Latest News & Features – Page 276
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ArticleFlexLean: the future of flexible production lines
The key design principle of the "FlexLean" concept is to replace custom-made machines with standardised, modular products using the flexibility of robot-based technology.Originally developed for the automotive industry, "FlexLean" allows the production of different car models on the same production line and will help manufacturers to improve efficiency whilst reducing ...
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ArticleGet the lead out
Developments that can reduce ELV activities should always be welcomed – right? A US-based company claims to have a ready-made lead-free replacement for leaded window connectors, and how OEMs are demanding that more research be done before the product hits the assembly line.Part resistenceBetter go greenPoint, counterpointTrust in performanceThe European ...
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ArticleNew green paint shop in China for BMW Brilliance
BMW has a clear vision for its paint shop in Shenyang: the goal is to create nothing short of the world's most environmentally-friendly plant Dürr is constructing a particularly resource-efficient green paintshop for BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. (BBA) in Shenyang, China where all of the technological innovations that the supplier ...
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ArticleAluminium gets tough
Research into steel substitutionRecycling aluminium for automotive usageStadco predicts increased aluminium usageTesting to continueAMC takes shapeBreakthrough weight savingsThe advantages to be gained from using aluminium to build cars – whether as body panels, chassis solutions or powertrains – are now widely recognised. The material is significantly lighter than sheet steel, ...
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ArticleSustainability from sunshine
As global demand for cars and energy continues to grow, the need for cleaner and greener paintshops has never been more vital. AMS looks at an exciting new solar thermal initiative in plant designHighliy efficient evacuated tube collectorsLow-cost pollution-free process heating and coolingGuaranteed energy enables precise planningHigh return on investmentThe ...
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ArticleFord's Experiment Day at major paintshop supplier
Geico holds tailored Experiment Days for its existing and future customers at its PARDIS Innovation Center; AMS was invited to join a deputation of senior managers from Ford’s global paintshop teamTaking the lion's share of energyFord friends and global partnershipsProcurement and quality managementInnovation in motionIn October 2009, Geico opened the ...
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ArticleRobotic assessment
Regional aspectsSafety level variationsSafety theoryAs demand for vehicles continues to grow across various markets, a quick fix for OEMs looking to increase production volumes in existing plants is to add to the existing depth of automation. Reducing the human element in the production process mix can substantially increase throughput, while ...
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ArticlePrecision movement
The new Rite-Link product from DE-STA-CO is a ready-made solution for users looking for precision positioning in a conveyor system, says the companyAluminium linksCustom by natureBuilt to lastFor companies making relatively lightweight components or assemblies – particularly in highly-automated environments – a new precision link system, introduced in June this ...
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ArticleChevrolet comes of age
In October this year, General Motors will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chevrolet. Wayne Brannon, President of Chevrolet Europe, explains how the brand plans to increase its presence in the region, and looks at the future of Opel and VauxhallFuture analysis: Opel and VauxhallAfter a period of upheaval for General ...
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DE-STACO appoints Podczerwinski as CEO
Auburn Hills, MI. – DE-STACO, provider of robotic tooling and industrial automation solutions, has announced the appointment of John Podczerwinski as CEO.Prior to taking over as president, Podczerwinski was VP and GM of the company’s Vehicle Services Group for North and South American markets.www.destaco.com
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Article
Buchmann leads Sales & Marketing for Carl Cloos
Haiger, Germany – Welding technology provider Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik has appointed Dr. Robert Buchmann as Managing Director for Sales & Marketing, Development and Head of Divisions. Together With Ralf Pulverich, Managing Director, the two executives form the company’s core management team.www.cloos.de
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Sedlatschek takes over as director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
Brussells, Belgium – Dr. Christa Sedlatschek has taken over as director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Sedlatschek assumes the role from out-going director Dr. Jukka Takala, who is retiring.EU-OSHA is the European organisation tasked with reducing work-related accidents and occupational illnesses, such as repetitive strain ...
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Neußer has taken over as head of Volkswagen’s drivetrain development unit
Wolfsburg, Germany – Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer has taken over as head of Volkswagen’s drivetrain development unit. His predecessor, Dr. Jens Hadler, has left the company.Dr. Rüdiger Szengel, who has been with VW since 1985, has been promoted to deputy head of Volkswagen drivetrain development, while continuing to be responsible for ...
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Sommer is appointed as CEO for the ZF
Friedrichshafen, Germany – The ZF Supervisory Board has appointed Dr. Stefan Sommer as CEO. Sommer will take over from Hans-Georg Härter, who is retiring, in May 2012.Sommer has been with ZF since 2008. In his most recent role, he was the board member responsible for the Supply Chain Management and ...
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ArticleProgress makes perfect at Aston Martin
Many of the processes used in volume production at Aston Martin are also being used to produce the One-77, as a visit to both the supercar’s dedicated build unit and the company’s full manufacturing facility revealsSpecific solutionsInterior partsFinal stagesCore productionLimited automationFeeding the lineIn 2007, Aston Martin revealed that it was ...
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ArticlePerfecting primerless painting PSA-style
Measuring successAlthough it started out producing pepper grinders, and then expanded its portfolio to include bicycles, PSA Peugeot Citroën is now Europe’s second largest car manufacturer. The Poissy site just outside Paris is where France’s first ever compact water-based painting process has been installed, and is regualated by an ABB ...
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ArticleMINI's maxi quality finish
With primerless paint and advanced water treatment facilities, the MINI Plant Oxford paintshop is working hard to maintain the quality of finish that its customers expect while working towards a greener processPre-treatment protocolsIntelligent seam sealingPrimerless painting by numbersWet or dry - the clearcoat debateIan ‘Tom’ Bennett has the title of ...
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ArticleMINI maximises quality and productivity
When demand for the brand grew at an extraordinary pace Mini could have been a victim of its own success, but intelligent production management and an enthusiastic workforce have managed to maintan qualityFlexible thinkingClosing the doorsStores and doors - final assemblyInterview: Dr Jürgen HedrichApprenticeships and meistersShift patterns for shifting demandNew ...
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ArticlePerfecting the paintshop for the people’s car
One of the busiest paintshops in the world has to not only keep pace with extraordinary demand, but also to constantly upgrade its facilities to be greener and leanerA tour of ChangchunAutomated roof ditch solutionFast to the finishFor a man with possibly the biggest job in automotive paintshop, Liu Dong ...
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ArticleEditor’s Note: Rock and a hard place
Original equipment manufacturers were already getting nervous about part delivery, but since the knock-on effects of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake disaster, and to a lesser extent last year’s volcanic eruption on Iceland, the potential for disruption to the parts supply chain has been brought to the forefront.Specifically, OEMs want ...