Latest News & Features – Page 285
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ArticleClearcut a key matter for matt
A sparkling futureThey are a real eye-catcher at major automobile exhibitions. More and more carmakers are presenting models with matt finishes. Previously only used with custom paint jobs, now they are increasingly being used in smaller production runs as well. Recently, BASF introduced its current colour collection, which include a ...
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Finding the new black
BASF colour designer Eva Höfli talks about today’s fashions, tomorrow’s trends and their impact on automobile colours in the futureAPS: What’s everyday work like for a colour designer in the car industry?Eva Höfli (EH): Oh, it differs a great deal - depending on what stage our work has reached. During ...
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ArticleElectromobility and colours for the cars of tomorrow
Defining current trend worlds and colour worldsNew intelligence: ‘defragmented apparition’Move on nowColour codes of the here-and-nowSensible crossover colours: discrete dubbingColour codes of crossover coloursSupernormal: harmonious irregularitiesNew form for perfect presentationMixing exciting metallics and earthy natural tones to market to a highly diverse global customer base is a challenging job for ...
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ArticleAnodising and coating with experience
Optimising anodisingMeeting the challenge of new EC regulationAluminium cleaning, pre-treatment and anodising are some of the last finishing processes still using highly dangerous chemicals. One materials supplier is trying hard to clean up these areas For many decades, hexavalent chrome pretreatment has been the standard for aluminium. More recently, chromebased ...
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ArticleApplication expertise exhibited
Tight corners and compact carriersMoving into the third dimensionDürr’s Open House in Germany earlier this year saw all of the group’s business units presenting their innovative technologies with the motto: “Efficiency in the handling of energy and resources”In the paintshop application area, most important new model launch in is the ...
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ArticleWhen carbon counts for the better
An alternative to wet-chemical cleaningProcess technology – the decisive criterionComprehensive testing validates cleaning resultsRobot system with three nozzle arraysSmooth operation with many advantagesTopcoat line to go CO2As part of its drive towards greener paintshop processes, BMW has introduced a revolutionary cleaning technology at its Landshut plantTraditionally, plastic components for automobiles ...
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ArticleHarmonized automation
Bosch Rexroth, Hall 7, Booths 450, 550Pilz, Hall 9, Booth 370The SPS/IPC/DRIVES event, which will be held from 23-25 November 2010 at Messe Frankfurt, is Europe’s leading automation fair and the ideal event for finding out what’s new to the market, the trends, and what the future holds for automation ...
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ArticleA good problem to have
New models and plant makeoversPlant analysisNissan looks to lean productionToyota turns to technologyDomestic brands are quality winnersBankrupt in 2009, General Motors has a new problem; not being able to meet customer demand. GM’s VP of Manufacturing Diana Tremblay talks about increasing capacity, and analyst Ron Harbour explains how US carmakers ...
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ArticleMade to master the colour matching challenge
Paint formulation or application variation?Differences in colour – and opinionProcess change brought disharmonyWhen a carmaker found parts painted by a supplier differing from its finished car bodies it had to look at the problem from other anglesA major European automaker experienced difficulties on its production line when body panels painted ...
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ArticleLeading by example
An invitation to OEMsLive paint booths and Speed DryAutophoresis and nanotechnologyAluminium challengesWet-on-wet and low temperature curingR&D investmentLeading partnership successMany suppliers cut back on spending during the recent downturn, but Italian turnkey paintshop maker Geico has invested heavily in an innovation center At a time when many companies are scaling back ...
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ArticleVariations on a theme
Reducing cost in paint use and maintenanceParallel power in paint linesLess paint lost and rapid colour change possibleInside and outsideAdaptable and agileLight weight and high efficiencyLightweighting the robot armSpace-saving interfacing simplifies maintenanceEisenmann has been working hard to meet the challenges of today’s paintshop according to Ralph Meier, head of the ...
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ArticlePremium paintshop principles
Turnkey solutions and specificationsAluminium – low weight – big headache?Sludge control technologiesWet-on-wet – the way forward?Powder clearcoat – good for BMW but not JLRSourcing chemicals – the multi-supplier approachPrimerless paintColour matching challengesMatt finishes – will they ever be volume painted?Dream budgetCombining the finishing of upper-segment saloons, coupes and sports cars ...
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ArticleEvolution, not revolution
Manufacturing summaryPlant setupProduct and processToyota’s production facility in Valenciennes, France and the influence of the Toyota Production SystemA lot of well-known international companies have their beginnings in humble roots. An example of this is the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), which you may know started in 1933 as the Toyoda Automatic ...
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ArticleMetal mart in Hannover
Tebis, Hall 11, Stand G29Cloos, Hall 13, Stand D33Techni Waterjet, Hall 12, Stand A26ThyssenKrupp, Hall 16, Stand E22Trumpf, Hall 11, Stand C31/2Trumpf’s TruLaser Cell 7040Uddeholm, Hall 13, Stand C76Held every two years, EuroBLECH is the most important event of the calendar for anyone involved with the handling, finishing, cutting and ...
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ArticleManufacturing in a fluctuating market
Tofas numbersDedicated tooling productionRobots in the minorityLocal sales and export issuesWorking in TurkeyAMS travels to Turkey to talk with the plant directors of Tofas and Honda Turkiye to uncover what it takes to run a successful automotive production facility in this ever-changing marketIn March this year, the Turkish government introduced ...
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Faivre-Duboz becomes general manager of Renault Morocco.
Paris, France – Renault Management Committee member Michel Faivre-Duboz has been appointed general manager of Renault Morocco.He will be in charge of all in-country Renault operations, including construction of the carmaker’s new plant in Tangier, the SOMACA manufacturing plant and all related commercial activities. Faivre-Duboz will report to Jacques Chauvet, ...
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Klebert is the new chief executive of Schuler
Göppingen, Germany – Manufacturing equipment supplier Schuler has appointed Stefan Klebert as its new chief executive officer. Klebert replaces Juergen Tonn, company CEO since 2006. Tonn had announced that he would look to retire by 2011.Klebert has held leading positions at companies including Festo, Schindler and ThyssenKrupp. From 2006 to ...
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Akerson will be the new CEO of GM at end of the year
Detriot, MI. – Following CEO Ed Whitacre’s decision to step down, GM has announced that the company’s new CEO will be Dan Akerson, current GM Board Member and MD of the Carlyle Group. Akerson will also become chairman of the board at GM when Whitacre vacates the post at the ...
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ArticlePepperl+Fuchs's new VDM28 distance measurement sensors
Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced its VDM28 distance measurement sensors with Pulse Ranging Technology (PRT). These sensors provide measurements at distances ranging from 200mm up to 8,000mm, with repeatable accuracy of less than 5mm, a resolution of 1mm and response times as fast as 10ms. According to P+F, PRT is an advanced ...
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ArticleNew robotic gripper from DE-STA-CO
DE-STA-CO, producer of robotic tooling and workholding solutions, has released a new electric parallel gripper said to combine improved durability with the economy of brushed motor technology. The DPE Series gripper is designed for any application currently using pneumatic grippers. DESTA- CO says that the new gripper requires no programming, ...