Editor's Pick – Page 97
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ArticleA focus on fibres
Lightweight, high-strength benefits are being offset by materials and process costs. James Bakewell looks at the challenges of making carbon fibre cost effective Used for the first time in earnest by Volvo, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) will feature in the £135,000 ($176,400) Polestar 1’s bonnet, boot lid, side panels, doors ...
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ArticleSticking together
The use of a wide variety of materials throws-up significant production challenges and chief among those is joining. How can this plethora of materials be fixed together without affecting their structural integrity or their individual characteristics? The automotive industry is mostly set-up for resistance spot welding (RSW). This method has ...
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ArticleMercedes starts B-Class production
Germany - Mercedes-Benz has started series production of the second model in its newest compact car generation - the B-Class - at its plant in Rastatt. The car is being built alongside the GLA SUV and the A-Class compact sedan, which is also made in Kecskemét (Hungary), Uusikaupunki (Finland) and ...
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ArticleVolkswagen to alter European output
Germany - Volkswagen has revealed plans to expand production capacity by building a new plant in Eastern Europe. It will be a multi-brand plant, making various vehicles under the different marques of the VW Group, and will play a key role in the company's competitiveness in the region."We have redefined ...
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ArticleA holistic approach to quality
Raffaello Lepratti, VP of business development and marketing at Siemens looks at how suppliers can optimise the cost of quality while assuring OEM requirements The automotive industry is undergoing massive structural change, as the advent of new technologies coincides with rapidly changing customer preferences. Recent developments suggest this disruption ...
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ArticleDriving the future of e-mobility
Henkel is responding to changes in the automotive industry with a range of technologies for the emerging trend towards e-drive modules Building on years of experience and expertise in engine and powertrain applications, Henkel is investing in new technologies and products for the efficient, large-scale manufacturing of safe and ...
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ArticleTravel blog: Big game in SA
There are a handful of countries in the world that remain relatively untouched when it comes to the new car market, with sales of used cars traditionally dominating. In South Africa, for example, sales of used cars outweigh those in the new car market by more than two to ...
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ArticleUnease in the East
Falling sales, electrification and mega mergers: Nick Gibbs provides an overview of the current automotive industry trends in China A fascinating year for China’s automotive industry has seen the world’s largest car market undergo a series of seismic shifts as it moves to a new level of maturity, bringing both ...
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ArticleScan system for mass production
The excelliSCAN system features a SCANahead servo control as well as galvanometer scanners with precise digital angle sensors, says Scanlab. It’s claimed the scan head is able to autonomously calculate its own control parameters and anticipates in real time the optimal navigation of curves.The company says that integrated functions like ...
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ArticleVice for cylindrical or prismatic parts
The PC80Z self-centring vice is available in a new, two-in-one version that accepts the manufacturer's optional round inserts, enabling cylindrical components or billets from 44 to 95mm in diameter to be clamped securely, says Roemheld.The company says the vice can be converted back within a couple of minutes to its ...
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ArticleBMW takes a virtual reality check
Germany – In preparation for ramp up of the new BMW 3 Series, virtual reality technology has enabled the OEM to set up cockpit preassembly workstations. By using VR, BMW says it was able to assess the whole of the new production area in virtual reality and test new procedures ...
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ArticleCentred countersink measurement
A new countersink measurement solution for its GapGun range can calculate the dimensions of a countersink hole to accurately predict the flushness of fasteners once fitted, claims Third Dimension.The company says this new countersink inspection system is faster and more accurate than a mechanical gauge. Tolerance bands can be pre-set, ...
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ArticleCompact true colour sensor
Micro-Epsilon says it has launched a new range of colour recognition sensors designed for high precision true colour measurement in industrial applications. The new colorSENSOR CFO100 and CFO200 true colour sensors are suitable for a range of industrial applications, claims the company, including colour inspection of interior parts in the ...
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ArticleQuality 4.0 in car body inspection
Nikon’s Laser Radar – a next-generation CMM that provides accurate, point cloud-based feature measurements in absolute coordinates – generates more data, leading to higher-quality products, and also saves time and money for OEMs High-end manufacturing has always required the feedback of reliable measurements to adjust parameters precisely and ...
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ArticleLap of luxury
Its history and heritage may be strong but Aston Martin’s focus is firmly fixed on the future A proud claim of Aston Martin is that of all the cars the company has ever built in its 105 year history, 95% of them are still on the road. As a premium ...
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ArticleBuilding on framework
The Freightliner Custom Chassis plant in Gaffney, South Carolina, houses a diverse assembly mix, and has recently taken on a new project Gaffney is a small town sitting off the beaten track. It was previously described as ‘the peach capital’ of South Carolina, with the local economy dependant on orchards ...
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ArticleA positive response
Daimler is embarking on a major corporate restructuring in the hope of improving its ability to face upcoming challenges in the automotive sector The restructuring currently underway at Daimler is due to be complete by 2020 and the plan centres on creating legally independent AG companies, Mercedes-Benz AG, Daimler Truck ...
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ArticleDrive for efficiency
How can tier suppliers deliver a fast and efficient project? According to SSAB a close partnership with a material supplier and early involvement is the key to success Today, the competition in the automotive industry is driving the need for efficiency more than ever. As a result, OEMs are ...
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ArticleThe full measure
In-process measurement can guarantee fewer rejects, easier assembly, and ultimately, happier customers before a single part reaches the OEM The ‘where’ in automotive manufacturing has changed and expanded over time as OEMs rely further on increased content from Tier suppliers. From frames, closures, headlamps and tail lamps all the ...
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ArticleRaising the roof
When it comes to roof gluing, vision systems such as the one in operation at FCA Cassino will lead to a return on investment in a short time Vision systems have become a very powerful tool for automotive manufacturers, allowing them to increase productivity and overall quality while simultaneously ...
