve the highest possible read rates, claims the company.The serial USB-based DataMan 150 series and Ethernet-based 260 series models offer straight or right-angled configurations to fit into tight spaces. DataMan 360 series ...
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ArticleNew range of Bi-face radius cutters
Toolex says it offers two types of its new bi-face cutters; mini with two flutes in four radius sizes from 0.2 to 0.5mm and standard with three flutes in ten radius sizes from 0.5 to 3.0mm, all with a claimed tolerance of ±0.02mm on the radius.The company says the cutters ...
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ArticleSkoda halves production energy per car
Czech Republic – Over the 20 years the OEM has been working with its energy provider, Sko-Energo, production has seen a drop of more than 50% in energy use and a “significant” reduction in water consumption (including 15% in 2014).“Using energy efficiently gives companies a real competitive edge,” said Michael ...
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Webinar
ArcelorMittal: Laser Welded Blanks – A key enabler to lighter and stronger automotive steel solutions
How can ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks help carmakers achieve their weight, safety and cost targets?In this webinar we focused on the benefits of LWB’s applications: Highlighting the advantages of LWBs in combination with hot stamping technology Showcasing the weight saving potential of LWBs by showing examples of innovative solutionsSpecialists outlined ...
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ArticleMercedes chooses Hankook for Actros
Germany – Four product types will be supplied for the heavy-duty truck in accordance with the new deal: the AL10 and DL10 long-haul tyres, plus the AM06 and DM03 off-road tyres. This extends an existing OE agreement from last year.The AL10 will be supplied in two sizes: 295/80R22.5 and 385/55R22.5; ...
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ArticleTVR to return to production
UK – Led by a fresh management team, the brand – established in 1947 – will make its comeback with a new sports car designed and built in Britain, in collaboration with Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth. The project has already spent one year in development.TVR says the vehicle will ...