Latest News & Features – Page 185
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45LUM luminescence photoelectric sensor
For applications involving luminescent and fluorescent particles invisible to the human eye, Rockwell Automation has introduced the Allen-Bradley Bulletin 45LUM luminescence photoelectric sensor. By emitting ultraviolet light, this sensor detects visible light reflected from objects regardless of the background or surface. The sensor can detect clear labels and invisible registration ...
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3D camera solution for robot picking applications
SICK UK claims its ScanningRuler 3D camera solution can improve productivity in vision-guided robot picking applications. The company says that by combining 3D and 2D measurements, the system supports fast and accurate picking of random machined parts piled in stillages, bins and baskets without requiring movement of the camera unit ...
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ArticleHot off the press
Press hardening is helping OEMs to use innovative materials in the manufacture of lightweight vehicles Ever stricter legislation in the EU, the US and other countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions has created a worldwide trend that increases the pressure on automotive manufacturers to reduce the weight of their vehicles. ...
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ArticleFiat's future of expansion & contraction
The OEM has a new strategy for its range of vehicles, but familiar problems remain for its many brands Since CEO Sergio Marchionne set out the new strategy for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) earlier this year, some noteworthy developments have taken place. Firstly, rumours emerged in the German press of ...
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ArticleKia announces first Mexican plant
Mexico – The vehicle-maker has signed a $1 billion agreement with the government to establish a state-of-the-art plant with a capacity of 300,000 units in Monterrey, Nuevo León State. Construction will begin in September this year and is due to be completed in the first half of 2016.The new factory ...
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ArticleFord starts 2015 Mustang production
US – The first unit of the new model has now rolled off the line at the OEM’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Michigan, in the 50th anniversary year of the original Mustang. With the addition of a right-hand drive configuration, the sixth generation of the pony car will be the ...
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ArticleBrink to edge up Mazda’s European sales
Germany – The current managing director of Mazda Netherlands and Mazda Belgium will become vice-president sales on September 1. In his new role overseeing 22 national sales companies and relationships with independent distributors, Martijn ten Brink will report to Jeff Guyton, president and CEO of Mazda Motor Europe.Brink joined Mazda ...
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ArticleBentley announces new training scheme
UK – The carmaker said the Upskilling programme would be “a significant step” in its “people and development strategy”. Bentley is investing in new training tools and facilities to grow its current workforce across the core competencies of Wood, Body, Trim and Engine. It is also redesigning its apprenticeship scheme. ...
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ArticleToyota Deeside taps into solar power
UK – Designed and installed by British Gas, the array of 13,000 panels will be able to produce up to 3,475,000kWh per year – 10% of the electricity required at the site, and enough to build 22,500 engines. The installation will save more than 1,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions each ...
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ArticleSkoda begins new Octavia Scout production
Czech Republic – The model is now rolling off the lines at the OEM’s main plant in Mladá Boleslav, ahead of its market launch at the end of August. The vehicle offers fuel consumption and emissions reductions of up to 20%.The Octavia Scout has featured in the Skoda line-up since ...
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ArticleToyota West Virginia pledges $1m for ATC
US – The funds were announced at the opening of BridgeValley Community and Technical College’s new Advanced Technology Center (ATC), which has been established to prepare technicians for high-tech roles in science and engineering across a variety of sectors, including automotive.Toyota West Virginia’s total financial gift to the ATC comes ...
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ArticleAxalta grows resins capacity at Tlalnepantla
Mexico – The company has pledged $10.5m to make more of the resins that are used in automotive coatings, in response to expanded production by its customers within the country.The Axalta headquarters for Latin America – one of its three production sites in Mexico – will use manufacturing technology to ...
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ArticleMercedes-Benz makes first new Vito
Spain – The first series production vehicle rolled off the line at the Vitoria plant after a €190m ($246m) investment to prepare for the model changeover of the OEM’s mid-size vans.Mercedes-Benz says the new Vito is the first mid-size van to offer three drive system variants: front, rear and all-wheel-drive. ...
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ArticleFord: Compressed paint process
Innovative paintshop processes at the company’s Kansas City plant have delivered significant improvements in efficiency, savings in materials and reduction of wasteApril this year saw the start of production of the new Ford Transit van at the company’s Kansas City Assembly Plant. As far the paint finishes are concerned, most ...
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WABCO to supply actuators to European CV-maker
Belgium – The provider of safety and efficiency technologies for commercial vehicles (CVs) has won a long-term contract with a major manufacturer to supply brake actuators for a new truck platform which is due to enter South-east Asian markets. Series production of the model will begin in 2016 at the ...
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BorgWarner expands in Illinois
US – An investment of $9.4m over the next three years at its Dixon plant will enable the company to expand production capacity and supply multiple customers with products such as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) coolers, tubes and thermostats.Paddy Lange, plant manager Dixon, BorgWarner Emissions Systems, said: “Dixon’s infrastructure gives ...
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ArticleGM announces $2.9bn Brazilian investment
Brazil – Due to run between 2014 and 2018, the funds will go towards the development of new products, technologies and training as well as component localisation.“This investment will allow the Chevrolet brand continue to renew its line-up with a focus on technology and quality,” commented Jaime Ardila, president of ...
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ArticleInterview with Sonia Campos, GM Brazil
The director of GM's São Caetano do Sul Plant, in São Paulo, talks about updating the 84-year-old facility to keep pace with the demands of modern productionJoanne Perry (JP): How important is the São Caetano do Sul Plant as a production location for GM in Brazil?Sonia Campos (SC): São Caetano ...
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ArticleVW Chattanooga launches new engineering training
US – The Engineering Specialist Training programme will be a concentrated 18-month course targeted at candidates who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree. The focus will be hands-on experience of mechatronics; there will also be a three-month posting at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg, Germany.“Volkswagen Chattanooga put this programme in ...
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ArticleGM to build $174m stamping facility
US – When it comes online in 2016, the newly constructed area of the OEM’s Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant will produce stamped components for Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles, plus an unnamed future product. GM estimates that its investment will save around $14m each year in logistics costs linked ...