All Plant Functions articles – Page 15
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ArticleDigital twins: Making more of the data
Developments in data management are making digital tools that will support closer cooperation between vehicle engineering and manufacturing operations
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ArticleMercedes-Benz partners with Stellantis and Total to expand European battery cell capacity
Mercedes-Benz has joined Stellantis and Total in taking shares in Automotive Cells Company, with plans to expand battery cell production in Europe, as part of a strategy to increase and diversify supply.
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VoiceRoll forming: supporting the production of new vehicle structures
Electric vehicle architectures offer both challenges and opportunities when creating strong, lightweight body structures. Dreistern’s Automotive sales manager, Christoph Grüllich looks at the current build of EVs and discusses some of the solutions offered by roll forming
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ArticleWhitepaper: The electric vehicle pivot - Why smart manufacturing, not scale, may be the key to success
What impact is electrification having on established operating models and how vehicles are made?
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ArticleAutonomous vehicles: developing safe battery structures
Owain Davies, Vehicle Architecture Leader, Steel E-motive project, discusses how AHSS is improving high voltage battery design and integration in electric vehicles for MaaS applications
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ArticleVolkswagen’s plan to digitise its global production network
Volkswagen will overhaul its North American manufacturing through digitalisation, using AI, cobots, and integrated cloud systems to enhance connected manufacturing and supply chains.
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ArticleIn a state of flux: EV motor development
Electric motor development is key to improving the performance of EVs. AMS spoke to Paul Price, chief technology officer at electric motor developer IRP about optimising design for manufacture and developing better driving performance
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ArticleElectrifying Europe: new EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislation effectively bans petrol and diesel engines by 2035
The EU’s latest salvo against the automotive industry to mitigate against climate change will eliminate ICEs and transform automotive manufacturing
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ArticleAI, apps, and automation: How Volkswagen aims to transform North American manufacturing with digital drive
Digitalisation is the word of the day when it comes to streamlining the production process and making data more transparent. While cars themselves have rapidly developed and become more advanced, the manufacturing process is now following suit.
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ArticleA production transformation that will last 20 years at Volkswagen
Christian Vollmer at Volkswagen discusses how virtual tools have helped production move during the pandemic, why cross-plant collaboration has accelerated and VW’s evolving manufacturing strategies to ramp up EV production.
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ArticleAMS Materials flow and automation 2021 – Moving with the times
Our latest digital edition looks at the latest assembly line concepts coming from new EV producers and how AI is becoming a key enabling technology
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NewsLG and Magna create JV for electric powertrains
The new company, to be called LG Magna e-Powertrain, will be located in Incheon, South Korea and will produce electric drivetrain systems
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ArticleThinking outside the box: lightweight battery enclosures
The lightweighting of electric vehicle (EV) structures is a key element in helping to extend the endurance ranges necessary to accelerate their increasing adoption. A specific target for weight reduction is the compartment used to house the batteries
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ArticleCanoo charts a new course in production
With a new management team, manufacturing strategy and approach to production, Canoo continues to develop its business. AMS spoke with VP for manufacturing, Frank Faga, to find out more
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ArticleWatch: Vehicle lightweighting rises to the top of the agenda for designers and engineers
This livestream investigates how designers and engineers at Ford, Gestamp and key suppliers are using innovative materials and creating lightweight architectures, including for models like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Maverick compact truck.
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VoiceFuture-proofing automotive suppliers: Dealing with technological change and uncertain demand
The need for greater flexibility in automotive manufacturing is already influencing investment decisions within OEMs but also has major implications for the supply chain. Automotive Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) spoke to Tanja Vainio, Managing Director, Business Line Automotive Tier 1, Robotics and Discrete Automation Business at ABB about the challenges ahead and the available solutions.
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ArticleMaking shopfloor management an asset in the smart factory
No matter how comprehensive the digitalisation and automation, the human factor still drives the modern smart factory. And yet, the intersection of man and machine, the shopfloor management, needs a rethink to become an asset in the data driven production line. Report by Chris Löwer
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VoiceDigitalising production scheduling: Connecting with reality
With automotive manufacturers faced with rapidly changing markets, Siemens discusses how they can transform variability on the shopfloor into predictable and executable production schedules
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ArticleVolkswagen to develop 3D printing process for vehicle production
VW has entered into a software partnership with Siemens and expanded its existing collaboration with printer manufacturer HP to develop 3D printing processes to support future production operations
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AnalysisEV battery supply chains on the move
As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process.