All articles by Nick Holt – Page 30
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ArticleBold colours – the key to classic and modern car character
AMS talks to design legend George Gallion and BASF colour designer Mark Gutjahr about colour and style in cars past and presentFor decades, George Gallion was responsible for the appearance of Opel models, including the legendary Manta A series. Gallion recently turned 75 and he still has strong opinions about ...
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ArticleEuroBLECH 2012 – Hanover
Alternative metalsDevelopments in weldingSheet metal processingPress line automationCovering eight exhibition halls at the Hanover exhibition grounds, EuroBLECH 2012, runs from 23-27 October with the theme ‘For a sustainable future’. It focusing on efficient technology and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, says the organisers.“This year’s theme of the world’s leading technology exhibition ...
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ArticleRussian revolution for GAZ
Restructuring for the futureCommercial successIn-house component productionCustomer-based benchmarkingContract manufacturingInvestment and upgradingRussia’s automotive industry has seen something of a renaissance since its Soviet guise was consigned to history. GAZ, famous for its trucks and Volga and Chaika cars, is re-establishing itself as a car maker through contract manufacturing with VW, GM ...
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ArticleSmart savings in paintshop energy
Savings potential lies dormant everywherePutting machines to sleepFrom cost factor to success factorPaint shop automation – a question of integrationUlrich Schrickel of Siemens explains how modern technologies and solutions can improve energy efficiency in the paintshopIn terms of energy used in a car plant, the paint shop is undisputedly the ...
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ArticleSmall, efficient and a true survivor within GM Europe
Press lineSharing the stressBodyshop ingenuity Future visionAssembly expertiseLuton today – economic and effectiveAll new for X82A good example of how things have changed at Luton, UK over the years is the shift patterns: in 2008, the plant ran three shifts but at present runs two, from 6.00 am to 21.30 ...
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ArticleFluid dynamics: simulation software
Physical prototypingFluid movementUp-front engineeringData characterisationDrive cycleThe presentation of a new development in computational fluid dynamics from Mentor Graphics.The fundamental equations for describing the movement of liquids – fluid dynamics – have been around for a long time but it’s really only with the introduction of computer-assisted calculation techniques that they ...
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Article
Editor's Note: Cutting edge
Making ‘cuts’ seems to be the automotive manufacturing solution of the moment; whether it’s cutting weight from a vehicle, perhaps most dramatically exemplified by the new Range Rover, or cutting production in the case of many of the European OEMs in the face of a lifeless market. Lightweighting vehicles (a ...
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ArticlePorsche prepares to launch the Macan from Leipzig
Modular assemblyWorking communityQuality managementDomestic product for a global market Continuous improvement processAs Porsche prepares to launch its new Macan model Nick Holt visits the Leipzig facility to find out more about the current production set up and plans for the future.The founder of Porsche once said that he couldn’t find ...
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Article
New ultrasonic controller for level measurement
The new Sitrans LUT400 series ultrasonic controllers offer one-millimetre (0.04-inch) measuring accuracy, claims Siemens Industry Automation Division. These compact, single point ultrasonic controllers are designed to continuously monitor and control level in liquids, solids, or slurry applications for a range of industries. The controllers are available in three models: the ...
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Article
New metrology CT system
Nikon Metrology has developed a new “absolute accuracy” Metrology CT system. The company says the MCT225 provides Metrology CT for a wide range of sample sizes and material densities with 9+ L/50μm accuracy in accordance with the VDI/VDE 2630 guideline. All internal and external geometry is measured in a single ...
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Article
Contact scanning and optical measuring combined in coordinate measuring machine
The O-INSPECT 322 coordinate measuring machine is the smallest system in the expanding the range of applications from Carl Zeiss. The company says the system combines contact ZEISS scanning and optical measuring, and is available in two sizes: O-INSPECT 322 and the original O-INSPECT 442. Both machines use the same ...
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Article
Multi-turn encoders use magnetic sampling for reliability
Pepperl+Fuchs has mounted its latest CVM42H absolute encoders in a stainless steel housing, flange and shaft, which the company says makes them suitable for use in harsh environments. The encoders utilize magnetic sampling to deliver 24 bit resolution position value through the CANopen protocol, and are available with an IP66, ...
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Article
Welded studs measuring system
Aicon’s engineers have developed the DPA welded studs measuring system (for determining the position of welded studs at the body framework in relation to the CAD reference data) especially for application in the automobile industry. The company claims the new self-centering adapters allow the desired CAD zero position to be ...
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Article
New European standard for stainless steel hollow bar
A new European standard EN 10294-2: 2012 – Hollow bars for machining, sets out the technical delivery conditions of stainless steels and nickel alloys with specifi ed machinability properties and has now been approved and released. Sandvik says its Sanmac hollow bar range of stainless steel grades has been extensively ...
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Fully automatic inline-CT for serial inspection
MatriX Technologies has extended its AXI product portfolio with an inline-CT solution for fully automatic serial inspection with computed tomography. The company says to ensure the optimum confi guration for the given inspection task, the new CT inspection system XCT-2000i can be equipped with different x-ray tubes and state-of-the-art detectors. ...
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Article
New premium Hot Bar monitoring system
Miyachi Europe has announced the availability of its new premium Hot Bar monitoring system, designed for Hot Bar refl ow soldering, heat-seal bonding, ACFbonding and heat staking applications. The company says the new system measures force, temperature, time and displacement, allowing continuous control throughout the entire process cycle. It is ...
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Article
Fully-assembled linear guide rail system
Igus UK claims its fully-assembled linear slide rail and carriage drylin W provides low wear, a low coeffi cient of friction and quiet, maintenance-free operation.This modular linear guide system offers both double and single rail options and can be fi tted with a range of components that includes 12 types ...
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Article
Laser tracker with high-speed real time output
With the latest firmware update, Hexagon Metrology claims to have improved the Leica Absolute Tracker AT401’s usability. The company says the updated AT401 can perform measurements without a warm-up period. This allows the operator to switch the system on directly out of the box and start measuring immediately.The built-in WiFi ...
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Article
Autofocus upgrade for barcode readers
Cognex has announced the addition of liquid lens optics for the DataMan 300 series of fi xed-mount barcode readers. The company says this new accessory allows any DataMan 300 reader to be upgraded from fi xed focus to autofocus. Liquid lens variable autofocus technology is suitable for applications that require ...
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Article
Next generation sensor-less and sensor based BLDC motor control
Melexis has launched its next generation IC family for sensor-less and sensor based BLDC motor control in automotive applications. The family consists of four base members; the MLX81205, MLX81207, MLX81210 and MLX81215. The company says each is available with a variety of memory confi gurations and in different package ...