Interiors – Page 3

  • DTP_SKV_0706
    Article

    Open-door opportunity

    2017-05-10T10:41:51Z

    Much R&D work has been done to reduce the weight of vehicle structures, but closures still represent a significant opportunity for weight savingsClosures are mounted after body assembly and can be built up off-line, meaning that they can be made of entirely different materials, such as aluminium, to the vehicle’s ...

  • Fraunhofer-ILT car door with FRP reinforcing brace demonstrates laser-assisted joining of plastic-metal compounds
    Article

    Beaming with benefits

    2017-05-10T09:21:40Z

    Clean, flexible and able to provide quality assurance data, laser technology is now proving effective in welding plasticsA recent report released by Credence Research suggests that the US welding equipment industry for plastics is undergoing a period of explosive growth. The industry was valued at $595.3m in 2015, and the ...

  • PSA Vigo
    Article

    PSA to modernise European paint lines

    2017-04-10T11:37:03Z

    Spain – Paintshop supplier Sames Kremlin has announced that in March it won the contract to update lines one and two at PSA’s Vigo factory. Over the coming months, the company will install a total of 51 robots at PSA facilities in Trnava (Slovakia), Poissy and Rennes (France), plus the ...

  • Article

    Seven key issues for tier suppliers

    2017-01-05T15:53:35Z

    Taking examples from across the world of automotive tier supply, AMS looks at the seven key considerations from supply base consolidation, vertical integration and outsourcing to the changes that the move to electric, autonomous and connected vehicles might mean for the supplier industry1. Supply base consolidationWhile car companies make most ...

  • dsc_2187
    Article

    Parts makers in the driver's seat

    2017-01-05T12:33:48Z

    Using ABB robots, an IAC Group facility in Sweden has streamlined its production of interior plastic components for VolvoThe town of Skara in south-western Sweden is home to a manufacturing plant that has produced plastic goods since the mid-1930s. “In the beginning, the plant produced household goods, before shifting its ...

  • iac-injection-molded-insulator-from-prestice-2-cz
    Article

    Injecting a dash of insulation

    2017-01-03T16:35:55Z

    Automotive interiors specialist International Automotive Components (IAC) has further expanded its operations in EuropeIAC's newest production facility, at Prestice in the Czech Republic, will initially be producing the company’s injection moulded inner dash, acoustical insulation product for two major vehicle OEM customers – including trunk trim and dash insulation components ...

  • Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, Bitozeves, Czech Republic
    Article

    Operation and cooperation

    2017-01-03T16:19:15Z

    The working relationship between design and manufacturing departments can optimise processes, reduce costs and make the most of the best ideasGenuine leather, synthetic leather, thermoplastic polyolefins and slush skins have become standard surface materials in cockpit production. These various surface concepts usually call for multiple-stage production processes, requiring specific tools. ...

  • Article

    Zero tolerance for error

    2017-01-03T16:05:07Z

    If a single word can sum up the key challenge involved in the manufacture of injector valves for diesel engines it is very likely ‘tolerances’Summing up the high-precision machining operations at Delphi’s Storehouse plant, chief manufacturing engineer for commercial vehicle fuel injection systems Dave Jewell says: “We have got to ...

  • 161027_emailheader_02
    Webinar

    Lectra: An interactive roundtable on Operational Excellence in the Cutting Value Chain

    2016-11-11T12:37:55Z

    As the foremost authority on cutting room automation and digitalisation, Lectra has brought together a panel of lean-production experts to discuss best practice enabling suppliers to better cope with changing market demand while also containing costs.Register for our digital event today to watch video highlights and gain insight into ...

  • Honda NAER 2016
    Article

    Honda releases environmental report

    2016-11-07T10:26:45Z

    US – The 2016 North American Environmental Report (NAER), Honda’s 12th such publication, states that the CO2 emissions intensity of its vehicle production dropped by 10% compared with the previous year despite a record output. In fiscal year 2016, energy per vehicle also decreased by 6.7%, the most energy-efficient level ...

