Automation – Page 293
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ArticleHonda expands Malacca plant
Malaysia – The opening of Line 2 will double capacity to 100,000 units per year, with daily production increasing to 400 units. Honda has invested RM382m (£69m) in the new line, which has a built-up area of 49,190m2. The investment covers equipment and facilities as well as the building itself. ...
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ArticleUK's CV production plummets by 21.7%
UK – The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said that production fell to 87,671 units in 2013, owing to weak demand in Europe as well as the restructuring of manufacturing operations. Mike Hawes commented: “With early signs of recovery on the continent and better performance in the truck ...
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ArticleNakaguro to lead Nissan’s North American R&D
US – Succeeding Carla Bailo, who is retiring after 25 years at Nissan, Kunio Nakaguro will assume the role of senior vice-president, Research and Development, Nissan North America, in addition to his existing responsibilities as corporate vice-president, Research Center, Nissan Motor. Working from Nissan Technical Center North America in Michigan, ...
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ArticleCar production in UK hits six-year high
UK – Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that production rose by 3.1% in 2013 to surpass 1.5 million units, the greatest volume since 2007.Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT, attributed the increase to “surging home demand and robust exports outside Europe”. He added that ...
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Article
Car production in UK hits six-year high
UK – Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that production rose by 3.1% in 2013 to surpass 1.5 million units, the greatest volume since 2007. Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT, attributed the increase to “surging home demand and robust exports outside Europe”. He added ...
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ArticleQashqai on the mark at Sunderland
UK – The new generation model is now in full production, with one vehicle built every 61 seconds on the facility’s 24-hour Line 1. Nissan has invested £534m in the development and production of the Qashqai, which involves 224 suppliers in 22 countries. At a ceremony at the plant, Trevor ...
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ArticleZF and Kamaz inaugurate CV transmissions plant
Russia – Part of an investment package totalling €90m, the new facility at Naberezhnye Chelny, covers approximately 20,000m2 and will produce Ecomid and Ecosplit commercial vehicle (CV) transmissions.More than 95% of the transmissions produced at the location are for Kamaz, but other manufacturers are also supplied. The relocation to the ...
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ArticleOwsianski to lead Skoda’s Chinese sales
China – As executive director of Skoda Marketing and Sales Business at Shanghai Volkswagen, Thomas Owsianski will look after the brand’s marketing, sales and aftersales activities in the country. Taking over from Paul Willis, who has been appointed managing director of Volkswagen UK, Owsianski will assume his new role on ...
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ArticleBorgWarner begins El Salto engine timing manufacture
Mexico – As a global supply partner, the powertrain solutions company is now providing localised production for Volkswagen’s third-generation 2.0-litre and 1.8-litre DOHC 14 engines, which are built at the vehicle-maker’s new engine plant in Silao, Mexico, and power the VW Jetta and Beelte, plus other models for the US ...
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ArticleRöchling opens Wackersdorf plant
Germany – The plastics specialist has transferred its operations from a BMW-owned innovation park to a newly built production facility which cost €23m and covers 36,000m2. New equipment includes an injection moulding machine with a clamping force of 1,000 metric tons; another machine will be added by the end of ...
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ArticleMitsubishi ASX assembly begins in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia – The model, known as RVR and Outlander Sport in other markets, is being assembled at Tan Chong Motor Assemblies (TCMA), a consigned assembler of Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM). The ASX will be sold throughout the country from February. Morikazu Chokki, senior executive officer, said that since its establishment ...
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ArticleCutting fluid for difficult machining applications
XTREME CUT 292 is specifically designed to overcome the challenges of working with difficult alloys such as titanium, Inconel and stainless steel, claims QualiChem. The fluid can reduce costs because low drag-out rates reduce coolant usage, and extended sump life improves productivity and reduces disposal cost. The company says the ...
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ArticleEnhanced machining software
SolidCAM says it has made enhancements to the latest versions of its iMachining 3D, HSM and Simultaneous 5-Axis modules, which, it claims, are particularly beneficial for mold and insert machining.iMachining 3D automatically produces a complete, ready to run CNC program, with optimal cutting conditions to rough, rest rough and semi-finish ...
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ArticlePrecision power scope
Yokogawa says its PX8000 combines power-analyser and oscilloscope technologies. It has 12-bit resolution with 100MS/s sampling and 20MHz bandwidth. This means that the PX8000 can be used for accurate measurement of inverter pulse shapes. A choice of input modules covers voltage, current and sensor measurements at voltages up to ...
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ArticlePaintshop robots
The P-50iB and P-250iB robots are designed with features making them suitable for high quality automotive finishes and general industrial use, claims FANUC.The P-50iB has a very compact design but offers a large working envelope, with 1.4m and 1.8m reach variants. It offers the option of mounting to a ...
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ArticleMulti-couplings for diesel engine test cells
Stäubli has supplied multi-couplings for engine testing facilities at diesel engine manufacturer Perkins, as part of a project to automate the process. The company says its MCS multi-couplings are configured for each specific application. This takes into account the type of fluids in use, their pressure and temperature as well ...
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ArticleTata launches REVOTRON engines
India – The next-generation petrol engine family will power future models in the passenger vehicle market; the first in the series is the Turbocharged Intercooled Multi-point Fuel Injected (MPFi) REVOTRON 1.2T. REVOTRON 1.2T has been designed to be light weight and low friction while delivering high performance and fuel economy. ...
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Article
Henniges takes full ownership of Chinese JV
China – The supplier of highly engineered sealing and anti-vibration products acquired the remaining 40% of Beijing Wanyuan-Henniges Sealing Systems from its partner, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT).“After 18 years of operating as a joint venture with CALT, Henniges grew its capabilities and sealing technologies and now, as ...
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ArticleMazak offers new 5-axis multi-tasking machine
Yamazaki Mazak says its new VARIAXIS i-600 is suited to engineering applications requiring fast set-up, reduced in-process time and accurate machining. The 5-axis machine features a full cast structure and gantry configuration which the company says will ensure a high level of rigidity with no Y-axis overhang. In addition, roller ...
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ArticleComau celebrates moving assembly line centenary
US – The latest automotive body assembly technology from Comau is being displayed within Ford’s exhibit at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, January 13-26. The Ford exhibit features four vehicle bodies representing different levels of the assembly process; Comau is providing a complete assembly system ...