Latest News & Features – Page 208

  • Qashqai, Sunderland
    Article

    Qashqai on the mark at Sunderland

    2014-01-22T10:53:04Z

    UK – The new generation model is now in full production, with one vehicle built every 61 seconds on the facility’s 24-hour Line 1. Nissan has invested £534m in the development and production of the Qashqai, which involves 224 suppliers in 22 countries. At a ceremony at the plant, Trevor ...

  • ZF-Ecosplit
    Article

    ZF and Kamaz inaugurate CV transmissions plant

    2014-01-22T10:16:29Z

    Russia – Part of an investment package totalling €90m, the new facility at Naberezhnye Chelny, covers approximately 20,000m2 and will produce Ecomid and Ecosplit commercial vehicle (CV) transmissions.More than 95% of the transmissions produced at the location are for Kamaz, but other manufacturers are also supplied. The relocation to the ...

  • Thomas Owsianski
    Article

    Owsianski to lead Skoda’s Chinese sales

    2014-01-22T09:47:09Z

    China – As executive director of Skoda Marketing and Sales Business at Shanghai Volkswagen, Thomas Owsianski will look after the brand’s marketing, sales and aftersales activities in the country. Taking over from Paul Willis, who has been appointed managing director of Volkswagen UK, Owsianski will assume his new role on ...

  • VW Beetle
    Article

    ​BorgWarner begins El Salto engine timing manufacture

    2014-01-22T09:46:20Z

    Mexico – As a global supply partner, the powertrain solutions company is now providing localised production for Volkswagen’s third-generation 2.0-litre and 1.8-litre DOHC 14 engines, which are built at the vehicle-maker’s new engine plant in Silao, Mexico, and power the VW Jetta and Beelte, plus other models for the US ...

  • Roechling, Wackersdorf
    Article

    Röchling opens Wackersdorf plant

    2014-01-21T13:33:46Z

    Germany – The plastics specialist has transferred its operations from a BMW-owned innovation park to a newly built production facility which cost €23m and covers 36,000m2. New equipment includes an injection moulding machine with a clamping force of 1,000 metric tons; another machine will be added by the end of ...

  • Malaysia-made ASX
    Article

    Mitsubishi ASX assembly begins in Kuala Lumpur

    2014-01-21T11:30:25Z

    Malaysia – The model, known as RVR and Outlander Sport in other markets, is being assembled at Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA), a consigned assembler of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM). The ASX will be sold throughout the country from February. Morikazu Chokki, senior executive officer, said that since its establishment ...

  • QC Extreme Cut 292
    Article

    Cutting fluid for difficult machining applications

    2014-01-20T13:31:14Z

    XTREME CUT 292 is specifically designed to overcome the challenges of working with difficult alloys such as titanium, Inconel and stainless steel, claims QualiChem. The fluid can reduce costs because low drag-out rates reduce coolant usage, and extended sump life improves productivity and reduces disposal cost. The company says the ...

  • SolidCAM toolpath
    Article

    Enhanced machining software

    2014-01-20T12:34:19Z

    SolidCAM says it has made enhancements to the latest versions of its iMachining 3D, HSM and Simultaneous 5-Axis modules, which, it claims, are particularly beneficial for mold and insert machining.iMachining 3D automatically produces a complete, ready to run CNC program, with optimal cutting conditions to rough, rest rough and semi-finish ...

  • PX8000 Precision Power Scope
    Article

    Precision power scope

    2014-01-20T12:20:27Z

    Yokogawa says its PX8000 combines power-analyser and oscilloscope technologies. It has 12-bit resolution with 100MS/s sampling and 20MHz bandwidth. This means that the PX8000 can be used for accurate measurement of inverter pulse shapes. A choice of input modules covers voltage, current and sensor measurements at voltages up to ...

  • Fanuc paintshop robots
    Article

    Paintshop robots

    2014-01-20T11:55:29Z

    The P-50iB and P-250iB robots are designed with features making them suitable for high quality automotive finishes and general industrial use, claims FANUC.The P-50iB has a very compact design but offers a large working envelope, with 1.4m and 1.8m reach variants. It offers the option of mounting to a ...

