Latest News & Features – Page 179
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ArticleMake way for X-ray
X-ray systems can be used in automotive to enhance quality control and traceability while reducing waste The ability of X-ray radiation to penetrate engineering materials permits inspection systems to image and measure hidden features. The automotive industry uses this technology as part of a growing need for Six Sigma quality ...
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WebinarWEBINAR: Hexagon Metrology
Global automotive manufacturers are aiming to improve mechanical and visual assembly quality and reduce rework while accelerating new vehicle launches. 3D Metrology and in-line process control technologies are important contributors for achieving higher-quality products, more stable process and faster ramp-up for new vehicle programmes.The introduction of fast area measurement and ...
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ArticleNew F-150 production gets underway
US – The first unit of the 2015 model rolled off the line at the Ford Rouge Center in Detroit, a facility which has been updated with modern manufacturing technology to build the aluminium-bodied pick-up truck.Ford’s Dearborn Diversified, Stamping and Tool & Die facilities have been equipped with new press ...
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ArticleTechnology for treading carefully
The latest automated solutions can solve barcode reading and inspection challenges in tyre manufacturing Tracking and traceability are primary requirements for all tyre manufacturers. For quality control and compliance purposes, tyres are tracked at every step of the production process. However, black rubber is hardly a material that lends itself ...
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ArticleHitachi Metals buys Waupaca Foundry
US – The materials development and technology company today completed its acquisition of the ductile iron and gray iron castings producer which is headquartered in Wisconsin.With three plants in Waupaca (Wisconsin), plus one site each in Marinette (Wisconsin), Tell City (Indiana) and Etowah (Tennessee), Waupaca Foundry melts more than ...
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ArticleEnvisioning automation
The latest high-speed, high-functionality cameras are in demand to help automate vehicle productionAlthough the idea of a robot with ‘eyes’ sounds futuristic, the International Federation of Robotics confirms that as long ago as 1980, vision technology helped a robot to pick a randomly orientated component from a tray. The demonstration ...
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ArticleRenault inaugurates plant in Oran
Algeria – Oued Tlelat has opened with one production line and an annual capacity of 25,000 vehicles, but a second phase currently under consideration could see an increase to 75,000 units per year, plus closer integration of suppliers and the establishment of body and paint facilities.The new Renault Symbol will ...
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ArticleInfiniti makes first Chinese Q50L
China – Rolling off the assembly line at Xiangyang Plant in Hubei, the vehicle pioneered the long-wheelbase version of the Q50 premium sports saloon which is the first Infiniti model dedicated to the local market.“Today we are here to witness Infiniti’s big step forward in China,” said Daniel Kirchert, president ...
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ArticleSouth America special issue
The first in our series of regional supplements covering the most important automotive markets in the world is now available online in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese. This special edition provides in-depth information about the activities of key OEMs and tier suppliers in South America, and how they ...
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ArticleEditor's note: Rising to the challenge
Working through the November-December issue of AMS brought home just how challenging it is to build cars in high volumes, cost-effectively. To anyone working in a car plant this won’t be a revelation; every day is a series of challenges that need to be addressed and overcome. The smallest details ...
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WebinarWEBINAR: Comau – lightweighting
Automotive manufacturing relies on the use of efficient, high-volume processes which guarantee productivity and quality. In practical terms, this can be translated into effective performance-based body-in-white solutions that deliver speed, precision and the flexibility to handle the growing use of multiple materials.In an exclusive Comau webinar on November 20, Martin ...
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ArticleFabrics of the future
Multiaxial reinforcement manufacturer Formax is tailoring lightweight materials to automotive needs If you think of carbon fibre you more than likely envision the familiar woven sheet, but there is more to this high-tech, lightweight material – as a visit to multiaxial reinforcement manufacturer Formax reveals. Based in Leicestershire, UK, the ...
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ArticleAfrican adventures
Charles Cornew tracks the progress of OEMs which are exploring a lesser-known production location “Which countries produce the vehicles you drive?” is a question that prompts answers such as Germany, Japan, Italy and France – plus the UK, the US and South Korea. Most people would be surprised to find ...
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ArticleAvtoVAZ: Saving Togliatti
New leadership aims to restore the fortunes of the Russian giant by reducing its workforce, disposing of non-core assets and implementing Renault-Nissan standardsThe vast AvtoVAZ auto works at Togliatti in Russia represent not so much a factory on the edge of a city as a city which grew up around ...
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ArticleAvtoVAZ's mission to modernise
Leaders including new CEO Bo Andersson explain why job cuts, facility closures and a shake-up of quality standards are needed to turn the OEM aroundIn 2016 the Renault-Nissan Alliance aims to be taking a 40% share of a Russian new-car market which, though currently in recession, has the potential to ...
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ArticleVW opens Tianjin parts plant
China – The OEM has now commenced production of the latest generation of advanced dual-clutch gearboxes (DSG) at its new facility. The annual capacity of 450,000 units will be increased to 1.2m by 2016; VW has already invested 2.2 billion yuan ($3.6 billion) in the first phase of the plant.In ...
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ArticleJLR Solihull: The XE factor
Against expectations, the OEM has built a brand new plant in the UK in order to produce its ‘baby’ JaguarJaguar Land Rover (JLR) has achieved at Solihull what industry observers said was unlikely ever to happen again: the construction of a new car factory in western Europe. That it is ...
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ArticlePeugeot to plan Citroën’s products
France – Replacing Thomas d’Haussy, Xavier Peugeot will serve as director of Product Planning and report to Linda Jackson, CEO of Citroën. His predecessor will take on new responsibilities within the Group.Peugeot joined PSA Peugeot Citroën in 1994 and has held a number of positions in sales and marketing, including ...
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ArticleVW breaks ground on Qingdao Plant
China – The factory in the east of the country will be able to produce 300,000 sedans and SUVs per year when it opens after a three-year construction period.The Qingdao plant is part of VW’s joint venture with FAW.www.vw.com
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ArticleChrysler Warren shines with WCM Bronze award
US – The facility in Michigan has become the first stamping plant and the seventh North American site to achieve the designation, just over four years after implementing the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) system.Bronze status is awarded for earning a minimum of 50 points in ten technical and ten managerial ...