  • screen-shot-2016-10-31-at-15-28-29
    Article

    Getting down to refined auto parts

    2016-10-31T15:49:57Z

    ABB robots help HIB Trim Part Solutions produce a wide variety of vehicle interior parts from instrumental panels and centre consoles to door trimHIB Trim Part Solutions, a member of the NBHX Trim Group, is a technology partner for the premium sector of the automotive industry. The company develops and ...

  • audi-ingolstadt-oct-2016-paintshop
    Article

    Colour code

    2016-10-28T15:35:35Z

    The north corner of Audi’s vast Ingolstadt plant has been transformed into a three-storey, environmental and ergonomic exemplar of the automotive paintshopHandling more than 650 car bodies a day, operations at Audi’s new paintshop at Ingolstadt, Germany, are shared across approximately 200 employees in a three-shift rotation, supported by 54 ...

  • lectra-cutting-room-shutter
    Article

    The cutting room

    2016-10-20T13:48:02Z

    Bringing in Lectra’s expertise, suppliers are finding more ways to streamline their production of fabric and trim for automotive seatingMature and dynamic, Mexico is an especially attractive location for companies aiming to establish or maintain a North American manufacturing footprint. Drawn by the appeal of Mexico’s low wages and improved ...

  • VW Puebla
    Article

    Revitalising a veteran

    2016-10-11T13:36:54Z

    VW has been making vehicles at Puebla in Mexico since 1967, but a $1.7 billion investment has added new facilities for the Golf 7 and long-wheelbase Tiguan. AMS takes a look at a vast but still expanding footprintThe automotive industry is a prime example of globalisation; major manufacturers span the ...

  • carbon-fibre-recycle
    Article

    Recycle route for carbon fibre

    2016-09-30T17:09:09Z

    The use of carbon fibre in automotive manufacturing is in its infancy but with £316m worth of the material sent to landfill in 2015 it is imperative the industry explores more ways of recycling European Union (EU) end-of-life vehicle directives prescribe that 85% of the materials used in a new ...

  • Article

    Creating kerb appeal

    2016-09-02T20:35:19Z

    Optare build bespoke buses, but the firm faces similar challenges to high volume car manufacturersBespoke isn’t necessarily the term you would associate with mass market public transport, but according to Optare president, Graham Belgum, it’s a key USP for the company’s work with public transport providers. Criteria such as low ...

  • Factory_Panorama1 (2)
    Article

    Creating kerb appeal

    2016-09-01T11:19:40Z

    Optare build bespoke buses, but the firm faces similar challenges to high volume car manufacturersBespoke isn’t necessarily the term you would associate with mass market public transport, but according to Optare president, Graham Belgum, it’s a key USP for the company’s work with public transport providers. Criteria such as low ...

  • DSC_0417
    Article

    Moving the earth

    2016-08-25T16:39:29Z

    Manufacturing excavators that can weigh up to 80 tonnes requires a surprising level of flexibility and agility in the production operationsAMS editor Nick Holt heads to Kamatsu’s plant in Birtley northern England, to find out from the company's UK manufacturing director, Paul Blanchard, the various lengths that the OEM goes ...

  • Article

    Heading in all directions

    2016-08-19T23:14:55Z

    While Mercedes has invested in and modernised its domestic plants, it is outside Germany where the most significant expansion of production has taken placeWithin Germany, Mercedes-Benz operates three car plants – Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt – and two van plants – Düsseldorf, the main Sprinter plant, with special editions and ...

  • 14C505_2
    Article

    Heading in all directions

    2016-08-12T16:27:23Z

    While Mercedes has invested in and modernised its domestic plants, it is outside Germany where the most significant expansion of production has taken placeWithin Germany, Mercedes-Benz operates three car plants – Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt – and two van plants – Düsseldorf, the main Sprinter plant, with special editions and ...