Automation – Page 368
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ArticleNo truck with waste
Sharon Clancy talks to two European truck OEMs about their manufacturing operationsLike most truck manufacturers, Scania has global standards not just for most components and parts but also for working methods and quality, and environmental standards at all its plants. Likewise, Leyland Trucks, in the UK, is part of US-based ...
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ArticleGrowing bus and coach production with the population
Demand for clean air and higher passenger numbers are driving growth in the bus and coach sectorGlobal bus and coach manufacturing is in a growth cycle, driven by economic growth in the BRIC nations. In countries such as China and India, car-ownership is low, so demand for public transport is ...
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ArticleHeavy pressure to restructure
Sharon Clancy looks at how manufacturers of heavyweight vehicles are restructuring their operations in the wake of economic downturns and greater legislative pressureThe 2008 economic crisis decimated global sales of commercial vehicles, particularly in Europe and Latin America. Asia and North America started to recover in 2011 but only in ...
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ArticleBlue thinking in paintshop and power generation
Intelligent automationSunshine-powered sustainability"Think Blue” is the name of Volkswagen’s sustainability program, alluding to its aim is to increase fuel efficiency in each new vehicle generation by 10 to 15%, and that its aspirations to be ‘green’ will go beyond green to blue. The carmaker is matching its green vehicle development ...
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ArticleInterface accessories for harsh environments
Designed for reliable operation in harsh environments, Pepperl+Fuchs’s two new G10 Series AS-Interface splitters feature stainless steel coupling nuts, a robust one-piece housing with IP67/IP68/IP69K ratings and gold-plated and machined contacts, the company says.They can be mounted in tight spaces and the company claims they are immune to vibration.www.pepperl-fuchs.us
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ArticleVise and clamping systems catalogue
The new Get A Grip On Precision catalogue offers a comprehensive guide to a line of productivity boosting work-holding devices from OML available from importer Lexair.The catalogue includes the Genius precision 5-axis vise with 9,000lbf clamp force at the top of the jaws, the MC modular clamping system with patented ...
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ArticleHigh-speed cable assembly and connector systems
FCI has developed cabling solutions using ExaMAX connector technology that it claims will deliver up to 40Gb/s bandwidth capability.The ExaMAX IO connector design combines a new contact interface design technology that the company says decreases terminal stub and ground-mode resonances, with an optimised cable termination that minimises impedance mismatch and ...
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ArticleEntry-level vision system for colour applications
Cognex says its In-Sight 7010C, an entry level colour vision system, features 24-bit colour resolution that accurately identifies 16 million colour variations and is suitable for automotive manufacturing applications such as tyre model identification and fuse verification.Along with the In-Sight 7010C, the company is introducing three additional colour models, the ...
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ArticleExtended range of multi-sensor measuring equipment is launched
Hexagon Metrology has introduced three new Optiv Classic models to meet the European market demand for multi-sensor measuring machines at starter level.The company says its Optiv Classic 322, 432 and 443 are suitable for measuring flat parts such as punched components, circuit boards, foils or stencils, die cast and injection ...
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ArticleFlexible philosophy at Ford
Mike Farish takes a close-up look at how devolved management helps Ford operate highly flexible production on its powertrain linesOpened ten years ago at a cost of £325m, the Ford Dagenham Diesel Centre (DDC) comprises a climate-controlled production hall with 44,530 square metres of floor space for diesel engines plus ...
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ArticlePermeability measurement system, plus...
Versaperm says a new range of precise sensors for its automotive testing system not only check for any leakage (permeability) of hydrocarbons, but now also can check against CO2, water vapour, and virtually any other vapour.The company claims it can check ‘waterproof enclosures in automobiles against possible water damage that ...
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ArticleFacilitating mass manufacturing of carbon parts
Schuler now offers lines which it claims can economically produce carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts, even in large volumes.For the manufacturing of carbon parts, the company says it uses the RTM (Resin Transfer Molding) process. Due to the geometry of the part or cavity surface, the die’s centre of loading ...
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ArticleUp-rated fettling booths accomodate larger parts
An up-rated version of Hosokawa Micron’s plug-and-play fettling trolley has been introduced.The company says the unit’s brush guarded, split side panels allow the it to accommodate larger parts and it has a simplified, quick change filter design that is constantly monitored by alarm activating pressure gauges.A back-draft extraction booth is ...
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ArticleA Formula One finish for the road
Ron Dennis and the birth of the chrome racecarProduction paint for road supercarsClean and open paintshop designPartnering for optimum colour consistencyAdvanced booth design and low bake ovensChrome paint on road carsAkzoNobel won the contract to supply paint for McLaren road cars partly through its experience with the chrome finish on ...
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ArticleAqueous cleaning machine combines spraying and immersion
The PALMA aqueous cleaning machine from MAFAC is designed for spray and flood washing of industrial components, says UK agent Turbex. The twin-tank machine is equipped with a quick-flood facility that fully immerses a basket of components within 30 seconds, it says.The second tank allows pre- or post treatments to ...
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ArticleSafety laser scanners reporting via EtherNet/IP
OMRON’s STI OS32C-DM safety laser scanners enable users to check the operating state, analyse the cause of an emergency stop via LAN, and take corrective action, even in large-scale applications with multiple scanners.The company says an updated confi guration tool now provides a “maintenance access level” that enables the user ...
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ArticleLinear actuator for process automation
Festo says its DFPI combines the functions of a linear actuator, a positioner and displacement encoder in one unit.The company claims the DFPI solution is suitable for controlling knife gate valves and shut-off valves with regulated strokes and for use with all linear-actuated process valves, and incorporates IP65, IP67 and ...
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ArticleLED worklights for production machinery
Patlite’s CLK series LED worklights feature micro-array lens technology that provides even light distribution with illuminance up to 2,100 lux.The company’s LED worklights feature a slim profile aluminium or stainless steel body that is resistant to water, oil and chemicals. IP66G, IP67G and IP69K-rated CLK series LED worklights offer one-touch ...
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ArticleLeitz’s co-ordinate measuring machine
Offering a basic accuracy of 0.6 + L/550 micrometres, Leitz says the PMM-Xi is suitable for calibrating measuring tools and as a reference instrument for the production floor, quality centres and measurement laboratories.As a universal measuring machine, the PMM-Xi takes the place of form testers, gear and camshaft checkers, and ...
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Article
Environmentally-friendly transit coating
Cortec’s CorShield VpCI transit coating is an environmentally friendly, water-reducible concentrate designed as a replacement for oil-based corrosion preventives.The protective coating is applied to metal surfaces by spraying or dipping and is also translucent. The company claims that in ambient conditions the coating becomes dry to the touch 30 minutes ...