Latest News & Features – Page 88
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ArticleCo-bots to help produce electric Golf
Germany - Volkswagen has recently established a new joint venture (JV) with a start-up called Wandelbots in a bid to establish test stations for collaborative robots at its Transparent Factory in Dresden. The idea is to use the co-bots during the final stages of electric Golf assembly, the production of ...
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ArticleEV trend boosts aluminium demand
Constellium has opened a new facility in Mexico to serve the automotive industry, and predicts strong growth on the horizon. Michael Nash reports Aluminium supplier Constellium has opened up a new plant in San Luis Potosi, MexicoThe rise of electrification is having a huge impact on vehicle manufacturers and their ...
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ArticleMazda Toyota establish production JV
US - The two companies have announced that they are establishing a new joint venture (JV) company called Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, USA (MTMUS). The news comes less than a year after they signed an agreement to enter a business and capital alliance, and follows on from a decision to build ...
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ArticleBorgWarner opens turbocharger facility
Thailand - BorgWarner has inaugurated a new turbocharger production plant in Rayong, Thailand. Covering an area of 6,500 sq. m, the site has been established to meet growing demand for turbochargers in the Southeast Asian automotive market."Thailand is a very important production base for Asian automakers and offers an excellent ...
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ArticleTraining 5-axis machining centre
Heller Machine Tools says it has introduced a training machine designed to raise the skill level of horizontal machining centre operators away from the shop floor. The company clams the CNC ProfiTrainer builds on the capabilities of an existing 4-axis version with rotary table by offering the option of an ...
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ArticleIAC opens plant in Czech Republic
Czech Republic - International Automotive Components (IAC) has officially opened a new plant in Prestice, which will be used to house the production of door panels. Costing over US$40m and covering an area of 32,560 sq.m, the facility is the company's third in the region."Our new Prestice operation reflects our ...
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ArticleNew fibre laser models
With the addition of the FF500i-A and FF1000i-A models, Fanuc says it now offers a range of laser cutting solutions covering 500W through to 6000W. The company notes that specific Laser functions and interfaces allow for the integration of robot systems into the laser machine process for both material handling ...
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ArticleLessons to learn
As the automotive industry changes, OEMs and Tier suppliers need to train and retain skilled work forces. Audi takes on approximately 800 apprentices at its two sites in Germany in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm each yearOptimising production processes is a never-ending task for vehicle makers and while automation offers some ...
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ArticleClamping force verification
To assist with verifying the holding force of a component during machining operations OK-VISE says it has integrated two clamping force measurement systems directly into its modular Multi-Rail RM fixturing system.The Digiforce device provide the operator with an on-screen readout of the clamping pressure. In addition the company says that ...
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ArticleMagna opens new composites facility
Germany - The new Composites Center of Excellence will act as a base for the development of various vehicle structural components such as subframes, as well as exterior body parts like door panels and hoods. The idea is to identify production-ready lightweight solutions that will help vehicle manufacturers meet increasingly ...
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ArticleGM to increase Bolt EV production
US - General Motors CEO Mary Barra has announced that the company will soon ramp up production of the Bolt EV at its Orion Assembly plant, which is located north of Detroit. She cited "increasing global demand" as the reason behind the decision."In December 2012, the Chevrolet Volt was GM’s ...
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ArticleHigh speed CMM system
CyberOptics has launched its new SQ3000 3D CMM system, powered by Multi-Reflection Suppression (MRS) technology and CyberCMM, a new software suite for coordinate measurement. The company claims that in a lab or production environment, the SQ3000 system offers fast, accurate, repeatable and reproducible measurements for metrology applications in manufacturing of ...
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ArticleMaterial matters
New developments in polycarbonate in automotive applications offer a glimpse of the future Covestro's electric concept car includes polycarbonate wrap-around glazingDesigned in 1967 Covestro’s (then Bayer) K67 showcased how plastics could be used to create a stylish performance car. Fifty years later specialist materials supplier opened the doors at ...
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ArticleAdhesive tape solution
An electric car’s battery generates heat and voltage that needs to be shielded to ensure user safety, so tesa says it has produced a double-sided tape and special film that ensures no power surges can occur, with batteries having the ability to be wrapped in non-flammable products withstanding temperatures of ...
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ArticleFuturistic assembly at 'Factory 56'
Mercedes-Benz is building a new vehicle assembly facility that will act as a blueprint for the future development of all its production sites. Michael Nash reports Assembly of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class at the company's Sindelfingen plantMercedes-Benz has long been a champion of flexible and efficient manufacturing techniques, carrying out numerous ...
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ArticleMore to follow
With Honda reporting record volume figures for the full calendar year 2017, Ian Henry takes a region-by-region look at how the company is reacting The third biggest Japanese car company after Toyota and Nissan, Honda has especially strong positions in North America, China and much of Asia outside Japan; it ...
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ArticleContinental to build 48v plant
China - The German tier 1 supplier has just announced the start of a new joint venture (JV) with Chinese battery manufacturer Sichuan Chengfei Integration Technology (CITC). The companies will focus on the development and production of 48-volt (48v) systems for the passenger car market."Entering the 48v battery systems business ...
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ArticleNew stainless steel
The new ferritic stainless steel UGIMA 4509 offers the automotive industry more efficient machinability and better corrosion and oxidation resistance, claims Ugitech. The company says this new stainless steel is suited to different methods of working, such as machining, cold heading and welding and is also heat and corrosion resistant.Applications ...
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ArticleTracking and training
Digital technologies are providing new training solutions for the automotive industry. Nick Holt reportsEye tracking systems are now being successfully used to create training programs that reduce errors in manufacturing operations. Mike Bartel, senior research developer at Tobii Pro Insights provided an overview of what this technology offers: “Eye tracking ...