Latest News & Features – Page 275
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ArticleThe power of nature
Glenn Brooks examines developments in alternative power generation at vehicle and powertrain production plants in Europe, the US and Brazil, as well as a particularly innovative facility currently under construction in North AfricaToyota's UK 'eco-friendly'The world's largest solar roofSolar power for Chevrolet Volt plantVolkswagen's hydropower initiativeZero-emissions car plantZero discharge, zero ...
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ArticleGetting it together
Ruari McCallion reports that new technologies and techniques in vehicle production are being blended with established methods in the modern assembly line, but new vehicle platforms may require a change in the balanceReduced plastic usage - for nowMixing in adhesivesThe right specificationThe old reliables still do the jobCold comfortDeveloping effective ...
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ArticleVital afterthought
Matt Youson reports that while testing equipment is sometimes omitted from an integrator’s plan of action, the installations are a ‘must have’ in terms of automotive productionInnomech - identifying probelmsFederal-Mogul - quality at speedIntegrating test and inspection technology into a production line, instead of relying on a third-party lab, has ...
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ArticleComplexity of location
Integrating an automotive production line is an engineering challenge almost as old as mass production, but the industry still faces new geographic and chronological challengesPurchasing and implementationBWI - adapting to circumstancesNexteer - managing growthFor those in the know, an automated production system in full flow is a thing of great ...
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ArticleRight first time
The various strategies being used to support successful integration of new production lines, including how 3D simulation can certify cell and assembly line performanceSiemens offer integrator services3D modelingBefore the business of building a new line can begin, a period of development is required. This part of the line integration process ...
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Geared up for flexible growth
Steel and stamping successShift systemFrom construction to productionBody-in-white - expertise on two levelsSuppliers onsite and onside for efficient assemblyTransmission productionHyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) in Nošovice is described by the carmaker as being the most modern manufacturing facility in Europe. While that claim might provoke some debate, the plant can ...
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ArticlePlant reborn
New material usageBody testingBeyond FreelanderAutomation in productionRaising the roofSealing the doorCustom paintMeeting expectationThe Land Rover Freelander 2 is not, by any definition, an entry-level model. Yet the new Range Rover Evoque, which borrows its layout from the Freelander, has undergone a series of major revisions in terms of its manufacturability ...
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Editor's Note: No quick fix
Badge engineering would appear to be a win-win for carmakers. Beyond production and delivery of restyled components, it's cheap to produce the same vehicle with largely cosmetic changes. It can also expand a new model's potential customer base - Buyer A wouldn't want to drive a car from Brand X, ...
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Wenzel releases the new exaCT XS desktop CT system
The new Exact XS from Wenzel is designed for the dimensional measurement and testing of small plastic components and parts with low density, where 3D data of complex inner structures is required. Measuring 600mm x 520mm x 430mm, the Exact XS is the smallest industrial CT scanner in its class, ...
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Jet Edge launches Mid Rail Gantry waterjet system
The Jet Edge Mid Rail Gantry waterjet cutting machine is capable of producing complex parts out of virtually any material. Features include an exposed tank that easily accommodates overhead loading. The system is delivered with a standard abrasivejet cutting head; a second cutting head can be added to increase productivity. ...
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DuraMax ‘Shop floor’ measuring equipment from Carl Zeiss
With a series of additional components and functions, the compact DuraMax Shop floor coordinate measuring machine from Carl Zeiss is now even better suited for taking measurements in the workplace.With its additional functions, DuraMax Shop floor is tailored for use in rough production environments. DuraMax also eliminates errors associated with ...
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Werth Inspector FQ high-speed CMM
The Werth Inspector FQ is a fast measuring machine that uses linear drives. Maximum positioning speed for the CMM is 1,000m/sec., with acceleration speed reaching 10m/sec2. The system is delivered with standard zoom optics, plus it can be fitted with additional sensors, including touch probes and laser scanning. For even ...
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Autoform delivers efficient simulation of hot forming and quenching processes
AutoForm Engineering, supplier of software solutions for the sheet metal forming industry, has introduced AutoForm-ThermoSolver, designed to simulate the hot forming and quenching processes. Using AutoForm-ThermoSolver, high-strength components with complex geometries and minimal springback can be engineered in less time and at lower cost.AutoForm-ThermoSolver features several innovations. In addition to ...
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Sabic introduces Xenoy iQ resin
Xenoy iQ resin, from Sabic’s Innovative Plastics unit, offers superior ductility and improved impact resistance for automotive parts. This translates to improved energy absorption in such events as pedestrian impacts, which is why the material has been used to produce the undertray fitted to Ford C-MAX models.As a further benefit, ...
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ExxonMobil introduces new Mobilcut water-soluble cutting fluids
The best coolants can deliver reduced maintenance requirements by resisting biological attack, helping to extend batch life. Ease of maintenance must also be balanced with good machining performance, while also protecting the machine tools and work pieces from corrosion and sticky deposits. In addition, the fluids should meet the latest ...
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Sandvik Coromant to launch new CoroDrill 860
Sandvik Coromant has announced that the new CoroDrill 860 will be available from March 2012. Optimised for steel drilling, the CoroDrill 860 delivers top-class performance across a range of operations, including conventional drilling, chamfered holes, inclined surfaces, cross holes, stack drilling and convex/concave surfaces. Using high cutting data in long ...
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New feature-rich CTX Ecoline turning machines from DMG
DMG has launched the CTX Ecoline range of turning machines that incorporate a range of new features. These include high-tech digital drives and the highly-stable linear roller guideways in all axes, which deliver optimum speed and dynamics even when completing complex procedures.Other features include a highly-dynamic spindle drive with continuously-adjustable ...
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ArticleFrom processing to final application
Schunk Hall 8.0 C70Creaform Hall 8.0 J150Delcam Hall 8.0 H57, Hall 9.0 B139SLM Solutions Hall 11 C80The 18th EuroMold World Fair for Mouldmaking and Tooling will be held at the Frankfurt/Main, Germany, from November 29 - December 2. In addition to being a showcase for the two titled areas ...
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ArticleAutomated wheel and tire balancing
A new automated wheel weight application system developed by 3M and Esys Automation can increase throughput speed of balanced wheels and tires in automotive assembly plants, the companies sayWhat’s the added value of cut-to-weight wheel weights?Less scrap: Causes no damage to Class A surfaces like hammeron weights can; avoids waste ...
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ArticleHow to make it in America
Executives at three transplant OEM production sites in the United States discuss how their respective operations are developing and what challenges had to be overcome in order to achieve success in manufacturingClose relationshipsBenchmarking worksPeople powerProcess leadershipDecoupled shiftsDifferent future pathsNo restIn 1966, Nissan was the first transplant carmaker to set up ...