Predictive Maintenance | Automotive Manufacturing Solutions – Page 3

  • Camera inspection at VW Emden
    Article

    Digitalised energy saving

    2019-08-22T14:29:00Z

    Vehicle production has become increasingly digitalised, with a variety of different tools helping workers on production lines. These tools can also help reduce energy usage. Michael Nash provides an insight

  • mindsphere-si-01136789_original
    Article

    Gathering clouds

    2019-08-20T10:44:00Z

    Cloud computing has been used for some time by carmakers, but its full potential has still to be realised in automation applications. 

  • Doors EMS
    Article

    Smart moves at Factory 56

    2019-07-31T14:07:00Z

    Helping to realise the smart and flexible ambitions of Mercedes-Benz’s Factory 56 project, Conductix-Wampfler describes its system for the conveyance solutions installed at the plant

  • Wuxi-BOSCH-987A1486
    Article

    Illuminating the way

    2019-05-02T16:31:00Z

    With Bosch’s manufacturing operation at Wuxi identified as a “Lighthouse” of industry 4.0, Mike Farish takes a closer look the site’s data-driven developments and explores a similar beacon of progress based in the UK The term ‘world leader’ is easy-to-use and needs more than self-estimation to justify. But in ...

  • On a twinning streak
    Article

    On a twinning streak

    2019-03-04T12:29:00Z

    Creating a digital twin of manufacturing operations can deliver development and efficiency benefits. Mike Farish reports 

  • Siemens digital machining
    Article

    At the leading edge

    2019-03-04T12:18:00Z

    Steed Webzell looks at edge computing and the hardware requirements for those looking to digitally monitor, measure or control their machining operations Certain terms surrounding digitisation have become pretty familiar over the past 5-10 years: Internet of Things, Industry 4.0 (I4.0), edge computing, big data, smart factory, artificial intelligence ...

  • Automated_Interior_PaintApplication
    Article

    Paintshop 4.0

    2019-01-10T14:54:00Z

    Nick Holt visits Eisenmann’s technology centre in Holzgerlingen, near Stuttgart, for a preview of the latest skidless paintshop technology prior to its installation at the Daimler plant at Kecskemét The skids used to convey vehicle bodies through the various coating and drying stages in the paintshop are seen as a ...

  • schuler_euroblech1
    Article

    Smartly pressed

    2019-01-03T13:54:00Z

    OEMs and suppliers are teaming up to design and construct a state-of-art press shops, duly networked for an industry 4.0 approach More on Stamping Ford Saarlouis Gestamp Constellium, Georgia Skoda Mlade BoleslavArguably the main technological factor most commonly associated with metal pressing and forming equipment is ...

  • Transit production at Golcuk
    Article

    Collective thinking

    2018-07-05T14:57:00Z

    Closer collaboration between product development and production teams could lead to significant improvements in vehicle manufacturing processes. Ford Otosan holds a unique position. Michael Nash reports The scenery in Turkey is full of surprises. A quick car journey can lead to towering mountains, pristine beaches and lush forests, while historical ...

  • Comau Open Gate Alfa Romeo Cassino
    Article

    Robots on the rise

    2018-05-14T11:16:03Z

    Advances in robotics go hand in hand with new approaches to automotive manufacturing, writes Chris PickeringThe automotive industry is at a crossroads. Ahead lays the most radical shake-up in a generation, with disruptive trends such as electrification, autonomous driving and lightweight materials bringing opportunity and uncertainty in equal measure. It ...

  • Daimler Factory 56
    Article

    Forging a future in Factory 56

    2018-05-10T14:44:00Z

    New car manufacturing facilities will need to be highly flexible as the trends of vehicle electrification and autonomous driving continue to evolve. Mercedes-Benz futuristic ‘Factory 56’ paves a new path. 

  • Michael Nash headshot
    Article

    Travel blog: A slice of Turkish delight

    2018-05-09T14:31:56Z

    Once renowned for its pristine beaches, soaring temperatures and enthusiastic hospitality, Turkey was a hot spot for tourists across the world looking to get away for a week or two. But as conflict in neighbouring Syria erupted in 2011, the number of holidaymakers visiting the country plummeted. Change is now ...

  • Bosch robot
    Article

    Digital factories need forward thinking

    2018-03-29T09:00:54Z

    Michael Nash talks to Bosch's Stefan Assmann about changes taking place on vehicle production linesStefan Assmann was previously a plant manager at Bosch’s gasoline and diesel systems components facility in the Czech Republic. He is now head of Bosch Connected Industry – a new unit created by the supplier in ...

  • Bosch robot
    Article

    Digital factories require forward thinking

    2018-03-14T15:43:54Z

    Michael Nash talks to Stefan Assmann at Bosch about current changes taking place to vehicle production lines across the worldStefan Assman was previously a plant manager at Bosch’s gasoline and diesel systems components facility in the Czech Republic. He is now head of Bosch Connected Industry – a new unit ...

  • ABB spot welding technology at Scania plant in Oskarshamn
    Article

    Spotting an opportunity

    2018-03-13T09:36:42Z

    Steed Webzell talks to major players in joining, automation and materials technologies to get their take on the future of spot welding ABB spot welding technology at Scania's plant in OskarshamnAccording to a Technavio 2017 report, spot welding is the most popular type of robotic welding, generating more than 48% ...

  • Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen S-Class assembly
    Article

    Futuristic assembly at 'Factory 56'

    2018-03-07T15:52:56Z

    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 ...

  • plastics welding
    Article

    Joined-up thinking

    2018-03-02T12:53:28Z

    The welding of plastics and other non-metallic materials is now well established as a fabrication technique for automotive componentsThe welding of non-metallic materials is frequently used to create parts such as cabin consoles, lights and mirror assemblies, intake manifolds and fluid reservoirs, including fuel tanks. However, despite being a common ...

  • Mitsubishi Electric predictive maintenance
    Article

    Predictive maintenance for robots

    2018-02-26T10:54:57Z

    Mitsubishi Electric says it has developed a cloud-based predictive maintenance solution for robots that utilises the AI platform within IBM Watson. The platform uses predictive maintenance models, digital simulation and extrapolation of trends to provide maintenance information based on actual usage and wear characteristics.Communications between the robot and the user ...

  • Renault Valladolid AMS janfeb2017
    Article

    Spain’s rising star

    2017-12-08T16:46:00Z

    Renault’s Valladolid plant is piloting some of the latest digital manufacturing technologiesThe Spanish plant has become a star in Renault’s production network for making one of the brand’s most successful new-segment launches: the Captur small SUV. Since start of production in 2013, the car has passed the ‘1m built’ milestone ...

  • VectorAuto
    Article

    IoT disruption in the driving seat

    2017-10-27T15:42:51Z

    Digitalised manufacturing will play a critical role helping automotive interiors suppliers achieve the flexibility needed to remain competitive and relevant in today’s fast-moving digital economyWith consumers’ growing appetite for high value-added yet competitively priced vehicles, automotive suppliers face increasing pressure to keep up with changing tastes and requirements while remaining ...