Interiors – Page 5
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ArticleThe rise of robotics
Robots now play a key role in boosting quality, reliability and efficiency at automotive plants worldwideRobot sales to the automotive sector have increased from 19,300 in 2009 to 69,400 in 2013, with China, Germany, the US and Japan the main takers. Indeed, a recent report by independent business information provider, ...
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ArticleT Sarangarajan, Hyundai Chennai
The vice-president – Production discusses operations at the OEM's very modern plant at Chennai, where the bodyshop is almost fully automated and there is an in-house aluminium casting capabilityAMS: Could you tell us about the aluminium casting facility at this site?T Sarangarajan (TS): It is a very clean operation, perhaps ...
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ArticleSteel's stiff competition
New developments have made composite materials an increasingly viable option in vehicle manufacturingThe phrase ‘the right material in the right place’ has become something of a mantra for vehicle-makers in recent years in their efforts to reduce the weight of their cars. While the use of aluminium is increasing, many ...
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ArticleSuper colour vision
The latest technologies, including 3D dirt detection, can significantly improve the efficacy of colour identification in a range of automotive production applications At first glance, colour appears to be a fairly straightforward concept. However, when it comes to checking and measurement, it rapidly becomes a complex entity that demands attention ...
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ArticleSupplying South America
Our special regional edition, the first in a series, contains insights from industry experts with a significant presence in South America: Comau, Schenck RoTec, Geico Taikisha, Siemens, Kuka, Carl Zeiss and EMAG.Now available online in four languages – English, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese – South America 2014 tells how both ...
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ArticleSouth America special issue
The first in our series of regional supplements covering the most important automotive markets in the world is now available online in four languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish and Chinese. This special edition provides in-depth information about the activities of key OEMs and tier suppliers in South America, and how they ...
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ArticleFaurecia Interiors: Staying in shape
While vehicle production volumes are on an upward trajectory in South America, interiors remain relatively simple, says Francisco Maciel, regional vice-president for Faurecia Interior Systems Joanne Perry (JP): How important is South America as a production location for Faurecia Interior Systems?Francisco Maciel (FM): South America represents 6% of our turnover. ...
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ArticleCompetitively commercial
As Mercedes-Benz earmarks $1bn for its CV operations in Brazil, AMS tours final assembly at the São Bernardo do Campo plant, which plays a part in producing the entire Latin American truck line-up “Today, Brazil is the most important sales market for our trucks worldwide,” said Stefan Buchner, head of ...
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ArticleManmade in Modena
As Maserati volumes grow, its old plant in north Italy is still using traditional means to make modern carsMaserati’s factory at Modena, northern Italy, is one of the oldest in the country and one of the most traditional in terms of its assembly; and yet it is also home to ...
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Article
Magna to expand Trnava Interiors Plant
Slovakia – The manufacturing facility will nearly double in size to more than 15,500 sq.m, supporting its production of interior components such as door panels, instrument panels and armrests for various global vehicle-makers.Ralf Link, general manager of Magna Interiors Trnava, said the expansion was “proof that we are delivering value ...
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ArticleExpanding interiors in China
Increased vehicle production in China has led suppliers to stengthen their presence there too, with the enouragement of the OEMsThe rapid growth of Chinese production by global vehicle manufacturers has been one of the most notable trends in the automotive industry in recent years; for example, Volkswagen has opened plants ...
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ArticleMulti-material, lightweight car concept unveiled
US – The project by Ford and Magna International, which was co-funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE), used advanced material solutions to achieve a weight saving of almost 25% compared with the industry standard.The multi-material, lightweight vehicle (MMLV) concept is based on the production version of a 2013 ...
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ArticleInvesting in Ingolstadt
The Audi production complex will complete a €1 billion upgrade by the end of next year; AMS takes a lookAudi’s headquarters at Ingolstadt, north of Munich, is much more than an administrative, technical and manufacturing hub these days. The usable area of the site covers 2.1m sq. m and over ...
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ArticleAbsorbing competition
Lightweighting is driving continuous improvement in all materials, but especially steelLighter weight equals less power equals lower carbon emissions. The equation is simple and the quest to find ever-lighter materials for use in automotive production is unending. Aluminium is a lot lighter, plastics are both lighter and easier to form ...
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ArticleMagna and Chongquing Trim form JV
China – The 50:50 partnership between Magna Exteriors and Chongquing Guangneng Rongneng Trim, called Magna Guangneng Automotive Trim System (Hangzhou), will supply the Chinese automotive market through a greenfield facility that will assemble and sequence front-end modules (FEMs). Joe Pittel, global president at Magna Exteriors, Interiors and Seating, said his ...
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ArticleHyundai Motor India
AMS visited the company’s impressively modern facilities in Chennai, where petrol and diesel engines can be manufactured on the same lineHyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is the second largest automotive manufacturer in India, established in 1996 by the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC) of South Korea when the Hyundai brand was ...
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ArticleTurning painting green
The BMW Brilliance Tiexi plant in China is leading the way towards more environmentally friendly paintshops'Best-in-class technology''The most sustainable plant in China'Developing key workforce competenciesNew standards & future plans"The world’s most environmentally friendly paintshop” is currently being ramped up towards full production capacity at BMW Brilliance Tiexi, Shenyang. So says ...
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ArticleDitching the dirt at Ford
A European innovation which has been rolled out at Ford plants in the US European origins, American implementation Processing power & performanceAlmost every freshly painted surface on a vehicle will attract airborne contaminants; tiny particles of dust will stick to the wet paint and, as it dries, become part of ...
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ArticleUV cure at Fehst
Ralf Wassermann, responsible for technical sales at Sprimag, discusses the company’s all-new UV coating systemThree-axis coating machineConveying & positioningAlthough UV coating processes have been around for some time, there are still manufacturing companies that have reservations about the technique. However, there has been a recent exception to this trend. Component ...
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ArticleMass is the driver for composites
Though tooling costs and shorter production runs bring advantages, reduced mass is pushing developmentCompared to steel or aluminium body structures the number one advantage of composites is mass reduction. “That is really the single most important driving factor that is leading to the drive to include more composites,” says Will ...