Automation – Page 390
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ArticleEMKA offers pre-assembled gasket rings
In addition to some 500 gasket profi les, EMKA has introduced a range of pre-assembled gasket rings and frames which, with fully-sealed ends and corners, remove the chance of manual trimming errors. Sealing of ends and corners is essential to maintaining full sealing performance of a gasket profi le, eliminating ...
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ArticleAWL launches ‘beam switch management’ laser welding system
AWL, a leading manufacturer of arc-, resistant- and laser-welding equipment, has introduced a new laser welding system that features ‘beam switch management’. Because the system can direct a laser to two separate work areas, weld-to-weld times can be dramatically reduced. The solution is ideally suited for welding complex 3D parts.According ...
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ArticleCompact Rite-Link conveyor from DE-STA-CO
DE-STA-CO, provider of robotic tooling, workholding and flexible industrial automation solutions, has announced the launch of the CAMCO Rite-Link conveyor. Rite-Link’s compact design features narrow links, (30.4mm wide) with 75mm, 115mm, or 150mm pitches. There are five standard centre distances available, or a custom alternative can be provided, assembled and ...
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ArticleOn the cutting edge at EMO
Bosch RexrothMAG-IASKabelschleppAfter an absence of four years, the EMO exhibition returns to Hanover, Germany, this coming September. The 2007 event attracted more than 166,000 visitors from over 60 countries and 2,120 exhibitors; even the Milan event, at the depth of the recent European recession, attracted 1,204 exhibitors and approximately 124,000 ...
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ArticleIn and out of China
As China’s vehicle market continues to grow, carmakers from around the world are racing to keep up with demand while local OEMs plan to start regional exportsLifan and EffaChery - cheap, and available nowGeneral Motors - export and flyFord - a Focus on one planNew brand, new plantPSAElectric Dreams - ...
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ArticleThe manufacturing environment; manikin to man-machine
Virtual task modelling is helping experts to factor in the limitations of the human body in order to reduce the chance of repetitive strain injuries, while also improving production efficiencies across manufacturing plantsHappy seat, happy employeesThe virtues of the virtual workstationHuman Task SimulationHuman Activity AnalysisHuman Posture AnalysisAutomated replenishmentTracked, prioritized - ...
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ArticleSix pillars of wisdom
Driven by the results of a detailed industry survey, Microsoft has launched a new architecture designed to improve manufacturing process controlThe six pillarsDIRA framework and partnershipsPlant floor protocolsPoints of viewA recent poll conducted by the company served to highlight the capability of new technology advances now available across the digital ...
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ArticleThe evolution of steel
Aluminium and other exotic materials are being championed as the future of automotive BIW, but Ford and the World AutoSteel organisation believe steel will remain the material of choice, albeit in non-traditional forms.Looking to the futureDesign optimisationAt a recent model launch, a sheet was pulled back to reveal a new ...
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ArticleMeasuring success at BMW, Opel and beyond
While BMW and GM have chosen a single optical metrology solution for many of their European plants, other OEMs have stayed with CMMs due to the relative advantages of contact over non-contact systemsDemanding designControlling complex shapesTransparency from all anglesRepeatable and reliableKeeping in contactBody-in-white (BIW) measurement has gone through significant changes ...
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ArticlePooling the advantages
In the past 10 years, laser welding has moved from an exotic joining solution to a mainstream tool used in most body-in-white facilities. Laser efficiency and flexibilityWelding in 3DLaser welding provides narrow, deep welds and high welding rates, making it well-suited to high-volume applications such as body-inwhite.Here, it is now ...
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ArticleJoint forces
Fasteners, adhesives, brazing, spot welding, arc welding: lots of choice for body-in-white engineers, but which solutions are winning out?Turn key developmentsNew joining methodsCold joiningSelecting the optimum joining method for body-in-white manufacturing is a delicate task. Considering that, in principle, a car body engineer has only three parameters to combine for ...
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ArticleZebra Technologies: Flow replenishment
Learn how Android Industries drove their ROI using Zebra Technologies Material FLOW. Rick Frey discussed how they tackled the age-old issue of "you cannot improve that which you cannot measure".David Phillips, Director of Sales Engineering for The Americas and APAC at Zebra, presented this case study on how:Zebra Technologies' Material ...
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ArticleCommercial sense
The world’s largest LCV markets and a variety of manufacturing facilities in multiple countries show that plans for plug-in van programmes are highly advanced in many marketsNorth AmericaChinaEuropeGeneral Motors & RenaultFiat and PSA Peugoet CitroenVolkswagenRussiaConclusionWhen the best-selling models in each of the world’s two largest markets are classified as light ...
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Olof Persson is to take over as CEO at Volvo Trucks
Gothenburg, Sweden – Olof Persson is to take over as CEO at Volvo Trucks. He will replace Leif Johansson, who will retire this summer after 14 years in charge of the series truck maker.Persson, who until now has run Volvo’s construction equipment business, said that he would look to improve ...
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ArticleThe Chinese market starts to mature
Rationalising the manufacturing baseElectric DreamsMercedes-Benz plans rapid -ramp-upIn preparation for the second AMS China conference, to be held June 28 – 30 at the Intercontinental Shanghai Pudong hotel, AMS recently visited several carmakers and suppliers in China. Some interesting themes emerged from the meetings and plant visits, both in manufacturing ...
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ArticleProtect CFRP with Tinuvin Carboprotect
BASF has launched its Tinuvin Carboprotect light stabilizer product, designed to protect carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP). Using Tinuvin Carboprotect makes it possible to display the embedded carbon fibre material pattern, as the product blocks the destructive radiation from UV and near-UV visible light, keeping the matrix intact. This allows ...
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ArticleState of independence at Saab
Jan Åke Jonsson, the soon-to-retire CEO of Saab Automobile, and his successor, Victor Muller, who is also Saab’s existing president, talk about their plans for the company’s futureOEM and Tier 1 appliances for powertrainsProduction disruptions at TrollhattanThe mid-winter days of 2010 were even darker than usual for a small corner ...
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ArticleTrumpf launches the TruLaser 3003 workstation
Trumpf has launched the new TruLaser 3003 workstation for users carrying out medium-sized laser welding batches. The new system is described as being flexible, economic and ergonomic. For example, if the application requires a pulsed laser, such as for welding temperature-sensitive components, users can select a TruPulse laser. Disk, diode ...
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ArticleAS-interface magnetic door safety switches from Perpperl+Fuchs
Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced new AS-interface magnetic door safety switches. The CAT4 magnetic switches feature a coded magnet system with a fixed cable and an industry-standard M12 connector, enabling AS-interface users to safeguard small doors and coverings with a compact solution that quickly and easily mounts in any position.According to Helge ...
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Jamie Hresko resigns head of global powertrain at GM
Detroit, MI. – In other GM news, the carmaker’s head of global powertrain, Jamie Hresko, has resigned. He is the latest in a series of executives to leave the company since Dan Akerson took over as CEO.Hresko had been VP of global quality when he was selected to head the ...