  • Stäubli connectors for engine test cell
    Article

    Multi-couplings for diesel engine test cells

    2014-01-20T11:46:34Z

    Stäubli has supplied multi-couplings for engine testing facilities at diesel engine manufacturer Perkins, as part of a project to automate the process. The company says its MCS multi-couplings are configured for each specific application. This takes into account the type of fluids in use, their pressure and temperature as well ...

  • REVOTRON, Tata Motors
    Article

    Tata launches REVOTRON engines

    2014-01-20T10:29:40Z

    India – The next-generation petrol engine family will power future models in the passenger vehicle market; the first in the series is the Turbocharged Intercooled Multi-point Fuel Injected (MPFi) REVOTRON 1.2T. REVOTRON 1.2T has been designed to be light weight and low friction while delivering high performance and fuel economy. ...

  • Article

    Henniges takes full ownership of Chinese JV

    2014-01-16T16:32:31Z

    China – The supplier of highly engineered sealing and anti-vibration products acquired the remaining 40% of Beijing Wanyuan-Henniges Sealing Systems from its partner, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).“After 18 years of operating as a joint venture with CALT, Henniges grew its capabilities and sealing technologies and now, as ...

  • Variaxis i-600
    Article

    Mazak offers new 5-axis multi-tasking machine

    2014-01-16T16:17:17Z

    Yamazaki Mazak says its new VARIAXIS i-600 is suited to engineering applications requiring fast set-up, reduced in-process time and accurate machining. The 5-axis machine features a full cast structure and gantry configuration which the company says will ensure a high level of rigidity with no Y-axis overhang. In addition, roller ...

  • Comau, NAIAS
    Article

    Comau celebrates moving assembly line centenary

    2014-01-16T10:28:07Z

    US – The latest automotive body assembly technology from Comau is being displayed within Ford’s exhibit at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, January 13-26. The Ford exhibit features four vehicle bodies representing different levels of the assembly process; Comau is providing a complete assembly system ...

  • Article

    GKN Driveline’s Russian expansion

    2014-01-15T14:15:36Z

    Russia – The company is set to open a 5,000m2 plant in Togliatti, in the Volga region where a number of vehicle-makers are situated. Production of constant velocity jointed sideshafts for automotive customers is expected to commence in early 2015.Pointing to Russia’s growth market for car manufacturers, Andrew Smith, ...

  • Opel Meriva, Zaragoza
    Article

    Opel starts new Meriva production, Zaragoza

    2014-01-15T13:53:26Z

    Spain – The first vehicle which rolled off the line at the Figueruelas plant was a Casablanca White Meriva Excellence with a new-generation 1.6-litre CDTI engine offering 136hp.The model now includes options for a full range of Euro 6-certified engines (gasoline, LPG and diesel powertrains). Opel says the small monocab ...

  • Coils, Constellium
    Article

    Constellium ploughs €200m into BIW

    2014-01-15T12:00:19Z

    The Netherlands – The investment will be made over the next three years as the company seeks to grow its body-in-white (BIW) business in the region. Noting the increased use of aluminium flat-rolled products over the past few years in premium models, Constellium said it believes this growth “will continue ...

  • Robert Lee
    Article

    Lee takes powertrain and driveline responsibilities at Chrysler

    2014-01-15T11:07:55Z

    US – In addition to his current role as head of Engine, Powertrain and Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineering, Robert Lee has been appointed interim head of Transmission Powertrain and Driveline Engineering. Lee has held his existing roles since 2011 and also continues to serve as powertrain co-ordination on the Group ...

  • Daimler Vitoria
    Article

    Daimler to invest €190m in Vitoria

    2014-01-15T10:51:50Z

    Spain – In preparation for a new generation of medium-size commercial vehicles (CVs) to be launched later this year, the OEM will develop the bodyshop, paintshop and assembly units at its second-largest van plant. In addition to modernising and re-organising these areas of the 600,000m2 plant, Daimler will optimise the ...