All articles by Nick Holt – Page 38
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ArticleModular fixturing unit from Witte for measuring interior car parts
Plastic parts require special treatment during positioning for measurement, as materials are often relatively soft and unstable. In order to avoid deformation, the parts should not be clamped, but gently fixed without exerting any pressure on the part. Temporary deformation would lead to falsifi cation of measuring results. Alufix fixtures ...
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ArticleSavings by design
Tata Motors at Sanand is behind the Nano and its challenge of producing and marketing the car at the given price pointColour considerationsThe Tata Nano still holds the title of the world’s most inexpensive new car. But the question remains, how do they do it? How does Tata manage to ...
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ArticleGuard Lock safety door switch from Omron STI
Omron Scientific Technologies has launched the D4SL compact six-contact Guard Lock safety door switch. The D4SL features a durable metal-head designed to deliver long life in demanding industrial environments. Users also benefi t from easily selectable wiring, a wide variety of mounting methods and available operating keys, plus a generous ...
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ArticleDriving metallurgy
Advances in the processing techniques for powder metals are helping Federal-Mogul to deliver high-temperature components that are critical to the next generation of downsized enginesNew material compositionsPistons feel the heatSealing the dealTurbocharging, direct injection, variable valve timing and new combustion strategies are just some of the technologies credited with enabling ...
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ArticleBack from the brink
For a relatively small market, Canada punches way above its weight. The country’s annual vehicle sales may total only around one tenth of those of its southern neighbour, but the province of Ontario is home to many car and light truck plants, each of which has an enviable export programme.Detroit ...
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ArticleLeader of the pack
The Ford C-MAX and Grand C-MAX are the first vehicles to be based on the company’s new C-platform. AMS examines the vehicles’ new features and how these changes have influenced production at the plant in Valencia, SpainSliding doorsSteel and panel pressingDealing with diversityNVHTaking the leadHybrids and application equipmentThe first-generation Ford ...
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ArticleIntertronics introduces high-intensity UV spot curing lamp
The BlueWave 75 from Intertronics is a new high-power UV spot curing lamp, which combines low operating cost with high-intensity output, in order to accommodate a wide variety of bonding applications and UV-cure adhesives. The lamp transmits less energy onto the substrates, resulting in cooler UV curing, a feature especially ...
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ArticleThin white Juke
The new Nissan Juke crossover has replaced the Micra in production at the company’s Sunderland, UK plant. Nick Holt tours the facility to find out more about the overall build processes, taking a closer look at individual changes made for the new model and how manufacturing plans for the Leaf ...
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ArticleSSAB delivers advanced high-strength steel for automotive safety components
Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB is a market leader in the fi eld of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS), supplying OEMs and Tier companies that use the material to manufacture safety-critical parts for automotive production.SSAB delivers product under the brand name Docol AHSS. “With SSAB’s AHSS products, car manufacturers can make safer ...
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Henkel introduces new pre-treatment process for multimetal substrates
Henkel has developed a two-step phosphating process that applies the coating to steel and galvanized materials, while suppressing the deposition of a phosphate layer on aluminium parts. In the second step – at the passivation stage – a zirconium-based conversion coating is applied to the aluminium. Measuring between 20 and ...
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Johnson Controls upgrades vehicle interiors with two-color slush skins
Johnson Controls, a leading supplier of automotive interiors and electronics, has introduced a two-colour slush skins option for interior surfaces. This extended in-house competence allows carmakers to ensure the harmonization of colour, grain and shine of interior components, whether they are slush or thermoformed skins.“Slush skins meet the highest quality ...
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ArticleBirth of a new car plant
AMS gains exclusive access to the new Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemét, Hungary for a look behind the scenes at the technologies that have been incorporated into construction of the new greenfield facility destined to produce premium compact cars for the European marketFuture compatiblePart and equipment supplyPress and body shopBuilding-in profitPlant ...
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ArticleBayVision Makrolon allows new styling options
Makrolon polycarbonate is opening up completely new styling options in the automotive industry for the design of tailgate modules. A prototype module further includes an integrated backlite developed by Bayer MaterialScience. Unlike a conventional tailgate, which would be based on a metal carrier with inserted glass window, the Makrolon part ...
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ArticleMann+Hummel launches new generation of EDM filters
The new generation of Mann+Hummel EDM filters, suitable for Japanese and European EDM machines, are able to deliver clean dielectric fluid from the start of operations, while also providing 30% longer service life in comparison to conventional filters.This is made possible by using a new synthetic media and a triple-progressive ...
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ArticleMotor starters with Profienergy interface save energy in production
Siemens Industry Automation & Drive Technologies has added the Sirius M200D motor starter to its series of Profi energy-compatible products. Using the multi-vendor, deviceindependent Profi energy profile, which has been standardised according to the Profi bus User Organization (PNO), it is now possible to shut down individual machines or even ...
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ArticleNew mould forming technique from GKF
Georg Kaufmann Formenbau has debuted its new moulding technology, GK LIPfi bre (Georg Kaufmann Lightweight Integrated Process fi bre). This moulding system, which combines thermoforming and injection mould processes, produces lightweight structural components from glassfi bre reinforced thermoplastic composites. These high-strength parts are 25% lighter than comparable metal components.The dynamic ...
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ArticleEditor's Note: The price of progress for Volvo
It’s widely believed that there is no such thing as a free lunch. In support of this truism, we can examine the case of Chinese carmaker Geely. Having bought Volvo from Ford in August for about RMB 11.3bn ($1.7bn), the Swedish premium vehicle manufacturer looked to be on considerably firmer ...
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ArticleNew 3D White Light measurement systems from Hexagon Metrology
Hexagon Metrology has launched the Cognitens WLS400 and WLS400A white light sensors for portable and automated 3D measurement. White light measurement uses digital stereo vision technology to generate accurate 3D data. This technology is increasingly used throughout the global automotive industry in order to improve quality control.The system is available ...
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ArticleProfil adds the REN nut to its portfolio
Profil has added the REN nut to its range of high-strength pierce and clinch fastening products. Developed to provide exceptional torque and pull through performance in panels up to 9mm thick, the new fastener is ideal for applications subject to intense dynamic, static and shock loading, such as those found ...
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Photoelectric sensors from SICK
SICK Sensor Intelligence has launched the WL27-3 Refl ex Array photoelectric sensor for leading edge detection of irregularly-shaped objects. Any object 12mm or larger can be detected with the Refl ex Array’s 50mm detection height, regardless of object properties or position within the array, including clear materials.The WL27-3 Refl ex ...