All Press and stamping articles – Page 23
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ArticleA new design on production
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Renault proudly showed its latest-generation D-segment car, the Laguna III. AMS caught up with Jean-Louis Ricaud, Executive Vice President, Quality and Engineering (Vehicle and Powertrain) to learn how design for manufacturing is being implemented at the Sandouville plantAMS: As a member of the ...
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ArticleThe optics at Ogihara
When Japanese Tier One parts supplier Ogihara introduced its revolutionary manufacturing system it needed to bring OEMs up to speed with a user-friendly measurement data solution. CogniTens’ Optigo technology provided the means at just the right timeAhead of the gameEnter CogniTensTime-sensitive troubleshootingRe-engineering and OptigoKey benefitsSix years ago, Ogihara’s quality team ...
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ArticleMaking gains at Genk
At Ford of Europe’s flagship facility in Belgium investment in flexible production and supply has made the plant one of the company’s most successful operationsTeam workCornerstone of productionStamping and constructionError-proofing and testingPaint shop perfectionThree-step assemblyFord of Europe has increased the production and process capacity at its seven vehicle assembly plants ...
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ArticleIndia’s sunrise sector
The Indian government is on a mission to make its booming automotive industry a world contender. The country is encouraging the development of affordable and efficient vehicles, and carmakers are responding with keen interestFramework for future growthStatistics – where are we nowExport demand growingMaruti fights cornerHyundai’s small car hubTata’s small ...
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ArticleSeamless integration at Jaguar
When Jaguar closed down its Browns Lane facility in the UK recently, it had the daunting task of moving final assembly of its XK model to the nearby Castle Bromwich plant. It called on conveyor supplier Dürr to help solve the problem.Process of assembly has been improvedSuccesses to dateThe closure ...
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Article
AutoForm Engineering releases EasyBlank
AutoForm Engineering has released EasyBlank for rapid calculation of developed blank outlines from imported 3D CAD part geometry.It uses AutoForm-OneStep simulation technology and calculates material optimisation and nesting layout, making the software particularly useful at the quotation stage of a project.EasyBlank is free to download and use, and users of ...
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ArticleFlanders – a cornerstone in European production
At the forefront of vehicle making for more than a century, Flanders is home to a vehicle making industry that has grown steadily on the strength of quality engineeringProduction in proximitySupplier supportEmployment – growth through automationFord in FlandersSetting the paceVolkswagen in VorstVolvoPoint clouds for precisionRapid programming Flanders, in the northern ...
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ArticleHot stamping technology moves on
High strength-to-weight ratio, high part complexity and high shape accuracy are all benefits of an exciting new manufacturing technologyAchieving austenitisationHeat transferStamping and hardeningCooling speeds are criticalWeight saving, reduction of CO2 emissions and the improvement of crash safety, these are some of today’s important goals for the automotive industry. An innovative ...
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ArticleCross-breeding the brand in Kentucky
Toyota’s popular Camry now comes in a hybrid version thanks to innovations and investment in the assembly line at Georgetown, Kentucky. AMS looks at how the manufacturing process has been modified to accommodate the new, cleaner model.Smooth transitionDesigned with visionMinor changesSimplified assemblyBypass processesToyota teamIncreasing hybrid ratiosProduct levellingToyota celebrated the production ...
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ArticleFrom rack to track
In age of increased automation, getting parts to the assembly line in a reliable way has led to an increase in the use of automated guided vehicles. AMS looks at the latest developments in material handling and the safety advantages of the AGV.Hands-free futureFlexible facilitiesServer informationLaser guidanceMyths and challengesBMW LeipzigDearborn ...
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ArticleBuilding the perfect light curtain
We don’t give them much thought, and nor should we – assuming they’re doing their job properly. AMS in conversation with Joe Lazarra and Sergio Aguilar at Omron STIFrequency selection/Scan codesCascading light curtainFixed blankingFloating blanking and mutingReduced resolutionOmron STI’s Joe Lazarra wants to change the way you think about light ...
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ArticleWelcome to the House of Flex
Gary Cowger, Group Vice President for Global Manufacturing and Labour Relations at General Motors discusses the carmaker’s “avowed aim” of manufacturing flexibility using its Global Manufacturing System“House of Flex”Making flex work: a global initiativeMoving east in Europe and beyondCowger’s views on technologyAGV applicationsShifting biasWhile flexibility is a much-used term that ...
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ArticleThe pressures of the press line
Consolidation in the pressing business, both in terms of process steps and suppliers, is seeing the development of smarter applications in body-in-white and door assembly. AMS looks at Stadco and its subassembly supply.Turning JapaneseCost and innovationLocation, location, locationStrength means complexityQuality through consolidationBumper businessThere are several trends that most Tier One ...
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ArticleThrowing new shapes
More components in the cars we drive now are made of plastic as material developments bring structural advantages and better crash behaviourNew applicationsStructural and trimMoulding in colourHybrid IPSimple and safeBreakthroughs on performancePlastic GORThe automotive industry’s acceptance of plastic can be traced back to the early part of the century, but ...
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ArticleRoot and branch reform at Renault
Renault has implemented a new customer-focused strategy that makes quality the centrepiece of the company’s manufacturing system. AMS looks at the initiative and talks to senior VP for quality, Yann Vincent, about its effect on productivityQuality processesPalencia initiativesSupplier qualityCustomer quality managementThere is not an automotive manufacturer that does not put ...