Latest News & Features – Page 317
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ArticleFollow the bear
Major investment is now being made in the Russian automotive industry and the region looks set to become a force to contend with. But companies are still showing caution Why Russia now?Domestic marketNew plans for AvtoVAZGAZ has global ambitionsFord’s ‘early-mover’ investmentAvtoVAZ joint ventureHyundai-Kia importsNew venturesPlants for St PetersburgChinese gaining presenceTata ...
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ArticleAn ongoing legacy at Ascari
Like increasing numbers of smaller and specialist engineering companies, supercar manufacturer Ascari Cars turned to Dassault Systemes CATIA V5 for high performance engineering and a scaleable PLM solution for the future.Full-scale supportAscari is an exclusive carmaker that builds high performance cars in low volumes. It will only ever make 50 ...
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ArticleUpgrading with IGRIP
Delmia has implemented software solutions to upgrade the paint lines at Caterpillar’s facility in Decatur, Illinois, where a number of new robots have been installed requiring intensive re-programmingModified relationshipsWhen Caterpillar wanted to upgrade its robotic paint line it was agreed that utilising the Delmia IGRIP software with the UltraPaint add-on ...
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ArticleThe pressures of the press line
Consolidation in the pressing business, both in terms of process steps and suppliers, is seeing the development of smarter applications in body-in-white and door assembly. AMS looks at Stadco and its subassembly supply.Turning JapaneseCost and innovationLocation, location, locationStrength means complexityQuality through consolidationBumper businessThere are several trends that most Tier One ...
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ArticleThrowing new shapes
More components in the cars we drive now are made of plastic as material developments bring structural advantages and better crash behaviourNew applicationsStructural and trimMoulding in colourHybrid IPSimple and safeBreakthroughs on performancePlastic GORThe automotive industry’s acceptance of plastic can be traced back to the early part of the century, but ...
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ArticleSmart handling for vacuum gripping
Replacing conventional vacuum ejectors with high-performance versions brings savings in compressed air, energy costs and downtime at a major carmakerRobot press lineIntegrated high-performanceConsideration of the economic and efficiency aspects of vacuum gripping systems for handling sheet-metal parts are of enormous importance, particularly in the automotive industry.A basic distinction can be ...
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ArticleA heavy demand for lightweight construction
Making steel high strength means lightening the load for carmakers, and applications are extending to stamped and rolled components.Structure and safetyThe steel revolutionManufacturing concernsHigh-strength in actionAnother GalaxyIn modern vehicle manufacturing the demand for lightweight, high-strength steels, including the latest dual-phase materials, is increasing because of the overall blend of structural, ...
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ArticleRoot and branch reform at Renault
Renault has implemented a new customer-focused strategy that makes quality the centrepiece of the company’s manufacturing system. AMS looks at the initiative and talks to senior VP for quality, Yann Vincent, about its effect on productivityQuality processesPalencia initiativesSupplier qualityCustomer quality managementThere is not an automotive manufacturer that does not put ...
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ArticleComputer crashing
Computer aided engineering is making vehicles safer through the use of more sophisticated simulation models based on reliable data. AMS looks at the rise of the digital dummy.Reducing time and costKnowledge-based solutionsSophisticated structuresReal time restraintTyre model simulationLimited-slip differentialsBepco Host CellRobust solutionMahle sub-system testingCorus, the international steel company, and DAF Trucks, ...
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ArticleRaising the tool bar
Having the right tool for the job is a process being made easier thanks to advances in rapid manufacturing, and it is bringing big benefits to every part of the manufacturing process Helping hand heldOrganic ergonomicDucati design cyclesAll in the detailFormula for successExTreme performanceAt the first mention of prototyping in ...
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ArticleWireless bridge module from ProSoft
ProSoft Technology’s new inRAx Wireless Ethernet/IP Communication Module (MVI56-WA-EIP) acts as a wireless bridge, enabling remote connectivity between a ControlLogix processor and 802.11 wireless devices including: PCs, Labtops, radio modems such as the RadioLinx Industrial Hotspot and other MVI56-WAEIP modules. The MVI56-WA-EIP module allows programming over the backplane and acts ...
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ArticleCable and wireless tester from Clare
The latest addition to the Clare range of electrical safety testing equipment is a special ruggedised cable and wiring harness tester designed for demanding test locations and environments. The Horizon 1500 RWA is a durable, portable cable and harness analyser tester capable of battery powered operation and can be equipped ...
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Rigid and masterbatch compounds from Multibase
Multibase (a Dow Corning company), a key player in thermoplastic materials, has introduced a new range of rigid and masterbatch compounds, reinforced with micrometric structural talcs, (PP-μTalc).This new product line offers new technical and competitive cost alternatives for the design and manufacturing of structural plastic parts.Automotive parts need to integrate ...
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ArticleGE Launches New Extem* Resin Line
GE Plastics Extem* thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) resins are a new family of amorphous polymers that provide exceptional performance, while eliminating the drawbacks of semi-crystalline materials, imidized thermosets, and competitive amorphous thermoplastics.They deliver a powerful combination of melt processability and ultra-high thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties.They meet growing industry demand for ...
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Swivel Head Force Gauge from Huntingdon Fusion Techniques
Huntingdon Fusion Techniques has released the new Swivel Head Force Gauge, specifically designed for measuring the force between the electrodes in resistance welders used in automotive metal fabrication.This new model replaces the old fixed head resistance welding force gauge as well as the old swivel head version and combines the ...
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ArticleAll eyes on design
Convincing 3D environments for automotive designers are becoming more sophisticated thanks to advances in data modelling technologyVirtalis visionMultiple viewing environmentCompany applicationsSubtle advanceCave dwellingSpeed and accuracyAdvanced simulation awardMarketing photo-realismAs if any more proof were needed of the sophistication with which computer technology can now elaborate ‘reality’, take a look at the ...
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New measurement capability from Bruel & Kjaer
Bruel & Kjaer has introduced its Response Equalisation Extreme (REq-X) measurement solution as part of its PULSE sound and vibration data acquisition and analysis platform. It extends the measurement capability, facilitates the first-time acquisition of valid data, and eliminates annoying measurement re-takes.The new REq-X feature extends and flattens the frequency-response ...
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ArticlePopular photoelectric sensors now feature 4-in-1 outputs
Pepperl+Fuchs’ popular Tru-Vue series photoelectric sensors are now available with 4-in- 1™ outputs. This enables a single sensor to operate in NPN normally open, NPN normally closed, PNP normally open, or PNP normally closed configurations. 4-in-1 simplifies sensor selection and stocking because one sensor model can now replace four sensor ...
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Go configure with Rexroth’s Easy-2-Combine
Rexroth’s Easy-2-Combine online confi gurator tool for handling systems features pneumatic and electric components that can interface with one another. It quickly and easily compiles a handling module without any extra calculation work and allows users to display handling modules online quickly and precisely. As an added benefit, the configurator ...
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Platform preparation in one Magics session
Materialise NV has released a new part of its Magics e-RP Suite called Magics 11 which speeds up the build set-up process with an automatic planning and process control system. This involves preparing multiple platforms in a single Magics session, enabling production planning on different machines simultaneously; though even with ...