Automation – Page 318

  • form-2
    Article

    Future forming

    2013-09-01T11:52:02Z

    AMS looks at production techniques and material innovation in the press shopAs director of the Centre for Precision Forming (CPF) at Ohio State University in the US, Professor Taylan Altan is in a prime position from which to comment on developments in metal forming technology and applications. Set up in ...

  • 3d-1
    Article

    Laser machine for 3D-metal working

    2013-09-01T11:51:19Z

    The Jenoptik-Votan BIM robotic laser machine promises industrial manufacturers a flexible, fast-working, and cost-effective laser machine solution. The core element is a robot arm with integrated laser beam. The laser coupling is located at the base of the robot so the transport fi bre does not move concurrently with the ...

  • foba-1
    Article

    Laser marking workstation

    2013-09-01T11:47:16Z

    The FOBA M1000 manual laser workstation has been designed for laser marking of small-to-medium size parts, work pieces and batches, says the company. The work space allows for the processing of work pieces up to 450mm wide x 250mm deep x 200mm high.The laser class-one marking station is equipped with ...

  • Article

    Tesla opens assembly plant in the Netherlands

    2013-09-01T11:46:24Z

    Netherlands – Tesla’s Tilburg facility will serve as the final assembly and distribution point for Model S vehicles sold in Europe as well as Tesla’s European service and parts headquarters.Covering 18,900 square meters, this new facility is prepared to receive the new Model S, after it has been shipped over ...

  • boron-1
    Article

    Boron steel for increasing range of applications

    2013-09-01T11:43:43Z

    Ovako says it now has 37 different material grades of low-alloy boron steel in its melt programme. The company claims these, when heat treated, can achieve properties comparable with those of higher alloy steels.To produce this only small additions of boron are required which, in combination with carbon and other ...

  • Article

    Rice used in F-150

    2013-09-01T11:41:35Z

    USA – Ford is using plastic reinforced with rice hulls – a byproduct of rice grain – in an electrical harness in the 2014 F-150.The rice hulls replace a talc-based reinforcement in a polypropylene composite made by RheTech, a Michigan-based automotive supplier.Materials development engineers at Ford Materials Engineering, Testing and ...

  • Article

    VDL Steelweld reports Q2 orders

    2013-09-01T11:41:22Z

    VDL Steelweld has received orders totalling €200m during the second quarter of this year, including from Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo and Ford.www.vdlgroep.com

  • Article

    IAC has first jv in South Africa

    2013-09-01T11:37:32Z

    International Automotive Components (IAC) has announced a joint venture with Feltex Automotive, a South Africa-based supplier of automotive flooring, acoustics and trim components. The joint venture marks IAC’s entry into the growing South African market. Feltex has operated in South Africa since 1937.www.iacgroup.com

  • Article

    BorgWarner starts new output in China

    2013-09-01T11:34:14Z

    BorgWarner United Transmission Systems has started delivery of its DualTronic control modules and clutch modules with integral torsional dampers for SAIC’s new six-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT), the company says. Both modules are being built at the company’s plant in Dalian, China.www.borgwarner.com

  • Article

    GAC to build Acura

    2013-09-01T11:28:44Z

    Guangzhou Automobile Group and Honda have signed a basic agreement to jointly conduct Acura business in China. The two companies will begin discussing plans to begin local production of Acura brand vehicles at Guangqi Honda Automobile in 2016.www.gaig.com.cnwww.honda.com

  • costs-1
    Article

    Perfecting production to cut costs

    2013-09-01T11:21:05Z

    The AMS South America conference, in São Paulo on October 29-30, will hear experts discuss tough challenges, says Simon Duval Smith.Vehicles sales continue to grow at a healthy rate in South America and this has spurred the building of new manufacturing and assembly plants by both established players and new ...

  • Article

    GKN to build more axles for BMW

    2013-09-01T11:02:25Z

    GKN Driveline is to supply the front axle for a number of BMW X Series Sports Activity Vehicles, it says. The company’s plant in Newton, North Carolina, will supply front final drive units (FDUs) for the current X3 from August and other high performance X models later this year. GKN ...

  • rifd-1
    Article

    New RFID on the block

    2013-09-01T10:52:47Z

    From the year 2000 onwards RFID technology started to significantly impact manufacturing efficiency. M2M represents the next step, AMS reportsRFID is fantastic at providing basic information, but due to the need for all items to be scanned individually it also creates a bottleneck at control points. However, the latest M2M ...

  • Article

    AP&T supplies to Gedia

    2013-09-01T10:50:49Z

    Germany – Vehicle component manufacturer Gedia has ordered a complete press hardening production line to manufacture car body parts, from AP&T for its facilities in Attendorn. In addition to an Oden press with 1,250 tons of press force and all automation, the order also includes AP&T's Multi Layer Furnace.www.aptgroup.com

  • Article

    Perceptron Users Meeting 2013

    2013-09-01T10:49:15Z

    Germany – Bratislava was the venue for this year’s international metrology users’ meeting hosted by Perceptron. The three-day event featured presentations from metrology users, workshops, training seminars, demo stands and a visit to the local Volkswagen plant.Visitors from nine countries included representatives of quality control, planning and purchasing departments from ...

  • building-2
    Article

    Building on a reputation

    2013-09-01T10:37:37Z

    Asian manufacturers are expanding their range and amount of production in North America, reveals Nick GibbsJapan’s major automakers, famously embedded into the North American manufacturing landscape, are set to become more so. Honda was first to establish itself in the US back back in 1982 when it began building the ...

  • news-6
    Article

    Nissan production capacity in Americas to reach 2m units by 2014

    2013-09-01T10:31:47Z

    USA – Nissan is expanding its manufacturing footprint in the the Americas with an investment of more than $5 billion in new plants and increased production volumes.The move comes in response to strong growth opportunities and in an effort to isolate itself from volatility in global currencies.Nissan is expanding in ...

  • Article

    Renault-Nissan develop together for first time

    2013-09-01T10:29:18Z

    India – The first all-new programme developed from the ground up by Renault and Nissan teams working side by side is set to cover the most affordable category of cars in the Common Module Family (CMF),Renault-Nissan’s modular system of vehicle architecture. CMF divides vehicles into five modules: the engine bay, ...

  • Article

    Mazda’s Mexico engine plant

    2013-09-01T10:27:51Z

    Japan – Mazda’s new Mexican engine machining factory will produce around 230,000 engines per year from October 2014.Construction of the buildings which will house the vehicle and engine assembly lines, is complete and operations should start in the fourth quarter of fiscal year ending March 2014.By localising production and increasing ...

  • Article

    Hyundai boosts European production capacity

    2013-09-01T10:26:09Z

    Turkey – Expansion of Hyundai’s Izmit manufacturing plant will increase capacity to 200,000 vehicles annually by 2014.The upgrade will allow the facility to build the forthcoming i10 in addition to the new i20. The success of the Izmit facility, in which the company has invested more than €1 billion ($1.3 ...