Automation – Page 367
-
ArticleLaser hits the spot
Although laser welding processes are increasingly being employed, Steed Webzell discovers that resistance spot welding is still experiencing high levels of developmentLaser and resistance spot welding are two processes that compete for the same automotive applications – choosing between them requires careful analysis. Rather than go over the welltrodden advantages ...
-
ArticleSolar process heat for paintshops
Ovens the key to major energy savingsAnalysing paintshop energy consumptionPilot installation at DürrEfficiency and amortisationLong life and low operating costThermal energy accounts for around 70% of all industry’s total energy consumption and while solar collectors can provide a large share of this industrial process heat, the collector technology used depends ...
-
ArticleA world of welding
Steed Webzell reveals the high levels of innovation being applied to welding processes in automotive manufacturingWelding remains the dominant joining technology for the automotive manufacturing sector but developments in technology, equipment, quality control and automation are crucial to evolving more efficient processes to produce ever lighter and stronger compOnents and ...
-
ArticleChinese OEMs gaining ground outside China
Chinese OEMs are making tremendous progress in design, R&D and manufacturing. These moves are improving their ranges of vehicles and most importantly, their quality and durability. Added to this the lower price of Chinese-brand vehicles is a powerful plus point and the domestic OEMs are marketing their low price advantage ...
-
ArticleAn holistic analysis of the paintshop of tomorrow
Cost and environmental factors in the balanceWaterborne systems score thanks to low VOC levelsImproving eco-efficiency with integrated processesModern paint line and application technologies boost eco-efficiencyScope of the studyBASF and Dürr have collaborated on an ecoefficiency analysis of application processes to compare the efficiency of products and processes and their impact ...
-
ArticleRe-defining efficiency in the paintshop
Efficient air recirculationHigh voltages instead of filtersSubstantial energy and chemical savingsDramatic reduction in particulate emissionsOptimized pre-treatment process with E-ShuttleWhen Volkswagen went looking for big reductions in energy consumption and emissions at its Bratislava plant, its facility provider responded with some novel solutions.The paint process accounts for up to 70% of ...
-
Article
Changes to Chrysler leadership team
USA – Chrysler has announced the following changes to its leadership team:Reid Bigland is president and CEO of the Ram truck brand, continuing as head of US sales and president and CEO of Chrysler Canada.Timothy Kuniskis is named president and CEO of the Dodge brand. Jason Stoicevich is head of ...
-
ArticleThe ice-cold alternative
Snow at supersonic speedsReducing reject rates at VolkswagenEfficient cleaning at BMW – even in delicate cavitiesCO2 snow jet cleaning is taking over from traditional power wash systems at Volkswagen and BMWWhen it comes to coating automotive plastic parts, pre-treatment has a decisive influence on the paint quality, and the previously ...
-
ArticleA green – or any final colour – basecoat solution
Honda Motor Company recently announced that it has developed what it is calling the 'Honda Smart Ecological Paint' (Honda S.E. Paint) process, a highly efficient painting technology that eliminates a middle coating layer from the commonly used 4-coat/3-bake vehicle body painting system, to move to a 3-coat/2-bake water-based painting process. ...
-
Article
Mark McNabb appointed as COO for Volkswagen of America
USA – Volkswagen of America has appointed Mark McNabb COO for the VW brand. McNabb will be responsible for the management of sales, aftersales and customer experience for the brand.He was most recently president and CEO of Maserati North America.www.vw.com
-
ArticleBlossoming jv partnerships in China
General MotorsVolkswagon - kit plants and regional coverageDongfeng and its new venturesStamping automation and paintshopGAC-HondaAs foreign carmakers are required to create partnerships, joint ventures (JVs) are among the largest Chinese companies and multinationals and, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), foreign companies manufacturing in China through JVs ...
-
Article
Stackmann new chairman of SEAT
Spain/Germany – Jürgen Stackmann replaces James Muir as chairman of SEAT. Muir will assume a senior management function within the Volkswagen Group.Stackmann held senior posts at Ford before joining the Volkswagen Group in 2010, initially holding responsibility for sales and marketing at Skoda.www.seat.com
-
ArticleChina's carmakers balance demand and labour costs
Lines and equipmentSmart platform strategiesGAC - building from partnershipsBody-in-white and paintshop policiesPowertrain strategiesBrilliance Auto Group was ‘approved’ by the government of Liaoning province in 2002 and at the last estimate has US$4.85 billion in assets and 35,000 employees. The company has two brands, Jinbei and Brilliance. Jinbei is one of ...
-
ArticleFull steam ahead for pre-paint parts cleaning
New steam generating techniquesEffective cleaning with steam and airAlready proven in series production operationAPS reports on a new chemical-free process that uses saturated steam and high-velocity air to remove contamination reliably, quickly and cost-effectivelyImproved sustainability, increased cost-effectiveness and constant quality optimisation are some of the most important aims of the ...
-
Article
Danielson appointed as vice-president at Volvo Cars China
Sweden – Volvo Cars has appointed Lars Danielson as senior vice-president, Volvo Cars China Operations. He succeeds Freeman Shen.Danielson was most recently vice-president of China operations within manufacturing, responsible for developing and establishing Volvo Cars’ manufacturing footprint in China.www.volvocars.com
-
Article
Domenicali goes for CEO post at Ducati
Italy – Claudio Domenicali, currently general manager and member of the board of directors at Ducati, replaces outgoing CEO Gabriele Del Torchio.Domenicali joined Ducati as a project leader in 1991. In 2012, he was confi rmed as a member of the newly formed board of directors after the sale of ...
-
ArticleChanging China
Simon Duval Smith investigates how Chinese OEMs are dealing with booming sales, rising labour costs, working in joint ventures and manufacturing abroad.China is a remarkable vehicle making country; subject to dramatic fluctuations in demand and production, driven by the sheer size of the market and the quixotic buying behaviour of ...
-
ArticleBlue oval goes green in India
When the Ford India Sanand plant is completed in 2014 , it will have a capacity to produce 300,000 passenger cars per year. The existing Chennai plant and this newly developed plant have joint production capacity of 500,000 units per year with a capability to further expand to meet cycle ...
-
ArticleHeavy work, made light
The diversity of off-highway vehicle manufacturing makes for complex production logistics, reports Sharon ClancyThe introduction of EU Stage IIIB and US (EPA) Tier 4 emissions legislations in 2011 led to the introduction of more sophisticated powertrain systems. As is the case with many commercial vehicle manufacturing operations, to achieve the ...
-
ArticleThe Think Blue paintshop – an holistic approach
Eco robots help aim for a green targetHumidity control the key to successWaterless process drives plastic perfectionWhen Volkswagen opens its fully automatic paint shop for plastic parts at its Wolfsburg plant, it will be claimed as one of the most efficient units in the world.Bumpers, fuel tank covers and small ...