Latest News & Features – Page 194
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ArticleMachining: A turn for the better
The drive for machining process improvements at automotive shops has led to several developments in tooling for steel part turning While much has been documented about hard turning techniques in recent years, turning non-hardened steel has passed largely under the radar. However, as a number of interesting tooling developments highlight, ...
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ArticleWater-based media parts cleaning machine
Key features of the EcoCWave include universal application capability, allowing coarse to fine cleaning, plus minimised space requirements. Dürr Ecoclean claims the new machine is equipped to optimise cleaning quality while cutting per-unit costs. Developing the EcoCWave system, the company says its engineers focused on specific requirements: high operating flexibility ...
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ArticleHeat-shrink assembly process for powertrain components
EMAG Automation says its heat-shrink technology provides an assembly process for the manufacture of precision components – in particular composite camshafts. The company says the process is characterised by its reaction force-free processing sequence. The component is brought up to the necessary temperature with great precision, using an inductive or ...
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ArticleNext generation robotic cartridge bell paint system
ABB Robotics says its Compact CBS II, robotic cartridge bell paint system is the only fully-integrated robotic solution for internal charge waterborne painting and can reduce colour change time by up to 50%. Improvements to the system include the addition of servo motor drive units for vertical and horizontal cartridge ...
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ArticleRenault starts Malaysian production of Fluence
Malaysia – Renault has signed an agreement that will enable it to build its presence across South-East Asia. Malaysia is the third biggest regional economy after Thailand and Indonesia, with growth running at over 5% on average over the past thirty years. The launch of Fluence is the first stage ...
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ArticleKia improves domestic sustainability
Korea – Despite a rise in global sales of 1.4% in 2013 to nearly 3m units, the OEM has achieved a smaller environmental footprint at its Guangju, Hwasung and Sohari plants, which made 1.31m cars and 1.26m engines while reducing their CO2 emissions, water consumption and waste.The OEM’s three major ...
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ArticleRolls gains Knight in shining armour to boost sales
UK – Replacing Jolyon Nash, who will leave the carmaker at the end of June in order to pursue other interests, Fintan Knight has been named director of sales and marketing.Beginning his career in the automotive industry with BMW Australia, Knight has spent two decades working for premium and luxury ...
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ArticleTurbo-powering PSA Douvrin
Peugeot starts making its new 1.2-litre, three-cylinder direct-injection engine at Française de MécaniqueThe Française de Mécanique engine factory in Douvrin, north-west France, has built more than 48m power units for PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault and Volvo since its inception in 1969, but arguably none has been more significant than the ...
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Article10 years of sustainable manufacturing at Dearborn truck plant
USA – Ford’s Dearborn plant has produced more than 2.6 million F-150 trucks since it opened in May 2004. Upholding the company’s blueprint for sustainability through its living roof and recycling programs, the facility has recycled more than 20 million pounds of cardboard, paper, plastic and wood since its opening. ...
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ArticleChrysler launches nine-speed production in Tipton
US – Tipton will become one of the company’s global hubs for nine-speed production. When it reaches full capacity, it will produce 800,000 transmissions, delivering to Toledo, Ohio, for use in the Jeep Cherokee and Sterling Heights, Michigan, for the Chrysler 200 as well as to FIAT plants in Melfi, ...
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ArticleSpecial production of lightweight E-Type
UK – Jaguar is to build six reproductions of the original, lightweight E-type that was created in 1963. The original objective of the company’s lightweight E-Type project was to build 18 special GT cars, but only 12 were eventually made. These new cars are the ‘missing’ six vehicles from the ...
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ArticleBentley to boost engineering strength with new recruits
UK – The carmaker’s workforce at its headquarters in Crew will grow by 140 personnel, not only 90 engineers but 51 apprentices – the biggest apprentice intake in ten years. The increase follows record sales in 2013, with 10,120 units delivered; the company aims to reach 15,000 by 2018.Bentley is ...
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ArticleMazda completes Kulim assembly plant
Malaysia – Located within the grounds of a plant owned by vehicle manufacturer and assembler Inokom, the facility is exclusive to Mazda vehicles; mass production of the Mazda CX-5 for the domestic market, and Thailand, has now commenced.Together with a similarly dedicated bodyshop which opened in March last year, Mazda ...
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ArticleRenault makes 2 millionth Brazilian vehicle
Brazil – The milestone unit, a New Logan, has rolled off the production line 15 years after the OEM established its Ayrton Senna complex in Curitiba, which consists of one passenger car and one light commercial vehicle (LCV) plant.Renault says Brazil is now its second largest market after its native ...
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ArticleMercedes-Benz begins African production of new C-Class
South Africa – The OEM’s East London plant has become the second manufacturing location for the model three months after the launch at Bremen, Germany.Arno van der Merwe, CEO and vice-president Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz South Africa, said the company has made “significant investments” for the qualification of personnel, referring to the ...
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ArticleChrysler Brampton wins government ‘green’ award
Canada – The assembly plant in Ontario has been recognised for its sustainability achievements by the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC). The Leadership Award was presented at the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Energy Summit 2014, which took place this month at Niagara Falls.Brampton Assembly Plant (BAP) was the ...
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ArticleBrownstown to produce battery for Spark EV
US – General Motors will bring all its electric vehicle battery building capabilities in-house with production of battery systems for the 2015 Chevrolet Spark EV at its battery assembly plant in Brownstown, Michigan. “Using our in-house engineering and manufacturing expertise enabled us to deliver a battery system that is more ...
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WebinarLinde: The alternative to automated surface cleaning using CO2 – CRYOCLEAN Snow
Cleaning is a key and often challenging step in the automotive production workflow.Manufacturers need a fast, efficient and cost-effective solution for removing dirt, grease and other unwanted substances from manufactured parts, molds and tools. Quality and productivity for joining and coating are enhanced when you have a superior solution. Process ...
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WebinarTrumpf: Laser applications for future lightweight materials
Lightweight design has become increasingly important in many industries. In automotive, it reduces the vehicle weight to meet CO2-emission regulations, and increases the dynamic and speed of machines which, in turn, improves performance.New materials like plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics and hybrid materials with combinations of plastic and metal fulfil the requirements ...
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ArticleHonda: Growing beyond Japan
Honda’s global production footprint is changing as the OEM establishes new plants in Mexico and AsiaIn the last couple of years, Honda has expanded its operations outside Japan, especially in NAFTA, South-East Asia and Brazil. The company reported record production volumes outside Japan for the year to March 2014, with ...