Latest smart factory stories | Automotive Manufacturing Solutions – Page 13
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ArticleFuturistic assembly at 'Factory 56'
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 ...
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ArticleJoined-up thinking
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 ...
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ArticlePredictive maintenance for robots
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 ...
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ArticleSpain’s rising star
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 ...
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ArticleIoT disruption in the driving seat
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 ...
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ArticleCompressed air gets connected
iConn is a cloud-based, air management platform from Gardner Denver’s CompAir brand. The company says the system can provide historic, real-time, predictive and cognitive analytics, enabling users to rectify potential issues before they happen.It’s claimed this cloud platform allows users to monitor compressor performance from a single location using a ...
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ArticleA digital value chain
For OEMs and suppliers, the transformation into a digital enterprise is crucial for achieving optimum plant availability, production flexibility, and competitivenessIn order to optimise the commissioning costs and ensure the necessary level of quality, starting with the first vehicle produced, each start-up process must be perfectly planned. The digitalisation of ...
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ArticleSmall steps – big gains
Mike Farish looks at how a leading tier supplier has implemented an IoT strategy to its manufacturing operationsWhat is the best way to implement an Industry 4.0 or Internet of Things (IoT) strategy – a single, intense company-wide campaign or a gradualist approach in which a series of small projects ...
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ArticleBehaviour study
Big data technology has enabled Gestamp to tackle energy consumption at several of its plants and, crucially, closely observe just how equipment behaves in operationBack in 2014, Gestamp resolved to address a noted upturn in its energy consumption. The Spain-based company specialises in designing, developing, and manufacturing metallic assemblies and ...
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ArticleZero Downtime
GM has ambitious plans to implement a zero down time approach using cloud based computing to connect all of its production robots worldwideRobots are now not just commonplace items of equipment on automotive factory floors they are absolutely vital to the implementation of automated manufacturing strategies that successfully combine the ...
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ArticlePlug and produce
Dennis Kolberg, head of research at the department of innovative factory systems at the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), discusses developing and creating the Smart Factory and how Industry 4.0 will result in a paradigm shift in production operations How will I4.0 change the automotive manufacturing industry?Dennis Kolberg ...
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WebinarFrom big data to smart data – Siemens MindSphere
Today’s automotive manufacturing plants generate huge amounts of data. While it is important to collect such data, it is essential to handle it intelligently. In this webinar, we’ll explain why cloud solutions are a vital part of the journey toward becoming a productive ...
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ArticleFabric-cutting solution
Lectra claims its new Vector iQ fabric-cutting system can increase productivity by up to 10% and features Eclipse continuous cutting, which provides automatic material advance to cut without interruption. The company says the entry-level Vector models come with its Power Premium service coverage, which includes predictive maintenance designed to reduce ...
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ArticleCNC human machine interface
FANUC claims its iHMI (intelligent Human Machine Interface) provides a simpler, more efficient and intuitive way to interact with its 30i/31i/32i-model B CNCs. The iHMI features a flat-panel touch-screen display and a graphical navigation. It also incorporates a suite of new tools and features.The new Cycle Time Estimation function can ...
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ArticleDriving customer performance
In business since 1973, noted cutting room authority Lectra has established an industry-leading position by helping customers to achieve operational excellence through a unique combination of expertise, advanced technologies and best-in-class services.As the privileged partner to a broad portfolio of premier businesses, Lectra provides integrated cutting room solutions for the ...
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ArticleGetting connected at Hannover Messe
The show will highlight innovation in production and process automation, system solutions and industrial ITWith the Industry 4.0 concept high on the agenda, issues of connectivity and data management will be highlighted at this year’s Hannover Messe, along with additive manufacturing, energy efficiency, preventive maintenance and lightweight construction. A massive ...
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Webinar
ABB Robotics Webinar: Remote services and the Internet of Things, services and people
This webinar presented the impact the Internet of Things will have on the way systems are managed, strategies are coordinated and how services are delivered. A short presentation was followed by the opportunity to ask questions.We covered:–ABB Robotics' vision for the Internet of Things, Services and PeopleThe major trends in ...
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ArticleHandling with care
New materials and the drive for greater flexibility in production have created new challenges in handlingWalk through almost any modern automotive assembly plant and the major trends in automotive assembly aren’t difficult to spot. Equally clear to see are the tensions and trade-offs that exist between them. The inexorable march ...
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Article
Cloud computing for manufacturers
Supplier of manufacturing software, RealVision is offering several of its products through the software-as-a-service cloud model.Its tool and gauge management program, ToolManager; preventative maintenance program, RPM; and document control system, DocManager are now all offered through the cloud.The company says these programs integrate well with each other and with RealVision’s ...
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ArticleAutomatic support from Voith on India
Cost increases vs efficiencyAttracting expertiseWith huge investment in vehicle manufacturing facilities being made in a rapidly developing market such as India, OEMs cannot afford any downtime in any production process. “Prevention is better than cure,” commented Marcus Glaser-Gallion, board Member of the Voith Industrial Services, on a recent visit to ...